974.1 W67h V.2 1622210 REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01083 7133 HISTORY OF THE STATE OF MAINE; FROOI ITS FIRST DISCOVERY, A. D. 1602, TO THE SEPARATION, A. D. 1820, INCLUSIVE. By WILLIAM D. WILLIAMSON. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. II. fSlallotDcU: GLAZIER, MASTERS & CO. 1832. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1 832, by William D. Williamson, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Maine. THIS PRINTING IS A FACSIMILE OF THE 1832 EDITION This edition published by The Cumberland Press, Inc. Freeport, Maine 04032 Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 66-22134 Printed in the United States of America By KJ Printing, Augusta, Maine CONTENTS OF VOL. II. A. D. CHAPTER I. Page 9 to 37. 1691. Oct. 7, Provincial Charter of William and Mary granted ; em- bracing Massachusetts, New-Plymouth, Maine and Sagadahock. 1692-3. The first administration. 1694. Feb. Death of Sir William Phips, first Royal Governor. 1696. Nova Scotia conceded by Massachusetts to the British Crown. Distress of Yorkshire. 1697. Sept. 11. Treaty of Ryswick. Nova Scotia resigned to France. 1698. Villebon, the French Governor, claims westward to Kennebeck. 1699. May 26, Lord Bellamont arrives, Provincial Governor. J. Bridges, first surveyor in the King's woods. 1700. Resettlement of Maine promoted. A Committee of Claims. 1701-2. Deaths of Lord Bellamont, Lieut. Gov. Stoughton, James II. and William III. 1702. Joseph Dudley, Provincial Governor. Population in Maine. CHAPTER II. p. 38—79. 1703. Queen Anne's war. The French draw the broken tribes to St. Francois. Several eastern towns attacked by the Indians. 1704. Church's 5th eastern expedition. Colonial sufferers in this war. 1706. The Indians consider the war a burthen. 1707. All the remaining eastern settlements assailed. 1709-10. Expeditions against Port-Royal. Nova Scotia subdued by Col. Nicholson ; — an event important to Maine and Sagadahock. 1711-12. The war. Last skirmish at Wells. 1712. Oct. 27, Hostilities cease. 1713. March 30, Treaty of Utrecht ; and July 11, of Portsmouth. No- va Scotia resigned to England and made a British Province. Castine the younger. CHAPTER III. p. 80— 110. 1713. The administration and prudentials of Maine. Three towns sur- vive the war. Ecclesiastical affairs. Order for the resettle- ment of several towns. 1714. Five towns revived. Paper money floods the country. Samuel Shute commissioned Governor. 1715. A road ordered from Berwick to Pejepscot. Three townships projected in the Pejepscot purchase. Georgetown resettled. 1716. Settlement of Kennebeck attempted. Yorkshire extended to St. Croix. 1717. Treaty with the Indians confirmed at Arrowsick. Timber trees protected. 1718. Armstrong's project to settle Sagadahock. 1719. Settlements between Kennebeck and St. Georges revived. Fort Richmond built. The Governor and House differ. 1720. Coram's project to settle Sagadahock. Affairs of Nova Scotia. Rale's character and conduct. Notaries Public. 1721. P. Dudley's case as a Councillor. Mast trees protected. The Indians denounced as rebels. Castine the younger seized. Rale escapes. 1722. North- Yarmouth resettled. CHAPTER IV. p. 111—151. Lovewell's war. The first reprizals and attacks by the Indians. Brunswick burnt. July 25, war proclaimed. Events of the war. Part of Georgetown burnt. 1723. Old town destroyed by Col. Westbrook. Attacks of the Indians. 1724. Col. Moulton's attempt to take Ral^. Successes of the Indians. Norridgewock taken and Raid killed. Lovewell's excursions. 1622210 iv CONTENTS. A. D. 1725. The battle of Pegwacket. The Indian village at Fort Hill de- stroyed. Dummer's treaty, Dec. 15, at Boston. Its ratifica- tion. Sagamores' sentiments, CHAPTER V. p. 152—178. Dummer's administration. Three trading houses established. 1727. A mission sent to recover captives. Earthquake. A back tier of towns proposed. 1728. July 13, Governor Burnet arrives. Councillors. His disputes w'ith the House. Death. 1729. Political changes in Sagadahock. David Dunbar, surveyor of the woods, takes possession of that Province ; rebuilds the fort at Pemaquid and surveys lots. 1730. Gov. Belcher's administration commences. Officers in York- shire. Complaints against Dunbar. He is appointed Lt. Gov. of New-Hampshire, 1732-3. His removal effected. CHAPTER VI. p. 179—193. 1733. Terms on which new townships were granted. Grants made. 1734. Paper money overflows the country. Salary question put to rest. 1735. Falmouth made half-shire with York. County officers. A new valuation finished. Census. Throat-distemper rages. 1736. Trade extended. Right to the woods discussed. Natives com- plain of encroachments by Mr. Waldo. Dormant claims revived. 1737. Great dearth of provisions. CHAPTER VII. p. 194—214. 1737-8. Dispute with New-Hampshire as to dividing lines, referred, dis- cussed, settled. 1739. William Pepperell and Samuel Waldo command the two York- shire regiments. 1740. News of the Spanish war received. Specie scarce. Land-bank formed — dissolved. 1741. Governor Belcher removed from office ; and appointment of Governor Shirley. George VVhitefield. New tenor bills issued. First instance of impressment. 1742. Ship-building, trade and fisheries flourish. Settlements promoted. New valuation. 1743. Fears ®f war and measures of defence. CHAPTER VIII. p. 215—233. 1744. The Spanish war. The French join against' England. War de- clared against the Indians, from Passamaquoddy eastward. Eight eastern scouts. Defensible men in Maine, 2,855. Lou- isbourg described. Expedition against it. 1745. The officers, the fleet, and the army. Assistance of a British squadron. The siege. Ijouisbourg capitulates. Its great strength. Expenses of the expedition repaid by Great Britain. CHAPTER IX. p. 234—259. Fifth Indian war. A defensive force of 450 men raised. Depre- dations by the savages. 1746. A French fleet of 70 sail, under Duke d'Anville, arrives at Hali- fax. Its disasters, A force of 470 men from this Province capitulates at Minas. 1747. A naval victory achieved by two English Admirals, Anson and Warren. Defence of the eastern people provided. News of peace arrives. 1748. Oct. Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelie. In this war, the Province lost 3,000 effective men. 1749. Treaty with the eastern tribes at Falmouth. CHAPTER X. p. 260—273. 1749-60. Claim of the French westward to Kennebeck. Governor Shir- ley goes a Commissioner to Paris, on the subject of boundaries, Monej' due received from England, aod the paper money all CONTENTS. V redeemed. The French Neutrals join the troops from Canada at the Isthmus of Nova Scotia. Halifax settled. 1750. Cornwallis attacks the French helow the Isthmus. The homi- cide of Albee and accomplices, at VViscasset. The Indians from the north, commit mischief. 1751. August, Treaty with tlte Natives confirmed. CHAPTER XI. p. 274—303. 1750-2. The people — conspicuous for their merits, and tolerant in their sentiments. The ministry of the g-ospel is able and pious. The British American system enforced, by acts of Parliament. Settlement of the eastern country encourag-ed. 1752. New valuation. New Style adopted. Petition for a new County. 1753. The Indians disturbed by encroachments, and by fires in the woods. Obstacles to settlement were the fears of savag-e hos- tilities and the question as to land-titles. Vassal's project. Governor Shirley's return. The claims of the Eng-lish and French to the eastern country specified. French line of north- ern forts, and aggressions, 1754. Defensive measures enlarged. General Union of the colonies projected. Fort Halifax at Kennebeck erected. Measures of defence. War inevitable. CHAPTER XII. p. 304— 345 French war and 6th Indian war. The French forts built. The eastern fortifications. 1755. Four expeditions against the French, — three being unsuccessful. The French driven from Nova Scotia, and the French Neu- trals removed. War declared against all the eastern tribes, except the Tarratines. The people jealous. Cargill's affair War upon the Tarratines. An Earthquake. 1756. Four expeditions against the French. Public burthens great. War declared against France. Governor Shiriey leaves the Province. The Indians attack the eastern towns and settle- ments. The expeditions all unsuccessful. 1757. The Indian war. Governor Pownal arrives. William Pitt put at the head of the British ministry. 1758. Three expeditions — all crowned with success — Louisbourg and other places taken. The last efforts of the Indians against the English, at St. Georges. 1759. A general attack upon the French. General Wolfe proceeds against Quebec. A fortress built at Penobscot, and named Fort Pownal. Death of General Waldo. Sept. 13, Quebec capitulates. Major Rogers destroys the Indian village of St. Francois. Death of Generals Pepperell and Waldo. 1760. Peace with the eastern tribes. Canada finally conquered. CHAPTER XIII. p. 346— 36S. Limits of the, Eastern Patents and great Tracts reviewed. Gov. Pownal leares the Province. Members of the Council for the last 30 years. Cumberland and Lincoln Counties established. Francis Bernard arrives. Provincial Governor. George III. 1761. New valuation completed. Political parties noticed. Disputes between the Governor and House. York bridge erected. 1762. Twelve townships granted at Union river. Line between Maine and Nova Scotia, considered. Drought, fires and scarcity. Three new towns established. 1763. Feb. 10, Treaty of Paris, — Canada, resigned to Great Britain. Quebec Province established. CHAPTER XIV. pr 369— 407. 1763. Measures to raise a revenue in America. 1764. Governor's view of the eastern tribes. Census of Maine. 1765. Jan. 10, Stamp-act passed. The first Continental Congress, 1766. Stamp-act repealed. Crown lands and timber, considered. 1767. A Hurricane. Parliament lay duties on tea, glass, paper, &c. and regulate salaries. vi CONTENTS. A. D. 1768. Colonial circulars offend the British ministry. A Provincial Convention. British troops stationed in Boston. 1769. Gov. Bernard leaves the Province. Duties repealed, except on teas. 1770. Boston Massacre. Public lands and mechanical arts, ingreat repute. 1771. Thomas Hutchinson commissioned Governor. He opposes the settlements in Sag-adahock. They increase on the Kennebeck. Governor disputes with the House. Judg-es' salaries. 1773. About 300 families leave Waldoborough. Symptoms of revolution noticed. Ministers and lawyers opposed to British taxation. The dispute well understood b}' the parties. 1774. Dec. 16, Teas destroyed in Boston. CHAPTER XV. p. 409—420. 1774. Acts passed by Parliament, to close the port of Boston, alter the charter of Massachusetts, and make other chang-es. Gen. Gag-e appointed Governor. He dissolves the General Court. A Pro- vincial Cong-ress meets. Second Continental Congress convenes. County Conventions. Committees of Safety and Supplies. Af- fairs of Coulson and Mowett. 1775. April 19. Battle of Lexington. Gen. Gage denounced. CHAPTER XVI. p. 421—448. The war of the Revolution commenced. Capt. Mowett seized at Falmouth. First Bills of Continental money issued. George Washington commands the American Army. June 17th, Bunk- er Hill battle. Eastern affairs. Provincial charter resumed. Members of the Assemblies. Massachusetts issues paper-money. Falmouth burnt by Mowett. Arnold's expedition through Kennebeck to Quebec. Repulse. General Post-oflBce estab- lished. New appointment of Civil officers. Militia reorganized. 1776. Defence of Maine. Declaration of Independence. CHAPTER XVII. p. 449—485. The amity of the eastern Indians confirmed. Measures of de- fence. Eddy's retreat to Machias. A Continental Army raised. Firearms arrive from France. Battle ol Trenton. 1777. A garrison established at Machias. The enemy there repulsed. Capture of Gen. Burgoyne's army. 1778. New Constitution rejected. Estates of Absentees confiscated. Paper*money depreciated, 30 to one. Arrival of a French fleet. Maine and Sagadahock formed into a District. 1779. The British seize upon Penobscot and occupy 'Biguyduce. The American fleet and troops sent to remove the enemy — defeated. The losses. Saltonstall cashiered. 1780. Troubles in Maine : — 600 men raised for the eastern service. Gen. Wadsworlh commands the Eastern Department. Arnold's treason. Constitution of the Commonwealth adopted. Mem- bers of the Council for the past 20 years. CHAPTER XVIII. p. 486—605. 1781. Administration under the State-constitution. Gen. Wadsworth carried a prisoner to 'Biguyduce. Maj. Barton made prisoner also. They escape. Defence of the eastern inhabitants. Gen. McCobb succeeds to the command of Gen. Wadsworth. Pub- lic credit low, and public burdens great. First Commissioners of Eastern Lands. October 27, surrender of Cornwallis and his army. 1782. Cessation of hostilities. Judicial and militia systems new modelled, 1783. Sept. 3. Definitive treaty of Paris. The American army dis- banded. Losses. CHAPTER XIX. p. 506—520. 1784. Great and immediate increase of settlements and population in Maine. Committees of Eastern Lands appointed. Lumber and other articles of export. Disputes between the borderers on the river St. Croix. CONTENTS. vii 1785. Body of Statiitc-lav/ revised. Expenses of the Penobscot expe- dition considered. Governor Hancock resig-ns, and J. Bowdoin elected Governor. Demand for eastern lands. Twelve town- ships confirmed. Provision made for quieting- the Islanders. Treaty with the Tarratines. Towns and plantations revived. Great freshet. CHAPTER XX. p. 521—547. 1785-6. Separation of Maine, from Massachusetts, discussed. Falmouth Gazette, first published. Address to the people. Result of measures taken for Separation. Three new towns. Shay's in- surrection. Land lottery instituted. 1787. Hancock re-elected Gov. Economy and industry enccurag-ed. 1788. Federal Constitution adopted. First Representatives to Congress, and Electors. Slavery abolished. A Colleg-e in Maine project- ed. Twenty new towns. 1789. Georg-e Washington, first President of the U. States, inaugurated. CHAPTER XXI. p. 548—557. 1790. Counties of Hancock and Washington established. Maine a Dis- trict. A Census taken. Officers of the District Court. Dis- putes between the eastern borderers and British provincials qui- eted. A law to preserve game. 1791-2. Nine new towns. Objects of eastern enterprize. 1793. Death of Governor Hancock. Two new towns incorporated. CHAPTER XXII. p. 558—586. 1794. Political parties— Federalists and Anti-federalists. The French revolution. The Americans take sides. Mr. Jay's treaty. Samuel Adams elected Governor. Three Representatives to Congress elected. Bowdoin College established. 1794-5. Nineteen new towns incorporated. 3,500,000 acres of eastern lands sold since the peace. 1795. Emigrant Society formed. Metalic coins regulated — eagles, dol- lars and cents, adopted in computation. 1796. A 3d Militia Division formed. Law as to Shell-fish. By a treaty with the Tarratines, 9 townships relinquished by them. Seven new towns. Academies endowed. 1797. Records of Supreme Judicial Court removed from Boston to their respective counties. 1. Sumner elected Governor. Parties. Federalist and Democrat, J. Adams and T. Jefierson, President and Vice-President. French aggression. Five new towns. 1798. The true St. Croix determined. Eight new towns. War meas- ures— Land-tax, sedition law and alien bill. Envoys to France, 1799. Truxton's victory. Kennebeck County established. The Ply- month, Waldo and Pejepscot patents limited. Deaths of Gov. Sumner and Gen. Washington. CHAPTER XXIII. p. 587—604. 1800. The Supreme Judiciary revised. Caleb Strong elected Gov- ernor. Electors of President and Vice-President chosen. Opposition of the Democrats to the measures of the National administration. Treaty negociated with France. The Fed- eral Eagle — a badge. C. Bench of 16 Judges established. T. Jefferson and A. Burr, President and Vice-President. A 2d census. A new valuation. Six new towns. 1801. J. Read and P. Coffin, Land-agents. Sales of the eastern lands considered. The Federalists oppose the new administration. 1802. Repeals of Congressional Acts— Other measures adopted. Me- rino sheep imported. New towns. 1803. Banks increased, and the banking system revised. Law against counterfeiting. 1804-5. Judiciary improved — and a Nisi-prius system adopted. Fisheries. 1805. Oxford County established. The era of incorporations. 1806. Though Governor Strong was re-elected, each legislative branch viii CONTENTS. was democratical. The British insult our flag-. Non-importa- lion Act passed. Berlin and Milan decrees. British impressments. Embargo laid. Twenty-four new towns incorporated. CHAPTER XXIV. p. 605—627. J. Sullivan elected Governor. His administration — County-At- torneys, Courts of Sessions and Jury act. Betterment Law. A 4th militia division. Sullivan's death. Six- teen new towns. C. Gore elected Governor. Somerset County established. Mr. Gore's administration. J. Madison, President of the United States. Erskine's arrangement. Rambouillet Decree. The affair of Chadwick. Vaccination recommended, Maine Bible Society established. E. Gerry elected Governor. The 3d Census. Exports, tonnage, valuation, and fishery. Religious freedom-bill. Measures of Mr. Gerry's administra- tion. Skirmish between the Little Belt and the President. Two new militia divisions established. Mr. Strong re-elected Governor. Tax on banks. Corporeal punishment abolished. Land controversies in Lincoln settled. CHAPTER XXV. p. 628—638. The European belligerents. Embargo, and measures of defence. June 18, war declared against G. Britain. Events of the war. Politics. New towns and Banks. Washington Benevolent Socie- ties. Direct tax imposed. March, all restrictive laws repealed. Factories established. American successes in the war. CHAPTER XXVI. p. 639—657. 1814. The war in Maine. The enemy seize upon Eastport, Castine, and Machias. The government instituted there by the British. Their other measures. Trade at Castine and Hampden. Clos- ing events and incidents of the war. Battle of N. Orleans. Measures of the Hartford Convention. Castine and the eastern coast evacuated by the British, as far eastwardly as Eastport. CHAPTER XXVII. p. 658—679. 1815. Feb. 11, news of peace arrives. Trade and Commerce. The condition of the cod-fishery. Public morals. 1816. New towns. County of Penobscot incorporated. A land office established. J. Brooks elected Governor. Measures resumed to separate Maine from Massachusetts. Brunswick Conven- tion. Parties, Emigration westward. 1817. Cold Seasons. Emigrations partiallv checked. Moose Island decided to belong to Maine. Our northern boundary discussed. 1S18. Treaty with the Tarratines. Probate Code revised. Sea-Serpent. 1819-20. Maine separated from Massachusetts. Its Constitution framed and adopted. It is admitted into tlie Union. Its political ad- ministration. SUPPLEMENTAL.— CHAPTER XXVIII. p. 680—705. 1623 to The periods -of our history. The Militia. Expenditure and 1820. revenue. Taxation. Coins. Education, arts, studies and pro- fessions. The religious denominations and their ecclesiastical polity. Industry, trade and manufactures. The various insti- tutions, established. Domestic life reviewed. APPENDIX. List of Councillors under the Provincial Charter. Page 707. List of Councillors and Senators, under the Constitution. 708. List of Members of Congress from Maine. 709. ■The Rulers and Governors of Maine from its first settlement. 710. ■List of Counties and corporate towns. 712. A. D, 1807. J807. i8oa. 1809. 1810. 1811. 1812. 1812. 1813. 1814. No. 1.— 2. — 3. — 4. — 5. — HISTORY OF MAINE CHAPTER L Provincial Charter — Governor and other Public Officers — Lcgisla- ture — Council— House oj Representatives — Voters — Statute enact- ments— Judicial Courts — Justices of the Peace — Appeals to the Crown — Militia — Ecclesiastical affairs — Education — Land-titles — Rights — Laws—Crimes and PunishmentS'^Witchcraft'^Death of Gov. Phips — NelsoUy Governor of Nova Scotia^ seized by Vil" Icbon, the French Governor — Massachusetts resigns the Govern^ ment of that Province to the Crown of England — Her measures protective of Maine — Restrictive acts of Parliament — Board of Trade and Plantations — Treaty of Ryswick — Nova Scotia re* signed to the French — They and Massachusetts both claim Saga- dahock^-Conduct of Villebon, the French Governor— 'Dispute about the jurisdiction of Sagadahock^I^ord Bellamont succeeds Governor Phips — His Speech — John Bridges, Survey or-^Gnreral of the woods — The eastern towns revived — Rumors of war and measures of defence — Great Island to be fortified — Committee of Claims — Fears of war — Deaths of Lord Bellamont, William Stoughton, James IT. and William III. — Measures of the French ^Governor Dudley succeeds Lord Bellamont — Meets the Indiana at Casco — The conference and its incidents^ The celebrated Charter of William and Mary, dated Octo- a . D. 1692. ber 7th, 1691, was brought hither from England by Sir Wil- ^"^^^(prof LiAM Phips, the first royal Governor, and went into operation ^^^^"^ ^ on the 14th of May, 1692. It embraced the whole territory of ibis State, in two great divisions ; — one, extending from Piscata- qua to Kennebeck, was called the Province of Maine} the other, Maine and including all between Kennebeck and the St. Croix, was usually J;^^^**'"' denominated Sagadahock*^ — As the political connexion between ♦ See Utvol. chap. xxii. A. D. 16»1.-— Though Nora Scotia was embraced; Massachusetts resigned the government of it to the crown, A. D. 1696, about a year before the peace ; and it became a British Province. — The Vol. II. 2 truor. 10 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1692. Massachusetts proper and the present State of Maine continued about 130 years ; it becomes important to give a general outline of the Province government under the new Charter. TheExccii- Its features bore a resemblance to the government of England, ^^^* and its departments were nearly as distinct. The Governor, Lieutenant-Governor and Secretary of State were appointed and commissioned by the crown, — to hold their respective offices dur- ing their sovereign's pleasure. The two first officers primarily took their oaths before each other ; — afterwards, they and the Secretary, also other officers, were severally sworn by two of the Council. The Gov- The Governor was chief magistrate^ and invested with supreme executive authority. He had power to convene, adjourn, and even dissolve the Legislature, and to nominate, and with advice of Council, appoint all judges, sheriffs, justices of the peace, and other civil officers ; — their names being first placed seven days upon a nomination-book. To him and the Council, was given jurisdiction of all probate matters, and the right of drawing by warrant from the Provincial treasury, all appropriated public monies. As Captain- General, he was empowered to organize the militia, and appoint and commission all military officers ; also to erect and demolish fortifications ; — but he could not march any inhabitant out of the Province without his own consent, or that of the Legislature previously obtained. He could negative as many as thirteen of the Councillors chosen, and also the Speaker of the House, if they were displeasing to him ; — a prerogative often exercised by him in high party-times. The two Legislative branches, after organizing themselves in the spring, were usually addressed by him in a speech ; at other sessions, his communica- tions were by written message. He presided at the Council- board,* and no law or order passed by the two houses, or by either, was valid till approved by him. Lieui.Gov- The Lieutenant-Governor always filled the executive chair, when the chief magistrate was absent ; but at other times, during a series of years, he sat and voted with the Council. charter aUo included the live northerly Isles of Shoals, as embraced in Gorges' charter : viz. Hog Island— Hay ley' or Smutty-nose Island — Duck, Cedar^ and Malaga Islands.— See 1st vol. chap. vi. A. D. 1639. ♦ He presided during executive, not legislative debates ; — thoHgh Lord Bellamont did in both 2 Hutchinson's History, p. 107,— The places of Councillors negatived^ were not filled that year. ChaP. I.] OF MAINE. 1 1 The Legislative power was vested in two distinct branches — A. D. i692 1 IT., TT '^93. each having; a negative upon the other. 1 he ujpper House was .j.^^^ called the Council^ or Board of Assistants, consisting of 28 laiure. members ; — the other was the House of Representatives. By the charter, three of the Council were always to be j^e Coun- from the Province of Maine, and one from Sagadahock ; — who cii. must at the time, " be inhabitants or proprietors of land within "the territory," which they were chosen to represent. The whole number of Councillors were, at first, by name inserted in the charter, who were to hold their places till the election in May, 1693. Those in Maine were Jol) Alcot,'^ Samuel DonnelLf and Samuel Heyman ; and for Sagadahock, Sylvanus Davis. Mr. Alcot and Mr. Donnell both resided at York, and both of them were afterwards sometime Justices of the Inferior Court or Common Pleas. — Mr. Alcot was one of the ancient, most ^i^^, substantial and wealthy inhabitants of his town, and had been commander of the militia company twenty years before ; never- theless, being somewhat advanced in years he was never rechosen into the Council. But Mr. Donnell was elected the next year 1 TT 1 1 ] • Donnell. and once subsequently. He also represented his town two years in the House. Mr. Heyman, having an oversight and interest in Heyman. the public alTairs, at Berwick, received this mark of distinguish- ed respect on account of his personal worth ; yet, owing proba- bly to his short life, or to his short residence in Maine, he is not known to have been a member of the Board after his charter- term expired, nor to have filled any other public office in Maine. Mr. Davis was a gentleman of good capacity and great fidelity. Davis. He had been an inhabitant of Arrowsick : and in superintending the interests and affairs of Clark and Lake upon that Island and in the vicinity, he acquired an eminent character for integrity, business, and prudence. When that Island was laid waste, he removed to Falmouth. No other man was more thoroughly ac- quainted with this eastern country,f or with the Indians, and while a prisoner at Quebec, his reputation commanded particular re- spect. He was a worthy magistrate, and the next year, was elect- ed a member of the Council. To fill the places of Messrs. Alcot and Heyman at the Coun- * Written, or spelt sometimes, « Alcock," and sometimes »' Alcot." — See *Dte — the burning of York, 1692. f Sulliran, p. 890. 12 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. 15^2^692 cil-board, in 1693, Francis Hook and Charles Frost were elected. They had been members of President Danforth's Messrs, /-i m j Hook, Council, and were two of the most popular and useful men in Frost vviieei- the Province of Maine. In the first Inferior Court, or Com- wriffhi, and -j, , i i t i j^yiiiie, mon rleas, they were both Judges ; and Mr, Hook was two years Judge of Probate. In 1694, they were re-elected. The game year, the places of Mr. Donnell and Mr. Davis were filled by Mr, Samuel Wheelwright, of Wells, son of the Rev. John Wheelwright, tlie original and principal proprietary settler of that town ; and by Mr. Joseph hynde, who was a non-resident proprie^ tor of lands, within Sagadahock. He lived in Boston and was Province treasurer, Indeed, the Sagadahock territory was rep-^ resented in the Council by a non-resident landholder, with a few exceptions, through a period of sixty or seventy years. When elected, and before taking the qualifying oath, he usually made affidavit at the Board, that he was such proprietor, Annun! The Council were annually chosen on the day of the general IilrCoiIi)%. election in May, by the members of the old Board and the new House of Representatives, assembled in convention ; and if any vacancies happened, during the political year, they might be filled in the same way by the two branches united, ^even form-* ed a quorum for transacting business ; the Board being both a CO'^ ordinate branch of the General Court, and an advisatory Coun- cil of the Governor. Nay, when the offices of both the Gov^ ernor and Lieutenant-Governor were vacant, all acts of executive power were exercised by a majority of the whole Council ; and there have been many instances, especially in the Revolution, when commissions were signed by fifteen Councillors. House of fpjjg other branch of the General Court, called the House, Olives. constituted of deputies, or representatives elected by towns- corporate. Governor Phips, for the first time, issued warrants, May 20, 1692, unto every town, to choose Uwo and no more;' and appointed a session on the 8th qf June, when 153* were Member» returned. In this Legislature, eight appeared from Maine ; Kittery, f.om Maine. YqpI^^ Wells, and the Isles of Shoals, [Appledore,] severally re- turning two representatives. f Subsequent to the first year, how- • That is to say, ffQ m Plymouth 12; Essex 30; Middlesex 35 ; Suffolk 25; Hampshire 12 ; Barnstable 11 ; Bristol 16 ; Martha's Vineyard 2 ; Nan- tucket 2; and Maine S ;=153. fin 1692, from Kitltty^ James Emery and Benjamin Hodsdon ; fronj Chap, i.] of malne. 13 ever, those Isles were never represented in the General Court ; a. d»^ig92 nor did any town in Maine, afterwards, for sixty years, return at th6 same time, more than a single member to the House. Some of its towns were always represented, during that period, except in 1697 ; though the whole delegation from this Province, in any single year, never exceeded ten or eleven.* The entire number in the House for the first ten years, was usually between 60 and 80; never till 1735, exceeding 100 members. Forty constituted a quorum for doing business ; and every one was entitled to a daily compensation of 3s. for his attendance, but was finable 5s. if absent a day without leave. To be entitled to the right of suffrage, a man must be 21 years .^"[o of^"*^ of age, own an estate, worth £40 sterling, or a freehold, which [-[Jj^"*^"^*' would yield an annual income of 40 shillings. In the first leg- islature, the ratio of representation by towns was graduated to the number of their respective voters ; every town having 120 might return two ; — 40 and upwards, one 30 and less than 40, one, or in the latter case the town might elect one or none at pleasure : — having less than 30 voters, it might unite with the next adjoining town in the election of a representative. To the General Court, was given full power to establish Powm or with or without penalties, all manner of wholesome and reasona- coun. ble laws, statutes, ordinances and orders, not repugnant to those of England, — ^to name and settle annually, all civil officers, whose appointment was not otherwise prescribed,— and to levy taxes needful for the support of government, and the protection of the people. But all " orders, laws, statutes and ordinances'*^ were Laws to be to be transmitted by the first opportunity after enactment, to the by Ujc king, king for his approval, under the royal signature. f If, however, Torfc, Jeremiah MoultoQ and M. Turfrey ; from Wells, Eliab Hutchinson and John Wheelwrig-ht ; and from the Isles of Shoals, Roger Kelley and William Lakeman. In 1693, from Kitlery, James Emery. In 1694, from the same town, William Screven; and from York and Wells united, Eze- kiel Rogers, Jr. In 1G95, from Kiltery, James Emery, and in 1696, John Shapleigh, In 1697, . In IfiSG, frpn) Kiltery, Richard Cults, and from Yorki Abraham Preble. * The non-rresident act was passed in 1694, by which no man might " serre *' in the House for any town, unless where he did at that time live and dwell."— 2 Hutch. Hist. p. 78. f Hence these were denominated the StattUes of the reigning monarch ivho approved them, as * the StattUes of William and JUary ;* * AnnCj SfC* 14 THE HISTORY [VoL. II . A- i>.^jG92 any one of them were not expressly disallowed by him in privy council, within three years, from the day it reached the Board, it had, after that period, full force and effect by lapse of time. Manifest inconveniences attended this process and requirement, though not without some beneficial effects. For great pains were taken to render the enacted bills perfect ; — besides, a needless multiplication of them, so reprehensible in later times, was greatly prevented. In legislation, the General Court soon became more parliamentary than formerly, — each house sending bills to the other for concurrence, amendment or rejection. How- ever, to avoid transmitting every minor legislative measure across Resolves, the Atlantic, the General Court often acted by " Resolves and in this way, introduced an anomaly into legislation, still exten- sively practiced, though the reason has long since ceased. TKe Judici- rpj^g General Court, being authorized by charier to erect Courts of Justice, for the trial of all cases, criminal and civil, arising within the Province, immediately effected a thorough revision of the judiciary department. Some of the first legislative enact- ments provided for the erection and establishment of five judicial tribunals ; a Supreme Court, Common Pleas, Quarter Sessions, and Justice's Courts ; — and afterwards. Probate, Chancery, and Admiralty Courts, The Su- 1 . The Superior Courf^ consisted of one Chief Justice and four Couru * puisne,' or Side Judges, — any three of whom formed a quorum. It was a tribunal of law and justice in all civil and criminal cases, through the Province, and of assize and general gaol-delivery in each county. But the statute establishing it, was not approved by the crown, till three years had nearly elapsed, subsequent to its passage by the General Court ; so that none of the judges, except the chief justice, was permanently commissioned, till 1695, nor before Governor Phips' return to England. In the meantime, the jurisdictional powers of this tribunal were exercised by special commissions of Oyer and Terminer,* one of which, for instance, was issued by the Governor, June 2d, 1 692, to try witches. But after the statute took effect, it was found in its practical operation not to be sufficiently broad and explicit ; and another was passed ♦ One special commission was filled with Lieut. Gov. Stoughton, Major Saltonstall, Major Richards, Major B. Gedney, Mr. Wait Winthrop, Capt. Samuel Sewall, and Mr. Sargent. — 1 Doug. Summ. p. 450. Chap, i.] of maine. 15 in 1699, which gave to the Court a jurisdiction of all matters, A. D.^j692 civil and criminal, — including appeals from the lower courts, re- views and writs of error, as fully to every intent, as the courts of king's bench, common pleas and exchequer had within the king- dom of England. The judges were appointed in 1695,* and held terms in most of the counties, twice in every year. June was the month for the sessions of the Court in Yorkshire ; and the shire town, till the close of the present Indian war, was Kit- tery — subsequently York. 2. An " Inferior Court,^^ or [Common Pleas] was established pfeTs?°" in each county, consisting of four Judges, who had cognizance of all civil actions, arising within its limits, *' triable at the common law." The statute fconstituting this Court was also revised in 1699, but not essentially altered. The first bench of Judges, commissioned in Yorkshire, now more commonly called * the county of York,' were Job Alcot, Francis Hook, Charles Frost 7^*^ Jutiges ' ' ' ^ 111 the Conn- and Samuel Wheelwright. The high sheriff was Joseph Curtis, of York. The terms in this county, were holden at York, on the first Tues- days of April and July ; and at Wells on the first Tuesdays oi January and October. Appeals lay from the decision of this Court, to the next Superior Court sitting in the same county. 3. The Court of General Quarter Sessions of the peace, was The Quar- holden by the Justices of the Peace within the county, at ^j^g *1. The Chief Justice was Williani Siovghton, born at Dorchester, A. D. 1632, graduated at Harvard Colleg-e 1650, and was appointed the first Lieut. Governor under the charter of William and Mary. Though he was in the executive chair alter Governor Phips left it, he was appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in 1695; which oflSce he held till 1700, when he aj^ain took the chair on the death of Lord Bellamont. He died 1702. — 2. Thomas Danforlh, late President of Maine, was a roan of great probity and stern political virtues— the idol of republicans. His name was not inserted among- the chai ter Councillors, though expressly desired by the agents. *• The people received the intelligence with sur- prise and grief." He held the office of Judge till his death, 1699. — 3. ElU sha Cook; a physician of Boston. Hs was a high liberty man," and a popular leader in the General Court near 40 years. He was an assistant in 1681 ; and appointed Judge in 1695 ; left the bench 1702 ; and died 1715, — aged 78. — 4. Samuel Sewall of Newbury, a graduate of Harvard College, 1671, was put into the special commission in 1692 ; appointed Judge, 1695; and Chief Justice, 1718 : and left the bench, 1728.— 5. Wait Winthrop, appointed, 1696 ; left the bench, 1717. Each Judges' pay was a grant of £40 a year, till 1700, when it was raised to £50.— J\Ia^s. Rec. p. 391. 1 6 THE HISTORY [Vol.. n. A.Dgj692 same times and places, the Court of Common Pleas held their terms : having authority to " hear and determine all matters re- lating to the conservation of the peace, and punishment of of- fenders, cognizable by them according to lavjr." But it being a needless expense for all the Justices of the county to attend court, four times in the year, merely for the trial of a few minor offences; they were made by the revising statute of 1699, to consist only of those designated for the purpose, in the commis- sion itself. Still, though the list of Justices was not large, it was a numerous and expensive court, till the Revolution. Appeals were allowed from this tribunal, to the Superior Court — the ap- pellant being put under recognizance to prosecute the cause, to file his reasons, and produce copies of the process, and of the evidence adduced at the trial. Justices of ^- Justices of the Peace were civil officers known under the u>e Peace, charter of Gorges, — never hitherto in the Colony of Massachu- setts ; the Assistants acting as Justices through the jurisdiction. An indefinite number, though not great, was now appointed and commissioned for each county by the Governor with advice of Council; — to hold their offices during good behavior. Each one had jurisdiction of all civil causes to the amount of 40s. and of all crimes, so far as to commit or recognize to a higher tribu- nal, if they were heinous, and to punish such offences, as assaults and batteries — violation of the Sabbath — gaming — drunkenness — profanity — and breaches of the peace, — either by the stocks, cage, a fine of 20s. and even stripes not exceeding ten. Court of ^' Probate business, until the colony charter was vacated. Probate, transacted in the County Court. But in 1 687, amidst the cmmges of government, Joshua Scottow* of Scarborough, was commissioned Judge, and his son Thomas, a young graduate of Harvard College, was appointed recorder for Yorkshire. — Now, under the new Province-charter, a Judge and Register were commissioned by the Executive, during good behavior, for each County; and in Yorkshire, 1693, Francis Hook was appointed Judge, and John Wincoln, Register. Any appeal made from this Court, went directly to the Governor and Council. 6. A Court of Chancery was established with power, *' to hear * Previously, under President Danforth's administratioD, Mr. Scottow had been one of the Provincial Council of Maine. Chap, i.] of Maine. 17 all matters of equity, not rellevable at common law." It was a. d. 1692 holden in Boston, by three Commissioners, assisted by five Court of Masters in Chancery, — all of whom were appointed by the Gov- Chancery, ernor and Council. 7. There was likewise an American Vice-Mmiralty Court ; ^.^^^^f'^^ and Wait JVinthrop* was appointed. May 22, 1699, by the crown, or by the high admiral of England, the Judge for New-England and New- York. Besides this, there was a Provincial Justiciary Court of Admiralty^ holden by the Governor and Council, sit- ting with that Judge and the Secretary of State, — for the trial' bf piracies and other crimes, committed on the high seas. From any decision of the Provincial judicatories or courts, in Appeals lo any personal action, wherein the matter in difference exceeded "own, £300 sterling, an appeal was allowed, by the charter, to the king in council. To revise and regulate the Militia, a statute was passed, in The Miiiiia, 1693, which directed all the male inhabitants, between 16 and 60, other than specified exempts,f to be enrolled and to do military duty four days in a year ; who were all to be well armed and equipped wiih a firelock, and its appendages, furnished at their own expense. They were organized by the Captain-Gen- eral and Commander-in-Chief, into companies, severally of 60 men, and classed into regiments, whose musters were directed to be triennial. All military officers of and above an ensign's rank, he himself without the advice of Council, appointed and commissioned ; and all under that rank were appointed by the captains. On any alarm given, which was understood to be — a discharge of three guns in succession at measured intervals, — all the soldiers in the same town were required, under heavy pen- alties, to convene in arms at the usual place of rendezvous, and await the orders of their officers. But no officer could quarter or billet a soldier upon any other inhabitant than an innholder without his consent. All christians, except papists, were expressly allowed by the * The successive Judg-es of this Court were Messrs. Atvvood, Mempes- son, Nathaniel Byfield, John Menzis, Robert Achmuty, and, in 1747, Chambers P».ussel. — 1 Doug. Suram. p. 494. f These exempts were many — extending not only to all members of the legislature, ministers, deacons, and all judicial and executive officers ; but to Masters of Arts, herdsmen, and sea captains. Vol. II 3 THE HISTORY [Vol. II. Mod-titles Bill of rigbU. charter, ''^ liberty of conscience in the worship of God." No at- tempt to legalize the old platform of church government, met with any success ; nor would the General Court, after this period, be persuaded to interfere in any ecclesiastical disputes, otherwise than to recommend an arbitrament or compromise.* To every church, however, was given and secured, by a new law, all its former rights and privileges in worship and discipline — also the power of electing its own minister. But if the choice was non- concurred by the town voters, a council, consisting of three or five neighboring eiders, or delegates from their respective churches, was to be called, — whose decision was by the statute of 1695, to be conclusive. One great and important duty was still enjoined upon towns by law,- — which required them to be constantly provided with an able, learned and orthodox ministry. In defence of government, justice, liberty and religion, the corner-pillars of the community, there were now provided with no less assiduity than formerly, what were esteemed their indis- pensable safeguard and panoply, viz. — schools and early educa- tion ; the ardor for mental culture and improvement having no- where undergone any abatement. Nay, such was still the public zeal for learning, that every town of 50 householders was by a new law finable, that failed to employ a schoolmaster constantly ; and when the town embraced twice that number of families, the instructor must be capable of teaching the sciences and learned languages. Land-titles were a subject of great importance and early con- sideration. By a colony ordinance of 1652, confirmed by stat- ute in 1692, peaceable possession, five years, acquired a title^ in fee-simple. As the limitation, however, was very short, the law provided, that the owner should not lose his right, if he pursued his claim, within t(jat length of time, after the close of the present or second Indian war. This provision was intended for the particular benefit of the settlers in Maine. But no territorial purchases of the Indians were considered valid, unless they were sanctioned by the laws and usages, extant within the constituent sections of the Province, where the lands lay. In short, the political axioms of this period, drawn into a stat- ute 6*7/ of rights, and passed in X692, shew in a more peculiar * Nor has any Eyaod since b«ea called. — 2 Hulch. Hist. p. 18. Chap, i.] of Maine. 19 manner the sentiment, sense and intelligence of the federative a. D. 1692 . . . . 10 1693. community. By these, no one might be despoiled of his liber- ties, or rights, except by the judgment of his peers or the laws of the land. Justice shall never be sold, denied nor deferred ; nor shall any one be twice tried, or sentenced for the same of- fence. All trials shall be by juries of twelve men, or by prior established law. Bail shall always be allowed, except in cases of treason, and in capital felonies ; wherein reasonable challenges shall be 2;ranted at the trials. Writs of habeas corpus shall never Habeas be prohibited, — * nor shall any tax be levied or laid upon the Taxes, people, without -an act of the legislature.'* Former laws were perpetuated for a period, by a special statute, ^ till opportunity was given, either to amend, to revise or re-enact anU usages, them ; — all usages retained and practices approved — as the legal expletives of such legislative acts as remained unrevived, if not inconsistent with the charter, becoming in after time the accredit- ed parts of our ' common law.' For the furtherance of justice, any judgment rendered in the courts of Yorkshire^ since 1686, might, by a provisional law, be reviewed in the new court of Com- mon Pleas. Judicial process and legal remedies became as- similated, by degrees, to the free principles of the English com- mon law ; — a code, in most of its parts, too sacred rn the peo- ples' view, ever to be touched by a despotic hand. Inheritances were made divisible or partible, equally among heirs, excepting to the oldest son a double portion. Every justice of the peace was authorized to solemnize marriages within his county ; and every settled minister within his town. But all questions of di- Yorce and alimony, were committed to the decision of the Gov- ernor and Council. Rules were given to counties for the man- agement of their prudential affairs ; also particular duties and re- strictions were prescribed to licensed houses. JThe powers and obligations of towns were revised in the choice and number of town officers ; in the support of their poor ; in the repairs of their highways ; and in the regulation of public ferries, and even of fences between man and man. Nay, almost every object of con- siderable importance, or public utility, received the particular * But the Crown refused to approve this Bill, for the ministry foresaw that if the act was approved, it would be a security against parliamentary taxatioB. 20 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.DM692 attention of the General Court, within its first three or four years of legislation, under the province charter. Nor will the writer Remarks, be charged with a needless multiplication of remarks upon the form of government, and the general administration of affairs—- when their importance is realized, and when it is further consid- ered, many of the most prominent laws and regulations, occasion- ally revised and amended, were not only continued in operation till the American revolution, but are the foundation of the " acts" that fill our present statute books. In no department, it is said by able civihans, do the lights and Laws. shades of a people's public character appear more conspicuous, than in their code of ' criminal law,^ — in the scale and species of penalties and punishments. If Eutopean governments, in their progress, tarnish its pages with more and more blood, it is a happy consideration, that with us, practical experience and im- proved policy, have taken a juster view of crimes, and pursued them with a correspondent moderation as to penalties. By ed- ucating the mind, and deepening the moral sense, crimes may be prevented — not by aggravating the forfeitures, or sharpening the punishments. According to a classification in the code at that offences.*"^ time enacted, — murder, treason, piracy, rape, robbery on a sec- ond conviction, bestiality, arson, polygamy, and witchcraft were all capital crimes : Burglary, forgery, blasphemy, perjury, adultery and larceny were public offences of the second class : and the third embraced assaults and batteries, gambling, drunkenness, irauds, usury, sabbath-breaking, and all breaches of the peace. Though among the penalties and punishments, torture no lon- ger makes its appearance, ingenuity seems to have been not a little exerted in the work of inventing new and various kinds and modes ; — some of which were cruel if not barbarous. In truth, that age, mistaken as it was, appeared determined to try by tests of experiment, what indelible marks of disgrace upon the body could effect, towards preventing crimes, and reforming the heart and habits of the offender. For, besides a confinement in the pillory, stocks or cage^ and sitting on the gallows, convicts were whipped ; their foreheads branded ; their ears cut off or nailed to a post ; and the tongue of a convicted blasphemer, perforated with a redhot iron. Even ten stripes might be inflicted by a constable, in execution of a sentence awarded by a justice of the peace. Chap, i.] of Maine. 21 Idolatry and heresy, which had been capital, were no longer A. D^^I692 considered offences punishable by law ; and it is greatly to be re- gretted, that a page of the statute book should be again sullied, by a re-enactment recorded against witchcraft, — more especially since the penalty affixed was death.* If such a crime were ever com- mitted, the difficulty of proving it, necessarily borders on utter impossibility. The trials of the accused were principally in Sa- lem (Massachusetts); and the height of the delusion was in 1692, when the country was involved in a bloody war with the eastern Indians. Of the whole number, convicted of witchcraft, 19 were,.,. , ' , . Witchcraft. executed ; and fifty others were prisoners in close confinement, when the spell was dissolved, and this master spirit of delusion, became effectually expelled from distempered and credulous minds, by force of good sense and sound principles in religion and reason. Though we have no record of a conviction for this crime in Maine ; a single case of one, formerly an inhabitant, may without Bmrmighs. impropriety be mentioned. George Burroughs, a native of Essex county, and a worthy minister of the gospel, who preached at Falmouth between 1685 and 90, was arrested at Danvers, and tried for witchcraftf at Salem, in 1692, on three indictments ; and * To encounter a ' demoniacal spirit of delusion,' a colon}- ordinance was passed against icitchcrafl in 1646. The first execution under it, was at Charlestown in 1650. There were several other cases in different parts of New-England before 1688, when the infatuation became more dreadful; and in the course of three or four successive years, filled Massachusetts with misery and alarm. The sufferers said they were pinched, pressed and otherwise tortured by an invisible hand— accusing- some one, who was hence soon arrested and tried. — See 2 Hutch Hist. p. 22-62. f The Indictment alleged—' that the said Burrotighs, late of Falmouth, * Clerk, on the 9th day of May current, and divers days and times before * and since at Salem, certain detestable acts, called witchcrafts and sorce- * ries> wickedly and feloniously hath used, practised and exercised, in and « upon one Mary Walcot of Salem village, singlewoman ; by which said < wicked acts — she is tortured, afflicted, wasted and tormented — against « the peace, and contrary to the form of the statute in such case made and * provided.' He pleaded, that he was " not g'wiZ/y."--On the trial the evidence was such as follows : — One witness said, upon oath, ' I have seen * Burroughs put his finger into the muzzle of a gun and hold it out straight • * and though he said an Indian present did the same, none of us could re- ' collect an Indian was present, and we supposed the being must have been ♦the blackman, or the devil, who' (they swore they had no doubt) « looks 'like an Indian.' 22 THE HISTOKV [Vol. II* A.D. 1693. though the evidence was of a most extraordinary and incredible character, the jury returned verdicts of Guilty on each of them 5 — and he was executed.* Fortunately, however, for the honor of humanity, he was among the last sufferers. The doors were soon thrown open to the wretched prisoners ; and all witchcraft, with the prosecutions ceased. Gov. Phips The administration of Sir William Phips continued only about recalled years and a half- To answer for some personal violence done to Brenton, the collector of the customs, and to Short, cap- tain of the Nonesuch frigate in Boston-harbor, both of whom had refused to obey the Governor's orders, he was required to make iflSi^^' his appearance at Court. He embarked for London Nov. 17, H.s death. 1694^-|- where he died the ensuing February. He was a man of benevolent disposition and accredited piety, though sometimes unable to repress the ebullitions of temper. He was not only Samnd Wchher testified that he, while living- at Casco bay, conversed with Burroughs about his great strength, when he said — " I have put my "fingers into the bunghole of a barrel of molasses, and lifted it up, and " carried it around me and set it down again." Susannah Skelden swore, that ' Mr. Burroughs' apparition came and told her, he had killed both his * wives, two of his own and three of his neighbors' children.' J^Iercy Lewis testified thus — " Mr. Burroughs took me up on a high mountain " and shewed me all the kingdoms of the earth, and offered them to me if " I would write in his book ;" — declaring, he'd " throw me down and break " my neck, if I would not." 'I keep, (said he) the devil, a servant in my t shop.' Jinn Pulman stated on the stand, to this purport. — ' On the 8tb * of May instant, I saw the apparition of Burroughs; it grievously tortured * me and urged me to write in his book. Presently the forms of two women * appeared to me in winding sheets with napkins about their heads. They « looked very red and angry on Burroughs, and said their blood cried for * vengeance against him ; — and they should be clothed in heaven with tchiCe ' robes, and he would be cast doxon to hell. His spectre then vanished away j * and they told me they were Burroughs'' two wives — he had murdered them : * And Jilrs. Lawson and her daughter told me this morning, he had murder- *ed them. —See 6 Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc. 265— 271.— Also trials if filches in Suffolk {Eng.) published A. D. 1684. — Mr. Burroughs was graduated at Harvard College, A. D. 1670, late in life for a man to close a classical course : — yet it seems his object was to qualify himself for the ministry. * JVeaVs J^ew-England.-^2 Hutch. Hist. 58-61.— Sw//. 208-12.— One ac- count says he was 80 years old.— [6 Coll. Mass. His. Soc. 268 ;] but thi» must be a mistake. — 1 Doug. Sum. 450-1. t Governor Phips was at Pemaquid in May, 1694, and there obtained from Madockawando, a deed of the lands at St. Gcorg^es' River. — 2 Huieh. Hist. p. 72. Chap, l.] OF MAINE. 23 energetic and exceedingly persevering in his purposes; but he A. D. 1C94. possessed good abilities, unsullied integrity and strong attachnnents. His unremitting assiduities to promote the best interests of Maine, the Province of his nativity, and to enforce measures devised for its defence and relief, are evidences, monumental of his pat- riotism and his high sense of obligation and duty. After his conquest of Nova Scotia, in 1690, Massachusetts Nova Sco- assumed ilie government of that Province; appointed John Nel- j'^jv^^j^^^^ son, Governor ; and gave commissions to judges, justices and ^o^- other officers. But the Acadian Provincials consisted of a mixed r^^^ Acadi- race, some born in the country, — some French emigrants — some ""s. resident traders — some half breeds of Indian extraction, with a few English ; and the most of them were lamentably ignorant, poor and miserable. Naturally attached to the French interests, and bigoted to the Romish religion, they were under the des- potic influence of the Jesuit missionaries ; and though they took the oath of allegiance to the English crown, they had changed masters so many times, that no confidence could be placed in their fidelity. Required by both to obey and yet protected by neither ; they became dispirited, — and tamely obsequious to any power, that would permit them and their families to live. Even they had in a partial degree, corrupted their language with half-English words,* Villebon, appointed Governor of the country, established him- ^..^^ ^ ^ self at St. John,f seized Nelson and sent him to Quebec ;{ or-Cov.atSi. dering the English flag to be struck at Port-Royal, Nov. 26, 1691, and the French fjag hoisted. He then opened a lucrative trade with the Indians; supplying them with arms, provisions and warlike stores, without which they could not have continued the war. In 1692 and 5, unsuccessful attempts were made to re-^ ^ jgg^ move Villebon ; as Massachusetts considered herself in virtual possfl»Bion of the Province, especially the great peninsula. The people chose deputies, and in some places, selectmen — being officers borrowed from the New-England colonies ; yet there was no regular system of government. In case of a general disturb- ance, or any affair of public interest; a village or district was convened, a consultation had, and a messenger sent with prayers or complaints to their Governors, * 2 Hutch. Hist. p. 13-37-93. f Called Naxoat.— 2 Hutch, Hut. p. 98. 1 1 Coll. Macs. Hist. Soc. p. 136, 3d Series. 24 I'HE HISTORY [Vol. ii. A.D. 1695. But after the capture of Fort William Henry, and a nominal Massacini- reposscssion of Nova-Scotia, in 1696, by the French ; Massachu- sells resis;ns ^ ^ ... Nova Sto- setts was convinced of her inability to recover or protect the tin to the . , ^ Crown. country, though within her charter ; and therefore she suppli- cated the crown, to be relieved from any further expense in de- fending it; praying that Port-Royal and St. John's might be gar- risoned at the national charge.* This was equivalent to a resig- nation of her jurisdictional rights to JVova-Scotia, which were never afterwards reclaimed by her. She permitted an inter- course with Port-Royal and other })laces, till she found, that ves- sels, under color of carrying provisions and necessaries to the suffering inhabitants, were actually freighted with military sup- plies,— when she forbade all trade whatever to that Province, f Protects On the contrary, Maine and Sagadahock, not only united with Massachusetts by the charter, but by the stronger ties of com- munity and attachment, were objects of her unremitting care and protection. Though she was herself in a distressed condition, her treasury exhausted, her public credit low, and her expendi- ture great ; and though perplexed with an uncommon maledic- tion, produced by the infatuations of witchcraft mentioned, she constantly exercised a provident liberality towards this eastern country. In the new and equal administration, she extended to it and its inhabitants, where any remained, all the favors of a good, a protective and a watchful government. Troops were sent hither from year to year, whose support and supplies incurred great expense. Besides the erection of Fort William Henry, Major Converse, in 1693, built a strong stone fort at Saco falls, J in which a small garrison was kept till the close of the war. The next year, the zeal of Gov. Phips carried him too far for his own reputation, in his endeavors to urge Short, captain of the None- such frigate, to cruise upon the eastern coast, in search of pica- roons and privateers. Every expedient was adopted to p*«erve and defend the country. A bounty of £50 was offered in 1605-6, for every Indian woman or child under 14 years, taken prisoner, or for an older Indian's scalp, produced at the board of war.§ For three years or more, the portion of the public or Province taxes assigned to Yorkshire were wholly remitted. Special en- * 5 Mass. Rec. p. 579. f 1 Halliburton's N. Scotia, p. 79. X Fort Mary. } 5 Mass. Rec. p. 437 — 2 Hoi. A. Ann. p. 10. Chap, i.] of Maine. 25 couragements, in the midst of the war, were offered the people to a.d. 1696, abide in their habitations and defend their remaining possessions. The plantation of Newichawannock was revived in the very heart of the war. To encourage ihe pious settlers, so struggling with war and want, the General Court made them a gratuity towards the support of a gospel ministry ; — religion being pat- ronized as indispensable to the welfare of every new settlement. The emigration also of French protestants was much favored ; who, fleeing from the sword of persecution, were received with open arms ; while those of that nation who were " of a contra- ry religion," had been, in 1692, forbidden by a legislative statute, to reside or be in any of the seaports or frontier towns in the Province, without license from the Governor and Council. A few facts will show the indigence and distress of the re- indi^enca maining inhabitants in Yorkshire towards the close of the war. shire!"^'^ They were even unable to pay tlieir county taxes. Nor could they so much as repair their gaol, and render it sufficiently strong and secure to hold culprits, till the General Court had given or- ders to Joseph Curtis, the sheriff of the county, to expend the fine-money in his hands for that purpose. So feeble and strait- ened were the people of York, two or three years after the town was ravaged and despoiled by the enemy, that they, in their cor- porate capacity, contracted with a gentleman from Portsmouth, to erect a mill for grinding their corn ; giving him, as a reward, the site itself, the use of the stream, and a lot of land, with some peculiar privileges in cutting timber, and agreeing, that they and the inhabitants would always afterwards carry their corn and grain to that mill, so long as it were kept in repair.* A similar enterpfize was undertaken, in 1693, by John Wheelwright of Wells, upon Cape-Porpoise river. He proposed to erect a saw- mill there, and the General Court thought it expedient to encour- agoihiB, by permitting him to take board-logs, from the public lands.f To persuade the people of Wells, either to rebuild or repair their principal garrison, all their taxes were remitted to them, in 1 696 — beside the supplies actually furnished for their support and defence. The great interests which Massachusetts possessed in Maine, * S Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc. p. 8. Vol. II. 4 f 5 Mass. Rec. p. 287. 26 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.D. 1G96. were not only affected by the war, — they were indirectly, though Acts of Par- sensibly touched by Parhament. For that legislature enacted, liament " ' to lands and (ui 1696) that no charter proprietor of lands in America, should navigation. , i , , . sell them to any other than natural born subjects, without a license from the crown.* Another act of equal importance, though of a different character, renewedly required, that all ships in the plan- tation trade, should be English or plantation built, and their car- goes registered as English or plantation property. About the Irade^'and ^amc time, the ' New Board of trade,' styled " The Lords Com- pianiaiions. missioners for trade and plantations,^'' vf^s established in England consisting of seven members. To these the Provincial Governors were to make all their communications, and from them receive their instructions. A.D. 1697. These colonial regulations were followed by the treaty of Rys- Treatyof wick, Sept. 11, 1697, before mentioned, which happily put a RysvMtk. gpggjjy period to the war in America. — By the 7th article, it Nova Sco- was Stipulated, that mutual restitution should be made of all the tlTihe"*^^'^ countries, colonies and forts, taken by either party during the French. n^fij- > virtue of which, unfortunately, Acadia or Nova Scotia, without any definite boundaries, returned once more to the undis- puted possession of the French. Neither in the war, nor in the treaty, was any thing effectually done towards determining the western limits of that Province. Only in this, as in the treaty of Breda, provision was merely made for the appointment of com- missioners to settle that question. Meanwhile, the state of the BoUMhey case Spontaneously revived the controversy France, by treaty, and chusetis Massachusetts, by charter, both strenuously claiming the Sagada- daiiock.^"^ hock provincc, or country between Kennebeck and St. Croix. Moreover the French, not content with their territorial posses- sions eastward, presently undertook to make themselves sole pro- prietors of the eastern fisheries, and even proceeded to take pos- session of Louisiana.f A.D. 1G98. In the summer of 1698, a frigate on her passage from France to Port-Royal, meeting with an English colonial fishing vessel, near Cape Sable, gave the master a translated order from the French king, authorizing the seizure of all English vessels found * 2 [lolmes' A. Ann. p. 32. + Origin of the French claim to the river Mississippi. Country piii chased by the United States, A. D. 1803. Chap, i.] of Maine. 27 fishing on the coast. He was also told, to give all other vessels a.d. i698. notice of the order ; Bonaventure, in the Enviux, soon afterwards boarding several and sending them to their homes, with a similar errand. Governor Villebon was more definite. In his letter, Sept. 5, YiUeht'n from St John,* to Lieutenant-Governor Stoughton, he stated, that he was directed by his royal master, to maintain his claim -a ^j^^pei to the country, as far westward as Kennebeck river from its source to its mouth — leaving the course of the river free to both nations ; that the Indians dwelling upon its banks, must no longer be considered subjects of the English crown but free natives ; and that all American fishermen, on the coast, or traders to the French ports, eastward of that river, will be seized : For, said he, you cannot be ignorant how plainly " it is prohibited by the treaty " between the two crowns, which you yourself sent to me." To strengthen the claim and secure the alliance of the Canibas tribe, the French this year built at Norridgewock, a catholic chap- el ; and this was followed by a frequent epistolary correspondence, between Ralle, the resident missionary, and the Governors of Canada and Nova Scotia. When complaints of these encroachments were presented to Pemaquid the Lords of Trade and Plantations, they replied, that they should always insist " on the English right as far as the river St Croix and strongly urged the government of Massachusetts " to rebuild " the fort at Pemaquid — a work, they said, " which ought " long before to have been done." The controversy was renewed — proceeding upon the former Tj,e ri^ht to grounds taken by the disputants. The French still insisted, that ho4^1n"dis- " Acadia" was expressly conceded to them by the treaties of P"*®- St. Germains,f of Breda,J and now of Ryswick — a country which in fact extended much farther westward than Kennebeck ; and that they had always claimed, and frequently occupied, as far as that river. But the English contended, that *' JVbm Scotia-^ was the Province resigned, and no more ; and that when the two crowns were in alliance, and Andros was Provincial Governor under James II, he established a garrison at Pemaquid, and took possession of Penobscot. It is true, the question was somewhat * In 1700, the entire garrison and settlement removed to Port-Royal, t Ante, A. D. 1632. t Ante, A. D. 1668. 28 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1699. embarrassed by Lord Cromwell's charter of the country, granted forty-two years before, to Sir Thomas Temple by which the western limits were fixed at St. Georges' river, or perhaps Mus- congus. Even John Nelson, before mentioned, when a prisoner in Paris, wrote, January 26, 1698, that though the French and Indians should claim to Kennebeck, they might, without much difficulty, be restrained to the river St. Georges, " for," added he, " this was always the ancient boundary in my late uncle Thomas Temple's patent. "f May 26. RicHARD e«rZ Bellamont arrived at Boston, May 26, 1699, mom s^c-^ ^^^^ New- York, of which he was the Governor, and now also Phlps^'^^* successor of Sir William Phips. Thoroughly acquainted with the nature and extent of the eastern claim, as pursued by the officers of the French, and knowing the intrigues of that cab- inet with the Stuart succession of kings, he in his speeches to the General Court expressed himself with warmth upon those subjects ; not failing at the same time to exalt his royal master. Divine Providence, (said the Governor,) in bringing to pass the late happy and wonderful revolution in England, has been pleased to make king William, the glorious instrument of our deliverance, from the odious fetters and chains of popery and despotism, which had been artfully used to enslave our consciences and subvert all Qur civil rights. It is too well known what nation that king favored, of what religion he died, and no less, what must have been the execrable treachery of him, who parted with Acadia or Nova Scotia and the noble fishery on that coast. But his present Majesty, a true English king, entirely in the interest of his people, has restored to our nation the character of valor and greatness, exposing his royal person, in the fronts of our battles. J. Bridges, In the short administration of Lord Bellamont, the public atten- veyor^Gen- tion was particularly turned towards the Provinces of Maine and Sagadahock. By the charter, all timber trees upon the crown lands, two feet in diameter 12 inches from the ground, were re- served for the use of the royal navy ; and any person felling a tree of that size, without license, incurred a penalty of £100 Ante, A. D. 1656-7, p. 363. f 1 Coll. Jlass. Hist, Soc. p. 136, 3d series.— 3 Charlevoix's jV. F. p. 348-9.— He says Villieuand a British envoy, agreed upon St. Georges as the boun- dary. But quere ? Chap, i.] of maine. 29 sterling. The first surveyor-general was John Bridges. He was A. D. 1699. commissioned by the king, and came over with Lord Bellamont. His jurisdiction embraced New-England. He usually had four deputy surveyors; and in a few years, the annual charge was about £800 sterling."^ Often called in the course of their duties, to deal with wood cutters and rough men, they found the respon- sibilities of their trust great, and its performance sometimes diffi- cult. But it was among the greatest anxieties prevailing on the re- turn of peace, to revive the wasted and weakened towns and set- tlements of this eastern country. Destitute of homes:^ yet attach- ed to the places of their birth, hundreds of freeholders, or the heirs of deserted realties, returned, during the season, and visit- ed former abodes, or half wilderness lands ; many repaired their dilapidated cottages, and more perhaps constructed new habita- tions. Men with their families removed to the peninsula of Cas- Falmouth, CO, Purpooduck and Spurwink, in Falmouth ; to Black-point and Sa'co and ' Blue-point in Scarborough ; to Winter-Harbor and the Falls vived.^ in Saco ; to Cape-Porpoise ; and to Cape-Neddock ; — and during the present and succeeding summer, those places were re- peopled with several abiding families. To assist York, Wells, y^^|.j^ j^^^ and Kittery, "including the precinct of Berwick," — towns which had survived the war, and were struggling with embarrassments ; s'sted. the General Court, within the period of three or four years, grant- ed them more than £100, out of the public treasury, towards the support of a gospel ministry. Besides these encouragements, Wells in particular, was aided in building a meeting-house by a generous public donation. Settlements were also undertaken on both sides of Pejepscot Lower Falls, f by gentlemen of energy Pejcpspot. and pecuniary ability ; and those, as well as the preceding towns, might have risen and flourished, had not some adventitious cir- cumstances soon prevented. A false and malicious report was fabricated and sent into cir- Theindians culation among the Indians, representing, that though they, by fa^i^e^^gp^j-j*^ the late treaty, were the king's subjects, and had a pledge of his protection ; his Majesty's colonists were preparing to fall upon the tribes and utterly extirpate them. So much were they pro- * 1 Doujj. Sum. p. 484. + 3 Mass. Hist. Soc. p, 141. — Especially Topsliain. 30 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1699. voiced and incensed by this story, that many of them strove to excite a general insurrection. The rumor probably originated among the French.* Callieres, successor of Count Frontenac,f now engaged in establishing a treaty with the Five Nations, or Mohawks, was determined to destroy, if possible, the subsisting harmony and peace between the English colonists and the eastern natives. These he intended to make his own steadfast and per- petual allies ; and his emissaries, more malevolent than himself, were the authors and heralds of the false and mischievous story. The Gov- As it could not be foreseen to what height this excitement ■ernor's Pro- ^ _ ° clamaiion. might rise, the Governor issued his proclamation, cautioning the people, and requiring them to give the Indians no just provoca- tion ; to watch their motions and behavior ; and to adopt all prac- ticable means for their own safety and defence, if any injury should be offered. | Town-watches were also required, by stat- ute, to be kept from nine in the evening till morning. The pub- lic, how^ever, being disturbed, nothing could fully allay their fears. They entertained strong suspicions, though without cause, that the frontiers were actually infested with hostile savages. A D 1700 1" March, 1700, there was a special meeting of the General plepara- Court, whcn provision was made for a levy of soldiers, and for holding the militia in constant readiness. Eliakim Hutchinson^ was appointed purveyor of supplies, — 30 soldiers were posted at York, 1 5 at Kittery, and 1 5 at Wells ; and the legislature allowed to 12 or 13 men in the county of York, £137 for their indefati- gable services during the late alarm. To terrify or remove the popish missionaries from the eastern parts, who were, by report, seducing the Indians from their allegiance to the king, and exciting them to a rupture ; a legislative aqt was passed, which required them to depart the Province, before the 10th of the ensuing Sep- tember, otherwise they would, if taken, be the subjects of exem- plary punishment. mom checks ^^ord Bellamont, after a year's tarry in the Province, returned piracy. iq New-York : and what rendered his administration memorable. * 2 Hutch. Hist. p. 113. t Frontenac died in 1698, ag-ed 78, | 6 Mass. Rec. p. 57. §Eliakim was tlie son of William Hutchinson, who came over to Boston in 1636, and who, in 1673, purchased of William Phillips, a large tract of land on the westerly side of the Saco, and owned mills at Newichawannock. In 1750, Kliakim sold the Saco estate to Mr. Allen, for £l,200. Chap, i.] of Maine. 31 were his judicious measures and uncommon successes against the a.d. i700, pirates and bucaneers. They had infested the coasts for thirty years, and now became bold, since the late war, to a fearful de- gree. The chief freebooters, Kidd and Bradish, also several other desperadoes, were seized, sent to England, and executed ; and happy it was for the eastern coasters and fishing vessels, that they were, at length, delivered from such a pestiferous annoyance. It was another proposition of the Governor's enlightened policy, to fortify Great Island in the mouth of the river Piscataqua. For Proposes to fortify either if piracy were not wholly subdued, or war should be the Great Isi- alternative ; or if there were a desideratum for a military depos- ^" ' itory upon the eastern coast, or for a place of naval resort in peace ; he thought the Island when strongly fortified, would be of great public importance, especially a defence to New-Hampshire. But the latter considered it an enterprize of equal interest to Maine ; and as she had been impoverished by the late war, she felt herself inadequate to the undertaking, without the assistance of Massachusetts.* The apprehensions of a rupture with the Indians gradually sub- JJ^^^^JJ^^'j^g sided ; and the hopes of a continued peace gave encouragement, country, and even an impulse to those engaged in the resettlement of Maine. But an undertaking so broad and difficult, after the deso- lations ot ten years war, was attended with every discouragement. No mills, no inclosures, no roads ; but on the contrary, dilapidat- ed habitations, wide wasted fields, and melancholy ruins : — These were the dark shades with which to portray a map of this ill-fated country, at the present period. Deeds and the muniments of land-titles were either mutilated or destroyed ; and therefore to remedy, as far as possible, this singular evil, and prevent contro- versies, the General Court established a Committee of Claims. ^°™f".'^^*'^ consisting of seven members,f some of whom were acquainted with the law, and all of them were men of intelligence and repu- tation. They appointed times and places for their regular ses- sions ; and after receiving and examining all titles and claims to * 1 Bdk. JV*. H. 245. — Great Island, however, was fortified not long- after this period, and became a stronj^ fortress. It was called " Fort William and Nary.^'' I The committee, were Samuel Sewall, John VValley, Eliakim Hutchin- ^ son, Nathaniel Byfield, Timothy Clark, Samuel Phips, and Israel Tay. — 6 W Jlass. Rec. p. 158, 32 '''ti'- history; [Vol. ii. A. D. 1701. lands in these eastern provinces, they, in obedience to their di- rections, reported their proceedings with facts, to the legislature. May. But the aspect of affairs, the next spring, 1701, being more Lt. (jov apprehends dark and portentous, gave new and fresh damps to the ardor and fortitude of settlers. The peace in Europe appeared not to be settled. On the contrary, Lieut. Governor Stoughton, in his address to the two branches of the legislature, at their May ses- sion, told them, that from intelligence received, the clouds gath- ering over the eastern continent, seemed to forebode a returning storm ; and that extensive hostilities among the nations were se- riously apprehended. In such an alternative, it was foreseen, he said, that this country must be a large and suffering partaker ; and it would be gaining a great point " to fix the natives in his " Majesty's interest, and to prevent them from joining with the " French." tlie^eastern ^^^^ purpose, several gentlemen, early in the season, visited 4nbes. the eastern tribes ; and in the important labors of reconciliation, met with considerable success. It was believed, much might be effected by sending protestant missionaries among them ; and in aid of this policy, king William established " A Society in Eng- land for projaagating the Gospel in foreign par is. Jealousy of Never had the American French looked with a more invidious eye than at present, upon this eastern region. The Indians were tranquil ; settlements were reviving ; and the English people, en- gaged in the Newfoundland fisheries, were making great voyages. About 2,700 fishermen, and 220 vessels were employed this sin- gle year ; and they took and cured 200,000 quintals of fish, besides 4,000 hogsheads of train and liver oil. Old jealousies were not only awakened but increased ; and while the English colonies deprecated a war, the French seemed to desire it. Lord^BeHa- ^^lat added peculiar interest to this important crisis, were Governor deaths of Several distinguished persons ; — happening with- stoughton, in a period, short of thirteen months. Earl Bellamont died at James II, * and wil- New- York, March 5, 1701 ; — the Governor of that Colony, Mas- sachusetts, New-Hampshire and Maine. Alw^ays " condescend- ing, affable and courteous;" and professing to be "of the most moderate principles in religion and government," he rendered himself universally popular. His death was followed by that of Lieutenant-Governor William Stoughton, who deceased July 7th, leaving a character justly ornamental of the various important Chap, i.] of mal\e. 33 offices he had so honorably filled. These events committed the A.D. noJi, executive reins and management, for the first time, to the Coun- cil, acting by majorities of members present, never less than a quorum. Also at St. Germains, Sept. 16, died James II. having now more than twelve years since abdicated the British realm. His son, surnamed in England, the " Preteiider,^^ immediately aspired to the throne of his father ; and the French monarch by declaring in his favor, enkindled anew the flames of war. For, as the Pretender was a catholic, the English nation had resolved to limit the crown to the protestants of the royal line, and finally concluded to settle it upon Anne, princess of Denmark, another daughter of James, and sister to Mary, the late wife of William, — whenever there should be need ot a successor. The event was at hand, as king William died March 8, 1702 ; a monarch deeply lamented by his American, as well as British and Dutch subjects. As Anne immediately ascended the throne, she only delayed till the 4th of May, to publish a declaration of war aeainst France, ^'^y^ . . . . Queen Her ministry persisted in asserting an exclusive ownership of the Anne's wnr , . . wilh Sagadahock Province, and a common right with the French, to France, the navigation and fisheries of the Acadian seas. This doctrine so much disrelished by Villebon, was utterly con- pifficiiies. temned by Brouillon, his successor. Countenanced by him, the J ^ J ^ eastern son of le Bourgne revived an ancestral claim to the easterly sec- French, tion of the great Acadian peninsula ; and as soon as he heard of war, he exacted of every English vessel, 50 crowns, for license to trade on that coast.* The New-Englanders were so highly affi-onted by this and other aggressions of a similar character, that they sent out vessels, with orders to make a general sweep over these waters. Consequently some of the wrongdoers they seized — some they drove into the woods, — nor were they hardly restrained from hanging up one Capt. Baptiste as a pirate. f Even the Nova Scotia Indians, on the rumor of war, seized three fish- ing vessels, belonging to Massachusetts ; and if they, through the interposition of Brouillon, were restored, Callieres fully justified himself for exciting the Indians to hostilities. — By his treaty with the Five Nations, three years before, he had acquired great credit •* 4C Univ. Hist. p. 135. 1 Univ. Hist. p. 148. — Brouillon, declared, if they did not desist, he ' would amply avenge himself by reprisals.' Vol. II. 5 34 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1702. as a negotiator ; and he said, the Indians, who were proprietors of the eastern country, had long since committed themselves to the French as their protectors ; while the English were intruders upon their property, and invaders of the French jurisdictional rights. fe/s arWvai Quecu Anne commissioned Joseph Dudley, Esq. Governor aiBosiou. Massachusetts, Maine and New-Hampshire, and Thomas Povey, Lieutenant-Governor ; both of whom arrived at Boston on the 11th of June. Mr. Dudley, a native inhabitant of Massa- chusetts, had been as well her agent at the British court, as a colonial assistant, and the president of New-England. He was one of the mandamus Council in Andros' administration, who was seized in the revolution of 1689, and confined twenty weeks. He was afterwards Chief Justice of New- York ; and returning to England, was appointed Lieutenant-Governor of the Isle of Wight, and elected member of Parliament for Newtown, before he received his present commission. The Gov, Governor Dudley, accordins: to instructions from the crown, bui"dii/The ^^'^^ Strongly urged the General Court, in his first speech, to ^o^' .at Pern- make appropriations for rebuilding the fort at Pemaquid. The foundations (he said) were entire. — most of the walls were stand- ing,— lime in great plenty could be made in the vicinity ; — the entrenchments remained, and if a garrison were established there, it would be the means of keeping possession of the country, and affording relief in emergency. Besides all this, he expected, the Queen would probably, at the expanse of the crown, man it with a hundred soldiers. He wished to see the eastern provinces in a flourishing and safe condition ; and he did not hesitate to say, that in his opinion, Port-Royal itself might be captured, by two ships and a thousand men. But the House of Representatives opposed building the fort. They thought the Province unable to bear the expense ; and if the establishment were renewed, it must be maintained, and a wider seaboard defended ; Falmouth being the remotest eastern settlement yet revived since the last war. May, 1703. At the general election in May, 1703, the Governor gave his 5 Coundf. negative to five of the new elected Council ; who were men of talents, popularity and influence. But he remembered the part they acted in his arrest and imprisonment, fourteen years before, and he was not disposed to repress his resentments. In other re- spects, he manfully applied his splendid abilities, his courtly man- lors. Chap, i.] of maine. 35 ners, and his extensive knowledge, to render all the acts of his a.d. 1703. administration acceptable to every class of people. As hostilities between the English and French crowns had ^ r^n^of °^ _ ^ _ Indian lios- commenced in Europe ; a war with the Indians appeared inevit- ^iiities. able. The first intelligence he received of a meditated attack, was from Lord Cornbury, Governor of New-York. He stated, that if the stories of the christian natives were worthy of credit, a mixed army of French and Indians, were preparing to make a descent upon Deerfield, and perhaps upon some other frontier settlements in Massachusetts, or possibly in Maine. Full of solicitude to know the temper and disposition of the Gov. Dud- eastern Sagamores, Gov. Dudley sent them messages, by which wUh'thl^" he requested them to meet him on the 20th of June, upon Casco junemh^' peninsula in Falmouth. Attended by a considerable retinue, '"^ ^^sco. consisting of gentlemen belonging to the legislatures of Massa- chusetts and New-Hampshire, and many other respectable indi- viduals, he had the pleasure of a conference with a large delega- tion from the Penacooks, the Sokokis, the Anasagunticooks, the Canibas, and the Tarratines.* All the Indians appeared to great advantage. They were well armed, — handsomely clad, — some of them fancifully decorated — and the most of their faces so painted, as to give them looks truly terrific. Probably no one tribe was so fully represented as the Anasagunticooks ; for about 250 of them arrived, in a flotilla of 65 canoes. A tent was spread, large enough to enclose and accommodate the Governor and his attendants, with the principal Sagamores and Sachems. Among these, when seated, the English promiscuously dispersed themselves; being not wholly without apprehensions for their own safety. The Governor, arisins:, addressed the Indian assemblage to this ' ^ ' ^ ° The confer- purport : — / have come to you, commissioned by the great and ence. good queen of England. I would esteem you all as brothers and friends. Yes, it is even my wish to reconcile every difficulty, whatever, that has happened since the last treaty. After a short interval, Capt. Simmo, the chief speaker, gravely replied ; * The Sag'amores were Adiwando and Hegen, Penacooks ; Waltanum- moriy of Peg-wacket [Saco] ; JSIesamhomell and Wexar. from Androscoggin ; Moxus and (another) Hopehood, of Norridgewock ; Bomaseen and Capt. Samuely of Kennebeck; and Warrungunt and Wanadugunbuent^ from Penohscol.-^Penhallow's Indian Wars,— I Coll. JsT. H. Hut. Soc. p. 20. 36 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1705 We thank you, good brother, for coming so far to talk with us. It is a great favor. The clouds fly and darken — but we still sing with love the songs of peace. Believe my words. — So far as the sun is above the earth ; — are our thoughts from war, or the least rupture between us. They then presented the Governor with a belt of wampam, — the usual token of sincerity and good faith ; and received at his hands several flattering pres- ents, with much apparent satisfaction. The parties then repaired to two stone pillars or heaps of portable rocks, pitched at a former treaty, called by the significant name Two Brothers, where the solemn professions of friendship were further ratified by the addi- tion of other stones. The parley had evidently been commenced by the Sagamores, with some degree of reluctance. Wattanummon said, their council was incomplete. Consequently, wishing to have the treaty embrace as many tribes as could be drawn into it, the Gov- ernor submitted to some delays in the negotiation, which was in progress two or three days, before it was finished. Several sub- jects were discussed ; and it was finally agreed, that trading houses should be established, the price of commodities stated and settled, and an armorer provided at the public charge. Boma- seen and Captain Samuel, frankly acknowledged, that *' several " missionaries from the friars, lately among them, had endeav- " ored to break the union and seduce them from their allegiance " to the crown of England, but had made no impressions on them, " for they were, (he said) as firm as the great rocks, and should " continue so as long as the sun and moon endured." S*^""*^'" happy conclusion of this interview was confirmed by firing a grand round on each side. In this ceremony, the Indians were requested to take the lead. They admitted the compliment and fired first. Their treachery was now abundantly manifest ; for it was perceived that their guns had all been loaded with bul- lets : — so charged, probably with intent to have made the En- glish the victims of the negotiation, had they not been promiscu- ously seated in the general meeting, among the Sagamores. Ac- cessions of 200 French and Indians, three days afterwards, con- firmed the suspicions, that in the delays requested, the Sagamores only awaited their arrival, when, with their aid, they would have probably seized the Governor and his attendants, and sacrificed Chap, i.] OF MAINE 37 the inhabitants at pleasure. If these circumstances, however, A. d. 1703. cast no just imputations upon the fidelity of the Indians, "every " thing assumed the promising aspect of a settled peace." As usual on such occasions, they made themselves merry with sing- ing, dancing, and raising loud shouts, or acclamations of joy. The result of the conference on the whole, greatly revived the n^^pes of desponding hearts of the people, and enlivened their hopes, that p^ace."*''* this country might escape the awful destiny of another Indian war, " The eastern inhabitants, says Mr. Penhallow,^ who before had *• thoughts of removing, were now encouraged to stand their " ground ; several more were also preparing to settle among them, " partly from the fertility of the soil, the plenty of timber, the " advantage of fishery, and several other inducements as well as from encouragements offered them by proprietors and by gov- ernment. But all these prospects were mere illusions, which subsequent events speedily dissipated. * His " History of the wars of IN ew-England with the eastern Indians." -p. 5. I The population of New-Eng-land has been variously estimated : — In 1692, at 200,000.-39 Univ. Hist. p. 323.— In 1696, at 100,000, and in 1701, at 120,000.-2 Holmes' A. Ann. p. 31-54.— In 1750, at 354,000.-2 Doug. Summ. p. 180. These cannot all be correct. The quotas of men to be fur- nished in 1701, [1 Belk. H. 246, Note *J to assist New- York ag-ainst the Indians, were thus : — Mass. and Maine, 350 ; Connecticut, 120 ; Rhode Island, 48 ; New-Hampshire, 40 ; New- York, 200 ; East and West Jersey, 120; Pennsylvania, 80; Maryland, 160, and Virginia, 240.~But the popu- lation of Massachusetts, in 1742, was. 164,000; of Rhode-Island, in 1738, 15,000;— the towns of New-Hampshire, A. D. 1699, were only five. Hence the -probable population in Kew-England^ A. D. 1703, was at least 150,000 s — viz. Massachusetts, 70,000 Rhode-Island, 12,000 New-Plymouth, 15,000 New-Hampshire, 12,000 Connecticut, 35,000 Maine, 5 or 6,000 120,000 -1 80,000=150,000. 38 THE HISTOHY [Vol. 11. CHAPTER II. The third Indian loar — The French draw some of the Eastern Tribes to St. Francois and Becancourt — The Colonists and In- dians— Mischief done by the latter ; and the former despoil the habitation of Castine the younger — The Indians attack at once, 5 of the eastern towns— The enemy repulsed at Casco — Black- point, York and Berwick attacked — Bounties for scalps — Pc- quods stationed at Berwick — Col. Church's Gth E. Expedition — Saco fort defensible — Hilton's scout — Exchange of prisoners — Illicit trade to Nova Scotia suspected — Gov. Dudley urges the rebuilding of the fort at Pemaquid — Mischiefs done at York and Kittcry — Indians tired of the war — Hilton' s feats at Black-point — Col March's expedition against Port-Royal — Attacks on the re- maining toivns in Maine — A smart skirmish at Saco — Also at Berjvick — 3Jiserics of Maine — Rumors of a contemplated attack from Canada — Nicholson' s proposed expedition against Port-Roy- al— Gov. Dudley's remarks — Port-Royal captured, changed to Annapolis, and Vetch appointed Governor — Mission of Living- ston and the younger Castine to Quebec — Attacks by the Indians — Chiefs go to England — Expedition against Canada fruitless — 26 persons killed iti Maine — Skirmish at Wells — Treaty of Utrecht — Peace negotiated with the Indians at Portsmouth — Incidents of the war — Character of Bomasecn, Assacombuit and Castine the younger. A. D. 1703. An Indian war always has associations, which Strike the mind The Indian with pain. So shocking to the attributes of hunaanity, are the cir- cumstances, which frequently attend its progress, that were ca- lamities, cruelties, carnage and suffering, or even personal exploits and hardships, its only characteristics, it might justly be consider- ed a burden to history. But every war with the natives, devel- opes facts and peculiarities, worthy of the notice it claims. It has its own features and own cast of character. l$t,orking The first one would have been a fair sample of savage war- pjimp's {^x^^ had not the Indian warriors used firearms, instead of the bow and arrow. Skulk, ambush, surprize and massacre, were its traits and footsteps, from beginning to end. They fought single-handed, without the arts or aid of Europeans. Their Chap, ii.] OF MAINE 39 numbers were respectable, and their motives comparatively noble. A. D. 1703. For though their design was partly to avenge themselves of in- juries ; it was principally to disperse the obtrusive settlers, and recover their entire native country. King Philip's war was short, continuing only about three years. By a long one, they are al- ways tired and exhausted. The time chosen by them for closing it, was in the height of their successes, when they could com- mand for themselves an honorable peace. The next war was in a trreat decree instigated and manasjed 2^,-. '^'"g o ° o ° William's by the French; who had made themselves thoroughly acquaint- war. ed with the disposition and habitudes of the Indians, and the springs by which their subserviency could be completely control- led. The Jesuits had strongly infected their superstition and pre- judices, with papal fanaticism. The Canadian French had en- titled themselves to great merit, in the estimation of the Indians, by furnishing them with arms and ammunition, — leading them to war, — fighting by their side, — and helping them to achieve vic- tories. Campaign, siege, undermining, and other arts of war- fare, were taught and promoted ; captives and scalps were con- sidered the greatest trophies ; premiums being offered and paid for them by the French. — The latter was a long war, lasting about ten years ; for after they had sued for peace and entered into treaties, French artifice was able to give the savages an effectual impulse to acts of treachery, their vengeance was re- kindled, and their minds inflated with new-formed expeditions. Another, called Queen Anne's war, now opened under circum- 3d, or stances differing from either of those preceding. A short inter- Anne's war. val of peace had, in no considerable degree, recruited the strength of the Indians. They saw that their tribes were thinned ; and that they had gained nothing permanent by former wars. Every hope of enjoying their native land, freed of white men, was full of despondency. Their fathers had conveyed extensive territories, and what was recovered in war, if any thing, was presently lost in peace, if ^not actually resigned by treaty. They agreed with the French, in their aversion to the English, and in a hatred of their free politics and religious sentiments; and when such passions, in minds undisciplined, are inflamed by fanaticism, they know neither restraint nor limits. All their acquaintance with the arts of civilized life, seemed rather to abase, than ele- vate their character. They made no advancements in mental 40 A.D. 1703. The Freiic'u. Becancourt -and Si. vFraiicois. The French draw the sh a lie red tribes to thai place. THE HISTORY [VoL. II. culture, moral sense, honest industry, or manly enterprize. In- fatuated with the notion of catholic indulgences, they grew bolder inranimosity, insolence and crime ; their enmity was more im- placable ; their habits more depraved ; and a keener appetite was given for ardent spirits, for rapine, and for blood. Dupes to the French, they lost all regard to the sanctity of treaty obliga- tions ; and Indian Jaith among the English, became as proverbi- ally bad, as the Punic, among the ancient Romans^ Their natu- ral love of country had degenerated, and their fire uf patriotism was evidently abating. Aware of the fact, and observing the Indians averse to wars, which reduced their numbers, without any other considerable emoluments or rewards, than the few spoils taken, Callieres,* the Canadian Governor, adopted a new expedient, which was ardently prosecuted by M. de Vaudreuil, his successor. They persuaded the shattered tribes to collect and settle at Becancourt and St. Francois in Canada ; — two small rivers, which empty into the St. Lawrence on the southerly side, — the one formerly the Perante, about 80, and the other 90 miles above Quebec. The Indian village of Becancourt is situated at a small dis- tance above the mouth of the river ; consisting of several wig- wams in a cluster, favored with a chapel, and accommodated with a ferry over the St. Lawrence to Trois Revieres on the op- posite shore. That of St Franpois on the eastern side of the same river, six miles from its mouth, is " a most eligible sit- *' nation." It soon became a large hamlet of wigwams, adorn- ed with a chapel and parsonage-house, and furnished with a mis- sionary and interpreter. f To these places, the French had the address to draw the wan- dering Wawenocks, the Sokokis, the Anasagunticooks, and also the Algonquins, from Trois Revieres ; who, intermingling, formed what have since been called " the St. Franpois Indians." At these places, designed to be the rendezvous of the natives, the French intended to command their trade and plunder ; to plan their excursions, and direct their motions against the English fron- Vaudreuil, late Governor of Montreal, was a any of his predecessors. — 40 Univ. Hist. p. * He died, May 26, 1703. man of abilities superior to 136. t Jeffreys, p. 9-11. — T. Hutchinson's Topograph. Description, p. Bouchetf 8 Canada, p. 33S. 6*7. Chap, ii.] of Maine. 41 tiers ; and likewise to make them a defence against the Mohawks, A.D. 1703. in case of war with that people.* At present the latter were in a state of neutrality with the French, who were determined, in the opening war, to avail themselves of this and every other ad- vantage. Their remarkable successes, in 'ihe late one, were, in the eagerness of anticipation, only preludes to complete victories. In these savage wars, the English settlers and their assistants The English colonists. fought altogether on the defensive. All parts of the country hold- en under charter or purchase, or broken from a wilderness into fields of partial cultivation or clearing, were considered by the men of this generation, as rightfully belonging to them in fee. — Here were their only homes, and even the birth-places of many, whose attachments to the country were enlivened by natal patriot* ic ardor. Duty as well as inclination impelled them to defend it, at every hazard and every sacrifice. Though torn or driven away from it in the late war, they had determined not to abandon it ; — their spirits were not fatally broken, nor their courage subdued* Personal exertion, intrepidity and exploits had often reflected im- perishable honor even upon their defeats. Valor is in truth fre- quently more genuine when personal ; and human nature shines with brighter lustre, when the merit is individual. Many of the dead were mantled in glory, and the living, though anxious for a continuance of peace, were not backward to put on armor, when- ever duty or country might require. The}^ believed, however, if the Indians were left to themselves, they would not recommence hostilities. But no measures, neither courtesies, presents, nor the sacred The Indians renewal of treaty-engagements, could keep ihem quiet. When arKpm.e-*^* there was war between the English and French crowns, it was Jll^ tn^'i'jsh impossible for their colonies to be at rest. A plan of operations, J;ou„eer contrived by the French, was now evidently maturing in Canada, ^'^sime's In the meantime, the impatient Indians were guilty of some mis- chief at Kennebeck, and a small party of Englishmen) unadvised, rashly committed an outrage at Penobscot, the late residence of Baron de Castine. — He had himself, since the last war, gone with his accumulated riches to France, never to return j leaving a son by a Tarratine wife, before mentioned, known by the name phiiider the 3 ouiiee Castine hou.se. * 1 Doug. Summ. p. 12.— 2 Hutch. Hist. p. 131.— 5 Charlevoix's N. F. p, 164-177. Vol. II. 6 42 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1703. of ' Castine the younger.^ Under tlie mask of pretended friend- ship, the foolish and wicked men visited his house, at 'Biguyduce [Castine], and besides perpetrating " great spoil," plundered it of all its most valuable articles. Every one looked upon the transaction as a base treachery ; and when he complained to the government, he was assured, that ample restitution should be made and the ofienders severely punished. This act of violence occasioned much deeper regrets, because there were daily appre- hensions of hostilities from the Indians, and a general resolution to give them no provocation. Outrageous, however, as it was, the well-minded sufferer only complained and expostulated, with- out avenging himself; for in policy and sentiment h<8 was the friend of tranquillity. The Indians The, tribes, on the contrary, were induced to join the war ; and \Veiis, fifty days after renewing the treaty of Casco, mentioned,* a po^ise, Sac'o, ^°^y hundred men, mostly Indians under French leaders, and^ai-' ' ^^^^ upon the eastern frontiers. Tliey divided themselves into six mouih. or seven parties, and at the same time, (August 10th,) attacked Wells, Cape-Porpoise, Saco, Scarborough, Spurwink, Purpooduck and Casco, being the principal settlements which had revived since the close of the last war. Wells, which had defended itself with so much bravery and success, in the two former wars, was now assailed with such violence, that in a short time it sustained a loss of thirty-nine killed and taken, besides the wounded. — Cape-Porpoise, inhabited principally by unshielded fishermen, was wholly desolated. The garrison at Winter-harbor, and the fort at the head of the tide, in Saco, fought the assailants with great spirit, till at last, the former, overpowered by numbers alto- gether superior, was compelled to submit to terms of capitula- tion ;f and the latter was barely able to make good its defence ; having several killed and wounded. The people of Scarborough happened to be mostly in garrison ; and the enemy, fearful or unwilling to encounter it, sent in a captive with a flag of truce. Fully acquainted with their perfidy and intrigues, and conse- quently paying no regard to the message, the commanding officer kept the captive and vigorously resisted a long siege — till he and his men were extremely exhausted, and on the verge of capture ; * 2 British Empire, p. 87. I In the assault of this fort, 11 were kilie.I, 24 taken prisoners and car- ried into captivity. — FoJsoin., j). 198. Chap, ii.] of Maine. 43 when happily a reentbrcement arrived and administered seasona- A. D. 1703. ble relief. But none of the settlements suffered so severely as Spurivink and Purpooduck, in Falmouth ; these were entirely destroyed. In Spurwink. principally inhabited by the Messrs. Jordans and their families, twenty-two were killed and taken cap- tive. Purpooduck, containing nine families, unprotected by any fortification, was attacked when there was not a man at home. Here th.e savage enemy butchered twenty-five and carried away eight prisoners. Among other horrid spectacles, was the body of Michael Webber's wife, near confinement, who was mangled and exposed in a manner too shocking to be described. The garrison at Casco, still the remotest eastern frontier, was A decoy under the command of Major March. The first knowledge he bascofort. had of tlie enemy's approach, was in the appearance of a small party, under Moxus, Wanongonet and Assacombuit, who exhib- ited themselves unarmed, and sent him a message under a flag of truce ; pretending they had some important matter to communi- cate. Apprehending no immediate danger, he proceeded with a guard of only two or three men, to hold a parley. With the first words uttered, each of the Indians drew from his mande, a hidden hatchet, and struck at March with great violence — at the same instant, an ambush rising, sliot one of his attendants to the ground. March, being a man of great personal courage and strength, wrested a hatchet from one of the assailants; and while he was parrying the blows aimed at his head, Hook, his sergeant, with a file of ten men from the fort, rescued him from immediate death. In this affray, two of his companions, Phippenny and Kent, were slain. They were worthy men, yet unfitted by age and debility, to act as champions. Disheartened by this bold and unexpected rebuff, the enemy withdrew, and for a week, lurked around, upon the peninsula ; setting fire lo the slender houses and cottages in the vicinity, and committing still baser acts of mischief. But when the main body of the en- emy, not less than 500 in number, had collected, they proceeded to Casco, under the command of Mons. Bobasser, to renew the work of destruction. They first took a sloop, two shallops and considerable plunder ; and encouraged by success, they strove two days and nights, to undermine the fort from the water side, as had been done in the last war. Soon the English must 44 THE HISTORY [VoL. II, A.D. 1703. have submitted to a capitulation or to death, had not the fortunate arrival of Capt. South wick in the province galley prevented. He raised the siege, retook the shallops, and scattering the ene^ About 500 my's flotilla of about 200 canoes, put him to flijrht. There of Iho eiie- *' ^ . . myrepuis- were at least one hundred and fifty-five of the English killed and Our loss Ic6 taken in these several attacks; which, with others in different places, alarmed the whole frontier settlements from Casco to ConnecUcut river, The country beine; thus thrown into fearful confusion : the wo- Two troops . . . of horse, men and children retired to the garrisons. The men went armed to their work, and ported sentinels in the fields. A troop of horse was quartered at Portsmouth, and another under Capt. Wadley, at Wells, Three hundred and sixty men were marched by or- Sept.26. of Governor Dudley, Sept 26, towards Pegwacket, one of the enemy's principal head-quarters, and another party, under Capt. Davis, went to Ossipee ponds, but made no discoveries. People at The enemy still infested the eastern seaboard, determined to kiU':don, consistins; of his wife and five children ; and Berwick at- ° ° ' lacked. carried Mrs. Hannah Parsons, a widow woman, and her young daughter into captivity. f At Berwick, five fell into an ambush ; — - one was killed, one wounded, and the other three made prison* * Charlevoisc[Bd vo!. J\r. F. p. 423^9] says, 250 men were sent out this year under Hertel, to assist the Abpnaques, who made 15U prisoners— be» sides those slain, f This is supposed to be the g-lrl, whom the savagies on their march, in 1706, being linsnccessfiil in hunting^, pre[)arcd " a fire to roast, when a dog, falling in their way, supplied the child's place." — 2 Hutch. Hist. p. 149. Chap, ii.] of Maine. 45 ers. Also, two houses were burned, and a descent made upon a.d. i703. Andrew Neale's garrison of the same place, which was under the command of Capt. Brown. In this, the assailants were quite unsuccessful, being repulsed wnth a loss of nine killed upon the spot, and as many wounded. Unable otherwise to retaliate, they lastened Joseph Ring, a captive, to a stake, and burnt him to death ; raising hideous shouts at his agonies and groans. Indians were still strolling about Casco ; and as a store-ship, intended for the relief of the garrison, was entering the harbor, they killed the master and three men at the first shot, and w^ounded two others in the boat. The enemy then retiring to the woods, were pursued by Maj. p^^^my March, of Casco, at the head of 300 men, as far as Pegwacket. '.vj^'",?'' At this place he killed six, and made prisoners of six more — the ^^'''^i'- first reprisals in the war ; — returning laden with considerable plunder. Hence, the Legislatures of Massachusetts and New- Hampshire were encouraged to offer a bounty of £20, for every Indian prisoner under ten years ; and twice that sum for every Bmmtips of- one older or for his scalp. Moved by so liberal a premium, scalps" Capt. Tyng of Falmouth,* and others, made excursions in the depth ot winter, upon snow-shoes, though without success ; the enemy being engaged in an expedition against Deerfieldf and other western settlements. The government was determined, if possible, to keep possession of Saco, and therefore at the expense ^^^^ ^^^^ of £164, repaired the garrison near the falls. f repaired. The returning spring was a season of distressing melancholy- — jy ^^q^ aggravated by an early renewal of hostilities or alarms and as ll^Ji"',!^^ Berwick was an important pass, Major Mason was posted there, i^erwick. with 95 Pequods and Mohegans, from Connecticut; who were at first a great terror to the enemy. Nevertheless, they did not cover the settlement ; for on the 25th of April, Nathaniel Mea- dar was shot dead, when at work in his field, and his body most barbarously mangled ; and about the same time, two men were killed, and one taken on the road in Wells. Afterwards, a par- ty fell on York, where they slew Matthew Austin near the garri- son, without being able to do any more mischief in this visit. * Sou of Col. Edward Tyng-. t Od the last day of Feb, 1704, 250 Indians, under Mons. Artel or « Her- tel" destroyed Deerfield, carrying- away Rev. Mr. Williams, and many others — See his " Redeemed Captive^* Sfc. \ Mass. Rec. p. 2-3. 46 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.I). 1704. The bold and persevering incursions of tlie enemy into Maine, S'-asirri. ^^^^ towns wcstward ; and the appearance of French priva- expeditiou. iQQYs upon the coast, induced the government to adopt wider plans and more efficient measures. The truth was, an attempt to de- fend and secure a frontier, open and exposed in a hundred places, was utterly vain. Policy required, that the war should to be car- ried into the enemy's country, and the conquest of Canada and Nova Scotia achieved, whence all our evils flowed ; such being evidently the only means of acquiring a permanent and lasting peace. In furtherance of this plan, it was deemed expedient first, to scour the eastern coast, and if practicable, discover and break up the head-quarters of the Indians, in the interior, also to carry retaliation and dismay, among the Acadian provincials. Hence, a force of 550 men besides officers was raised, and the command given to the celebrated Church.^' now holding a Col- onel's commission. Furnished with 14 transports, 36 whale- boats, and a scout-shallop, he sailed from Boston, May 21, under convoy of the Jersey and Gosportf ships of war, attended by the Province galley. The particular places of destination ap- pointed him, were Metinicus, Penobscot, Mount Desert, Machias, Passamaquoddy, and the settlements upon the bay of Fundy ; likewise Norridgewock on his return, if there were a lodgment of the enemy at that place. His sick and wounded, he was di- rected to send either to the garrison at Casco, or to Pepperell's fort at Kittery-point. „ . . The little fleet came to anchor at the Island Metinicus, out of Ho visits ' Pei.obscot Penobscot bay ; from which Col, Church sent out two boats to bay. ' one of the Green Islands, where three French residents, a father and two sons, by the name of Lafavre, and also a Canadian In- dian, were all taken into custody. The prisoners were sullen and obstinate, unwilling to answer enquiries or act as pilots, till they were terrified by threats, or softened by promises ; when they became submissive, and' stated, that there were several fami- lies of French and Indians, living about the margin of the Penob- scot; and that Mons. Gourdon and Sharkee, French officers, who * John Gorham was his ]/ieut. Col. and Winthrop Hilton his Major. His captains were John Brown, Constant Church, James Cole, John Dyer, John Cooke, Caleb Williamson, Edward Church, Joshua Lamb, Isaac Mirick, John Harradon. — Church's oth Expeditions p. 165. t One of 48 ^uns, Cypt. Smith; the other of 32 f^-uns, Capt. Rogers, Chap, ii.] of Maine. 47 had lately furnished them and the informants with ammunition A D. 1704. and other necessaries, were then engaged in building a fort at Passamaquoddy. Church, under pilotage of the prisoners and one Young, taken out of Boston gaol for the purpose, proceeded with several of his transports and whale-boats, into the bay and river of Penob- scot. In this excursion, " he killed and took a considerable num- ber both of French and Indians;" and among the captives w^ere baron de Castine's daughter, and her children. She represented, that her husband had gone to visit her father in France, where he, since leaving this country, was living on a large estate. At Mount Desert, Col. Church joined the three ships of war, Ranges the . ^ roast to and taking a fresh supply of provisions, hastened into the waters Passama- of the Passamaquoddy, at the head of his men, in whale boats, skirmish Through fear of alarming the enemy, he rowed by night and rest- ed by day ; never permitting a gun to be discharged, even at an Indian, provided he could be otherwise killed or taken. Church and his men went ashore upon an Island, June 7th, probably Moose Island, where they made prisoners of a French woman and her children ; and from the main, near her abode, they took M. Lotriell and his family. In ascending the river, they seized upon Gourdon and his family, and Sharkee and his domestics, both lately commissioned from Canada, to form an expedition against the English. They were at the time dwelling in tempo- rary cottages ; and that .of Sharkee was plundered of some valuable articles. Church, observing his men hover around the dwelling of Gourdon, demanded the reason : — Because, as one replied, some of the people within will not come out. In a fit of passion or haste. Church exclaimed, then kill them. Instantly the in- habitants received a discharge from the soldiers, and several fell. The faults and blemishes of eminent men, are often too severely censured. Church was highly provoked, to observe so much insubordination and exposure of his men, occasioned by the obsti- nacy of those who ought to submit without resistance ; yet he could frame no excuses entirely sufficient, to satisfy a sensitive public. He then proceeded as far as the falls of the river, in the work of capture and destruction ; Chartiers, a French offi- cer and resident, being the only one who escaped.* * 1 Coll. N. H. Hist. Soc. p. 32-35.-2 Hutch. Hist. p. 133. 48 THE HISTORY [Voii. II. A. D, 1704. Next the armament sailed into the bay of Fundy, and there ^|^'"'rch vis- divided ; — the ships of war proceeding against Port-Royal, and of Fiuuiy. the whale-boats against the remoter settlements. After destroy- ing Minas [Horton] and two other "populous villages," and mak- ing several prisoners, Church rejoined the ships in the harbor of Port-Royal. But a council of war, called July 4, misappre- hending the strength of the fortress, determined not to attack it ; and the ships sailed for Boston.^ Cliurch then laid waste the Finisiies his ^^"^"^'T ^hout Cliicgnecto ; and visiting Passamaquoddy, Mount fioii'^^^''^ ■^^^^'"^j Penobscot and Casco on his return, finished his fifth and last eastern expedition, about three months after its commence- ment; receiving from the legislature, as a reward for his services, a vote of public thanks. Gov. Dudley in his next speech to the General Court represented, that ' Col. Church had destroyed alt * the settlements in the vicinity of Port-Royal, and taken 100 * prisoners and a large amount of plunder, with the loss of only * six men.' This expedition, while it in a great degree averted from Maine, the hostilities of the enemy through the season, f was a most destructive one to the ill-fated Acadians.f Church was an officer who made thorough work, and carried retaliation in this instance far enough : For their condition, in view of winter, was truly wretched ; they, until now, having never experienced the direful distresses so often brought, by their French and savage coadjutors, upon the English settlements. The principal sufferers in this war, were the people of Mas- Massaobu- sachusctts, New-Hampshire and Maine. Their frontier was a Hampshire sheltcr to the rest of New-England, — or it was defended at their tile suffer-^ cxpcnsc, both of livcs and means. The government of New- war." '^"^ York had entered into a treaty with the Six Nations^ or Mo- hawks ; who had engaged to observe strict neutrality both towards the English and the French. Nothing surely could be more grateful to the inhabitants of that Province ; as it favored a lu- crative trade with the Indians, which the Provincials would, by * According- to one account, [40 Univ. Hist. p. 152,] Port-Roj'al owed its deliverance to 60 Canadians and St. Castine the young-er, who had thrown themselves into the fort the day before the English appeared io the basin. f The enemy " killed a lad near Casco foTt.'^—Penhallow. I Church's 5th Expedition, p. 158-193. {, Sometimes called the " Five ISations." Chap, ii.] of Maine. 49 no means, have disturbed. It however occasioned great com- A D 1705. plaint in Massachusetts ; for the plunder, taken from the frontier settlements eastward of Connecticut river, was often merchandize in Albany. On the contrary, the French, who had suffered so much in the wars with that fierce and savage people, soon saw and realized the great benefits of the neutrality ; and therefore, permitted no hostile movements to proceed against any part of New-York. Massachusetts, in her provident care of Maine, being stiJl de- J^efenceof termined to keep possession of Saco, ordered, that the fort stand- scout' to ing at the head of the tide be dismantled and abandoned, as it wock!^^ was originally erected only to cover the Indian trade ; and that the one at Winter-Harbor be strengthened and put in the best posture of defence. Moreover, in the winter, when the snow was four feet deep, Col. Hilton, who had been a Major in the late expedition under Church, was sent by government with two hun- dred and seventy men, including twenty Indians, to Norridge- wock, on snow-shoes. They took twenty days' provision with them; the season for their march was favorable ; and seldom, if ever, were the fatigues of a winter campaign undertaken and en- dured with more fortitude and patriotism ; the officers themselves having only the pay of soldiers. Arriving, they were, after all, disappointed, for they found none of the enemy ; — nothing but *' a large chapel with a vestry" and deserted wigwams, all which they reduced to ashes. This and the successful enterprizes of Church and others the last year, had greatly provoked the French ; and in January, Subercase, late ruler of Placentia, having sue- g^bgrcase ceeded Brouillon in the government of Nova Scotia, made a bold fj^^f^^jj^. descent upon the Islands, Newfoundland and St. John's, at the land, head of 550 men, collected in Canada and about Port-Royal ; in which he was assisted by a body of savages under the noted chief Assacombuit. Great ravages were made among the settle- ments, many of the English were killed, and 140 taken prisoners. By this time the belligerents felt their respective prisoners to be a burthen ; and in May, Gov. Vaudreuil despatched from Can- of^p'S-Loners ada to Boston, Capt. Hill, who had been taken captive the last year in Wells, and directed him to negotiate an exchange. On his arrival, he was able to communicate to mourning friends the intelligence, that there were of their countrymen, about 117 in Vol. II 7 50 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1705. charge of the government, and 70 with the Indians. William Dudley, a son of the Governor, and several other gentlemen were appointed commissioners to Quebec ; and with them were sent 70 prisoners, and yet only 60 were obtained in return. Guilty of detestable hypocrisy, Vaudreuil pretended, that " the Indians *• were an independent and freeborn people ; and that he had no " right nor power to demand their captives whereas they were, in fact, well known to be entire dupes or vassals to his will. How- ever, the mission of the Governor's son was protracted several months, under pretence either of effecting a farther exchange of prisoners, or of negotiating a neutrality ; — though his continu- ance there, was in truth a matter of policy, to delay excursions or sallies against the English frontiers. Vetch dnd Afterwards, William Rowse was sent twice with a vessel and cused oTil- flag of truce to Nova Scotia ; but returned with only 24 deliver- licit trade. Captivity. As deep suspicions shaded his conduct, he, as principal, his friend Samuel Vetch, subsequently Governor of Nova Scotia, and two merchants of Boston, as accomplices, were charged with carrying on thither an illicit trade, whereby the en- emy was furnished with military stores ; and consequently they were thrown into prison. Yet they finally escaped heavy penal- ties, only because the queen refused to sign the legislative acts, passed for their punishment. Gov. Dud- There were furthermore whispers, that the Governor himself, Jey uupopu- concerned in this disgraceful traffic ; and he found it difficult to wipe off the unjust aspersion, deepened as it was by popular prejudice. His notions of government, it is true, had too much of an aristocratic tincture ; and he was far from having the gen- eral love and esteem of the people. Nay, it was expected, at one time, that he would be removed, and Sir Charles Hobby appointed to the executive chair. The Governor's influence was certainly limited, and his unpopularity, a check to public meas- ures, if not an embarrassment to the prosecution of the war. Urges the According to the instructions of the ministry, he again urged oM"ema5 upon the General Court, to rebuild the fort at Pemaquid, and to an? Repair- Contribute towards the repairs and support of fort William and vJfn[°"nd Mary* on Great Island opposite Kittery. But the House thought Mary. Pemaquid to be * out of the usual road traversed by the Indians ; * See ante, A. D. 17J0. Chap, ii.] of Maine, 51 * and being an hundred miles distant from any English planta- a. d. no6. * tion, it was merely a place of occasional anchorage for coasters * or fishing boats, and could be of no great benefit — no " bridle " to the enemy — no barrier to our frontier." The original ex- * pense of erecting it was great — not less than £20,000 ; and * the charge of rebuilding and supporting it, would be greater * than the Province could possibly sustain.' — In excuse for not complying with the other proposition, the House replied, that the fort was originally built at the charge of New-Hampshire, and to her it properly belonged ; that the whole expense of the repairs was only about £500 — a sum not equal to the quota of several single towns in Massachusetts, for one year's charge of the pres- ent war ; that all the trade and navigation on the northern as well as southern side of the river Piscataqua, paid an excise towards the maintenance of the fortification ; and that Massachu- setts had been at great expense in the protection of New-Hamp- shire, and of the parties employed in procuring timber and masts for the crown ; while the latter Province had done nothing towards the support of the garrisons, the land-forces, and sea- fencibles, though as truly protective of her as of Maine or Mas- sachusetts. Equally unsuccessful was the Governor in urging upon the Legislature another proposition, which was the estab- Governor's lishment of settled salaries, for the two first executive officers of ^^'^'^^* the Province ; the Governor being usually allowed an annual sti- pend of only £500. Through the summer and autumn, our cruisers were continu- r^ ° ' Our vessel! ally on the eastern coast ; nevertheless, the French privateers seized and , ^ carried to took seven of our vessels and carried them into Port-Royal. Pon-RoyaJ. Nor could the remaining towns and plantations in Maine prevent j^j^^^^ or escape attacks and losses, though they had regular sentries, J*^^^^^' nightwatches and videttes perpetually in service ; for they lost, during the season, as many as twenty-one or two of their inhab- itants, killed or carried into captivity. In Kittery, at Spruce- Creek, five were slain and as many made captives. Among the former was Mrs. Hoel, a gentlewoman of very respectable connex- ions and fine accomplishments. Enoch Hutchins lost his wife and children ; John Rogers, three weeks after, was dangerously wounded ; and James Toby was shot. Another party of eighteen Indians, rushing from the woods, October 15th, seized Mr. Sto- rer's four children, near the garrison at Cape-Neddock, in York. 52 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.D. 1705. One, being too young to travel, they knocked on the head, and another they afterwards killed, probably amid torture, out of re- taliatory revenge, according to savage usage ; because one of the assailants was shot down on his retreat. A. D. 1706. There were some apprehensions of an attack upon the frontier in the subsequent winter ; owing principally to intelligence receiv- ed from Col. Schuyler of Albany, that a force of 270 men was preparing to march from Canada to some place unknown. There- fore Governor Dudley, ever watchful of the enemy, gave orders for a circular scouting march, once a month, round the head of the towns, from Kingston, N. H. to Salmon Falls.— The enemy Cruellies of first appeared in Maine, at Kittery, April 29, where a party of at Kiue'ry!^ them rising from an ambush, upon Mr, Shapleigh and his son, as they were travelling through the town, killed the father and car- ried the' son to Canada. On their march, the savages exhibited a specimen of their barbarous disposition ; for they bit off the ends of their young prisoner's fingers, and to prevent their bleed- ing, seared them with burning-hot tobacco-pipes. There were likewise other instances of cruelty. One Sampson, an overgrown savage, undertook to hang Rebecca Taylor, his prisoner, with his girdle tied around her neck and drawn over the limb of a tree. But, unexpectedly, his girdle broke, and she, half suspended, fell. This so exasperated the monster, that he was about to plunge his hatchet into her head, when the noted Bomaseen, passing that way, humanely rescued the fair sufferer from her pains and perils. Ravages in Much mischief was perpetrated, this summer, by the Indians, ^eufand^N. ^t Dover, Exctcr, and Dunstable, in New-Hampshire ; and at Hampshire. Q^Qton, Chclmsford, and Sudbury, in Massachusetts ; and hence the government resolved upon a more vigorous prosecution of the war. In a new tariff of bounties, for every Indian scalp, a regu- lar soldier was offered £10; a volunteer, without wages, £20, and without being furnished with rations or supplies, £50 ; yet, so shy and seldom seen were the savages, that it is said, every Indian scalped, killed or taken, cost the Province £1000, The Indians But, fortunately, the tribes considered the war a burden, and tired of the . . , . war* were heartily tired ol it, as was conceded by the French them- selves. Usually, a war of three years' continuance is long enough for Indians. In the present war, they may have gratified their revenge, — certainly they had acquired no permanent advantage, no considerable booty, or other emolument. Thev had not utter- Chap, ii.] of mal\k. 53 ly destroyed a single town or plantation in Massachusetts or New- a. d, 1706. Hampshire ; and those they had laid waste in Maine, yielded nothing to the destroyers. The white men of this age were well acquainted with the manner of savage warfare, and were more than a match for their foes. The unhappy natives saw their tribes wasted and distressed, liable to be utterly extirpated from the beloved land ol their fathers ; and yet unable elsewhere to obtain a support for themselves and for their needy families. A neutrality was proposed by the Canadian French, which is fl^^i^ces de> supposed to have been rejected. Charlevoix* says, that Gov. 'Jg*^^^'^^^ Dudley in this dilemma was 'much affected with the cries of Canada. * the inhabitants, no longer able to improve their lands, which * were continually ravaged by the Indians ; and he thought the * only way to put an end to their distress, was to remove the * French from Acadia.' It is true, the Governor had great rea- son to expect, that a complete conquest both of that country and Canada would soon be attempted ; since the promise of an arma- ment from England, the current year, remained unperformed, only because of some changes in the political affairs of the realm. He was exceedingly anxious to see Port-Royai reduced ; as such an event would complete the entire conquest of Nova Sco- tia, and convert it into an English Province. It would also serve to shew, that, though it were falsely said, the Governor's impolitic management of affairs towards that Province had cost Massachusetts £30,000, he was successful as well as indefatiga- ble in his labors and plans for the public good. Another excursion eastward, was undertaken by the estimable . ,^a« ' ^ A. D. not. Colonel Hilton, in January, 1707: and a shallop was sent to ^ ton's success Casco with stores and provisions for his forces, consisting of ^20 a^.^^'a^^k- men. So mild and unsettled was the weather, however, and ^*^'"^* open the winter, that they were unable to prosecute their march to the extent intended ; yet in pursuing an Indian track upon which they struck, near Black-point, tliey surprised and killed four savages, and took captive a middle aged squaw with a pap- poose. To save her life, she conducted them to a party of eighteen, lying asleep on a neck of land not far distant and un- guarded ; all of whom except one, they killed about break of * 2 Charlevoix's N. F. p. 313. 54 "I'HE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.D. 1707. day, and took the other a prisoner.* This occasioned the great- er joy and triumph, because of the difficulty, at this period, of coming across the Indians or finding their haunts. e?ped tio^n ^ Early in the spring, the Governor raised two regiments for asiainst K the eastern service ; and 2;ave the command of them to Cols. Koyal. ... Wainwright and Hilton. The officers embarked with the troops, at Nantasket, May 13, in 23 transports, convoyed by the Dept- ford man of war and the Province galley, and furnished with a competent number of whale-boats. The chief command of the expedition was given to Col. March ; who was well beloved by the soldiers, and had behaved bravely in several scouts, and ren- M 26 counters with the enemy, though never tried in service difficult ^ like the present. Arriving at Port-Royal, on the 26th, about 1000 men were disembarked ; and a skirmish ensued, in which Subercase had his horse shot under him and retired ; while the inhabitants took shelter in the fort. Misapprehending its force and condition, a council of war supposed it " was more than a match for our raw undisciplined army and the forces all re- embarked, June 7, in a disorderly manner.f Several of the officers went to Boston for further orders ; and some of the transports put in at Casco, and one at Portsmouth. The Gov- ernor at Boston, being thrown off his guard by the inciting influ- ences of passion and chagrin, declared if another vessel arrived, not a man should come ashore " on pain of death." He was de- termined, and at last by dint of effort, was able to effect a rally and return to the siege of Port-Royal. Yet thinking it inexpe- dient actually to supersede Col. March in the command, the Governor appointed three gentlemen of the Council, supervisors of the enterprize now so boldly renewed. The troops relanded Aug. 10. before the town, August 10; — but the spirits of March were crippled and his health affected, — the men were sickly, and dis- heartened,-—the enemy's forces were increasing ; and no means could inspire an union, firmness and skill equal to the emergency. In ten days the whole affair was at an end ; yet the army though sufficiently mortified, really sustained no greater loss than sixteen killed and as many wounded. *The report of this affair with little variation from the truth, was in cir- culation at Portsmouth, on the mornings it happened, thoug-h 60 miles dis- tant.— Penhalloxo's Indian War, p. 40. _ t 2 Charlevoix, p. 318-321. Chap, ii.] of maine. 55 In consequence of this unfortunate expedition, the French A. d. 1707. were much more able to arouse the Indians to a renewal of their All iheeas- spoliations. Beginning the last of June, 1707, they, in the course men s as- of three months, made bold advances against Kittery, Berwick, York, Wells, Casco and Winter-Harbor, being all the surviving towns and garrisons in Maine. As if actuated by personal malevo- lence towards William Carpenter, a party pushed forward to his dwellinghouse, in Kittery, and slew him and all his family. Four Kittery. men, riding in company with Mrs. Littlefield, on the road between York and Wells, were waylaid, August 10th, and all slain except Aug. lo. one, who hardly escaped an equally expected fate. Mrs. Little- field had money to the amount of $200 about her person, of all which, it is said, the same bloody hands plundered her. After- wards Mr. Littlefield, Lieutenant of the latter town, was taken and carried to Canada. The savages seemed both to hate and fear all men of military titles, rank, or character. But fishermen were mere playthings in their clutches. Lurking about Casco, Casco. they intercepted a fishing smack, sailing among the Islands, and, as in like cases, they made an easy conquest of her and her crew, killing three of them and taking the other two prisoners. Yet much the boldest movement made this year, was on the A severe 21st of September, by a party of 150 Indians, coming in 50 ca-saco!^'^ noes* to Winter-Harbor. Here they attempted to take possession of two shallops lying at anchor, while Capt. Austin, Mr. Har- mon, John Cole, sergeant of the garrison, and five others were on board. By waiting till the enemy was near, and then all fir- ing at once, they threw the savage flotilla into great confusion. Recovering themselves, (as the narrator says,) the Indians re- turned a discharge of musquetry, with so much spirit, that our men were forced to abandon one of the shallops ; and entering the other, we cut her cables, endeavored to spread the sails, and put to sea. The Indians, instantly taking possession of the little prize, had up the mainsail, before ours was half mast ; and plied their oars and paddles so dexterously on each side, as to render their pursuit fearful. Their bark however, was a dull sailor, and themselves unskilful mariners ; and when they saw they were falling astern of their competitors, a number of them, in a dozen canoes, by means of fishlines, undertook to tow her ahead. In * They usually appeared three in a canoe." 56 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1707 the chase, a breath of air breezed up, and by hauling her too near the wind, she came several times to stays, — which greatly retarded her progress. A perpetual firing was kept up by the parties on each other ; and so near together were they at times, — so smart was the skirmish,— and so daring the Indians, that they attempted to seize the blades of the oars, as our men were rowing. The engagement lasted about three hours ; and when the chase ceased, our men had scarcely five charges of pow- der left. Our loss was only one man, Benjamin Daniel, fatally wounded in his bowels; who exclaimed, I am a dead man^ but give me a gun ta kill one more before I go : — ^Yet the brave man had not strength to fire. About nine of the enemy were killed in this well-fought skirmish, and twice as many wounded. The l^st outrage of the Indians this season, in Maine, was at a^Iili'b'Let. Berwick ; where a small scouting party of them killed two, as they were returning from public worship. This aroused the in- habitants, and a band of them, acquainted with their paths, laid in wait for them, and thus by having the first fire, threw them into such consternation, that they dropped their packs, contain- ing three, scalps and some articles of value, and fled to the woods. The misery '^^^^ ^ "^^^^ trj^^S J^^^ remaining people of this of Maine. Province. They could not even stir abroad, though well armed, without imminent hazard of their lives. They were under the ne- cessity of crowding their families into garrisoned houses, and tilling lands, only where they were situated within call from the sentry-boxes. The lumber trade and fishery were wholly at an end ;* the means of a livelihood were extremely slender j and all anticipations of speedy relief appeared truly desperate, as the fifth summer had now closed, without any prospect of peace. A.D> 170S. But happily for the Province, it lost only two of its inhabitants tmTlef- ^" the next year, 1708 ; — these were Robert Read and David Hutchins, who were killed at Kittery. In the succeeding year, the people suffered comparatively nothing from the enemy's in- cursions ; and therefore hopes began to be entertained, that the days of extreme darkness and distress were passed. Various rumors however, during the current season continually * Gov. Dudley's speech, 170&. Chap, ii.] of maine. 57 agitated the public ; and scouts were all the time in service, a.d. 1708 Spy-boats were also kept out along the coast between Piscataqua Alarming and Winter-Harbor. At length, a story was sent into circulation, by way of Albany, that there was a great army collecting in the north, which consisted of Canadian volunteers and Indian warriors from different tribes, — such as the Algonquins, the Hu- rons, the Mohawks, and the St. Francois Indians— to be joined by the Abenaques and Tarratines ; and that the whole force was preparing to attack suddenly some part of the New-England frontiers. This was a French manoeuvre to unite all these na- tives, and bring them, if possible, to act in concert agamst the common enemy. The Hurons commenced their march, Julyj^,^jg 16; when one of them accidentally killed his companion; — an event, which all considering an ill omen to the expedition^ they turned back. The Mohawks said their men were affected with a contagious distemper, and refused to proceed. Nevertheless, Vaudreuil, nowise discouraged, sent to his officers fresh orders, — directing them to prosecute the enterprise, even if " the Al-* gonquins and St. Francois Indians themselves should leave him also." Therefore two hundred of them or more proceeded on ; and, though disappointed, in not receiving a re-enforcement at the place appointed, from the Abenaques and Tarratines, they surprised Haverhill, in the night of August 29, and made it a Haverhill heap of ruins. But they proceeded no farther ; — for the eas- A^ugSt^lg. tern Indians were quite needy, and heartily desirous of peace. If we may credit a letter of Subercase to a friend, * the Mick- ' maks were naked ; and the Indians on the Kennebeck and Pe- * nobscot would be so too, had they not carried on a trade with * the English, through the medium of the natives about Hudson * river, where a pound of beaver was worth a crown, and goods * were sold at a reasonable price.' " Thus," says Charlevoix, " our own enemies relieved our most faithful Indian allies in their " necessities ; while they were daily hazarding their hves in our " service."* To weaken the enemy, or hold him more effectually in check, ^-^1^^]^^,^' and to retrieve the political character of the government, in some ^^^^^^J'JJ* measure sullied by former expeditions against Port- Royal ; anoth- Scotia. * 4 Charlevoix, p. 100-20, 3d vol. p. 452-65. Vol. II. 8 58 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A D. 1709. er was about to be undertaken.* Of this, Francis Nicholson, late Lieutenant-Governor of Virginia, was appointed Commander- in-Chief, and Samuel Vetch, before mentioned, a late trader to Nova Scotia, well acquainted with the Acadian settlements, was Adjutant-General. In England, they had obtained the queen's promise, to send over several ships of war to aid in the enter- prise. But none arriving, the whole project failed, — The Mo- Treachery hawks, though they had lately joined the English, were both jeal- hawks.^° ous and treacherous. One of their speakers in a great assembly previously holden, said with boldness, — ' You know the English * and French are each a great people ; if one of them should ' destroy the other, the conqueror will strive to make us slaves.' Besides this, there was a report, that these Indians threw skins into the stream, where the English soldiery had lately encamped, near lake Champlain, which gave the water poisonous qualities.f Governor's In February, the Governor says, ' twenty days since, accord- scouts. « ing to my former usage, I marched a scout of 150 men from * Casco bay to all the old settlements or lodgements of the In- * dians in the Province of Maine, in order to keep them from ' their dwelling-places, and convince them their new masters, the ' French, were unable to defend them ; though they have suppli- ' ed them with ammunition, and assisted them to carry on the war * against us, about thirty years. — So bigoted,' adds he, ' are the ' French to the Romish religion, so inveterate against all protes- * tants, and such their colonial contiguity to New-EnglancJ, that * we shall never be long at rest, until Canada and Nova Scotia « shall constitute a part of the British Empire.' The Indians themselves might be easily rendered tranquil, were they removed from French influence ; — tor they were, this year, actually suing sue^fj?*^'^"^ for peace ; a delegation being sent from Kennebeck to Boston, P®^<=®- Yvith a flag of truce. Nor were the eastern tribes generally en- gaged with the French in their movements, either the last or present year. They had been told of some disagreeable things, stated of them in Canada, which had given affront ; and at the instance of their delegates, the government sent Mr. Lewis Bane, of York, to Sagadahock, clothed with authority to make arrange- ments for negotiating a treaty. * To meet the expense, £15,000 were emitted in bills ; and July 17, the Govenor says, 1,200 men are raised, and 17 transports provided.— 7 JIass. Rec. p. 426. t Penhallovv. Chap, ii.] of Maine. 59 But the conquest of Port-Royal, in the spring of 1710, was A.D. i7io. the ereat and absorbing; topic. Nicholson had been several New expe- ^ . . , . , ditiou months in England, pressing upon the ministry the most weighty against Port arguments and solicitations in favor of the enterprise ; and on the fjiy^'s. 15th of July, the fleet arrived in Boston, himself being on board. In conformity to the queen's command, four regiments were im- mediately raised in New-England, commanded by Charles Hob- by and Col. Tailer of Massachusetts, Col. Whiting of Con- necticut, and Col. Walton of New-Hampshire. There were besides, a royal regiment of marines, commanded by Col. Red- ding. Nicholson, as before, was Commander-in-Chief, and Vetch, Adjutant-General ; — the officers being commissioned by the queen. The fleet consisted of the Dragon, Chester, and Martin, 4th rates ; the Leostafie, and Feversham, 5th rates ; the Star, a bomb-ketch ; the Province galley ; a tender, and four transports from England, and 24 colony transports,* — in all, 36 sail, besides hospital and store ships, and open floats, carrying boards and necessai'ies for the cannon. They sailed September 18th, and all arrived safely before Port- sept. 24. Royal, on the 24th, except one transport, commanded by Capt. Sn'of Su- Taye, which, running ashore at the mouth of the river, was lost, p^Royar^^ and 26 men in her, drowned. The forces were landed without opposition. Subercase, the Governor, had only 260 effective men with him ; and the most of these he was afraid to employ beyond the limits of his out-works, through fear of their desertion. As the army was marching towards the fort, several men were killed by particular aim of the inhabitants, cowering behind houses and fences. Our engineers had three batteries open, Oct. 1, within 100 yards of the fort, from which a heavy cannonading was commenced, and continued without intermission. Suber- case, in the evening was summoned to surrender, when he agreed upon a cessation of arms, and the next day, signed articles of capitulation.! By these, the fortress, munitions of war and other effects of the French crown, were transferred to the Queen of England ; the inhabitants within a league of the fort,t with * That is, 14 were in the pay of Massachusetts— 5 of Connecticut— 3 of Rhode-Island, and 2 of New-Hampshire.— 2 Htitchinsori' s History, p. 164. t See particulars, Penhallow's Indian Wars,—\ Coll. JV. H. Hist. Soc. p. 63-67. I The number of souls within these limits was 481.— 2 Hutch. Hist. p. 167. 60 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1710 iheir property, were, upon taking the oath of allegiance, to be protected, two years ; and the prisoners were to be transported to France or be permitted to remove to Canada or Placentia, at their election.* Col. Vetch, The English lost only 14 or 15 men, besides those who miser-» Governor, ^j^j^ perished in the transport. The place and the people within the protective privileges of the article, was called by General Annapolis. Nicholson, Annapolis Royal, in compliment to the queen. Leaving Col. Vetch, appointed Governor of the country, in com- mand of the garrison, and with him 200 marines, and 250 voU unteers, he returned safely to Boston, Oct. 26, attended by the fleet and army. The expedition cost New-England £23,000, which were afterwards reimbursed by parliament,! l^evingston It was' agreed before Nicholson embarked from Annapolis, to sent tQ c^ii- send Major Levingston, a meritorious officer of the army, and Cas-- ^ ^' tine the younger, who was among the French in the garrison, with despatches to Governor Vaudreuil in Canada ; informing him, that Acadia had fallen into the hands of the English ; that all its inhabitants, except those within the pale of Port-Royal, were prisoners at discretion ; and that if the barbarities, practised upon the frontiers of New-England by the savages, under his control, were not discontinued, reprisals would be made, or re- taliation inflicted, upon the French of Nova Scotia. J Their jour rJ^^^ messengers with three Indian guides, proceeded to Pe- nobscot, where Castine spent a few days with his family, at 'Biguyduce ; Levingston in the mean time receiving from him every mark of hospitality and attention. They then paddled up the river in their canoes " to the Island of Lett, where they met *^ with fifty canoes, and twice as many Indians, besides women " and children. This was probably Oldtown. Here the In- dians detained them, several days ; in which time, a prisoner taken shortly before at Winter-Harbor, had, in hunting with his master on a neighboring Island, effected his escape, carrying off both the Indian's canoe and gun. This so exasperate.d the native, ♦ Articles entire, /6. p. lG6-7.—Subcrcase styled himself "Daniel Aii- jjer of Siiljercase, Governor of I/Accada, of Cape Breton Island and of " land from Cape Rosier, as far west as Kennebeck River." — Muss. Lit, Book, p. 104-5. f- 1 Halliburton's N. S. p. 88. \ 2 Charlevoix's N. V. p. :i {2-6.— 39 Univ. Tlist, p. 257-8. \ Penhallov7's Indian Wars.— I Col. N. H. Hist. Soc. p. 07. Chap, h.] of Maine. 61 that he determined to kill the first white man he saw ; and there- a.d. i7io, fore the moment he again met with Levingston, he seized him by the throat, and drawing back his hatchet, would have despatched him with a single stroke, had not the noble-spirited Castine thrust himself between them, and rescued his companion from instant death. They left Oldtown, or Lett, Nov. 4, and were 42 days in the woods, before they arrived at Quebec. The day after they started, Levingston's canoe was overset, his gun and all he had were sunk, and one of the guides drowned. The other canoe, when the ice made, became leaky and entirely unsafe ; and hence they were obliged to leave it and perform the rest of their tedi- ous journey on land. They travelled by their compass ; and much of the weather was so stormy or foggy, that for nineteen days in succession, they never saw the sun. They travelled over some mountains, through dismal deserts, and around ponds and heads of rivers ; oftentimes fording streams unknown and dangerous, traversing swamps thick with spruces and cedars, and some days wading in snow knee-deep. To aggravate their sufferings and their fears of perishing,— six days before they could reach a human habitation, they had consumed all their provisions ; subsisting afterwards upon the leaves of wild vege- tables, the inner rinds of trees, and a few dried berries, they oc- casionally found. They arrived at Quebec, December 16th, and reached Albany Their imer- 1 no J 1 • • 1 1 • • '11 view with 1^ ebruary 236, on their journey homeward ; brmgmg with them, the Gov. at as the fruits of their most fatiguing and hazardous mission, only a letter from Vaudreuil, in which he says, * never have the * French, and seldom have the Indians, treated their English cap- * tives with inhumanity ; nor were the French, in any event, ac- * countable for the behavior of Indians. But,' added he, ' a truce, * and even a neutrality, if the English had desired it, might * long since have terminated the miseries of war ; and should * any retaliatory measures be adopted by the English, they will ' be amply revenged by the French.' The conquest of Nova Scotia, which has ever since been a Nova Sco- British Province, was an event highly important and interesting Province.'^ to the Provinces of Maine and Sagadahock. For it laid the long controverted question asleep, about boundaries ; the royal jcharter of William and Mary being definite enough upon that subject, as it respected the dividing lines between territories of 62 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A D. 1710 the same crown. Likewise the eastern country and coast, after this, became far less exposed to the depredations of the Indians^ inasmuch as a contiguous Province could no longer be their hiding place. Till this period, as it will be readily perceived, the history of the SagadahocJc Province has been so intimately blended with oc- currences in JYova Scotia, that a narrative of events and affairs in the Jormer, could not be understood, without tracing also the chain of events which have transpired in the latter * But neither the conquest of the Acadian Province, nor yet the desires of the Sagamores to negotiate a peace as proposed by them more than a year since, did wholly deter the Indians from committing mischief and even taking life. For early in the The Indians spring, they killed Benjamin Preble of York; and, August 2, a Saco; and party of 50 French and Indians, slew a woman at Wmter-Har- Waiton. bor, and took two men prisoners — one of them, Pendleton Fletch- er, whom the garrison redeemed, had been three times before taken captive. A week after this, a larger company visited the Saco, killed three, and carried away six. To amuse themselves, they actually took the skin from one of the slain and made girdles. Still later, about the time they visit their " clam banks," Col. Walton, having returned from Port-Royal, proceeded at the head of 170 men to reconnoiter the eastern shores. At Sagadahock, he took a Sagamore of Norridgewock, his wife, and a number of their companions, decoyed or drawn to him by the smoke of the soldiers'^ fires. The Sagamore was so surly, and so deaf to every inquiry, that the friendly Indians were permitted to dis- patch him. Farther east the scout came across three, and made them prisoners ; and on their return to the Saco, either killed or took five more. On the other hand, the Indians, seizing one Ayres, presently dismissed him, and sent him to the garrison, at fort Mary, with a flag of truce, requesting a pacification. Nicholson But nothing at this time was desired with half so much ardor force'^ ^ and avidity, as the entire conquest of Canada. Such an event cinada. would secure to New-England perpetual quiet ; and Col. Nich- olson after his return from Port-Royal, proceeded to England, and again urgently besought the crown for assistance. To pro- * For while Nova Scotia was subject to the French, they claimed pos- session as far westward as to Kennebeck, and actually occupied as far as Penobscot. Chap, ii.] of MAINE. 63 mote his purpose, he took with him five Mohawk Sagamores ; A. D. I7ii» who, when arriving in the kingdom, attracted universal attention. The higher orders of the people were anxious to see them, and the mob flocked in crowds after them, wherever they went. Even little portraits of their faces, were stricken off, — hundreds of which found a ready sale in the streets. As the court were then in mourning,* the Chiefs were clad in black at the royal charge ; and in heu of blankets they were mantled with scar- let cloaks, edged with gold tinsel. In this costume, they were conducted in two coaches to the palace of St. James, by the Lord Chamberlain, who introduced them to her Majesty. In the few remarks made, one expressed himself to this effect : — Should you take the Canada country, and put the French under your feet, it would give us great advantage in hunting and war. Let your princely face shine upon us. We are your allies. We will never turn our hacks — never leave our well beloved country. We all stand firm — nothing shall move us. To the surprise and joy of the colonists, Nicholson returned june and to Boston, June 8, 1711, followed by a fleet consisting of '^^i^llofihe ships of war, 43 transports, and 6 store ships, under Admiral ^''P^^'^'o"- Walker ; bringing seven veteran regiments of the Duke of Marl- borough's army, and a battalion of marines. These troops and two New-England regiments of 650 recruits, formed the army, which was provided with a fine train of artillery. The arma- ment left Boston, July 30 ; but unfortunately, eight transports were wrecked in the St. Lawrence, upon Egg-Island, where about 1,000 men perished. The officers were so disheartened by this disaster, that they abandoned the expedition and return- ed, full of disappointment and chagrin,f and yet obnoxious to the severest stricture and obloquy. It was a most disastrous event. It even emboldened the Acadians to revolt ; nor would any consideration probably have induced them to lay down their arms, had they been able to find an experienced and skilful com- mander to lead them against Port-Royal, and into fields of victory. But the conquest of Nova-Scotia, and the great expedition ^^^""gi^^p^g against Canada gave a turn to the views and movements of the * For Prince George, the husband of Queen Anne. — Hume. t 2 Charlevoix's N. Y. p. 355-361.-2 Brit. Emp. p. 273-6. the eastern coasL 64 THE HISTORY [VoL. If. A. D. 1711. Indians, highly favorable to the frontiers. For though in the winter of 1710-11, three sloops in the pay of Massachusetts^ carrying 180 men, ranged the eastern coast, — they saw neitheV a Frenchman nor an Indian. The same number was led by Col. Col. Wai- Walton, during the autumn, as far eastward as Penobscot; yet prise.^"^*'*^ he only made a small number of Indians his prisoners, and burnt two or three vessels, designed for cruisers or privateers. There were however, a few renegado Indians still strolling over the country, and three or four men were killed in Maine, this season. Two of these fell in Wells, while at work in the field ; and one in York, who was fishing in a pond, his companion at the same time being severely wounded. Reviving and returning to the garrison, he told how he and his deceased friend were waylaid by five Indians ; one of whom, running at him with great fury^ knocked him down, scalped him, cut him deep in the neck, and evidently thought him expiring. But, said he, / retained my senses perfectly ; I neither struggled nor moved ; and in this way escaped death. A.D. 1712. The next year, 1712, was much more calamitous and event- killed.*^**"' ful to the distressed inhabitants of Maine ; about twenty-six be- ing killed, wounded or taken captive in York, Kittery, and Wells. The enemy first appeared at York ; and, in April or May, shot Samuel Webber, between that village and Cape-Neddock. Anoth- er party fell upon several men with teams, in Wells ; when three were killed and as many wounded. Among those who fell, was Lieut. Littlefield, a brave and valuable man, whose death was deeply lamented.^ He had for a long time commanded the militia company of his town. He was an ingenious, useful citi- zen and a skilful engineer, especially in waterworks. He had been taken a prisoner four years before, carried to Canada, and lately ransomed from his captivity. The Indians soon after were bold and daring enough to penetrate into the heart of the town, where they caught and hurried away two of its inhabitants with shouts ot triumph. The repetition of these desperate adven- tures, was enough to wither every hope, and fill every heart with despair. No age, no condition, no place, could enjoy the least rest or security. One boy was killed and another taken about this time at Spruce-creek, in Kittery. ■"Supposed to be the same Josiah Littlefield, who represented Wells ia the General Court, A. D. 1710. Chap, ii.] of maine. 65 As a scouting party was marching from the garrison at York, a.d. 17I2. towards Cape-Neddock, May 14, it was assailed by a body of May. 30 French and Indians ; when Nalton, the sergeant, was shot, York, Kit- • ^ lory tind and seven others seized and confined. The commander and the Berwick, survivors fought on a retreat, till they arrived at a great rock. This sheltered them from the fire and fury of their pursuers, and enabled them to keep their ground, till relieved by Capt. Willard and a flying guard from the fort. Every motion and movement of the inhabitants seemed to lie under the inspection of a lurking malignant foe. John Pickernell, at Spruce-creek, was shot June 1, as he was locking his door, on the way with his family to the garrison. His wife, also, was wounded, 'and a child scalped, that ultimately recovered. Seven weeks after this, a man was killed at Berwick, another at Wells, and a negro taken captive. The black soon escaped, probably by the Indians' consent, for they always had a mortal aversion to negroes. But the last memorable skirmish with the enemy, which oc- Skirmish at curred in Maine, before the close of this tedious predatory war, weddmg oc- happened in the autumn, at Wells. It was on the wedding day of Capt. Wheelwright's daughter. To witness the nuptials, a considerable number of guests were present, some of whom had attended Mr. Plaisted, the bridegroom, from Portsmouth. When the marriage was consummated, and the attendants were prepar- ing to depart, they were informed that two of their horses were missing and could not be found. Several proceeded immedi- ately in search of them, two of whom were shot down at a short distance from the house, and others seized by savages. Alarm- ed at the report of guns. Captains Lane, Robinson, and Heard, despatched twelve men from the garrison, across lots, to meet or intercept the assailants ; while they themselves, in company with Mr. Plaisted and his friends, mounted the bridled horses, and gave them whip and rein in pursuit. But in a few minutes, these all fell into an ambush ; Robinson was killed on the spot — the rest were dismounted, and yet every one of them, except Plais- ted, effected an escape. As this event was in degree afflictive to the guests and the br'de, so much the more triumphant was the savage party in the possession of their valuable prize. How- VoL. II. 9 66 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1713. ever, in a few days he was redeemed by his father, though the extravagant ransom demanded and paid, exceeded £300.* The cessation of hostilities, being the next news from England, was published in Boston, Oct. 27, and followed by the celebrated treaty of Utrecht, signed March 30, 1713. By the 12th article, Treat^f " Nova-Scotia, or Acadia, with its ancient boundaries, also Utrecht. u tjje city of Port-Royal, now Annapolis Royal, and all other " things in these parts," < belonging to the crown of France, or N. Scotia * any subjects thereof, and also the inhabitants of the same, are the Enlfish! ' resigned and made over to the crown of Great Britain forever and in May, the whole of the country was actually and formally surrendered to the English, having ever since been under the government of that nation. The Indians This closcd the scene of blood. The Indians had long been peace. impatient for peace. Some of them visited Casco fort, as soon as the joyful tidings of a pacification arrived, and requested an armistice. At the winter session, the General Court concluded to receive the eastern tribes into favor, upon their humble acknowl- edgement of the offences they had committed, a renewal of their allegiance, and a subscription by their chiefs to such arti- cles of treaty as the Governor and Council might dictate or re- quire. High ground was now manifestly taken by Massachu- setts ; for she even demanded hostages of tlie Indians, for the faithful performance of their stipulations, and required them to be supported at their own charge. These were, it is true, rigid terms, but it was thought their treachery deserved severity. July 11 By a request of the Sagamores, presented through Capt. If*Poc^^^ Moody, at Casco garrison, to the Governor, he appointed a con- mouih. ference to be holden, July 11, at Portsmouth. Accordingly, his Excellency and 20 Councillors, viz, 9 from Massachusetts, 9 from New-Hampshire, and 2 from Maine,f accompanied by other gentlemen, met the sagamores and delegates from the rivers St. John, Penobscot and Kennebeck, at the time and place appointed, and entered upon a negotiation. Though the Indians upon the Saco, Merrimack and Androscoggin, were not express- ly represented by tribes, being mixed with the motley clan at St. * 3 Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc. p. 140. t These were John Wheelwright and Ichabod Piaisted, Chap, ir.] OF MAINE. 67 Francois ; they were nevertheless all declared by the delegation A. D. i7i3. present, to be included. In this treaty, they acknowledged their offences, renewed their allegiance, and made fair promises. They conceded to the English all their territorial settlements, possessions and rights in the eastern country, free of every claim, — with a reserve of nothing, except the Indians' own grounds, and the " liberty of *' hunting, fishing and fowling, and all other lawful liberties and " privileges, as enjoyed on the 11th of August, 1693," when the treaty was made with Gov. Phips. Trade was to be regu- lated by government, truck houses established, and the Indians never to be allowed a traffic at any other place. All future controversies were to be settled according to a due course of law and justice. — Eight Sagamores,* then casting themselves upon her Majesty's mercy, prayed for her pardon and favor, and signed the treaty, July 13th, in solemn form ; each making /;on- nected marks, descriptive of the fish, bird or animal,f claimed as the insignia of their respective families- To give the treaty a more extensive ratification, several gen- rpj^^ ^.^jj^ tlemen proceeded to Casco, where they found a large body of^^^*^""^^ Indians, waiting the result of the negotiation. Upon hearing the articles distinctly read and explained, by sworn interpreters, they expressed their united satisfaction " by loud huzzas, or acclama- " tions of joy." Moxus was present, who pretended he was Sagamore of " all *' the eastern parts, though he did not sign the treaty." Valua- ble presents were distributed to all the tribes represented, and also to him. The next day, however, he complained to the English, that the young Indians, for some reason, unknown to him, had purloined the articles ♦given him, and he hoped the English gentlemen would in their generosity, be free to make him other gifts. He was a chief of native subtlety, and his rep- resentation improbable ; for the Indians, especially those that are * Those who signed, were Kirebenuit, Iteansis, and Jackoid, Tarratine chiefs of Penobscot ; Joseph and Aeneas^ Marachite chiefs of St. John ; Warraeensit^ Wadacanaquin and Bomaseen, Canibas chiefs of Kenne- beck. — See articles entire, 1 Coll. JV. H. Hist. Soc. p. 82-86. t Joseph's mark was a picture of a Jlsh ; that of Kirebenuit, a raven. This, Capt. Francis says, is the mark of his family. 68 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A; D, 1713, young, always treat their Sagamores and seniors with the utmost civility and respect. The condi- ^^^'^ distressing war of ten years, Maine lost more than a tiou of fourth, perhaps a third, part of her inhabitants.* Numbers of Maine. / . them, full of discouragements, left the country, to see it no more. Some famiHes had become entirely extinct ; — and all the others were in mourning for friends, either dead or in captivity. The slender habitations of survivors, if not utterly destroyed, had de- cayed and become miserable. Their outer fields wholly laid waste, or neglected, were overgrown and full of wild shrubbery. There was now remaining scarcely a vestige of the fur trade, the lumber business, or the fisheries. What men call enterprise ex- cited no emulation. The virtues of the people in these times, were of another and higher order ; — courage, fortitude, and broth- erly kindness. These appeared in nameless exploits, and in thousands of occurrences every year. When the men, ever care- worn, were exhausted with toil and war, the duties of sentinels were performed by females, and the products of the field were frequently the fruits of their labor. Now the war was over, nothing so wrung the hearts of survivors, night and day, as their anxiety to embrace from captivity, their long-lost kindred and friends. Nor was there a lapse of many months, before a ship Exchange was despatched to Quebec, to exchange and redeem prisoners.f of^prison- rjij^^ ecstacy of those on meeting, can only be painted by the im- agination, not drawn by the pen nor pencil. The The French were prominent in the war Avhen it opened. It irenoh ^^^^ assumcd Something of campaign, siege, and battle; and sev- eral French officers appeared among the Indians, as leaders or commanders. But they were never able to form the Indians into regular companies, nor bring them to military discipline or order. Unrewarded, neglected and ill fed, they would have abandoned the French two yeara before the close of the war, had not the attractives and ties of catholic superstition prevented. The losses The Indians, on the whole, were the principal sufferers by the gUih, ^" war. More than a third part of their fighters, had within ten * Maine lost, in killad and taken capLive, 282. From 1675 to 1713, " 5 or 6l00 of the youth of tiic country pei ished by the enemy, or by dis- tempers contracted in the service." — 2 Huldi. Hist. p. 183. •f It was not lis! the next year, when Messrs. VViilianis and StodilarJ spent four months in collecting- the Eng-li:h captives. Some never re- turned. Chap, ii.] of maine. 69 years, wasted away or been killed; and probably an equal or A. D. 1713. greater proportion of their women and children : So that among the remaining tribes of the Abenaques and Etechemins, the fight- ing men by estimation^ did not now exceed 300. Three tribes, the Wawenocks, Sokokis, and Anasagunticooks, had lost their distinction or provincial character, by a gradual decline and an association at St. Francois, with the Algonquins and others ; and hence they are not by tribes so much as named in the treaty. Hunted from their native country by foes, and allured away by pretended friends, they might justly bewail their cruel destiny. To the humiliating terms of the late treaty, they would never have submitted, had they not, through a consciousness of their poverty and distress, been ready to perish. Their strength and importance were broken, never to be repaired. In this war, the Indians manifested less malice, and were guilty of less cruelty^ than in the two, which preceded. Nor did they exhibit charac- ters of equal notoriety and fame, with those in former wars. Three of their most distinguished men were, Bomaseen, Assa- combuit, and Castine the younger ; though in the commencement of the war, Wagungonet and Capt. Tome are mentioned as leading Sagamores. Bomaseen, now advanced in years, was a man of good sense Bomaseea^ and humane disposition. In the last war, he was seized at Saco A. D. 1694, and carried a prisoner to Boston, where he was made acquainted with the principles of the protestant religion. He was a Canibas chief, and signed the late treaty. The character of Assacombuit was peculiarly remarkable for Assacomba its turpitude and ferocity. According to Mr. Penhallow, who was his cotemporary, none of " all the Indians that were ever known " since King Philip, have appeared so inhuman and cruel as As- sacombuit." He was a " monster ;" or, as another says, " a " noted chief," ' always dreaded by the English upon the fron- ' tiers, from the report of his demoniac cruelties.' He is sup- posed to have belonged to the Anasagunticook tribe. In 1705, Vaudreuil, to encourage the Indians in the war, sent him to France, and caused him to be introduced to the royal presence. He was an object of curiosity ; and when appearing at Court, he lifted up his hand and exclaimed, — this hand has slain 150 q/ your Majesty^ enemies within the territories of JVew-England. 70 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1713. This SO pleased the unfeeling monarch, that he forthwith knighted him, and ordered a pension of eight livres a day to be paid him, during life. On his return home, he undertook to exercise a des- potic sway over his brethren, in which he murdered one and stabbed another, and thus exasperated their relations to such a degree, that they sought to take his life, and would have killed him, had he not fled and forever abandoned his country. Castine ihe There was never a greater contrast, than between him and Cas- younger. ^jj^g ^j^g younger.* This man possessed a very mild and gener- ous disposition. His birthplace and home were at Penobscot, upon the peninsula of 'Biguyduce, the former residence of his father. Though a half-breed, the son of Baron de Castine by a Tarratine wife, he appeared to be entirely free from the bigoted malevolence of the French, and the barbarous revengeful spirit of the savages. He was a Chief Sagamore of the Tarratine tribe, and also held a commission from the French king. By his sweetness of temper, magnanimity, and other valuable prop- erties, he was holden in high estimation by both people. Nor were the Enghsh insensible of his uncommon merit. He had an elegant French uniform, which he sometimes wore ; yet on all occasions, he preferred to appear dressed in the habit of his tribe. f It was in him both policy and pleasure to promote peace with the English ; and in several instances where they had treated him with abuse, he gave proof of forbearance wor- thy of a philosopher's or christian's imitation. The great con- fidence they reposed in his honor and fidelity, as the com- panion of Major Levingston through the wilderness from Port- Royal to Quebec, was in every respect well placed and fully confirmed. He was a man of foresight and good sense. Per- ceiving hqjv these wars wasted away the Indians, he was hu- mane as well as wise, when he bade earliest welcome to "the " songs of peace." These immediately drew home fathers and brothers, and " wiped away the tears" of their famihes. He thought his tribe happy only, when they enjoyed the dews and shades of tranquillity. In 1721, he was improperly seized, at 'Biguyduce, his dwelling-place, by the English, and carried to Boston, where he was detained several months. The next year, * See ante, A. D. 1703. 1 40 Univ. Hist. p. 180. Chap, ii.] of maine. according to Charlevoix,* he visited Bearne in France, — to in- herit his father's property, honors, fortune and senioral rights ; from which country, we have no account of his return. * Charlevoix [jV. F. 4th vol, p. 117,] expresses himself thus ; " II repas- sa peu de temps apre's en France, et uUa recueiller la succession de son pere en Beam d'ou il n'est point sortie clepuis." Note. — Capt. Francis says, the younger Castine's residence, was at J/arcAe6i^ac?wce, (as he pronounces the word,) and farther states, that he had a son, whom he called by a French name Rohardee^ whose daughter's son, Capt. Sokes, is now one of the captains of the Tarratine or Penob- scot tribe. Francis mentions some traditional particulars of Baron Cas- tine ; stating that " he lived at the same place ;"— " was a great trader — " sold the Indians guns and powder," S^c, 72 THE HISTORY [Vol. ii. CHAPTER III. The late war — A good administration — Councillors — York, Kitte- ry and Wells, survive the war — Berwick incorporated — Their ec- clesiastics— Committee of claims — Orders to re-settle 5 towns — Saco, called Biddcford—Scarhorough — Falmouth — and Arundel— Money — George I. — Gov. Shutc — Claims — A road ordered from Bcnvick to Pejepscot Kittery, a port of entry — Pejcpscot- Purchase — Fort-George — Georgetown — Offers to settlers — Cush- noc-fort — Resettlement of Kennehcck — Sturgeon-fishery — York- shire extended to St. Croix — Gov. Shutc arrives — Natives rest- less— Gov. meets them — Treaty renewed with them — Timber-trees — Bridger, Survey or Gen. — Disputes with him — Armstrong's pro- ject— Settlements revived east of Kenneheck — St. George's fort — Fort Richmond — Timber — Gov. and House disagree — Guards sent into Maine — Coram' s project — Nova Scotia — Indians plun- der Canseau — Rixle — Indians at Penobscot — Notaries public — Paul Dudley's case — People begin to remove from Maine — The Canibas — Rkle — Parley at Arrowsick — Castine the younger — North-Yarmouth — Gov. Shute returns to England. A. D. 1702 A more promising prospect, at length, opens to these eastern to 1712. Provinces, — presenting a revival and gradual advancement of the late wan their settlements, and political importance.* The force of the natives appeared to be in some measure broken, and the tribes greatly disheartened. As conquest or achievement is a great point with them, the reverses of fortune attending the French arms, in the late war, had filled the tribes both with disappoint- ment and distrust. For instead of recovering from the English colonists any part of their territories, so eagerly coveted by the French, and claimed so strongly by the Sagamores ; the former had actually lost, and the English acquired, the whole of Nova Scotia. The event was important to both nations ; and in the estimation of Massachusetts and Maine, it ought, in no small de- gree, to enhance the joys and advantages of peace. * For nearly 30 years past, few records of town-meetings were to be found in any part of Maine. Chap, hi.] OF MAINE. 73 The benefits of good government, in the Province, enjoyed a. D. ^1702 now for more than twenty years, were extensively felt and duly ^ appreciated. The evils of sectional conflicting jurisdictions, and a e;ood ad- the discrepances of anomalous rulers, formerly so perplexing to tion. the people of Maine and Sagadahock, were all lost in the unity of a settled and vigilant administration. The affairs of the war had been managed with care and adroitness, and the minuter in- terests of the community were treated with particular attention. When a system of jurisprudence was fully established, trials ; ap- peals ; the process of forcible entry and detainer ; the manner of assigning dower ; the admission of town inhabitants ; the relief of the poor and insane ; the appointment of watches and fire- wards ; the limitation of real actions ; the term set for redeem- ing lands mortgaged or taken by extent of execution, and other legal proceedings, received from the hand of the legislature an original form, or evident improvements* In 1 700, the office of Coroner was first introduced. He was improve- appointed by the executive, and a summary of his duties pre- SutVcoJe. scribed by statute. Another law provided originally for the choice of Town treasurer, A third, passed the year following, regulated the professional* practice of Attorneys, and the rights of parties in courts of law. To every one was expressly secured the privilege of pleading or defending his own cause, or employ- ing whom he chose. Upon taking a statute-oath prescribed, which has never since been altered, practitioners at the bar were admitted officers of the Courts, and authorized to tax an attorney's fee in every suit. Mills were uniformly considered as being of public utility, and their owners, the objects of particular favor. There were two evils, frequently attending this species of prop- erty, which arose from the number of individual proprietors, and the back water occasioned by dams. In both, a remedy was pro- vided by committing the management of all mills to the major voice of the partners ; and by prescribing a summary process, to settle all questions of damage caused by a reflow of water. Common schools and an orthodox ministry, which had gone Schools and . ministers. hand m hand since the first settlement of the country, were still high in popular estimation and legislative support. Time and change had rather increased than abated the ardor. Besides sharpening the penalties against towns, remiss and negligent, in Vol. 11. 10 74 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D.^1702 support of schools as required by law, they were rendered liable to be indicted by the grand jury ; and in such towns as failed to raise the monies requisite for the support of the ministry, the Courts of Quarter Sessions were empowered to appoint assessors Laws to purpose. In the zeal of the times for the purity of morals, prevent im- — lotteries were denounced as pernicious to the public : and in moralities. ^ r ? 1712, a memorable act was passed, which forbade all singing and dancing at taverns or in the streets, after dark ; all walking abroad during public worship on the Sabbath ; and all sporting in the evening of that day. Nay, an obscene song or pamphlet, or a " mock sermon," incurred a fine of £20 or the pillory, — the culprit having at the same time the name of his crime placed in capital letters over his forehead, hidians^"^ Colored people, increasing in numbers, had become exceed- ingly obnoxious and despicable. A duty of £4, therefore, was exacted and paid for every negro imported ; and so depraved, ignorant and shiftless were slaves, that not one of them, even in this age of freedom and equality, might be manumitted, unless security was first given for his maintenance. All negroes and mulattoes were expressly excluded from watches and military duty, as well in war as in peace ; and whoever presumed to join one of them in marriage with a white person, incurred a heavy penalty. Equally great was the general antipathy towards In- dians. They were heathens, ignorant, lazy and revengeful ; — the authors of accumulated evils to New-England. By law, it was strictly forbidden to bring into the Province any of this race, either for slaves or servants.* Coins; At this period, several acts of parliament were passed concern- and timber- ing the Colonies. These prescribed the value at which foreign coins should pass current within them ;-\ established a general Post-Office ; J and provided for the preservation of white pine and other timber-trees. The latter, enacted in 1710, had evidently in view the Sagadahock forests, which were extensive and be- longed principally to the crown. In the upper House of the General Court, the eastern Provin- * Province Law, A. D. 1712. f Passed, A. D. 1707. I Post-OfTice first attempted, A. D. 1692, in Virginia and failed ; estab- lished by Parliament, A. D. 1710, in America. A general letter office was opened in London ; another in New- York; and others in each colony. A single letter from London to New- York, 1*.— thence, 60 miles, 4d. Chap, hi.] of maine. 75 ces, Maine and Sagadahock, were uniformly represented by the A. D,^1702 number of Councillors prescribed in the charter; and some of j^^^j^^^^ them were men of considerable eminence. Those, during the '^e Council, late war, were, for Maine, EUsha and Eliakim Hutchinson, Ben- jamin Brown, Joseph Hammond, Ichabod Plaisted, and John WJieelwright :— For Sagadahock, John Leverett and Joseph Lynde, The Messrs. Hutchinsons resided in Boston. Elisha, a gentle- Eii?iia and man of military distinction, was chief commander of the Massa- Hutciiiuson. chusetts militia, in 1692, and was one of the Council, sent in 1707, to revive and prosecute the enterprise against Port-Royal. Eliakim sustained an excellent character, though less eminent. The former was senior Councillor for Maine two, and the latter a member, twenty-one years.* Mr. Broivn,f who was member of g, jirown. the Board six years, is supposed to have been a son of the benev- olent William Brown, whose residence was in Salem, and whose daughter was the wife of Wait Winthrop. Mr. Hammond was j. Hain- an inhabitant of Kittery, where he died, February 24th, 1709,™**"*^* after having been a Councillor nine years. He was also one of the Judges of the Common Pleas — a man of great integrity and worth, whom the people held in high estimation. He left a son of the same name, the worthy heir of his virtues, who first rep- resented his town in the legislature in 1711 ; and in 1718 was chosen into the Council, of which he was a member twelve years. Mr. Plaisted lived at Berwick, where he died, November 16th, j, piaisi-d. 1715, in the 52d year of his age, deeply lamented. He was a member of the Council, from his first election in 1706, to his death. He was also several years a Judge upon the bench of the Common Pleas. No other name at this period, in the Pro- vince of Maine, was more distinguished for military intrepidity, than that of Plaisted. J Mr. Wheelwright resided in Wells, J^^i^ht^'" * They both died in 1718— Elisha ag-ed 78, and Eliakim 77 ; the latter, and probably the former, being' son of William Hutchinson, of Boston, who settled there in 1636 ; and in 1673 purchased a large tract of land at Saco, of William Phillips, which Eliakim sold in 1750. — Elisha married Mrs. Phillips' daug-hter by her Sandford husband, and had an interest in Phillips' great Indian purchase, made in 1661, embracing mostly Sandford, Alfred, and Waterborough. Elisha's son Thomas, was father of the Governor. t The widow of Capt. Roger Plaisted, who was killed by the Indians in 1675, married Mr. Brown, of Salem ; after whose death she returned to Salmon Fails, where she died. X Ante, A. D. 1675. Ichabod Plaisted was the grandson of Capt. Roger Plaisted, and the father of Samuel Plaisted, who died March 20th, 1731, aged 36. 76 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.D.^I702 probably upon the patrimonial estate of his grandfather, Rev. John Wheelwright,* who was one of the original settlers of the town, in ] 643, and of his father, Samuel Wheelwright, the min- ister's son, who was a member of the Council six years, from 1694. He died in 1700. John, the grandson, was first elected into the Council in 1708, and continued a member twenty-five years. His death was in 1745. He was also a Judge of the Common Pleas many years, — a gentleman of talents, merit and J. Leverett. distinction. Messrs. Leverett and Lynde were both non-resi- dents. The former, a son of the colonial Governor Leverett, was a member of the Council, only in 1706, being the next year elected President of Harvard College. He had previously been J. Lyude. a Judge of the Superior Court five years. Mr. Lynde was one of the Charter Councillors for Massachusetts, and resided in Bos- ton. At the first election, in 1693, he was omitted; but the next year he was chosen for Sagadahock, and afterwards had an annual re-election until 1716, inclusive, except the year Mr. Leverett was Councillor. ihrSuV^ On the memorial of the councillors and representatives from Court re- the Province of Maine, the General Court, June 5, 1711, re- vived, ' 3 7 7 vived the annual term of the Superior Court appointed by law, to be holden at Kittery for the county of York, — which for six or seven years prior, had, by reason of the war, been entirely sus- pended. This was followed, the next year, by a settlement of the county treasurer's accounts, a speedy return of order, and the regular administration of law and justice. York, Kit- The late treaty closed a period of eight and thirty years' al- Weiis"'^ ternate wai-fare and peace with the natives — a period, in which very little more than a third part of the time could be consider- ed tranquil. Amid those uncommon wastes, occasioned by French and savage hostilities, three towns, York, Kittery and Wells, maintained their ground with a fortitude and persever- ance, which redounded highly to their credit. Every year dur- ing the last war, the two former were represented in the General Court, — and Wells, five years, including that of peace. But be- sides their own meritorious exertions, and the liberal supplies furnished them by government, they were otherwise frequently aided and encouraged. In 1 706-73 £257 of their taxes were * Edward Rishworth married Rev. John Wheelwright's daughter. Chap, hi.] of Maine. 77 remitted, and there were granted out of the pubHc treasury to A. D. I7i3. York, £65, and to Wells, £56, for the support of their respec- tive ministers. The northern settlements of Kittery, denominated " the parish Berwick in- _ , '■ corporaled. of Unity,"* and the " precinct of Berwick," having been success- fully defended through the late war, the inhabitants renewed their application to be incorporated. Disposed to gratify their wishes, the General Court, by an order of 1711, caused a survey to be made of the township, or rather of its northern limits ; and on the 9th of June, 1713, by another orderf erected all above Thompson brook, into a town by the name of Berwick. J It was subsequently quite flourishing ; the soil being good, and the inhabitants a respectable well-informed people. The heart of the elder parish was at Quampeagan, where a church was gath- "f" This was incorporated the parish of Unity, in 1673. — Sullivan, p. 243- 246. t 8 Mass. Rec. p. 251.— Sullivan's Hist. p. 245-253.— MS. Letter. J This had been called the plantation of JVewichawannock^ and is the ninth town established in the present State of Maine. [The other 8 are Kittery, Yo^k, Wells, Cape- Porpoise, Saco, Scarborough, Falmouth, and JVorth-Yarmouth.l The original settlement of Berwick, was at Quampea- g-an Falls, and Great-works river, by men whose surnames were Frost, Heard, Shapleigh, Chadbourn, Spencer, Broughton, Leader, Plaisted, and Wincoln. In 1720, the town was extended eight miles above Quampeagan to Stair Falls, thence from the river, N. E. by E. 8 miles and 298 rods, to Bonnebeag pond, thence S. E. to Baker's spring and a rock — being the bounds between York and Kittery. At that time there was not a house standing " between Quampeagan and Canada.** All, which were built here, between 1690 and 1745, were of hewed logs, sufficient to oppose the force of small arras. There was a block house on the western side of Sal- mon Fall brook, a mile above Quampeagan, where William Gerrish lived ; a mile higher, was Key's garrison ; — next were Wentworth's and Good.- win's block houses. The fort on Pine Hill, called Hamilton's garrison, was standing in 1750. It was made of poles 20 feet high, and picketed at the upper end. — As to land-titles of the settlers, Mr. Spencer, A. D. 1643, purchased of Sagamore Rowles or Knowles, a tract on the banks of New- ichawannock and Great-works rivers. George Broughton, the same year, obtained lands of the Sagamores, between Spencer's and Salmon Falls ; where Broughton and Wincoln had lands granted by the town of Kittery, on condition of erecting a mill. Lands above, are holden under proprietary grants — Berwick was first represented in the General Court, in 1714, by Elisha Plaisted. In 1751, the town was divided into two par- ishes ; and the first parish was made a town, in 1814, by the name of South Berwick. In 1790, Berwick contained 3,894 inhabitants. Since the divis- ion, upper or Old Berwick contains 30,000 acres ; — had within it ten mills, in 1820, 6 of them being at Doughty Falls on Great-works river. 78 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.D. 1713. ered, and Mr. John Wade, settled in 1702. Dying the next year, he was succeeded in Nov. 1707, by the Rev. Jeremiah Rev. J. Wise, who was their minister upwards of 48 years ; — a man of learning, " eminent piety and goodness." But the learning, in which he made so much proficiency, exhibited, according to the taste and passion of the age, the efforts of deep and scholastic investigation, rather than the beauties of rhetoric, or the solids of philosophy. Five years before his death, a new or northern parish was formed, over which, John Morse was first settled, who was soon succeeded by Rev. Matthew Miriam. Kittery The same year Berwick was incorporated, the residue of Kit- parishes, tery was divided into two parishes. The new one was at Stur- geon-creek, [Eliot] where a church was gathered, and Rev. John Rogers* i2o^er5, settled in 1715; whose ministry was continued during the uncommon period of 52 years.* — In the old parish at Kitte- ry-point, a parsonage, provided as early as 1669, and subsequent- ly improved, was occupied, and an annual stipend received, by J Rev. John JYewmarch,-f in consideration of ministerial services, ISewmarch. for 1 5 years, prior to 1714; when a church of 43 members was formed, and himself ordained. He was afterwards, more than 35 years, the faithful minister of an affectionate people ; re- ceiving the late Doct. Benjamin Stevens, May 1, 1751, his col- league ; whose pastoral connexion was dissolved by death at the end of forty years. { It was at Kittery-point, near the residence of the celebrated William Pepperell, that the courts of judica- ture were holden several years. ]^^^^g In York, the successor of the beloved and lamented Dummer, Moody. was the Rev. Samuel Moody. He was a graduate of Harvard, in 1697 ; and in 1700, received his ordination. He declined a settlement upon a stipulated salary ; choosing rather to live through faith, dependant upon his Divine Master, and the voluntary con- tributions of his people. He continued in the ministry 47 years ; * Rev. Mr. Spring was ordained his colleague, June 29, 1768, and died in 1791. He was succeeded the next year by Rev. Samuel Chandler. t He was graduated at Harv. Col. in 1690, married at Kittery-point, and lived on the westerly side of Spruce-creek, near the ferry. I Another church was organized at Spruce-creek, in 1750, where Rev. Josiah Chase was a settled minister, till Dec. 1778. He was succeeded, in 1782, by Rev. Joseph Littlefield.- Greenleafs Ecclesiastical Sketches, p. 83. See ante, A. D. 1647, and 1652. Chap, hi.] of matne. 79 when he died, — greatly endeared to his charge, and highly re- a. d. 1713. spected by his country. His praise is in all the churches of this region, as a godly minister and useful man. Amidst his pastoral zeal, many of his eccentricities afford curious anecdotes, which will be related in story to a succession of listening generations.* Seventeen years before his death, he had the pleasure of see- Scotland ing a religious society formed in the north-west section of York ; ed!^'*^ and of assisting, in 1732, at the ordination of his only son, the Rev. Joseph Moody. A Harvard graduate, at the age of 18, Rev. j. this gentleman lived in his native town 14 years, and held the^°'''^^* offices of Town Clerk, County Register of Deeds, and a Judge of the Common Pleas, before he was ordained. f He was a man of talents, piety, and peculiar sensibilities of mind. This, the second parish in York, was settled in Cromwell's time, by Scotch people, and has been since called Scotland. The Protector, having obtained a victory over a body of Scottish royalists, thought transportation to be the best disposition he could make of the prisoners ; and therefore he sent them to America. Acquainted with Gorges, who had taken arms in the civil wars on the same side, they settled upon a section of his patent. Few towns, not wholly destroyed, ever experienced greater priva- Weiis. tions and severities in the Indian wars, than Wells. After the Rev. Mr. Wheelwright finally left the place, the inhabitants were favor- ed only with the pastoral services of unlocated or itinerant preachers, during that century. J But on the return of munici- * His wife was the daug-hter of John Sewall of jNewbiiry. He had two children, Joseplj and Mary. The latter married Rev. Mr. Emerson of Maiden. Mr. Moody died, Nov. 13, 1747, Mi. 72. An ingenious epitaph on his gravestone, near his meeting-house, shews wliere his relics are de- posited. In 1749, he was succeeded by Rev. Isaac Lyman, a graduate at Yale, in 1747, who died, 1810. f After six years he fell into a gloomy state of mind, and died in March, 1753. His successors were, in 1742, Rev. Samuel Chandler, and in 1754, Rev. Mr. JLiankton, who died in 1794. — Greenleofs Ecc. Sketches, p. 13. I Rev. Joseph Emerson of York, was employed in 1664, for 2 or 3 years ; Rev. Robert Payne, 1667, for 5 years, with a salary of £45 ; Rev. John Buss, Sept. 2, 1672, 10 years, having- a salary of £60, and <* a parsonage house and land ;" Rev. Percival Greene, in 16S3, 5 or 6 years ; — and in 1689, Mr. Richard Marten, a schoolmaster in town, became the people's minister. — They voted him £50, besides the parsonage, to be paid thus ; — wheat at 4*. — rye at 2s. 6 J.— peas at 4s. per bushel ; pork at 2^d. per lb. ; boards at 19«. and staves at Ms per thousand. — Messrs. Greene and Mar- 80 THE HISTORY [VoL. 11. A.D. 1713. pal order, subsequent to the close of the second Indian war, the inhabitants became anxious to enjoy the stated ministrations of the gospel ; and hence, twelve professors of religion entered into an ecclesiastical covenant ; — and in October, 1701, by the Rev. s. concurrent voice of them and the people, ^r. Sarri^l Emery recei^- s!"jefferds. cd the rites of ordination over the whole town.* His ministry of 24 years, was succeeded by that of Rev. Samuel Jefferds, a graduate at Harvard, in 1722, and a spiritual teacher, who in the course of his professional labors and untiring zeal, through a pe- riod of 26 years, had the high satisfaction of witnessing the re- peated effusion of divine influences, upon the people of his Kcnnebunk charge.f — Nor was it till 1750, that the second or Kennebunk iTTiLUe^^'i'"^**^ was established, and the Rev. Daniel Little setded ;{ — before which time, the town formed a single religious society, containing at no period more than a thousand inhabitants. § These cotemporary and successive ministers of the altar, had no small influence in forming the moral taste and general charac- ter at a rising community ; and they acquitted themselves of the high trust, in a manner which entitles their names to the particu- lar notices of history. Their emoluments were small, though their labors and privations were great ; being eminent examples of fortitude, and worthy patterns of disinterestedness. Condition of 'pj^g eastern Provinces, at the close of the late war exhibited a the eastern ' countiy. melancholy aspect. More than 100 miles of coast, once interspers- ed and adorned with flourishing settlements, improved estates, and comfortable habitations, lay unpeopled and desolate. Title-deeds, records and other papers of value, were either burnt or lost ; and so many years had succeeded the wastes of several places, that they had resumed the appearance of their original solitude. leo were both Harvard g^raduates, in 1680. — 1 Coll. Maine Hist. Soc. p. 263-5. * The meeting-house had been burnt by the Indians, but " the settlement was advancing."—! Coll. Maine Hist. Soc. p. 265 Mr. Emery was grad- uated at Harvard, 1691. t Mr. Jefferds died, Feb. 1752, ^Et. 48. In 1754, Rev. Gideon Richard- son succeeded Mr. JefFerds. After his death, Rev. Moses Hemmenvvay, Aug. 8, 1769, was ordained; and in Feb. 1811, Rev. Mr. White was settled with him as colleague pastor. — See Wells, ante, A. D. 1653. \ Rev. Mr. N. H. Fletcher was associated as a colleague with Mr. Lit- tle, in August 1800, who died Oct. 1801. \ Number in Wells, 1790, 3,070.— See 3 Mass. Hut. Coll, p. 138-140. Chap, hi.] of Maine. 81 Yet the government, the landholders, and the former inhabitants A. D. 1713. or their descendants, appeared ready to eneaee with courage and Committee TT • claims spirit in a resettlement of the country. Hence, " a Committee and settie- of eastern claims and settlements"* was appointed, in 1713, by the General Court, consisting of nine gentlemen, f four from the Council, and five from the House ; and after appointing clerks, and notifying by printed circulars, the times and places of their meetings, they were directed to receive and examine all exhibited claims to lands in Maine or Sagadahock, to sanction the titles of such as appeared sound and clear, and report the residue. — In reviving the wasted towns, it was thought to be more conducive to the people's safety and quiet, if they were to replant them- selves in neighborhoods of 20 or 30 families, — near the seaside, — upon lots of three or four acres to a family, — united in a close and defensible manner, and possessed of out-hnds in quantities equal to their necessities or wishes. Accordingly the General order of Court authorized the resettlement of five towns ; — these were courtTo Saco, Scarborough, at Black-point ; Falmouth, at Casco-penin- scarboro'"' sula; J^orth' Yarmouth, ^ and one at the mouth of Sagadahock ^^[.'[j^^Y^j.^ includins; Arrowsick Island. In no other than these and the sur- '"""^^ ^ ^ _ Arrowsick. viving towns previously mentioned, were people allowed to re- plant or resume habitances, without licenses from the Govern- or and Council ; till the proper designations and plans, through the medium of the Committee, could be matured. The next year, 1714, these towns became inhabited by sever- ^ ^ j^^^ al returnins; families ; to which accessions were annually made, Saco reset- ° ' . . lied and until they were enabled to resume their municipal privileges, named Bid- The settlement of Saco was so rapid, that the inhabitants, in 1717, settled Mr. Short as their minister, and exhibited at Win- ter-harbor a compact hamlet. To encourage their pious zeal, £40 were annually granted out of the Provincial treasury, for * A Committee of this sort was first appointed in 1700. f Of the Council, Elisha Hutchinson, Isaac Addington, John Phillips and Paul Dudley [Attorney General] ; — of the House, John Clark, Edward Quimby, Thomas Oliver, William Dennison and the Clerk of the House. — 8 Mass. Rec. p. 288. — The General Court said " the settling of the eastern " parts and frontiers will be of great benefit to this Province." — Preamble Statute, 1715. I But North-Yarmouth was not resettled till about 1721 — 2. The In^ dians were peculiarly hostile towards the settlement of this place. Vol. II. 11 82 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1714. four or five years, in aid of his support. The General Court also confirmed the ancient bounds of the town, lying on both sides of the river ; and the next year, ordered, that 50 families at least, be admitted and settled in a defensible manner, according to the directions of the Committee, and that after the 18th of Nov. 1718, the name of the town be changed to that of Biddeford.* Scarboro' SCARBOROUGH, prior to 1714, had been without inhabitant resettled. ^^^^^ ^gjj years. The settlement of the town was recommenced at Black-point, and was immediately followed by another at Blue-point and Dunstan. Though the government had found it im- practicable to protect the people at their homes from the ravages of a savage enemy, it had provided for their retreat to places of safety, and was now active and generous in aiding their return to their wasted abodes. In December, 1719, a town meeting was * Biddeford [or Saco] was settled about 90 years before its present re- vival. It had been a seat of government, and always a noted place. The Bufferings of the settlers were great in each of the three first Indian wars, being twice destroyed ; though a garrison was maintained there through the whole of the last war. In 1718, the town agreed to erect a meeting-house at Winter-harbor, 35 feet by 30. Here, Sept. 30, 1730, Rev. Mr. VVillard, the father of the late President Willard of Harv. College, was ordained pastor of a Congregational Church, organized at the same time. He was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Morrell ; and he, in 1779, by Rev. Mr. Webster. — Saco was a territorial corporation as early as 1643-4 ; made a town, in 165$ ; divided in 1772, and all on the eastern side of the river incorporated into a town by the name of Pepperellborough ; — chang- ed to Saco, in 1805. Between 1730 and 40, the settlement at Saco village was made. But from the first Indian war, to 1715, a period of 40 years, there is a chasm in the records of the town. Biddeford was first repre- sented in the General Court, in 1719, by Humphrey Scammon; who lived two miles below the Falls. Benjamin Blackman, a graduate of Harvard College, 1668 ; and B. Pendleton, Deputy-President of Maine, in 1680, both lived in Saco. — On the west side of the river, lived Richard Vinesy about 20 years, till he sold, Oct. 20, 1640, to Doct. Robert Child, and re- moved to Barbadoes. The most of his patent was purchased, in 1656 and in 1659, by Major William Phillips^ who resided there, and also purchased of different Sagamores, in 1661, the great tract between the rivers Mou- sum and Little Ossipee, and in 1664, the country between Saco and Ken- nebunk rivers, and most of HoUis and Limington. Phillips removed to Bos- ton, in 1675, and the next year made partitions of his estate. He died, 1683. — John Sandford, Secretary of Rhode-Island, was the first husband of his wife, whose son Peleg, was Governor of that colony, 1680-3. — On the west side of Saco river, resided several years James Sullivan, Gov. ; George Thatcher, Judge of S. J. Court, Mass. ; P. Meilen, 1st Chief Justice of Maine.— Sec 1st vol. A. D. 1653. Chap, hi.] of maine. 83 holden, and the next year, the records, which had been preserved A. D, 1714. in Boston, were safely returned ; the number of families resettled at that time, being about thirty. No minister was ordained over this people, till 1727 ; when a Congregational Church was form- ed, and in September, Rev. William Thompson inducted into the pastoral office. His weekly ministrations were alternately at the two settlements, until the second parish was formed at Dun- stan, about 1743, or perhaps until a short time before the Rev. Richard Elvins was settled there, in 1 744. Both ministers were paid by the town, during the life of Mr. Thompson, without dis- tinction of parishes.* None of the desolated towns, however, were resettled earlier Falmouth . ... reseuled. than ancient Falmouth. A strong garrison was maintained through the last war at Fort Loyal ; and one account states, that some of the former inhabitants were, as early as 1708-9, making preparations to return. f Within a short period, several dilapi- dated cottages upon the Neck were so far repaired, as to be ren- * The town records were preserved by the Governor and Council ; and transmitted to Lieut. Gov. Wentworth of New-Hampshire, who had an in- terest in the town, and who swore the bearer William Cotton, « that this book of records was the whole he had received from the Gov. and Coun- cil ;' and also swore James Jeffries ' to make a fair copy of them.' The successors of Mr. Thompson, were Rev. Thomas Prince, in 1762 ; and Rev, Thomas Lancaster, in 1775. In 2d Parish, Rev. Mr. Elvins was suc- ceeded, in 1776, by Rev. Benjamin Chadwick ; in 1600, by Rev. JSTathan Tilton. One account says, the 2d parish was established in 1758. — Thom- as Cammock settled in Scarborough, 1633, and died, 1643. — Henry Josce- lyn removed hither, about 1635, and resided at Black-point and Prout'a neck, 33 years. He married Cammock's widow. He sold his estate to Joshua Scottow, who removed hither, about 1680, and died in Boston, 1698. — Rev. John Thompson, born here, was settled in South-Berwick. — Rev. Joseph Willard, though born in Saco, " was reared from a child in Scarbo- rough"— and afterwards. President of Harvard College This town was the native place of Rurus King,— (New- York) ; William Kino, first Gov. of Maine, and Cyrus King, member of Congress — all brothers. Most of the land-titles are derived from Gorges through Cammock and others ; but a tract between the hamlets was purchased by Andrew and Arthur Algier, of Jane alias Uphannan's, an Indian woman, and descended to Andrew's grand-daughter who married John Milliken, — and hence the ♦< Milliken claim." — The town was represented in the General Court, in 1728, by Arthur Bragdon.—JtfS. LetUr Rev. JV. Tilton, »ee anteyVol. 1. A, D. 1658. t JVr. Sullivanj {Hist. p. 197,) says, " the inhabitanta began to return ^ again about the year 170&." 84 THR HISTORY [VoL. II. Ai D. 1714, dered habitable ; the first new framed house being built by Mr. Ingersol,* about the year 1714. To encourage the people in support of the ministry, while they were building a meeting-house, in 1715-16, the General Court granted them £20 ; there being at this time upon the peninsula, about 20 families. The territory of the town was extensive, and settlements were begun at differ- ent places, — especially at Purpooduck, Spurwink, and later at New-Casco, near the mouth of the river Presumpscot. In those places there had been fortifications ; and the Legislature, in 1714, consented to have the two former [now Cape-Elizabethf ] estab- lished as a township. But this was delayed ; the ancient boun- daries of the town as reported by the Committee of claims, in 1718, were sanctioned by the General Court ; and Nov. 11, of the same year, Falmouth was restored to all its corporate powers and privileges. It was represented in the House, the next year, by William Scales; and on the 8th of March, 1727, a Congre- gational Church was formed, and the inhabitants settled the Rev. Thomas Smith. For several years, his ministerial services were performed alternately at the meeting-house upon the peninsula, the block house upon Purpooduck-point, and the fort at Spur- wink ; — and sometimes at New-Casco, [now Falmouth.] Cape-Por- The resettlement of North-Yarmouth was delayed five or six iS^and'^'* years ; and Cape-Porpoise became the town which had a simul- Ar'undei. taneous revival with those just mentioned. Though it had never before its destruction compared with its neighbors in wealth or population, it had been inhabited by a bold and spirited people ; and in 1716, they and the proprietors joined in a prayer to the Legislature for a restoration of town privileges. The subject was referred to Mr. John Wheelwright, and orders given him to take the records into possession wherever he could find them. It seems * For this cause called " Governor Ing-ersol." I Cape-Elizabetli was incorporated, Nov. I, 1765; Portland, July 4, 1786 ; Westbrook [Stroudwater,] in 1814; — all being' parts of ancient Fal- mouth. Mr. Smith vs^as the son of Thomas Smith, Esq. Boston; — a gradu- ate of Harvard College, 1720; and when he was ordained, the churches of York, Kittery, Berwick and Wells assisted, being" all there were then in the Province of Maine. In town and proprietor's meetings, there was no distinction till 1730, when all settlers were admitted on paying- a sum of money — or shewing a continued possession ; others were excluded. — Ante vol. I. A. B. I6b8,—Sullivan, p. 197. Chap. III.] OF maine. 85 their town officers were chosen the next year ; and June 5th, a i). nu. 1718,* the town was re-established by the name of Arundel.! In 1723, it was represented in the General Court by Alanson Brown, its first deputy in that Body. Besides the resettlement of the eastern country ; another sub- pg^g^ j^q^- ject of much importance arrested the public attention. This was^^' the paper money which had flooded New-England, and now, since the war, exhibited the many and complicated evils of a fickle depreciating currency, connected with every pecuniary transac- tion of life. All agreed, that improvement was indispensible, while different projects excited unhappy divisions. One party was in favor of wholly substituting specie for the bills ; another advocated the establishment of a banking company, whose capital stock was to be real estate ; and the third, and predominant party, induced the Legislature to authorize a public loan of bills to any New loans one for a limited time, upon notes with interest, secured by mort- ' gage of real estate ; — the interest to be applied towards the sup- port of the government. So universal and so warm was this con- troversy, that it " divided towns, parishes and particular fami- lies and, unfortunately, the respective parties for the bank and the loan were nearly balanced. In this rage of party-spirit among the people, it was impossible Q^^^^g | for rulers to be neutral. But a change in the administration being accedes to ° o the throne expected, upon the accession of king George, who was proclaim- of England, ed in Boston, September 17th, 1714, Governor Dudley demean- * One account says it was in 1719. But 9 JIass. Rec. p. 207, says 1718. f Arundel, [Kcnnebunk-port, since 1820,] was made a town, A. D. 1653, by the Massachusetts' Commissioners, and mLmei^ Cape-Porpus.\a) — The lands were orig-inally granted by Gorges, and also by Rig-by. The agent of the latter conveyed to Morg-an Howell 100 acres, in 1648; and in 1661, to John Bush 400, to Gregory JefFery 200, and Richard Moore 400, all "within the villag-e of Cape-Porpoise, and Province of Lyg^onia ;" re- serving- « to Col. Alexander Rigby, Esq. President of the Province of Ly- g-onia," a yearly quitrent of 10*. per 100 acres. — Sullivan, 229. This place was settled as early as A. D. 1632, probably earlier.— Winthrop's Journal, p. 43. There are a few fragments of the town's doings between 1678 and 1689.— About 1719, Rev. John Eveleth was preaching- at Cape-Porpoise, and afterwards, for a period, his ministerial labors were alternate at this place and Saco, till 1726; and at the former, till 1729, with a salary of £20. That year. Rev. Thomas Prentiss was settled ; succeeded, September, 1741, by Rev. John Hovey ; in 1771, by Rev. Silas Moody ; and in 1816, by Rev. George Payson. (a) As then spelt. 86 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1714. ed himself with the wisdom and prudence best calculated to smooth his path to retirement. He was not actually displaced, however, till about two years* after this, and was then succeeded Gov. shute. by Col. Samuel SHUTE,f — and Mr. Tailer, by Lieutenant-Gov- ernor William Dummer. J The Governor's commission embrac- ed New-Hampshire as well as Massachusetts and Maine ; and the appointment met with general acceptance. AiD. 1715, The Committee of claims and settlements, in 1715, consisted of'SaimT of two Councillors, Messrs. John Wheelwright and Ichabod Plaisted, of Maine ; and six members of the House.§ They were able and influential men, and at their suggestion, the General Court perceived the inability of the people and proprietors, who , . . . owned lands and real estate eastward of Piscataqua, to recover Limitation ^ , ^ of real ac- them by legal process within the five years Hmited by a former statute, because of the late war ; and therefore allowed them the same period after July 31st, of the present year, to resume and estabhsh their claims to houses, lands or other real estate, within the territories of Maine or Sagadahock. This gave to all inter- ested, additional and fresh encouragement. The General Court, dcredloTe ^^s°> ^^^^ further advice of the Committee, ordered the sur- Jvom^Ber- °^ ^ ^^^^ ^^^^ Berwiclc to Pejepscot lower falls, and ap- Jcpsco? **** propriated £50 to be disbursed from the public treasury towards opening it. Another subject, though of a different nature, which excited made'^ the public attention at this time, was the improper duties exacted port of en- New-Hampshire from the merchants and fishermen trading at Piscataqua. To obviate the difficulty, our government made the harbor at Kittery-point a port of entry, and adopted measures to * The delay was occasioned by the appointment, in the first place, of Col. Eliesus Burges, who was anxious for the office. But it being; thought by our ag^ents and friends in Eng-land, that he could not be an acceptable person to the people of these Provinces ; he was induced to accept from them £1000, and resign his commission. •f Col. Shute belong-ed to a good family. His father was a dissenter, and an eminent citizen of London, and his mother was the daughter of a noted dissenting minister ;— his brother. Lord Barrington, was in Parliament, at the head of the dissenting interest. The new Governor had served under the Duke of Marlborough, in Flanders, where he acquired great military reputation. I Mr. Dummer was a native of Massachusetts, and lived in Boston, $ These were, Oliver Haynes, Edward Hutchinson, Adam Winthrop, Samuel Phips, Lewis Bane, and John Leighton. Chap, hi.] of maine. 87 make its authority respected. A breastwork was erected north- A. D. 1716. erly of the point ; a platform laid sufficient for six guns ; a naval officer and a public notary appointed ; and all sea-captains and persons trading at the river, were required to pay imposts, powder- money, and other duties, as stipulated by law. The enthusiastic ardor, manifested the last year in the enter- pejepscot prise of reviving the eastern settlements and claims, still appeared change? rather to increase than to abate. The Indians were generally tranquil ; and in a great number of places, the return of the in- habitants is dated at the present period. Richard Wharton,, dying insolvent, his Pegypscot [or Pejepscot] purchase* was sold, in 1714, by his administrator, to Messrs. Winthrop, T. Hutchinson, Ruck, Noyes, Watts, Minot, Mountford, and two others, for only £100. The new owners, June 10th, in the present year, spread their Brunswick, interest before the General Court, with a request, that the pur- anTnarpi- chase, as they bounded it,f and the title, as stated, might be con- '^^'^'^ firmed to them ; and that the government, by its sanction, would encourage them in the settlement and defence of three new town- ships, which they proposed to have called Brunswick, Tops- ham, and Harpswell. The first was to extend " from Pejepscot Falls to Maquoit on Casco bay — equal to six miles square the second was to be surveyed of the same size on the easterly side of the river, adjoining and fronting Merry-meeting bay ; and the Aird to include Merryconeag peninsula, the two Sebascodegan Islands and others. It is said their prayer was granted ; when it was agreed, that if the government would exempt these towns from taxes, five years, and advance £400 towards the erection of a " good stone fort" at some place within their limits, they would * See ante, A. D. 1684. t They supposed it run *' from 5 miles above the uppermost Falls of An- « droscojgin river, on a north-east line, over to Kennebeck river, includ- " ing- what land lies to the southward of that line, down to Merry-meeting " bay :"— And from said Falls, 4 miles west, and so southerly down to " Maquoit ; — taking in the lands lying four miles west of said river. — Like- " wise the lands lying- southward of Merry-meeting bay, on the westerly " side, running down to Small-point harbor, and including Merryconeag- neck and the Island Sebascodegan, with the other Islands interjacent ; " and on the easterly side, running round Winnegance-point, so down Sag- " adahock river, along by Arrowsick Island, down to Atkins' bay." — Slate- punt of Kennebeck Claims, p. 11. — 1 Doug, Summ. p. 390. 88 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.D. 1715. engage not only to support a minister of the gospel, and school- master, but maintain a sergeant's guard of 15 men, and faithfully build and render defensible such a fortress. The public disburse- ment was accordingly made, and a fortification erected on the western side of the Androscoggin, opposite to the Lower Falls, George Called " Fort George.''^ It was constructed with two bas- erecied. tions, two half bastions with flankers on the top, sufficient for cannon.* When finished it was furnished with munitions of war ; and a garrison was supported there the greater part of the time, till the reduction of Quebec. f These Falls were a key which opened the western parts of the Province to the Indians. At this place the tribes from Canada, from Penobscot, and from Nor- ridgewock had meetings with the Anasagunticooks, to advise on their intended expeditions against the white people. There had been a slight fort here of angient date ; but while the country lay desolate, it had fallen into ruins, ir.ent of But thcsc towns wcrc not very speedily settled. In Brunswick, Androscog- ^^^j^j^ ^.^^ incorporated the earliest of the three, J there were, in 1718, no dwelling-places for families, except within the walls of the fort, and in the block house, near Maquoit bay, where Lieut. Woodside kept a guard to protect the stores while landing and pas- sing to the fort. A little before that time, three families settled in Topsham ; all of whom were afterwards destroyed in Lovewell's war.§ The settlement of Harpswell, commenced about the year 1720, was for many years only a precinct of North-Yarmouth. || George- In Conformity with the Legislative order of 1713, several Sncor-^** persons early the next spring, resumed a habitancy upon lands porated. mouth of the river Sagadahock. On the margin of Arrow- sick Island at Baker's Cove, John Watts of Boston, who had married a grand-daughter of Major Clark, built of bricks, trans- ported by him from Medford, in Massachusetts, a large dwelling- house wiih two flankers, — which stood 56 years. Another was erected about the same time by Mr. Preble at the head of the *8 Mass. Rec. p. 3S9-415. t Sullivan, p. 181. \ Brunswick was incorporated in 1738 ; Harpswell in 1758, and Topsham in 1764. In 175S, the line, as settled between Pejepscot and Plymouth companies, began at the mouth of Cathance river, and ran W. N. W. to the W. line of the patent, or claim. \ Coll. Mass. His. Soc. p. 141-2. )| MS. letter of Rev. Samuel Eaton. Chap, hi.] of Maine, 89 Island. In the spring of 1715, these two men, Edward Hutch- a.D. ni6. inson, Esq. and twenty-three others, being the whole number in the Island, petitioned the General Court to be incorporated into a town. It was a frontier, more remote than any other place at- tempted to be resettled, and might be a barrier in the emergency of war ; — ^therefore an object of the government's special favor. An accession of 15 families was immediately made to the set- tlement ; the Governor despatched from Fort Loyal a sergeant's guard of 20 men, to be protectors of the inhabitants six months ; and on the 13th of June, 1716, Parker's Island, and Arrowsick* were made a town or municipal corporation by the name of Georgetown. f * Parker's Island, Nequasset or Nauseag-, [now Woolwich] Stag-e Island and some others were treated and taxed as precincts of the town, accord- ing to the law and usage of the day, and made a part of the town itself. The inhabitants of Small point [now Bath and Phipsburgh,] were upon pe- tition set off from North-Yarmouth, in 1741, and united to Georgetown. One account states, that Wiscasset and Sheepscot were taxed with George- town several years, adjacents or precincts. The name " Arrowsick^'* is so spelt by Penhallow. The titles to the lands are holden " principally under " the Plymouth company ; part under Salter's right ; part under Sir Biby f Lake ; and a few by 60 years peaceable possession." — See ante^ vol. 1, p. 63. f Georgetown, {the 10th corporate town in this State,) took its name from " fort St. George''^ — (Popham's fort,) built by the colonists, in 1607; and is sometimes called " The ancient Dominions" of Maine. The census, in 1764, was 1,329. The ecclesiastical affairs of the town, were in an un- settled state, more than half a century. The clergymen, employed suc- cessively, were Messrs. William McClanathan, Robert Rutherford, Dan- iel Mitchell, and Alexander Boyd. The principal part of the people, especially the professors, were Presbyterians. In 1739, 14 of the latter associated into a church ; and in July, 1765, Rev. Ezekiel Emerson was ordained. In the course of a year, his church were united into a " Cove- nant engagement," and contained 45 members. This excellent man died, Nov. 9, 1815, aged 80. A meeting-house was built on Arrowsick Island, in 1761 ; and one on Parker's Island, in 1809, for the Freewill Baptists. A second Parish, now Bath, was formed in 1762. The town has been di- vided.— Woolwich was incorporated in 1759; Bath, in 1781; and Phips- burgh, in 1814, The present Georgetown is bounded, S. by the ocean ; W. by Kennebeck river ; N. by Monsweag bay ; and E. by great Sheep- scot bay ; and embraces Arrowsick, of 4,000, and Parker's, of 10,000 acres. About half of the town is of a good soil, which grows apples, wheat, bar- ley and com. The people, in 1820, owned 1,000 tons shipping; annually cured 4,000 quintals of cod and hake ; 40,000 lbs. salmon ; 500 bis. pickled fish, and 6,000 boxes smoked herrings. The town records begin in 1788. Vol. n. 12 90 THE HiSTORY [VoH. tL A.- D, 1716. Thfe is a place of laaore c^ebritj^, thin any other, exjcept. York A place of and FaJuioutb, wpotttbe enatera-coast. h vms 0ok)hified m 1 665' ; ^rcflt resort* ' visited in 1614, by the fiEimoDS Gap*. John Sraithi> idao sfaetohed a chant of the coast ; and setti»d betweea the )reaEs 1624. and 6. At) the latter date, Plj^moiith colony had a tradiiig house at the site of Popham's fort, near Sprmg^point ; and the settleiiaent had a gradual increase fifty yeairs, until there were on the Islands and both sides of the river, more than siioy families. Tlie place was ravaged and laid waste by the savages, in and in 1688 ; and from tfie latter year remained desolate till its late revival. Georgetown has had a gradual rise ;*»-45as been a place of great resort ; and in 1721, it was represented in the G^eral Court by John Penhallow. ^ These movements, especially the resettlement of Georgetown, seiiiers. encouraged the proprietors of the Plymouth [or Kennebeck] pa- tent to enter upon the improvement or occupancy of their terri- tory. United in project with the Pejepscot proprietors, they both offered to families severally, 100 acres of good land, and 'the removal of them and their effects, free of expense to them, if they would become settlers, within their respective proprie- torships ; promising them also contributions towards supporting a minister of the gospel. For the protection of the people in case of a rupture with the Indians, and for the promotion of trade, Cushenoc Doct. Noyes of Boston, one of the Plymouth proprietors, built a fort of stone, at Cushenoc, on the bank of Kennebeck river near Seiiiemenis the head of the tide, which is said to have been the best fortifi- on Keune- beck. cation in the eastern country. Here a garrison was, for a period, maintained at the public expense ; and according to Mr. Pen- hallow, so great was the encouragement given that several "towns, as Brunswick, Topshara, Georgetown and Cushenoc " began to be settled ; a great many fine buildings with saw mills " were erected ; husbandry began to thrive ; and great stocks of "-cattle were raised."* A bji)dg)0 of 300 feet counects the, two Islands.— 9 Mass, Rec. p. 75.— Letter of Benjnmin jiiggs, Esq. p. 182. * Penhallow {Mia/). Wars printed, in 1726,) says, NoyeB " built a stone g arri6ajaja."r4vg:«yta" at his owncharg-e" He was a Representative io the 0«neral Coiuit, andjdied, March 16:^:1721-2. After this tke fort was neg^ lected; andin LoveweJL'a. war, the inhobitantst withdrew** and the Jodians burnt it ;r-.wilit! styeral houses.— -1 CoU. Jif. H, Hist., Soc. :— -aod in 7 or 8 years the fishery ceased.— 2 Doii^. Sunim. p. 538.— ^cn. Qtaims, p. 15. Chip, in.] of maine. 91 Noyes being also patronized by soma fishmongers in London, a.d. 1716. entered largely into the sturgeon^fisbery, which he carried on sturgeon " in the several branches of the Sagadahock," seven or eight years. In some seasons, twenty vessels were taken into employ- rnent ; and " many thousand kegs" were filled, which were esteem- ed equal " to any that ever came from Hamburgh or Norway." Also vast quantities of pine boards, plank, — hogshead, pipe and barrel staves, and all sorts of timber, were annually transported from the river, as well to foreign places as to Boston. The field for settlement was wide ; the territory between the rivers Sagadahock and St. George, which had lain waste ever since it was depopulated by the savages in 1689, presented to settlers many attractions ; and various projects were devised and motives urged, to induce their return to the places formerly inhab- ited. Hitherto the county of Yorkshire had embraced only the old Province of Maine ; therefore, the General Court, in 1716, to render the administration of justice commensurate with its r ■ • Yorkshire jurisdiction, ordered, that " all the lands, families and settlements extended to eastward of Sagadahock" within the limits of the Provincial Charter be annexed to Yorkshire ; and that York be the shire town for holding all the courts, and for keeping the registry of deeds.* Governor Shute, who arrived, Oct. 4, 1716, took the reins sit a critical period of public affairs. The Province was emerging ^rJiief.''"'* from a long Indian war, which had oppressed the people with debt ; a depreciating paper currency had ahnost expelled specie from the country, and greatly embarrassed the trade ; and the royal prerogative, as managed by tlie Governors under the char- ter, had wrought up the public jealousy to such a pitch, as would render the chair unpleasant to any one appointed to fill it. — ^Tbe setdement of the eastern Provinces he found to be a popular and interesting topic ; and ift the ensuing winter or spring, an order was passed for the repair of the fort and the re-establishment of a garrison at Pemaquid. But the new settlements, the mills, and especially the forts, The natives had surprisingly awakened the animosity of the Indians, whom the French missionaries eagerly inflamed, by telling them the * 9 J\I(ut. Rec. p. 95-262.— The treaty of Utrecht had now extinguished the French claim to Sagadahock wholly. 92 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A, V. ni7. English had invaded their rights. What at the same time bdped to fan and feed the fire, was a rumour, that there were apprehen- sions of a war between England and France. As the best way to pacify the tribes, and keep them tranquil, it was determined to provide immediate and effectual means for instructing the older Indians in the christian religion, and the younger, in the elements of education, according to the practice of the fathers. The General Court therefore offered to pay any minister £150 annually, who would reside at fort George, learn the dialect of the tribe, and become their instructer. A young scholar was to be associated with him as a schoolmaster, and £10 placed in his hands to procure books and curiosities, which he was to distribute among the pupils according to their merits.* Ill August, In the mean time, the Governor, attended by members of the sici^The^ Council from his several Provinces, met in August, according to Srindfans. P^evious appointment, " a great number of Indians with the Chiefs of every tribe," and conferred with them at Arrowsick. The Canibas Sagamores believing themselves the most aggrieved, took the lead in the conference. The Governor presented them with an English and Indian Bible, and told them it contained the true religion ; and Mr. Baxter, a missionary who had attended him, would explain its principles to them. All people, said they, love their own ministers. Your bibles^ we do not care to keep ; — God has given us teaching, and should we go from that., we should offend God. The confer- It being found they were immoveably attached to the Catholic ' creed, the rest of the parley was upon the respective rights of the parties. The Sagamores complained of encroachments. They thought, that though the lands westward of the Kennebeck might belong to the English ; surely no sale had been made of the country eastward of that river. But, replied the Governor, * we * shall never part with an inch of our lands in that quarter.' Thinking this to imply more than was expressed or intended, they instantly rose and departed without ceremony to their canoes, paddUng away to another Island, the place of their head- quarters, and leaving their English flag upon the ground. Rale's let- In the evening they returned, bringing a letter from Sebastian Rale, the apostle of Norridgewock, addressed to the Governor, and * 9 Mass. Rec. p. 120. Chap, hi.] of Maine. 93 stating, < that the French king had never by any treaty, conced- A. D. 1717. * ed to the English the lands of the Indians, and that he would * protect them against every encroachment.' The Governor then let them know how highly he resented the insolent interference of the Jesuit ; and the next morning, he made preparations to re- embark. The Indians were by no means ripe for war. The older men were loath to quit their villages at Norridgewock and Penobscot, where they were living at ease ; and dreaded to become dependent upon the French, by whom, as they often said, they were treated like dogs, when there was no immediate want of their services. Full of apparent regrets for the incivilities offered the day before, two messengers came and solicited the English colors they had slighted — also, a further interview with the Governor. At nieht the conference was renewed. Pretending to be dis- _ o . ° Treaty con- satisfied with the words and conduct of their speaker yesterday, firmed, they appointed another. He confessed that some of their incon- siderate young men had been guilty of wrongs towards the English and were blameworthy.* But it is our wish, he said, ' to live in * peace, and to be supplied at fair prices with necessaries in the * way of trade ; and without talking at this time about lines and * limits, we declare ourselves willing, that the English should set- * tie and occupy where their fathers did ; though we very much * A part of the dialogue on the first day of the parley, follows : Wiwurna. — We are willing to cut off our lands as far as the mills and the coasts of Pemaquid. Govertwr. — Tell them we desire only what is our own, and that we will have. We will not wrong them, but will be masters of our own. Wiwurna. — It was said at Casco treaty, that no more forts should be made. Governor. — Tell them the forts are not made for their hurt ; they are for the security of both — we being all subjects of king George. Witourna. — We cannot understand how our lands have been purchased ; — what has been alienated was by our gift. [The deed to Wharton sigfned by six Sagamores was then read to them.] Wiwurna. — But surely nothing has been sold on the east side of Kenne- beck river. Governor. — We expect the English will be quiet in the possession of all the lands they have purchased and what they own. Wiwurna. — We are a little uneasy concerning these lands ; but are wil- ling the English shall possess all they have, excepting forts. We must have fishing and fowling where we will. Governor, — It is freely assented to and allowed. — 2 Hutch, Hist. p. 199. 94 THE HISTORY [Vou 11. A.D. 1717. « dislike their forts.' At length, the treaty of Portsmouth, signed in 1713, was, with their former allegiance, renewed ; and the Sagamores in accepting the presents made to them, returned a belt of wampum, a lot of beaver, and a toast to the king's health,* Timber- Next the timber-trees, and especially the white pines, in these trees. eastern forests, were made a subject of great consideration ; and being connected with the king's prerogative, it soon drew the Gov- ernor into an unhapp)'' controversy with the House. By the last paragraph in the Provincial Charter, " all trees of the diameter " of 24 inches — upwards of 12 inches from the ground, growing " upon any soil or tract of land within our said Province or terri- " tory not heretofore granted to any private persons'^ — ' were re- ' served for masting the royal navy : — And all persons were for- 'bidden to fell, cut, or destroy any such trees without the royal ' license, first had and obtained, upon penalty of forfeiting ^100 * sterling, for every tree so felled, cut, or destroyed without such * license.' j^^^ In consequence of some mismanagement by the surveyor-gen- fSurveyor- eral of the woods, John Bridger, Esq. :+ the extent both of his General ac- ' . . , , cused. power and of the reservation m the charter, became the subject of discussion and scrutiny. It was contended that the original Province of Maine, which was purchased of Gorges by the Col- ony of Massachusetts, had never reverted to the crown ; and every part of it, which was not granted to individuals, was now the public property of the Province. { At any rate, all the trees within any township were either private property, or what was equivalent, according to another clause in the charter, they were owned by the townsmen collectively, as a " body politic" or cor- poration. With neither, had the king's surveyor any concern. Nay it was believed, he was commissioned only to survey the for- ests and preserve the mast pines and other timber ; whereas he was accused of granting tacit permits to cut trees, and even of conniving at trespasses — then of making enormous exactions for the logs ; pursuing the wrong-doers with vindictive violence, and sometimes encroaching upon the rights of others. Pursued by Mr. Elisha Cook of Boston, who was the Councillor for Saga- Mr. Cook* jJjqq]^ jjjjg year, a man of good abilities and great influence * Penhallow's Ind. war 1 Coll. N. H. Hist. Soc. p. 89. f His deputy for Maine, was first, Mr. Frazer; afterwards, Mr. Plaisted» a more popular raan. \ 2 Hutch. Hist. p. 229. — Ed. 1795. CHAr. m.] &F MAINE. 95 among ri>e peopte, entered warmly into this discussion. He said a.d. 1718 Bi»idger had no authority to grant any such licenses ; nor to com- pound with trespassers, for he had seen his commission.* He even went so far as to delineate to the House the malversation of that officer, and to charge him with betraying the trust committed to him.f Iti that body, Mr. Cook met with all the success he de- sired ; for his course was approved, and the proceedings of the surveyor-general were condemned. On the other hand, Bridger presented a counter memorial to j^^-^^^^j.,^ the Council in justification of his measures ; when the Governor, who made a merit of being a vigilant guardian of the royal in- terests, espoused his cause with great zeal, and transmitted the papers to the Lords of trade. The House, being thus indirectly censured by the Board, took an affront, and accused the Gov- ernor of sending home a partial statement of the facts ; and Cook, being quite censorious, had, by some unguarded expres- sion, so deeply wounded the Governor, that when the Councillors elect were, in the ensuing spring, presented to him, he by his negative, struck Mr. Cook's name from the list. The surveyor-general also, among his duties, was instructed to ^. inform the king's Navy Board, what oak timber suitable for ship duties, building, — what trees yielding tar, pitch or turpentine — and what land fit to rear hemp, could be found, which might be rendered useful to the fleet. In the discharge of this trust, as well as that of preserving the mast pines and ship-timber, he had the patron- age and aid of the Governor ; who said, he had a general super- inten dance of the whole, given him in charge by the Lords of trade. The Governor likewise represented to the House, that the pitch and tar, made and exported in great quantities, were tar. adulterated with sand, and that an act of Parliament had lately been passed, requiring more strict examination into their qualities. { This evil, the General Court had no objection to rectify, if it had become an evil worthy of notice. But the House were in tem- per to assume at once the whole oversight of the eastern forests ; * 9 Jlass. Rec. p. 280.— Committees' Report, Nov. 1718, ag-ainst Bridg-er. — 9 J\lass. Rcc. p 367. + It was said Bridger had received of one ir an £50 for masts by him cut and sent toEng^land ; and told the people they cuuld cut, without incurring the penalty mentioned in the charter. — 9 Jlass, Rec. p, 280. J Governor's Speech, A. D. 1719. 96 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.D. 1718. and accordingly appointed a committee of seven to that trust; A Commit- empowering them to take into possession all the logs found there- tee to over- . J J- 1 . see the east- in, and to direct the Attorney-General, when to institute or pur- ern (oresis. , , • i r . , , sue legal process, either for cutting trees, bleeding them for tur- pentine, or other trespasses.* This course deeply entrenched upon the authority of the Governor and the Surveyor-General ; and at the same time so sensibly touched the royal prerogative, as to occasion, the next year, an interposing act of Parliament. Trespasses By this, the penalties for trespasses in the royal woods, were re- Admiraity covcrablc in a court of admiralty,f where there is no jury, Courts. ^j^g judge only holds his office during the pleasure of the crown. Soil of Sag- By other paragraphs in the charter, { no grants of any lands thcc?own" lying eastward of Kennebeck river within the limits of the Province, which the Governor and Legislature might make or pass, should have any force or effect, until approved by the crown. But prior grants and all other estates, which were holden or ought to be enjoyed within the Province, under any act of the former governments, or by any other lawful right or title whatsoever, would be holden by the respective grantees and their heirs, ac- cording to the intent and interest of the grantors. Perceiving the fee of the ungranted lands in the Province of Sagadahock, to be in the sovereign, and the jurisdiction in the Provincial gov- Armstrong's ernment, William Armstrong and others, who had been officers project. ' ° and soldiers in the army, presented a petition to the board of trade and plantations, for a grant of those lands. The subject underwent several discussions before their Lordships, the petition- ers being strenuously opposed by the provincial agent. It was proposed, that if Massachusetts would resign her jurisdiction to the country eastward of the Penobscot, she should have the property in the soil westward of that river confirmed to her by the crown ; by which means her interest would be enlarged, and she would be enabled to effectuate more extensive settlements. But acquainted as she was entirely, with the value of her rights and * 9 Mass. Rec. p. 510. — In 1721, the Deputy or Surveyor-General gzve license to cut the trees of the woods as belong^ing' to the king ; and a Com- mittee was ordered to secure the logs cut under the license, for the use of the Province. t See ante, Courts," Chap. 1, vol. II, A. D. 1692-3-4. I Ancient Charters^ p. 26, 34. Chap, hi.] of maine. 97 the importance of this eastern region to her, she instructed her A. D. 1719. agent to make no concessions ; — and consequently the project altogether failed. Efforts were unabatins; through the year 1719, towards the enlargement of the towns and settlements already begun, and the ^^^^J"^*^^^*^*^^ establishment of others, especially eastward of Kennebeck river : George's . river. also some preparations were made for removals ; as proprietors were anxious to repossess themselves of their lands, through fear of being barred by the statute of limitations. Hence in the present and succeeding summer, two or three persons settled at Damariscotta, under the " Tappan Right,^^ and made improve- ments. Within the patent to Elbridge and Aldsworih, or Drown Right,^^ repairs were undertaken upon the fort at Pemaquid. William Hilton and John Brown were now residents at New- Harbor upon the ^' Brown Right and in 1724, "a survey " was made of the lands granted to John Brown the elder, ac- " cording to the limits and boundaries of the Indian deeds."* — For the purposes of settlement, the Waldo Patent was divided, in 1719, into ten shares, — and the "ten proprietors" assigned two thirds to the "twenty associates" formed, — and retained the rest. * At this period, there was not a house between George- * town and Annapolis, except a fish-house on Damariscove Isl- * and, nor " until the time that ♦S'^. George^s fort was built,"f fonP^^'^^" in 1719-20. Here were erected a capacious and defensible building, on an elevation near the easterly edge of St. George's river, at the elbow, and a blockhouse at a short distance, having a large area between them enclosed by pallisades, and capable of receiving 250 men.f Another fortress, called jPor^ ilzcAmonc?, p^rt Rich- was built about this time on the west bank of Kennebeck river, opposite to Swan Island. § * See ante, Jl. D. 1650 ; and post, A. D. 1729.— Fort William Henry built at Pemaquid, 1692, destroyed, 1696. — See in Commissioners'* Reports^ Jl. D. 1811, p. 15-18. — GatcheWs Deposition., p. 95. — Brown'^s Deposition, p. 109-115.— Presco^f* and Pearce's Deposition, p. 116-118.— In 1730, there were, in what is now Bristol and the adjacent towns, " at least 150 set- tlers."— Col. W. Jones'* testimony, ib. p. 144. t P. Roger's Deposition, taken 1773, ib. p. 60.— Probably the fort was finished in 1721.— 10 J^Iass. Rec. p 379. I Memorial of J. Leverett and others.— 10 JSIass. Rec, p. 380. The fort was in Thomaston, in front of the mansion-house of the late General Knox. \ The Fort, situate near the water, was not large, nor very firmly con- voL. n. 13 98 A.D. 1719 Duty on lumber re- pealed. THE HISTORY [Vol. II. Mast- trees marked. Dissensions of the Gov. and House. The grateful expressions with which the Governor was saluted, on account of the share he had in obtaining a late Parliamentary repeal of the duty exacted on lumber imported from America, were almost the only political consolations he experienced this year. His approval of an impost, a twelve month before, was censured by the Lords-Justices, in the king's absence, be- cause English vessels and manufactures were not excepted ; — still the House were hardly induced to revise it. — ^To preserve the forest-trees, the surveyor-general sent out his deputies, who marked an immense number of them with a capital R. and other- wise made a new display of his authority. This marking scheme was a novel expedient, as it was also unfortunate at this time, for upon no other subject than the timber, was the House more sen- sitive. Yet the Governor, with a full knowledge of the public feeling, had the imprudence to declare to that body, his deter- minate purpose, conformably to a late instruction from home, to support the surveyor, at all lengths, in the discharge of his offi- cial duty. This opened the half-smothered embers, and the House sent in a protest, which so severely charged Bridger with raal-conduct, that the Governor declared it should not be printed ; adding with extreme indiscretion, " remember, I have the power of the press." So sacred and well understood were the sentiments of liberty in this age, that no royal Governor, however able and wise, could by possibility maintain his master's prerogative, and at the same time satisfy the people and their representatives. Suffice it to say, that during the residue of Gov. Shute's administration, through a period of three years, the dissensions between him and the House were continually increasing, till they rose to a lament- able height. In return for his negation of Councillors and Speaker of the House, and other arbitrary acts ; he was allowed a smaller salary than his predecessors ; agents were appointed to inspect the garrisons, though he by the charter was Commander- in-Chief; a duplicate of the records was taken ; and as though structed. It was dismantled in 1754.— It was in the present town of Richmond ; — ten miles below the mouth of Cobbisecontee. The site of Richmond Fort was not far from the margin of the river, on ground, 12 or 15 feet above the water ; from which the land gradually ascends ; and thereabouts, there was, in 1820, a hamlet of 15 or 20 houses, a few stores, and 2 or 3 wharves. Chap. iii.J of maine. 99 his integrity was suspected, a motion was made to withdraw from A. d. 1719. him and the Council, the keys of the public chest. Another perplexity of much ereater moment, in fact, to the Indians in* community, was the insolence of the Abenaquis Indians, every where noticeable since their return from the winter hunting.* Peo- ple acquainted with their character, thought their behavior was a strong indication of some hostile attack ; and therefore the Govern- or, soon after the spring session of the General Court, despatched forty men into Maine, to guard the frontiers, and watch the mo- tions of the savages. These were distributed, 15 to Falmouth, 10 to Scarborough, 10 to Arundel, and 5 to North-Yarmouth fort, though the resettlement of the latter place had not been un- dertaken in a regular defensible manner. The summer rather deepened than allayed the people's fears ; and at the November ^ ^ session, the General Court appointed three commissioners, Wil- Guards sent liam Tailer, Edmund Quincy and William Dudley, with instruc- '"^'^ tions to meet the chiefs of the Canibas Indians at Brunswick or some other convenient place ; to ascertain if possible, the grounds of complaint and difficulty ; to demand a reparation for the in- juries done, — and to propose a revision of the trade, — a limited occupancy of our own lands, — and an offer, that some of the chiefs, according to their desire, take a voyage to England ; as- suring the tribe at Penobscot, that the spirit of peace, which their letter breathed, had received a most acceptable welcome. It being late in the season, the commissioners had no interview ^ ^^^^ with the Sagamores, till the succeeding June ; when it seemed, Jjjne. by their report, that if the Kennebeck proprietors and the Cani- port, bas Indians could agree upon boundaries, the fearful difficul- ties might be reconciled.f A committee was then raised to con- sider the subject of boundaries; £223,155. were appropriated towards the support of a garrison at fort George, on the Andros- coggin ; and 50 soldiers were continued in public pay till the au- soldiers in tumn; twenty of whom being .stationed at Richmond fort, and Swan-Island. * See letter, dated Merry-meeting bay, May 1, 1719, from Joseph Heath and John Minot, to Governor Shute. They say, the Indians called a coun- cil, and said the Jesuit spoke his mind, not theirs ; that they did not employ him to write for them, &c.— 8 Coll. M(U». Hist. Soc. p. 265, J^ew Series. t The conduct of the commissioners did not please the House ; they did not get any pay for their services. 100 THE HISTORY [VoL. 11. A.D. 1720. In this critical posture of eastern affairs, Capt. Thonnas Coram, ptoject'for ^ visionary theorist, promulgated a project for settling the Saga- Sapalfa ^ahock Province, and raising upon the lands a quantity of hemp hock. and flax, sufficient for supplying the royal navy with cordage. It was proposed, that a large number of men should be incorporated with a capital of £100,000 sterling, and with a charter of privi- leges suited to the enterprize ; that the territory be granted by the crown to the corporation in fee ; and that the whole direction be entrusted to a board of seventeen managers. To remunerate Massachusetts for a surrender of her jurisdiction, she was to have the privilege of subscribing £20,000, and owning a fifth part of the interest. As the scheme, wild as it may appear, was not without its advocates, it was thought that the preferable way to frustrate it, would be to inflate the vain conceit of the projector. Hence he was induced to withdraw, in anticipation of something greater, or more entirely acceptable to all. But when he found the region between Kennebeck and Penobscot was not to be in- cluded, he fell into a fit of passion, exclaiming, " it is all a trick to save that fine country, for the villainous people of New-Eng- land."* The bubble burst ; the fever for speculation in Ameri- can wilds about this time was greatly cooled by the severe ani- madversions of Parliament ; and Coram's project was laid aside for ten years. Affairs of An experiment of the same character, previously proposed by lia. " him in Nova-Scotia, met with no better fate.f That country, rendered interesting to us by its contiguity, had only in a small degree increased in numbers and wealth, since it had become a British province. During the administration of Samuel Vetch, four years from 1710, and of Francis Nicholson, five years from 1714, these Governors had been able to do nothing more, than bring the inhabitants into a state of nominal obedience. Nor did the country in any respect have a flourishing growth, even after Colonel Richard Phillips was appointed Governor in 1719. For though the executive Council, consisting of twelve members, were a respectable body ; yet the twenty-four deputies, chosen by the twelve districts into which the Province was divided, were of a nondescript character, being merely distributors of orders, and messengers of the people's wants and wishes ; as they never Dumraer's letter, September, 1720. t2 Hutch. Hist. p. 203. Chap, hi.] of Maine. 101 acted collectively as legislators, nor as judges. The inhabitants A. D. 1720. were mostly Frenchmen, who could not understand English ; ig- norant, not one in an hundred able to write or even read ; and dupes to their priests, as they would rather die than renounce the catholic religion. They were also miserable husbandmen and mechanics. Nay, the deep-rooted and habitual antipathies between the French and English, created collisions which neces- sarily rendered society unhappy, during the extended period of thirty years, in which Governor Phillips was in the chair. The Acadians having strongly attached the natives to them by ^^^^^ an assimilation of manners, an unity of worship, and an inter- ^^-^p^ J^re- ' f^' toil and course in trade, were now prepared to make Cape Breton^ the Causeau. depot for their future fishery and trade. On the other hand, the English had formed a fishing establishment at Canseau, which was frequented, especially in the summer months, by many traders ThoEng-- from Massachusetts. Instigated by the French, the Indians in ''s'' p'i"ider- o J ' ed liy the great numbers, attacked the place, August 7, and plundered it of '"^^^"^'7 fish and merchandize, to the amount of £20,000. The news of this rapine, though evidently committed by the .^^^^ ^^^^j^ Mickmaks alone, ereatly emboldened their western neighbors, and '^'"■■mfd Uy ' ^ . . Indians. in a still greater degree, alarmed the apprehensions of the inhab- itants. To allay their fears. Governor Shute despatched east- ward a small re-enforcement, giving the command of the whole to Colonel Shadrach Walton ; and when he met the General Court, November 2, he declared, he "had certain information, that the Nov. 2. *' Indians were committing great outrages on our eastern settle- " ments, by killing catde, and by threatening and insulting his " Majesty's subjects. "f Rale, the famous Jesuit, was deemed the principal instigator of j^^,^,^^,^^^ these insults. He was a man of talents and learnine; ; and by , , conduct. his condescending manners, religious zeal, and untiring persever- ance, he had greatly endeared himself to the tribe. He had re- * Cn-pt, Bnton was an Island still claimed by the Fi-ench ; who contended that it did not pass to the English when the French resigned to them " all Nova-Scotia and Acadia, with its ancient boundaries."' The J''rench took possession of it in Ang'iist, 1713, and called it Isle-Roynl. — See ante-, treaty of Utrecht, SOth March, 1713.— 2 Hdmcs" Am. Ann. p. 05-6. f According- to Charlevoix, the Indians sang- the war-song- in 1720; and the place of general rendezvous was at " Narantsouate," as be spells Nor ridg-ewock. — 4 J^ew-France, p. 120. 102 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1720. sided with them and been their tutelar father, thirty years ; and many of them he had taught to read and write. To render their devotion an incentive to violence, it is said, he kept a banner fig- ured with a cross, which was encircled by bows and arrows ; and while he was giving them absolution before they proceeded to war, or upon any hostile expedition, he was in the habit of sus- pending the flag from a tall standard at the door of his chapel ;* aware of the advantages gained, if he could give every bold sally of the Indians, the character of a crusade. Fond of epistolary cor- respondence, he kept up a constant intercourse with Vaudreuil, the Governor of Canada ; giving him an account of every settlement, fort, or other enterprise, commenced by the English ; and receiv- ing in return, advices how to incite and direct the Indians against the settlers. He sent Governor Shute a very bold letter, filled with curious logic, to prove the exclusive rights of the Indians to the country they inhabited. f Measures The different branches of the government were not agreed »eTze°h!m!° what course was best to be pursued against him. The House resolved to send a warrant to John Leighton^ sheriff of York- shire, and orders unto Co/. Walton, to attend him with a military guard of 150 men, and directed them to proceed to Norridge- wock, seize the Jesuit, and bring him to Boston dead or alive ; — offering them a reward of £500 for his body, besides the usual wages. If he could not be found, or if the tribe refused to pro- duce him, it was ordered, that several of the principal Indians be seized and conveyed to Boston. But the Council non-concurred the resolve, thinking a reward of £200, large enough ; and at the same time, believing, in view of the present posture of our affairs with this tribe, that it was inexpedient to send any armed force. The Board were extremely anxious to perpetuate peace ; while the Governor considered the resolve equivalent to a declar- ation of war, and a direct " invasion of the prerogative."! It *2 Belk. N. H. p. 41. \ See appendix to John Pickering's Essay on the Orthography of the Indian Languages in J^orth-America, p. 40-2 : who having- examined the Jesuit's MS. Dictionary of the " Abnaki" lang-uajj^e, gives him the name R^LE, as the orthoepy, though often spelt Rasles and Ralle. Mr. Picker- ing says, that Dictionary is divided into two parts— 1st, 205 leaves are French and Indian ; 2d, 25 leaves are Indian and French or Latin. 1 2 Hutch. Hist. p. 219. Chap, hi.] of Maine. 1 03 would necessarily prevent a negotiation, which was still devoutly A. D. 1720. anticipated ; and hence, the proposition of the House was post- poned. To the Indians at Penobscot, who as a tribe had not been con- Tiie tribe at .,./., . 1 r m A r\ Penobscot cerned in the late mischiefs, there was given the value ol £40 addressed, in presents ; also a courteous letter was addressed to them, — in hopes to perpetuate their forbearance. At the same time, it was represented to the General Court, by a memorial from the rep- resentatives of York, Kittery, Berwick, and Wells, tiiat more tlian 100 men had volunteered or been detailed from these towns f"'?*'^" «° Maine. to join CoL Walton, leaving the places weak and exposed. The House therefore resolved, that they be relieved by substitutes from other counties, and that not another soldier be detached nor enlisted in Yorkshire. As to the propriety of these measures, and the expediency of attempting another conference with the Indians and sending them a missionary, all parties were well agreed : — in other respects there was no political concord be- tween the Governor and House. It being at length discovered, that JVotaries public, hitherto appointed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, were such civil offi- P"*^'" cers as ought to be chosen by the Legislature ; the House at once on their part made the election, and sent the list to the Council for their concurrence : — they being ever afterwards elected by the General Court. In the present instance, all the House intended, was to shew an independence of the Execu- tive ; and the most the Governor could do, was to raise doubts, if they ought by the charter to be sworn, — protesting against this fresh encroachment upon his prerogative. An election, in the ensuing May, 1721, was made a subject^ j72j. of still greater scrutiny. This was the choice of Paul Dudley, ^^^^f now the third time elected into the Council for Saeadahock. '^>> Coun- " cillor for He was a son of the late Governor, and a Judge upon the su- Sa?ada- preme bench ; a man equally distinguished for his talents, learn- ing and integrity. But he was the successor of Mr. Cooke, late Councillor for that Province ; and a supporter of Gov. Shute's administration. His residence was in Roxbury; and it was surmised, that he was not the proprietor of any lands within the territory for which he was elected. In the discussion before a Committee of the House, appointed to investigate the subject, the judge supposed the enquiry into his qualifications was too iries ic. 104 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1721. late ; it should have been made, if ever, before the election, or certainly before he was sworn. He said he was willing to exhib- it his deed to any individual member, desirous to see it ; but must decline to lay it upon the speaker's table, as required ; for it was well known, there were various claimants to tracts in Sag- adahock, and the House might vote his own deed insufficient, and prejudice the title. Dissatisfied entirely with this answer, the House voted it to be an affront, and his refusal to produce his deed, abundant evidence of his being a non-proprietor ; and resolved, that his election was void. But in consequence of the Council's non-concurrence, he held his seat through the year ; and it is said, that afterwards every non-resident Councillor elect, made affidavit that he was a proprietor, before he took his seat and official oath at the Board. Party-spirit was yet only one of the many causes, which ren- dered the current spring gloomy. So many were the fears of a rupture with the Indians, that few or no new settlements were un- dertaken ; and some of those which had been revived, were des- -inTo^^r P<^"d*ng J while several families had already submittted to an move. abandonment of their homes.* Nothing could present a greater gjjy^^,g discouragement ; — and the Governor about midsummer issued P.rociama- ^ I^roclamation, requiring ' the inhabitants to remain upon their * estates and keep possession of the country.' But who could expect obedience to a mandate so extraordinary ? If their own property and habitations had no allurements sufficient to prevent removals, it were unreasonable to expect, they would tarry mere- ly to form a barrier against the hostile natives. Loans of Trade was again declining ; and the large loans of paper money, ^'"'* made by statute orders of the Legislature on a pledge of lands, were oppressive to debtors, though the government had been the gainer by a gradual depreciation. More than a year before this, it was ascertained, for instance, by the Commissioners of York- shire, Messrs. Preble, Leighton, Came and Plaisted, that this county had received loans to the amount of £100,000.f As enterprise declined, and the prospect of a continued tranquillity receded, trespasses in the woods were less frequent ; and the * J\Ir. Hutchinson [2 Hist. Tp. 209y) says, settlements were deserted, ia 1720— 76. p. 236. t Yet they were to be discharged, if they would pay a balance in specie of £50, 19s. 9d. [9 Jlass. Rec. 1719,] — a considerable sum at this period. Chap, hi.] of maine. 1 05 Legislature with great coolness, declared it an encroachment upon A.D im his Majesty's rights, to fell trees fit for masts ; and then resolved, lllfjj;^'*^'' that whenever tliey were cut into logs, these should be taken into custody lor the use of the Province. There was evidently a numerous peace-party among the In- virus of ibe dians themselves ; and some believed the tribes in general to be as averse to war as the colonists. The chiefs had frequent parleys with the inhab tants, and officers at the forts, in which they ex- hibited good sense and a just regard for their rights. *' We have, *' (said they,) fought for our lands three times, and if there be " need we are ready to fight for them again :" still ' we love the * songs and *' calumet" of peace, and are ready to give an earn- * est of our sincerity.' About this time, there was a great meeting of them at Nor- The ('ani- ridgewock, for the choice of a chief to succeed Toxus, lately l,oIia7cs fo deceased. The old men and those averse to war, acting con- trary to the wishes of Rale, selected Oui-kou-i-rou-menit, a well known advocate for pacific measures. It was a joyful occasion ; and it would seem, there were English emissaries present. In the subsequent conference, the Sagamores agreed to inquire into the injuries committed by the Indians, and as a pledge of their fidelity, presented the English a lot of beaver skins, with a promise of 200 in all ; consenting to send also, four hostages to Boston, as sureties for the good behavior of the tribe, as well as jor a reparation of the damages sustained by the inhabitants. Rale was extremely displeased with these transactions, and im- mediately despatched a runner, with a letter of particulars to the Governor of Canada. When Vaudreuil received the intelligence, he pronounced the VaudreuiPs Sagamores, deluded dupes, who had basely betrayed the interests of their tribe into the hands of the English. Nay, in his reply to Rale, he says, the faint hearts of your Indians in giving hos- tages for damages done those, who would drive them from their native country, have convinced me, that the present is a crisis in which a moment is not to be lost. Therefore I have applied to the villages of St. Francois and Becancourt, and prevailed upon them to support with vigor their brethren at JVorridgewock, and send a deputation to the place appointed Jor negotiating the proposed treaty, who dare let the English know, they will have Vol. XL 14 106 THE HISTORY [VoL. 11. A. D. 1721. to deal with other tribes than the one at JVorridgewock, if they continue their encroachments. Rale and '^^ ^GGp the Indians in a state of irritability, and inspire ihera the natives, with courage and firmness, the Governor and Intendant of Cana- da, sent Father de la Chase, and Lieut, de Croisel to Norridge- wock, with instructions to visit Penobscot, and engage their chiefs to be present at the anticipated negotiation, and strengtlien their brethren ; — also to assure them, that if the French should not in fact join them, they will assist them with as much ammunition as may be needed. At this time the Indians had chapels at St. Francois, at Norridgewock, and at Penobscot,* lately built ; in all which they were usually supplied with the instructions of cath- olic priests. Having received from these apostles, lectures strongly tinctured with Romish fanaticism, the Indians oftentimes left home, resolved to persist in their demands, and in their first talk with the Colonists, accordingly appeared obstinate and inso- lent. But either through a consciousness of the fair conveyances actually made to the English, or an ardent desire of quietude ; they presently softened to a better temper, and frequently gave the proprietors and settlers, fresh assurances of enjoying their lands without molestation. These favorable symptoms lasted till they saw Rale ; and so often had his malignity, pride and offi- cious interference awakened among the Indians new complaints, that the people of the Province, for good reasons, ranked him " among the most infamous villains," and would have given more for his head, than for an hundred scalps of the natives. August 4. About the first of August, a body of 200 Indians, borne in 90 visit Arrow- canoes, and attended by Rale, la Chase, Croisel, and Castine the younger, arrived at Padeshal's Island, in Georgetown. They were well armed, well clad, and appeared under French colors. The leaders proceeded to Arrowsick Island, and in the course of their interview with Captain Penhallow, the commander of the garrison, they presented him with a letter addressed to Governor Shute, purporting to be in the name of several tribes, and posi- tively declaring, that if the settlers did not remove in three weeks, threats Indians would come and kill them all, destroy their cattle and burn their houses : for, added they, * you Englishmen have taken *' Father Lauverjat was the missioaary to the Penobscot tribe.' — Cor- respondence between him and Rale. ChaF. in.] OF MAINE. 107 * away the lands which the Great God has given our fathers and a. d. mi. «us.' The escape of the hostages from their residence upon an Isl- ^^^^.^ j^^^^^ and near Boston, soon afterwards, induced strong fears that aasesescapc. storm was gathering, which would fall upon some unsuspecting, or unguarded part of the frontiers. Expresses were forthwith despatched into the eastern Provinces, to inform the soldiery, gar- risons, and people, of the escape, and caution them against sur- prise ; also to make reprizals of all Indians seen armed, and de- tain them, till the hostages either surrendered themselves or were recovered. The General Court, being specially convened, resolved, Aug. The Indians 23d, upon a course of measures against the Indians, which they as'Seis'^ termed, a prosecution for rebellion. Besides ordering 300 men to be raised for the eastern service, the legislature issued a man- datory proclamation, requiring the tribes to surrender Rale, and every Jesuit priest, and all rebels, and to make ample satisfaction for all injuries past ; or else the Indians, whereever found, would be seized and sent to Boston. If there were opposition, force roust be repelled by force. Some supposed this procedure rash ; and many good people remembered with pai[i, how many of the government's stipula- tions, made or renewed in the treaty of Arrowsick and at other times, had never been performed. No trading houses had been erected ; no smiths or armorers had been provided at the public charge lor the accommodation of the Indians ; no places had been publicly established, where in a fair barter they could ex- change their furs and skins for provisions, ammunition, clothing and other articles. Perhaps traders had defrauded them, and hunters provoked them ; and the veins of war when once opened, could not be easily closed. Though the hostages were taken and returned to the castle, HostagM and consequently the war measures relaxed ; the quota of 300 J,e"3oo**nien men were raised, and put under Col. Thaxter, and Lieut. Col. Goffe ; and the violence of prejudice against Rale, ran to such a height, that it was determined by the House, to have him brought to Boston a prisoner or a corpse, without farther delay. But the Governor scrupled, if any of these rash measures against the 108 THE HISTORY [Vot. li. A. D. 1721. tvibes were expedient or prudent ; and the process to take the Jesuit was again postponed.* The cast" of As Castine the Youngerf was with the party that lately ap- Castine the peared in array at Arrowsick Island ; some of our eastern soldie- ry, under the general order to seize such Indians as were seen in arms, took hiin into custody and sent him to Boston. To in- dict and try him for rebellion, or treachery, before the Superior Court in Suffolk, as the House were ready to order, would be putting him on trial in one county, contrary to law, for an of- fence committed in another; and therefore a committee was ap- pointed to examine him. Castine was a cautious sensible man, favored with the gift of address ; and in the investigation, he professed as he had uniformly done, the higliest friendship and respect for the English. He affirmed, that he had lately return- ed from a tour abroad, — to prevent his tribe from doing mischief; and solemnly promised, that he would use his utmost endeavors to keep the Indians in a state of peace. It would have been diffi- cult, in fact, even to describe his offence, and it was unjust to de- lain him. His influence was great among the Sagamores; his representations were plausible and apparently sincere: and at last he was discharged. The arrest ol him was in itself cruel ; and any punishment inflicted upon him would have been a disgrace to the government. J Aiioirpts to Early in the November session, the General Court resolved, tuke Ktii jIj^^ there were reasons still existing, sufiicient to prosecute " the * 2 Hutch. Hist. f). 244. i See ante, .1. D 1713. Chn^lfvoix [Alh vol. A. F. p. 115-17,] sa3S tlie Eriglisli despatched a vessel to his residence which was on the bTders of the sea ; where Castine came on l)oard, and they carried hirn (o Boston. He was then brought to ttie bar, and rnterrogated :— ' wl y t id 3 oh aUend * the conference ? — in what capacity ? — IJid not Vaudrenil send 3 011 there ? ♦ — What means your French uniform?' — Answer by Castine*—/ h^as/^' — or vil- lage on " Fort Hill^''^ situate a league above the mouth of Kenduskeag* Stream : for when could that have been destroyed, unless at this time — See ante nf this Hist. vol. 1, Chap. 18.— Yet Col. Church makes fio ttien- lion of the latter, when he and his troops,- in August, 1696, scoured the riv-* er; nor Major LeVingston, who travelled tip the river< ih Nov. 1710^ od his way to Canada. It must have been built after the latter date, and be* fore or during the present war. It could not have been very ancient, be<* Cause the pltfugh has turned out, since the American revolution^ many ar* tides of iron, steel, and lead, of modern form and structure i yet if it were quite modern, there would be some tradition of it All we can learn is^ that it was called by the first settlers in Bangof— ' the old French and In-^ dian settlement,'' on Fort Hill, This could not be thought 32 miles from the place of VVestbrook's anchorage— short as seamen's miles are over wild lands. Nor are there Islands here, corresponding with those he men- tions. The alternative then is, the site must have been Old-town, or the ancient Lett mentioned by Levingston.— Se« anie, A. J}. 1710.— That i» Vol. n. 16 122 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.D. 1723. Another expedition was directed at the same time, under Capt. Expedii on Harman, against Norridgewock. That he might the more surely wotk. take the place by surprise, he and liis party, consistmg of 120 men, setting out February 6, proceeded up the Androscoggin to the curve nearest the sources of Sandy River ; and here they came to a halt. January had been very mild and rainy, the riv- ers were open and icy, and the lands full of water : — therefore it was concluded, that it would be impossible to reach the place of destination, either by land or water, and the soldiers, dividing into scouts, returned without seeing an Indian. Sickness* In addition to the reverses of fortune, hitherto experienced by us, since the war commenced ; we are constrained to mention the " great sickness," which spread and prevailed among the sol- diery, and gave a surprising damp to military enterprise. Proba- bly it was owing to this calamity, that our forces through the season acted only on the defensive. For, during the year 1723, Our losses between 20 and 30 persons were killed in Maine, or carried >ear. j^^^^ captivity, besides other mischiefs done by the enemy. — We begin with Falmouth, which was assailed in April ; when the In- dians, supposing Chubb, a fort sergeant, to be Captain Harman, all aimed their guns at him, lodging in his body eleven bullets. It was a lucky mistake for his companions, since they all thereby Berwick, escaped safely to the fort. In May, two were killed at Berwick, ^«*j!s. one at Wells, and two on the way from that town to York. On the 19th of April, and 26d) of June, the garrison-house of Roger Scarboro'. Deering,* in Scarborough, was surprised ; and his wife, two of the inhabitants, and two soldiers, were killed ; also John Hunne- well, Robert Jordan, Mary Scammon, and Deering's three chil- dren, while picking berries, were, about the same tinie, seized and carried away captive. Five Indians, in August, entered the field of Dominions Jordan, a principal inhabitant of Saco, fired at him situated on a beautiful Island ; and below it are falls, and a small Island. — Lieut. Gov. Duminer (speech, May 1723,) says, " we have demolished the fort and all the bnrlding-s at Penobscot." The village at Fort Hill was probably destroyed by Capt. Heath. — See post, A. D. 1725. * This was on the Nonesuch-river, between Black and Bl\ie-points. At Black-point, eight of the people were killed ; and arnon^ them, was " Capt. Hammon," (by one so called,) " a respectable leader, who died of 15 g-un- shot wounds." The attack was sudden, but the people defended themselves bravely in the fort. — Sullivan, p. 217. — Thomas Larrabee and soq killed, April 9, 1723.— Rev. Jtir. Tilton's letter. Chap, ir.] OF MAINE. 123 and wounded him in three places. As he was still able to walk, A.D. 1723. he presented his gun at them, and while they, being afraid to seize him, were reloadin'^, he retreated backwards till he recov- ered the garrison.* The enemy next took a turn westward and committed outrageous acts upon the towns of Dover, Rutland, and Northfield. Massachusetts had been long endeavoring to draw again the The Mo- Mohavvks into the war against the eastern tribes ; and at length, August 21, the Lieutenant-Governor was visited at Boston by a delegation of no less than 63 of their chief men. After pre- senting him with a belt of wampum, and receiving in return pieces of plate curiously engraven with figures of a turtle, a bear, a hatchet, and a wolf, the escutcheons of their respective tribes ; the government gave them a fat ox, which they killed with bows and arrows, as in olden time, and celebrated a feast with songs and dances. It was a novel spectacle, but of no importance; for they were resolved not to take up the hatchet, unless they themselves were molested. They would make no other engage- ment, than to give their young men liberty to act as they pleased. f Only two of them entered into the public service, and these were sent to Fort Richmond, then under the command of Capt. ihe semce. Heath. In a few days, the Captain ordered Colby, his Ensign, to take them, and three of the garrison, and go on a scout up the river. Scarcely had they travelled a single league, before the two Mohawks said they smelt fire, and were unwilling to go fur- ther, till they were re-enforced. The messenger, sent back to the sjtifniish fort, soon returned with thirteen auxiliaries ; and the whole party, yfic[,^o[,j presently meeting with 30 of the enemy, killed two and drove the rest to their canoes in so much haste, that they left their packs. Colby was slain ; two of his men were wounded ; and the Mo- hawks, already sick of the service, immediately left it and returned to Boston. At this time, no settlement, house, nor vessel anchor- ed in the eastern parts, was safe. One Capt. Cogswell and his crew, were surprised and taken, in October, at Mount-Desert, as Sjouni'^)e.* they were stepping ashore ; and about the same time. Smith and XJindei. Bailey were killed at Cape-Porpoise, one on Vaughan's Island, * This was on a neck of land at Winter-Harbor. Rev. R. Jordan's pos- terity are among the principal people in the place, — one a Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, and another a Senator. — Sullivan^ p. 227. ^ 11 Mass. Kecords, p. 64-5. 124 THE HISTORY [VoL, II, A.D. 1723. and the other on the seashore, not far from the site of the old meeting-house.* FortatSti The last attack of the Indians, this season, was December 25, Genrfjfl be- ^ ' ^ sieged. upon the fort at St. George's river. Being fortunate enough to take two prison«^rs, who gave them intelligence concerning the indefensible condition of the garrison, the assailants, about 60 in number, were encouraged to prosecute the siege for thirty days, with a resolution, or rather madness that vvras desperate, They seemed to be flushed with the absolute certainty of compelling a surrender of the fort. But Capt, Kennedy, the commanding of-, ficer, being a man of intrepid courage, held out till Col, West^ brook arrived and put the enemy to flight. f IliruMuier ^^^^ protection of the eastern country through the winter, service. X50 men were equally divided into three ranging parties; and about an equal number were distributed and assigned to the dif-^ ferent towns and garrisons, namely, St. George, Arrowsick, Rich^ mond, Nortii-Yarmouth, Maquoit, Falmouth, Purpooduck, Scar-» borough, SacOjJ Arundel. Keunebunk, Wells, York, Kitiery, and Berwick. § Unattended by the French, and kept in awe by the English ranging parties, the Indians undertook no winter campaign ; nor was any thing memorable achieved by our forces till spring, But there was still a strong and universal desire to make Rale, a pris-* oner, and have him brought to Boston alive. It is said " a thous^ and livres" were the high price set upon his head.|| To dis^ Mouiton's patch him therefore, or rather to take him, Captain Moulton led a i1jLe"Kaic? military party to Norridgevvock in the depth of winter. But the cautious Jesuit and the tribe had made a seasonable and safe retreat ; and all the trophies of the enterprise were only a few books and papers found in his own dwellingliouse ; among which, was a letter to him from the Governor of Canada, exhorting him to push on the Indians, with all imaginable zeal, against the Englisii." But Captain Moulton was no less a cool and discreet *Sa':ivAn, p. 2Z0. I 2 Hulch. Hist, p, 2*6,— Afler this, (lie enemy took captive a soldier JJei'wicIc, as he was carelessly wandering- from the g'urrison.*' — I Coll, a; fl. Hist. Soc. p. 102.^ PcnhciHow's Indian Wars. \ Both at the Falls and Scammon's fort, on the east side of the river, — ^ee ante, A. D. nU.—Biddtford. \ 11 Mass. Rec. p. 193. jl Rale's letter, 1724.— 8 Coll, Mags. Hit. Soc. p. 266-.7. Chap, iv.] OF Maine, 125 man, than a brave and popular officer ; and when he and his men A.D. 1724. left the place, he permitted no injury to be done, either to the chapel or any other building : imagining probably such an ex- ample of forbearance and moderation might be imitated by the ^emy. Early and special attention, as usual, was paid this spring, by Means T • r 1 Tt • f>,'i'"(J for our government to the unhappy condition ot the eastern rrovin- t|,e .ecuniy ... - , , , of Maine, ces ; and in the present management ot the war, tnougli unsuc- cessful, the administration has been deservedly applauded. Sure- ly there was no want of vigilance. To prevent the Indians from fishing, fowling, and planting, an additional force of 30 men was sent to Kennebeck ; and to secure the inhabitants, more efFectualJy from the enemy's incursions, and administer equal justice and re- lief to all, it was ordered, that every freeholder, and his sons and servants, in the public service, belonging to Yorkshire, be dis- charged, and other able bodied and effective men substituted ; and that the militia of the county be exonerated from all further military duty, excepting in times of alarm. ^ This year, (1724,) the Indians shewed themselves upon ^^"1" loss(s ih:^ frontiers, and began to commit depredations in March ; and in )''-^'"- ihe course of the spring months, they either killed, carried into x^aptivity, or severely wounded, more than 30 people in Maine. Aimcks, Smith, a sergeant of the fort at Cape Porpoise, was killed on the 23d of that month; and on the 17th of April, William ^'"''i'"''^- Mitchell was shot at Black-point, as he was at work in the field, gcarbcro'. and two of his sons carried prisoners to Norridgewock. In Kennebunk harbor, a sloop was taken, and the whole crew Kennebunk. put to death. About the same time, three men, by the names of Felt, Wormwood, and Lewis, were killed at a saw-mill on the same river. At Berwick, in May, Mr. Thompson met with theReruick. same fate ; and one of his children was carried off, and another was scalped and left bleeding and gasping on the ground. But the sufferer being presently carried home, revived. One Stone was also scalped, near the same place, and his body badly man- gled ; yet he survived his wounds, and lived to old age. His life, however, was miserable, He lost the use of one hand ; — on his head he wore a silver caul ; nor was he ever able to walk ^yithout crutches. He was, besides, the subject of strong con-» * 11 Mass. Rec. p. 198. 126 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A- D. I72t. vulsion-fits.* When the savage scout had killed one other, and taken a captive, they left the place. Afterwards, we hear of homicides and depredations, committed by them in New-Hamp- shire, in Hatfield, and at other places on Connecticut river. Batiioritihe -^"^ memorable engagement of any hitherto since Jjeor"^^' the war, happened. May 1, at the St. George's river. It being an inviting morning, April 30, Capt. Josiah Winslow, command- er of the fort, selected IG of the ablest men belonging to the garrison, and in a couple of staunch whale-boats, proceeded down the river, and thence to the Green Islands in Penobscot bay, which at this season of ihe year, were frequented by the Indians for fowling. Though Winslow and his companions made no discovery, their movements were watched by the wary enemy; and orv there return, the next day, as they were ascending the river, they fell into a fatal ambush of the Indians, cowering under each of its banks. They permitted Winslow to pass, and then fired into the other boat, which was commanded by Harvey, a sergeant, and was nearer the shore. Harvey fell. A brisk dis- ^charge of musquetry w^as returned upon the assailants; when Winslow, observing the imminent exposure of his companions, though he was himself out of danger, hastened back to their assist- ance. In an instant, he found himself surrounded by 30 canoes, and threefold that number of armed savages ; who raised a hide- ous whoop, and fell upon the two boat crews with desperate fury. The skirmish was severe and bloody ; when Winslow and his men perceiving inevitable death to be the only alternative, re- solved to sell their lives at the dearest rate. They made a most determined and gallant defence ; and after nearly all of them were dead or mortally wounded, himself having his thigh fractured and being extremely exhausted, — his shattered bark was set to the shore. Here being waylaid, he fought a savage, band to Winslow hand, with the greatest personal courage, beat off the foe, and /lis'par'v'^ resting on his knee, shot one, ere they could dispatch him. kiJied. Xhus fell the intrepid Winslow and every one of his brave com- pany, except three friendly Indians, who were suffered to escape and communicate particulars to the garrison. The Tarraiines, who were rather a valiant, than a cruel people, composed the Indian party ; and their loss, though never known, is supposed ♦ Sullivan, p. 252. Chap, iv.] of Maine. 127 to have doubled ours. In this action, inconsiderable as were the A,D. 1724. numbers engaged, there was a remarkable display on both sides, of boldness and good conduct. The death of Captain Winslow was severely felt and lamented. He was a young officer of mil- itary talents and great worth ; a late graduate of Harvard Col- lege, and a descendant of one of the best families in the Prov- ince.* The Indians next appeared upon Arrowsick, and again beset T'fi''. fnp'ny the garrison, still commanded by Capt. Penhallovv. — Turning Ancwsick. away suddenly, they made three of the inhabitants prisoners, as they were driving cows to pasture ; nor did they leave the Isl- and, till they had killed a great number of cattle. At Purpoo- duck, May 27, a party killed one man and wounded another ; and f/^^.'^JJ; about the same time, David Hill, a friendly Indian, was shot at^'"^'*^- Saco. Afterwards the savages for a month or more, withdrew from Maine to New-Hampshire, and the frontiers lariher east- ward. Nevertheless, a party of twenty-five fell upon the garrison at Spurwink, July 17, and killed Solomon Jordan, at their first ;..iyi7. approach, as he w^as stepping out of the gate. This was a timely alarm. The next morning the enemy retreating, were pursued by Lieut. Bane from the fort, attended by about thirty men, and overtaken. A principal Indian was killed ; and the others in their flight dropped their packs, and blankets, and some other articles, which were brought away ; also the scalp of the dead Indian was taken, which commanded a bounty of £100 to the pursuers. So well prepared this year were most of the places assailed, The enemy < (^2(^ the to defend themselves, that the Indians were unable to take any eastern ves» considerable booty from the frontiers ; and therefore they rushed down upon the seacoast, and undertook to seize upon all the ves- sels they could find in the eastern harbors. New to them as this kind of enterprise was, they were in a few weeks in pos- session of twenty-two vessels, of various descriptions ; — two of which were shallops, taken at the Isles of Shoals ; eight were fishing vessels, found at Fox Island thorough-fare ; one was a * He was graduated in 1721. His great grandfather and grandfather, were Governors of Plymouth colony ; his father a member of the Prov- ince Council, and his younger bi other, General Winslow commanded the Provincial forces at Fort Edward, in 1757. — Eliot's Biog. article " Wins- lowy" p. 499-502. 128 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A D. 1724. large schooner, armed with two swivels, and the others were surprised and taken in different places. In these piratical seiz- Kiil22mcn. ures, they killed 22 men, and retained a still greater number prisoners."^ Generally these were the masters or skippers, and the best sailors ; whom they compelled to serve on board their prizes, or motley squadron. Assisted by the Mickmaks from Cape Sable, the savages became so bold and formidable, that * they were a terror to all vessels that sailed along the eastern * shores.' A?ain at- A part of the enemy's fleet proceeded up the river St. George, Iiilce ulc ^ once more fully determined to lay the fort in ashes. — To effect George's ^hclr purpose, the savage crews now filled a couple of their shal- lops with combustibles, which were set on fire and urged so near the block-house, that they would have communicated the flames^ had not individual exertion prevented. The enemy then offer- ed favorable terms, provided the garrison would surrender. But every lisp of the kind was promptly rejected ; and as they were utterly unable to take or destroy the fortification, either by force or stratagem, they retired without doing any considerable injury. The first adventurous vessels, which were fitted out to encoun- ter those of the enemy, were two from New-Hampshire, sever- ally carrying twenty men. They soon came up with one of lhen> — yet through fear or folly, they failed to engage the enemy and Ja"rkson I'^tumcd. Still bclIeving a small force sufficient to cope witb J.akt-man thcse raw and inexperienced sailors, Lieutenant-Governor Dum-' and oihcrs. ^ mer commissioned Doctor Jackson of Kittery, a brave man, and Sylvanus Lakeman of Ipswich, to go in quest of them. The former with a schooner and twenty men, and the latter with a shallop and sixteen, boldly came in contact with them, and had a short engagement, in which Jackson and several of his men were wounded, and his rigging badly blown to pieces by two large swivels and four petronels of the enemy, and his pursuit thence impeded. Recovering, he drove them into Penobscot, where they were assisted and covered by so large a body of natives^ that he was forced to retire. At last the lieutenant, master and * 2 Hulch. Hist. p. 278.— He says 45 men in all, 22 of whom they killed, and carried 23 into captivity. — PenhaUow^ [Indian Wars^ A. D. 1724,) says the enemy " made up a fleet of 50 canoes" — and proceeded to take the vessels engag^ed in the fisheries, — and found on the coast. ChaF. IV. J OF MAINE. 129 master's mate from the Seahorse man-of-vrar, then riding at an- a. d. 1724. chor on the Boston station, took command of three vessels, hav- ing severally on board about thirty men, and went in search The Indians the enemy's forces. But it was too late : — they had become abandon •' _ ^ _ ' ^ their ves- tired of maritime war, and had dispersed ; and not a particle of seis. intelligence concerning them could be obtained afterwards. Thus far, the events of the present war, which had now con- tinued two years, were so unpropitious to the English, that it \t supposed their losses of men greatly exceeded those of the ene- my. Lives or captives were the trophies of almost all their attacks ; and these were perpetually repeated. Garrisons and scouting parties, it was evident, could not protect the people, nor preserve the fishermen and coasters from injuries ; and therefore it was determined to enter upon more offensive war. Norridgewock, being still the residence of Rale, was immedi- Expedition ately marked for destruction. The execution of this enterprize wock"!"^^^" was committed to a detachment of 208 men, who were divided into four companies, and commanded by Captains Moulton, Har- man, Bourn, and Bane. They left Richmond fort, their place of rendezvous, on the 19th of August, and ascended the river in August 19. 17 whale-boats, attended by three Mohawks. The next day, they arrived at Teconnet, where they left their whale-boats, and a Lieutenant with a guard of 40 men. The residue of the forces, on the 21st, took up their march through the woods towards Nor- ridgewock. The same evening, they discovered three of the na- tives and fired upon them. The noted Bomaseen, one of them, was shot in the river, as he attempted to escape, his daughter was fatally wounded, and his wife taken prisoner. From her, they obtained a full account of Rale and the Indians at Norridgewock, which quickened their march. A little after noon, on the 22d, they came in sight of the village, August 22. when it was determined to divide the detachment. Capt. Har- ^pp*j.oach^' man led off about 60 men towards the mouth of Sandy river, ^^e village, imagining he saw smokes rising in that quarter, and supposing some of the Indians might be at their corn-fields. Capt. Moul- ton formed his men into three bands, nearly equal in numbers, and proceeded directly towards the village.* When near it, he * Where and how did Moulton's men cross the rirer ? — as the village was on the eastern side, opposite to the mouth of Sandy river.— It mig-ht have been forded by them, though no mention is made of such a fact Vol. IL 17 130 THE HISTORY [VoL. 11. A. D. 1724 placed parties in ambush on the right and left, and led forward the residue to the attack, excepting ten men left to guard the bag- gage. He commanded his men to reserve their fire, till after that of the Indians ; and then boldly advanced with so quick a step and in such profound silence, that they were within pistol shot, before their approach was suspected. All the Indians were in their wigwams, when one happening to step out, looked round, and discovered the English close upon them. He instantly gave the war-whoop, and sprang in for his gun. The amazement and Theskir- consternation of the whole village was indiscriminate and terrible. The fighting men, about 60 in all, seized their guns and fired at the assailants ; but in their tremor, they overshot them, and not a man was hurt. A discharge was instantly returned, which did effectual, execution. The Indians fired a second volley, without breaking Moulton's ranks ; then flying to the water, fell upon the muzzles of the guns in ambush. Several instantly fell. Some undertook to wade or swim across the river, which at this season was only 60 feet wide, and in no place more than six feet deep. A few jumped into their canoes, but forgetting to take their pad- dles, were unable to escape ; — and all, especially the old men, women, and children, fled in every direction. Our soldiers shot About 200 them in their flight to the woods, also upon the water ; so that rsVapV^'*^^ not more than 50 of the whole village were supposed to have landed on the opposite side of the river ; while about 150 effected an escape too far into the thickets, to be overtaken. The pursuers then returned to the village, where they found the Jesuit in one of the wigwams, firing upon a few of our men, who had not followed the wretched fugitives. He had with him, in the wigwam, an English boy about 14 years of age, who had been a prisoner six months. " This boy he shot through the thigh, and afterwards stabbed him in the body"* — though he ulti- mately recovered. Moulton had given orders to spare the life of Rale ; but Jaques, a Lieutenant, finding he was firing from the wigwam and had wounded one of our men, stove open the door Rale kiliec'. ^nd shot him through the head. As an excuse for the act, Jaques alleged, that when he entered the wigwam, Rale was loading his gun, and declared he would neither give nor take quarter. Moul- * fJulchinson, (2 Hist. p. 282) snys tliis ;;ct ol cruelty is stoted by Har- inan, upon oath.— Cut stil! is doubted.— 8 Coll. Jla^s. IJid. 6'oc. 2d scriesy }i. 257. Chap, iv.] of maine. 131 ton disapproved of what was done; allowing, however, that Rale A. D. 1724. said something to provoke Jaques, yet doubting, if the statement made by him was literally correct. Mogg, an aged and noted chief, was shut up in another wig- Mogg kiil- wam, from which he fired and killed one of the three Mohawks. This so enraged his brother, that he broke through the door and shot the old Sagamore dead ; and the soldiers despatched his squaw and children. Near niffht, after the action was over and the village cleared of losses " ' ^ ^ ° of the In- Indians, Captain Harman and his party arrived ; and the compa- dians. nies, under a guard of 40 men, took up a lodgment in the wig- wams till the morning. When it was hght, they counted, as two authors state, " twenty-seven," and a third says, " thirty" dead bodies, including Rale ; among whom were those of Mogg, Job, Carabesett, Wissememet, and Bomaseen's son-in-law, all known and noted warriors. They also recovered three captives and took four prisoners ; and it was afterwards reported, that they wounded fourteen Indians, who escaped. The whole " number, killed and drowned, was supposed to be eighty, some say more. The plunder they brought away, consisted of the plate and furniture of the altar, a few guns, blankets, and kettles, and about three barrels of powder. After leaving the place, on their march to Teconnet, Christian, one of the Mohawks, either sent back or re- August 23. r 1 • r- Norridge- turnmg ot his own accord, set fire to the chapel and cottages, and week burnt, they were all burnt to ashes. An extract from the account eiven by Charlevoix,* who was . . . Charle- about that time resident in Canada, is subjoined with its embel- voix's ac- count. lishments. He says — ' the thickets which surrounded the village * were such, that the enemy were not discovered until the very ' instant, when they made a general discharge of their guns ; and * their shot had penetrated all the Indian wigwams. The noise * and tumult gave father Rale notice of the danger his converts ' were in. Not intimidated, he shewed himself to the enemy in * hopes to draw all their attention to himself, and secure his flock, * at the peril of his own life. He was not disappointed. As soon * as he appeared, the English set up a great shout, which was * followed by a shower of shot ; when he fell down dead near to * 4 Charlevoix^ Hist de la France J^euvelle, p. 120.— 2. [Paris Ed. 1744.) He says, some of the Indians escaped by swimming-, some by fording the river, and some fled to the woods : — 30 Indians were killed and 14 wounded. 132 THE HISTORY [VoL. 11. A»D- 1724, ' a cross, which he had erected in the midst of the village, — sev- * en Indians, who sheltered his body with their own, falling around * him. Thus died this kind shepherd, giving his life for the sheep, * after a painful mission of thirty-seven years. Moved by the * greatest consternation at his death, the Indians fled. The En- * glish finding they had nobody left to resist them, fell first to * pillaging and then burning the wigwams. They spared the * church, so long as they thought proper to profane the image of the * adorable Saviour, and the sacred vessels, and then they set it on * fire. At length, they withdrew in so great precipitation, that it * was rather a flight ; and they seemed to be struck with a per- * feet panic. The Indians immediately returned to their village, * when they made it their first care to weep over the body of their * holy missionary ; whilst their women were looking for plants and * herbs to heal their wounded. They found him shot in a thous- ' and places, scalped, his skull broke to pieces with the blows of * the hatchets, his mouth and eyes full of mud, the bones of his *legs fractured, and all his members mangled in an hundred dif- * ferent ways. After his converts had raised up and oftentimes 'kissed the precious remains, so tenderly and so justly beloved by * them, they buried him in the same place, where he had the even- * ing before, celebrated the sacred mysteries, — namely, where the ' altar stood before the church was burnt.' Our forces On the 27th, the brave detachment arrived at Fort Richmond, return with- out loss. without the loss of a man. It was an exploit exceedmgly grati- fying to the community, and considered as brilliant as any other, in either of the Indian wars, since the fall of king Philip. Har- man, who was senior in command, proceeded to Boston with the scalps, and received in reward for the achievement, the commis- sion of Lieutenant-Colonel ; — an achievement in which Moulton had the principal agency, though he received no distinguishing recompense, except the universal applause ot his country. Supe- rior merit has been often shaded by superior rank, in much more oAhe Cani- important services. In this bloody event, the glory departed from broken.'* Celebrated Canibas tribe, to return never more.* * In the particularsof this expedition, there are among- authors some dis- crepancies.— Svllivun, p. 175, calls the senior officer " Hammond" — Har- nian is the name ; he represented York in the General Court, A. D. 1727. Belknap, (2 vol. Hist. .TV. //. p. 50,) supposes there were only two compa- nies, eacb_l 00 men ; But Hutchinson, (2 Hist. p. 279) says four companies, Chap, iv.] of maine. 133 To turn the Indians from the frontiers, which they continually A, D. 1724. mfested during; the autumnal months, Col. Westbrook was fur- y^^^}', o ' brook s ex- nished with a regiment of 300 fresh recruits, and was ordered pediiion. to range with them through the country from Kennebeck to Pe- nobscot, one of the principal places of the Indians' " rendez- vous for planting and fishing." But in this enterprize, owing to the unskilfulness of the guides, he was led into a labyrinth of difficulties ; being glad to return safely, though they had done nothing more than to explore a part of the country which before was little known. Equally fruitless was the visit to Penobscot of Capt. Heath and his company. The Indians were extremely shy and subtle ; and the government assigned 300 men, for the defence of Maine, through the winter. These were formed into The winter five companies ; one was posted at Berwick and its vicinity ; two were rangers ; and the others were directed either to scout or be stationary, as the exigency of circumstances might require. Receiving fresh and more ample information, that the Gov- Commis- emor of Canada was assisting the Indians, Massachusetts sent to Canada, to him three Commissioners, with instructions to protest against his conduct, and assure him if he did not immediately desist, his offence would be severely retaliated, upon the French in Aca- dia and other places. It was also given them in charge, to effect an exchange of prisoners. — The Governor affected to repel the accusation, till his letters to Rale were to his surprize shewn him ; and then he said the prisoners among the Indians were be- yond his control ; but those among the French should be restor- ed, upon paying the first cost." The price or ransom, enor- mous as it was, effected the release only of sixteen, and obtain- ed the promise of ten more.* When the Commissioners shewed him that the Indians had conveyed their lands to the Enghsh, and become British subjects ; he sent for the chiefs at St. Fran- cois to meet him at his own house. In this interview, the Sag- amores told the Commissioners, ' if the English would demolish ' all their forts, remove one mile westward of Saco river ; re- * build their church at Norridgewock, — and restore to them their and 208 men. He and Penhallow, [Indian wars, 1724,) suppose one of the Captain's name was " Bean," — whereas it is evidently " Bane and prob- ably Lewis Bane, a Representative of York in General Court, A. D. 1708 -17. One account says, Norridg-ewock was burnt Aug'ust 12th ; this must have been old style. * 11 Mass. B.ec. p. 31C. 134 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1724. < missionary father, — they would be brothers again.' These terms were too insolent to deserve a moment's consideration ; and they returned, attended to Crown Point, by a military guard, generously furnished by Vaudreuil himself.* Decemberi was about thIs time, and in the course of the subsequent fir?t excir! Spring, that the famous Capt. John Lovewellj and his com- panies of volunteers so highly distinguished themselves in three successive expeditions against the savage enemy. In his first excursion, undertaken in December, which was however, far less important than either of the others, he proceeded with thirty men to the north-eastward of Winnipiseogee pond, in New-Hamp- shire. Here his company killed and scalped a man, and carried an Indian boy to Boston ; and for both, they received the bounty promised by law, and likewise a liberal present. His second His popularity, his patriotic and military ardor and his suc- excursion. ^ ' . cess, now drew around him volunteers to the number of 70, who Feb. 24. readily joined him ; and in February, they marched off to the place he had lately visited. Here, through fear of short-pro- visions, 30 were dismissed by lot and returned home. The others, pursuing their march, discovered at night, near the mar- gin of Lovewell's pond, at the head of Salmon Fall river, on the New-Hampshire side of the line, ten Indians lying around a fire, fast asleep ; nine of whom they shot, and the tenth wound- His success, ed. In the attempt of this one to escape across the pond, he was seized by a faithful dog, and holden till he was dispatched. For the scalps taken from their heads, Lovewell and his com- panions received from the Provincial treasury, a bounty of iGl,000, and from the public, universal applause. April 13. In April, while he was preparing for a third excursion, there ■Cocliran's /. i • i i i • i exploit from wcrc a Icw occurrenccs, which must not be passed unnoticed. Aiaquoit. 'p^Q Indians took a soldier whose name was Cochran, at Ma- quoit, on the 13th of the month, and carried him two days into the woods. The first night they pinioned him, but in the next, left him loose. Rising softly when they were asleep, he knock- ed them both on the head, took their scalps and guns, and set out for the fort. In wading a river, he unfortunately lost one scalp and one gun. But when he arrived at the garrison, he told * The Cominissioners arrived at Alban}', May 2, 1725. I He belonged to Dunstable in Massachusetts. — Penhallow, HutchintoTty and Belknap, spell "JLiovewell" — others « Lovel." Chap, iv.] of Maine. 135 so good a story, that several returned with him and found the A.D. nzsi dead Indians as he left them. The exploit was afterwards re- warded hy his promotion. The next Monday, William and Matthew Scales, two most industrious and active men were slain near the fort at North -Yarmouth. Another party waylaid Lieut, mouthind' Prescott and others, as they were passing the highway at Cape- yigjjg^®' Porpoise, and by particular aim, wounded him in several places. Captain Lovewell, joined at Dunstable by forty-six volunteers^ ^p^j, ,g well supplied and armed, was prepared, April 15, for a third gx- ^,^p|^ pedition. In good spirits, they took up their march the next day, towards Ossipee ponds, and the upper branches of Saco river — ^ihe region and range of the remaining Sokokis tribe of Indians. The great bravery of these natives, and their antipa- thy to the English were characteristics, which were well known. Lovewell's Lieutenants, were Josiah Farwell. and Jonathan Robhins ; his ensigns, John Harwood and Seth Wyman ; his chaplain, Jonathan Frye ; and his chief pilot was Toby, an Indian. On their march, Toby fell sick and returned. A soldier becoming lame was dismissed though with reluctance, who was barely able to get home. Another was brought down by fatigue and illness, after travelling upwards of 100 miles, — when the Captain came to a The jour- halt on the westerly side of Great Ossipee pond, in New-Hamp- shire, ten miles from the west line of Maine. Here he built a small stockade fort^ principally for a place of retreat in case of A fort built any misfortune, and partly for the accommodation of the sick man left, who was now left, with the surgeon and some provisions, under a guard of eight wearied men. The number was thus redu- ced to thirty-four,"^ including the Captain ; who, resuming their 'I'hjrty-four march, shaped their course north-eastward till they came to the Lovewell's north-westerly margin of a pond, about 22 miles distant from the'^""^' fort — since called Lovewell's, otherwise Saco pond ; which is sit- uated in the south-easterly part of the present town of Fryeburg.f * Of these, 7 belong-ed to Dunstable ; 5 to Woburn ; 7 to Concord ; 7 to Groton ; 2 to Haverhill ; 2 to Billerica; and one to each of the towns of An- dover, Weston and Nutfield. — See their names in Jlr. Symms'' Hist, of the Battle, p. 10-11. — Mr. Frye or " Frie" was graduated at Harvard College, in 1723. t The extreme length of the pond, v/hich lies north-west and south-east, is short of two nriiles ; its mean width half a mile ; though its north-westerly end, which inclines to the north-east, is about 3-4ths of a mile wide. Peg- wacket, or the Indian village, was about two miles west of the pond, being 136 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A,D. 1726. They had passed by the bend of the Saco river, where it crosses the Ime between New-Hampshire and Maine, and turns north- eastward ; leaving the Indian Pegwacket village between one and two mWes north of them, and pursuing down on the north- erly side of Lovewell's or Mill brook, nearly to its mouth, and then in direct course to the western corner of the pond. Here, in the heart of the enemy's country, they encamped. They were alarmed during the night by noises around them, which they imagined were made by Indians ; and early on the 8th of Saturday, -May, while at their morning devotions, they heard the report of dilcover^^^ a gun, and discovered a single Indian standing on a point of land, Indian" ^" ^ ^^^^ distant, which runs into the easterly side of the pond. They suspected, that he was placed there to decoy them, and that the body of the enemy was probably in their front. A con- sultation being held, they determined to march forward, and by encompassing the head of the pond, to gain the place where the Indian stood. That they might be ready for action, they dis- encumbered themselves of their packs when they had travelled about half a mile, which they left without a guard at the north- erly end or corner of the pond, in a pitch-pine plain, where the trees were thin, and the brakes at that time of the year small. A stream, since called Battle Brook, which emptied into the pond at that place, was then too full of water to be forded near its mouth, and they crosed it above. They travelled in all nearly a mile from their packs, when they espied the Indian they had discovered at the point, returning towards the village. As he pass- ed, he did not see them, till he received their fire ; then instandy returning it, wounded Lovewell and another with a charge of situated several rods distant from the eastern bank of Saco river ; and as many west of the present academy and villag-e. Nature had given this place a delig-htful situation, and prospect. The Indians used to rang-e round from the village, through the northern ox-bow to Lovewell's pond, which at its eastern end is so near the Saco, as in freshets to receive its waters ; and to ascend the Saco to the same pond; — and then pass through the pond to its western corner — and thence over land, to their village. Hereabouts are several mounds of earth left by the natives of singular aspect. Whether they are ancient burying grounds, fortifications, or en- campments, cannot now be ascertained. The circumference of one of these banks is 60 feet ; and in its centre is another, in which a tree of considerable size formerly stood. There are four others, forming eight angles, and running from the centre one — all evidently the work of de- sign.— JKfS. letter and plan from Fryeburg. Chap, iv.] OF MAINE. 137 small shot. Ensign Wyman firing again killed him, and they A. D. 1725. took his scalp. Seeing no other enemy, they returned towards the place where they had left their knapsacks. But it happened, that Lovewell's march had crossed the carry- party of ' _ 50 Indiana ing place, between the pond and the village, through which two m an.bu&h, parties of Indians, consisting of about 63 men,* commanded by Paugus and Wahwa, were returning from an excursion down the Saco. Perceiving the new made track, they followed it, till they came to the packs, which they removed ; and counting them, found the number of Lovewell's men to be less than their own ; therefore they placed themselves in a well-chosen ambush, and awaited their return. It was about ten in the morning when they arrived back, and Lovewell's the moment they reached the spot, the Indians rose in front and rear, and ran, three or four deep, towards them with guns pre- sented, raising a horrid yell. — Lovewell and his companions re- ceived the shock with entire firmness, and facing the enemy, pre- sented their guns and rushed forward. When they had approach- ed within a few yards of each other, they fired on both sides — the Indians were shot in considerable numbers ; yet the most of our men escaped the first fire, and drove their foes several rods. Turning, they renewed the charge with great spirit and bravery ; and at one time some of the combatants, were within twice the length of each other's guns, — the Indians constantly raising hid- eous whoops, and the English frequent shouts and cheers. Three rounds were fired on each side ; in which Captain Lovewell and eight of his men were killed ; and Lieutenant Farwell and two others were wounded. Several more of the enemy fell, yet being superior in number, they endeavored to surround our men ; when, at the wofd given for a retreat, the English retired in great order, two or three rods to the pond. In this forlorn place, they were compelled to take their station. On their right was the mouth of Battle Brook ; on their left was a point of rocks, which extended into the water ; their front was partly sheltered by a few pine trees standing on a sandy beach, partly covered by a deep bog, and partly uncovered ; and the pond was in the rear. Here they maintained the fight upwards of eight hours, with he- * Penhallow says " seventy — Hutchinson and Symms say <■<■ eighty,^'' and Belknap says '•'■foTty-oney Vol. II. 18 138 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1725. roic resolution, against a much more numerous force ; being at frequent intervals severely engaged, in front and flank, and so completely in the power of the enemy, that had he made the best use of his advantage, the whole company must either have been killed, or obliged to surrender at discretion. Incidents of At onc time, a group of savages appeared by their strange ges- the battle, ^^j^^^ engaged in a powow : when Ensign Wyman, secretly approaching them, shot the chief actor and dispersed them. Some of the Indians holding up ropes or cords towards our men, ex- claimed, will you have quarter ? — ' Yes, said they, at the muz- zles of our guns.' They were determined to meet a speedy and honorable death, rather than expire in torture, or in a linger- ing captivity. Mr. Frye, the chaplain, who was a young man greatly beloved for his piety and excellence, fought with undaunt- ed courage, till the middle of the afternoon, when he received a wound which proved to be mortal, and fell ; yet was he after- wards heard in audible prayer several times, for the success and preservation of his surviving companions. As a few of them and of the Indians had some previous acquaintance, they bespoke each other several times during the engagement. John Cham- berlain, a soldier, and Paugus, a chief, both men of undaunted courage and large of stature, finding their guns too foul for proper use, accidentally stepped down, at the same moment, to wash them at the brink of the pond. Standing not far apart, they ex- changed a few defying words, while they without waste of time washed their guns ; — ^then the chief, as he forced down the bul- let, called out to his foe — " Quick me kill you now — " may be not," said Chamberlain, whose gun by priming itself, gave him an advantage, and he sent the warrior in an instant to his long home. The Indians This was One of the most desperate and hard-fought battles, retreat. ^hich the English ever had with the Indians. Several discharged their guns more than 20 times.* Retreat was impracticable, and surrender never mentioned. The brave men fought through the day, without respite or a morsel of sustenance. By an unremit- ting and well-directed fire, so long a time, the number of the sav- ages was manifestly thinned — as their whoops and halloes became fainter and fainter, till just before dark, when they quitted their advantageous ground ; carrying off their slain and wounded, yet ♦ Penballow says, '* between 20 and .30 times a piece." Chap, iv.] of Maine. 139 leaving the dead bodies of Lovewell and his men unscalped. The A. D. 172a. loss sustained by the Indians, has been estimated variously, and by some too high. Their killed and disabled, however, were fully equal in number, to the entire force of the English engaged in the action ; Messrs. Penhallow and Symms, two authentic wri- ters, representing the Indians to have lost in the battle of Peg- wacket, more than forty lives, possibly fifty."'^ The shattered company of Lovewell's Spartan companions, Losses of 11 • 1 • u • r I ui r j English. collecting together m the evenmg, so lar as they were able, lound there were ten already dead ; nine uninjured ; one missing ; and fourteen wounded, — five of whom afterwards died. It was inex- pressibly painful to leave any of their dying associates behind. But ensign Robbins and Jacob Usher could not be removed. Robbins desired them to lay his gun by him charged, that he might be able to kill one more, if the savage foe should return before his death. Solomon Kies, exhausted with fatigue and faint through loss of blood from three wounds, told his ensign in the heat of the battle, he was a dying man ; yet if possible, I will (said he) get to a place, where the Indians shall never be gratified with mangling my lifeless remains. Hence with diffi- culty, he crept to the pond, and rolled himself into a birchen ca- noe, providentially found there ; and while he lay unable to pad- dle, and almost senseless, his slender bark drifted towards the side of the pond nearest the stockaded fort, to which he at last attained. After the rising of the moon, the condition of the survivors, as they Survivors thought, rendered a longer delay imprudent, so much as to pay march'for^''^ the last sad tribute of respect to the dead 5 and therefore, twenty of them leaving the fatal spot, directed their march towards the fort. Eight were lame or full of anguish from their wounds ; and all of them having lost their knapsacks and provisions in the morning, and taken no refreshment as mentioned, were still with- out food, blankets, tents or the means of dressing a wound. When Farwell, the lieutenant, Frye, the chaplain, and two sol- diers, Davis and Jones, had travelled about a mile and a half, they sunk down, unable to go another step. They however en- couraged the others to proceed, in hopes of ultimate relief, possi- * Penhallow says also, « 40 were said to be killed, and 18 more died of their wounds." 140 TFIE HISTORY [VoL. II, AiD. 1725. bly from their return and help; and after reviving, travelled to^ gether at short stages several days. At length, Frye, reclining upon the ground, said to bis friends, 1 shall never rise more ; — • linger no longer for me ;-^should you by Divine favor ever ar^ rive home, tell my father, though 1 expect in a Jew hours to be in eternity, I fear not to die.^ Jones, there leaving them, proceeded down the river Saco to Biddeford, subsisting upon wild vegeta- bles, cranberries and the inner bark of trees ; being on his arri- val emaciated to a skeleton from the loss of blood, the want of food, and the putrefaction of his wounds. Farwell, who was de- servedly applauded in a high degree for his heroic conduct, being left on the tenth day by Davis, perished in the woods within a few miles of the fort ; Davis himself being the only one of the four, who reached it, Elias Barron, one of the wounded, was lost about Ossipee river, and nothing more heard of him. Their suf- '^^ ^^^'^ survivors, the night after they left the battle ground, fenngs. ^r^^ altogether too dreadful to admit of an adequate description. Deprived of strength, rest and guides, they felt that every step they took along the untrodden wilderness, was attended by the echoing whoops of savages, and the shadows of death. In the morning, they divided into three bands, through fear of making a track to be traced by their inveterate enemies ; and indeed, one party of them was pursued a considerable distance by three In- dians, who occasionally showed themselves. After travelling three or four days, a distance of twenty miles in direct course, f six-' (te7ortI t^^" arrived at the fort ; when, to their great disappointment, they found it deserted. It seemed, that in the beginning of the action, the man missing, whose name has not been thought worthy to be transmitted to posterity, quitted the field, and flee- ing thither, gave a frightful account of the battle, stating that Lovewell and most of his brave companions were killed, and the whole company defeated. Believing the story, they made the best of their way home. They left, however, a quantity of bread * He was the son of Capt. Jamos Frye of Andover. The death of this " amiable and promisinfr young; fjcntlcman," was the more lamented, be, cau&e he had with him tlie journal of theii- m.irch, which was lost, I As their march was circuitous, it is stated by one account, that the dis- tance wzis forty miles; but by Dr. Belknap, " about tiventy-two miles."— 2 Hist. JV. //. jK r)3. Chap. iv.J of Maine. 141 and pork, which gave seasonable relief, and renovated spirits, to A. D. the returning sufferers. From this place they endeavored to proceed homeward ; and a return of after enduring the most severe famine and hardships, they arrived one after another, at the outer settlements — where they met with every demonstration of joy. They were afterwards handsomely rewarded for their valor and sufferings ; and a generous provision was likewise made, for the widows and children of the slain.* Such were the particulars of * Lovewell's memorable fight,' or Decline of * the battle of Pegwacket which broke the heart and spirit of ques. the Sokokis natives. In a short time, they withdrew, and resided ° no more in those pleasant and ancient dwelling-places, till peace. After this event, the star of the tribe, pale and declining, gradu- ally settled in darkness. Their fate and the fall of Norridge- wock, struck the surviving warriors with terror ; and the broken Abenaques shivered on the brink of destruction. Col. Tyng and Capt. White, with attendants from Dunstable, Tiie bodies subsequently went to the spot; and having found the bodies of "[iJursTafrl twelve, buried them at the foot of an aged pine, and carved their buried."'""* names on the trees where the battle was fought. f At a short distance, they found three Indian graves which they opened ; one of the bodies being known, as that of their great warrior Paugus. It was perceived that the wounded savages had been removed ; tracks of blood being traced on the ground to a great distance. — The parties contended manfully, and won imperishable glory. Again and again has this place, so distinguished by departed valor, been visited by the stranger, eager to pay deserved tribute to the names of those, who have so richly added to our revenue of honor. It was understood, that several of the Indians could not repress chamber, their resentments at the losses they had sustained ; and especially young"pau. the son of Paugus, was determined at some future period to sate * Wyman was presented with a silver hiked sword, and a captain's com- mission; Lingfield was made an ensign; and the General Cowrt granted £1,500,— to be distributed among the bereaved w^idows and children. Pen/iaZ/oio.— Strange as it may seem, writers have observed, that a week before this engagement happened, it had been reported in Portsmouth at the distance of SO miles, with little variation from the truth.— 2 Belknap'' TV. H. p. 57. ^ t Bullets have been cut out of the trees within a few years. 142 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1725. his vengeance on Chamberlain for killing his father. By passing two or three days in the neighborhood, without any apparent bu- siness, he was suspected ; and Chamberlain had a hint of the probable design. Acquainted with the Indian character, he presently saw the snare, and therefore cut a spy-hole over his outer door, through which early on a subsequent morning, he dis- covered the Indian behind his wood-pile, with his gun aimed di- rectly at the door. — No more was heard of the savage ; — possi- bly the same old fusee sent both the father and the son to their long account. Chamberlain said he was never to be killed by an Indian. He told, that once when working at night in a saw- mill, he suddenly stooped, and an Indian fired over him without effect, though so near, that he in return broke the scull of the savage with a crow-bar.* A more vig- The events of this spring, and the unfavorable report of the cution of the Commissioners, lately returned from Canada,f prompted gov- '^^'^* ernment to a more vigorous prosecution of the war. J At the May session, the General Court resolved to replenish all the eas- tern garrisons with ammunition and provisions ; to offer volun- teers greater wages, — as means of ensuring a full and speedy en- listment ; to take into employ a larger number of friendly or chris- tian Indians ; and to send another expedition to Penobscot. As- sistance was also to be requested from the other New-England colonies ; and complaints spread before the king himself against the government of Canada, — on account of the succours and en- couragement afforded the Indians, and the unpardonable conduct of the French, in which they were allowed to purchase and treat English subjects, as slaves, even in times of national peace.§ ■Thoughts of The mission to Canada and the determinate spirit of the peo- ^ pie, were not without good and extensive effects. Both the French and the Indians looked upon the course they had taken, with deep concern. The Indian hostages, who had been de- tained at Boston during the war,|| were extremely impatient of restraint ; and one of them and a captive were allowed on their parole to visit their countrymen. After an absence of two months and upwards, they returned, and reported, that * the los- * Rev. Thomas Symiris' Hist, of the battle, p. 18. f Ante, A. D. 1724. I "This," said Lieut. Gov. Dummer, I hope with a Divine blessing-, will bring the enemy to submission and equitable terms." § 11 Mass. Rec. p. 324.-2 Belk. N. H. p. 64. || Ante, A. D. 1721. Chap, iv.] of Maine. 143 * ses the tribes met with, and the daily terror they were under, A. D. 1725. ' made their lives miserable ; — that they were generally disposed * to peace ; — and that Indians, lately met at Penobscot, had agreed * to propose a negotiation.' Promising to return in twenty-three days with a delegation of chiefs, they were permitted again to visit their brethren. Three unfortunate occurrences happening; at this juncture, had A village on almost extmguished every hope of immediate peace. It would fiestroycd, seem, that after Col. Westbrook and his party, had destroyed the principal Indian village at Penobscot, between two and three years since,* the French and natives had, with a diligence un- usual for them, established and built another, three leagues below, on the westerly bank of the same river. It was a pleasant, ele- vated and well chosen site,f a few rods from the water, and easily fortified by stockades. It was easier of access from the salt water than the former ; and was a league above the mouth of the Kenduskeag stream, which an enemy could ford with con- venience, only in times of drought. Hearing of this village, re- puted to consist of six or seven cottages which had cellars and chimnies, a chapel, and between 40 and 50 wigwams, Capt. Jo- seph Heath, commanding at fort Richmond, proceeded with his company in May, " from Kennebeck across the country to Pe- nobscot, fell upon the deserted village of about 50 Indian houses," and committed them to the flames. The Tarratines who were a wary people, probably had some intimation of the expedition, for the party saw none of the native inhabitants. J It was a bold enterprize ; but it being ascertained on their return to the garrison at St. George's river, that a conference had been proposed by the Indians the particulars were never made topics of any considerable remark. The village destroyed, situate on " Fort- Hill,^^ as the English have always called it, is supposed to have * Ante, A. D. 1723. ■j- It is in Bang-or. Being- so near the head of the tide and bend of the river, above which is quick water, it was a resting place and resort of the Indians before the village was built. The appearance of Indian cornfields in the vicinity were apparent, when the place was first visited by some of the oldest present s3ttLers. X See 2 Hutch. Hist. p. 286, § 11 Mass. Rec. p. 396-8. C^asiine the younger 144 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D; 1725. been the ancient JVe^cts.* It was never repaired; the Indians afterwards returning and reseating themselves at Old-town. ^ „^ The second occurrence, June 20th, reflected much dishonor June 20. ' ' A flag o( upon the English character. This was a violent assault by a truce at- ' ^ / tacked. scout from the garrison at St. Georges', upon a party of Indians under a flag of truce, bound to the fort. There was for a few minutes a smart combat between them, in which one of the scout was killed and another wounded. The best excuse which could be rendered or framed for this error, was the honest jeal- ousy, excited by repeated instances of savage treachery. Affray with Nor docs the third exhibit a better dress or appearance. As the story is told — Castine the younger was in a small bark, at anchor near Naskeag point, \_viz. the south-east point of Sedg- wick,] and had with him on board, an Indian boy, perhaps his own son, and an English lad, by the name of Samuel Trask, be- longing to Salem, whom he " had redeemed from the Indians." Though he was thoughtless of evil, the moment the crew of an approaching English sloop were near enough, they fired upon him, and obliged him and the boys to quit the bark, and flee into the woods for the safety of their lives. The master of the sloop, now changing his conduct, and hoisting a white flag, called unto him loudly to return ; offered him a safe-conduct in writing ; and declared, he only desired to have a free trade and intercourse with him. Yet shortly after he had ventured to go with the lads on board of the sloop, the master first threw him a bag of bis- cuit, and then took from him the young captive, exclaiming, — ■ your bark and all it contains are in fact lawful prize, and your- self might be made a prisoner ; — so you may now think yourself favored, to go without molestation or further loss. — This insult, which was duly felt, was presently aggravated by one of the crew, who after going with them ashore, suddenly seized the In- dian boy and held him fast. Castine, perceiving the clench to be violent and unprovoked, shot the sailor dead, and escaped with the boy into the woods.f The conduct of these mariners, was a great reproach to them, and in every respect, the height of im- * Sec ante, vol. 1, Chap. IS, p. 472-3; also ante, Jlarch, Ji, T). 1723. — Some remains of this village are still apparent. Neither i*CMAa//&w,. Belknap., nv.v Sullivan mentions Heath's expedition. ■\ rciihallovv's Indian War.— 1 Coll. N. II. Hist. Soc. p. 120. Chap, iv.] of malxe. 145 policy; for the Indians were now entertaining thoughts of peace, a.d, 1725. and Castine, who still possessed great influence among them, had more than once attested his magnanimity, by instances of friend- ship, and a forbearing spirit towards the English.'^ Although these events did indeed retard the second return of A ccr.ffr- filCG at *St. the Indian messengers to Boston, they at length arrived ; and George's John Stoddard, and John Wainwright, were appointed Commis- sioners to treat with the eastern Indians, and settle the prelimina- ries of peace. In about a week after their arrival at St. Georges' fort, July 2, they had a conference with a body of thirteen July 2. chiefs. The Commissioners first enquired — why the Indians heed made war upon the settlers'^ — 'Because,' said the Sagamores, ' you have taken our lands even so far as Cape-Newagen, where ' you have beaten two of our Indians to death.' — JVb, replied the Commissioners, we bought the lands, and have your fathers'' deeds, and can shew them. — If our men did kill yours, it was wrong ; yet why did you take the hatchet, and not, according to treaty, first tell our government ? — ' We now tell you,' added the chiefs, ' we are for peace, and we propose to call our young men *frora the war.' — So pacific a temper induced the appointment of a meeting in Boston, at the end of forty days, to settle and sign the articles of a treaty. In the mean time, the garrison at North-Yarmouth was furi- other mis- ously assailed, though without any fatal effect. Also two vessels i^^^ailsl being seized by the enemy at Damariscove, were committed to the flames, and the masters and crews, consisting of seven men and a boy, were carried to Sagadahock and barbarously beat to death. Fortunately, however, this was among the last efforts of the eastern Indians ; and closed the scene of blood for the pres- ent year. Early in November, four eminent Sagamores arrived at Bos- i\ov. lOo ton, in behalf of the eastern Indians * at Penobscot, Norridge- bassy"at'"^ ' wock, St. John's, Cape Sables, and other tribes within New- Boston. * England and Nova Scotia,' to negotiate a treaty with the gov- ernment of Massachusetts. In the discussion, which lasted more * After this we hear no more of Castine.— See an/e, A. D. 1726 ; also his character^ A. D. 1713, ante. He was in France in 1722 ; [4 Charlevoix's JV. F. p. 117 ;] and it is supposed he did not live very many years after his return. Vol. II. 19 1 46 THE HISTORY [VoL. 11. A.D. 1725. than a month,* the House proposed to open a trading house in the garrison at St. Georges', and immediately replenish it with articles necessary for the Indians to the amount of £700, in lieu of establishing an imaginary boundary line due west from Teconnet falls to Saco, so much insisted upon by the Sagamores. The delegates at last agreed to the substitute, provided the supplies were full and constant, and the trade fair and free. ofiheTreaty! ^ treaty was then concluded, in which the Indians engaged to abstain from all further hostilities ; to maintain a firm and invio- late friendship with the English, and never to combine against them. All captives on either side were to be set free without ransom and without delay ; and all the estates and possessions of the English in the eastern country were to be enjoyed by them unmolested ; — the Indians reserving to themselves the lands and liberties, not conveyed to the English nor possessed by them, together with " the privileges of fishing, hunting, and fowling, as formerly." The whole trade and intercourse between the par- ties were to be regulated by the government of Massachu- setts, and all wrongs sustained by either, were to be redressed in due course of law and justice. If any Indians, engaged in the late war, should refuse to accede to this treaty and ratify it, the chiefs from Penobscot pledged the faith of the tribe, that their young men should join the English, to bring the opposers into submission. The delegation, in behalf of the tribes named, then submitted to the English sovereign, in as full and ample a manner as their predecessors had done ; and agreed to ratify the treaty at Falmouth, in May ensuing. Signed, It was signed, December 15, 1725, by the four Sagamore Dec. 15. delegates ;f and has since been denominated " Dummer^s Trea- ty than which, none other ever made by the parties, has been more celebrated or lasting. These encouraging indications of a settled peace, induced the General Court to make provision without delay, for the establish- * The Indians insisted, that the English should abandon Fort Richmond and the block-house at St. George But the House utterly refused to leave either. — 12 Jlass. Rec. p. 88. f Their names were Saw^waaram, alias Loron ; Areius ; FrancoU Xa- vier ; and Me^anumha. Chap. iv.J of Maine. 1 47 ment of trading houses at forts Richmond and St. Georges' ; and a. d. 1726. to discharge in January, most of the troops from public service* J^^^^^^^*' The conference appointed at Falmouth, for ratifying the treaty, owing to postponement and a refusal to meet the Sagamores at Pemaquid, was not opened till July 30th : and even at that late day, the Lieutenant-Governors of Massachusetts and New-Hampshire, and a delegate from the Nova Scotia government, — a great num- ber of Councillors and Representatives, — " a fine train of young gentlemen," — and a " good guard," had been in waiting at Fal- mouth nearly a fortnight. About forty chiefs of the Indians then appeared with Wenemovet, a Tarratine Sagamore, at their head ; who declared he had full power to act for the " Canibas [Nor- ridgewocks,] the Anasagunticooks, the St. Francois Indians, and the Wawenocks ; having received a letter and two belts of wam- pum, from Canada, as tokens of their wishes to be included in the treaty. Loron was their chief speaker, and the parleys were renewed daily, in which the chiefs discovered great shrewdness, wisdom and deliberation. On Saturday, they were reminded of the approaching Lord's day, when no business might be done. — Ay^ said Loron, to-morrow is our sabbath too — we keep that day. — On Monday, their request was earnest, that none of our vessels in harbor, nor taverns ashore, be permitted to sell their young men liquors : — to which, Mr. Dummer assured them, positive orders should be given to that effect. When all the paragraphs of the treaty were deliberately rehears- The ratifi-^ ed and interpreted to them, and the whole sufficiently discussed, treaty at it was ratified in the meeting-house,* August 6, sealed and signed by William Dummer, John Wentworth, Paul Mascerene, and several Provincial Councillors j and by Wenemovet, chief Sachem," and twenty-five others of his associates. f * AH was " concluded with a public dinner."— Smi/A.'* Jour. p. 14. t This treaty is entire in PenhaUow''s Indian Wars.— I Coll. JV. H. Hist. Soc. p. 123, 132 : and here his interesting " History of the wars of Psew- " Eng-land with the eastern Indians"— terminates. In the Secretary's office at Boston, the treaty itself may be seen with all the signatures, and the re- spective marks, or family figures of the Indians. Though it is represent- ed that all the chiefs or sachems present, were from Penobscot ; it is pre- sumed that Egeremet [or Agareemett,] one of the signers, was from PaS' •amaquoddy, or Machias ; and that Francois Xavier, another sig-ner, lired 148 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.D. 1726. At the close of the interview, Lieut, Governor Dummer put terv^ew these enquiries Since the Abenaques are not represented, what measures will you take for the safety of our frontiers ? — Will you lay your commands on the other tribes to preserve the peace entire? and should any hostile acts be committed, will you resent such misdemeanors ? — Loron replied, ' your people must be care- * ful. We shall make all the Indians know of the peace. They * must keep it. Let any of the tribes rise against your people or ' ours, we shall make them set down by force. We understand ^ what we speak, and not one w^ord shall fail.' French lake The French took great umbrage at this treaty, and detdrmin- umbrage, g^j prevent its operations. Captives taken from the frontiers had been sold to them for trifles,— then large ransom demand- ed and paid, and plunder was made merchandize in Canada. In short, the French were the only gainers by these Indian wars ; and the Governor of Canada, availing himself of the first op- portunity, met ' the chiefs of the eastern Indians' from " nine castles"* or encampments, and told those who stood up in favor of the treaty, he would call away from their habitations all the missionaries ;-^they never should have any more presents from his royal master, nor any further assistance or protection from his Governor, But he made the others a present of 800 lbs. of powder, and said, he had orders from his master to furnish them v/ith what they needed to prosecute the war ; adding, that *' four parties had lately gone out against New-England." Conciudins^ '^'^^ ^^"'^^ ^^'^ policy wcrc soon manifest in different places. ou\?JlT "^^^^ Baptiste, his son, and three Indians, undertaking, in Au- gust, to seize a Plymouth fisherman, in a harbor of Nova-Scotia, were overcome, carried to Boston, tried for piracy, condemned, and executed. Two families were assaulted in October, at Ken- nebunk river, a mile below the present post road ; where Mrs. Baxter and her child were killed ; and John Durrell and several other persons were carried into captivity. Philip Durrell and his son went into the field, about two hours before sunset, leaving at home a family of four persons. Returning at twilight, he found at St. John's. For the three Etechemia tribes, viz. the Tarratines, the Openan^os and the Marechites, always acted jn concer{. — See ante, chap, 19, vol. I. * See Rev. Dr. B. Colinan's Letter.— 6 Coll. Jluis. Hist. Soc. p. 112. Chap. IV.] of Maine. 149 they were all gone, his house rifled and on fire.* It was after- a. d. i72G. wards ascertained, these outrages were committed by savages from St. Francois, and Becancourt, who were uniformly under the influence of the Canadian Governor. In the frequent correspondence, which Mr. Dummer was hold- [ sa^-a- ing with the eastern Sagamores, they gave him the fullest assur- moS^ihe"" ances of their determination to preserve and perpetuate the peace. P^^^e. — Ahanquid wrote — that seven Indians had visited his tribe, to Ahanquid move them to renew the war, hut, said he, we have refused. Egereraet told Capt. Heath, that when the chief men of his tribe Egeremet. returned from hunting, he would find out what Indians had been guilty of the late wicked actions. — Wenunganet wrote thus from net!" ""^ St. George to Mr. Dummer : — "We look upon such Indians as much our enemies as yours, and think ourselves as much in *' danger from them as any of your people do. We are resolved " to have satisfaction, for the wrons; done." — Morcus, the chief.. Sagamore at Kennebeck, told Capt. Giles, he had sent by Cana- vas to the Anasagunticooks and those tribes — not to hurt the En- glish, for he had received from them great kindness. Yes, said he, and Ivnll stand by the peace so long as God gives me breath. — Loron wrote to Mr. Dummer ; — ' Never let the trading houses Loron. * deal in much rum. It wastes the health of our young men. It ^ unfits them to attend prayers. It makes them carry ill both to ' your people and their own brethren. This is the mind of our * chief men. I salute you, great Governor, and am your good ' friend.' — Wivurna, another Sachem, who had been a brave and Wivurna's ' _ ' letter, Oct, bloody warrior, possessed a soul alive to true honor and great- ness ; being himself softened and charmed by a spirit of firmness and justice witnessed in Mr. Dummer. His letter to the Lieut. Governor, October 16th, is, for its good sense and peculiar Indian style, worthy to be transcribed. — Brother — " I am fully satisfied ; " for all the blood, that before lay boiling in my breast, is flow- " ed away. Now I much labor for peace in our land. Should *' any windy clouds arise, I would make haste to inform you, — " that they might do us no harm. In three things you make my *• heart glad. My grandson, that was dead, is alive and returned to me safe. Canavas, that was taken, comes home well ; — he " is encouraged to do good service. Your kindness to me and * Doctor Coleman's ]etteT.— Sullivan, p. 230. 150 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1726. " my people, I am thankful for. I am now old and gray-headed ; " — 1 have seen many good gentlemen, English, French, and In- " dians, — and many of them are dead. But of all, I have not " found like Governor Dummer, for steadfastness and justice. If I " were a Sagamore and young, the first thing I did, should be to " see you. But as 1 am old and not able to travel, I heartily salute " you, my good friend. Farewell. Wivurna." The Indians The Commencement of winter closed the hostile movements of .losses. the Indians. Their courage, their humanity, and their other military virtues, had not appeared in either of the wars to better advantage. Their hardships and sufferings had been great and numerous. It is true there are many instances in which they had acquired to themselves glory, yet it is certain, the fortune of war, especially in the sequel, had greatly turned against them. Two villages on the Penobscot had been laid in ashes ; the fate of Norridgewock and Pegwacket was memorable ; and a cotem- porary writer of reputation, Mr. Penhallow, in his review of the four Abenaques tribes, supposes, " that one third of them had been destroyed in this war." They made no figure, nor took much part in the treaty ; — ^the Etechemin tribes, especially the Tarratines taking the lead, and assuming a paramount control. In maintaining the war, the principal pecuniary disbursements The colony made by the Province of Massachusetts bay. New-Hamp- Ahe war. ^^^^^ Contributed according to her ability ; though the de- mands upon her were not so frequent and great ; nor did she suf- fer so much, as in former wars. This was owing partly to the more extended frontiers of Massachusetts and Maine ; and partly to the more successful stand everywhere made against the com- mon enemy. The whole charge of the war, according to Mr. Penhallow, has been estimated to exceed £170,000; besides watches and wards, the erection and repairs of garrisons and block-houses, which in the aggregate have been computed at £75,000. A disproportion of the latter sum was evidently borne by the people of Maine. In surveying the forts, the towns and the settlements, which had 6uccesses« been able generally to defend themselves ; and the brilliant suc- cesses which attended the return of our military men from the field, we may well congratulate the heroic enterprize of the people and anticipate a lasting peace. Our militia was at this period Chap. IV.] of Maine. 161 completely trained for active service ; every man of forty, having A. D. 1726. seen more than twenty years of war. They had been familiar with firearms from their boyhood; and a great proportion of them were practical marksmen, and skilful hunters. They were extensively acquainted with the warfare and the lurking places of the savages ; and they imbibed from early life a strong antip- athy towards them, which was strengthened by their multiplied acts of bloodshed and cruelty. The whole number in Maine, of those killed, mortally wounded, and carried into captivity in the course of the war, including inhab- Losses, itants, soldiers, and seamen, is supposed to have been about 200 ; though an accurate enumeration cannot be made. About a third part of them were at different times made prisoners ; and many were carried to Canada and sold to the French. By the terms of the treaty, they were to be released without ransom ; yet some died, and others found the period long, before they were permit- ted or enabled to return. 152 THE HISTORY [Vol. II. CHAPTER V. Dummer's administration — Three truck-houses — Indian trade — Recovery of cajptives-^An Earthquake — Committee of claims — Nev) tier of towns proposed — York and Falmouth — Education — Brunswick resettled — Gov. Burnet arrives — Salary question rc- vived^Eastern Councillors — Governor's death — State of the eastern country — Sagadahock — Its revolutions — David Dunbar -^Surveyor general of the woods — His order for possession of Sagadahock — Repairs the fort at Pemaquid, and calls it Port Frederick — Surveys three townships — His other measures — Gov. Belcher arrives — His policy, and the grants to him — Dunbar's arbitrary acts — Complaints and report against him — Bounda- ries between New-Hampshire and Maine. — Treaty with the In- dians confirmed — Governor' s vieiv of the eastern country — Dun- bar's removal ordered — Jurisdiction of Sagadahock territory re- sumed by Massachusetts — Dunbar's employment and residence — Returns to England — Resigns the surveyorship of the royal woods— Goes to St. Helena. A. D. 1725. At the close of the war, it was apparent, that the settlement Summer's and prosperity of the eastern country, must depend essentially fion.'"'^''^^' upon a perpetuation of peace with the Indians. Mr. Dummer,- the Lieutenant-Governor, whose discreet management had ac- quired their confidence, was endeavoring to secure their friend- ship and favor, by consulting their wishes, and holding a friendly correspondence with their principal Sagamores. He has been applauded by Douglass,* as an able man, and a wise and watch- ful magistrate. His administration, after the departure of Gov. Shute, was, in general, acceptable to the people ; the General Court made him liberal grants for his official services, and very seldom shewed an aversion to his measures. Two acts, while he was in the chair, are worthy to be mentioned. One was a statute passed, in 1724, to prevent expenses at funerals; — ^the * 1 Doxis;. Summ. p. 479. — Dummer's "good inanag-ement in the Indian "war, will perpetuate his memory with all true lovers of New-England Chap, r.] of MAINE. 153 other was the executive sanction he g,ave, the next year, to an A. D. i726. application made to the Legislature for an ecclesiastical Synod.* It was opposed by the episcopalians, and severely censured by the English ministry ; hence the proposition was never after re- vived < As soon as peace was settled, the establishment of eastern Track truck or trading houses, for the accommodation of the natives^ received the early attention of the Lieutenant-Governor and the Legislature. These were contemplated by the treaty, and might be the means, if judiciously managed, of confirming the peace^ They would be places to which the Indian hunters and their fam^ ilies would frequently resort ; and a free intercourse with them being opened, the temper and movements of the tribes might be at any time ascertained. If commodities^ such as they needed^ were furnished, of a good quality, and offered at fair prices, in a barter for their furs and peltry, their confidence might evident- ly be secured, and an intimacy contracted ; by means of which, connected with presents, courteous language, and kind treatment, their malevolence and jealousies would be abated, if not en- tirely subdued. The experiment was tried. Two trading houses were imme- Estabiishetl diately established, one at Fort St. George, and one at Fort Rich- mond^^st. mond ; and in a couple of years, a third was established at fort ^,JfJfa^c^, Mary, near Winter-harbor, where it was continued for seven years.f The keepers of these houses, called " truck-masters," ■* 2 Hutch, /fisi. p. 291-2. — Synods had been frequent under tlie first charier.'^ t Capt, James Woodsidc was the first truck-master, and superintendent df Fort Mary, and the trading house af Saco. But as it had fallen into decay, the General Court, 1727-8, ordered it renewed 8 or 9 miles above the old stone fort, on the west side of Saco rirer, and a building-, 55 by 27 feet, and 9 feet posts, to be erected of square pine timber, 9 inches thick, tog-ether with a store-house for safely keeping the goods. The spot se- lected was 100 rods below union Falls in the present town of Hollis. A sergeant, with a guard of ten men, was stationed there for the protection of trade ; the treasurer of the Province was directed to supply it with goods to the amount of £800 ; and Capt. Thomas Smith of Boston, father of the minister at Falmouth, was appointed truck-master, as early as 1737, With an annual salary of £l20. A Chaplain was also appointed, who prob- ably visited other trading houses, and preached to the settlers. — Folsomy p. 223. Vol. JI. 20 154 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1726. were annually chosen by the General Court,* — special regard being had in the selection, to men of the greatest probity, pa- tience and discretion ; whose characters and manners were like- wise acceptable to the natives. The situation was in a few years, so desirable, that it was sought by men of distinguished reputa- tion and influence. Articles, principally necessaries, with a few gewgaws, were, to the amount of £1,000 or £1,600, purchased every year in Boston, at wholesale prices, and transported to each trading house in proportions, correspondent to the several The trade, demands. These, the truck-masters were instructed to sell, at an advance upon the prime cost, sufficient only to cover the freight and waste. Nay, sometimes in the retail of molasses, su- gar, rum, corn, meal, bread and tobacco, the government allowed them ten per cent, for waste, and sustained a loss in the articles, whenever they fell at the trading houses, below the price of pur- chase. A full value was paid the Indians for their furs and skins ; presents were frequently made them ; and when they were employed to obtain information, carry intelligence, or do other service, they were liberally rewarded. In the absence of the sanups, or husbands, — whole families were sometimes kept from starving ; and the truck-masters were authorized by advice of the commanding officers at the forts, occasionally to entertain and treat the Indians in the name of the government and at the public charge. f There«'uia Upon the whole, however, the trade was a tax upon the Pro- tions. vince ; the advance upon the furs purchased, being altogether in- adequate to the gratuities, the stipends to the truck-masters, and the expenses of maintaining a small garrison at each trading house. Still the loss was cheerfully borne, when it was found that the good effects of the establishments were fully equal to anticipation. The tranquillity of the Indians became settled. Finding they could purchase commodities there, better and cheaper than in Canada, they were satisfied ; and hence those of the Abenaques * At St. Georges, — those in succession, were Thomas Smithy John J^oyesy Jahez Bradbury. At fort Richmond, Joseph Heathy Edward Shove^ John Oullon- At Saco fort, Thomas Smith, and Ammi R. Cutter. f 12 »Mass. Rec. p. 88-197-512. — Note.— Jeremiad Allen, Esq. of Bos- ton, was treasurer of the Indian truck-trade ; and in one year between May, 1731, and 1732, balance in his hands due g-overnment, was j^l 1,953^ 2s. 9d. ; the next year, £lO,556, 8*. 9J.--4 J\lass. Rec. p. 473. Chap, v.] of Maine. 155 tribes that remained, presently returned to the former places ofA,D. 1726. their abode ; being in this way drawn from the neighborhood of the French, and rendered less liable to their instigations. In reg- ulating the soldiery at these ' truck houses and garrisons,' the General Court, by a statute of 1730, ordered every officer to be cashiered and fined, who should sign a false muster roll, or certify untruly a soldier's service or dues.* After the Indians returned from hunting in the spring of 1 727, A. 1727. the chiefs of the Canibas, Wawenock, and Anasagunticook tribes, ^^g^JJI^^ addressed a letter to the Lieutenant-Governor, by which they as- sured him of their desires to accede to the late treaty. Nothing could have given stronger indications of a settled peace ; and ac- cording to their wishes, he and a large number of gentlemen met about 1 00 Indians at Falmouth, July 1 1 , where the treaty was solemnly confirmed, with an additional article, stipulating, * that the * Indians should join 50 of their men with 150 of the English, or * in that ratio, to subdue any refractory Indians who might attempt ' to disturb the peace.' Greater confidence was given to the force and effect of the treaty, by a general pacification about this time among the rival powers in Europe ; the colonies and tribes on this side of the water having been partakers in all their later wars. On this joyful return of peace, there was an anxious desire to ^ mission ^Q greet a speedy return also of the unhappy English captives scat- tered, as it was said, throughout Canada. To procure their re- captives, lease, therefore, Mr. Joseph Kellogg and seven attendants with two Indian pilots, were appointed early in 1728, to visit Quebec, Montreal, St. Francois and Trois Revieres. It was a difficult duty ; and to encourage them in their mission, several Indian captives, the property of individuals, were ransomed at the public expense, and despatched in company with the agents. At this period, nothing was left untried, to keep the Indians quiet, and to secure their good will. Special presents, wortk between 30 and £40, were transmitted to the chiefs at Penobscot ; and it was proposed to send two well educated, prudent and exemplary men among the eastern tribes, to instruct their youth and strengthen their friendship. f On the 29th of October, was the shock of an earthquake, Oct. 29. ' . ^ An carth- which rendered the year memorable, and which we would not quake. * An. Charters, p. 481.— 13 Mass. Rec. p. 280. f 13 Mass. Rec. 20. 156 THE HISTORY [VoL. II, A.V. J727. fail to notice. It commenced 40 minutes after ten at night, when the weather was clear, the sky serene, and the air cold. The first noise heard resembled the rattling of stagecoaches, driven speedily upon pavements, and lasted half a minute before the shock was actually felt. In the midst of it, the tops of chimnies and stone-walls were thrown down ; doors were forced open ; and people found it difficult to stand unsupported. Seamen upon the coast supposed their vessels grated over shoals of gravel. Its course was from northrwest to south-east; gradual in its progress and egress 5 and extending from the Delaware to the Kennebeck. Its whole duration was about two minutes. The uncommon alarm was not without its moral benefits, exciting in many places repentance and reform.* Committee present and two succeeding years, various measures were of claims, resumed to revive and resettle this eastern country, so often doomed to the fatalities of bloody and destructive wars. A new Committee of Claims were appointed ; who were directed to hold meetings at Falmouth, receive all evidences of title and claim to lands, which might be presented, and especially use all means practicable, to shew and satisfy the Indians, how far they had made fair and valid conveyances to the English. f Wesiepn boundary line on each side of New-Hampshire was agi- tated ; and that Province, feeling unable to cope with Massachu» setts in settling so important a question, referred it to the king, refusing to join in the appointment of commissioners upon the subject. Apprehensive it would be of no avail to press the measure, still disposed to encourage settlements, Massachusetts proposed to send a skilful surveyor, and ten men on a ranging tour, the distance of 100 miles j from Quampeagan, in direction of the dividing line between New-Hampshire and Maine ; and thence north-eastward ly to the river Kennebeck. Returning by way of fort Richmond, they were to make report of facts and observa^r *" A genera! revival of religion took place — 49 gut of 124 were the « fruits of it in the Rev Mr. Emerson's parish in Portsmouth."— Sm/^/i'* Journal, p. 18.— 2 HutchinsorCs Hist. 295. Till this, « there liad been no " very violent shocks of earthquakes in the memory of arjy then living-.'' —2 Holmes' Jl. -^nn. p. 119. t 12 JIass. Rec. p. 88, — ThQ Committee wpre William Tailer, John Turr per and 5 others. X 13 Jlass. Rec. p. 40. — i. e. « North-west 108 miles from Quampeagan,*' Chap, v.] OF MAINE. 157 tions. Mr. Haven was appointed surveyor; yet through fear a. D» 1727. the movement might displease New-Hampshire and disturb the Abenaques tribes, it was postponed.* Next, we find it proposed to survey a back tier, or second line A new lier ^ ^ , • J townships ef townships from Salmon-falls river to the Audroscoggm, and from Ber- offer them to settlers upon most favorable terms. The soil be- sumpscot longed to the Province by purchase ; the inhabitants in the new P'^^P"®®*^' range would be a barrier to the old towns on the seaboard in case ef another rupture with the Indians ; and therefore plausible * pretences were encouraged and even sought for, to promote * the claims and applications for lands.' The descendants of officers and soldiers employed in expeditions against the Narra- gansett Indians in King Philip's war, and in the campaigns against Canada, and Nova-Scotia, the preceding century, and also the suf- ferers in later wars, were all admitted to notice ; and many who had acquired some knowledge of the country, while in the public ser^ vice, manifested an enthusiastic desire to make it the place of their future residenee.f Yet the lands upon the seaeoast, eastward of Georgetown, were either inhabited or appropriated ; and it was urged, that should no considerable facilities be offered to emi- grants and setders,.they would go to other places. So far too as the proposition had respect to old soldiers, or their posterity, it carried with it the appearance of gratitude ; and a Committee was directed to lay out a second tier of townships, which should be severally six miles square, and extend from Berwick to Pre- sumpscot. No measure could afford the older towns mOre gratification. The 0I4 For nearly a century, they had stood in single file between the ocean and the woods, and never were a people's prudential and heroic virtues put to severer test. In the late war, Kittery, York, Wells and Berwick, were represented .every year in the General Court; and Falmouth, three years, including that of peace. They were severally supporting settled ministers, distinguished for their talents, piety and learning,J besides maintaining common * 12 Mass. Rec. p. 258.-6 Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc, p. 108-=^110. \ Smithes Jour. Tp. 17. — "People are constantly flocking' down here to h petition for lots." I In York, Rev. Samuel Moody, graduated, 1697, died, 1747, ^t. 72. « Kittery, « John Newmarch, « 1690, 1754. a Wells, « SarauelJefferde, 1722, 1752, ^» 4S, 1 58 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.D. 1727, schook and private garrisons. The towns assuming a preemin- ence at this period, were York and Falmouth. One was the Faimoutii shirc town and seat of Justice, where all the public records were « le lowns. j^^p^ ^ ^j^^ other a place of great resort and considerable Commerce commcrcc. At a time, in 1727, thirty vessels were seen in the Fa^"^^ harbor of Falmouth, besides several standing upon the stocks ; and, within a preceding twelve month, there were enumerated in that town, C4 families ; which in the course of two years, in- creased to 100 or more. Men were admitted inhabitants in town-meeting, on payment of £10. All the land lying on the water in Purpooduck, and 30 lots on the peninsula, were survey- ed, located and assigned ; a saw and a grist-mill in the neigh- borhood were in motion ; a meeting-house finished ; and March 8th, the same year, (1727,) Rev. Thomas Smith was settled.* The town books having, in some of the Indian wars, been either destroyed or carried to Canada, the General Court, upon petition, ordered the counterpart or copy of the original confirmation made by President Danforth, July 26, 1684, to Edward Tyng and others in trust, to be recorded in the secretary's office of the Province, and in the registry of deeds at York. The minis- I^i l^jing the foundations of a rising community, the men of c'Xnmon ^his age are entitled to the highest considerations for the interest at all times taken by them, in tiie settlement of a pious ministry, and the support of common schools. These they placed in the same grade with liberty, safety and the supports of life. In 1727, Mr. William Thompson was settled at Scarborough; and in 1730, Mr. Samuel Willard, at Biddeford ; Mr. Thomas Pren- tice, at Arundel ; and Mr. Ammi R. Cutter, at North-Yarmouth. f All the lands in several of these towns were taxed expressly for the support of their schools. Even the Province itself, contributed towards the salary of two or three ministers ; and once, the in- habitants of Kittery received from the public treasury £400 to -schools in Maine. In Falnioulli, Rev. Thomas Smith, graduated, 1720, died, 1795, ^t, 93. *-2P. York, " Joseph Moody, " 1718, " 1753, " 53. Berwick, Jercmiali Wise, " 170J, " llbG, « 74. f Biddeford, " Samuel Willard, « 1723, «' 1741, Greenleaf's Ecclesiastical Sketches, p. 11-21-56.— 10 Coll. JV/. Hist. Soc. p. 270. * Smith's Journal, p. 17-20. f Town privileges were not fully allowed to North-Yarmouth, till Janu- ary, 1732. It had been only a « propriety ;" — 14 ,Mass. Rcc. p. 237 — 267, 286, 353, 472. Mr. Prentice graduated at Harvard College, 1726. Chap, v.] of maine. 159 assist them in re-building their meeting-house ;* the former being ^'f^-^™* laid in ashes by lightning. Fort Georse was repaired ; and Brunswick was amons; the Brunswick , . r , , . reseltled. first places re-peopled after the war. In 1730, a chaplain was allowed at this garrison ; and it was in this place, where Sabbat- ist, the Anasagunticook Sagamore, requested government to keep some supplies : for, said he, in " cold winters and deep snows, my Indians, unable to go to Fort Richmond, sometimes suffer." — The government, always in such instances cheerfully administered rehef ; and the tribe remained quiet, though constantly vi§wed with distrust. The settlements in this section advanced slowly. Harpswell was a precinct of North- Yarmouth, twenty years. In " 1730, and not before, some ventured to set down in Topsham yet there were, " in 1 750 only eighteen families in the place — seventeen of whom were Scottish Hibernians, and all protes- tants.f In Georgetown the greater part of the people were presbyterians ; — there were in Falmouth a few episcopalians ; otherwise the inhabitants in Maine were devoted to the congrega- tional order. On the accession of Georsre II. a year since, the immediate f^eorge ° . . crowned, appointment of a Governor had been anticipated, in the place of July 13, Mr. Shute. But being disposed to please his provincial subjects, Bumet, the king deliberated, and then selected William Burnet ; who arrived at Boston, July 13th, 1728, with a commission embracing ^ ^ ^^^^ Massachusetts, New-Hampshire and Maine. There were many imposing circumstances in his favor. Born at the Hague, whither his parents had retired to avoid the persecution of the Stuart dy- nasty, he was named William, after the illustrious prince of Or- ange, who was his godfather, and who soon after ascended the British throne. His father, Gilbert Burnet, the celebrated bishop of Sarum, had by his ardent piety and love of civil and relig- ious liberty, rendered his name dear to the people of New-Eng- land, and secured for the son an earnest of popular affection. The large and handsome person, and graceful manners of the Govern- or commanded respect ; his good abilities, his taste for books, and his acquaintance with mankind gave him rank among the * This was in 1731.— 14 Mass. Rec. p. 64.— The salary of Mr. Prentice, was £40,— of Mr. Thompson, £lOO. The school tax was from a half-pen- ny to a penny per acre on improved lands. f 3 Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc. p. 14'2. 1 60 THE HISTORY [VoL. If. A - D 1728. good and the great ; and his pleasant wit and excellent disposi- tion rendered him acceptable to all. Popular as Governor of New- York and New- Jersey, he submitted to the change with con-- siderable reluctance, speec'r^n ^^^^ spccch, he told the Legislature he should insist upoti sisis on a a permanent salary, agreeably to the royal instruction, which, he promised himself the House would not be backward to obey. Desirous of avoiding, " if possible, an immediate controversy with the Governor, the House made him some valuable presents, and voted to give him £1,000 sterling, in compensation for a year's services* This he refused to accept, because it was not perma* nent ; not despairing of his ability to bring the House into his views, during the session, till he had kept the General CQ.urt together five months. He then prorogued the Legislature, and transmitted particulars to the ministry.* The House also sent instructions to their agents ; yet, if a calculation were to be predicated upon past experience, no result favorable to their wishes could be ex- pected. For the fact was, that in consequence of the long and bitter altercation with Governor Shute, the Province was forced at last, to take an * Explanatory Charter ;'f which expressly empowered the Governor to negative the speaker, and also for- bade the House to adjourn for more than two days at any one time. When power and privilege are at war on such unequal grounds, the result is obvious. A feature of So much supcrior to all other public topics and considerations, Ills adminis- , , . , • i i i traiion. was the salary question, at the present period, that the cotempo- rary statute book does not exhibit one printed act, passed during the administration of Gov. Burnet. He was a stranger in the Province. Had he been well acquainted with the sentiments and spirit of the people at large, he never would have tried an experiment upon their respresentatives, with so much pertinacity, A majority of the Council considered it prudent to comply with the instruction, as the salary could be only during the life or the commission of the present Governor. But the members of that body did not emanate immediately from the people ; and several of them were non-residents. Their republican politics, though sufficiently rigid, were better tempered with true wisdom. Those for Maine, in the present and preceding administrations of * 2 Hu(/;li. Hist,, + This was dated Aug-. 26, 1726. Chap, v.] OF MAINE. 161 Mr. Shute and Mr. Diimmer, were Adam Winthrop, Joseph A. Tf . m3. Hammond, Charles Frost, Edward Hutchinson, and Wm. Pepper- Coun-jiiicra, ell, jr. ; — and for Sagadahock, Spencer Phips and Samuel Thax- ter. Messrs. Winthrop and Hutchinson were both non^^resident members, living in Boston^ and belonging to distinguished fattiR lies* Mr. Winthrop was elected in 1716, and the two succeed^ ^yj^^jj^^^p^ ing years. He was a gendeman of talents, learning and influ-» ence.* Mr. Hutchinson had two elections, and these were in Hutchinsort. 1725 and 6. He was a man of more business thad eminence^ Messrs. Hammond and Frost belonged to Kitterj. They were men of good understanding, and great usefulness. Mr. Ham- Hammond, mond succeeding to the honors of a father of the same name, and having represented his town in the General Court seven years, received twelve successive elections into the Council, in- cluding the year 1718, when he was first chosen. He was also a judge of the Common Pleasf about ten years. Mr. Frost was Frost, elected into the Council in 1719, from the House, where he was holding a seat as representative from his town. He received six elections into the Board j and was also on the bench of the Com-» mon Pleas with Mr. Hammond. Mr. Pepperell, whose father,{ PeppfefelL of the same namCj was among the early settlers on the Isles of Shoals, was an inhabitant of Kittery, which he had represented in the General Court two or three years. He was first elected into the Council in 1727. where he had a seat 32 years* His merits and future fame will appear in their appropriate place. Messrs. Phips and Thaxter, were non-resident Councillors. It is believed they both lived in Boston. Mr. Phips^ the adopted Phip*' son of Sir William Phips,§ was for the first time a Councillor in 1722, and afterwards received nine elections. He was a * Mr. Winthrop was competitor for the office of Lieut. Gov. with Mr. Phips, in 1732. He was the father of John Winthrop^ L. L. D. F. R. S. •^the great mathematician. — Eliot^s Biog. p. 506. f Or ' Inferior Court." i The father emigrated from the west of England ; was eng-aged largely in the fisheries on the Isles of Shoals, in 1695-6. After that he removed to Kittery-point, became wealthy, — ^died, 1734. One account supposes hit father lived at the Isles of Shoals. § One daughter of Capt. Roger Spencer of Saco married William [af- terwards Sir William] Phips ; and another married Dr. David Bennet of Rowley, whose son, Spencer Bennet, was adopted by his uncle Sir WiW liam, and took by statute the name of Phips. He was Lieut. Gov. of Mass. from 1732 to 1757, the year of his decease. Vol. II. 21 162 THE HISTORY [VoL. If , A. D. 1728. land-holder In the Provincial territory of Sagadahock, in conse- quence of an original acquittance procured by Sir William from Madockawando, a sachem of Penobscot, to "the lands on St. George's river, so high as the second Falls and the proprie- tors' recognition of his share in forming the patent into ten parts. He was commissioned Lieut. Governor in 1 732 ; — an office he held 25 years. He is represented as a man of more respecta- bility than influence 5 and indebted rather to connexions and wealth, than to splendid abilities or eminent merits, for his pro- motion. As a magistrate, however, he was very discreet and up- right.-— Some fortuitous circumstance seems to have brought Mr* Thaxter. Thaxterf into the Council lor the single year of 1 724, as we hear nothing further of him ; Mr. Phips being the member for Sagadahock, in years both before and after him. Disputes of In the summer of 1729, short sessions were holden at Salem and Gov- and Cambridge — the places to which the Governor, being dis- pleased with the people of Boston, had from time to time pro- rogued the General Court. This gave great offence. In short, the House boldly informed him, that such motives and means would never coerce them into measures against their judgment Hif death- duty. The controversy had a fatal effect upon his spirits; and September 7, after a few days' sickness, he died.f Public af- These altercations between the king's Governors and the House of Representatives, so warmly and so often repeated, were prejudicial to the interests of the Province. Any topic prominent and exciting in a community, acquires the power of monopoly. The people uttered deep complaints under a policy, that so com- pelled them to receive and obey foreign rulers, wholly unac- quainted with their sentiments, their habits and their country. The dispute appeared to be interminable ; and while the fit of perplexity lasted, public affairs were neglected or managed with- out due skill and wisdom. Owing to the late war, and the scar- city of money — trade and commerce were not in a very flourish- ing state, and the public treasury was empty. To administer im- mediate relief, a new emission of paper money had been thought the only effectual means, and bills were issued, two years previ- * 1 Douglass' Summ. p. 3S5. — See ante, vol. H, p. 97. i 1 Doug, Summ, p. 560. — Col. Thaxter, an ag-ent to Canada. 1 2 Hutch Hist. p. 326. — Governor Burnet had a great taste for Natural History and Astronomj. — 1 Douglasn, p. 480. Chap. t.J of jmaine. 163 ous, to the amount of £60,000 ; — the interest accruing from the a. d. 1729. loans being appropriated to the support of government.* Bloated from time to time, by this corrupt aliment, the|body politic found itself at length laboring under a complication of diseases, destruc- tive both of vigor and enterprise. The eastern country had not, since the peace, been filling v^^ith Seulementi setdements, and multiplying improvements equal to expectation, crease! No projects nor propositions of the government, encouraging to emigrants, appeared to be matured. The wisest course was not in fact readily foreseen. Grants fettered with any conditions, could meet with no acceptance. Individuals, even with the gifts of lots, could not be persuaded to make a beginning in the wilderness without associates. Had a liberal policy prevailed, and early incentives been given to the importation of emigrants from abroad, this country might have exhibited in a few years a large popula- tion. But foreigners were looked upon with a jealous eye ; some of them were bad characters ; many were without property ; and the Legislature, through fear they might be a burden to the com- munity, regulated by lawf the terms upon which all visiting strangers might be landed. Hence every sea-captain, before set- ting them ashore, was bound to save the town harmless of all charges 5 years, on their account ; unless the passenger himself could give the security, or prove he was a mechanic, mariner or husbandman, of unblemished reputation. It is manifest such a law, known and observed, would check and discourage emigration. Nor were the proprietors of patents, and large tracts manifest- Fropri«tori ing the activity and zeal in promoting settlements, which had re- dounded so much to their credit in former years. Perhaps they were discouraged in consequence of their losses. They knew perfectly the character of the Indians, and their jealousy of en- croachments ; and they might not be without their apprehensions of some sudden rupture. They found, that settlers could not be spared from the old towns ; and certain it is, that the generous enterprising spirit apparent in other times, when they built mills, removed emigrants free of charge to them, and expended large sums in promoting setdements, had now degenerated to mere out- lines of plantations, projects of sale, and land-jobbing speculations. Every thing was in prospect. Men sought gains by deceptive * 2 Hutch. Hist. p. 296. t Prov. Law, A. D. 1724. 164 THE HISTORY [VoL. 11, A O. 1729, representations, and by conveyances of shadowy titles, without any active eiTorts to settle the lands, or to enhance their real value. Meetings of proprietors were frequent, and much time and money were expended in fruitless schemes and plans, where-, by the real wealth and improvement of the country were rather retarded than promoted.'^ °^ ^^^^ Provincial territory of Sagadahock was viewed by specu-. iiock. lators as a fit region, in which to try their skill and gratify their cupidity. The possession of the eastern parts, it is true, had vi- brated several times in years past, between the EngHsh and French ; yet since the country had been reseized by Phips, in- cluded in the provincial charter, and solemnly conceded to the British crown by the treaty of Utrecht, it might be fairly expect- ed, that the jurisdictional rights and claims of Massachusetts would be no more called in question. The contrary however was quite too true. Already Armstrong and Coram, f in their re^ quests for extensive tracts of the territory, had presented to the ministry such plausible schemes and reasons, that their defeat was not effected without persevering efforts and considerable expense, It was manifestly unfortunate, that the fee in the ungranted lands, through the whole region, and consequently tlie forests, should remain in the crown ; while Massachusetts, being vested with the jurisdiction, was in duty bound to exercise a provident care and protection over the whole, without any emolument, and with- out the power of making grants, even for the encouragement of settlers. The vicissi- The territory between the rivers Kennebeck and St. Georges, country be- presented, at this time, the most allurements. Settled a century adaiiock " before, inhabited many years, and thus rendered more readily Georges, susccptible of culturg and improvement, it richly deserved coni sideration. But how unusual the fate of its inhabitants f Yes — uncommon vicissitudes had been the peculiar destiny of these devoted plantations. At first, they were widiout civil govern- ment ; next, they paid some regard to the anomalous civil author-* ity of the Pemaquid proprietors, or their agents ; in 1 664, they were subject to the Duke of York ; in 1676, most of the settlers were formed by Massachusetts, into a county by the name of Devonshire ; the government of the whole Province was resumed * 2 Belk. N. H. p. 71. I Ante, A. D. 1718, 1720, Chap, v.] of Maine. 165 in 16S6, by a Governor, under James II and in 1692, the char^ a n. 1729. ter vested the entire jurisdiction in the provincial government. Not only had this ill-fated people suffered all the evils incident to these revolutions, but they had experienced still liarder fate from the Indians. In the firsi war, the inhabitants made a highly cred- itable and successful defence ; but in the fore part of the second or king William's war, many were killed and the rest driven away by a merciless foe ; their plantations were laid waste j and for about thirty years, there was not found a white man dwelling in this ruined and forsaken Province. Such is a correct though faint portrait of western Sagadahock. Nay, ten years since, when ^earsT^Vio the surviving inhabitants or their descendents, assigns and assocU I^^ere^ll,^i7 ates began to re-settle it, they were presently threatened by the na- ^uccesr^'^* lives ; and ere they were able to construct fencible fortifications, or comfortable cottages, they saw the tomahawk again lifted over their heads ; and few of the families, though in the vicinity of Pemaquid (ort, could make themselves secure enough, to outlive the storm. Great courage and resolution have appeared in the jenterpriz,e of this people since the peace ; there being at this pe- riod, between Georgetown and Muscongus, about "150 fami- lies,"!— probably between 900 and 1,000 inhabitants, But their cup of afflictions was not yet full. There was intrigues of among intriguing politicians, a strong disposition, either to con- ^^^'^^ sider the territory an appendage of Nova Scotia, or an acquisition by conquest ; or by some finesse, to detach it from Massachusetts and have it erected into a charter Province, David Dunbar^ ^ native of Ireland, and a reduced colonel in the British service, was fitly calculated to figure in such an enterprize. He was out of business, proud and indigent. He first sought the birth of Bridger, surveyor of the king's woods. This would give him ^^ppointed immediate livelihood j and the appointment was obtained for him jj™;),^^^ by the recommendation of the Board of Trade, of which Colonel Bladen was an active member,-^a man who was never in love with puritans. Possessing very peculiar arts of address, Dun- bar made the ministry believe, that a large number of his pro- testant countrymen, and many German Palatinates also, were de- * Ante, chap. 22, 1686. t Commissioners'' Report-, A. D. 1811. — « One hundred and fifty families were settled in these towns at this early period. — A. D. 1730." 166 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1729. sirous of emigrating to this country ; and at length he obtained a (Jets an or- roval instruction and proclamation, by which the entire Province derforthe / : . . possession of of SagadahocK was given into his hands, and he directed to set* hocii. tie, superintend and govern it ; little more being required of him than to preserve 300,000 acres of the best pine and oak, for the use of the crown.* Ropaii" fort ^^'^ arrival in the spring of 1729, it was his first business William to secure the 2;ood-'will and co-operation of Philips, Governor of H^iiry find ° ^ ^ _ ^ .caW. \{ Fori Nova Scolia. He next put the fortification at Pemaquid in tol- erable repair, and changed the name from William Henry, to Fort Frederick,^ in compliment to the new Prince of Wales. Here he took up his residence and began his operations. Assist- ed as it would seem, by a surveyor from Nova Scotia, he laid out the territory between the rivers Sheepscot and Muscongus into three townships, to which he affixed the names of three em- Surveys inent noblemen ; viz, Townshend, [now Boothbay ;] Harring- ihips/"^" ^on, [the southern and greatest part of the present Bristol^] and Walpole. [now JVohleborovgk and the upper part of Bristol.'] Lars out At Pemaquid-point, near the sea, he laid out the plan of a City, ciiy lots, rp^ each setder or inhabitant he surveyed a city-lot of two acres, also 40 acres more, including his improvements, and afterwards an 100 acre lot, more remotely situated. f The residue of Har- rington and Walpole, he assigned to a couple of speculators, Montgomery and Campbell^ which on the death of the former accrued to his partner. The assurances of title, he gave the settlers, were leasehold-indentures, with the antiquated reservation of a " pepper corn" rent if demanded. Finding the people who resided northerly of Townshend, between Damariscotta and Sheepscot,*^ more backward in submitting to his claim and dicta- tion ; he threatened to punish their obstinacy by expelling them from their possessions. A D 1730 Inflated with successes, he determined in the spring to be His oilier thorough in his measures. As an encouragement to emigrants, jiicasurcs. ° . . he offered every one, who would setde in the Province, an hun- The business, " was forwarded by a royal instruction to Col. Philips, *' Governor of Nova Scotia, April 27, 1730, to take possession of the lands." —1 Douglass, p. 383. t Settlers drew for their lots. — Burn's testimony. \ See ante, Chap. 23d, A. D. 1692, and 1696. ( Now New-Cattle. Chap, v.] of MAINE. 167 dred acres of land, where he might choose; and promised to a.d. 1730. supply him with a year's provisions.* To invalidate and obscure the jurisdictional rights of Massachusetts, he procured, besides the king's instruction and proclamation, a royal order to the Gov- ernor of Nova-Scotia, for taking formal possession of the coun- try ; and to effectuate his plans and enforce obedience to his de- mands, he obtained from Annapolis or Canseau, thirty men besides an ofBcer, to man the fortress at Fort Frederick ;f pretending probably, that this, having long been considered the principal key to the Province, ought to be a public garrison. Dunbar conveyed lands at Damariscotta, to William Vaughan^ and gave him the benefit of the river ; and here he immediately " built two double saw-mills, and a grist-mill," and also made a farm. The descen- dents of settlers introduced into Townshend, by Rogfers and McCobb, under Dunbar, form " at the present time, most of the *' inhabitants of Boothbay."{ The news of Governor Burnet's death, excited in England a Arrival of momentary resentment towards the people and the Legislature of Belcher. Massachusetts ; and some thought it time to reduce them to ' a *more absolute dependence on the crown.' But the indignation soon subsided, in the question, ' who should be appointed succes- sor.' Mr. Jonathan Belcher, then in London, one of the agents of the Province, applied for the office with all his address, aided by his numerous and zealous friends. A native of Boston, the only son of a most opulent merchant there, a graduate of Harvard, and well acquainted with the temper and habits of his countrymen, he would have, it was urged, — -more influence than a stranger, to carry the favorite point of a permanent salary. There were several other considerations to be noticed in his favor. Besides a good mind, a graceful person and elegant man- ners, he had been a great traveller. Six years he had passed in Europe ; twice he had been at the court of Hanover, before the protestant succession commenced in that line ; and had received from the princess Sophia a valuable gold medal. He was aspir- * Roger'' s testimony, Re jp. p. 156. — "People who lived in garrison h^6. their separate farms in town."" — Fitch's testimony. t 2 Hutch. Hist. p. 339. I But afterwards, "many people of Boothbay took deeds under Doctor <* Sylvester Gardiner, who claimed under the Plyinouth company." — JV. McCobb^s U$limony, p. 167, 163 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. p. 1730. ing, openhearted, and sincere ; unsparing, it is true, in his cen- sures of foes, yet unchanging in his attachments to friends. He had a high sense of the honor which the commission would con-^ fer 'y tiud on the 8th of August, he arrived in Boston, the Gov- ernor of Massachusetts, New-Hampshire and Maine ; Mr. Wil- liam Tailer being now the second time appointed to fill the place of Mr. Dummer. Sppt g. The Governor met the two Houses, Sept. 9 ; and in his first speech. uddress, be told them, he was commanded by his royal master to press upon their consideration, the instruction for providing him a permanent support ; while he endeavored to mellow their sentiments to a requirement so manifestly dictated, (as he conceived) by the' qu« Slion re- most benign motives, and founded in principles of the purest reason and wisdonl. He applauded the judicious course pursued with the Indians, and strongly cautioned the General Court never ta neglect their fortifications ; — not concluding till he had declared his own determination, and reminded them of their mutual duty, i^oS? preserve the king's woods, as he called them " the nursery of the royal masts," from inroads and destruction. He also recom- mended a more w^atchful and vigorous execution of the laws against trespassers ; and subsequently* he issued a proclamationf for enforcing the statutes of parliament, passed to detect and pun- ish them. Grants lo To remunerate his past services, and defray the expenses of aor. ' his late journey, the General Court granted htm £1 ,000 currency f and also £1,000 sterling for his future support, leaving the question of salary entirely untouched. Nor was it believed the trespass-' laws needed sharpening. For within three or four years, they . had been so revised,! as to authorize a sentence of twenty stripes Acts against ' ' ^ trespasses upon the back of any one convicted of a trespass with the face and duel- ^ ... . , Jing. paintedj or disguised ; and also to direct convictions upon proba- ble circumstances, unless the defendant would " acquit himself upon oath." One of the first acts, the present Governor signed, was against duels ; premising that several had been fought, and enacting that the body of the party falling, and also the body of his antagonist, after execution, be buried without a cofBn, and * This was Oct. 9, 1730—13 Mass. Rec. p 171- ^ Came into Ibrcc August 7, 1727. Chap, v.] of maine. 169 have a stake driven through it, as a memento of the Crime.* A. D. mo. Numerous laws against crimes denote a bad state of society ; else surely they could not with good reason be enacted or multi- plied. In reviewing the lists of prior civil appointments, he persuad- Appoihf- ^ ed the Council, that when a new Governor takes the chair, all fice. civil commissions ought to be renewed. This had not been the usage ; and though it were probably his duty to make some removals, the advantage of the innovation would not be other- wise important, than to open a wider field to executive patronage. When engaged in settling the counties, and ere he had touched the incumbents in Yorkshire, he recommended to the Judges of the Inferior Court or Common Pleas, a gentleman for the clerk- ship, whom he was desirous to assist ; the law vesting in them the power of appointment. But considering this an improper in- terference, and knowing the incumbent to be a faithful and mer- itorious officer, they were unwilling to make the change, The repulse gave him displeasure ; and he let them know, that though he could not put a clerk into office, he could a whole bench s and . , < ^ _ ^ _ ^ Judsi^es Iff he therefore appointed as the Judges, William Pepperell, jr. Court^Conf Samuel Came^ Timothy Gerrish^ and Joseph Moody ; through Yorkshk-e/ whom he found no difficulty in bringing his favorite into plaCe.f A due regard to rights is the only principle of policy, which can £)unbar's render any political measures acceptable. Dunbar had from the ^^^^^J^^^ first presumed to act with so much vigor, and so little fespect for justice, that his management was already exciting universal com- plaint. Regardless, either of ancient grants, deeds, or actual possessions, he resolved to bear down all opposition, and make in his own name, any conveyances which could bring him money. Claimants of all descriptions being thus disturbed, spread their grievances before the General Court. The proprie- ^^^Pg^^j,"^^ tors of the Pemaquid patent, or the Drown right" complained, that Dunbar had * intruded upon their lands — ^and with force and * arms, was holding them out of possession ; — praying for relief * This revised the first one ever passed on the subject of diiels^viz. A* D. 1719. f2 Hatch. Hist. p. 336. — Two of the Judges, however, did not come into office till 1731. At this time the smallpox raged extensively; and an Act was passed authorizing Courts to adjourn to towns not infected.-*' Prov. Law, p. 486-7. Vol. IL 22 170 THE HISTORY [VoL. ir^ Ai D. 1730. * and protection,' Christopher Tappan represented himself to be the owner of several large tracts, " at Damariscotta and ad- joining Sheepscot," which had been settled and improved a se- ries of years, till the inhabitants were killed or driven away by the savages ; and which had been lately repossessed by returning settlers, happy at their homes, till plunged into perplexities by the demands of Dunbar. Many others presented their memori- als to the Legislature, which were filled with similar representa- tions. Particularly, Joseph Roberts, Samuel Whittemore, and Jonathan Loring, living in the vicinity of Sheepscot river, stated, that Dunbar came "with an armed force, turned them from " their lands, seized their timber, burnt and destroyed their " houses," and even ' threatened to throw them into confine- *ment ^' — ^beseeching government to resume jurisdiction of this troubled Province, and speedily effectuate the tyrant*s removal.* AiD. 1731; In the winter session, these memorials were all referred to Committee's able Committee of both Houses, of whom Mr. Dudley was report ' against himi chairman ; and they, on the 27th of January,f made Report , — * That the lands mentioned in the petitions. — and likewise the * whole territory between Kennebeck and Nova Scotia, were * within the royal charter, granted to us about forty years since, * by our sovereigns William and Mary of blessed memory, and * have ever been from that time to the present under the care * and authority, and within the jurisdiction, of our provincial gov- * eminent : That the Legislature have from time to time, espe- * cially in the last war, sent military forces into those parts to de- * fend and secure them from the iricursions of the Indians, and * otherwise been put to great expense in treating and trading with * them, and making tliem presents : That laws have been made * to extend the county of York, and the administration of justice * over the whole Province — to detect and punish trespasses com- * mitted within it — and to assist the king's surveyor in the pro- * tection of the royal woods : — That the memorialists, the pro- * prietors and settlers of that oKintry, have with others, formed * several associations, manifested strong desires, and made great * 14 Mass. Rec. p. 234-6. f Query, if this Report was not in fact made a year later?— 5ec 14 Jilass. /lec. p. 237. — Yet how could it be so, if the Report of the Solicitor and Attorney General was afterwards, in Aiig-ust, 1731 ? — General Court Jour- nal, 1731-2, p. 87.-2 Belh: .V. If. p. Sl-2.—Sullivany p. 393. Chap, v.] of maine. 171 * exertions, to enlarge the settlements, *' and build" up towns " in a A.D. 1731. * regular and defensible manner having transported thither ma- * terials for building, and necessaries for upholding life, and also * hired laborers into their service : — That their predecessors in * former years, had expended " vast sums of money" in bringing * the lands into a state of cultivation, in constructing habitations, * and making improvements ; and, moreover, " great numbers" « had lost their lives in defence of their homes and estates : — * That Colonel Dunbar, appearing among them, declared he had * powers and directions from the Crown, to dispose of all the * lands lying eastward of Kennebeck river, upon conditions he * said, he well understood, and no person should settle there * otherwise than under him : That though he refused to exhibit * his commission, or an exemplification of it, he entered among * the inhabitants with a number of armed men, and required, nay, * even compelled them to take deeds of him, or quit their pos- * sessions : And that the government of the Province were in * duty bound to interpose in favor of the petitioners and other * similar sufferers, to lay their complaints, the facts, and documents ' before the Lords of Trade, and obtain, if possible, ihe opinions of * the Solicitor and Attorney Generals of England upon the gub- Dunbar ap. About this time, Dunbar, principally through the influence of Goverior^ot his friend Col. Braden, who bore no good-will to Gov. Belcher, shir^^"'''' appointed Lieutenant-Governor of New-Hampshire ;|| and proceeding immediately to Portsmouth, entered upon the trust. The Governor perceived the advantage his enemies would derive, by placing such a man second to him in the executive department oi that government j and he made all the efforts in his power to effect his removal. But the numerous letters he sent home, writ- ten with great spirit and freedom, and representing the character of his adversary in the worst light, rather in effect, induced the ♦Sullivan, p. 389. — 1 Doug. Siimm. p. 3S5. 1 1 Dong. Stimm. p. 371. — He says it was the Sheepscot pufcljasc, or ♦* Nag-wasack" or Nequ.isset, bought Nov. 1, 1639, and lying- between Sag-: adahock and Sheepscot. I It seems, that one Christopher Lawson, left Ejfeter, N. H., with F^ev, John Wheelwright, in 1643 — 4 ; that in 1649, he procured an Indian deed of lands, limited north, by the north line of {he present WooUyich { that in 1653, Lawsoa assigned a part or all of his purchase to I'homas Clark and Thomas Lake, (killed in 1676) { and that his son, kindred, heir or assignee j Sir Biby Lake, was still interested. 5 Commissioners' Report, A, D. 1811, p, 25. || 2 Belkoap's N. H. p. 91, Chap, t,] of Maine. 173 ministry to keep him in place, possibly as a check upon the Gov- A. D. 1731. ernor, and as the best means of preserving a balance of parties. Difficulties ' 1 r ' between Joining the opposition, Dunbar had the pleasure of eeeine a com- him and X, . T^,, 1- Ti /.r Eelcher. plaint drawn up, July 10, agamst Belcher, and signed by niteen persons, alleging that his government was grievous, and arbitra- ry, and praying the king to remove him. This was counteracted by an address, subscribed by an hundred names ; and in the sequel, they neutralised each other, and nothing wa,s accom' plished. The power and emoluments of Dunbar in New-Hampshire, Uunbar'» were exceedingly limited ; for the Governor, though residing in his other Province, considered himself virtually present in New» Hampsliire ; and therefore the Lieutenant-Governor had no right to the third part of the Governor's salary, as stipulated by law, when he was abroad or the chair vacant; nor had he any other authority or command, than by the Governor's orders. But Dun-^ bar had a salary of £200 sterling, as surveyor-general of the woods ; and a moiety of the forfeitures and perquisites, usually amounting by the year, to £100; which sum was divided be-' Jween him and his deputies. He was a lover of money, and he Deeded it, for he was in debt on both sides of the Atlantic, By the statutes passed for the preservation of the royal woods, the surveyor was empowered to seize all logs cut from white pine trees without license ; and it rested on the claimant to prove his property in the court of Admiralty. Dunbar attended by hia servants went to the saw-mills, where he seized uxid marked large quantities of lumber, and with airs of vainglory plumed by a Jittle brief authority, he abused the people and threatened them with prosecutions for the penalties, they had incurred. But this class of men was not easily intimidated by high words; nor would they very readily shrink from a ' trial by battle,' or by ^ swamp^ law,' which seemed to rest much upon the same principles. In this way, he sometimes suffered in his person ; yet he made his office on the whole a profitable one. Also the lease-hold schemes and other enterprizes still prosecuted by him in Sagadahock, brought him some money. When the complaints, preferred against him, came with the Submissioji documents before the Board of Trade, they directed the agent of [foversy"*' Massachusetts* to state in writing, the Claim of that Propince, * This was Francis Wilkes, 174 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1731. which when done, was with the papers submitted to the considera- tion of the king's Attorney and Solicitor-Generals, in the form of these two queries ; — 1. " Whether the inhabitants of Massachusetts-bay, if they ever *' had any right to the government of the tract of land lying be- " tween St. Croix and Kennebeck, have not, by their neglect and even refusal to defend it, take care of it, and improve it, forfeited their supposed right to the government ; and what " claim they had under their charter, and now have to the lands. 2. " Whether by the tracts being conquered by the French, " and afterwards reconquered by Gen. Nicholson in the late " Queen's time, and yielded up by France to Great Britain by *' the treaty of Utrecht, that part of the charter relating thereto, " became vacated ; and whether the government of that tract " and the lands thereof are not absolutely revested in the crown ; " and whether the crown has not thereby sufficient power to ap- " point Governors, and assign lands to such families as shall be " desirous to settle there." tieport of learned referees heard council, both in behalf of the crown, auorney'^ and also of the province and the proprietors, — and, August 1 1th, ;»nd solicitor 1731, they, made their Report : — That the territory, between the rivers Kennebeck and St. Croix, was granted to the inhabitants of Massachusetts-bay by a royal charter to them, and they had the sole right to govern it ; that they have heretofore erected a fort there, which cost them £20,000 and have otherwise expended therein £80,000, yet have at no time so refused or neglected to defend it or its inhabitants, as to incur a forfeiture either of the soil* or the jurisdiction ; that the conquest by- the French, ac- cording to the laws of nations, only suspended, never annulled any rights of the crown, or of the Provincials — and upon its being reconquered by Nicholson, all the ancient rights, both of the Province and of individuals, being British subjects, immedi- ately revived and reverted to them by postliminy ; that the char- ter still remained in full force and validity in relation to that whole part of the Province ; and that the crown had not the power either to appoint a Governor over it, or to make assignments of any lands • Yet it must be remembered, that " no grant of land within the territo- ry actually made by the General Court, could be valid, * till approved by * the crown.' — Prov. charter^ p.. 34 — 5. — 1 Dovg. Summ. p. 303. Chap, r.] of Maine. I75 within it.* — ^Yet this report, though accepted by the king in coun- A; D. I73i. cil, seems not to have been made the ground of any efficient measures towards the removal of Dunbar, till the next year.f The subject of the boundary line, on both the northerly and A. D. 1732, southerly sides of New-Hampshire, being in itself of considera- The dis- ble importance, was seized upon by the political antagonists of ihVbo^»tuia- the day, and made to increase party heat to an uncommon de- S^^Hamp-"* gree. It was not only under discussion before the Lords of jJa'^^^^J^ Trade, where the several claims were urged with great zeal and spirit ; but the parties in the Provinces were on all occasions vilifying and abusing each other, in their language, in their measures, and in their letters to England. On the one side, Belcher incessant- ly represented Dunbar, as the fomenter of opposition, false, per- fidious, malicious and revengeful ; doing no service to the Crown nor to the Governor — a plague to the Provinces, and a deceiver- of the people. Nor was he unsparing in his reflections towards any of his opposers. — On the other side, Belcher's foes repre*- sented him as blind and unfriendly to the royal interest ; evading the settlement of the lines ; partial to Massachusetts, where his estate, valuable and large, was all situated ; and conniving at insub- ordination in the eastern Provinces, and the destruction of the king's timber. J At the court of elections in 1732, the Governor in his speech june 1. presented another subject. — " I have lately, he stated, received ^eecbl*"^'* '* many messages from the several tribes of the eastern Indians, " desiring to see me in those parts — to renew and strengthen the present friendship between this Province and them ; and as there will, sometime in July, be the greatest number of them ** together, I shall be pleased with the company of gentlemen " from both Houses, when I shall visit them at Casco." The proposition was considered judicious; and the Legislature pro- vided for him a guard of sixty men, put £500 at his disposal, which, it was intended, should be distributed as presents among the tribes ; and afforded him every facility for his journey. At- tended thither by a large retinue, in which were gentlemen of the first respectability, he met a great number of the Indians, July July 20. 20th, on the peninsula, when he distributed presents, conferred * See this Report entire,— I vol. Jour, of the General Court, Jan 7, 1731 -2, p. 87-103. t Sullivan, p. 391.— 2 Hutch. Hist. p. 340. t 2 Belk. N. H. p. 85. 176 THE HISTORY- [VoL. U. A. D. 1732. with the Sagamoi*es, and received from them assurances of their He meeis wishes to scc the treaty preserved inviolate. Happy in being at Fal- able to inform them of a " Society for promoting christian knowl- edge," formed in Scotland, he told them, that three of their missionaries were intended for this Province ; and the General Court had voted to give each of them an annual salary of £100, provided, they would officiate as chaplains of the garrisons at Fort Richmond, the fort on St. George's river, and that at North- field, in Massachusetts,* and also become instructers to the tribes ; it being believed by many people, such a course would be pro- motive of mutual good-will and lasting friendship* 5"^'- ^ After the close of the interview, the Governor visited the rivers His view ol ' counrry'^'^" ^^^^S^^j Kcnnebeck, and Saco, and the intervening parts ^ and in a subsequent address to the Legislature, he says, — ^ It gave * me surprising pleasure to see so large a part of this Province ' accommodated with fine rivers and harbors — islands and main * --^capable of many and great improvements. The three rivers- ' mentioned are bordered with fine lands, full of timber and * woods ; and 1 cannot but think this country will in time, be * equal in every thing to any part of New-England. Certainly it ' is well worthy of all the support and assistance, this government ' can possibly render, to bring forward the setdement thereof. — ' * The several forts,' he adds, ' at St. Georges, Kennebeck, and ' Winter-Harbor, are dropping down and ought to be rebuilt and * enlarged—as good stone and lime are plenty in that country. * Fort Richmond, it rendered defensible, is so situated as to com- * mand the waters of the Kennebeck river ; and Saco fort, being * quite limited, ought to be removed four or five miles up the river, * and established at the Great Falls. Nay, if some ingenious- * surveyors were also employed to delineate a map of the Eastern * Province, well describing the towns, rivers, and roads, I should * think its cost, a judicious expense.' Royal order About this time, news arrived, that through the persevering ex- bar's remo- ertion» of Mr. Wilkes, the agent of Massachusetts, and of Mr* Waldo, the "indefatigable agent" of the proprietors, as Douglass- calls him, a Royal Instruction was obtained, August 10th, 1732^ by which the commission and authority given to Dunbar, and the order to Governor Philips were revoked ; and the detaeh- * 14 Mass. Rec. 254, 290. Chap, v.] of Maine. 177 ment sent to keep a garrison at Fort Frederick, recalled.* This a. d. 1732. was highly gratifying to Governor Belcher and his friends ; — and no less to the inhabitants and land-proprietors within that terri- tory, all esteeming it a just occasion of mutual congratulation and triumph. In April following, the Governor stated to the General Court, A. D.^1733. that Col. Dunbar, in conformity to his Majesty's orders, was about His depar- removing his effects from the fort and vicinity of Pemaquid ; that the fort ought to be made defensible for the king's honor, and the safety of those parts, — in return for his great goodness shewn to the Province in effecting Dunbar's removal so speed- ily and entirely, according to the solicitations of the Legisla- ture, and interested individuals ; and that should any soldiers be ordered thither by us, they might be accommodated with house- room, even within the walls of the fort. The subject, he adds, is Proieciion 1 . . , 1 . , of Sagada- important ; and it is the king s ' royal pleasure, as he has express- hock recom- 'ly declared, that the Province and every particular proprietor of * the lands there, should quietly enjoy their just and lawful rights; * there being a great number of his good subjects on those lands, * in very difficult circumstances, through want of protection from * the government, for which they have made earnest supplica- * tion to me ; and I pray you to leave no longer the fort neglected, * nor that people distressed and desolate.' Listening with great interest and concern to these representa- Aof^ust 25. tions, the General Court resolved, Aug. 25, that the people of seuf re- the Sagadahock territory, be protected and treated with the same dSVof kindness and care, as if they were inhabitants within any other part of the Province ; also that the same law and justice be ad- ministered to them, through the medium of the Courts in York- shire, of which they were a constituent part. Afterwards, Nov. 6, fort Mary at Winter-Harbor, was dismantled by order of gov- ernment ; and the officers, soldiers, artillery and stores, removed to Fort Frederick, where a garrison was kept, about four years. f To finish our memoirs of Dunbar : — It seems that he resided nimiiar's at Pemaquid, or in that vicinity about two years, J after his jui is- I'.us"" dictional authority within the territory was revoked. As Lieu- tenant-Governor of New-Hampshire, under Belcher, he had no * 1 Doug. Summ. p. 383-5.-2 Hutch. Hist. p. 340. t 14 Mass. Rec. p. 351, 399, 440. \ 2 Belk. N. H. p. 88. Vol. XL 23 178 THE HISTORY [VoL. II A. D. 1733. seat in the Council of that Province, no emoluments of office, few adherents, and little to do with the government. Therefore he preferred a residence, amidst friends introduced by him into that neighborhood, and at a place central and convenient for the discharge of his official trust as surveyor of the royal woods. Besides, he was the possessor of lands in that vicinity, either by purchase, or by appropriating them to himself, before the recall of his commission ; where he was making large improvements. Upon Belvid era-point, at the head of the bay in Walpole, he built a commodious dwellinghouse and a stable, and surrounded them with a farm and good accommodations ; — a habitation which he also beautified by a contiguous, well-cultivated and tasteful A.D. 1734. garden. These, when he removed to Portsmouth, in 1734, he to Pons- left in the care of Rev. Mr. Rutherford ; and afterwards sold them to David Allen.* On his leaving Sagadahock, the prin- ciples of duty and truth require us to state, that though unpopu- lar, he was a man of activity, enterprize and spirit. He repaired the fort and built barracks, for which the General Court refused to make him the least remuneration ; and he was the means of introducing no small number of valuable inhabitants into this Province. Caressed in New-Hampshire by the party in oppo- sition to Belcher, and supposing after three years, he had friends and influence sufficient to obtain a commission for the government Returns to of that Province, he went, in 1737, to England. Here he was England. , , ^ arrested by his old creditors and thrown into prison. Liberated, he renewed his suit for the office, and zealously urged it several years ; till at length despairing of success, he was prevailed upon, in 1743, for £2,000 sterling, to resign his surveyorship of the woods, when he was appointed by the East India Company, Gov- ernor of St. Helena. f * Commissioners' Report, 1811, p. 163-8. | 2 Belk. N. H. p. 93-145. Chap, vi.] OF MAINE 179 CHAPTER VI. New settlements — The terms — Offers to soldiers — Four new town- ships granted — Narraganset No. 1 , and 7, New Marblehead, and Phillipstown — Grants to individuals— Proprieties — Indians jeal- ous— Trespasses — Salary question put to rest — Paper money — Falmouth made a shire town — New valuation — Population of Maine — Throat distemper — New-Gloucester — Canada townships — Trade and Commerce — Views of rights to the woods — Natives complain of encroachments at the river St. Georges — Legislative measures against Waldo — Indians satisfied — Forts reduced — Brunswick incorporated — Duke of Hamilton's claim asserted — defeated — A great scarcity of provisions. To settle a country with good inhabitants, is a work equally a. D. 17S3. difficult and important. For while men of affluence and unblem- The fim ished lives, seldom leave their homes for a wilderness, without Jowm.' '''^ reluctance ; those in more disagreeable circumstances are not un- frequently influenced by other and stronger inducements to re- move ; — and primary qualities are oftentimes given to the char- acter of a town by the first settlers, which the current of an age will hardly change. So whether they be friends to education and virtue, — or the sons of idleness, ignorance and vice, — usually their descen dents reflect their moral image, as they themselves naturally attract accessions from a like class, or a similar grade of people. — Among the men, who settle or go to dwell in new townships, there are those of industry and moral worth, emulous to make provision in early life for rising families and the infirmities of age; likewise others who are subtle speculators, resolved in any event to improve their fortunes ; while there are some, who being either culprits, or bankrupts, are mere fugitives from justice or from debts. Fully sensible as the Province appeared to be, that when the pje^ town- better classes lay the foundations and build the economy of so- *'"P** ciety, it more generally flourishes, and the whole community is thereby strengthened as well in war as peace, the government seized upon th8 occasion— —professing strong intentions and wishes 180 THE HISTORY [VoL. 11. A.D. 1733. to favor settlements, begun and formed by such a people. For six years* it had been, at intervals, a subject of the legislative enquiry — what methods would be the best ' for planting several ' JVew Townships.^ Hence the Governor, in view of the object, took notice of the profound peace ' abroad, and the settled tran- * qnillity of the [ndian tribes at home, and recommended surveys * and appropriations for settlers;' while the Legislature, in reply, expressed belief, that many men of industry and virtuous habits, unable, since " the great increase of his Majesty's good subjects," to obtain lands on encouraging terms, had removed in 'large numbers' to other * colonies ;'f and therefore resuming the sub- ject, April 20, they ordered a new township to be surveyed six miles square, and located on the easterly side of Salmon Fall river, above Berwick, agreeably to the committee's report the preceding year. The lots were ready for assignment in October ; and the ^LeT>mio!*.j plantation was long known by its Indian name, Tow-wohy now Lebanon.'^ General In coosequencc of the frequent wars with the natives, the gov- leuieinoui f^J'nment was sedulous to have all new settlements compact and defensible ; and as the general terms, conditions and require- ments, prescribed in the location of this town, form a leading case to which subsequent grants with a few alterations refer; the par- ticulars are here stated : — In general, about CO lots of 100 acres, severally, were surveyed and offered to as many settlers, — each one engaging to take actual possession, and within three yearsy to clear from five to eight acres fit for mowing and tillage ; also to build a dwellinghouse at least 18 feet square, and 1 feet posts. Collectively, they were also required, within five, or six years, to build a meeting-house ; settle a learned orthodox [^or Protestant'] minister ; and make provision for his comfortable support. Like- wise in the allotments and appropriations of this and other new townships, there were usually reserved three lots for public uses, namely, the ministry, schools and the first settled minister -to tvhich there was, at a subsequent period, added another reserva- tion of a lot for the future disposition of government.'^, * Ante, A. D. 1727. t 14 Mass. Rec. p. 367-8. I Post, A. D. 1767.— Lebanon was incorporated that year. It is a g-ood township of land, and well situated for lumbering"; 'is it bordered on the river several miles. \ Compare the coaditions prescribed, A. 1>, 1733, — in 14 Mcut, Rec, p. Chap. vi.J of maink. 181 Next the services and claims of the brave officers and sol- a. d, 1733. diers, so often mentioned, who had fought the battles of their ^^^1^^,^?^^.^ country, came before the General Court. There were 840 men, ^"'^ ^^'''•^ belonging to Massachusetts, who took arms in the ' Narraganset expedition,' as it was called, against king Philip's forces ; whose names and places of abode were reported by a legislative com- mittee ; distinguishing the few survivors from those deceased. To make distinctions would be an invidious, ungracious task ; therefore the General Court resolved to make equal provision for them all — or their heirs ; and ordered seven* new townships, six miles square, to be laid out and offered to them gratuitously for settlement. In the division, there would be 120 rights, or shares, of 1 75 acres each in every township, besides public lots. The bounties conferred and grants appropriated, were to be per- fected whenever associates, to the number of sixty, would unite and actually settle a township, according to the ' General Terms.' Five of these townships were laid out in Massachusetts, ^^'a^ragan- ' set No. oue and two in Maine ; — one was called " JVarrasranset JVumber seven, ' ° or buxton One," [now Buxton'] ; the other, " JVarraganset JVumber Seven" ^^^^ Gor- [now Gorham]. Encouraged by the liberality of the Legislature, numerous peti- A. D. 1734. tioners, the next year, applied for bestowments of the public boun- ty. The representatives from Marblehead, stated, that their towns- men were ' straightened in their accommodations,' and were de- sirous to settle a new town in Maine, if they could obtain a grant. Hence, a township of 25,600 acres was surveyed to them, the next spring, on the eastern bank of the river Presumpscot ; wherein 63 compact ten acre-lots were laid out to as many set-^ tiers, and subsequently to each one a lot of 120 acres. This^^JJ^"^*^'^ plantation, called " JVew-J\larblehead" [now Windham'] had not Windham, a rapid growth ; for five years elapsed before the inhabitants put mills in operation, or began a meeting-house. Being then dis- turbed by the Indians, they erected a large block-house, whither they and their families might retire for safety, and defend them- selves, with the aid of two swivels furnished them by the pro- 269-281-367-8 ; with Resolves E. Lands, JJarchy 1785, p. 27-30 —At first, bonds of £20 were required of the settlers for performance of terms ; but they were of no use — they were never sued. — See 1 Doug. Summ. p. 514. * JVinc, were in fact granted — but only seven taken. 182 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1734 prietors. Another tract, adjoining Berwick and Tow-woh, was t^wn "or ^^^^ about the same time and upon the general terms, to Sandford. other associates, and afterward called ' Phillipstowrij^ now the town of Sandford.* Grants to In the present ^ood mood of the General Court, individuals were equally successful in their applications. Samuel Jordan of Biddeford and Christopher Baker, who had been a long time captives in Canada ;f Richard Cutis of Kittery, who was shot ten years before and lay twelve months sick of his wounds; Ruth Lee — who had lost her husband in the attack upon Port- Royal ; the children of Major Converse, who had lost their father in the third Indian war ; and Richard Tozier of Berwick, who had been a great sufferer by the savages ; — all of these and a great number of others had lots from 150 to 200 acres given them, which they had a right to select from any of the unappro- priated lands in Maine. Any persons severely wounded, — ^be- reaved of husband or father, — made criples or captives — were, upon request, sure of receiving the legislative bounty. Nay, there were instances, where gratuities were made in consideration of services rendered between forty and fifty years before ; and some of the poor were supported through the year, from the public lunds.J At length, the officers and soldiers in the Cana- da expedition, of 1690, preferred their memorials, which were committed for consideration ; and the second year, their requests were also granted. § All these grants were obtained through " the Committee of Lands ;" whose report was at this period, and in these instances, considered a sufficient reason for a legislative Proprieties ^^^^"^ grant. At first the new townships were managed as formed. u proprieties''^ or corporate tenancies in common ; and several acts were passed for calling proprietors' meetings ; regulating their officers ; enforcing their votes ; and collecting assessments. But these movements in the old Province of Maine, and some * See Sandford, A. D. 1768, post— incorporated. I Baker was a prisoner 25 years : and allowed 500 acres. \2 Resolves of General Court, A. D. 1734, p. 51-83. Perhaps this was the origin of fitate paupers. \ The men who were at the heads of these petitions were, Isaac Little, Wm. Rand ; Samuel Greaves ; Samuel Wright; Nathaniel Bowman ; Sam- uel Pool; Ebenezer Hunt; Stephen Hall; and Joseph Sylvester, and others. Chap, vi.] of Maine. 183 of a similar character in that of Sagadahock, especially upon the a.d. 1734. river St. Georges, began to disturb the Indians ; and their dis- J^me jell-" contents once excited, were always aggravated, whenever they""^. had access to ardent spirits. For though they might fawn upon the man at the time, with a profusion of thanks, who would put the cup to their thirsty lips, they would, if they had opportunity, surely abuse him, while they were under the influence of the in- toxicating draught ; and when sober, they were apt to be jealous of some possible imposition, and as often meditated revenge for suspected as real frauds, practised upon them during the sus- pension of their reason. Nor would they confine their traffic with the white people, entirely to the truck houses. Greedy or travelling traders, visiting the new settlements, wickedly courted a barter with them ; having regard only to their own pecuniary gains and immediate emoluments. The Governor was moved upon this fearful subject — and he stated to the General Court, that by the "frequent complaints received from the frontiers, *' great abuses were committed on our Indian neighbors, by in- " toxicating them with excessive quantities of rum :" — and ad- ded, * if there be not a speedy check given to this growing wick- * edness, what good can result from all the sums expended by * the government for their benefit, or by the Scottish society for * their instruction ?* — Reminding them also of the war lately * entered into by several of the European princes, and the great * preparations making for extensive campaigns,' he told them, May 31, ' it was their duty to look into the state of the Province, * and put it into a good posture of defence in case it should un- * fortunately be again visited with the scourge of war.' By the extension and increase of settlements, more convenient Governor's avenues were opened to the king's woods. Hence the Governor, jjl'^^st tres- when informed of the recent trespasses committed, issued a new P***^"- proclamation, declaring that all the laws of Parliament, and of the General Court, made to punish that class of offenders, would be carried into rigorous execution. He went so far afterwards, as to threaten the Province with his Majesty's indignation, if the forest-trees of his royal domains were not better preserved. To the salary question, which had so often and so highly agi- * The Society bad a missionary upon tlie eastern frontiers. — 1 Dou^. Summ. p. 231, ]84 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.D. 1734. tated the people and their representatives, his wisdom and good question put ^^'^^g®'^^"^ gave a most favorable turn ; having prevailed with 1 to rest. the king to relax his instruction, so far as to permit the incumbent Governor to accept what sums the Legislature might grant him : Paper men- and here the unhappy controversy rested. But paper money, or ey coHSider- . . ed, bills of credit, was a subject, about which he had not the ad- dress or abilities to bring the General Court into his views. The time set was now only seven years — when all which had been issued would fall due ; and any made payable at a remoter day, was expressly forbidden. These bills, like lava, overflowed the country ; nor was there a government in New-England that did not send out a full share of them.* " Massachusetts treasury, " which had been long shut, was opened, and the debts of two "or three years were all paid, at the same time, in this- kind of " paper ;"f which was made by law a tender in payment of all debts. Still they were in effect like coin of base metal, less than one part fine to two of alloy; for 10 Spanish-mill'd dol- lars— were now worth and would bring about £10 of the bills.J As they were constantly depreciating, the holder would pass them, and hoard up his silver and gold, or send it abroad ; and cash or precious metals became articles of merchandize, of which there was a great scarcity. Nothing could be more diffi- cult, nay, it was impossible, to graduate justly the price of labor and breadstufFs to this deceptive currency ; and without some unchanging standard, there is no safety either in barter or trade ; — no man can know the worth or value of his property, much less that of his debts or dues. The faith of the Province was, it is true, pledged to pay the bills agreeably to the nominal amount upon their face ; — ^but inability, owing to expensive wars, was a plausible apology or plea for not redeeming them. The Cover- ^n excursion into the eastern Provinces this summer, the the Eastern Govcrnor visitcd Passamaquoddy, Machias, Pemaquid, Damaris- country. ^^q^^ Sheepscot. At Pemaquid he had a talk with several Indians, whom he treated with great courtesy ; and from whom he received fresh assurances of their wishes for a continued * 1 Doug. Summ. p. 528. ^ 2 Hutch. IJisl. p. Ml.— The loan to York county was £100,000.-2 Resolves, printed July, 1735. J Governor's Speech, May, 1734.— He says 16*. of these bills will not pur- chase 6*. of lawful money. Chap, vi.] of Maine. 186 peace; though there were traders on the frontiers, who had A. D. 1734. given some offence. In his interview with the inhabitants of these parts, they were able to confer with mutual satisfaction and interest upon Dunbar's recall, for they had all viewed his agency, as a public annoyance. At the next Court of Elections, the Legislature, June 10, ap- a.D. 1735 pointed, for the first time, the Inferior Court, or Common Pleas, Falmouth and Sessions of the Peace, to be holden alternately, in January "alf-sbte and October, at York and Falmouth. The Judges were Samu- "^'^^ EL Came, Timothy Gerrish, Joseph Moody and Jeremiah MouLTON : — The Sheriff, John Leighton ; the County Treas- urer, Daniel Simpson; the Collector of the excise, Joseph Hill, of Wells ; and the Notary-Public, Richard Cutis, jr. of Kittery. This year, a new valuation of all the taxable property, and Anew vala -enumeration of all the male inhabitants, sixteen years old and upwards, within the Province, were taken and completed, for the purpose of apportioning the public assessments upon the several towns. As it may be gratifying to have a view of the proportions of £1,000, set to the several counties in the Province,* and to the several towns in Yorkshire, they are sub- jomed. To York, £ 814*. 09flf. Kittery, 11 06 04 Berwick, 5 17 08 Wells, 4 19 00 Falmouth, 6 12 09 Biddeford, 2 04 03 Arundel, 2 01 03 Scarborough, 4 02 1 0 North-Yarmouth, 1 09 04 £ 46 07 02. * (bounties Suflfolk, 17 towns, £ 262 02*. 06dt. tax* a Essex, 19 «( " 200 13 02 (« Middlesex, 31 «( « 146 10 10 (i Hampshire, 13 t( " 54 12 07 <( Worcester, 17 «« « 62 00 03 t« Plymouth, 13 «( « 76 13 07 4( Bristol, 15 <( « 89 00 08 it Barnstable, 9 (« « 49 10 03 «( Dukes, 3 « 11 15 00 <( Nantucket, 1 « « 10 14 GO i* York, 9 « « 46 07 02 Vol. 11. 24 147 £ 1,000 00 00 tax. 186 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1735. By this it is perceived, that no place within the territory of No plants- Sagadahock, not even Georgetown^ is embraced in the valuation j and all the plantations in the old Province of Maine are omit- ted. Indeed the unincorporated townships, settlements and pro- prieties, were not at this period, required to bear any of the pub- lic pecuniary burthens. From the census of the taxable polls,* the population of the whole Province, was estimated to be about 142,000 souls ; of which, that of Maine, in the nine towns men- tioned, calculated by a rule of proportion, would be about seven p J ^. thousand. If there be added to these, the probable number in in'Safne" Georgetown, and in all the unincorporated places, within the limits of the present State of Maine, the aggregate would evi- dently be at the present time, (1735,) about 9,000 souls.f distemper^ Encouraging as this view of our population appears, it is pain- ful to trace the ravages, and note the fatal effects of a disease, which in its course swept from Maine about 500 of its inhabi- tants. This was called the Throat Distemper, It first made its appearance at Kingston, New-Hampshire, in May, and grad- ually spread through New-England. J It was very mortal, espe- cially among children. In Maine it spread and raged at inter- vals more than three years. Its general appearance was — a swollen throat with ash coloured specks — an efflorescence on the skin — distress in the head — great debility of body, — and a strong According- to 2 Holtnet^ A. Ann. p. 129, the population of the towns in the whole Province, A. D. 1731, was 120,000, English inhabitants. He quotes Political Tracts — and Anderson iii, p. 172. — But the estimation is too low* -^See ante^ vol, II, p. 37, note f. ♦ There were 35,427 taxable polls in the whole Province : — The Negroes were 2,600 ; — Horse kind, 3 years old and upwards, 27,420 ; — Neat cattle, 52,000 Sheep, 130,000.-1 Doug, p. 531.— In 1742, there were 41,000 males, 16 years of age and upwards, in the whole Province. I Within the nine towns of Maine, 7,000 souls. In the plantations, and new townships, Brunswick, Tops* ham, Harpswell, Tow-woh, Narraganset Nos. 1 and 7, New-Marblehead, and PhilHpstown, (by estimation,) 600 Within Sagadahock, embracing Georgetown, Sheepscot, Damariscotta, Townshend, Harrington, Walpole, Broad Bay, and St. Georges* river, [ante, A. D, 1729,] 1,600 9,000. Douglass [vol, 1, p. 384,] says, there were in Sagadahock territory, A. D. 1744, 370 feasible men. t ^ Holmes' A. An. p. 141. CbaP. VI.] OF MAINE. 187 tendency to putrefaction. Parents trembled at its approach, for A.D. 1735. children when seized, were sick only a very short time, before death. Six, and sometimes more, were taken from single fami- lies ; several buried three or four in a day ; and there were many parents who lost their all. In the single town of Kittery, 122 died of the distemper ; and having entered Arundel, it car- ried off great numbers both of young people and children.* It proved so fatal and alarming, that a solemn fast was kept, Oct. 31, to invoke relief from Almighty God. The next year it was neither so general nor so mortal. However, in January, 1737, it broke out afresh in York and Wells, and laid numbers in their graves. About 75 died in North-Yarmouth ; 49 in Fal- mouth ; and 26 in Purpooduck. So deadly was it in Scarbo- rough, for instance, that not a single one survived the attack j and at Saco and Presumpscot Falls, it seemed, the next year, to riot on human life, baffling alike all medicine, skill and exertions. It raged at all seasons of the year j being in general the most mor- tal, where blood-letting and cathartics were practiced. In other respects, this eastern country was exhibiting proofs of ^ d. iiXk considerable prosperity, and the inhabitants appeared to be con- tented. Applications lor new townships were pressed or re^ newed ;f and on the 27th of May, one of usual size was granted to the town of Gloucester in Massachusetts -from which cir- cumstance, it acquired and has retained the name JSew-GloU" ncw-gIou- cester,^^ It was immediately settled by inhabitants from the pa- ^estergram rent town, who built, about the same time on the beautiful declivi- ties of * Harris Hill,' a dozen log-houses, and also erected a mill on RoyalPs river. The settlement increased, till interrupted by the Indians. Nine townships were granted to the officers and soldiers sur- Canada viving, and the heirs of those deceased, who were in the expedi- '°*°"'"P*' tion sent against Canada in 1690; which when surveyed and assigned, were called the Canada Townships,*^ Only two of them, however, or their substitutes, were located in Maine ;{ the others were laid out on the Merrimack, or Connecticut, or between * Smith's Jour. p. 26-28. fSce ante, A. D. 1734. X These were called Phips' Canada, [Jay,] see A. D. 1795 j and Sylvester Canada [Turner,] A. D. 1786. It was supposed the latter was first located in Massachusetts, thoug^h proved to be in New-Hampshire, when the line* were run. 188 THE HISTORY [VoL^ H. A. P- 1736. those rivers, along the north margin of Massachusetts ; sever- al of which, in settling the line, in 1739, were assigned to New- Hampshire. The Governor strongly recommended these appro- priations ; for, said he, they " will form an additional barrier to *'our frontiers, and afford great safety to the Province, upon any adventitious rupture.'** Commerce Commerce, trade and ship-building had now considerably re- and trade, yj^g^j j^j ^hese eastern Provinces, The articles of export were fur, fish and lumber. But the first, once so great a commodity of traffic, was at this period principally confined to the truck-houses. The business declined, according to the decrease of the Indian population. There were about 600 men employed in the fish- eries, who belonged to the Province ; and considerable quantities of fish were annually taken from the rivers and coasts of Maine, But our forests formed the great store-house of eastern wealth. Lumber of different kinds bore a fair and uniform price, and commanded a ready market and prompt pay. The masting trade was confined wholly to Great Britain ; while boards, shingles, timber, and also fish, being principally managed by the Boston merchants, were exported to European ports and the Carribee Islands. In the winter season, small vessels were the carriers of English and West India goods to the southern colonies, for which they received corn and pork -articles in great demand among the eastern inhabitants. Opinions as Upon uo subjcct was there a greater diversity of opinion, than Ibe woods? upon the true condition and right of property in our extensive forests. The Governor often urged it upon the Legislature, as a mutual duty he and they owed their sovereign, to exert their utmost power in the preservation of these royal invaluable for- ests.—In reply, the two Houses, sensibly touched, by such re- peated admonitions from the Executive chair, at length told him,f they had passed several laws against trespassers, and revised and sharpened them with new penalties, authorizing even corporeal * Six of these townships afterwards were owned or controlled by these several towns, Ipswich, yalem, Beverly, Roxbnry, Rowley and Dorchester . 3 or 4 of which, when the divisional line between Massachusetts and New, Plampshire was finally established, fell within the jurisdiction of the latter Province.— 1 Dong. Surnm. p. 424-459-162- 504'-G ; — also Governor^ Speech^ J>fay, 1736. — The Committee appointed to lay out these townships were J. Chandler, R. Hale, D. Epes, Ed. Quincy, W. Dudley, and S. Wells.— 15 tMass. Rec, p. 296. f Answer of the House, 1735. Chap, vi.] of Maine. 189 punishment to be inflicted upon those who offended in disguise ; A. D. 1736. and if the masts were not preserved, it must be owing to some neg- lect in the execution of the laws, or some dereliction of duty in the officers ; — not to any defect in the laws themselves. Unques- tionably the tone of popular feeling was now too low to harmon- ize with the high notes of government. Hundreds believed the forests were the gifts, as well as the growths of nature. A foreign right, even in the king, must he nominal ; for he had expressly granted the political jurisdiction of the country ; and if the soil were withholden, the forest trees, rendered valuable by municipal settlements, and individual adventure and toil,'ought to be as open and free to the settlers' use, as elemental water, air or light. Till the cultivation of the country, the woods must afford the neces- sary means of upholding life ; and it is only by felling or re- moving trees, that wild lands can be converted into fields of hus- bandry and improvement. All this, it is true, might be plausi- ble, and yet be neither sound, lawful, nor safe; because what is in store for the common good, ought not to be pluiMiered for pri- vate benefit. But there were much older claims to the forests, than that of The Indians the king, — and infinitely more important to the inhabitants, by Ui^in? These were the possessory rights of the natives. Ten years thfey Sew setUe- had been quiet ; and it was with much pain and sorrow, that there '"®"^** appeared among them, any indications of restlessness or discon- tent. But they looked upon the new settlements with great jeal- ousy, and dislike ; — as the harbingers of their utter extermina- tion. Unfortunately an Indian woman, about this time, had her trial at York, for the murder of an English child ; — a circum- stance which might awaken the sympathy of the Indians, and promote some inceptive excitements. For after this, the reports of guns were heard in the neighboring forests, which were known to be discharged by the Indians ; and about the same time, the tongue of mischief or suspicion spread a rumor, that Biddeford was marked for assault.* Although the report was groundless, it excited an alarm, which Prepara- . . , , tious for de- was judiciously improved. For according to the recommenda- fence. lions of the Governor, so often repeated, preparations were now made for repairing the public fortifications, and replenishing the t Smith's Journal, Sept. 9, p. 26. 190 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1736. public arsenals ; some new block-houses were built ; and others were put in a better posture of defence. In Falmouth, for in- stance, a private garrison was finished, which had been constructed on a well chosen plan for accommodations. The natives On investigation, it was found, that the Tarratines were much complain of encroach- disturbed ; and as they had at this period, the greatest influence Waldo and with the other eastern Indians, the late defection, it was feared, Georges' had become general and mutual. Yet the Tarratine Sagamores appeared to be so desirous of a perpetuated peace, that several of them took a journey to Boston, There, according to the pro- visions of the treaty, they laid their complaints before the Legis- lature, stating that they had never consented to let Englishmen build houses, above the tide waters of the river St. Georges ; and yet Mr. Waldo and his people were encroaching upon Indians' lands and rights to a fearful extent ; and they could no longer endure the sight of such flagrant wrongs. Report of A joint Committee of the two branches, to whom the subject fn fevor of was referred, after a conference with the chiefs, reported in sub- the Indians, g^j^j^^jg ^jj^g .* — < jjj^t the natives have possessory rights in the * lands of the extensive wilderness where they dwell, which have ' been often acknowledged by the purchases made of them, and * prices paid them, and it is the duty of the government enjoined * by treaty, to do them justice ; that Madockawando, calling him- * self the Sagamore of that country, assigned to Sir William * Phips, in 1694, the lands on both sides of the river St. Georges, * as far as the upper falls, and afterwards in behalf of the tribes * upon the Penobscot, Kennebeck, Androscoggin and Saco, he en- * tered into a treaty with Phips in the capacity of Governor, and * signed articles of submission to his royal master ; that only two * dwellinghouses were built on that river, prior to 1720, when the * proprietors at their own expense erected there, the present for- * tress and block-house, which are now occupied by the govern- * ment ; that the chiefs acknowledge, they have consented " to " have settlements made as far up the river, as to the falls or the " flowing of the tide waters" — ^but that Madockawando, as they * positively and constantly afiirm, never was acknowledged chief * Sagamore of their tribe ; that when, agreeably to the petitions of * Sir Biby Lake and others, the crown gave an order for the re- * 15 Mass. C. Rec, p. 860— 3.— Jour, of the House, p. 91, Chap, ri.] op MAINE. 191 * raoval of Dunbar, it derogated nothing from any rights of the A. D. 173G. * Indians, it only recognized and sanctioned the validity of older * English grants and possessions, and the claim to anterior juris- * diction, as vested by the charter in the government of the Prov- * ince ; and that neither Mr. Waldo, nor any other, ought to be * protected " in settling or improving any lands on Georges' river " above the falls, until the government shall be satisfied, these *' lands have been fairly purchased of such Indians, as were the " rightful owners thereof." Though Mr. Waldo had filed a counter memorial to the repre- Report as- sentations of the Chiefs, the report was accepted by the Legisla- JhrSeneral ture ; presents worth £100 were sent by them to the tribe ; and t^eTdfans they returned home well satisfied. — The affairs of the Indian de- P^<='^«^' partment, after this, underwent considerable reform. William Foice was appointed purveyor of supplies, and manager of the trade ; and so entirely tranquil were all the tribes, that the gov- ernment, early the following year, proceeded to dismantle fort The fort* George at Brunswick, and fort Frederick at Pemaquid, and re- duce the forces at St. Georges' and Richmond forts, severally to one commissioned officer and ten sentinels. On the 24th of June, 1737, the usual powers and privileges of Brunswick other towns were granted by the Legislature, to Brunswick ;* and ^'Jf*"'?**'"**' * Brunswick is the 11th corporate town ; and its date is referred to Jour, House Rep. p. 73. It was originally called " Peg-ypscot." Its first inhab-» itant was Thomas Purchas, settled at Stevens' river, about 1625-6.— He and Geo. Way, A. D. 1632-3, took, as it is said, from the Plymouth Council a pa- tent of lands on both sides of the Androscoggin, and also a quit-claim of the natives. In 1639-42, [I Haz. Coll. p. 451— Ante 1642] Purchas put his plantation under Massachusetts ; in 1636-8, he was one of William Gorges* Council ; in 1654, he submitted to the New-Plymouth government on the Kennebeck, and was Mr. Prince's sole assistant ; and in 1663«4, he was one of Archdale's justices. He was absent during part of the first Indian war, and died an old man, not many years after its close, — Fort George was estab- lished near the bridge, A. D. 1715. Twice the fort has been greatly injur- ed by fire. In 1676, Brunswick was destroyed by the savages j revived after the war, and again destroyed in the spring, A. D. 1690. In 1713-14, the settlements were resumed ; yet in Lovewell's war, A. D. 1722, it was re- duced to ashes, and again repeopled, A. D. 1727. There were in 1735, be- tween 30 and 40 men in town. Before it was incorporated — twenty-nine signed the petition. In 1790 the census was 1,387. Rev. Robert Ruther- ford was their first settled minister — dwelling with his people when the town was incorporated, and continuing with them till 1742. His successor was Rev. Robert Dunlap, born in the province of Ulster in Ireland, Aug-* 192 '^HE HISTORY [VoL. II. Ai D. 1736. from this time, the settlement called by that name assumed the rank of a town. It is now among the most important munici- palities in the State. Here is our principal seat of classic science and literature. The village is delightfully situated on a sandy plain ; the greater part of the dwellinghouses and stores, standing on both sides of a wide and spacious street, a mile in length, terminated on one end by the Androscoggin, at the Lower Falls and the bridge, and on the other, by the meeting-house and the College edifices, daims^iil prosperity of a country is evinced by the multiplication Sagada- of incorporated towns ; its real importance is rendered certain, when the worth or value of the lands make it an object to revive ancient and dormant titles. Such of late had been the hard destiny of many inhabitants, in the territory of Sagadahock. Overwhelmed by these and other discouragements, several fami- lies in the vicinity of Pemaquid had actually removed to other places. For the first time, a claim resting upon a title, an hun- dred years old, was now revived by WilUam Sheriff of Annapolis, Hamilton's and prosecutcd with no inconsiderable zeal. In the petition, ed in vain, which he presented to the General Court, as agent to the Duke of Hamilton and Branden, he represented, that his principal was heir at law to James Marquis of Hamilton } and that the old Plymouth Council assigned to the ancestor, April 22, 1635,* a tract of 10,000 acres, on the easterly side of Sagadahock, to- wards the mouth of the Androscoggin ; — praying that he might have leave to take it into possession. But the petition was dis- missed ; and another of like purport subsequently met with the same fate. In new countries, there are numerous events which dishearten a poor and scattered people. The former season had been un- 1715, educated at the University of Edinburgh, and ordained at Boston 1747, by a Presbytery, in consummation of his settlement at Brunswick. His salary was j£200 old tenor. Being- dismissed in Oct. 1760, he was succeeded Nov. 1762, by Rev. John Miller, who died in 1788. Rev. Eben- ezer Coffin was settled in June, 1794, and preached eight years. In May, 1811, Rev. Winthrop Bailey was settled. * See assignment of the twelve Provinces by the Plymouth Council, A. D. 1635. ^nte. The siith division was to the Marquis of Hamilton— after- wards perhaps a duke — and extended from Naumkeag (Salem) to Narra- ganset. These 10,000 acres, if ever granted, might have been another and separate grant. Chap, vi.] of maine. 193 favorable to husbandry ; and in the autumn, it was evident the A. D. 1737. provisions raised were altogether insufficient for the people's sup- A scarcity port. Owing to short crops abroad, fewer vessels were freighted ions.'^^^*^ with supplies to Maine, during the winter, than in preceding years, and ere the spring opened there was a scarcity, which was little short of a famine. Some had no corn nor grain for several weeks ; in April, the hay was generally expended ; indeed there ^^^.j was nothing to spare of any eatable article, not even potatoes ; it being reported, that not a peck of them could be bought in all the eastern country. Till harvest there was distress for bread even in Boston ; and it was remarkable, if some of the destitute upon our eastern frontiers did not perish with hunger.* What gave poignancy to the distress was the deadly throat distemper before mentioned, which continued still to rage in many towns ; and several also died of a pleuretic fever. * In consequence of the great scarcity, the truck-masters were directed by the Legislature, December 24, 1737, to distribute to the Indians, provis- ions to the amount of j£l 13, 6s. 8d. Note — The volume of Massachusetts Colony Records, from 1737 to Sept. 30, 1741, is missing — supposed to be lost. Vol. II. 194 THE HISTORY [Vol. II. CHAPTER Vll. Dispute about the north and south boundaries of New-Hampshire — Reference — Decision — Appeal — King's decree — Belcher's view of the eastern country — Yorkshire militia divided into two Regi- ments— Gov. meets the Indians — Suspicions of them — Yorkshire records — War with Spain — Defensive measures — Scarcity of specie — Land-bank — Public embarrassments — Boundaries partly surveyed — Gav. Belcher removed — His character — George Wliite- field — Laws — Gov. Shirley takes the chair — His Speech — New tenor — A dearth — Impressments — Shipbuilding and the fisheries — Indians withdraw to Canada — The Gov. meets a large body of them at St. Georges — His view of the eastern country — Set- tlement of it — Effects of the new tenor upon society — Laws to prevent costs in laiosuits — Governor's view of fees — New valua- tion— Taxable polls — Census of Maine — B. Wentworth, Survey- or of the woods — Fears of war — Preparations for defence. A. D. 1731, As the northern and southern boundaries of New-Hampshire had long been a subject of dispute between that Province and about the Massachusetts, a committee from the two Provinces met at New- and souther- bury, in 1731, for the purpose of settling the controversy. But o^New*^^ unable to agree, they soon separated; and New-Hampshire Hampshire, gp^g^d the casc before the king, sending one agent, John Ringe, and employing two others, John Tomlinson and Ferdinand J. Parris, of the realm, to pursue her claim till it be brought to some determination. Francis Wilkes, the Massachusetts agent, appeared in behalf of that Province ; and the king referred the subject to the Lords of Trade and Plantations, under whose con- sideration it remained about six years. At length, they recom- mended the appointment of Commissioners to determine and set- tle the question. A.D. 1737. Accordingly, twenty Provincial Councillors were selected, in Reference equal numbers, from New-York, New-Jersey, Rhode Island and vinc c i Nova Scotia ; unto whom a Commission was issued, under the Councillors. ^^^^^ gggj^ following tenor : — * You being appointed Com- * missioners, for settling and determining the boundary lines be- Chap. vii.J of maine. 195 * tween Massachusetts and New-Hampshire, in dispute, are com- a. d. 1737. * manded, or any five of you, to hold your first meeting atHamp- 'I'hejr com- * ton, (New-Hampshire,) in August next, appoint a clerk and * make entries of the various papers presented you by the par- * ties ; to employ skilful draftsmen in drawing plans of the con- * troverted boundaries ; to make up and sign your final deter- * mination with all convenient despatch, and send it immediately * to the government of the respective Provinces ; giving notice * of another meeting within three months from the day of ad- *journment, when either party aggrieved, may appeal to us in * council, and not afterwards. The expenses incurred are to be * borne by the Provinces concerned. Witness ourself at West- * minster, the 9th day of April, 1737. ' By writ of Privy Council. Bisse Bray.' Letters were also addressed by the Board of Trade to the instructions Governors of the four Provinces, from which the Commission- vest^gatloUl ers were selected, informing them of the appointment ; and like- wise to Gov. Belcher, recommending through him to the Assem- blies of Massachusetts and New-Hampshire, the immediate choice of managers and agents, and a preparation with specifications, documents and evidence, ready for the commencement of an in- vestigation, as soon as the Commissioners might convene. On the 1st of August, eight of them met, published their Commission, and opened their Court ; appointing William Par- ^^"4" ker, clerk, and George Mitchell, surveyor and draftsman. A August 1st* Committee of eight from New-Hampshire, with the sheriff, ap- peared and exhibited their claim ; when two solicitors for Mas- sachusetts, attended by the sheriff of Suffolk, moved for an ad- journment to the 8th ; alleging that the General Court of their Province, was prorogued to the 4th, before they had any knowl- edge of the Commission, and therefore they were not prepared to proceed. They were in this motion, severely encountered by their opponents, who were bold to declare that Massachusetts had al- ways been backward to meet the question ; — certainly she had as much time as New-Hampshire, to make preparation ; and they prayed the Court to proceed ex parte, agreeably to their Commission. — Disposed to act with all due deliberation — in a matter of so much interest, the Court adjourned to the day re- ment."™ quested ; and Massachusetts in the mean time despatched an ex- 196 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1737, press to New- York and New-Jersey, for the purpose of procur- ing the attendance of the Commissioners from those Provinces. August 8 Court convened on the 8th, pursuant to adjournment, con- Commis- slstiug of Philip LivingstoTi, from New- York, who presided ; again meet William Skene, Erasmus James Philips, and Otho Hamilton, from Nova Scotia ; Samuel Vernon, John Gardner, John Pot- ter, Ezekiel Warner, and George Cornel, from Rhode Island : — and now a Committee of ten, in behalf of Massachusetts, pre- sented a specification of their claim. The assem- To manage this important investigation, with greater despatch, P,'.ovil[ces'^ and more satisfaction to the parties ; the Governor prorogued ^g^^ ^jj'j^* the Assembly ot Massachusetts to Salisbury, and that of New- ^P^'"'- Hampshire, to Hampton Falls, — places within five miles of each other; where they accordingly convened on the 10th ; — the two branches of the Massachusetts Legislature, travelhng in proces- sion thither from Boston, on horseback, attended by the Gov- ernor in his carriage, who was escorted by a troop of horse ; — the whole forming a cavalcade of very novel yet highly impos- ing appearance. The Governor presided alternately in the Coun- cil of each Assembly ; and in his speech to that of New-Hamp- shire, he told them he * should act as a common father to both ' Provinces.' Claim of As to the boundary, more particularly, between that Province shire!^""^ and Maine, the only one which concerns the present history ; the Committee of New-Hampshire insisted, ' that she was entitled to * the western moiety of the Isles of Shoals, and that her north- * ern . boundary should begin at the entrance of Piscataqua harbor, * thence pass up that and the river Newichawannock to the far- * thest head thereof; and thence north less than a quarter of a ^ point west, so far as the British dominions extend.' Claim of On the other hand, the Committee of Massachusetts stated * that the boundary Hue began at the entrance of Piscataqua-har- * bor, and passed up the middle of the Piscataqua and the New- *ichawannock to its farthest head; and thence directly north- * west* till one hundred and twenty miles from the mouth of Pis- * cataqua harbor were finished, or ended.' — Hence the contro- verted questions were, 1, whether the line should run up the Massachu- selli. * The expression in Ihc charter to Gorg-es, is " Ihence north-west- wards," " till 120 miles be finished." — See antc^ 1639. Chap, tii.] of Maine. 197 middle of the river, or, on its north-easterly shore; and 2, A. D. 1737. whether the line, from the head of the river, should be a due 2 points of ' . dispute. north-west course, or n^rth less than a quarter of a point west. A plan acceptable to both parties being delineated and pre- sented by Mr. Mitchell, — they proceeded to file replications to each other's claims, and adduce documental and parol proofs ; — and after 23 days, spent in this elaborate investigation, the Com- missioners, Sept. 2, presented a report, under the sio;natures and Sept. 2. 1 TXT 1 1- A decision seals of them all, except two, Vernon and Warner, who d is- reported, sented from the majority. — The decision was to this effect : — * The divisional line shall pass from the sea through the entrance its particu- * of Piscataqua harbor, and up the middle of the rivers men- * tioned, and Salmon Falls river, to the farthest head thereof, * and thence north two degrees westerly until 120 miles be ter- * minated, from the mouth of the harbor Piscataqua, or until it ' meet with his Majesty's other governments ; and the Piscat- ^ aqua harbor shall be divided, in the middle, by a hne to be ex- ^ tended through the Isles of Shoals, — assigning those to New- * Hampshire and to Maine which lie on their respective sides of * that line. On the day their opinion was promulgated, the Governor pro- J^^^^.^^' rogued the New-HampShire Assembly, to Oct. 12th ; yet kept {""^"Pj^^ii the two legislative branches of Massachusetts in session, five days, till copies were obtained and they had agreed upon an appeal as provided in the commission ; and then he prorogued them to the same day.* The different conduct of the Governor towards the two Assemblies, gave the people of New-Hampshire great offence. They accused him of partiality, in the discharge of his high official trust ; which his enemies managed much to his disadvantage. It was a season of party heat, and that Province if • T»T ... . . Both Prov- was equally with Massachusetts, dissatisfied with the decision, inces ap- She declared she had always been in possession of the whole river crown. Piscataqua, and had even built and maintained a garrison, which had long commanded its entrance and its waters ; — and she also appealed. The people of Massachusetts affected to be surprized, that the Commissioners should construe the term, " north-westward" in Gorges' charter, to mean " north two degrees west — ^Why not * Both Assemblies were again to meet at the same places. 198 THE HISTORY [VoL. 11. A. D. 1737. as justly have settled it at one, or three as at two " degrees ?" — Her government was likewise dissatisfied with the clause in the report which extended the line * till it met with his Majesty's other governments because, as she alleged, when the line was extended 120 miles from the sea, in Gorges' charter, it was the utmost limit of any grant ever made, or pretended to be made, in that quarter. Agents and prosecuting the appeal, the two Provinces were equally zeal- J!ided^r° ous and alert. The agents of New-Hampshire, Tomlinson and prosecute Parris, received abundance of instructions and very liberal fees. the appeal. /-v • Massachusetts chose a new agent, Edmund Quincy, who taking with him, among other documents, the original patent of Maine,* was joined in England by Mr. Wilkes, and assisted by Mr. Pat- ridge. She also appropriated £2,000 sterling, to defray the ex- penses of managing this heated controversy. But it was unfor- tunate for Governor Belcher, that the money happened to be raised, the same day on which a sum of £800f was voted by the House, to make good the losses he had sustained, by the de- preciated bills of credit paid him, from time to time, in compensa- tion for his official services. The justice of such a grant had been often urged upon the Legislature by him ; as he might with the utmost propriety demand it as a right. But his enemies con- nected it with the boundary question, and gave it a turn unfavor- able to his reputation. They represented the allowance to be a bargaining reward for his approval of the appropriation bill ; and endeavored to throw a lowering cloud over both transactions. To present in a connected manner the residue and sequel of this interesting dispute, now transferred to England ; it may be well to pursue the progress of it through two succeeding years, to its close, before we leave the subject. A D 1738 instance of the Massachusetts' agents, the opinion of The dispute the learned Dr. Halley was obtained ; who very correctly certifi- prosecuied. ^^^^ t ^ Ij^^ north-wcstward,' ought to run 45 degrees west- ward of the north point. This was a mathematical truth ; and it might have been applied with good effect, had not the New- Hampshire agents, with some success, touched the strings of * It is supposed the charter itself lias never beea returned, t 2 Hutch. Hist. p. 349, 350.— 2 Belk. JV. H. p. 117. He says, £333, 6s. 8d. in bills of the new tenor. Chap, vii.] of jvjaine. 199 ministerial clemency, by representing their poor, little, loyal, A. D, 1738. distressed Province, as in great danger of being devoured by the opulent and overgrown Province of Massachusetts. Whereas, said they, if the borders of New-Hampshire were enlarged, — alluding to her southern more than to her eastern limits, — her abilities might enable her to support a Governor, separate from any other Province. There were also in England, about this time, some occurren- ces particularly unpropitious to the interests of Massachusetts. Quincy, her ablest advocate had suddenly died. Dunbar, orte of her bitterest enemies, had returned home filled wnth prejudice against her. The conduct of the Governor was represented to be so partial towards her, that the Lords of Trade were even in- duced to pass censure upon his manner of proroguing the Assem- bly of New-Hampshire, at Hampton Falls. His foes made many other severe strictures upon his conduct ; which, however, were more than counterbalanced, by the warm attachments ex- pressed for him by his numerous and influential friends, on both sides of the Atlantic. At last, March 5, 1739,* after the zeal of the disputants had final considerably abated, the King, in Council, determined upon the appeal, and decreed, that the line, generally, should conform to the determination of the Commissioners, and ' pass through the Line be- * entrance of Piscataqua harbor, and the middle of the rivers Mai^" and ' mentioned, to the farthest head of Salmon Falls river ; thence ^ir^.^'"^' north two degrees west, true course" — that is to say, north 'eight degrees east, by the needle, f till 120 miles be ended from * the place of beginning.' — As to the other part of the question. Between N. or ' northern boundary of Massachusetts,' it was determined, rnd"wassa^ ' that it should begin at the Atlantic ocean, and pursue the course ' of the Merrimack, at three miles' distance on the north side * thereof, and end at a point due north of Patucket Falls ; thence * in a straight line due west till it meets with his Majesty's other * governments.' — This part of the decision exceeded the utmost expectation of New-Hampshire ; for it thereby transferred to her from Massachusetts 28 new townships, — being a double row or * Perhaps A. D. 1740, new style. t 2 Belk. JV. H. p. 137.--So much being allowed for the variation of the needle. 200 THE HISTORY [VoL. II, A. D. 1739. tier of them, extending from Merrimack to Connecticut rivers,* besides districts from six of her old towns, on the north side of the Merrimack. The Gover- ^" midst of these transactions, full of perplexities as they nor's regard ^^d been to the Govcmor ; he was not unmindful of this east- lor tlie east- ' ern country, em country, Its people, its interests and its safety. He visited it almost every year ; had frequent interviews with the Indians ; and his speeches to the General Court, afford ample evidence how much every portion of this region commanded his attention and care. Strongly impressed with the commodiousness of the harbor at Pemaquid, ' to which our coasting and fishing vessels, * said he, resorted in great number and deeply concerned for the settlements in that vicinity, he prevailed with the Legislature to continue a small garrison at Fort Frederick ; and renewedly pressed upon their consideration the expediency of putting the whole frontier in a better state of defence. For, said he, * 1 have * but too much reason to believe, the Indians intend a rupture, and * must recommend the adoption of methods best calculated to ' obtain a perfect knowledge of the country, to its utmost bor- * ders.' Hence the Indian trade at the truck houses was revised, and orders given to the agents to post in each of them, the in- voice price of the articles sold ; to render a fair account upon oath of all the sales made, and furs purchased ; and to observe strictly every law passed, for regulating these establishments. By this course of vigilance and justice, attended by occasional acts of public generosity, the Tarratines might, it was believed — be kept tranquil ; — numerous and subtle as were the arts, which the Canadian French and their Indian vassals might practise ta disturb the peace. Col. Pep- William Pepperell was at this time Colonel-commandant of maudant of the Yorkshire regiment ; — a gentleman whose moral worth and regimenT military talents had already given him an elevated rank in the confidence of the public. Impressed with the difficult and re- sponsible duties of the trust, and with the importance of being " * Massachusetts claimed 14 miles higher towards Amoskeag Falls. — See ante, A. D. 1736.— 2 Belk. JV. H. p. 133.— 1 Doug. Summ. p. 388.-2 Htdch. Hist. p. 342 — 350. — 3 Jour. House Rep. JUass. p." 13 — 52. — Also 4 Jour, of House of Rep. p. 56—67 See Resolves of J\Iaine, A. D. 1828, p. 812-14.— The lines were to be run by two surveyors, — one chosen on the part ot each Pro%'ince. Chap, vii.] OF MAINE. 201 at all times prepared for defence, he called a meeting of the a.- d. nss. company officers at Falmouth, with whom he consulted and made overtures for a better organization, equipment and discipline of all the militia under his command. More ardor and military- spirit, were extensively exerted and diffused among the officers and soldiers, their ranks were filled and new companies estab- lished. The next winter, his regiment was divided, and thcA. D. 1739. command of the eastern or new one given to Samuel Waldo of His refji- Falmouth, whose appointment met with entire acceptance. Ifed; and the men of this age were not expert disciplinarians, they were iSancf of the no strangers to the use of firearms; past experience had taught them the wisdom of vigilance, and in some of the larger towns, night-watches were kept through a greater part of the winter season. In July, the Governor, taking passage in a man-of-war, pro- in July, the ceeded to Falmouth, where he was joined by a retinue of gentle- met the In- men from all parts of the country, among whom were several Faimomh. members of both Provincial Assemblies. In a few days, he was met by a great body of Indians, well clad, and bold to appear under a French flag. To render the anticipated conference con- venient for all, a spacious tent was spread upon the hill, eastward of Long Creek, in which there were placed rows of seats sufficient to accommodate the whole assemblage. In the interview, the Sag- amores made great professions of friendship, and expressed ar- dent wishes for a perpetuation of peace ; receiving in return from the Governor every assurance of his good-will, and some valuable presents. Before the meeting was finally dissolved, a public dinner was prepared, July 29, whereof the English and about 200 natives were the festive partakers. They soon after separated and dispersed. But though the Indians might never Some sus« before have sung a song of peace, so heartily intermingled with the'iSdians. joys ; yet they had chosen, it was noticed, to appear under French colors, and consequently their sincerity was suspected. ^^y> ^ . the General Court, at the instance of Jeremiah Moulton, a mem- York coun- ber of the Council, aided him in the construction of a fortress, *^ ' for the safety of the public records in the town of York, and furnished him with three or four swivel guns for the purpose of defence. The Governor, in his speech to the Legislature, Sept. 20, says, Vol. II. 26 202 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.D. 1739. < since our last meeting, I have received the king's royal orders, War with * granting letters of marque and reprizal, against the subjects of * Spain ; and 1 trust, your loyalty and wisdom will suitably guide ' you, in the part you may have to take in this war.' — Though at this time, his best friends had serious fears of his being re- moved, they knew he had powerful supporters, and much in- terest with some of the Lords high in office, and believed the opportunities now offered him to signalize his zeal in the service of his king, would be so ably improved, as to check the tongue of accusation and invective. In fact, the Governor himself had hopes, that a course of time and fidelity might efface the impres- sions, which had been made to his disadvantage. Accordingly, he issued a proclamation for the encouragement of men, who would join in the expedition ordered by the British Court against the Island of Cuba ; assuring them, they should be under the command of their own officers, be in the king's pay, have a sup- ply of arms and clothing, and a share in the booty taken, and be returned home, when their term of service expired. Hence there were recruited or raised in the Province, about 5 or 600 men.'^ A. D.1740. Nor did he delay to communicate the earliest intimations he Prepara- received, that there were Spanish privateers probably upon the tionsforde- . ^ T . , , • , fence. coast ; representmg at the same time, m such glowmg colors, the awful consequences, frequently, of procrastinating prepara- June 23. tions for defence, that the General Court, June 23, appropriated £3,000, to be taken from the proceeds of the Indian trade, and apphed towards repairing Forts Frederick, St. Georges, Richmond, and Mary at Saco, and rendering them entirely defensible. A vessel, the Snow, was likewise built, for the protection of the coasting and truck trade ; and a fortress was erected or enlarged at Falmouth, in which eight or ten 12 pounders were afterwards mounted, and various kinds of military stores deposited, for re- cruiting the eastern garrisons. Jecie'^°^ At this time, the preceding and every new demand upon the government, was fraught with no small embarrassments. The * 1 Doug. Sttm77i. p. 55-1 — Of the 500 men from Massachusetts-bay in the Cuba expedition, not exceeding- 50 returned. It cost her about £37, 500 old Tenor, equal at that time to j[^7000 sterling-. The few survivors were dismissed, Oct. 24, 1742, and allowed to keep their firelocks. Chap, vii.] of maine. 203 treasury was empty ;* the bills of credit, issued at different A. D. 1740, times, still remaining unpaid, probably exceeded £200,000,f — all which were, by the royal instruction, to be redeemed the en- suing year, and no more emitted ; there were no other means of paying them than by a direct tax, equal to £40,000 sterling ; and yet so uncommon was the scarcity of specie in the Province, that it was believed, a sum to that amount, could not possibly be collected of the people in one year. To administer relief, therefore, a very novel proiect was de- The Land vised and adopted of this character. — Between 7 and 800 men associated, chose ten directors and a treasurer, and agreed to issue in the name of the Company, £150,000 in bills, which should be lawful money ; and every note of £1, be equivalent to three ounces of silver. Each stockholder, in the outset, gave the Company a pledge of real estate to the amount of his shares ; and every borrower gave a mortgage as collateral se- curity for the sum loaned him, which, however, he was allowed to pay in Provincial produce or manufactures, at such prices as the directors might from time to time determine. In short such was the " Land Bank." — The Governor foresaw it would be injurious to the public, and offensive to the ministry, and he reso- lutely opposed it in every step of its progress ; going in the spring election so far, as to negative the speaker and thirteen new- ly elected councillors, because of their connexion with the insti- tution. Besides, as soon as the establishment of the Bank was Its dissoiu- known in England, the Parliament dissolved the Company, and gave each possessor of their bills a right of action, for the amount with interest, against every individual partner. Next, a tax-act of £110,000 for a year's supplies, was pre- pubHc em- sented to the Governor for signature ; but as its amount might be ^^!^^*' paid in the depreciating bills, he said he could not sign it, with- out violating the royal instruction ; — certainly not until provision was made for the approaching public exigency. Nor would the act, if it were signed, said he, be of any avail ; for it would never have the approbation of the crown. So deeply depressed, * See ante, A. D. 1734 — Permanent debt, in 1731, £130,000.-1 Dou^. Summ. p. 498. t 4 Jour. House Rep. p. 134-142-150-170.— Gov. says, £40,000 ought to have been brought in, at Iea«t, ten years before. — AUo his Speech, •4m- gVtty 1741. 204 THE HISTORY [Vol. ii. A. D. 1740. in fact, was the Legislature, in view of the complicated affairs and perplexities of the Province, now rendered more difficult by reason of war, that they turned and besought the Governor to point out, if he were able, any way " to relieve a once flourish- " ing, now distressed and sinking Province." Pious and devout people considered the present embarrassments as tokens of the Divine displeasure ; — therefore a public fast was observed, Nov. 29 ; and improved as a season of prayer to Almighty God, for blessings, and especially for his guidance of the General Court, to the adoption of the best measures for the relief and safety of the people. Boundary ^^^^^ ^"•^ troublesome business of boundaries was again surveyed!^ called up, for the purpose of making surveys in conformity to the royal determination. Walter Bryant being appointed, ran the line from the head of Salmon Falls river, and marked it about thirty miles ; but was prevented from proceeding farther, partly "by the breaking up of the rivers, which rendered travelling im- practicable,* and partly by a company of Indian hunters, who met him and took his men to be none other, than a scouting party. On their return, they found drawn on one of the trees, they had marked, the figure of a man's hand, grasping a sword, which they interpreted as a signal of defiance from the Indians. f Removal ^ return of these lines to the Board of Trade and an address Belcher General Court, August 8, were among the last acts of from office. Governor Belcher's administration. His enemies on both sides of the Atlantic were untiring in their endeavors to effect his removal ; ' and by their incessant applications to the ministry, * by taking every advantage of his mistakes, by falsehood, by * misrepresentation, and finally by the diabolical acts of for- * gery and perjury, they accomplished their purposes.' After being in the chair ten years, he was succeeded in the govern- Appoint- ment of Massachusetts and Maine by William Shirley ; and mcnl of _ ' Gov. Shir- in New-Hampshire by Benning Wentworth. „ , , It is remarkable, that a Governor, of Mr. Belcher's abilities and Gov. Belch- ' ' er's charac- excellence, should meet with such treatment from the British ter. Court, in the reign of so mild and just a prince, as George the second. Certainly he was a man of great firmness, diligence, *1 Doug-. Sum. p. 388. — See ante, vol. I, p. 11-12. t Mitchell and Ilazen surveyed and marked the other line between Massachusetts and New-Hampshire. Chap, vii.] of maine. 205 integrity and spirit ; — ever influenced by motives of honor andA.D. 1741. justice ; — and his schemes of policy were in general evinsive of his wisdom and knowledge in political affairs. But his unguard- ed observations provoked the resentments of his enemies, whose abilities and influence he graduated by far too low. His popu- larity and sense of duty were extremely tried in all that related to an established salary ; to the divisional boundaries ; to the land bank, and to the bills of credit. But his greatest mistake appeared in the manner mentioned of adjourning the New- Hampshire Assembly ; and even in this, it is inconsistent with the whole tenor of his public declarations and private correspon- dence, to suppose he had any intention to frustrate the commis- sion. The mutual opposition of Belcher and the inhabitants in the eastern Provinces, to Dunbar, originated a friendship, which was never more genuine and ardent, than when he was displaced. He kept a watchful eye over their interests, and often paid them visits ; whereby his name was so endearing to them, that it was with deep regrets they parted with him. When he repair- ed to the British Court, he was able effectually to wipe from his character all the aspersions of his malicious adversaries, by shewing the spirited course he had taken against the land bank, which they had carefully secreted ; and his vigilant care of the royal woods, and other interests of the king, which they had falsely and wickedly represented to be otherwise. In a word, he manfully exposed their plots, though but too deeply laid to de- stroy him. A strong current quickly turned in his favor. His removal, without having an opportunity of being heard in his defence, was condemned as a rash act ; and as the best repara- tion, which could then be made for his wrongs, the government of New-Jersey was given him, where he passed the remaining years of his life beloved and respected. Nor ought the religious part of his character, as an able writer observes, to pass unno- ticed. Though foes and satirists said "he appeared to greater advantage in Whitefield's journal, than in our political annals — all will allow he was both ' strict in his morals, and pious in his ^ walk and conversation.'* George Whitejield was a celebrated young itinerant minister, George in these times, who had preached in several parts of Great * Eliot's Biog. p. 56.-2 Belk. N. H. p. 138-11.-2 Hutch. Hist. p. 358. 206 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1741. Britain, and the Southern Colonies, with great applause and ef- fect. On his second visit to Anfierica, he came to Boston , where the first time he spake from the pulpit, Sept. 1740, his fine tal- ents, and his fervent piety drew from his auditory the strongest expressions of praise in all the churches. His imagination was luminous and lively, his judgment solid and exact, and his heart full of religious sensibilities. The tones of his clear and musical voice, he could strikingly adapt to the sentiment, and his gestures, frequent and forcible, were above all rules of art ; for they were the true impulses and graces of nature. Though he spake without notes, and used plain language ; yet by a most happy choice of words and figures of speech, he enforced and illustrated his discourses with wonderful effect. In general his doctrines were in conformity to the sentiments of the Episco- pal church ; he preached the remission of sins through the aton- ing merits of a Redeemer ; and in his supplications, a spirit of grace seemed to take possession of his whole soul, and carry him and all who heard him, with overflowing hearts, to the mercy seat and the throne. He preach- 1741, he visited York, Wells and Biddeford, where he WeNs^and' P^'^ached to crowdcd assemblies, that were both captivated and Biddeford. melted with the life and copiousness of his sermons. Churches were refreshed, souls were converted, and the settled ministers, Messrs. Moody, JefFerds, Smith, Willard, and Elvens, who were at that period all " burning and shining lights" at the altar, par- took largely of the thrill and influences, with which the preacher himself was so animated.* He was indefatigable in the service of his Divine Master ; having been known to preach sixteen times and ride 170 miles, in the course of a single week. He had violent opponents, who called him a disorganizer of parishes, drawing after him the populace and men having " itching ears." On a subsequent journey from England to Maine three years after this time, he was in company with the Rev. Mr. Smith's brother of Falmouth. His visit was again received with the most affectionate welcome ; and in the following winter he See the " Christian History" of religious revivals in Great BrilaiD and America, in 1743 and 1744. To give attestations of these " extraordinary divine influences" ninety ministers met in Boston, July 1743, Mr. Smith attended, and six ministers of Maine sent their attestation. — Smithes Jour, p. 35. Chap, vii.] of Maine. 207 preached at Scarborough, Biddeford, Falmouth and North-Yar- A. D. mi. mouth, with undimhiished success. Two important acts were passed in the late administration, Laws pass- which ought to be mentioned. One limited the tmie, of brmg- actions : to ing civil suits, after the cause of action accrued ; and so restricted costs ; and , 1 r 1 r I 1 to lake care the costs, as never to exceed a lourlh part oi the damages re- of poor per- covered, provided the action belonged to the jurisdiction of a"""^" single magistrate.* These statute provisions have nev^er since undergone any very essential change. The other act prescribed how idle and dissolute persons might be set to work, or prevented from squandering their property ; and how their children might be put to trades or to labor. f Governor Shirley, when he received his commission, resided gj,;^, in Boston. He was an English gentleman, bred to the law, who having lived in the Province, six or seven years, had become acquainted with the humors and habits of the people ; and been so fortunate as to acquire the esteem of a large and respectable acquaintance. His wife was at that time in London, soliciting a post of profit for him ; when, by the assistance of her own friends, and the intrigues of Mr. Belcher's enemies, the govern- ment of the Province was obtained. Mr. Shirley was a man of abilities and address, knew how to manage the several parties, and conducted whh so much wisdom and vigor as to gain the affection of the people, and yet continue on the side of the pre- rogative. In his first speech to the General Court, Aug. 17, 1741, he j^ig^j.^^ stated, that the war with Spain, and the unsettled affairs of Eu- speech to ' ' . the General rope, seemed to threaten a speedy rupture with other powers. ^""""'-^^ He recommended the outfit of privateers, and the offer of a bounty for every one of the enemy taken upon our coasts. The General Court made him a very liberal grant of £1,000 sterling, as a compensation for a year's services ; and then presented him a bill for the emission of £36,000 sterling value, to be paid at future periods in gold and silver, or in articles of country pro- duce. This he refused to sign, partly on account of its last clause ; agreeing at length to approve another, ' when it was moulded to * Passed, A. D. 1739. — The limit was from 2 to 5 years, according- to the different classes of actions. t Passed, May, 1736, and March 26, 1741. 208 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.D. 1741. 'the liking of the land bank party and others,' and made gen- Ncw tenor erally acceptable to all. Such an act was passed. It provided biMs. that " Bills of a new Form''' should be issued ; that every sum of 20s. expressed upon the face of them, should be equivalent to three ounces of silver ; that all contracts should be understood payable in silver at 65. 8c?. the oz. or gold in proportion ; and that the bills should be received in all public and private pay- ments accordingly — with this saving, however, that if they should depreciate in their value, an additional sum should be paid, ac- cording to the scale of depreciation, as agreed upon once a year^ in a meeting consisting of the eldest Councillor in each county. f This was denominated New Tenor, to distinguish it from all prior emissions. These bills, however, gradually depreciated, till at last they like water, settled down to a common level with the- Old tenor. Qfj^gj. ^nd older bills, which after this were called Old Tenor. \ In taking the reins, the Governor, being an inhabitant of the Province, was necessarily acquainted with what most deeply con- cerned the public. There had been in the preceding spring an city of pro- unusual scarcity of bread, especially in this eastern country; — visions. several families, as it was reported, having subsisted for weeks upon shellfish,^ wild meat, and allowances of potatoes. The scarcity was the more depressing, because of some incidents and apprehensions connected with the present war. Men were drawn from their ordinary occupations and enterprizes, into the military service, and no inspiring impulse was given to new set- tlements. In March, there were two instances of impressment orthe*east- "P°" eastern coast. James Scott, captain of his Majesty's ern coast, gj^jp Astracc, went with an armed force and took from a wood- sloop, called the " Three Friends," two men, inhabitants of the Province ; and the next day, he took in like manner from a coaster, the "Charming Betty," her captain, also several men from other vessels. These were acts of violence to which the people were wholly unused ; if they were not the first of the * The old tenor bills had been b}' law a tender from Oct. 1705, to 1741, and by act passed in March 1742, the new tenor bills were a tender, ex- cept in written contracts. f Prov. Act, May, 1743. — If the bills are worth as much when the debt is paid, as when contracted, they shall be so received. \ Prov. Law, Nov. 1744.— An. Charters, p. 270-3.— Also p. 764-7. \ Some subsist " wholly on the clam-banks."— Smt7^'« Jour. p. 32. Chap, vii.] of Maine. 209 kind or character ever attempted within the Province. Scott A. D. i74i. saw there would be a great blaze, if he did not immediately re- tract ; and he discharged them. But the baneful impressions, which their impressment made upon the public mind, were deep and lasting. Ship building, trade and the fisheries were now in a flourish- a, d, 1742. ing state. Forty topsail vessels had been in building at one time Ship-buiid- within the Province ; the single town of Marblehead had in em- fiJieVies. ploy 50 fishing-schooners ; and a great number of vessels were on the stocks in Maine ; while New-England, had in all, at least 1000 sail engaged in the fisheries. But the fur trade, now con- fined principally to the truck houses, was declining. It had been represented from good authority, that the Indians ''"i^ Aben- . fiques tribes belonging to the broken tribes upon the Saco, Androscoggm and vviihdraw 10 Kennebeck, had, within a couple of years, been gradually with- drawing from their former places of abode, to Canada. These were unfavorable symptoms : and some of the remoter inhabitants be- ^ . J ^ ' Guards pru- gan to entertain thoughts of leaving their abodes, through fear of ^i^ed. danger from them. The General Court therefore put £800, at the Executive disposal, directing him to expend it as he might think proper, in the employment of scouting parties and videttes, upon our frontiers. In August, the Governor, attended by mem- bers from both legislative branches, visited this eastern country ; Governor and at St. Georges he met as great an assemblage of the Eteche- Slns^a*t min Sagamores and people, as had convened on any former ges.^^"*^ occasion. They were prompt in their attendance, and appeared at this time with the British flag at the heads of their canoes. Besides redressing every grievance and continuing the gratuities and pensions to the chiefs and the tribes, which for many years had annually cost the government more than £300 ; it was de- termined to make them still further presents, in articles, such as powder, shot and the necessaries of life. Gifts and supplies might serve to remove every pretext for applying to the French : and their friendship, though purchased at a dear rate, was a thousand times preferable to the hazards of a war. In his excursion, the Governor took a particular view of thGjjjsad,n- country — especially of all the eastern forts and truck houses, ration of the eastern He examined the grounds at Falmouth, where the new battery country, and other public works were erecting ; and made himself ac- Vor.. II. 27 210 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1742. quainted with the state of the eastern towns. Animated with his pleasing tour, he represented to the Legislature, on his return, that * the inexhaustible supplies of wood and lumber, and the * several kinds and great quantities of naval stores, which this * region is capable of producing, no less than the navigable rivers, * ihe numerous harbors and good soil it possesses, render it highly * deserving the encouragement and protection of government.' Immediately £700 were appropriated to complete the works at Fort Frederick, St. George, and Saco ; also a chaplain was pro- vided for the garrison at the fort first mentioned, whose duty also it was, to preach among the inhabitants in that vicinity. The Bettip- For the purpose of promoting new settlements, it was proposed eastern by the Governor, as an expedient, to offer our wild lands to country. (q^qI^^ protcstants, upon such terms as would encourage them to transplant themselves and their families into this eastern coun- try, and begin new plantations. Already some had emigrated with this view ; and Pennsylvania, he said, had, by pursuing this course a few years, increased beyond any example, within the American colonies. Conditional grants of townships to compa- nies or individuals were found by experiment, not to be the most expeditious mode of multiplying permanent settlers ; for being unable to procure deeds of the fee, till the conditions were ful- filled, and compelled to begin without any absolute guaranty of title, they put at hazard their labor and improvements, and often sustained losses. This had become a subject of great interest ; for if the frontiers were filled and strengthened, and the people who were more scattered had the fortitude to abide at home in case of a rupture ; the country would derive benefit as well as security. Hence the General Court directed a committee to enquire into the condition of every township granted since 1725; also into the successes and discouragements attenduig the exertions of pro- prietors and tenants, and report the best probable methods of filling these places speedily with inhabitants.* Effects ©f The late improvement in the currency by means of the new tenor^^ tenor bills, had, according to expectation, an essential effect upon every interest and department of society. It operated unfavora- bly upon the debtors and suitors at law; whereas none derived more benefit, than salary-men, monthly or daylaborers, and the * Jour. INIass. House of Rop. p. ?3. Chap. VII.] of maine. 211 receivers of statute fees. Men of the latter class had in fact A. D. 1742. been the greatest sufferers ; as the fee-bill which was passed the Price of fourth year of the Provincial charter, had undergone no material salaries, change, though the true worth of the fees had in the meantime actually depreciated two thirds, and even three fourths.* By gmng them their origmal or prime value, the receivers, it was prevent perceived, would derive the greatest advantage ; and many mur- murs were uttered both against the law, and against that class of persons, who had the most to do with fees. Acts were therefore passed for preventing * unnecessary expenses in the attendance of jurors * unnecessary lawsuits ' the multiplicity of law- suits and * unnecessary expenses in suits at law — directing * jurors not to attend till the second day of the term,' — per- mitting * accounts in ofF-set to be filed in suits,' — ' abating all writs filled by sheriffs or their deputies,' — prohibiting * their ap- pearance as attornies in any lawsuit;' — and allowing only one bill of cost, when several actions were brought at the same term on demands, which might have been embraced in one writ. Nor were all these sufficient to satisfy a large and querulous part of the community. So long as the judges and other civil officers were allowed what some called exorbitant fees, it was insisted, that lawsuits would be multiplied and suitors ruined. When the party for prostrating fees, solicited the Governor to The Gov- throw his weight with theirs into the scale, he told them he had of fc^/'^"' the best of reasons for taking the opposite side. He believed, that any considerable reduction of fees, would have a direct ten- dency to multiply lawsuits ; and after taking time and acquaint- ing himself with the fee-bill in five or six of the colonies, he was able to fortify his opinion with facts. In New- York, New- Jersey and Pennsylvania, says he, the fees are five or six fold higher, and in Rhode Island a third part higher, than in this Province, according to the late value of money ; in Connecticut, some lower ; yet in neither of the three first are there an hun- dred judgments by the courts of pleas in a year ; — being less by ten times, than in the single County Court of Hartford, and less * An ounce of silver, in 1702, was 6s. lOd. ; in 1713, Ss. ; in 1717, 12s. ; in 1728, 18s. ; in 1730, 20s. ; in 1737, 268. ; in 1741, 28s. ; and in 1749, 60s. ; old tenor. — 1 Doug. Summ. p. 494. — See old and new tenor compared^ post, A. D. 1749. 212 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. U. 1742. by five limes, than in the county of Newport. Light fees and small costs, therefore, evidently tempt men, as he thought, to en- ter the lists of litigation ; disregarding the weightier burdens, such as the unseen wastes of time and money, which the party pre- vailing never recovers, and the animosities, which a lawsuit never heals. If the fee-bill be revised, let it give debtors an im- petus, through a fear of costs, promptly to pay their creditors; and never be a lure to draw the poor and unwary blindfold, into the toils of the law. — In proof of his doctrine, he remarks to the House,^5 years after, — " when I first entered upon the administra- " tion, I found the Province overwhelmed with lawsuits, occa- *' sioned principally by the cheapness of the law ; you were in- " duced to pass an act making the fees double, what they had " been in value, and lawsuits are reduced about one half."* New vakia- The Septennial valuation of taxable property and enumeration of taxable males, having been completed in the course of the A. D. 1743. current year, were finally sanctioned by the General Court, in January, 1743. Hence it appeared, that there were in the whole Province 41,000 rateable polls, 159 incorporated towns; — and by estimation, 164,000 inhabitants ;f and by the records 109 members in the House of Representatives. There were at this time in Maine and Sagadahock, about 2,300 taxable polls ; eleven towns, whose proportion of £1,000 tax, was £52 17^. Ic?, ;J a probable population of 12,000 ;§ and the corporate towns sent eight representatives to the Legislature. Taxable polls, the towns juid population, in Maine. '*=Jour. Mass. House of Rep. A. D. 1742, p. 222-5; also, A. D. 1747, p. 254-5. f 2 Holmes' A. Ann. p. 158.— 1 Brit. Dom. p. 215 1 Doug-, p. 531. t To York, £9 3^. Id. Arundel, £l 19*. Id. Kittery, 12 12 1 Scarborough, 3 19 11 Wells, 4 8 3 N. Yarmouth, 1 ' 19 0 Berwick, 5 12 1 Georgetown, 2 0 0 Falmouth, 7 13 10 Brunswick, 18 6 Biddeford, 3 10 1 Total, 52 17 01 The whole provincial tax on Maine, in 1742, was £332 1*. 2d. Every male 16 years old, paid I2d. ;—20s. property paid one penny of the Pro- vince tax ; and other taxes were in proportion. \ If the population of Maine bears the same proportion to that of the Chap. Tii.] of Maine. 213 Great importance was still attached to the subject of the royal a. d. 1743 woods. The Provincial Governors expected to recommend them- B. Went- selves to the favor of the ministry, by the great interest they took ceeds Dun- in preserving them from depredations. In the absence of Dun- vevoToHhe bar, they had been in some degree neglected. On his resigna- tion, the office of Surveyor-General was given to Mr. Wentworth, Governor of New-Hampshire.* It was to him a welcome ap- pointment ; for besides some perquisites and emoluments inci- dental to the office, he had a salary of £800 sterling ; while he His salary, was under no obhgation to employ and pay more than four depu- ties.f Upon all subjects of public interest or general emergency, he and Governor Shirley were instructed by the king to have free and friendly intercourse ; and of none other than that of the timber had they a more general oversight. Understanding that the j^oyal workmen employed by the agents to furnish the royal navy with masts and spars, were obstructed in the service, and harassed with lawsuits, Shirley pressed the Legislature to interpose their authority, by the enactment of severer laws against trespassers and other wrongdoers ; or to pass resolves for preventing the prose- cutions of agents. For, said he, ' in my opinion, nothing could * more directly recommend this Province to the royal favor.'f But the House replied to him as to his predecessor, — ' our laws are * sufficient Legislatures have done their duty, and the officers must do theirs. But nothing at the present time, so much engrossed the public Apprehen- mind, as the apprehensions of a war between the crowns of Great ^,a"* Britain and France ; which it was foreseen, would immediately extend to their respective Provinces in America, and enkindle the flames of another Indian war. During the long respite from hostilities, which had been enjoyed, Massachusetts had greatly increased in numbers and strength ; and possessing now the abil- ity, as well as the public spirit, she resolved to spare no expense, ■whole Province as the sum of £52 lis. id. does to £1,000 ; — then is the population of the 11 towns about > _ _ 8,692 Add population of unincorporated places and that of Sagadahock, 3,308 —[see ante, A. D. 1736.] 12,000 iN'ole. — Tlie men assigned to take the valuation in Yorkshire, were Messrs. Clark, Haines and Mayhew. * See ante, A. D. 1741. \ 2 Belk. N. H. p. 146. \ Printed Journal House of Representalives, (p. 100,) A. D. 1743. 214 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. I). 1713. to put her whole inland frontier, extensive as it was, into a good Appropria- posturc of defence. As the eastern Provinces, Maine and Saga- lence of the dahock, wcrc most exposed to incursions from the savages, in case of a rupture ; the Legislature made an appropriation of about £1,280 — to be disbursed from the public treasury, and ex- pended among the eastern settlements for their defence,* — under the direction of the Governor, assisted by the advice of the York- shire representatives. The money was apportioned to fourteen places, and applied towards constructing stockade forts, building olock-houses, breastworks and walls of hewn timber, and forti- fying the more exposed dwellinghouses. Encouraged by this sum, though it was altogether inadequate to the expense of these works, the inhabitants bestowed upon them a great amount of la- bor, and made them places of considerable security. Fort George, at Brunswick, was again made a public garrison ; the other eastern forts received supplies ; and the military establish- ment seems to have been increased about 114 men, who were distributed to them, to Castle William, to Fort Dummer upon 400 minute. Connecticut river, and to the Province store ship.f As a farther n^en detail- precautionary measure, 400 men were ordered to be detached, or enlisted in the county of York, and organized into four com- panies, as minute-men, to be in constant readiness, with every equipment, and prepared to march at the shortest notice. Be- sides a good gun and sufficient ammunition, every one of them was to provide himself with a hatchet, an extra pair of shoes, or a pair of moccasins, and even a pair of snow-shoes. A small stipend was to be paid them, for these preparations, and their wages from the time they left home, should they be called into actual service. * To Berwick - - £ 100 Fort Richmond £ 34 Saco (truck house) 34 Arrowsick, &c. - 100 Scarboroug-h - - 100 Sheepscot - - 100 New-Marblehead - 100 Damariscotta - 67 Falmouth - - 134 Pemaquid - - 134 Phillipstown - - 100 Broad Bay, &c. - 75 Gorhamtown - - 100 St. Georg-es' River 100 Jour, of IJouse of Rep. p. 101-2, A. D. 1743. t Saco, (Fort Mary,) had 13 men, St. Georges' Fort, 13 men, Brunswick, (F. George,) 6, Castle William, 40, Richmond Fort, - 10, Fort Dummer, 16, Pemaquid, - - 6, Province Sloop, 10, 2 Brit. Dom. in America^ p. 95. Chap, viii.] OF MAINE. 215 CHAPTER VIII. The Spanish war — Canseau taken by the French Annapolis attached hy them and the Indians — Measures and forces for defence — The Tarratines desire peace — War declared against the Natives easticard of Passamaquoddy — Bounties offered for prisoners and scalps — The Tarratines refuse to join the English — Militia — Scouts — Cape Breton — Louisbourg described — Eipe- diticn against it designed — Voted — Undertaken — Edward Tyng, Commodore — Appropriation — Pepperell, Waldo, and other offi- cers— Motto — Great enlistment in Maine — Fleet and army — Arj'ival at Canseau — Joined by a British squadron — Attach — Successes — Surrender of the fortress and city of Louisbourg — Incidents. The war, which had been kindled between Britain and Spain, a.u. 1744. four years since, was immediately communicated to their Ameri- Spanish can dominions, and gradually extended its flames over the greater part of Europe. To New-England and Nova Scotia, it assumed a much more dreadful aspect, the moment, the French nation entered into the continental system, and resolved to take sides against England. The contiguity of their American colonies, and the opposite sentiments of the inhabitants in their politics and religion, directly led to a rupture ; and as soon as war, declared by France, March 15, 1744, and retorted by England, the same jn March, month, was an event known on this side of the Atlantic, the jjjj®^ g'^^^'j^jj* French colonists and the Indians in their interest began to con- cert plots, against their English neighbors. The scene was opened in Nova Scotia.* Duquesnel, Governor of Cape Breton, acquainted with the Mar 13. declaration of war, more than two months before the news ar- sVize^u'pilu** rived in Boston, resolved to gain time by an inmiediate attack upon Canseau, a small Island, situated on an excellent harbor, * Nova Scotia had been in possession of the Eng-Iish thirty ye.irs, — since the treaty of Utrecht, 1713. 216 A.D. 17'14. Tin: HISTORY [Vol. II. June 2. War an- nounced at Boston, Annapolis attacked by the French Their re- pulse. Measures for the de- fence of Maine. at the south-eastern extremity of the great peninsula.* For this purpose, he despatched Duvivier, with 8 or 900 men, in a few small armed vessels, who, seizing upon the Island, May 13, burn- ed the houses, made prisoners of the garrison and inhabitants, and took possession of an armed vessel lying at anchor, as a prize. The news of this attack reached Boston, when the Legislature was in session ; — followed by an arrival, June 2,f which formally communicated to the Governor the declaration of war. Unac- quainted with what had transpired, Governor Mascarine, succes- sor of Philips, then in command at Annapolis, was first appriz- ed of hostilities, by an attack of 300 Indians, upon the garrison. May 30th, led on to the charge, by M. Luttre, a French mis- sionary, who boldly demanded a surrender. But the Governor refused to capitulate ; and forthwith sent an express to Shirley for assistance. Meanwhile, Duvivier, arriving with his divi- sion, joined Luttre, and they both invested the place, till July 3d, when a re-enforcement of four companies from Massachu- setts,J compelled them to retire. ' During the siege, they had * surprized and killed as many of the English, as could be caught ' without the fort ; also destroyed their cattle, and burnt their houses.'§ Hostilities, being commenced in this quarter with so much rash- ness and violence, drew the particular attention of government to the eastern country. It was determined to make immediate enquiry into the state of our frontiers, fortifications, arms, and warlike stores ; and to adopt the most effectual methods, for strengthen- ing and quieting the inhabitants on the out-skirts, by offers or ad- vancements of all needed assistance to those, who would abide at their homes, and bravely defend themselves and their possessions. Likewise to the tribes on our borders, the fullest assurances were given, of protection and friendship, so long as they kept good * Canseau was 5 leag-ues from Cape Bieton Island, and 60 miles from Louisbourg. It was a great resort for New-England fishermen. I " May 31." — Cov. Skirley''s Speech. — War proclaimed at Boston, "June 2." \ Each soldier had a bounty of £20 old tenor, and was to be free from impresses, 3 years ; and each company contained 60 men, enlisted to Oct. 15, of this year. ^ Conn- il Lftter Book. p. 78.— -Gov. Speech, July 18, 1744. Chap, viii.] of maine. 217 faith with us, and had no intercourse with such Indians as were A. D. 1744. enemies. Some of them, so much broken in former wars, avail- ed themselves of the offer. Particularly several Sokokis fami- lies, dwelling about Pegwacket, and acquainted with their own weakness, came and cast themselves upon the government for protection, renouncing forever the French interest. In providing against surprise and the enemy's incursions, 500 ^^''^2n°^ men were drafted, of whom 300 were for the eastern frontier, and the residue for the western. The eastern garrisons were re-enforced by 73* regular fresh recruits ; and 300 men were formed into scouts. f About 96 barrels of gunpowder were sent to the several townships, to be sold to the inhabitants at an ad- vance upon prime cost, sufficient only to include charges. To become more definitely acquainted with the temper and July. . . T» , 11- The Tarra determmation of the Tarratme tribe at Penobscot, a delegation tines desire from Boston met the Sagamores at St. Georges' fort, in July ; P®^*^®" and after a parley, received from them fresh assurances of their wishes for a continued peace. After this, the eastern people felt some relief ; and a part of the scouting soldiery was dis- missed. Yet it being fully ascertained, that in the late siege of Annapolis, the tribe of the Marechites, on the river St. John, were as much concerned as the Mickmaks; many believed, that some of the young warriors from Penobscot and Passama- quoddy, had swelled the number of the savage assailants, as the three Etechemin tribes were, by their own account, one people. Though the Indians of Nova Scotia, it is true, had not offended against the government of Massachusetts ; they had joined the common enemy, and taken arms against his Majesty's subjects ;{ and it was thought, ' a vigorous prosecution of the war against *them, might be the best means of retaining the other tribes in * The g-arrisons were re-enforced-thus : — Georg-es' Fort, to 40 men ; Pe- maquid, to 24 ; Richmond, to 25 ; Brunswick, to 12 ; and Saco, to 20. — See ante, 1743. t SmitK's JouT. p, 36. — In Falmouth, 65 were posted. Capt. Jordan com- manded a scouting' company, piloted by three Saco Indians, whose families were settled at Stroudwater, and provided for by order of government. There were about 20 of the tribe, who proposed to live with the Eng-lish. I The St. John's Indians were called " subjects of the British crown several through pretended friendship visited Annapolis as spies, 3 weeks before the attack. — Letter Book^ p. 73-78. Vol. II. 28 218 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.D. 1744. < their duty and obedience.'* Therefore the Governor, with ad- Oct. 20i vice of Council, Oct. 20, publicly proclaimed War against the ed against several tHbes eastward of the one, upon Passamaquoddy; for- Pas^sama! bidding all the Indians westward of a line ' beginning at three miles quoddy. ^ eastward of that river, and running north to St, Lawrence,' ' to ' have any correspondence with those Indian rebels. 'f Uoiinties of- To all volunteers, who would enter into the war at their own prisoners charge and expense, a premium in the new tenor bills was offered, and scalps, £ ^ QO for the scalp of a male Indian 12 years old and up- wards ; £50 for that of a younger one, or of a woman ; and an additional sum of £5, in either case, for a captive. Every friend Indian was the more strongly solicited to enter into the service, as he was skilled in savage warfare. But if any of them de- clined, they were to be employed in making snow-shoes; and their families wpre distributed among the white people, where they could fish and fowl, according to their habits of life. A base nut- As there was open war with some of the tribes, every unlucky rajre upon i i r -n • a parly of circumstanco alarmed the people s fears. For mstance, — an In- " '^"^ dian was found dead on the eastern shore, and several others were wounded a most villainous outrage, committed by persons unknown. Every thing was now done by government to abate Measures the risins; indisination of the tribe : a blanket, £40 in money, and taken to ; . . pacify them, necessaries were given to the widow of the deceased; — the wounds of the others were bound up, and they themselves carried to Penobscot. T6 test anew the fidelity and friendship of the tribe, Col. Pepper ell went to St. Georges, in November, as a Commissioner, and requested of the Sagamores, their quota of fighting men, according to the stipulations in Dummer's treaty, which had been so often renewed. He told them, if they would enter into the public service, they should receive soldiers' pay The Tnrra- a,iJ rations, and every supply ; but if thev failed to comply, war lo join ii)o would, at the end of 40 days, be proclaimed against them. In the war. January they sent, by express, their answer to Boston, statmg — " that their young men would not comply with the proposal of " taking up arms against the St. John's Indians, their brethren." Aiiiiiia in There were at this lime, in the two eastern Provinces, 2,855 eastpui able bodied or fencible men, who were organized into two regi- Provinccs. ♦ Journal H. of Ivep. A. D. 1744> p. 80. | I Dong. Siin.m. p. 320. Chap. vii.J of Maine. 219 ments, one commanded by Col. William Pepperell of Kittery, A. D. 1744. and the other by Col. Samuel Waldo of Falmouth.* In the arrangements made for the winter establishment, the 8 easterq Captain-General, Dec. 2, ordered, that all the drafted men be discharged, and 1 00 effective men be enlisted out of Col. Pep- perell's regiment, and formed into eight guards, — to be stationed at suitable distances from each other, and at convenient places between Berwick and St. Georges, whence they were sever- ally to scout, as far as the next station. f Each party was put under a sergeant, and all under two able efficient officers in cap- tain's pay. Through the Autumn, it was a general topic, that Lou isbourg rj^^c capture must be wrested from the enemy, or it would always be a place '^^^^^^^ ^jj,. of the greatest possible annoyance, to the eastern colonists and to «^"ssed. the English fishermen. The fortress was known to be immensely strong, though it was thought. a sufficient force mig ht take it. The English prisoners, about 90 in number, taken at Canseau, * In Kittery, 450 men. In Scarborough, 160 men. York, - 350 Falmouth, 500 Wells, 250 North- Yarmouth, 150 Arundel, - 93 Brunswick, 50 Biddeford, 120 Narra^anset No. 1, - 20 Berwick, 150 New-Marblehead, 40 Ptiillipstown, 160 Georges and Broad-bay, 270 Pemaquid, 60 1st, or Pepperell's Reg-'t, 1565 Sheepscot, • 50 2d, or Waldo's Reg^'t, 1290 2855 1290 According to 1 Doug. Summ. p. 360. Wells contained 500. But sec 2 Brit. Emp. 910, and 1 Brit Dom. 293. — Georgetown^ though omitted, is supposed to have contained about 100 men able to bear arms. t The stations and arrangement were these, — viz : — 12 men at Newichawannock, to scout to the block-house at Fhiilipstown 12 " at Phillipstown, to scout at Saco truck house : — 10 " at Saco truck house, to scout to New-Marblehead :— 14 " at New-Marblehead, to scout to Brunswick : — 10 " at Brunswick, to scout from Topsham to Richmond fort : — 14 " at Wiscasset, to scout as far as Capt. Vaughan's block-house on Damariscotta : — 14 at his block-house, to scout to Broad-bay : — 14 " at Broad-bay, to scout to the block-house at St. Georg^fc' river. — 100 220 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1744. were detained sometime at Louisbourg, before they were ex- changed and transported to Boston. They said, they had ex- amined the works, and believed the place might be captured. Governor Shirley associated to himself William Vaughan, Esq. of Damariscotta,* a son of Lieutenant-Governor Vaughan of New- Hampshire ; and they, by careful enquiry and close investigation, made themselves fully acquainted with the situation and strength of the place ; and discussed between themselves the practica- bility of its being taken. Vaughan was a man of good under- standing, but of a daring, enterprizing, and tenacious mind ; one who thought nothing of obstacles to the accomplishment of his determined purposes. He was largely concerned in the eastern fishery ; and from those employed in that business, and others, he had learned something of Louisbourg, though he had never seen it. A firm believer in the maxim, that good fortune de- pends upon boldness, bravery and exertion : he conceived the design of taking the city by surprize in the winter season ; sup- posing it practicable to pass over the walls upon the hard and deep snow-drifts. The idea of a surprizal forcibly struck the Governor's mind ; and he wrote letters to the ministry, rep- resenting the dangers of an attack by the French upon Nova Scotia, early in the spring ; and praying for some naval assist- ance. These letters he sent by Capt. Ryal, an officer of the garrison lately captured at Canseau; who, from his particular knowledge of Louisbourg, and his acquaintance with the great importance of acquiring Cape Breton, and preserving Nova Scotia, was able to be of considerable service to the northern colonies, before the Boards of Trade and Lords of Admiralty. f of^Cape'"" The Island, Cape Breton,\ is situated southerly of New- LouUbourg. foundland, and separated from Nova Scotia, by a narrow strait, 6 leagues in length, called* the Gut of Canseau, which is navi- gable for ships of 40 guns. The Island is of a triangular form about 80 leagues in circuit ; its shores on tbe north and west sides are bold and steep ; but its south-eastern side is full of fine bays and harbors, affording anchorage for ships of the largest ♦ Douglass [1 Vol. 318] says, " Vaughan was a whimsical wild projector— entirely ignorant of military affairs." — He imagined 1,500 raw militia " with scaling ladders, and some small armed craft conid reduce tnc place." Others give a good account of his abilities. t 2 Belk. N. H. p. 153. t Charlevoix's N. F. p. 124-9. Chap, viii.] of maine. 221 size. Louishourg* is situated at the south-eastern part of the A. d. 1744. Island, about 20 leagues north of east from Canseau ; and covers a neck of land, on the south-westerly side of the harbor, which opens to the south-east. Its entrance is about 400 yards in width, between a small Island on the west, and Light-house point on the east, which are the outer defences of the town. In the harbor, the water is from 9 to 12 fathoms, and anchorage on a soft muddy bottom. The exterior of the town was two miles Exterior and an half in circumference. It was fortified on the south- ii:o city, westerly side by a rampart of stone from 30 to 36 feet in height, and a ditch 80 feet in width ; on the south-easterly side, along a space of 200 yards near the sea, it was secured by a dyke and a line of pickets, where the opposite water was shallow, and bordered by rocky cliffs whicli rendered the place inaccessible to shipping. It was defended on the east by a high rampart Fortress. and a wide ditch, with heavy cannon in a north and south bas- tion ; and on the north by a beach, between the shore and a pond, and also a battery and rampart. There were 6 bastions, and 8 ^ Bastions. . ^ / N ^ Batteries. batteries, in all, with embrasures, for 148 cannon, (45, mounted) and 1 6 mortars. On the Island, at the entrance of the harbor, was planted a battery of 30 cannon, carrying 28 pound-shot, and on the main land at the bottom of the harbor, in front of the entrance, 4,800 feet from the Island battery, was the grand or royal battery of twenty-eight 42 pounders and two 18 pounders ; and on a high cliff and point opposite the Island battery stood the light-house. A little farther north-east was a careening wharf. Light-house secure from all winds, and a magazine of naval stores. The entrance to the town from the country was at the west gate, over a West gate. drawbridge, near to a circular battery, mounting 16 guns of 14 pounds shot. The streets of the town, which were wide, crossed each other at right angles, and the houses were well built. In the centre of the chief bastion, on the west side of the town, was a large stone building, with a moat in the inner side, which was called the Citadel, within which were the citadel, apartments of the Governor, barracks for the soldiers, an arsenal and a magazine, richly furnished with military stores. There were also two catholic chapels, one within, and the other with- out the citadel. — Such was Louisbourg, which the French had * Lat. 45°, 55. 222 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A, D. 1745. been engaged in building and fortifying 25 years, and which, though not completed, cost tlie Crown thirty millions of livres.* January. It was this placc, of such uucommon strength, as to be called JipS^it. " the Dunkirk of America,"! that Shirley conceived the design of capturing, wild and impracticable as the enterprize might ap- pear. In the beginning of January, (1745,) orders were de- spatched by the ministry to Commodore Warren, then in the West Indies, to proceed to the northward in the spring, and em- ploy such a force as might be sufficient to protect the northern colonies in their trade and fishery, and distress the enemy ; and for this purpose to consult with Governor Shirley. Other orders of the same date were written to Shirley enclosed to Warren, directing him to assist the king's ships with transports, men and provisions. Theexpedi- About this time, the Governor had fully determined upon the lion voted, expedition ; and though he had received no intelligence, what the ministry had concluded to do,J he requested the members of the General Court, to lay themselves under an injunction of secrecy, while he submitted to them a proposal of very great importance. As might be expected, the project met with pointed opposition, and was at first rejected ; — but upon reconsideration, it was car- ried, January 26, by a majority of one vote. It was supposed that 4,000 land forces, in conjunction with such a fleet as might be prepared by the colonists, would be able to compel a sur- render of the place. jUndenaken Although the parties on the question were so nearly balanced j England no sooner was the vote carried, than there appeared throughout the Province, an uncommon degree of unanimity and zeal in the enterprize. Circulars were immediately addressed to the colony governments as far south as Pennsylvania, requesting assistance ; nevertheless, no one took any active part in the expedition,^ ex- cept those of New-England. When the administration had determined upon the siege of * 1 HaJihurton's J^ova Scotia^ p. 98-112 ; See his ingenious charts of the totdn. — From the Island battery across the harbor to the grand battery was 291 rods; and from the latter to the citadel, was about a mile, in a S. W. direction across the westerly part of the harbor, t Or, " American Gibralter." I The intelligence was delayed, two months after this. ) New- York furnished ten cannon. only. Chap, viii.] of Maine. 223 Loulsbourg, Gov. Shirley, sending for Captain Edward Tyng, a.d. 1745. requested him to procure for his immediate command, the larg- Edward est ship he could find, and proposed to appoint him Commo- i!im"ud^ dore of the fleet. His family connexions were very respectable dore.'^° and highly esteemed. His grandfather was one of President Danforth's Council, and bore the character of a worthy Magis- trate. His residence was in Falmouth, where he married a daughter of Thaddeus Clark, who was a large proprietor in the original township. His father was at a time appointed Governor of Nova Scotia; but being on his way thither taken prisoner by the French, he was carried to France, where he died. Edward Tyng, the subject of the present notice, and third of His charac- the name, was in his first marriage united with a daughter of Cyprian Southick, one of the Nova Scotia Council; — in his second, w^ith a sister of Col. Samuel Waldo. Captain Tyng was a popular man and a skilful seaman. In the preceding sum- mer, he achieved a victory, which acquired him great credit; and was diffusive of general joy, especially among the merchants. The eastern trade and fisheries having been much interrupted by the enemy, he was sent out in the Queen's galley, a snow, called the Prince of Orange, for their protection. Ranging off the eastern coast, he soon fell in with a French privateer, the de la A victory Brotz, of superior force, carrying 18 guns and 94 men, andhWn?^^^^^ commanded by M. de la Bra. A sharp engagement ensued, in which the Frenchman, taking the Prince of Orange for one of a larger size, struck his colors ; and the brave Tyng brought the prize to Boston. The victory was greatly applauded ; and several of the more wealthy merchants, to express their sense of the meritorious exploit, presented him with a silver cup, weighing 1 00 ounces, and bearing this inscription : — To Edward Tyng, Esquire, Commander of the Snow, Prince of Orange ; as an acknowledgement of his good service done the trade, in taking the first French Privateer, on the coast, the 24th of June, 1 744 ; this Plate is presented by several of the merchants of Boston in JVew-England.* In presenting him with the commission of Commodore, Shirley * 10 Coll. JT. His. Soc. p. 181-3. — Commodore Tyng's third son, born 1737, was Col. William Tyng — who was Sheriff of Cinnberland count}', after 1767, for several years. He spent the last days of his life at Gor- ham, where Uq died, 1S07. His mother was Ann Waldo, 224 '^^^^^ HISTORY [Vol. ii. AiD. 17^5. had the approbation of an undivided public. Tyng soon procur- Hisfiigiue. ed a ship, nearly ready for launching, which he caused to be im- proved and fitted for carrying 24 guns, and to be named the Rouse ami MASSACHUSETTS Frigate. The sccoud in Command was Capt. Snelliiisr. '2(1 r i i and 3d in Rousc, in the Shirley Galley, of 20 guns ; and the third was command. r-in- - iz-i i r r^r^ Capt. Snelling, in the Caesar, also oi 20 guns. The enter- In undertaking any thing hazardous or difficult, there is neces- sity for extraordinary vigor of mind, and a degree of confidence and fortitude, which raise us above the dread of danger, and dis- pose us to risque, what the maxims of over-cautious prudence would forbid. Such a spirit was never more manifest, and per- haps never more necessary, than on occasion of this expedition. There was something of romance in the design ; and if it were to be attended with success, every motive and dictate of wisdom rendered it indispensable, to favor and perpetuate the popular ardor, till it ripened into firmness of purpose and actual move- ments. The money was easily raised to defray the expenses ; for by a clause in the Instruction, bills of credit to any amount, might be issued in times of emergency ; and on the present oc- The appro- casion, an emission was ordered of £50,000 to meet the demands, priation. There was uncommon health among the people, and the fruitful- ness of the preceding season had made provisions plenty. Wm. Pep- To give life and cheerfulness to enlistments and the numerous pointecHo preparations making, and to ensure a popular confidence of suc- iommand. ^^^^ > there remained a most difficult duty to be performed. — This was the appointment of the chief officers. Gentlemen of military experience, as well as military talents, had they been easily found, would have been selected and preferred. But the person appointed to command the expedition, w^as William Pepperell, Esq. of Kittery, then Colonel of the western regi- ment of the Yorkshire militia. His new commission gave him the rank of Lieutenant-General.* He was a merchant of un- blemished reputation, and engaging manners ; extensively known and quite popular throughout the Provinces of Massachusetts, New-Hampshire and Maine. These were considered as quali- ties, highly desirable, in the commander of an army, formed of volunteers, his own countrymen, who were to quit their domestic connexions and employments, and engage in a hazardous enter- * 1 Doug: Siwiin. p. 350. — The enlistments of volunteers began, Feb. 2d. Chap. viii.J of mainf,. 225 prise of unmeasured extent, of uncertain issue. There was no a.d. 1745. sage veteran, who knew how to conduct the enthusiastic ranks to victory. Skill and experience in arms were out of the question. Had these been deemed indispensable prerequisites, the expedi- tion must have been laid aside ; for there was no person in this quarter, possessing in any eminent degree such qualifications. Pepperell had a martial turn of mind, which was increased, by living in a part of the country, the most exposed to the ravages of the French and Indians. His patriotism now shone out with great lustre ; for nothing but a zeal for his country's good, could have carried him from the scenes of domestic enjoyment, and extensive business — from the head of the Provincial Council, the highest honor his fellow citizens could bestow upon him, to the fatigues of a camp, and the risques of uncertain victory. He was much beloved ; and it was necessary that the men should both know and love their General, or they would not cheerfully enlist under him, nor yield him implicit obedience. In giving consideration to the appointment offered him, he re- WhitefieW's quested the famous Mr. Whitefield, who was then itinerating and preaching in Maine, to give his opinion of the enterprize. ' The ' scheme (said he) I think not very full of encouragement. The * eyes of all will be upon you ; and should you not meet with * success, the widows and orphans will utter complaints and re- * flections ; — and if it be otherwise, numbers will look upon you * with envy, and endeavor to eclipse your glory. You ought * therefore, in my judgment to go with " a single eye," and then * you will receive strength, proportioned to your necessities.' He felt the sentiment ; for a deep sense of the Divine Providence seemed to influence all the actions of his life. Mr. Whitefield was likewise urged by the Commissary, another of his friends, to give a motto for the flag ; to which, after some hesitancy, he suggested this — " Jsil desperandum, Christo, Duce;'*^ — which being jje suggests adopted, gave the expedition the air and popularity of a modern ^^jj^gj^-'®"* crusade. The second in command was Samuel Waldo, Esquire, who g^^^g, was commissioned with the rank of Brisadier-General. This Waido, 2d " in com- gentleman was a native of Boston, son of Jonathan Waldo, a mand. rich merchant of that place, and very extensively interested in the Muscongus patent. At that time, Samuel was Colonel-com- VoL. II. 29 226 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1743. mandant of the eastern Yorkshire regiment, and the representa- tive of Falmouth in the General Court. He was in the prime of life, a man of excellent understanding and great activity. His knowledge of men and books was much improved by trav- elling ; and his undeviating integrity, his military turn of mind and independent manners, rendered him a highly respected com- mander. The Colo- The Colonels in the Maine and Massachusetts troops, were "on!'Haie, Moulton, Hale, Willard, Richmond, Gorham and Dwight.* Jere- Richmond, tnitth Moultoti, the third in command, was a native inhabitant of &,°Dwi1'ht. York — at that time, a member of the Provincial Council, a Judge of the Common Pleas and county treasurer of Yorkshire ; and it is believed, he was also a Lieutenant-colonel in the militia reg- iment, under the command of Pepperell. He was a man of good abilities, of amiable, popular and retiring manners, and true courage. His private character was highly estimable. He had been in the public service ; was acquainted with Indian warfare ; acquired much credit in taking Norridgewock during the last war ; and possessed considerable military skill and experience. Gorham had charge of the whale-boats ; and Gridley command- ed the train of artillery. To Mr. Vaughan was given a Lieut. Colonel's commission, without any particular command, he pre- ferring the trust of such special duties, as the Commander-in-chief might consider his adventurous genius best suited to perform. Large en- A selection of the chief officers and several others from Maine, mentn^""^ afFords an answer to the enquiry, why enlistments, were effected Maine. there, so much in disproportion to the number of eastern inhab- itants.f The Indian wars had enured them to hardships and dan- ger ; and now, no less the example of their ancestors, than their own exposed situation, inspired them with an enthusiastic ardor to take the field, against such confederate enemies as French papists and blood-thirsty savages. There was everywhere a concurrence of favorable circumstances; and some of tliem, in * Samuel J^Ioore was Lieut. Colonel of the New-Hampshire reg^iment, — 804 men; Siwo/i Loi/irop, Lieut. Colonel of Connecticut regiment, — 51G men; and Richard Gridley^ Lieut. Colonel of the train of artiller}'. \ " Many of the settlers about Georges' river, enlisting- under General " Waldo, were at the taking of Louisbourg ; where they continued with *' their families several years, and some never returned." — C. Eaton t JIS. J^arrative, p. 10. Chap, viii.] of Maine. 227 nowise dependent upon human action or foresight, were greatly A. D. 174J. promoti\re of ihe enterprize. The winter, especially February, ^JJ.®*J^',^g'"^j was very mild ; the harbors and rivers were open ; and the the expcdi. weather in general so pleasant, that out-door labor was done with unusual ease. The Indians had not molested the eastern fron- tiers ; and though some of them had heard of the present ex- pedition, and carried the news to Canada ; the French gave no heed to the report of so improbable an undertaking ; and not a lisp of it reached Nova Scotia, or Louisbourg. ' In short, — if * any one circumstance,' to use the language of Douglass,* * had * taken a wrong turn on our side ; or if any one circumstance had * taken a right turn on the French side, the expedition must have * miscarried.' In less than two months, from the day the General Court re- pj^^ solved to undertake the expedition, an army of 4,000 men were n^m'^and" prepared to embark ;f and a naval squadron, consisting of 13 ves- fleet, sels, besides transports and store-ships, — carrying about 200 guns,J was ready to sail. Pepperell received his instructions from Shirley, March 19 ; and entering, the 24th, on board the Shirley, Snow, at the head of the armament, he put to sea from Nantasket. He was directed to proceed to Canseau, there build a battery and block-house, deposit his stores and leave two com- panies to guard them. Thence he was to sail with the fleet and army for Chappeaurouge-hay^ easterly of Louisbourg, arrive in * 1 Summ. p. 336. I From Massachusetts and Maine, 3,250 men ; Connecticut, 516 under General Wolcot ; and New-Hampshire, 304 under Col. Jloore, excluiive of commissioned ofi&cers. — 2 Hutch. Hist. p. 371. — Douglass says, 3,600 were before the town.— A^o/. 1, p. 350. guns. guns, \ These were, Brig Massa- Ship (hired of R. Island,) Capt. chusetts, Tyng, 24 Griffin, 20 Ship Caesar, Snelling^ 20 Thompson and ) Connec- < 16 " Shirley Galley, Rouse, 20 Colony Sloop, \ ticut, \ 16 Snow, Prince of Orange, Smith- Colony Sloop, Rhode Island, urst, 16 (about) 14 Boston Packet, Fletcher, 16 Provincial Sloop, New- 3 Sloops, 12, 8, 8, guns, = 28 Hampshire, (do.) 14 124 80 William Bums of Broad-bay took a commission from government, and raised a company to defend the county ; and his brother bad command of one of the transports in the siege of Louisbourg. 228 THE HISTORY [VoL. 11. A. D. 1745. the evening, come to anchor under the covert of darkness, forth- with land his men at Flat-point cove, E. N. E. three miles distant from the town, and commence an attack without delay. Should the General not succeed in the surprizal, he was instructed to call a council of war, and govern himself according to circumstances. Never was a plan of operations, drawn by sensible men, which bad more the semblance of romance. An hundred sail of vari- ous sizes, was to arrive at the place of destination on a precise hour ; the weather and winds, even in the spring months, were all to be favorable ; the rocky ridges which pointed the shores, and, at this season, the ice and fog, which environ the Island, were to be avoided ; a certain harbor made, under the shadows of nightfall, in an unexplored bay, and in a particular manner ; a landing effected there immediately, amid^ a violent surf ; — and then the soldiery take up a march in the darJc, through a ravine, bog and woods, pass the grand battery, and after travellbg three miles from the place of landing, commence pulling down pickets with grappling irons, and mount walls 30 feet high by scaling lad- ders ; — ^yes, and all in die short space of a single night. This part of the plan was prudently concealed from the troops ; and also the receipt of a letter ivom Commodore Pet^r Warren, at the West India station, who had considered «f his orders and concluded to * excuse himself from any concern in the afiair Shirley, Pepperell, and WaWo, being the only persons, who knew any thing of the communication, before the fleet sailed. April 4. The land and naval forces all arrived at Canseau, April 4, Canseau. where they were detained three weeks by the remaining ice, which adhered to the shores of Cape Breton. In the meantime, Capture^of One of our ships, on the 1 6th, captured a French brigantine from Briganiine. Martinique, having on board 224 puncheons of rum, 43 hogs- heads of molasses, 23 barrels of coffee, 13 loaves of sugar, and ^ other articles ; and on the 23d, to the great joy of the American Arrival of forccs, arrived at Canseau, four war-ships from the West Indies, fleet. the Suburb, the Eltham, the Lanchaster, and the Mermaid, under Commodore Warren. — It appeared, that subsequently to sending his former letter to Gov. Shirley, he received orders from home, Cruise be- directing him to render his Majesty immediate service upon this boarg. north-eastern coast* Oa his arrival, thereiore, his squadron pro- Chap, viii.] of Maine. 229 ceeded to cruise before Louisbourg ; being from time to time A. D. 1743. joined by six other ships of war — the whole carrying 490 guns.* The American fleet and forces made Chappeaurouge bay, ^pry 30. April 30, early in the morning ;f and their appearance gave the tte'^fl^eUn first notice to the French of a design formed against them. They JJear Louis- had seen the men-of-war cruising at a distance, but took them to ^°^^s- be privateers, in search of trading and fishing vessels. On the same and the next day, the troops were disembarked from the transports with little opposition, and most of the heavy artillery, provisions and ammunition were landed. The primary object of the assailants was to invest the town ; ^ ^ and Lieut. Colonel Vaughan conducted the first column of 400 tack, men through the woods. May 2, within sight of it, and gave three cheers. He thence led them, in the course of the night, to the north-east part of the harbor ; where they burned the warehouses containing naval stores, and staved a large quantity of wine and brandy. The smoke, driven by the wind, 3-4ths of a mile, into the grand battery, so alarmed the French, that they abandoned it, spiking their guns and retiring. The next morning, V aughan crYnd bau took possession of it, and having drilled the cannon left by the ^^'^^ enemy, which consisted chiefly of 42 pounders, turned them with good efiect upon the city, within which almost every shot lodged, * Arrived April 23, the Eltham of 40 guns, convoy of mast ships to Eng. " " Suburb, 60 ) « « Lanchaster, 40 V under Commodore Warren. " '* Mermaid, 40 ) Captured, May 18, Vigilant, 64 Taken from the French by Com. Tyng-. Arrived « 22, Hector, 40 i « « Princess Mary 60 > From England. June 10, Cliester, 50 ) " 12, Canterbury, 60 ) «• « Sunderland, 60 > From Newfoundland. " « Lark, 40 ) Total 490.— 2 Hutch. Hist. p. 372-6, 6.-1 Doug, Summ. p. 351. — One account states thus^ — In the night time of May 18th, the Vigilant having been decoyed by the Mermaid, and hectored by several small vessels, fell in with the Massachu- setts, Tyng; and mistaking her for a much larger ship, struck to her; — an event greatly to the encouragement of the expedition. — 10 Coll. Jtf. Hit. Soc. p. 183. + Here they anchored two mileg from Flat^point Cove, and five miles easterly from the town. The French " immediately fired some cannon *^ and rang their bells in the town, to alarm and call in their people living* in the suburbs. 230 THE HISTORY [VoL. 11. A. D. 1745. and several fell into the roof of the citadel. While forming a May. battery on Green Hill,* within 1,550 yards of the north-west baiiery bastion inclosing the castle, and another 600 yards nearer, the formed. troops were engaged fourteen nights successively, in drawing can- non from the landing, through a morass, to the proposed en- campment. Unable to use wheels, owing to the softness of the ground, the soldiers constructed sledges, and with straps over their shoulders, wading in the mud to their knees, resolutely per- formed labor ' beyond the power of oxen.' It was work, which could be executed only in the night time, or during foggy days ; the place being within view of the town and the reach of its A summons p-uns. Duchambon, the Governor, in the meantime, was sum- senl to sur- « ' ' ' render; moned to Surrender ; but refusing, the siege was pressed with greater vigor and spirit. At length, a third battery, planted with- in 440, and a fourth wuthin 250 yards of the west gate, were so May 18. far advanced. May 17, as to do great execution. The next day, ianf Mptur- Vigilant, a French 64, being artfully decoyed into the midst ^' of danger, fell in with the frigate Massachusetts, Capt. Tyng, to whom, after exchanging a few shots, she struck her colors. This was an important victory. It gave a thrill to the whole fleet and army ; for she had on board 560 men, and was richly laden with military stores, intended for the relief of the garrison. f Tltcomb's On the side of the creek opposite to Green Hill, Titcomb's baltery i /• , opened, battery, 800 yards from the west gate, mountmg five 42 pound- ers, was opened, May 20, with great effect upon the enemy's circular battery and magazine ; and on the 22d, the Princess Mav 126 Mary and Hector, arriving, joined the fleet. But on the 26th, bsli76 unfortunate though brave attempt upon the Island battery, oc- casioned the English a loss of 176 men; — 60 killed and drowned, and 116 taken prisoners. About the same time, a new battery was erected on the Light-house point, under the direction of Lieut. Col. Gridley, and brought so directly to bear upon the Island battery, as to silence several of its guns. The Provin- • This was more than 200 yards nearer the town than the grand battery- was. t Warren offered Tyng the command of this valuable prize with the rank of post captain. But he being considerably advanced in life had de- termined to remain on shore after the expedition ; and therefore declin- ing the offer, recommended Captain Rouse, who was appointed to that office. Chap, viii.] of matne. 231 cials had now erected five fascine batteries, mounted 16 pieces A. D. 1745. of cannon and several mortars, entirely destroyed the western gJ^a^usuhe gate, and made great impressions upon the enemy's other works. At leno;th, it was concerted and concluded by Commodore War- J«ne 7. ° ' A slrata- ren and General Pepperell, to attempt by stratagem what force gem. had hitherto failed to effect. They informed the Captain of the captured Vigilant, how badly the French had treated some of the English prisoners ; and then shewing him what care and Jtind- ness, the Frenchmen, detained on board the Enghsh fleet, were receiving, desired him to certify the fact to the commander of the garrison, and advise him to pursue as generous a course. He june 8. complied — and Capt. McDonald was the bearer of the letter, ^nt'iHto ibe June 8, under a flag of truce. He was a good French linguist, a fl'agl"'^^'^ though he feigned himself a stranger to the language ; and there- fore, had the advantage of understanding all the French officers said to each other, while he was with them. Till this time, they had received no intelligence, that the Vigilant was a prize to the English, or her captain a prisoner. Notice of the event put them to a great nonplus ; and in connexion with the trials of a severe siege, occasioned apparent looks of dismay. — The west- -pj^^, French em gate was not only demolished, but a fearful breach was disconcert- made in the adjoining walls ; the north-eastern and the circular batteries and the west flank of the king's bastion had all receiv- ed great damage ; and preparations, they perceived, were making for a general assault. They were besides, in want of some pro- visions and stores, which they now despaired of receiving ; and the garrison, prior to the siege, were so mutinous, that the Gov- ernor would not trust them to make a sortie, through fear of de- sertion. Nor could he ascertain the true strength of the Pro- vincials. The ground upon which they were entrenched was so uneven and the men so scattered, that he could form no estimate of their number ; while the prisoners, as if by mutual agreement, represented the English force to be greatly superior to what it really was. The arrival of four other laree Endish ships of . . . June war, on the 10th and 12th, gave heart and spirit to the assailants, 4 other which the French might perceive, by the unabating intrepidity waf-'ships and vigor, every where evinced in this protracted siege. The battery near the Light-house was now able to flank a line of 20 guns in the enemy's Island battery, 3,400 feet distant ; and on the 14th, being the anniversary of his Majesty's accession to the arrive. 232 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.v. 1745. throne, it was " celebrated by a discharge at 12 o'clock, of all the cannon in every battery." On the 1 8th, the English determined * to make a grand attack upon the garrison by sea and by land.' June 15 ^^^^ suspected or understood by the enemy, — Ducham- French bon, June 15, wrote thus to Pepperell and Warren: — 'Gentle- Governor's -rx • leiier tothe * men — Dcsirous of putting a stop to acts of hostility and the ef- Lngii,h offi ^ ^ygjQj^ blood ; I send this note to request a suspension of * arms, so long as shall be needful for me to make proposals, * upon what conditions, I shall determine to deliver up to you the June 16. < place, with which the king my master has entrusted me.' — ^The Surrenders the place, next day, he surrendered the garrison,* and on the 17th, posses- June 17. sion was taken by the captors ; the French beins; allowed to Possession J r 7 o taken by maixh out " with their arms, music and standards." the English. ... In the capitulation, 650 veteran troops, 1,310 militia men, the crew of the Vigilant, and about 2,000 of the inhabitants being 4,1 30f in all, engaged not to bear arms against Great Britain or her allies, for twelve months ; and embarking on board 14 cartel ships, were transported to Rochfort in France. Seventy-six cannon and mortars fell into the hands of the victors, besides other property to an immense amount ; and there were in the town, provisions and ammunition enough for five or six months. Our loss was 1 30 men — and that of the French 300, killed within the walls. The Prince of Orange was sunk in a storm, and her crew drowned. View of the Upon entering the fortress, and viewing its strength, and the incidents, plenty and variety of its means for defence, the stoutest hearts were appalled ; and the practicability of taking it by surprize, as contemplated by the projectors of the expedition, appeared futile to the last degree. As a decoy, the French flag was continued flying ; and the * value of all the prizes, taken during this expe- * dition, were not much short of a million sterling.' The weather which through the last 40 days of the siege, was remarkably fine for the season, soon changed, and an incessant rain of ten days succeeded. Had this happened before the surrender, hundreds then sick of the dysentery must have fallen victims to the disease. J * General Pepperell says, we g-ave the town about 9,000 cannon ball, and 600 " bombs, before the enemy surrendered." f 1 Doug. Summ. p. 568. — 2,000 able to bear arms, I No less than 1,500 were sick at one time, by reason of cold, foggy weather, fatigue in mud and water, and poor tents. Chap, viii.] of maine. 233 The news of this resplendent victory filled America with joy, A. D. 1746. and Europe with astonishment.* It was celebrated in the prin- Celebration ^ ^ , ^ of ilie vic- cipal New-England towns by ringing of bells, by bonfires, by lor;'. festivity,! and July 13, by a public thanksgiving. Great glory was won ; yet unwearied pains were afterwards taken in England, to ascribe it principally to the navy and lessen the merit of the army. The victory gave a fresh impulse to the jealousies, en- tertained in the mother country, that such events would hasten the independence of the Colonies. Pepperell, however, receiv- Rewards lo ed the title of Baronet; Warren was made an Admiral; and °*""* Pepperell and Shirley severally received Colonels' commissions to raise two regiments on the British establishment in America, and be in the pay of the crown. But none of the officers, except one or two, and none of the New-England troops, were ever allowed any part of the prizes, nor any emoluments, — ^their own wages excepted. Parliament, after repeated solicitations, through a period of four years, resolved at last to pay the expenses of the expedition ; and shipped to New-England in specie, £200,000 sterling for that purpose. J * 1 Doug. Summ. p. 345-355.-2 Hutch, p. 364-376.-2 Belknap's N. H. 149-174.— 2 Trumbull's Con. p. 270-2S1.— 1 Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc. p. 61.— Shirley's Speech, July 17.— Jour, of Mass. H. Rep. 1745, p. 10-68. t Smith's Journal., p. 39, July 8, we [in Falmouth] fired our canDon five times, and spent the afternoon at *' the fort, rejoiciDg-." J Sum sent to Massachusetts was £l83,649, mostly silver in 215 chests. " N. Hampshire « 16,355, £200,004. But the best account in print, of the « Siege of liouisbourg"," appears in Governor Shirley's letter, Oct. 28, 1745, to the Duke of New castle and a * Journal of the siege,' in 31 octavo pages, published by order of the Gen- eral Court, Jan. 7, 1746 :— from which, matter in the preceding paget has been selected. Vol. II. 30 234 THE HISTORY Vol. II. CHAPTER IX tSpmiish, and 5 years' Indian war — Defence — Indians desirous of ^car — Condition of the eastern peojyle. — First attacks of the In- dians— In Maine, at St. Georges' river — Eastern force — Demand upon the Indians fur a quota of men according to treaty — Their refusal — War declared against them — Skirmishes — Projects of England and France — Soldiers at Louishourg relieved — Defence — Attack on Gorhamtown, Pemaquid, St. Georges, FalmoutJ\ and other places — Canada and Nova Scotia — Arrival of d'An^ ville's feet — Disasters — Its return ho7ne — Ramsay's attack on the Massachusetts' provincials at Norton — They capitulate — The war — Mischiefs of the Indians — A naval victory over the French — Exchange of prisoners at Canada — Attempts upon Ncw-Mai'ble- head, Fort Frederick, St. Georges — A scarcity of provisions — Defensive force — Service disagreeable— ^A fort proposed at Pc- jwbscot — Base character of the savage eneiny — Neios of peace — Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle — Eastern guards — Indians propose peace — Visit Boston — A treaty established. A D 1745 ^ -^fi^ Indian war, as a consequence of the present one with January ^P^^"^ France, appeared now to be the inevitable destiny of Kjifth\n- these eastern Provinces. The refusal of the Tarratine tribe to dian.orfive years' war. become the allies of the English, as communicated in January, to the Government, was a manifest indication of their hostile designs. It was known, they continued to have a controlling in- fluence among the eastern tribes. They had acted a wise and worthy part in bringing the last war to a close, and in settling a treaty and they often expressed the strongest desires for a perpetuation of peace and amity. But the celebrated Castine the younger, was no more ;f and a rac^ of young Indians had risen, during an interval of twenty years' tranquillity, who panted for war and glory. The Indians had lately estranged themselves from the English, and many had withdrawn to Canada. Trade with them was nearly at an end, and the truck-masters were not rechosen. It was also reported, early in the spring, that arms and * Durnmer's treaty, A. D. 172C. I See ante, A. D. 1725. Chap, ix.] of Maine. 235 ammunition had been sent by the Governor of Canada, to theA.D, 1745. Indians of Nova Scotia ; that he had promised to distribute pres- The French 11 1 1 1 1 • • 1 • /-k I 11 encourage ents to all those who would visit him at Quebec ; and that a ihe indiam. body of natives was prepared to join Duvivier's forces and pro- ceed against Annapolis as soon as he returned from France. Measures and works of defence were indefati^ably prosecuted ; Measures 1 /. . 1 'for defence, houses were enclosed by ramparts, or palisades of timber ; watches were established ; and there were endeavors to keep up ranging parties constantly, between the garrisons. But the free enlistments into the late expedition against Louisbourg, had left the frontiers exceedingly open and exposed. After the capture, some were persuaded by an increase of wages, to abide there in the public service, some were detained by reason of the dysen- tery, and some returned home sick so that almost every able- bodied man, it is said, was, at one time, either at home or abroad, a soldier, a sentinel, or a minute-man. Nor were the men satisfied with the rewards they received in consideration of their perils, fatigues, and sufferings in the siege of that place. For they had no prize-money, no gratuity, nothing but vapid praise, — miserable food for a soldier, who had left his family for the camp, and lost the spring-season, which ought to have been improved in providing for their livelihood. As the Sagamores could not be reached by persuasives or The indiam presents : Capt. Saunders was despatched in the Province Sloop wS^an? with expresses, to the tribes about the eastern harbors, especially at Kennebeck and Penobscot ; informing them of the great vic- tory, in the hope of overawing them, or preventing their alliance with the enemy. But they had resolved to be neutral no longer. If the fall of Louisbourg and the fate of their old friends, the French, had any effect upon them ; it was to hasten them into the war against the triumphing English. They themselves had little to lose ; while the settlements, now increased and extend- ed, offered them morelBkJrements and greater opportunities for plunder. Yet a narra«ve of savage warfare on our frontiers, must be principally a recital of the sufferings, exploits, escapes, and deliverances, of parties, families, or individuals ; — a narrative. * " We have tidings [at Falmouth] daily of our people dying- at Cape " Breton and of many coming home and dying after arrival." — Smith't Journ. p. 41-43.— 2 Hutch. Hiat. p. 379. 236 'THE HISTORY [Vol. ii. A.D. 1745. the. Historian would cheerfully save himself the labor and pain of giving, did not fidelity and duty forbid. But the reiterated dis- tresses of the eastern inhabitants, in connexion with their forti- The melan- tude and Other virtues, ought not to be overlooked. In an Indian [ion oni'i'e' war, they were necessarily watchful, or on their guard day and iiiiiabitanis. ^j^j^^^ when at labor in their fields, they were often obliged on a sudden emergency, either to repel an attack, or make a hazardous retreat. Their crops were not unfrequently injured or destroyed, either by their own cattle getting into their enclosures, where the Indians had broken the fences ; or because the hus- bandmen durst not venture out to collect and secure the harvest.* By reason of the danger to which they were constantly exposed, they were unable to cultivate their lands to any advantage ; though when they went to public worship, or abroad, they were always armed ; and usually, when at work, they posted a sentry in some conspicuous place, to keep watch. f So bent on mere mischief were the savages, that when they killed the husband- man's domestic animals, they would oftentimes only take a little of their flesh or their tongues, which they broiled and ate fresh, or preserved by drying in the smoke. In short, the distressed people were afraid even to milk their cows, though they were kept in pastures near as possible to the fortifications ; and whole families were not unfrequently, in these Indian wars, shut up for weeks together, in a state of wretched anxiety. July 19. The first outrages of the Indians were committed, July 19, ttcks^of ihe St. Georges and Damariscotta [Newcastle]. Several of the Indians. savages fiom Cape Sable, St. John, and St. Francois, uniting, On the fort5 began by attacking the fort St. George ; upon which, however, ges' and they could make no impression. They then set on fire a garri- *'™®'^"' soned house and saw-mill ; burnt a few dwellinghouses in the vicinity ; killed a great number of the cattle ; and took captive one of the inhabitants. Preferring, as it was a maxim of Indian policy, to do mischief remote from their immediate neighborhood, and inheriting an enmity towards the public or local fortifica- tions, another party, formed of young fighters from Penobscot and Norridgewock, marked fort Frederick for an assault. In * Gov mar's Speech, January^ 1745. — 'Prevented as tlic peo{.le may be, * from cullivating- Ihcir lands,' says he, « they must starve there, or withdraw * with Iheir fnmilies, cattle, ani elfjcts,— without timely help.' t Sullivan, p. 109. Chap, ix.] of maine. 237 approaching it, they met a woman, about 300 yards from the A.D. n4&. walls, whom they wounded in the shoulder, and then one of them seized her. Either the report of the gun or her shrieks, unfortunately for them, alarmed the garrison ; and amidst the momentary consternation and rising smoke, or through the care- lessness of her keepers, she broke away from them, and under the fire from the fort escaped to the gate. Thus the meditated attack was happily prevented.* The same month they killed a AtTopsham. man and scalped a boy at Topsham ; and at New-Meadows, Meadows, they shot a mounted man and his horse under him.f A short time previously, about 30 Indians, well armed, cameAtNorth- to North-Yarmouth, and secreted themselves under a fence, be- tween the two forts, which were a mile apart. As Philip Greely was passing, early the nest morning, from one to the other, they shot him and retired. Had they not been discovered by means of his dog, they would probably have let him pass unhurt. But since an alarm would inevitably be given, either by him if per- mitted to escape, or by the report of their guns, if they killed him, they preferred the latter alternative ; and though he lost his life, the garrisons were both left unmolested. | Not far distant, at Flying-point, they broke down the door, and entered the house of one Maines, about break of day, before the family were out of bed. The good man made a brave personal resistance, in which he was himself slain. A young child of his was also kill- ed in its mother's arms by a bullet, which, at the same time, wounded her in the breast. Aroused by the tumult, a man, lodg- ing in the chamber, fired upon the assailants, shot down one of them, and so alarmed the rest, that they fled out of the house, taking with them a young daughter, panic struck and freezing with horror. The thoughtful woman, thus left for a moment, bar- red the door, and thereby escaped a cruel death, or a more cruel captivity. The affrighted girl, they carried captive to Canada. Determined, however, not to leave North-Yarmouth, till they had more effectually executed their purpose, they selected an ambush near the meeting-house, from which they fired upon three men Journal House Rep. 1745, p. 89.— Governor's Speech, in July. 1 Smith's Jonr. 40. I Sullivan, p. 19y. — He supposes this was in May : But he is not correct as to dates. — Smith, p. 40, and Belle. JV. //. p. 186, say the first mischief was in July. 238 TiJK HISTORY [Vol. ii. A. D. 1745. who were in company; — one of them, Ebenezer Eaton, they killed and scalped ; another was made prisoner ; and the third escaping, carried the tidings to the fort. The Indians then spread- ing themselves along the ridge, a little farther back, recommenced a discharge of their muskets upon the houses below, and upon such of the men, as rushed out v\?ith their arms towards the place where they had heard the report of guns, and continued firing, until fears of a rencounter induced them to retire. Seulemen^s The settlements, begun upon the banks and in the vicinity of Georges' Gcorgcs' rivcr, under the patronage of Samuel Waldo, Esquire, turbchein- soon after the close of Lovewell's war, had been prosecuted, dur- ing the last ten years, with encouraging success. He built mills, and by advertisements offered his lands to settlers upon most alluring terms. Irish emigrants of the protestant religion, who had been sometime in America, accepted his offers, and became the fathers of these plantations. For under an agreement with him, April 18, 1735, forty-five of them presently settled upon their respective lots of 100 acres, built cottages, and laid the Upper and foundation of the " Z7/?pe7* Toiyn" [now Warren.]* Settlements lowertowns. ^j^^ ^02(?nsAip below\ [now Thomaston,] and at Meduncook, [now Friendship,] were in a progressive condition during the same period ; and block-houses were erected at the " JVarrows'^ in the upper town, also at the mouth of the river. But no other settlements in Sagadahock, so much as these, disturbed the Tar- ratine tribe of Indians, { as there was none so near them. Attacks on The inhabitants attempted to labor on their farms, under a ams of those g^^rd of soldiers, though not without perpetual interruption. Da- piaces. yjj Creighton, and his companions, venturing out a short distance from the garrison at St. Georges, were killed and scalped. Boyce Cooper, and Reuben Pitcher, proceeding down the river for rock- weed, fell into the hands of the enemy, and were carried to Can- ada. Naturally jovial, and apparently contented. Cooper made himself familiar with the Indians ; and as he answered all their questions cheerfully, about the men and cattle at the fort, — he in return received from them, very generous usage. He was an em- igrant from Ireland ; and while in Canada, his fellow prisoner, *See post, A. D. 1776. ^Called the " Loicer town;'''' and by the Indians, Gcorgeekeag. XSee ante, A. D. 1736. Chap, ix.] of mafne. 239 a native of the same country, dying, bequeathed him his violin. A. I) 1745. Of this gift, he made good use, for like the young psalmist of Israel, charming the king with his harp, he often played upon the exhilarating instrument with such exquisite skill, before the Gov- ernor, as to soften the spirit of hostile asperity in him, to that of clemency, favorable to the prisoner's release. As two w^omen were milking their cows, not far from the gar- rison, one of them, Mrs. Thompson, was seized and carried to Canada ; while the other, Mrs. Spear, with much ado, w^as able to regain the fort-gate. Saunders, son of the officer who com- manded the Province Sloop, was at an unfortunate moment caught by the savages, and carried as far as Owl's-head, where all encamped for the night. Before them, he affected so much cheerfulness and contentment, that they all suffered themselves to fall into a sound sleep ; when he, softly rising, took their purse, containing $200, hid it, and returned safely to the fort. After the war, he found it, and had the pleasure of applying the con- tents to his own use.* It had been foreseen by the government, that the expedition a tlefensive against Cape Breton, would expose the eastern frontiers to in- men* ^^'^ cursions from the enemy ; especially when it was found how " great a number of the inhabitants" had enlisted ; therefore, a Committee of safety and defence was appointed, and a pro- visional force of about 450 men, including the garrison soldiers, was put in requisition. In this draft or enlistment, no more were allowed to be taken from the frontiers, than were needful for pilots, or guides ; and all were to be under pay, till the first day of the ensuing November. They were to be posted at the forts and garrisoned houses, between which they were constantly to scout in ranging parties ; so as to fprm a line along the whole frontier from Berwick to St. Georges. f It was now determined effectually to protect or defend the inhabitants at their homes ; for, in the sentiments of the Governor, — ' their departure, or re- ' treat would be an event equally ruinous to themselves, and td ' the eastern Provinces.' * Eatou's MS. Narrative. t Capt. Jonathan Bean, of York, and his company, scouted from Saco to Presumpscot ; and Capl. Mochrs from Prcsumpscot to fort Georg-e in Brunswick. — Other parties scouted along' (he whole frontier. — Smith' t Jour. p. 40. 240 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1745. As soon as news of the first attacks by the Indians, reached Discipline Boston, the House addressed the Governor upon the subject of requiie . eastern affairs, stating, that by report, the soldiery in that service had become weary and careless, and their discipline lax ; that the military character of their officers bore the stigma of gross negligence, if not the stain of dishonesty; and that the peo- ple were in great dread of evils but too justly apprehended. Therefore, to strengthen the frontiers more fully, a re-enforcement of 175 men was ordered to be despatched thither without delay. Reform. The Governor also commanded every officer to keep a minute journal of his marches, and return upon oath to him or his supe- rior in command, an account of every week's occurrences. The House next voted, that all the eastern volunteers then at Louis- bourg, be dismissed if they chose, and be allowed to "return " home, in order to preserve from ruin their families and estates A demand and that an express demand be made upon the tribes at Penob- ScVlbr a Norridgewock, to deliver hostages, either for surrender- S'ing'^ ing the Indians who had done the late mischief at St. Georges, or for furnishing at least thirty fighting men within fourteen days, according to an article in Dummer's treaty : — Otherwise, they were assured, the Governor would be moved to declare war against them after that time ; and not an Indian, who did not pre- viously ask protection, would have it extended to him. War de "^"^ demand was altogether in vain. The Indians turned ciared a deaf ear to every proposal of conciliation ; — ^therefore, on the fhemT^ 23d of August, the Provincial government, declared war against all the eastern tribes without exception, and offered for every In- dian captive, or scalp, taken westward of Passamaquoddy, by a soldier in the public service, £100, — ^by a person having provi- Bounties. sions and not wages, £250, — and by a volunteer, without rations, pay, or ammunition, £400, as bounties.* Hunne- Within two months after the first blow was struck, every town pioitlo** ®° eastern frontier was visited by parties or stragglers, from rou«^h°' ^^^^ savage hordes, thirsting for the setders' blood. Mr. Hunnewell, mowing in his meadow at Blue-point ip Scarborough, had suspicion from a rustiing remote sound, on the other side of the river and marsh, that there might be Indians in the adjoining woods. Separated, as he was, by so wide a space, he set his Jour. House of Rep. p. 71-94. Chap, ix.] of Maine. 241 gun well loaded, against a small tree and continued at work, sup-A.D. 1745. posing himself in no immediate danger. But in a returning swarth, when at some distance, he perceived his gun was remov- ed ; and knew, therefore, it must have been taken away by some lurking Indian. He continued to mow as though he had made no discovery ; till within a few paces of the bank, under which he had good reason to believe his enemy was lying secreted ; then giving a sudden scream and leap, he sprang upon the savage so furiously and unexpectedly, that he had no command of his gun and not much of himself. As he rose on his feet and step- ped back, he fell ii*to a hollow, when Hunnewell instantly cut his body in two witT^ the sythe. A shout at the same time, being raised by his comrades, watching at a distance, Hunnewell bran- dished the fatal weapon towards them, and bade them all so bold a defiance, that they fled — too much intimidated to approach him. In the vicinity of St. Georges, Lieutenant Proctor and a a skirmish party of 19 militia men, had a skirmish with the enemy, Sept. 5;*gf''®®°'' in which they killed two of the savage leaders. Colonel Morris ^' and Captain Sam, and took Colonel Job prisoner. He was after- wards sent to Boston, where he died in confinement. — To avoid the enmity of his kindred, and the ill-will of his squaw, the gov- ernment, after peace, made her a valuable present. Colonel Cushing's son was shot down about the same time, evidently by sjjeeps- particular aim ; it being a peculiar characteristic of Indian war- fare, to waylay the inhabitants, and kill individuals, whenever seen alone. At Sheepscot, as three men were gathering corn, two of them were killed, and the other wounded, by a scout of thirteen Indians, firing from an ambush. Unsuccessful as the soldiers generally were in the pursuit of these little hordes, into the bordering woods ; the people were never more resolute and spirited. Four companies in Falmouth and the vicinity were in arms, and equal activity was manifest in remoter towns. But the mr^at of these wild savages, after mischief done, was so sudden and fleetfooted, that it was with the utmost difficulty, they could be overtaken or found.* For the bettsB^Cfence of the eastern towns, during the winter, four small fieldpieces and a swivel were sent to them ; and * At Long-creek^ near Stroudwater, an Indian spy was seen and fired at, though without effect. Vol. II. 31 242 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1746. though only 20G men, formed into two companies, were at first as- Fears of nn signed to the public service ; they were re-enforced by an equal Canada. number, January 28, in consequence of an alarming report, that a body of 300 French and Indians were preparing to fall upon some part of the English frontiers. The two latter companies were put under pay till June, and ordered to scout chiefly east- ward of the Androscoggin, and to learn if possible the routes and purposes of the Indians, and their places of general resort. But though the late report happily proved to be groundless ; still, all tfie efforts made by government to protect the towns and planta- tions, from the enemy's ravages, could not fully allay the fears of the people more exposed. If they passed through the winter with fortitude, the opening spring generally presented to their minds, the most direful forms of famine, danger and death. Plans of the The reduction of Louisbourg was viewed by the courts of English and -r^ , , , tt r i • i • French. England and ranee, as an event of such smgular importance, as to produce in each of them a multiform plan of operations ; which they communicated, the ensuing April, to their respective Colonies. On the one hand, the English thought of nothing less than the conquest of Canada, and the extirpation of the French from the northern hemisphere ; — and on the other, as it was seasonably ascertained, the French meditated the recovery of Louisbourg, and Nova Scotia, also the destruction of Boston and all the principal seaports in New-England. They had made sure the alliance, or friendship of all the eastern tribes; and the English had secured the amity of the Six Nations, or Mohawks. Project When Governor Shirley, the preceding autumn, visited Louis- Canada, bourg, he consulted with Warren and Pepperell, and wrote pressing letters to the British ministry, in favor of an expedition agaifist Canada. In return, it seems, the enterprize was greatly encouraged by the Duke of Newcastle, Secretary of State ; and so popular was it in New-England, and so cheerful the enlist- ments, that within a few months, more than 8,000 colonial troops were raised and those of Massachusetts and Maine, ready to embark, about the middle of July.f The number raised in the colonies was in very unequal proportions. New-Hampshire, 500 ; Massachusetts, 3,500 ; Rhode-Island, 300 ; Connecti- cut, 1000 ; New York, ],G00 ; New-Jersey, 500 ; Maryland, 300 ; Pennsylva- nia, 400, and Virginia, 100. I Though the enlistments in Maine, at first, went on but slowly— "our Chap, ix.] of ma ink. 243 In the meantime, the Provincial troops, despatched two years A. D. 1746. since to Annapolis, returned home in good spirits ; and most of Provincial those, (being about 1500,) retained at Louisbourg subsequent to Annapdis the conquest, through the persuasion of Governor Shirley, were four^'regi-^^ relieved by two regiments from Gibraltar, and those of Shirley and Pepperell,* recruited under their new commissions. In May, Warren and Pepperell visited Boston, for the purposes of a gen- eral consultation, as to future measures ; when they and General Waldo were invited, June 24, into the Council-chamber, the Gen- eral Court being in session, and honored with a gratulatory address. Next there were raised for carrying on the war £82,000 ; and Appropria- to every recruit was offered, suitable bedding, a blanket, and a bounty of £30 old tenor ; — also the Massachusetts frigate and Boston packet were taken into employ. But the wages and clothing of the soldiers were expected to be paid by the crown. The General Court also authorized 700 oz. of silver to be offer- Mohawks, ed unto the Sagamores of the Six Nations, provided they would join in the war against the French, but they declined the offer. At the close of the session, the Governor, in an address to the two Houses remarks ; — ' The contiguity of the French to our jun^ 28. * borders, and their influence over the Indians, have always been [he^Gov°^ * thought most pernicious to the interests of these colonies, and to ^oCana- * threaten their final destruction, unless some method should be * found, to subdue or remove such cruel and treacherous neighbors. * — This was the sentiment in 1712 ; and the cry, ever since the * Canadian Province was delivered to France, has been, Canada * est delenda. — It is a Carthage to the northern colonies, which * if not destroyed, will in time destroy them. For while it is the * enemy's, there can be neither security nor rest to New-Eng- Mand, especially to the parts contiguous to its borders.' To relieve, in some measure, the eastern frontiers from the rfoH" Defensive rors of devastation and captivity, through the summer, to which MaSie^ they were constantly exposed ; 460 men were employed and dis- tributed in manner, not unlike that in the preceding year ; and an additional number assigned to the garrisons at St. Georges, at *' people being- dispirited on account of the sickness, and their unfair *' treatment at Cape Breton." — Smith's Jour. p. 43. * One had now 700, and the other 500 men. — Governor's Speech, May 29, 1746. 244 THE HISTORY [Vol., H. A. D. 1746. Brunswick, and at Saco.* But in none of the Indian wars were the savages more subtle and inveterate, yet in none less cruel. They despaired of laying waste the country and expelling the in- habitants. They rather sought to satiate their revenge upon par- ticular individuals, or families ; to take captives and scalps, for the sake of the price or premium paid them therefor by the French ; and to satisfy their wants, by the plunder of houses, or slaughter of cattle ; a cow or ox being frequently killed by them, and nothing taken but the tongue. A|>rin9. The first mischief they perpetrated this spring, in Maine, was attack Gor-on the 19th of April. A party of ten entered Gorhamtown, which at that time contained, besides those in the block-house, only four families, Bryant's, Cloutman's, Read's and M'Lellan's, with a design to take them all prisoners without firing a gun. For this purpose, the Indians formed themselves into five parties. One, proceeding to the field where Bryant and his son were at work, first broke his arm and then shot him dead : a second, sur- prizing his family, killed and scalped four of his children in a most barbarous manner, — beating out the brains of an infant two weeks old, against the fire-place, and taking captive the mother, whom they afterwards sold in Canada : a third, proceeding to Cloutman's house, met him on the way and made him a prisoner, but durst not go farther, owing to the report of the guns discharg- ed at Bryant : a fourth, hastening towards the dwellinghouse of M'Lellan, met Read, just as he left it, and after a severe strug- gle with him, who was an athletic man, they succeeded in bind- ing him : the fifth met with no success,— -The assailants finding they had given an alarm, fled with great perturbation, unhurt, though pursued immediately by the men at the block-house. One Thorn was afterwards taken and carried to Canada, where he was detained a long time, till he acquired the Indians' habits.f They de- Determined entirely to destroy the settlements within the Sag- stroy Broad- j j O bay piauia- adahock territory, a large body of Indians, in May, attacked the May 21. German plantation at Broad-bay, [Waldoborough] and reduced the habitations of the people to ashes ; killing some, and carrying ♦Jour, of House of Rep. 1746, p. 174, 238. f MS. Let. of FI. JJ. JrLellan —Ti.orn, for instance, became taciturn- apt when walking to look back often over one of his shoulders— prone to start a little at everv noise or rustle. CbIT. IX.] OF MAINE. 245 Others into captivity.* It subsequently lay waste till the close of a.d. im. the war. The enemy then fell upon the cattle at Pemaquid, and outrages at made great havoc among them. Five persons at Sheepscot, when returning from meeting, were waylaid by fifteen Indians, ^oV^^^^^*" and fired upon by particular aim, but through a remarkable in- terposition of Providence, one only was killed. Another, though mortally wounded, faced the savage, who was advancing to scalp him, and by a well directed fire, laid him dead at his feet. The other three made good their escape. At Wiscasset, they killed At Wi'sca»- 19 of the people's cattle, took Captain Jonathan Williamson prisoner, and carried him to Canada, where he was kept six months.f Next, there was a sharp skirmish between a scouting At St. Geor- party and a company of the English, near the fort at St. Georges ; where, after one was killed and another wounded on each side, the enemy withdrew. About thirty of the enemy, in detached parties, appeared to be Falmouth continually hovering around Falmouth and North-Yarmouth, and watching every motion of the inhabitants. Seven of the savage foe, seeing a company of laborers at work near Long-creek, (Stroudwater) fired upon them under such circumstances of ad- vantage as to kill two, whom they scalped and stripped of their clothes. They also took three guns, and were fighting the other laborers from the field ; when the soldiers, at the fort in Falmouth, alarmed by the report of guns, rushed unexpectedly upon them, and pursued them, till they concealed themselves in the thickets. In no war before, had they appeared more daring and desperate. Coming near Frost's garrisoned house at Stroud- water, they manifested a design of attacking it, but were bravely beat off before they began the siege. Nay, one Indian, on a Sunday, ventured over into the heart of the village upon the pen- insula, as a spy ; who being seen, was fired at, and then chased to the woods. These, and some other daring acts of the Indians, induced the people without delay to erect another block-house for the common defence. { To finish what is to be related of the Indians and their depre- The residue dations this season ; — it was, we may add, ascertained, that the waSe this same party, between 30 and 40 in number, probably the rem- * Some fled to Pemaquid, some to St. Georg-es, &c. — Eaton^s JIS. JVar. p. 10. i MS. Letter, M. Davis and R. Sewall, Esqrs. 1 Smith's Jonr. p. 33. 246 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. AiD. 1746. nants of the Sokokis, Anasaguniicook and Canibas tribes, with a few Frenchmen, were the perpetrators of all the mischief done in Falmouth and its vicinity, this summer. For they were often seen, and pursued, swamps were searched, and some of them were wounded. But they were perfectly acquainted with the country, its by-paths and hiding-places ; also with the abodes, plans and habits of the inhabitants, — easily eluding their pur- suers, who were always suspicious of an ambush. The places which the savage parties most assiduously infested were Merri- coneag, North-Yarmouth, Falmouth and Scarborough — where one of Mr. Proctor's family, young Greely, one Stubbs, a sol- dier, and several others were killed ; the particulars of whose August 13. deaths have not been preserved. On the 13th of August, two Frenchmen and an Indian, shot at Allen Dover, as he was trav- elling through the marsh at Black-point, who returned the fire, and by appearances, killed one of them. The last attack in the eas- tern Provinces, of which we have any knowledge, occurred, Aug, Au|>i^st26. 26, in the vicinity of Pemaquid. John McFarland, enjoying the land's habi- pleasures of rural retirement, remote from the garrison, on a waste. plantation he had rendered flourishing and fruitful by his own industry, was at length assailed by the savage destroyers ; who killed his cattle, laid entirely waste his habitation and fields, and wounded him and his son, leaving them half-dead.* It was ob- servable, however, that very few comparatively, thus far, in this Indian war, had been killed on either side. The parties well knew how to avoid each others' devices and attacks ; and the English, finding the great advantage to be derived from keen- scented, or furious dogs, kept great numbers of them, and were followed by them in their scouts, and also in chasing the enemy. Canada and About this time, the attention of the Indians, as well as of the Nova-Sco- Provincials — seemed to be drawn towards Canada and Nova Sco- tia, as armaments and expeditions, of uncommon magnitude, were expected soon to proceed thither. Gov. Shirley, Sept. 9, rep- of'Nova°" resented to the General Court, that ' there were probably in Nova Scotia. t Scotia a mixed population of 30,000,f consisting of Acadians, *Jour. of House Rep. 1747. f Query, if this estimate be not too hig-h ? — There were, however, in the plantations of Minas only, about 7,000 souls in 1750. — 1 Haliburtori's JV*. S. p. 152. Chap, ix.] of maine. 247 * French and Natives, all Roman Catholics, who could furnish A. D. i74C. 6,000 able to bear arms and take the field ; the most of whom * were ripe for a revolt, and only waited a favorable or safe * opportunity ; and great fears were entertained, if these were 'joined by the great body of Indians at Penobscot and Kenne- *beck, they they would, under the auspices of the French, make * themselves masters of Annapolis and of the whole country of * Nova Scotia, — then overrun the eastern Provinces, and New- * Hampshire, and scarcely meet with an effectual check, even at *the river Merrimack.' Orders therefore were issued for the troops raised in Massachusetts, Rhode-Island, and New-Hamp- shire, to embark for Annapolis, and " drive the enemy out of JYova Scotia." What less or what else could be attempted ? — Since through long suspense, fearful apprehensions, inactivity and delays, the public at large had now been suffering most se- verely, two full months. The lapse of the season must itself short- ly frustrate the expedition to Canada ; — neither military forces, nor official orders arrived from England ; — therefore the col- onists were involved in a sad dilemma and deep concern. At this juncture, the whole country was thrown into the utmost j^yrWai fit consternation, by the arrival, Sept. 12, of a large fleet and army 1^^-?"°^^ at Nova Scotia, from France, under the command of the Duke French fleet ' ' ^ under Duke D'Anville, a nobleman of great experience and ability. He an- d'Anviiie. chored in Chebucto Harbor, [now Halifax.'] The fleet, when it put to sea from Brest, 90 days before, was the most powerful one ever sent to North America. It consisted of 70 sail ; — of which there were 1 1 ships of the line, 20 frigates, 5 ships and brigs, and 34 fireships, tenders and transports; having on board 3,150 well dis- ciplined troops, and immense quantities of provisions, ammunition, and military stores. The Duke had previously sent Constans with three ships of the line and a frigate, to convoy the trade at Hispan- iola, who, according to orders, afterwards visited Chebucto ; but hearing nothing of the Admiral, after waiting a long time, sailed for France. The Ardent and Mars, both of 64 guns, being shat- tered in a storm, put back for Brest, and were finally captured ; also the Alcide, another 64, receiving great damage, bore away lor the West Indies. The forces from Canada, about 1,700 men, regular troops, militia, volunteers and Indians, all waited till the time had elapsed for the arrival of the fleet ; and then they com- 248 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. Ai D. 1746. menced their returning march to Quebec. The Duke, however, sent expresses after them ; yet 400 only were overtaken in time to admit of their return. From three ships of the line, and 6 or 7 transports, a landing was at length effected ; when it was found, that they had lost 1,270 men on the voyage, and the rest were so sickly, as to be unable to undergo the least fatigue. These com- plicated misfortunes and disasters so overwhelmed the Duke, that on the fourth day, subsequent to his arrival, he died. In a coun- cil of war on the 18th, the vice-admiral proposed an immediate return to Brest ; but a majority joined de la Jonquiere, Govern- or of Canada, the third in command ; — concluding to attack Death of Aunapolis, before the fleet left the coast. Hence, the chagrin, the two chief \ ^ ^ ^ . . French offi- this occasioned, in connexion with the other disappointments, threw the vice-admiral into the deliriums of a fever, and he fell on his own sword. Sickness of malady among the troops, proving to be a scorbutic fever ^ the French, ^gj.^ mortal, continued to rage with such violence, that 1,130 of the troops died after encampment. Meanwhile the Indians, flock- ing thither in great numbers for arms, ammunition and clothing, took the infection, which preyed upon them, till it carried off more than a third part of the whole Mickmak race, and extend- ed to the tribe at the river St. John.* An English It was reported, that the French fleet would be followed to fleet expect- ^jj^gpigg, by a large squadron of English ships ; and Shirley, believing it from letters received, sent an express to communicate the fact to Admiral Townsend at Louisbourg. But it was inter- October 11. cepted, and opened in a council of French officers, Oct. 11, and found to read thus — Admiral Lestock, with a fleet of IS sail, has been ordered to JVorth- America, and may be hourly expected. —H^ls- French fleet ^^^^^ ^7 ^^"^ news, a part of the French fleet, consisting of 40 sail leaves the left Chebucto on the 13th, for Annapolis : but being overtaken by a most violent storm, off Cape Sable, they were so shattered, weakened and dispersed, that they returned singly to France. ^*ie deiiv * Never,' says an able and pious writer, * was the hand of Divine erance of < Providence more visible, than on this occasion, — never a dis- the English . ' colonies. * appointment more severe on the side of the enemy, — never de- * liverance in favor of this country more complete without hu- * " A most ravaging sickness prevails among the Cape Sable and SL "John's Indians." — Governor Shirley'* Speech, jsTov. 7, 1746. Chap, ix.] of Maine. 249 *man help.'* A christian community, ascribed the praise of a. d. 1746. their success and salvation, the last year and the present, to that Almighty Being, who caused the stars in their courses to fight against Sisera, and ever controls the destinies of man. — Most appropriately might be repeated the pious sentiment in a blessing craved by the good minister of York,f at a festival commemorat- ing the capture of Louisbourg, who was once concise to the ad- miration as well as disappointment of all present ; — ' Good Lord, ' (as he expressed himself,) we have so many things to thank thee * for, that time will be infinitely too short for it ; we must there- ' fore leave it for the work of eternity. O bless our food and * fellowship upon this joyful occasion, for the sake of Christ Jesus * our Lord.' As soon as Ramsay, who had been sent by Jonquiere, with a A French force under small army to Minas, heard that the fleet had sailed for Annap- Ramsay olis, he returned to Chebucto ; — and it was afterwards thought chebucto. by many, highly important to route him from that place, as Gov- ernor Mascarene, in particular, represented to Shirley, that 1,000 men could drive the whole force from the peninsula, or compel a surrender. Hence Massachusetts was induced to vote 500, Rhode-Island Provincial 300, and New-Hampshire 200 men, and make the attempt. cTe"d to'^Mi"- Those of Massachusetts and Maine, to the number of 470, be-"^^' sides officers, soon proceeded to the Bay of Fundy ; but were unable to reach Minas [Horton] by water, which was situated on the south shore, 22 leagues eastward of Annapolis, on account of the advanced state of the winter. Therefore, they were all land- ed, Dec. 4, on an uninhabited shore, some 8 or 10 leagues west of it, with 14 days' provisions, which each man carried on his back. After eight days of inconceivable fatigue, they arrived at Grand Pre, or Lower Horton, — 12 leagues north-westerly of Chebucto, where Ramsay was encamped. Supposing themselves secure from attack during the rigors Ramsay of winter, they quartered themselves in an unguarded manner, wi^^eoo Ramsay, soon apprized of their situation, prepared for a march ; and after performing a tedious journey of 22 days, across the country, at the head of 600 men, including Indians, he arrived in * 2 Belk. N. H. 180. — Afflavit Deus, et dissipantur.— Shirley's Speech. —Jour. H. of Rep. 1746, p. 165. f Rev. Samuel Moody. Vol. II. 32 250 THE HISTORY [VoL. II* A. D» 1747. sight of the town. Dividing then his men into several parties, January 31. he attacked the Endish about three of the clock in the morninsr, A battle. ^ ^1 r • , a i • January 31, under covert oi a violent snowstorm. An obstinate and bloody battle ensued, which lasted till Col. Arthur JVoble, the commanding officer of the English,* also four of his commis- sioned officers, and seventy soldiers were killed, and sixty wound- ed ; — a part of them being butchered by the Indians in a barbar- The Eug- 0U3 manner. Deprived of their valiant commander, and over- laie.^'*^''" come by superior numbers, the English capitulated on terms — by which they were allowed to march off, with only six days' provision, their arms, colors, and music, a pound of powder and a few musket balls ; agreeing not to bear arms in Minas nor They march Chignecto, for six months. They then proceeded through the lis. country to Annapolis, encountering incredible hardships. Such was the sequel of this battle, though fought with a valor and obsti- nacy which would have covered them with glory, had it terminat- ed successfully. It was a wild enterprize, and owed its origin principally to Shirley and Mascarene. Aforcevot- Another projcct of Shirley's, equally wild, was an expedition under^Gen- against Crown Point, in midwinter ; which through his influence, erai Waldo, j^jjg General Court promoted, by raising a force of 1,500 men, who were put under the command of General Samuel Waldo. But the expedition was prevented by the smallpox, and other obstacles ; so that the troops continued inactive and under pay eight months longer, ttafclf^" Early and ample provision was, in 1747, again made for the mitice. defence and encouragement of the eastern inhabitants. A com- mittee of five trustees were appointed in different parts, to remu- nerate the soldiers, who had continued in the public service ; to billet out on generous terms, all such as were content not to leave their posts, for visits on furloughs ; and to dissipate all thoughts, the inhabitants might entertain of abandoning their habitations, lered. A bounty of £40 was offered for every French as well as Indian * The town of J^ohlcborough in the county of Lincoln, was so named in complimeuf to Col. Noble, or his family. His brother James Noble, Esq. was claimant of a larg-e tract in that town ; made conveyances and sur- veys; and after this war, his nephew, Arthur Noble, probably the son of the brave Col. Noble, lived in the plantation, and gave the town its name, James Noble married the widow of William Vaughan, who after the cele- brated sie^e of Louisbourg-, died in Enj^land. — .MS. I.rt. of E. Rollins^ Esq. Chap, ix.] of Maine. 251 prisoner, and £38, for a scalp. This was designed as a retalia-A.Di 1747 tion upon them, for their barbarity in killing men, women and Retaliation children at their homes and taking their scalps, as trophies of Frencii. their diabolical exploits. The government also assured the Gov- ernor of Canada, that if this unchristian and bloody mode of warfare, was not immediately and effectually checked ; the cruel- ties would be avenged upon the French inhabitants, wherever they could be found. It was however represented by the Governor, that there were April, employed in the last war, about 850 men for the protection of the Se easfern frontiers, when the places to be covered or protected, were much fewer in number than at the present time ; and that the inhabit- ants would withdraw, unless the settlements were well guarded. Hence the Province-sloop was sent to range the eastern coast. Thirty men were assigned to the garrison at St. Georges ; 370 appointed to scout between Berwick and Damariscotta ; and General Waldo was ordered to detach from his regiment, enlisted for the Canada expedition, 168 men to relieve 182, who had long been in the public service eastward. In short, 150 were detailed as minute-men, to take the field on the shortest notice. A premium, extravagant as it was, of £250 was offered, for every scalp taken westward of Passamaquoddy ; and £100 for every one elsewhere taken.* The first appearance of the Indians, this spring, was in small April 13. parties, as heretofore, intrepidly venturesome and daring. They fhe^indiansf began by killing young Dresser at Scarborough, April 13; by taking at Saccarappe, the next day, William Knight, and his two sons, prisoners. Within a week, Mr. Eliot, and his son were slain ; and Mr. Marsh carried into captivity. A body of 50 In- dians entered Falmouth, on the 21st, and after slaughtering sev- eral cattle, fell upon the family of Mr. Frost; whom, while fighting them with great courage, they despatched, and then carried off captive, his wife and six children. They were pursued by several expert marksmen, though without ability to overtake them. Equally unsuccessful was a company of 26 young volunteers, under Capt. Ilsley, belonging to Falmouth ; also two scouts from Purpooduck, and another from North- Yarmouth, that went with great courage and spirit in search of the enemy. 16 Mass. C. Rcc. p. 312. 252 A.J> 1747, May. The whole frontier in- fested with savn":es. Attack on Pemaquid. On Dama- rihcotta. Capt. Wil- liamson tak- en prisoner J HE liisTORV [Vol. ii. By the 1st of May, the whole frontier from Wells to Tops- ham, appeared to be infested by swarms of savages. It was a time when the fears and distresses of the people were easily ag- gravated, because the recruits for the summer campaign had not arrived. If, therefore, we except Capt. Jordan's company of 30 men, who were posted at Topsham, the inhabitants westward were now left unassisted in their defence. Aware, probably, of this fact, the Indians shewed uncommon activity and alertness. Near Falmouth, they killed two women ; at New-Meadows, a man. Mr. Hinkley ; at Scarborough, they fired upon an inhabi- tant; and at Wells, they chased a man into the heart of the town. As three men and a woman were crossing the Androscoggin in a canoe, from Brunswick to Topsham, the Indians firing upon them, killed two of the men and badly wounded the third, the woman only escaping unhurt.* A large company of about 100, next made their appearance in the territory of Sagad.ahock ; and on the 26th of May, com- menced a furious attack upon the fort and people of Pemaquid. This was a severe encounter, in which five soldiers of the gar- rison, and five recruits belonging to Purpooduck, were killed, and three others, who were inhabitants of Falmouth, were taken pris- oners ; Lovell and a lad only escaping, the former three being dangerously wounded. About this time, they made an assault upon a house at Damariscotta, took the owner a prisoner, and slew his wife and daughter. They also seized again Capt. Jon- athan Williamson of Wiscasset. He was an emigrant from the west of England, and one of the earliest and most respectable settlers in his neighborhood. f It seems, that he and two others went out to search for their cattle ; when the party, waylaying them, permitted his companions, who were before him, to pass un- molested ; taking him into custody by main strength without of- fering him any injury. Suspicious of their ill-will, possibly to- wards him in particular, he wished to know the reason of their partiality. They told him, they were on an errand from the Governor at Quebec, who was desirous of seeing a prisoner, able to give intelligence of the enemy's movements or plans. * Smith's Journal, p. 47. t Sullivan^ p. 168.- man of eminence." 0' ^fVilliarr.son was known to the Ii^dians as" a Chap, rx.] of matne. 253 Being exchanged the following year, he returned by way of Bos- A. u. 1747. ton. He said they treated him as well as their scanty means would afford ; dividing to him on the route to Canada, whatever of subsistence they could procure. The season for the spring work upon farms, for putting cattle into pasturage, and for the ^upon"^ river fishery, was extremely perilous ; till by the arrival and ar- J^^'^P' rangement of re-enforcements, the destroying enemy was turned from our frontiers, upon those of New-Hampshire. Amidst these direful and discouraging scenes, news of a victory May 3. arrived, which gave a surprizing chill to the spirits of the French t'try^Ihtain- m Canada, the Acadia ns, and all their Indian allies ; — a victory, eLXh Ad- which in equal degree, revived the drooping courage and vigor ^n^a'^d^"' of the eastern and northern Provinces. It appeared that France, Worren. to retrieve her military character from disgrace and aspersion, fitted out two squadrons, in all 38 sail ; the one, a convoy of six East Indiamen and a fleet of other ships, was put under the command of M, de St. George, and the other, destined for Can- ada and Nova Scotia, was commanded by M. de la Jonquiere. Forming a junction, they sailed from Rochelle, and were follow- ed by Admirals Anson and Warren, with 13 English ships of the line, and several frigates. The two fleets met. May 3d, and after a well fought battle, the French struck their colors.* Equally striking with the two former, was this interposition of Divine Providence in favor of the northern English colonies. It was a most severe blow to the French interests in America. Besides immense property taken, there were found on board the captured transports, 7,000 suits of clothes, 1,000 stands of arms, and numerxDus articles designed for the Acadians and Indians. M. de la Jonquiere, Governor of Canada, an old man of 70, was a prisoner, and the expectations of the Provincial French and the natives, were entirely blasted. Ramsay and his detachment made the best of their way to Canada ;f and agents were sent Prisoners in a large ship from Massachusetts to Quebec, for the purpose of aJcanSa. exchanging or redeeming prisoners. On their return, in August, they reported 361 in all ; — 171 of whom took passage home; — * The French lost 6 ships of the line ; 6 East Indiamen ; 700 men killed and wounded ; and li million and half of money and bullion ; and had be- tween 4 and 5,000 taken prisoners. " There were 30 ships laden with merchandize" — and 9 taken. f 2 Hutch. Hist. p. 385. 254 'I'li'^' HISTORY [Vol. ii. A. u 1747. 90 were scattered ; — about 30 others were too sick to be remov- ed ; — and 70 had died in captivity; almost the whole number having been taken from the frontiers of Massachusetts, New- Hampshire, and the eastern Provinces, Maine and Sagadahock. Overtures for peace were soon proposed by the powers at war ; and in September, all the troops enlisted for the expedition against Canada were discharged. An attack The hostile hordes, that visited our frontiers in the autumn, Ebie^^ appeared to be formed of Indians and a few associated French- men, equally savage, and more mean spirited. A party of this character, between 25 and 30 in number, entered the plantation of New-Marblehead, [Windham] probably with intent to take captive every one of the settlers, and furnish themselves with plunder, while devising the ruin of some other place. Though they succeeded in taking William Bolton ; — his companion, young Mayberry, had the adroitness to effect an immediate escape ; in which he seems to have been wounded by the shots he receiv- ed, while they followed him. By the report of guns as well as by tidings from him, the people had sufficient notice to secure themselves. An aitempi The two remotest easterly garrisons were still looked upon by Frederick, them, with the utmost jealousy and malevolence. These, which they often attacked, they had now determined with the help of «5eptembcr ^ Frenchmen, to destroy. Early in September, a mixed company of 60, silently approached Fort Frederick, about break of day, their usual hour of attack. They intended probably to take the garrison by surprize, or find an entrance by stealth, at some unguarded moment ; supposing all the soldiers within, did not exceed one half their own number. But unexpectedly to them, they happened to fall in with a party of five, at a short distance from the pickets ; and finding their approach was there- by discovered, they shot the five unfortunate men to the ground, three being instantly killed, and the other two wounded. They then furiously assailed the garrison, more than two hours, with a determinate resolution to compel a surrender. But unable to make the least impression, it being principally constructed of stone, they withdrew completely repulsed. Another This, or another mixed party of like character, next besieged upon St. . J Georges' the fort at St. Georges, in a different manner. They attempted to open a subterraneous passage, from the bank of the river, by Chap, ix.] of MAINE. 255 undermining the fort on its eastern side, at a distance of ten rods. A. D. 1747. When they had advanced half way, the earth by reason of heavy rains, caved in upon the diggers, as tradition relates, and buried or killed several of them. Another attempt was then made a few rods distant, — with which they proceeded about 20 feet, and abandoned the undertaking and the place. The cavities are yet to be seen.* The winter was a season of anxiety and distress. The pro- Scarcity of duce of the country was insufScient for the support of the inhab- itants. A scarcity of provisions always enhances their price. Beset by savages, the people were no more able to convert forest- trees into marketable lumber, than to cultivate their fields. Yet what else had they to exchange for necessaries ; or to invite ves- sels into their waters ? Even the wages of soldiers were paid in a depreciating currency. The depth of snow and the severity of weather proved to be unusually great ; and before spring, corn was worth 30s. by the bushel, and wheat flour £10 by the hundred. Though there were in Maine and Sagadahock, four or five public garrisons; more than twenty-five large and noted block-houses ; and between 1 5 and 20 towns and plantations still remaining ; yet only about 300 men were retained in the service. As the Sagamores had intimated no wish for a cessation Eastern miP war, the government adopted a more permanent system for the defence of the eastern inhabitants. It was determined to enlist 200 volunteers for the term of three years, or until the end of'''^^'"®"- the war ; and to pay each one besides bis w^ages a bounty of £5, in the new tenor bills on his enlistment, and at the begin- ning of every succeeding year ; excusing and excluding from this service all such as reside in the frontier towns or plantations. These recruits were to be formed into two companies for the defence of the country, and the pursuit of the enemy. Another corps of 533 men was to be raised, of whom 177 being the most expert disciplinarians and experienced soldiers, were assigned to the garrison and the more exposed block-houses ; and the res- idue employed as scouting parties, guards, videttes, and informants. If any one were impressed into the service, he was to be exchang- ed in one year.f But the ranks of both classes were rather * MS. I^t. of Hez. Prince, Esq. t Jonr. Mass. H. of R. May 9, 1748, p. 243. to eiiisl- the service for estab lishing a fort at Pe- nobscot. 256 THE HISTORY [VoL. II, A. D. 1718. avoided than sought by brave and ambitious men. The service Objections wQs pcrilous, fatiguing and irregular ; affording soldiers few op- an(] portunities to signalize themselves, or to acquire any considerable military credit. It was not a field of victory or glory ; though it was often a field of battle and of blood ; — a skirmish, a feat, an exploit, a chase, being all. Hence the Governor told the General Court, May 27, that, * owing to this and the depreciation ' of the bills, several militia Colonels assure me, my impress- ' warrants draw more fines than men out of the companies, and ' that in some instances two of the fines will scarcely hire one * man into the service, especially upon the eastern frontiers.'* It was found to be necessary also to change the term of volunta- ry enlistment, from three years to one only. Proposition A proposition was made for the first time, of erecting a fort- ress, and establishing a garrison upon the banks of Penobscot river. Governor Shirley thought, it would in war, check the in- cursions of the Indians, and keep them from fishing and- fowling along the seaboard ; and might also in some measure secure our fishermen, and coasters from annoyances. In peace, it would be promotive of trade, and a preventive of trespasses. Indeed, a truck house there might command the traffic of the tribes, as far as Cape Sable and the river St. John ; and a fur trade of such extent must be worthy of great consideration. Believing the In- dians might be made to see, that their real interests and ours were identified ; he added, that the best judges had given their un- equivocal opinion in favor of the establishment. f The ba.se- The enemy, now partly Frenchmen, mostly Natives, were con- euemy. sidcrcd a mere banditti. They were robbers, incendiaries and murderers, alike disregarding all rules of honor and laws of war. If they were chased into the woods like beasts of prey, they were ready to follow the return of their pursuers, and renew their depredations. — In May and June, they were seen at fre- quent intervals, lurking around the habitations and fields of the people dwelling between the Androscoggin and the Saco, and waylaying the whole intermediate road ; shooting some, and making prisoners of others. To mention particulars, they killed at Brunswick, Capt. Burnet and his neighbor ; at North-Yar- * Governor's Speech. t Joiir. Mass. Hoii.se of Rep, p. 66.— 16 Mass. Rec. p. 340. Chap, ix.] of Maine. 257 mouth, shot Mr. Eaton, took a captive, and burned several a, D. 1748 houses ; and in every place they visited, they were the perpetra- tors of more or less mischief. These bloody scenes returning every year, and the present season, rendered more gloomy by the appearance of the fields and the gardens, parched and with- ered by the early and extreme drought, filled the people with uncommon despondency ; for they looked upon them, *' as plain indications of the Divine displeasure." But happily the period of darkness was drawing to a close. On the 2d of July, arrived J"'y ° . ■'^ News of at Falmouth the glad news, that the nations at war had agreed peace^;^ and on preliminaries of peace ; and after this, we hear of no more dian hostii- ravages by the eastern* Indians in this war. By the ^rea^y, signed at Aix-la-Chapelle, October 7, 1 748, Treaty of each crown surrendered to the other all prisoners without ransom, chapeiie. and all territorial conquests ; and therefore, the Island Cape Breton again passed into the possession of the French. To New-England, this appeared ungracious ; and to Massachusetts and her eastern inhabitants a grievance. The war originated in unhallowed motives, and closed without any considerable advan- tage, either to England or France. New-England by her loyalty, zeal and public spirit, acquired great credit and consideration ; which, however, to the extent due, the mother country was never willing to allow. In all the colonial expeditions and public meas- ures, the Province of Massachusetts took the lead, expended in money nearly half a million sterling, and lost about 3,000 of her most able-bodied and effective men.f Although troops to the number of 323, J were continued in a. d. 1749. service, through the winter, for the defence and safety of the Guard of eastern inhabitants ; means were used to ascertain the wishes, and dispositions of the Indians upon the subject of a treaty. Hence it was, that early in the spring, several chiefs visiting the fort at St. Georges, commanded by Capt. Bradbury, told him the Indians were tired of the war ; and if they were in Boston, they would agree with the Governor upon terms of peace. There- fore, a passage thither was given them in the Province Snow ; * See post, A. D. 1750, ravages committed by the northern Indians, f Preleminaries signed— April 30, 1748. — 1 Doug. p. 565. — 1 JSIinoVs Hist. p. 80. \ Namely, 45 at St. Georges ; 24 at Pemaquid ; 24 at Richmond ; 12 at fort George ; 12 at Saco ; 206 in scouts. — 16 Jtfcw*. Rec. p. 428-9. Vol. II. 33 268 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.D. 1749. and on the 23d of June, a conference was holden between the executive and them in the Council-chamber. They professed The Safja- , t» , j tvt -j mores visit to be a delegation from the tribes at Penobscot and JNorridge- negoiiaie wock, and declared, that peace was greatly desired by all the In- dians from the river St. John* to the St. Francois, and that the Sachems only waited for the appointment of a time and place to settle a treaty ; wishing all hostile acts and measures might in the meantime be suspended. ' We speak from our hearts,' said they, ' the words of sincerity and truth ; and we have brought * with us other credentials than our own hearts ; these brothers pres- * ent know, the voice of peace makes the Indians everywhere * smile and rejoice. 'f They were dismissed, by being told, that commissioners should meet the tribes at Falmouth on the last days of September ; and that in the meantime, supplies should be transported to some of the eastern truck houses, and sold to them at reasonable prices, provided all of them continued tran- quil and friendly. The French The Govemor of Canada, it was sufficiently known, was doing Indians his utmost to fix the Several tribes in Maine, and Nova Scotia, in peace5 the interests of the French, and to render them still dependent upon him, and entirely obsequious to his influence. J But the unfavorable turn their fortunes had taken, were quite sufficient to shake the confidence of the Indians. The number of men in the eastern service was reduced, August 10, to 70 ; — enough merely Commis- garrisons ;§ and Sir William Pepperell, and Thomas sioners ap- Hutchinson, of the Council, and John Choate, Israel Williams, and James Otis, of the House, were appointed Commissioners to treat with the tribes. October 14. Thcsc gentlemen, attended by a military guard of 50 York- Chiefs a* ^^^^^ militia-men, arrived at Falmouth, Sept. 28, where they Falmouth, waited till Oct. 14, before a single Indian appeared. It was a painful suspense ; but on that day, a very respectable delegation of chiefs from Penobscot, Norridgewock, and St. Francois, pre- sented themselves to the commissioners ; immediately opened a parley in the meeting-house; and on the 16th, the parties con- cluded and signed a treaty. The celebrated treaty of Mr. Dum- * Governor Shirley's Speech, 1749. t Mass. Rec. vol. 16. — Jour, of House of Rep. p. 48. X Gov. Matcarene's letter to Gov. Shirley, in May, 1749. 5 Jour House of Representatives, p. 14. Chap, ix.] of Maine. 259 mer, (in 1726,) was its basis. It was denominated "the sub-A.D, 1749. mission and agreement" of the tribes just mentioned. Its stipu- Treaty, lations were, that all hostilities on the part of the Indians should cease and not be renewed ; that all their captives should be im- mediately restored without ransom ; that the English should enjoy all their possessions and places of settlement in the eastern parts unmolested ; that the trade between them and the Indians should be under the direction of the Massachusetts government ; that all personal wrongs should be redressed by due course of law and justice, without any act of personal revenge ; and that they, as the king's faithful subjects, would render obedience to his ordi- nances. But the Sagamores reserved to the Indians, all lands and proprieties not conveyed by them, nor possessed by the En- glish ; and all the privileges of fishing, hunting, and fowling, as in times past. New-Hampshire, as well as the Province of Massachusetts, was included in the treaty ; and when the Commissioners had signed it, and gave the Chiefs a counterpart, and presented them with the usual presents, the parties separated with saluta- tions of mutual and cordial friendship.* * The treaty premised, that these Indians, and others, " inhabiting- within hjs Majesty's territories of New-England," had carried on war against Massachusetts and New-Hampshire, contrary to treaties. — This truly do6s not expressly include the Mickmaks, nor the Jilarechites^ at St. John's river; yet it is thought the Indians at Passamaquoddy were mixed with those of Penobscot, — The treaty itself is signed by nineteen Sagamores and chief captains; and it is remarkable that those of Penobscot, of Norridg-e- wock, and of St. Francois, [by their original names, " Anasag-unticooks, and Wawenocks"] signed in separate columns, thus : '^Anasagunticooks and JSTorridgewocks,''^ [or^ '-^ PenobscotSy** [or, Tar- " Wawenocks,''^ [or St. Canibas tribe.'] ratines.] Francois Indians.] Toxus (seal) Eger-en mut (seal) Sawwaramet (seal) Cneas (seal) Maganumba (seal) Ausado (seal) Magawonbee (seal) Natambouit (seal) Waaununga (seal) Harry (seal) Esparagoosaret (seal) Sauquisb (seal) Soosephnia (seal) Nesnouon (seal) Warcedeen (seal) Noktoonos (seal) Wawawnunka (seal) Nesagumbuit (seal) Peereer (seal) See treaty entire, Mass. Council Records, vol. JL D. 1734-1767, p. 108-11. ^Alsoj 9 ColL Mass. Hist, Soc. p. 220-222. 260 THE HISTORY [Vol. li. CHAPTER X. The two eastern provinces — Governor Shirley's embassy to Paris, as to the boundaries between Canada and Nova Scotia — All paper money redeemed — Coins regulated — Laws — Anonymous letters — Recovery of captives — - Truck houses — Trade — Jonquiere sends troops to the ncrth-easterly isthmus oj Nova Scotia — Minas at- tached by Indians — Jonquiere refuses to release captives — Halifax settled — Governor Cornwallis drives the French from Chignecto — They fortify at the isthmus under la Come — The Fort of Corn- wallis— Peace with the Indians unsettled — Affray at Wiscasset — Northern Indians attack fort Richmond — Commit mischief at Dresden, Swan Island, and Georgetown — Prisoners carried off — Defensive measures — Indian outrages at Falmouth and New- Meadows — Treaty with the Natives confirmed. A. D. 1749. All the occurrences in relation to these eastern Provinces, Maine and sincc they wcre first settled, had not given them so much import- hofkviewed of foreigners, as the events in the late war. wih inter- Something had been previously knovi^n of their geography, cli- mate, soil and natural resources ; now they were thought worthy of public consideration, by the politicians both of England and Lines be- France. The divisional line between Canada and Nova Scotia LdTan?^" had not been settled by negotiation ; and therefore Governor k°dispute!''^ »SAiVZey and the Marquis VGalisioniere, late Governor of New- France, were appointed, soon after the late treaty, to meet at goes ^^^^isj open a commission upon the subject. Shirley em- lo Paris, barked at Boston, Sept. 11, 1749, and left the chair to Spencer Phips, the Lieutenant-Governor.* Specie ar- The same month arrived at Boston the sum of £183,649, 2s, England™ '^i^- Sterling, remitted from England to reimburse the Province of Massachusetts, her expenses in the Louisbourg expedition. It had been ascertained by the General Court since the war, that about £2,200,000 in biUs of credit were outstanding in circula- * Here closes the History of Massachusetts by Jlr. Hutchinson. It is said he finished it in 1766. He died, June 3, 1780. Douglass^ Summary closes in May 1749. He died in 1752. ChjLP. X.] OF MAINE. 261 tioD, which had at length so depreciated, that one ounce of silver A. D. 174©. would purchase 505. of the old tenor, or 12s, 6d. of the new tenor bills ;* and a Spanish milVd dollar^ Abs. of the one, and Us. 3c?. of the other. Determined to redeem the whole of them, ' credit all re- take them in, and substitute a specie currency, exclusively, deemed. the General Court laid a direct tax upon the Province of £75,000 sterling, which they allowed to be paid in these bills, at the rate of 45s. old tenor, or lis. ^d. new tenor, for every Spanish mill'd dollar, now called 6s. lawful money, or 4s. 6c?. sterling. f Fully to effectuate the purpose, it was enacted by the Legislature, that all pecuniary contracts, made after March 31, 1750, should be paid in coin or specie, at the rate of 6s. 8c?. in silver by the ounce ; and that whoever paid or received a bill of another colony, should be liable to a penal prosecution. Many, especially mer- chants and speculators, were clamorous against the measure. They said the time set was too short, — silver and gold could not be retained in the country, — there must be a great scarcity of money, — and creditors, anxious to obtain the specie, would be tempted to oppress their debtors. But the treasury was opened, April 2, 1750, and so many of the bills were redeemed in the course of 15 months, that they were afterwards uncurrent. None of the evils foretold were experienced ; the principles of moral honesty and public confidence were extensively promoted ; and renovated vigor and cheerfulness were diffused, through the community, in all their pecuniary transactions. On the introduction and use of a metallic currency, statutes * See ante, A. D. 1742. f By this mode of redemption, the ratio stands thus ; — Fed. mo. Oz. Sil. Slat, or law. mo. Ster. J^ew Tenor. Old Tenor, n. C. TroyW. £. s. d. £. s. £. s. d. £. s. d. 1,11^ 1 068 05 0 12 6 2 10 00 3,33^ 3 1 0 0 0 15 1 17 6 7 10 00 10)0 9 3 0 0 2 5 5 12 6 22 10 00 l,gO,00 90 30 0 0 22 10 56 5 0 225 00 00 1,000,00 900 300 0 0 225 0 562 10 0 2,250 00 00 100,000,00 9i',000 30,000 0 0 22,500 0 56,250 00 00 225,000 00 00 Money remitted £183,649, 2s. 7ic/.-|-tax £75,000=£258,649, 2*. l^d, which would redeem about £2,586^500 of the old tenor, or £646,625, of tho new tenor. — In Nov. 1752, Lieutenant-Governor Phips says, ' if the out- ' standing taxes were paid, the Province would be out of debt— a happi- < ness not known for 50 or 60 years.' 262 "THE HISTORY [Vol. ii. A. D. 1749. were of necessity passed to fix and settle the sum at which Rates of several descriptions of coin should pass ; and to preserve their weight and purity or fineness. A guinea was set at 28*. ; a crown at 6s. 8d. ; an English shilling at Is. 4(1. ; a Johannes of Portugal at 485. ; a moidore at 36s. and pistole at 22s. ; and whoever took or passed them at a higher rate forfeited £50. At the same time, laws highly penal were enacted against counterfeiting, clipping or in any way lightening the current coins, or knowingly passing such as were adulterated or impaired. Within a few years, some other acts had passed the Legislature which ought to be noticed. In Laws pro- 1 743 towus Were for the first time authorized bylaw, to erect vidine for ' y ' workhouses, workhouses for the employment of the slothful and shiftless, — a provisional regulation still in force. Another, the next year, direct- Firewards. ed towns to choose ^re2i;arc?5 ; appointed them a badge of office, namely, ' a staff 5 feet long, painted red and headed with a bright * brass Spire, a half foot in length and assigned them great powers and important duties, which still belong to them in times of raging fires. At the commencement of the late war, the Against christian community, making diligent enquiry into the fearful causes of the Divine displeasure, detected profaneness as one ; and induced the General Court, in 1746, to revise the law and sharpen the penalties against profane cursing and swearing. Nay, the Legislature ordered the act to be read in the court-house at the opening of every court, and by ministers, every year, to their In favor of respective congregations. It was found likewise to be necessary poor debt- ameliorate the law in relation to Imprisonment for debt. For though during the century past a poor debtor might be discharged by a magistrate, on taking an oath that he was " not worth £5 yet the creditor could still keep him confined within the prison^ walls, by paying his weekly board ; and oftentimes his companions were criminals. Separate apartments, therefore, were by a law of 1 748, ordered to be provided for that unfortunate class of men ; and they were, on giving a bond to the sheriff, also allowed in the daytime " the liberty of the yard within any of the houses or " apartments belonging to such prison — a liberty afterwards extended to a limited area of their vicinity ; and finally, since the Separation, to the bounds of the county. In the spring of 1749, letterf. anonymous letters were sent to the Governor, one of the Council, and other wealthy gentlemen, threatening them with some fearful evil, if they failed to do as required. This was a new offence in Chap, x.] of maine. 263 the Province, and occasioned the passage of an act, by which a. d. I749. the offenders, upon conviction, were to be punished with great severity.* Our administration at this period was enereetic and popular. Kecoveryof ^ ^ ° * ^ captives. When Governor Shirley left the Province, the House expressed * an effectionate farewell, and strong wishes for his safe return and in his absence, Mr. Phips proved himself to be a worthy and vigilant magistrate. After a call upon the people, through the medium of the newspapers, to produce the names of all who had been carried into captivity, and the places where taken ; Cols. Chandler and Heath, were sent into Canada to recover them and bring them home. A great sum, as ransom-money, sometimes £100 sterling, had been demanded for an individual, during the war ; and in peace, where the Canadians had pur- chased captives, they were unwilling to surrender them without a remuneration. Great care was now taken, to keep the Indians tranquil. Trading Trading houses were again opened at St. Georges and Fort Richmond ; all private traffic with the tribes was strictly forbid- den ; provision was made for supporting, as paupers, all friendly Indians, when needy and residing among the English ; and two broadcloth mantles were given to a couple of Indians by the name of Frambegan and Lovel, as presents, for going in behalf of the eastern tribes to Canada, and inviting the Indians of St. Francois to attend the late treaty at Falmouth. Although the population in Maine and Sagadahock had sus- T^ade and tained a loss, during the late war, of two or three thousand ; there were many considerations, which still afforded encourage- ment to survivors and residents. Ship-building revived, and schooners, first known about thirty-five years previously, were a class of vessels, which had been built in great numbers along our seaboard, and were found of great use in the fisheries ; — one of them in the cod-fishery being worth two shallops. So hardy and skilful were the eastern men in that business, that they could afford to undersell the French before the war. Men since had usually found a profit in their eastern adventures. The articles which the country afforded, lumber, potash, pitch, called * raw ma- * See these acts in An. Charters and Prov. Laws. — 17 Council Kec. 6. — Jour, of H. Hep. A. D. 1749, p. 59. 264 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1749. terials,' furs and fish, were uniformly quick in market ; and in ex- changing them for pork and breadstuffs brought into our har- bors, the freighter acquired a profit without much risque. Nova Sco- The means used to enlarge and multiply the settlements in Nova Scotia, and the energetic exertions of its government to bring the Acadians or French J\eutrals* into obedience, were circumstances indicative of its rising strength, and encouraging to its English neighbors. Yet when it was understood by the French, that Gov. Mascarene had ordered a Romish priest from Minas, on account of treasonable practices; and that he was requiring the Acadian people at Beau Basin, or Bay of Minas, Bay Verte, and the river St. John, to take the oath of allegiance Jonquiere to the British crown ; M. de la Jonquiere, then in Canada, or- sends troops i i • lo thenorih- dered out a detachment to the north-easterly isthmus of the great isthmus of peninsula. He pretended his men were sent there to cut fuel ince. for the garrison at Louisbourg ; whereas his whole design was to take possession of the passes, and gain some advantage, while the question of boundaries was before the Commissioners at Paris. His habitual hatred of the English had been greatly provoked and increased, by misfortune and defeat in the late war ; while years had given something like venom to his inveteracy, and made him a fit instrument to execute the projects of a wicked The Indians king and vain ministry. Emboldened by him, a body of about Eng^sh" 300 Mickmak and Marechite Indians, attended by a few villainous lHna»°° Frenchmen, besieged the English garrison in Minas, for three or four weeks, at intervals ; in which time they killed two men and took sixteen prisoners.-]- De la Jonquiere justified their conduct, and affected to espouse with great sincerity and warmth the inter- ests of all the eastern tribes. He even took a high affront when he heard, that 26 of the principal Indians at Pegwacket had been united to the English through the war, and that several were vol- unteers in the siege of Louisbourg. He declared, he knew they * J^feutrals bein^ the name assumed by the French settlers ^ or inhabitants of French extraction in Nova Scotia, who had engaged after the reduction of the country to the English crown, and the treaty of Utrecht, March, 1713, — that they would be faithful to the English government, and never take arms or sides against it, — being excused from entering into any war against France, jJIass. Let. Book, p. 87-91. — Some of those who made the attack were "dwelling on the borders of the St. John's river." — 1 Halihurtony p. 153. — Also, did mischief at Cansean, Dartmouth, and even Halifax. ChaF. X.] OF MAINE. 205 were holden in duress by the English ; and he would not, he said, A. D. 1749, release captives, till these enslaved Indians were set at liberty. Jonquiere His suspicions, however, were not wholly unfounded ; for some of release cap- the natives, probably from St. Francois, who might wish to draw others thither, did complain to him ; and he appointed a French officer to go whh one of them, and visit the supposed unhappy mortals. The Indian emissary, on his way, being ill-treated at Albany, by a party of rough sailors, hurried back to his brethren, and told them the story in a manner most likely to arouse their resentments. About this time, there was an accession of 3,760 inha'bitants to Halifax set- the population of Nova Scotia, who settled principally about Chebucto-bay, now Halifax. Their emigration was under the patronage of Parliament, — at the expense of £40,000 sterling to the English nation ; and the administration of the Province was given to Edward Cornwallis, who was commissioned Grov- Comwaiiis, ernor, and to a Council, formed agreeably to his wishes or nom- ^o^®''"^'"- ination. When Cornwallis was made acquainted with the outrages of the a.d. 1750 Indians at Minas, he resolved to chastise them as early the next spring, (1750,) as the weather would permit; and with all the u,e French severity their iniquities deserved. Suspecting some of the tribe trkt of at Penobscot were concerned with them in their hostilities, he ^'"S"®*^'®- required the government of Massachusetts to declare war against them without ceremony or delay. By this he gave abundant proof of being a total stranger, both to colonial politics and sav- age warfare. But the General Court, mindful of the mutual ob- ligations in the late treaty, considered it quite questionable, if the Indians had in fact, violated any of its articles ; and therefore re- fused to comply with the Governor's demand, till their guilt was ascertained. This threw him into a fit of passion ; and he forth- with despatched a body of 400 regulars and rangers under Major Lawrence, to humble the base Neutrals and dislodge the " cursed** Indians and French* from Chignecto [Cumberland,] — a district situated between the basin of Minas and Bay Verte. At their approach, la Corne, the French commander, drew off his forces * Cornwallis offered a reward of ten guineas for every Indian scalp. — 1 HeUiburtorty p. 157. Vol. II, 34 266 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1760. and sucli inhabitants as adhered to him* with their efFects ; and after setting fire to the habitations of the remaining residents, he retired to the north-eastern isthmus. Here he firmly posted him- self— declaring that the territories on the northern side of the uilUeHa"*^ ' Bay of Fundy even to Kennebeck river, belonged to the French O-^arihr'" crown ; and that he should defend the country to the last ex- isihmus. trej^ity. The French then erected three forts, — viz. on the 3 Forts. j^qq\^ of the peninsula. Fort Baye Verte, near the eastern shore. Gaspereaux [since fort Monkton,'] a short distance above ; and Beau-se-jour\ [fort Cumberland,'] on the north side of the Mis- saquash, where it empties into Cumberland Basin. They also constructed another fortification, at the mouth of the river St. Cornwaliis John. Cornwallis likewise fortified at Grand Pre [Hortonl : and fortifies at • i • i -r« i i Horton. complained to the kmg, agamst the msolent rench, the per- fidious Acadians, and barbarous Indians. { , , These measures were the fruits of de la Jonquiere's nefarious Unsettled ^ ^ peace with policy; in which, he pcrccivcd he was meeting with successes, ' which compared well with his wishes. The Marechites on the river St. John, were fully in his interest, ready to join his forces in any enterprize projected against the English — no matter how bloody or unprovoked, provided they could be the companions of French officers and partakers of the booty. That tribe and those at Passamaquoddy and Penobscot, were without doubt in league or in fraternity of the strongest ties. By their collective superiority in numbers and strength, they controlled the Abena- ques, of whom however, only the Canibas tribe now remained entire ; and none other owed the inhabitants of Maine and Saga- dahock more ill-will. The latter saw their people — once so pow- erful,— now small and feeble, and still felt jealous of their rights and sensitive of injuries ; on the other hand, the white people^ having always in fresh recollection savage cruelties — and the loss of friends by savage hands, could wish the whole Indian race exterminated. In such a state of mutual dislike and irritability, the utmost watchfulness was necessary to avoid affrays and pre- vent a rupture. But a bloody affair happened at Wiscasset, December 2, the * La Come was now at the head of 1,500 men ; he said he could command 2,500. I The English also built Fori Lawrence^ on the opposite side of the 4am& river. 1 1 HaliburU>n's >^ S. p. 150-9-160. Chap, x.] of maine. 267 year past, which, though it was in itself of no very great mo- A. D. 1760. ment, filled the eastern inhabitants with fear and trembling. This The homi- was a violent quarrel between several white men and some of the casset. Canibas tribe, in which one Indian was killed and two others badly wounded. So unfortunate was the affray, in point of time, as to occur within six weeks after the late treaty of Falmouth, and before peace had become fairly settled. Three of the white men, Obadiah Albee, Richard and Benjamin Holbrook, were taken into custody by Samuel Harnden, upon a charge of murder ; and being removed to Falmouth, were confined in the house of Gowen Wilson. The whole transaction was a topic in every one's mouth, though there was a strong current setting against every thing Indian; and in a few weeks the prisoners effected their escape. Some called it a riotous rescue, others imputed it to the negligence and collusion of the keepers. The Lieuten- ant-Governor, hearing of it, offered a reward of £50 to such as would retake either of the fugitives, and £25 for the detection of any abettor. The General Court, when next in session, also took notice of the affair, and ordered Jabez Fox, Esq. of Falmouth, a justice of the peace, to examine in a legal form, into the con- duct of Harnden and Wilson, and deal with them according to law and the testimony. In the meantime the culprits, January 11, (1750) surrendered themselves ; and being removed to the gaol in York, were indicted and arraigned for murder, at a special term of the Superior Court, holden by resolve, the last week in Feb- ruary.* But there was no trial till the regular term in June ; Trial, ac- when Albee was tried and acquitted. The Court were quite dis- di'Jilia;^^"'* satisfied with the verdict ; and the Legislature ordered the other two into the county of Middlesex, to take their trial in August. Albee was then convicted of a felonious assault.; and at the trials of the others, all the relations of the deceased, the wounded Indians and the chiefs of the tribe, were invited to be present and witness the fairness of the proceedings. Accordingly, 1 3 of them proceeded as far as Boston, where they had an interview with Lieutenant-Governor Phips, and received the most courteous treatment, as well as some valuable presents: — and though they * The next year, the Riot acl was revised ; and the Superior Court au- thorized to hold special sessions, in any county, on great emergencies, wherein there was appointed by law only one t«rm to be boldon in a year. 268 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1750. found there could be no trial of the offenders, at that time, they returned home, apparently satisfied. The prisoners were subse- quently remanded to Yorkshire, while the difficulties with the In- dians were assuming again a very gloomy aspect ; and I do not find, that either of the Holbrooks were ever convicted. Certain it is, that whenever a white person was tried for killing an Indian, even in times of profound peace, he was invariably acquitted ; — it being impossible to impannel a jury, on which there were not some, who had suffered by the Indians, either in their persons, families, or estates. Rumor of Touched on this occasion, with natural or affected sympathy the ludiaiis for their brothers, and enkindled by French emissaries into a Franroisio flame of resentment towards the English, the Indians at St. Fran- K^'chrnoHT cois and Becancourt,* took occasion to aggravate the above men- tioned wrong, and magnify some supposed provocations, into sufficient causes for acts of retaliation and revenge. Hence, a company of 80, receiving supplies from Trois Revieres, proceeded to visit Norridgewock and Penobscot. About the time of their arrival, it was reported, that these northern fighters were to be joined by 150 Tarratines; that a French ship of 64 guns, three or four brigs and 20 transports, probably full of troops, provis- ions and warlike stores, had been seen shaping their course towards St. Georges or Sagadahock river ; and that the garrison at Richmond had been told by an Indian — they might expect an attack in 48 hours. — Since the peace, the soldiers at that fort were only 14; at Pemaquid 6; at St. George's 15; at fort George 4 ; and at Saco 8, including two or three armorers ; all of them being illy prepared to encounter, or withstand an assault so little expected. T'onThT'^ But though these rumors, so alarming to the eastern people, gfrm'^n ^of were in part unfounded and incorrect; it is true, that a body of mond. Indians from the north, associating with themselves probably some young Canibas fighters,f did, Sept. 11, fall with great fury upon Richmond-fort, which, notwithstanding the timely notice given it by the Indian, might have been easily taken, had they known its weakness, and made the best use of their advantage. But they * About this time a ietter was received at Boston, from Asseramo, chief of the Waweaocks, (spelt Worenock," in the record,) making- complaints, f There were about luO in all.— JiS. Letter. Chap, x.] of maine. spent the day in spoiling some habitations in the vicinity, and A. D. i760. killing domestic animals, probably for food ; nine great cattle being butchered by them, and two others barely escaped slaughter by running within the reach of the guns at the fort. In this crit- ical juncture as it truly was, Capt. Samuel Goodwin and a small party of his men, had the good fortune under the covert of dark- ness to reach the garrison in safety. When informed of this fact Other mis- by a prisoner, the assailants abandoned the place ; and forming themselves into parties, committed acts of mischief in different places, on both sides of the Kennebeck river. A small part of those who crossed the river lurked about the plantation of Frankfort, [now Dresden], watching every move- Dresden, ment of the inhabitants. The next day about sunrise, as a Mr. Pomeroy was returning from milking his cows, an Indian shot him from an ambush, and he fell dead, just as he was entering the door of his house. Aroused by what had taken place, Davis, who dwelt in another apartment of the same house, sprang up to close the door, when the Indian thrust in the barrel of his gun to prevent its shutting. Davis seized it, and with the assistance of some women in the room, wrested the gun from the savage, and kept it as a trophy of his success. As the only way of ad- equately avenging himself, the savage caught a young child of Davis', in the outer kitchen or near it, and carried it away cap- tive. Another Indian, concealing himself in the field, fired at McFarland, as he went to work, and wounded him. Before they left the settlement, they seized two other men ; and these they carried to Canada.* In the same unanticipated visit, perhaps ^,g^ ^p^^ the same day, another party of them was ravaging Swan Island, ^^j^" burning the people's houses and killing their cattle ; and when they left the place, they carried away with them thirteen or four- teen of the inhabitants prisoners. f But the main body proceeded down the river, and then visit Par- divided into scouts. One of them undertook the destruction of ''^'^ * Wiscasset and the settlements of Sheepscot, set several houses on fire, took two prisoners, and would have laid waste the neigh- boring country, had they met with success in surprizing the block-house. Another scout proceeded against Georgetown ; aiming their vengeance at the garrison on Parker's Island, in the MS. Let. from Dresden. t See vol. I, p. 50-1. 270 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1750. heart of the village. Having come to a house, Sept. 25, within Sept. 25. call of the fort, they were probably discovered, for they began their depredations by assailing it with their hatchets while the owner bravely fought them, without asking quarter, till they had literally cut their way into it through the doors. He, then leap- ing out of a back window, sought safety by flight. But so close- ly was he pursued by two savages, that he saw no possibility of escape otherwise, than by betaking himself to the water, and swimming to the Island Arrowsick. His pursuers as nimbly springing into a canoe were able to gain upon him ; and when almost within reach of their paddles, he suddenly turned upon them, and with great presence of mind, overset their lig^ht bark and plunged them both into the water, when all three were on a level — equals in the same element. During the struggle of the Indians for the preservation of their own lives, he escaped tri- umphantly to the shore. But though he providentially saved his life, his house and barn with most of their contents were reduced to ashes.* Carry Boldly resisted or foiled in all their assaults, they withdrew ; pSnerai carrying away with them, between 20 and 30 prisoners, and taking on their route, one man at Maquoit, one at New-Marblehead, [Windham] and one at Gorhamtown. On their return, they shewed themselves in the outskirts of Falmouth, and did some mischief in several other places. Particularly in passing through New-Gloucester, they met Joseph Taylor and Mr. Farewell near Seabody-pond ; whom they seized, and proceeded with them through the woods, towards the sources of the Little Androscog- ^ ^ gin, in the northerly part of the present Paris. Discovering a ofSnowand new track, they pursued it to the height of land, where they found the camp of two hunters. Snow and Butterfield. At the moment of discovery, the Indian file-leader, hooded with a large hawk-skin, retaining its feathers, and hanging down upon his shoulders, raised a hideous yell, and quickened his pace. Snow, having been a captive in a former war, and conceiving a great antipathy to the Indians and their manner of living, had deter- mined to sacrifice his life, rather than be again their prisoner. When he heard the shout, he was in a sitting posture, pecking the flint of his gun, which was at the time loaded with only a • I Minot, p. 141. Chap, x.] of Maine. 271 partridge-charge. Deliberately rising on his feet, and taking a.. D. nsa good aim, he brought the foremost Indian to the ground, only a few feet distant. He was their Chief. This so infuriated his companions, that they instantly fired upon him a volley, which pierced his body through with several bullets. To satiate their rage, they then cut and mangled it till tired ; leaving it above ground, and forbidding Butterfield, and the other prisoners, to bury or touch.it. The body of their Chief they carried into a bog, where Moose-pond empties into Little Androscoggin ; and after breaking the turf and forming an aperture, they crushed it deep into the mire, and departed ; uttering expressions of inter- mingled grief and respect. At Umbagog Lake, they fell in company with another party of Indian plunderers, when all of them joined in something like funeral solemnities, commemorative of their Sagamore's death ; — then wiping the tearful eye, re- hearsed to each other their adventures and feats, with the same good cheer, as if nothing melancholy had happened. Taylor was with them five [years, became acquainted with both the French and Indian languages, and was afterwards an instructer of Indian youth at Dartmouth College.* This sudden and unexpected incursion of the Indians, again ^^1,^ eastern filled the eastern country with fearful distress, and the government a^a"J[^iie1. Vol. n. 85 274 THE HISTORY [Vol. II. CHAPTER XI. The eastern country — Sentiments of the people — Happy change from rigid intolerance^ to freedom of conscience — Sectarians-^ Public worship enjoined as a duty — A learned ministry required — The clergy of Maine — Congregationalists in general ^ with few exceptions — British American system — Navigation act Trespass act — Bills of credit — Iron act — West India trade restricted — New, or enlarged eastern settlements — German emi- grants— New valuation — Excise and impost duties — New style — A parley with the Natives, favorable to peace — Fortif cations im- proved— A new county desired on Kennebeck — Settlements there disturb the Indians — IHres in the Icing's woods — Reasons why the eastern country does not settle — Vassal's project of settlement — Newcastle incorporated — Shirley's return from Europe — Dispute about the boundaries, stated — The Indians — Captives withholden by the French — An agency for them— First French aggressions were at Lake Erie — George Washington — Nova Scotia fortified by the French — Forts Halifax, Western and Shirley on Kenne- beck — Plan of Colonial Union — Indians' attack at Fort Halifax '-^Embargo — Captives again sent for — St, Francois Indians — Defensive measures — Public emergency, A. D. 1750, neighboring Province of Nova Scotia owed its advance- PriJpect patronage and treasure of the mother country ; the provement ^'^t^'^^sts of Maine and Sagadahock were nourished by the enter- oftiieeasi- prize and blood of their own inhabitants. Untold numbers of ern country. ^ them, the bravest and best of men, had sacrificed their lives, at the shrine of French and savage warfare; while numbers still greater, survived to see the wreck of their families and their estates. In a former age, too, political changes were their un- happy doom ; and at all times, it had been their destiny to en- dure an incredible share of privation and suffering. But a more cheering aspect is at length given, equally to their affairs and their fortunes. The wars, which had so often wasted them and their substance, were likewise the principal means by which sev- eral tribes were nearly exterminated, and others greatly thinned Chap, xi.] of Maine. 275 and weakened. In the last one, there were no exploits of the a. d. 1760, . . lo 1751. Indians, which gave them any occasion of boasting or triumph. No towns were sacked or overcome, not a fort nor yet a block- house taken by them. Our losses consisted chiefly in the many lives of individuals killed, and in the destruction made among the domestic animals ; — while the enemy's trophies were cap- tives, scalps, and plunder. Never had the inhabitants evinc- ed purer patriotism, or more determinate fortitude and res- olution, than in that war. Nor is there undue merit claimed in the reduction of Louisbourg, when we consider, that the chief officers, and also a soldiery entirely disproportionate to popula- tion, were from Maine. As soon as the "war closed, the people. Merits and who had been driven into forts and block-houses for the preser- of" he peo- vation of their lives, cheerfully returned to their habitations, and resumed their industry and pursuits. It seemed to be an age of unanimity in sentiment, of deep moral sense, and of pious confi- dence in the Providence of God. In times of war, drought, sickness, or other severe afflictions, they with great unity of heart, consecrated particular days to fasting, humihation and prayer ; and if special relief were interposed, or remarkable successes granted, they celebrated the occasion in a public thanks- giving. There was harmony too, in the government, and union among the people. Rigid tenets and a persecuting spirit had at length yielded to maxims of reason, to dictates of good sense, and to the more benevolent principles of the gospel. A century had wrought so happy a change in religious senti- Uniformity ment; that we ought not to pass unnoticed the traces of its pro- 3" J'^o^jlllP^. gress. Our puritan fathers were not only educated to notions Church and of royal supremacy, and to rules of dictation by prelates, in all matters of belief and church government ; they were animated by an unhallowed zeal, without a consciousness of its force ; and in this way, they unfortunately fell into errors similar to those of the arbitrary religionists, from whom they had separated. These errors consisted summarily in two particulars ; — the supposed ne- cessity of uniformity in public worship ; and the connexion of Church and State. The one led on to measures against relig- ious toleration ; and the other armed the law and the magis- trate with the sword, in support or defence of what was believed to be vital religion. In England the church split and parted 276 THE HISTORY [Vol. II, A.n, 1730, to 1751. Notions of a Theocracy. toleration. Religious sects. (Cambridge J*lalform. upon the same rock ; yet the puritans neither saw it nor sus-* pected it. A spiritual father of Massachusetts, in 1633, preached, that " government ought to be considered as a Theocracy, wherein *'the Lord, was Lawgiver, Judge, and King, and the people as God's people in covenant with him ; that none other than per- "sons of approved piety and eminent gifts should be chosen rulers, or appointed judges ; and that ministers should be con-t " suited in all matters of religion, and magistrates have a super-* intending coercive power over the churches." A test acj: fol-» lowed, which excluded from civil office all who were not in com- munion ; but this only lasted till 1665. Still there was a spirit of rigid intolerance, which nothing could effectually shake. A ven- erable Massachusetts' magistrate of good reputation, left, when he died, A. D. 1653, some doggerel poetry, in which he cau- tioned * the men of God in Courts and Churches, to watch over ' such as would hatch the cockatrice egg of toleration' At this early age the opposing sects were, 1, the Gortonists, "who de- " nied the humanity of Christ;" 2, the Familists, " who depend- " ed upon rare revelations ;" 3, the Seekers, " who question the " word and ordinances ;" 4, the Antinomians, " who deny the " moral law to be the rule of Christ or, " who prefer faith " without works ;" 5, the Baptists, " who openly condemned or " opposed tlie baptising of infants and parish assessments ;"* and 6, the Quakers who were foes to forms, fashions, oaths, parish taxes, wars, and the dictates of magistracy ;^believing the outer find inner man should " be yea, yea, and nay, nay," The Cambridge Platform, concluded 1648,f recognized the power and authority of magistrates, " so far as to help and further the Churches ;" and aimed at uniformity as well as purity in doc- trine and practical discipline. This was followed by a law passed in 1658, which forbade the preaching of any person, — provided * two organic Churches, the Council, or General Court should be dissatisfied with his qualifications.' One of the last of these in- tolerant enactments, was in 1677, which rendered a person fina- ble who even attended a quaker-meeting. * 9 Coll M. Hist. Soc. p. 40.— Called at that time Anabaptists."— Rev, Dr. Chauncey thoug'ht infants '^should be dipped in the water."' — 10 Coll, Jilass. flist, Soc. 31, f 2 Math. Ma^. 202, Chap, xi.] OF Maine. 277 In support of these sentiments and laws, one grave divine a. D^^nso, insisted, that what " is contrary to the gospel, hath no right, and ^.^ ^ ^ "therefore should have no Hberty." Another, in 1673, who was couscience President of Harvard College, pronounced ' the outcry, in this * age, for liberty of conscience,— to be the great Diana of the * libertines.' Nay, said he, " I look upon toleration as the first ^' born of all abominations." A third uses this sort of language, ' I abhor the toleration of divers religions, or of one religion in * segregant shapes. For surely, an untruth authorized by tolera- * tion of the State, is but a battlement — laid to batter the walls * of heaven, " He that is willing to tolerate an unsound opin-^ " ion, that his own may be tolerated, though never so sound, " would, if need be, hang the bible at the devil's girdle. It is said, men ought to have liberty of conscience, and it is persecution " to debar them of it : — -But to me, it is an astonishment, that ^' the brains of men should be parboiled in such impious ignor- ance."* Influenced as the men of the age were, by such a spirit of persecution intolerance in life and also in laws, penned with the point of a followed by '■ ■* toleration. diamond, dipped in blood, no wonder the government and the church in league turned the sword upon those hapless mortals, whose free opinions when merely expressed, rendered them ob- noxious to all the severities of persecution. The familists and antinomians were banished ; the baptists whipped, and the quakers hanged. J It was a period of maddening zeal, which fits men for unrelenting animosities; and forges the weapons of civil war. In short, strange as it may appear to us of the present genera- tion, neither the benign principles of the gospel, the lights of reason, nor even the sympathies of our nature, — nothing, but a mandate from the king, July 24, 1679,{ could or did dissolve the demoniac spell, and give to all, except papists, the freedom of conscience. This injunction was re-sanctioned by thef crown, in the Provincial charter ; and hence there were no more enact- ments against heresy. Society became peaceful and harmonious, jand sectarians ceased from troubling.^ In 1742, Episcopalians ^pi^^topa''- * 1 Belk. N. H. p. 72. I 1 Doug-. Summ. p. 447. — Sec Ordinances, A. D. 1646-G ; und vol. I, Chap. 12. p. 379-81. | Hutchinson's S. Papers, p. 520.— 1 Hist. p. 293.^ § We find that in those places where the Quakers " are most of all suf- fered to declare themselves freely and are only opposed by arguments, 278 '^'HE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. I). 1750, were allowed to apply their taxes to pay their own minister ; Baptists and Quakers were exempted from ministerial or par- fisis',^hd ochial taxes, in Connecticut, A. D. 1729 ;* and by temporary laws Q,udkerh. Massachusetts, made perpetual, in 1757, the same relief was extended to them through this Province. The next year, affirm- ation was allowed to Quakers, instead of an oath ; and in 1763, they were excused from doing military duty. As this happy revolution in sentiment had been in great measure effected, by enlightening and liberalizing the mind, educating the heart, and soltening the affections ; it is interesting to mark the vigilant care, exercised by government over both the instructers in religion and teachers of youth. Habits of thought and closer investigation, being thus promoted, finally produced the best of Public wor- fpuits. The ministry and the common schools have ever gone ship enjoin- •' ^ ^ " ed as a hand in hand. The privilege and pleasure of public worship were, however, in 1641, made a duty ; while all towns, in 1654, were required to provide themselves meeting-houses, and give their ministers an " honorable support also in 1692, it was en- joined upon them to be constantly provided with " an able, quSS- learned, and orthodox minister." Indeed, another statute, in l^""^^^"^"*'"* 1760, disallowed assessments to pay him, unless he had been * educated at some university, college or public academy, where * the learned languages, the arts and sciences were taught ; or * had received a degree from some public seminary ; or could * show testimonials from a majority of the settled ministers in the * county, where he proposed to settle, that he had sufficient learn- * ing to qualify him for the wofk of the ministry.' Though min- isters must be orthodox [pious and evangelical,] their literary qualifications were in the eye of the law indispensable to their usefulness. The minis- At this period, there were fifteen Churches in these two eastern tr> of Maine* p^-Qyij^^^s, and fourteen settled clergymen, whose character for B. Stevens, abilities, learning, and piety, rendered them ornamental to their profession. At Kittery-point, Rev. Benjamin Stevens, ordained, May 1, 1751, the colleague of Mr. Newmarch, was a gentle- man so approved for his talents, and knowledge of science and theology, as to have a doctorate given him ; and so esteemed by « there they have least desire to come." — Letter of Governor and Council in R. I. Oct. 13, t657, to General Court, Boston. * 2 Hoi. A. Ann. p. 124. Chap, xi.] of maine. 279 his parish, as to be its minister 40 years. His coteraporary in A. D. nso, the north parish of the same town, [Eliot] was the Rev. John Rogers. There were two parishes in York, Rev. Isaac Lyman, a j Lyman graduate of Yale College, 1747, succeeded the famous Mr. Moody, in 1749 ; and for 50 years, faitlifully performed the pas- toral duties to his charge. He was a man of great sedateness, good understanding and fair fame ; there being few men whose characters are so entirely free of blemishes. Of the Scottish parish, Mr. Samuel Chandler was the minister for ten years ^j-^^'^^"* prior to his dismission, in 1751. His successor was Rev. Sam- „ , . ^ , . . S. Lanklon. uel Lankton, settled, in 1754, who filled his station "with honor ** to himself and benefit to his people, more than 40 years. He " was an accurate scholar, a very close student, and an exera- "plary devout christian." In Berwick, Mr. Jeremiah Wise has been previously mentioned, as a man of learning, prudence and piety. He was succeeded in the ministry, September, 1756, the year of his death, by Mr. Jacob Foster, This gentleman was a j graduate of Harvard, in 1 754 ; a lover of learning and of pure re- ligion. His manners were exceedingly pleasant and engaging, and his discourses orthodox and well written. Finding it diffi- cult to support his family in the revolutionary war, he was dis- missed at his own request, in 1777 j and being warmly devoted to whig-principles, he entered as chaplain into the army. A sec- ond parish was established, in 1751, at "Blackberry Hill," in Berwick, a church was formed, and Mr. John Morse settled, jobn Morse, in 1755. He was a serious godly young divine, possessing a soul adorned with the choicest flowers of religion, and the qualifica- tions of a pastor, which greatly endeared him to his flock. In about ten years he was taken from them by death, universally lamented. Rev. Mr. Jefferds of Wells, dying in 1752, after a ministry of 27 years, was succeeded by Rev. Gideon Richard- ^J^^^^^^^ son, in 1754; and he, by Rev. Moses Hemmenway, in 1759. jyi. Hen,. At an early period in life, the latter gentleman received a doctor- ate from Harvard College ; and through his ministry, he was dis- tinguished for a patient study of the fathers, and laborious inves- tigation of abstruse points in polemical divinity. Mr. John Hovey was minister of Arundel, a period of 27 years prior to ^* ^°^*^* his dismission, in 1768. At Biddeford, Mr. Moses »^orrill, 9. ^^^^^^ graduate of Harvard, was settled, in 1742, while quite a young man — scarcely 21 years of age. Endued with a spirit of peace, 280 HISTORY [Vol. ii, A. D. 1750, he passed through a happy and useful ministry of 35 yeaf s, leaving to 1752. ^ name dear to his charge for his many excellencies. Mr. Wm. w. ihomp rpi^Q^pgf^^^ ^YiQ minister of Scarborough, before mentioned, died in 1759. He appears to have been a minister of considerable learning as well as gifts, also sound in the faith, if not the most successful preacher. Though a parish was formed in Falmouth,* at Purpooduck, A. D. 1734, and another at Presumpscot, [New- T. Smith. Casco] in 1753, the Rev. Mr. Smith, was the only settled minis- ter in the town for many years. He was a man of brilliant tal- ents and ardent piety. His religious sentiments were purely evangelical, and his discourses fraught with pathos and sound N. Loring. doctrine. Of North-Yarmouth, Mr. JVicholas horing was the parish minister, from 1736 to 1763, the year of his death. Mr, R. Duniap. Robert Dunlap, a native of Ireland, educated at the University of Edinburgh, was ordained in Boston by the Presbytery, A. 1747, to the ministry, over the people of Brunswick. Here his pastoral relation continued thirteen years. The inhabitants of Topsham plantation were a part of his charge, and contributed something towards his supportf * In 1753, there were in Falmouth, — 120 families on the neck ; 48 ia Stroudwater, including- Lon^-creek ; 21 at Back- cove ; 51 on the Islands and elsewhere— in all, 240 families, besides 200 families in Purpooduck^ (Spurwink.) — Smith's Jour. p. 58.— Also in New-Casco, including three small Islands, 100 families. — 8 Jour. House of Rep. p. 228. T Mr. Stevens graduated at Harv. Coll. 1740, settled 1751, died 1791 Mr. Rogers « « 1711, « 1721, " 1761 Mr. Chandler «« « 1735, « 1751, dis. 1760 ) , . Mr. Foster " « 1754, « 1756, « 1777 1 ^ ' Mr. Morse " « 1761, 1755, died 1765 Mr. Richardson " " 1749, « 1754, ** 1758 Mr. Hemmenway " « 1755, " 1759, " 1811 Mr. Hovey " «* 1725, " 1741, dis. 176» Mr. Lyman « at Yale College, 1747, «* 1749, died 18ia Mr. Smith " at Harv. College, 1725, « 1727, « 179S Mr. Morrill »' " 1737, « 1742, « 177& Mr. Loring *♦ « 1732, " 1736, " 1763 Mr. Thompson « 1727, « 1769 Mr. Wright »« 1743, « 1764 Mr. Lombard ** 1750, « 1764 Mr. Lankton «* 1754, «« 1794 (o) Mr. Chandler was installed in 1761, at Gloucester, Mass.— Mr. Fos- ter was installed in 1781, at Packersfield, N. H., and after about 10 years he was dismissed and settled at Rye, N. H.-S«e Gremleqf^* Ece. Skelehev^ — See on/e, p. 17, Chap, xi.] of maiNe. 281 Besides these ordained clergymen in the corporate towns, a. d^^itso, there were a few plantations, which had become parishes, and had settled ministers, also there were several itinerant preachers in the eastern country. — New Marblehead, [Windham,] in 1747, settled Mr. John Wright, where he livetl and labored in the gos- j vvright, pel ministry, till his death, in 1754. Rev. Solomon Lombard was ordained at Gorhamtown, in 1750; and Merryconeag-pen- insula, (Harpswell,) being separated the same year from North- Yarmouth, and formed into a precinct or district, settled Rev. Elisha Eaton in 1753, who was happy with his people so long as he lived — ^being a faithful and acceptable minister eleven years. To enable such plantations as entered into ministerial contracts, Plamaiions to fulfil them, an act was passed in 1751, by which the Courts of Sessions were authorized to apportion the assessments and ap- point a collector. They were also now for the first time, taken into the general valuation, and rules prescribed by law, for their organization and the choice of officers. — Rev. Robert Ruther- R. Ruther- ford * a man of a very amiable and excellent disposition, offi- ciated several years, in the double capacity of minister to the people, and chaplain in the fort at St. Georges' river, where he died in 1756. For 4 or 5 years. Rev. Alexander Boyd, a presby- a. Boyd, terian candidate, preached with great acceptance to the people of Georgetown ; and from the first time of their becoming ac- quainted with his eloquent manner and able performances, in 1748, they would have settled him, had not the presbytery found obstacles in the way of his ordination. Hence it is manifest, that though the devout religionists of Massachusetts might look with obloquy upon this Province, as the receptacle of scismatics and excommunicants ; or tauntingly say, " that when a man could find no religion to his taste, let him remove to Maine — we find at the present period, its inhabit- ants, in proportion to their numbers and wealth, supporting as many learned and worthy ministers as any part of New-England, In no Province was there greater unanimity in religious sentiment * Mr. Rutherford came to Pemaqiiid with Col. Dunbar about 1729-30. He died at St. Georg-es, and was interred in the burying ground near the mansion of the late Gen. Knox. On his grave stone is this inscription, — « Here lies buried the body of Rev. Mr. Robert Rutherford, M. A. who «* died on the 18th of October, 1756, aged 68 years.* Vol. II. 36 282 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D- 1760, among the people ; — in none, more fellowship among the minis- ^° terial brethren. The community was in general a body of con- muniiy!Tn gregationalists* if a very few presbyterians and episcopalians, ^^r/gationai- and Still fewcr baptists and quakers, be excepted ; and even with them, there were now no important dissensions in sentiment. British Another subject, important to this, and every English Province^ 6>siem. was the trade of the country, as connected with England. The same year (1696) in which the crown established the Board, called " The Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations par- liament commenced the American System :f — passing first the Navigation JYavigation Act. By this it was required that all ships trading between the mother country and her colonies, be English, Irish, or American built, and their cargoes, the property of the king's Trespass subjects. Another called the Trespass Act^ was passed Sept. 24, 1710. to preserve the mast-pines in the forests of New-England, New-York and New-Jersey, for the use of the royal navy. By this, every person who cut a single tree, forfeited £100 sterling, recoverable in a Court of Admiralty. The last provisional clause was deemed a grievance, because that tribunal tried cases without a jury. The system But immediately after the peace of Aix-la-Chapelle, (1748,) attempts were made to give the system an entirely new and more energetic character. Upon this subject a multitude of English politicians were so rank and determinate, that the passage of a bill in parliament was hardly prevented, though it went so far as to give royal instructions the force of law — a power which would have enabled the crown, by a single blow, to sweep off every Colonial charter and law, in this country. — Fully sensible of what ?redii°re- ^^^^ douc, especially in the siege of Louisbourg, siricied. and what they might do in other emergencies, parliament forbade the emission of them to any amount, except expressly to meet the annual pubhc expenditure, or to repel invasion. This was Iron act. followed by the Iron Act, passed in 1750, professedly to promote the importation of Pig and Bar Iron from the American Colo- nies into England. J But in the light of its provisions, the flimsy guise which veiled its title, was easily seen through ; for it pro- * Quakers had a meeting at York, in 1662 ; and at Mr. Proctor's in Fal- mouth, in 1760 ; and the Baptists liad a meeting- in Kittery as early as 1681. — Smith's Journal^ p. f See post, A. D. 1763. t 1 Dougr. p. 540-1. Chap, xi.] of Maine. 283 bibited, under severe penalties, the use of any mill for slitting or A. DM760, rolling iron, and likewise any furnace for making steel. This would compel the Colonists to export their iron in pigs and bars, to London, the only iron market for foreign trade in the realm ; and to take in exchange, cutlery, woollens and other fabrics. Attempts were also made to restrict the colonies in their trade with ^HmU- the West Indies* to the Islands belonging to the English. A«^- principal article exported thither from Maine was lumber ; for which molasses was received in large quantities. In its primitive 5;i"'i^g^gg*°^ state, this was an article of great use ; and when distilled, it was supposed [though erroneously] to be a needful drinkf for those engaged in the fisheries, in the lumbering business, in tlie military, service, and in navigation — as better enabling them to endure hardships. Besides, rum and molasses were carried by fishing vessels, in the winter, to the southern Colonies, and exchanged for corn and pork, which were every year needed in this eastern country. The balance of trade at this lime, was, even while un- restricted, against the fishermen, the ship-builders, the lumber- ers and the seamen ; for it was found, that all those engaged in such employments, could not pay the bills for their supplies and support, at the prices they were compelled to give for articles consumed ; and should they be restrained to a trade with the English, in the single article of molasses, a fatal check must be given to the kinds of enterprize mentioned. J But what more particularly engaged again the attention of the seiiiement government and the people, was the settlement and the safety of eJn'jJ^untry this eastern country.^ In the autumn of 1750, Richard Ha- zen was employed at the public expense, to make surveys, and form a correct chart or map of the whole coast, between the * This trade was less profitable, than in the reigns of William and Anne. —2 Hutch. Hist. p. 397. I « It has killed more Indians than the wars and their sicknesses ; it does «• not spare white people, especially when made into flip." — 1 Doug. Summ. p. 640. N. B. The Sugar Act passed A. D. 1755, by which a duty of 9d. per gal- lon was laid on ram ; on molasses 6d. ; on 100 wt. sugar 5s. ; if imported from any other than English Islands — 1 JJinot, p. 301. J 1 Minot, p. 5 " Every new house, new farm, new subject, adds to the consumption of *' British manufactures ; — and nothing contributes more to speedy set- »* tlements, than a vent for the lumber — a great help in clearing lands." — 2 Hutch, nut. p. 399. 284 "^"^ HISTORY [Vol. ii, A. D. 1750, Merrimack -and the St. Croix. Also two new townships were, in *° * consideration of military services, appropriated and ordered to (Jrants of be Surveyed. One was assigned to Captain Pierson jand his as- aiid I'loilhs- Bociates, who were in the expedition against Louisbourg — -called ^SuindilT!" Piersontown plantation. The other township was appropriated to the benefit of Capt, Hohbs^ and his company, who were in the same service ; each to be laid out and settled on the general terms ; — -both now forminij; the town of Standish, For several Penohscot ' visited. years, the Islands, the waters, and the banks of tlie Penobscot, had all attracted great attention ; and in July, (1750,) a large vessel " full of people," visited these parts. The view, as it was designed, afforded the passengers an opportunity to select places for their future residence. A settlement of these lands had hitherto been retarded by the hostilities of the Indians, more than in consequence of their belonging to the crown ; therefore nothing but their opposition, jealousy, and ill-will, now prevented several enterprizing people from planting their habitations perma- nently, upon the banks of that commanding river. Every prac- ticable method, subsequent to peace, was used to keep the tribes tranquilj two trading houses were opened and well supplied ;-— Truck-mas- William Lithgow being appointed, in 1752, truck-master at Richmond fort, and Jabez Bradbury, at St, Georges; and a confidence began to be strongly entertained in the future safety of settlers. Setiiements indeed were the great and various exertions made, during upon^sf '^^^ thirty years, to settle this section of country, without Georges' considerable success. f Eraizrants had been introduced and nver. ... planted within it, from Ireland by Dunbar and his friends ; from Germany, by Gen, Waldo, and the Muscongus patentees ; and from some parts of New-England, by Drowne and other propri- etary claimants. Between 1733, and 1735-6, Irish protestants of Scottish descent, settled in the ' Upper and Lower towns,' on St. Georges' river ; also on lands towards its mouth [now Cash- ing ;]f and at Broad-bay ; and the English settled Medumcook^ * Jour. House of Rep. (17£0,) p. 209,— called Hobbstown, t 4 Coll. Mass. Hie. Soc. p. 2^;. \J1S. letters from St, George, Cathingy and Thomitton. — Jllso JIS. JSTarraiive of C. Eaton. — Samuel Waldo, son of Gen. Waldo, went to Ger- many in 1753, and " circulated proclamations to induce emigrants to come to America." — J. Ludwig*s testimony. — Report, 1811, p. 164. Chap, xi.] of Maine. 286 £now Friendship.] Accessions were made in 1740, to the plan- A.i)^^i750, lation at Broad-bay;* in 1743, to those on St. Georges' river, and on the Kennebeck ;f and a few migrated to other places soon afterwards. Early in 1750, Mr. Crelleus, a German gen-^,^^,^^^ tleinan, presented a memorial to the General Court, in which he g^oSay ^ proposed to remove several protestant families from his country, into the Province, provided they could see sufficient inducements. It seems he had made a voyage across the Atlantic, upon this errand. So favorable to the proposal was the Lieutenant-Gov- ernor, that he threw his weight into the scale with the applicant, and stated to the General Court, — *from the character and dispo- ^sition of that people, I apprehend it to be of great importance ^ to encourage their settlement among us ; as they would intro- * duce many useful manufactures and arts.' — Four townships of land therefore, were appropriated for the accommodation of for- eign protestants ; and the Province frigate offered to transport them, after arrival, to the places of their selection or destination. The Legislature also adopted provisional measures for their ac- commodation and comfort, for naturalizing them and their fami- lies, and for encouraging their ministers and interpreters. The next year, (1751,) between 20 and 30 families arrived, with Mr. Etter, their interpreter :J whose necessities, in the ensuing winter, were relieved at the public expense, as well as by private char- ity ; beds, bedding and other articles being furnished them, till their removal to Broad-bay and other places. By the new valuation finished in 1751, there were exhibited New vaiua melancholy proofs, how much war, sickness, the small-pox, and other adversities, had checked the progress of population ; for the inhabitants of the whole province of Massachusetts, within the last seven years, had actually increased only about 500 ; and no more than five added to the corporate towns in that Province. In Maine, the towns at that and the present time, were eleven ; and the proportion of £1,000 tax, assigned to her, including a few plantations, was merely £2 lis. 3rf. more than in the preceding valuation.<5 Hence it would appear, that, on the whole, her pop- * Germans emigrated to Broad-bay. — JiS. Letter of Mr. Ludwig . \ MS. Letter from Dresden.— ^ew settlers planted at Frankfort, [Pownal- borough.] X MS. Let M. R. Ludwig, Esq — 8 Jour. H. of Rep. p. 76. \ See ante, 1743, tion. 286 THK HISTORY [VoL. II, A.D. 1752. Illation, during seven years, had in a small degree increased. To Excise and lessen the direct taxes, however, there were excise and impost ties.°^' " laws still in force, which brought considerable sums into the Pro- vincial treasury.* The excise was laid on ardent spirits, distil- led ; and duties exacted on wines, rum, sugar, and molasses, tobacco, logwood, and West India fruits ; also on most other articles imported, unless by law exempted. f The tonnage duty was " a pound of good pistol powder per ton," on every vessel not British, nor English colonial — which was to be paid every voyage. There were also, in 1750, duties exacted on tea, cof- fee, and arrack — also on coaches and chariots imported ; and the duiles!^^ ^'^same year, Jahez Fox,o{ Falmouth, was chosen Collector of the duties or imposts, for Yorkshire ; the excise being usually farmed out for periods of three years. J ^ J A very important alteration was made at this period in the record of dates, which deservedly claims particular notice. It had been satisfactorily ascertained, and generally conceded through- out European countries, that in consequence of small increments during a long series of years, the computation of time was in- correct. An act of Parliament, therefore, was passed, January 22, 1752, extending to all the British dominions; which ordain- ed, that every year, including the present one, should begin Jan- uary 1, instead of March 25 ; and that eleven days be expunged from the Calendar ; and the 3d of September, in the present year, be called the 14th, This correction has been denominated the New Styi^e.^ Commis- To pave the way for a conciliatory conference with the Indians, theTidUnf government transported to Fort Richmond and to St. Georges, six hogsheads of bread and six barrels of pork, to be distributed among them ; and, Oct. 20, lour commissioners were met at the latter place, by delegations of Sagamores from all the eastern tribes, except the Mickmaks and those of St. Francois. The * The duties on articles ad valorem were Ad. in j^l. ■j- Duties by the Hhd. on molasses, 16efcnsive r 1 -11 • r . , , . 1 measures. lence ; each eastern mland garrison was furnished with two co- horn-mortars and sixteen cannon ; and the frontiers, with 100 stands of small arms and a suitable quantity of ammunition.* 19 C. Rec. p. 140-1.— 8 Journal H. of Rep. p. 96-100. 296 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. AiD. 1753. The first acts of hostility were committed, in Oct. 1763, by- First French the French and Indians, in the vicinity of the fort at Presque Isle, w^fe at on the southerly banks of lake Erie ; three British traders being Lake Erie, ggj^gfj and sent to Montreal, their goods confiscated, and several settlers murdered. To effectuate the release of the prisoners, and to prevent a repetition of the wrongs, the Lieutenant-Gov- ernor of Virginia despatched to the commander of the French forces on the Ohio, a messenger, who was afterwards the ington's illustrlous George WASHINGTON.* — An auswcr was returned agency. officer, that the country was French territory ; and he had taken possession of it under orders, which he was bound to obey. JThe^Jfeich Equally violent and reprehensible, was the conduct of the NovaSco- French and Indians in Nova Scotia. Besides the garrisons erect- ed at Louisbourg, at the Isthmus, and on the river St. John, *near the borders of Maine,' the French were fortifying or strengthening themselves in other places ; prohibiting the tribes from having any intercourse by treaty or trade with the English,f and encouraging them by rewards, to take either prisoners or scalps : — And when captives were carried to Canada, the ran- som demanded and often paid was exorbitant. The new and improved route between Canada and these eastern parts, by way of the rivers Chaudiere and Kennebeck, increased the public ap- prehensions, that some place on the upper branches of the one or the other, was to be the encampment or general rendezvous of the Indians, and that the present peace with them must be of short duration. A arty of February, (1754,) a company of about 60 able-bodied In- indianJv^sit dians, bcsidcs several boys, made their appearance near fort moud. Richmond, and expressed to Capt. Lithgow, their desire of sending a written communication to Governor Shirley. They were evidently a mixture, composed of some from St. Francois, some from Norridgewock, and perhaps a few from Penobscot. Their looks and demeanor gave indications, that they were rather spies, than a peace-party; for after they had delivered their letter, which was of no great importance, they manifested un- * He travelled 400 miles — of which 200 were through a trackless desert. He arrived at the forts oa the Alleghany, Dec. 12th.— 2 Holmes* A. jinn. p. 194-5. t Gov. Shirley's speech, Nov. 1754, Chap, xi.] of Maine. 297 usual insolence, and uttered low malignant threats. — * Better for a. d. hm. * Englishmen, said some of them, to leave these rivers,* else Their men- aces. ' our French brothers, clad like Indians, will, soon as the ice is * gone, help us drive you all away. Certain they will come to * us from Canada in the spring, and bring us guns and powder ; * for a good priest tells us the truth : — ^Yes, and the Hurons will ' come likewise.' There was other satisfactory intelligence, that the Governor of The French Canada was industrious in his endeavors, to persuade all the eas- ["il^i^sJ tern Indians to prevent any further setdements of the English on the Kennebeck ; and that a French Jesuit had been making dili- gent enquiry after catholic families ; using persuasives to assist in building a chapel for worship, and a dwellinghouse for himself, either at Cushnoc or Teconnet, and promising favor to all those who would join in amity with the French. In short, vengeance was denounced by them against any tribe, that should undertake to mediate between the English and the Indians. It was now extensively believed to be worse than in vain to 6 compa- think of perpetuating the peace, and securing the friendship of Joinie^(f for savage men by presents ; — men already in league with a malev- Matn? °^ olent adversary, who was waiting impatiently, for the word to strike our frontiers with deadly and repeated blows. Tribute can never long satiate the appetite of an hungry enemy, and war is preferable to peace purchased on such degrading terms. Per- ceiving the hazardous exposure of these eastern Provinces, the Governor ordered six companies to be enlisted or detailed from their militia, and to hold themselves in perfect readiness for a march, on the shortest notice. Should the Indians at Norridge- wock be guilty of any mischief, he directed the officers * to ' break up their village, and kill or take captive all they met with «of that tribe.' The emergency drew from the General Court, April 9, an Provision asseveration, that they considered it as indispensable, to prevent fort^onXe the French from making any settlements whatever upon the banks or branches of the river Kennebeck, or upon the carrying places at its head ; that as Richmond fort was in a decayed state, the House desired the Governor to order the erection of * " The new settlement of the Plymouth patent is the provocation." — SmUfCs Jour. p. 58. Vol. II. 38 298 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1754. a new fort, about 100 feet square, as far above, as he might think it best ; and when it should be finished, to remove thither the garrison, artillery and military stores, and cause the fort it- self to be demolished.* At first, 500 men were enlisted, — soon augmented to 800, in consequence of some recent acts of vio- lence on or near the borders of " the eastern settlements." The soldiers received a generous bounty and were furnished with every supply. Also, 2,500 prime firearms were ordered to be purchased for defence. Shiricy^' On the 21st of June, the Governor, accompanied by Col. Commis- ^ Paul Mascarenc, as Commissioner from Nova Scotia, General troops em- John Winsiow, who had the immediate command of the forces, Mr. Dummer, late Lieutenant-Governor, and other persons of rank, embarked at Boston in the Province frigate Massachusetts for Falmouth, the place of rendezvous. The troops encamped A parley at On Bangs' Island. Finding on his arrival the Commissioners Falmouth. ^^^^ New-Hampshire, and 42 of the principal Indians from Nor- ridgewock, the Governor, on the 28th, opened a general confer- ence. Upon enquiring why none of the Anasagunticooks were present, he was told that two of their tribe had been offensively killed the preceding year in New-Hampshire ; wdiereas it was their bloody act of revenge, which was evidently the true cause of their absence. A treaty Govemor Shirley told the Canibas Chiefs, among other things, that he had concluded to build a new fort at Teconnet, on the point of land between the rivers Kennebeck and Sebasticook, at their confluence, for which he had made ample preparations. Strongly averse as they were to the establishment of any fortress on the lands of their forefathers, they persisted in their objection, till they were shown by deeds, how the territory had been con- veyed away ; and then they gave their consent, signed a treaty,f and had their dance ; — all returning home, July 3, except three of their young men. Two days afterwards, fifteen principal In- dians arrived from Penobscot : and on the 6th, they ratified the same treaty, and returned, leaving two of their young men also ; — and the five were sent to Boston to be educated. Immediately the Governor sent off the forces upon the pro- *See ante, 1719. \ This was nearly the same as *« Dummer's Treaty." Chap, xi.] of Maine. 299 jected enterprize, and gave orders that 500 of the troops recon- A. .D 1754. noiter the heads of Kennebeck river and the great carrying places JJ"'}.^'^^ between that and the Chaudiere ; and the residue proceed to build the fort according to the plan and dimensions given. Perceiving a war with France inevitable, and acquainted with the open and exposed condition of the northern and eastern lions. frontiers, the British ministry issued instructions unto the Ameri- can Governors, early in the spring, to negotiate, if possible, a treaty offensive and defensive with the Six Nations ; to form an union of the colonies for the general defence ; to resist by force the invasions of the French; and, in fine, to dislodge them from the American territories, upon which they had so wrongfully en- croached. Therefore, Commissioners from seven colonies* con- vened at Albany, June 14, where they were met by 50 chief June U. men of those Nations, with whom they concluded a treaty. They then proceeded to form a plan for the General Union and pian of DEFENCE OF THE CoLONiES J in which it was proposed to peti- Union?' tion Parliament for an act or charter, to establish a Grand Coun- cil of 48 members, annually elective by the colony assemblies ; and a President General to be appointed by the crown, with the right of negative upon the council ; and to vest him and them with power to make general laws, — apportion the quotas of men and money to each colony in time of war ; — establish forts, and direct all needful measures both for the public safety and common defence. — Reasonable and judicious as the proposition may ap- pear, it met with the singular fate of being rejected both by the king and the colonies, — for it was thought by the former, that the popular assemblies thereby had two much independence, and by the latter, that the President-General had too much power. — Hence it was evident, that no project, whatever, could possibly meet the views of both parties.f — About this time there were Troop* enlistments made in Virginia — likewise in other Provinces, "hg^^coio- measures were adopted, to repel the invading forces of the French ; while each of the two crowns out of regard to their respective allies, was waiting for the other, first to declare war. * From Massachusetts, New-Hampshire, Rhode-Island, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New-York. The delegates took " rank in geographical order beginning at the north. See the names of the Cora* mittee appointed to draw "ap/an of Union.^^ — 2 Belknap^i JV*. H. p. 220. t 1 Minotj 191-2, where the draft is entire. 300 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1754. After Governor Shk-ley had passed several weeks in Falmouth Shirley re- and its vicinity, in making himself acquainted with the condition ion. of the towns and frontiers, and devising means for their defence, he proceeded to Teconnet, and ascended the Kennebeck as far as Norridgewock. Ascertaining that no fort had been erected on that river by the French, nor on the carrying places between its sources and the Chaudiere, he returned to Boston, Sept. 9, where he was met with vivid congratulations. Form and The site selected for the fort was an eligible and beautiful situ- fortress.^''^ ation.* Its exterior fomi was quadrangular; being about 100 feet in length and 40 in breadth. It was constructed of hewn pine timber and raised about 20 feet in height, wi'th flankers and block-housesf of the same material, the walls being thick enough to resist musquet bullets. It was sufficiently spacious to contain 400 men. There was also a strong redoubt constructed on an eminence to overlook the country road, fortified by two small can- non and a swivel. In the main fortress were mounted sev- eral small cannon, and a garrison was established of 100 men. Halifax It was finished, Sept. 3d, and called Fort Halifax ; in naming which there was some ceremony and a complimentary inscrip- tion in Latin, which admits of this literal translation ; — For the benefit of the Massachusetts Province, William Shirley, her Governor, under the auspices of the most noble George Mon- tague Duck, Earl oj Halifax, the highly distinguished friend and patron of the British Provinces, throughout America, has reared this fortress, — September 3, A. D, 1754.J * The Governor told the House, the fort was 3-4ths of a mile below Te- connet Falls ; 37 miles above Richmond Fort ; 50 from Penobscot ; 31 by water, and 22 by land, from Norridg-ewock, and 18 above Cushnoc. — 18 Coun, Rec. p. 281-7. j In 1830, one block-house was still standing. J The Latin : — Quod felix faustum quesit Provinciae Massachusetensi ; Hunc lapidem pa suit GuLiELMUS Shirley, Gubernator, Sub auspiciis Nobilissimi, Georgii Montague Duck, Comitis de Halifax, Provinciarum, Quotqout sunt ditionis Brittannicae ; Per Americam utramque^ Prefecti atq ; Patroni illustrissimi, Die 3, Scptemhris, A. D, 1754. [See 1 Minot, p, ISl.—MS. Let. from Winslow.] Chap, xi.] of Maine. 301 Encouraged and animated by this enterprize as soon as under* AjD. 1754. taken, the proprietors of the Plymouth patent or Kennebeck pm-chase, built two forts, the same season, both on the eastern side of the river. One was situated at the head of sloop navigation near the water's edge, and just below the easterly end of the pres- ent (Augusta) bridge ; the place and the vicinity being anciently called by the Indians, Cushnoc. Some appearances of the circumvallation are yet to be seen. The fortress was a large building, in dimensions 100 feet by 32, constructed of hewn timber, like Fort Halifax. There was also near it a block-house, 24 feet square, formed of the same timber. Here were mounted four cannon, and a garrison established of 20 men. It was designed especially, as a depositary of provisions and Perts Wesi- military stores for the upper garrison. It was named Fort Wes- shiriey? tern* The other one, called Fort Shirley, was situated in the plantation of Frankfort, [now Dresden] about a mile above the northerly end of Swan Island, and hence sometimes called Fort Frankfort. The parade ground, was 200 feet square, enclosed by pickets ; the westerly side of which was on the margin of the river. Within were two block-houses, the projecting stories of which were 24 feet square. The walls, which were ten inches thick, were built of pine and hemlock timber, hewed on four sides and interlocked where they crossed at the ends. One block-house was in the north and the other in the south corner of the parade, on the tops of which were watch-boxes for senti- nels. The exterior pickets were of sufficient height, and within were barracks, for the accommodation of those belonging to the fort. It was afterwards under the command of Samuel Good- win, whose family lived with him in the garrison. f A road between Fort Western and Fort Halifax, was ordered commoni- by the Governor to be cleared and made fit for the passage of fort Hanfax. wheel carriages. He also made arrangements by means of * MS. Let. of Hon. D. Cony^ A. B. 1823.— Some part of the fort was then standing. Its lat, 44*> 14'. — ' The patentees at a very early period, built * a trading house at Cushnoc ; and when government was instituted, A. D. < 1653, under Thomas Prince at Kennebeck ; it appears, that the peoj^e * residing at Cashnoc, or Cushenoc, were included therein and took the * oath of fidelity, to New-Plymouth colony.' — James Howard had command of Fort Western. t MS, Lei. from Dresden, 1821. — One block-house was then standing. 302 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1754. whale-boats, and videttes, for the communication of expresses, Troops dis- ^^^'^ Halifax and Falmouth, in 24 hours. The troops, charged, except those retained in the garrisons, were all discharged, be- fore Oct. 17 ; receiving from the Commander-in-Chief and the Monies vet- General Court, expressions of particular approbation.* Imme- ^ies""* diately the General Court voted £600, to defray the charges of the campaign, and £300 to be laid out in presents which were to be sent to the tribes upon the Kennebeck and Penobscot ; also appropriated a sum necessary to procure provisions, shoes or moccasins, and other supplies, for the garrison at Fort Halifax, and £470 for building a small fort at the second or ten-mile falls in the Androscoggin, and for repairing Fort George at Brunswick and the block-houses or fortified habitations at Tow- woh, [Lebanon] Phillipstown, Saco, Narraganset Number 7, Gorhamtown, Sebago, New-Marblehead, Saccarappe, and Tops- ham. f An attack Qn the 6th of November, an express arrived from Fort Hali- uponlbe ... soidiery of fax to the Govemor, informine him that the Indians had fallen upon Fort Hall- . . . . fax. a party of the garrison, while they were engaged in hauling logs for the use of the fort, killed and scalped one soldier and car- ried away four others, prisoners. This outrage, committed so soon after solemn confirmation of former treaties, was universally viewed, not only as a piece of base and cruel treachery, but a certain precursor of another Indian war. It entirely changed the aspect of our eastern affairs, throwing a dark cloud over the whole. About the same time, an English captive, who had pur- chased his freedom, brought news from Canada, that 500 French and Indians were collecting at Quebec, and preparing to make a furious assault upon Fort Halifax. Presents Hcnce, the Governor was induced to withhold the valuable presents designed for the tribes at Kennebeck and Penobscot, then on board ot the Province Sloop ; but sent to Fort Halifax a re-enforcement of 1 00 men, with five additional cohorn-mor- tars ; and issued orders to the six companies of minute men in Maine, to be in constant readiness for marching, at the shortest notice. Halifax and the frontiers were put in the best possible state of defence for the winter ; and as there was fear, that our vessels might be taken by the French, who were supposed to be witbholden from the Tribes. Halifax re* enforced. ♦ 13 Council Records, p. 297-8. t 18 Couucil Records, p. 329. Chap, xi.] of Maine. 303 ranging the eastern coasts, an embargo of 26 days, was laid upon A. D. 1754. all such as had on board, either provisions or other supplies. An embar- Extremely anxious to effect a release and return of captives, /» rti • 1 r • J ^" agency numbers of whom, it was represented by afiiicted friends, were to Canada still in Canada ; Massachusetts and New-Hampshire sent Capt. the'' release Phinehas Stevens thither on that errand ; hoping, no doubt, to ° "P"^®'* learn likewise, something of the measures or designs of the Ca- nadians. But the mission was productive of more evil than good ; for by paying or even offering extravagant ransom, we actually encouraged and tempted the Indians to the savage ex- ploits of taking captives.* If they were redeemed, the price paid gave the foe fresh strength and means to carry on this dia- bolical kidnapping mode of warfare. The indignation of the public was now more especially aroused fnj,^ns"?n-* against the Indians of St. Francois ; as it was manifest, they ^'^jf^^" were the principal instigators to a rupture. Many believed the time had in fact arrived, when that tribe, if none other, ought to be utterly exterminated. The General Court offered £100, for Farther any one of their scalps, and £10 more, for any one of their In- JJ^ jg"^*'^^^ dians taken alive ; and directed their agent in England to pur- chase for the Province 250 stands of arms, and 1 500 barrels of powder. The whole winter was passed in restless anxiety ; it being fearfully apprehended, that none of all the eastern Indians, except, possibly, the Tarratines, could be deterred from rushing into hostilities. To satisfy them and keep them tranquil, govern- ment made them presents, gave them the strongest assurances of friendship and kindness ; and finally promised them, if they would rest quietly under the verdant trees of peace, that a truck house should be established upon the Penobscot, and be well supplied with all the articles they needed, at fair prices. It was a period Public of uncommon interest and solicitude ; the public treasury was empty ; and " the distressing circumstances of the Province" were laid before his Majesty, with earnest solicitations for assist- ance. * Hence, " the savag-es were more desirous of taking captives and more tender of them when taken, than in former wars." — 2 Belk. J^. H. p. 222. 304 THE HISTORY [Vol. 11. CHAPTER XII. The French war and 6th war with the Indians — Fortifications — Four expeditions against the French — They are driven from Nova Scotia hy Winslow and MonJcton — The French Neutrals removed — Depredations oj the Indians — War declared against them all, except the tribe at Penobscot — Bounties — Defence of the eastern frontiers — Affair of Cargill — War against the tribe at Penob- scot— An earthquake — Four expeditions against the French — Public embarrassments — A loan of <£30,000 — A force of 3,500 men raised — War declared against France — English Generals — Shirley leaves the Province — J. Wheelwright^ Com. Gen. — At- tacks of the Indians — A gloomy period — Louisbourg — Skirmishes with the Indians — Gov. Pownal arrives — J. Bradbury — Small- pox— Harpswell incorporated — William Pitt, prime minister — His plan of operations — Eastern forts — Louisbourg captured — Repulse of the Indians at St. Georges and Meduncook — Their last efforts eastward — Possession taken of Penobscot — Fort Pow- nal built there — Death of Gen. Waldo — Great successes of the English arms — Capture of Quebec — Destruction of the Indian village, St. Frangois — Death of Sir W. Pepper ell — Woolwich incorporated — Treaties of peace with the Indians — Entire reduc- tion of Canada. AiD. 1754. The encroachments of the French, the mischiefs of their In- The dian allies, and some skirmishes upon our frontiers, during the and the 6th year 1754, were considered as the commencement of hostilities ian,war. what has been usually denominated the French War, and the certain presages of another rupture with the Indians. The war with them in fact began, as did the one between the two crowns, without being formally declared ; — this being the sixth Indian war. within eighty years. The fortifi- The French had not only forts in Nova Scotia, the Beau Se- the°French.y<^wr, Bay Kerte, and [two on the river St. John, built two or three years since ; they had also a fortress at Ticonderoga,* * From Albany to fort Edward, on the east side of the river Hudson below the bend, is 36 miles, and thence N, W. over land, 10 miles to Fort William Henry, at the southerly end oi Lake Qeorge;—Wood Creek Chap, xii.] of maine. 305 situated on the isthmus between Lake George and Lake Cham- A. D. 1754. plain ; Fort Frederick at Crown Point, on the western side of the last mentioned lake ; Fort Frontenac, at the outlet of lake Ontario northwardly ; Fort Ontario at Oswego river, on the south- easterly margin of the same lake ; Fort Niagara, between the lakes Ontario and Erie, below the Falls ; and fort Du Quesne, at the confluence of the Alleghany and Monongahela rivers, which form the head of the river Ohio, at the present Pittsburg. The British minister at the court of France demanded, that Complainn express orders be sent to M. de la Jonquiere, the Governor of French king New-France, to desist from violence against the British subjects afusesl in this country ; that Fort Niagara be immediately razed ; that the English subjects who had been made prisoners, be set at liberty, and indemnified for the losses they had sustained ; and that the persons who had committed these excesses be punished in an exemplary manner. Meanwhile, the Indians being constantly assisted by the French, in Nova Scotia, and furnished as they wished, with boats, arms and ammunition, continued in many places to plunder and massacre the British subjects with impu- nity. Though it were true, that the Court of Versailles prom- ised to remove all causes of complaint ; yet the French Governor was, without doubt, secretly exhorted, to proceed in the work of bringing their ambitious and nefarious projects to perfection.* On the other hand, there was a line of forts and block-houses, £astgj.n for. along our frontiers from Salmon Falls river, to the forts on the tificationi. river St. Georges. At Berwick, within two or three miles above Quampeagan landing, were several strongly fortified houses, called Gerish's, Key's, Wentworth's, and Goodwin's garrisons. There was also a picketted fort on the height of land at Pine Hill, form- ed of poles set in the ground, about twenty feet in height and sharpened at the upper end.f Similar fortifications and block- houses, constructed of hewn timber, enclosed by palisades, or other works for defence and retirement, were built or established in every frontier township, that was settled in Maine and Saga- being^ 11 miles N. E. of Fort Edward and at the south end of Lake Cham- plain. On the isthmus, between Lake George and Lake Champlain, is Ticonderoga. Crotcn Point is 15 miles north of Ticonderoga ; thence N. to the outlet of Lake Champlain, 55 miles, at the head of Chamhlay and mouth of Sorell river; thence north to Isle Aux J^oix, 10 miles; and thence to the St. Lawrence, 50 miles. * 2 Smollett, f Sullivan, p. 253. Vol. II. 39 306 THE HISTORY [VOL. II. A.D. 1754. daliock. The men were at all times armed, whether they went to public worship, to labor, or were travelling. The moment a lurking Indian was discovered, means were used to communi- cate notice to the nearest earrison or block-house, when an alarm Alarm guns. ^ ' gun was fired, and all the scattered people fled within the gates.* Or, if the people were in possession of no larger guns than mus- kets, three of them were fired in succession, at short and meas- ured intervals, between them. There was another expedient qulS^ceni- recommended, and to some extent tried, as a security against the tddogs. gyj^^gjj and silent incursions of the savages 5 — this was the use of * staunch hounds' and well taught dogs, which by the scent of footsteps, could detect skulking parties, and route or frustrate ambuscades. A,D. 1735. Early in the year 1755, four expeditions, formed without Jitimr'^^^* ^^^^^ concert, were bravely undertaken against the several French against ihe forts. General Braddock arrivin"; at Virginia, the last of Febr J-'reiicli. ' . ^ ^ ruary from Ireland, with two regiments, conducted one expedl- Jock's, tion of 2,200 regulars and provincials against fort du Quesne, foiidu before which he fell, July 9th, and his army were enti^ely defeat- <4ucbne. rjy^^ second was aimed against the French, ^cadians, and jdian.*^*^^^ Indians, embodied and fortified upon the isthmus of Nova Scotia. —The third, containing 5 or 600 provincials, was com- manded by General William Johnston, of Schenectady, who Sowa- fought a battle with the enemy near Crown Point, which won him great applause. The fourth, conducted by Governor t-y's,^''"^' Shirley in person, Gommander-in^Chief since the death of Genr aoara^aiKi" ^^^^ Braddock, proceeded against Niagara and Fort Frontenac, Bton's, Fori Fron- y^.^hout any success —In the midst of these expeditions, a large French fleet left the harbor of Brest for America ; — the news of which aroused the British government to despatch hither Ad- mirals Boscawen and Mostyn, April 27, with eleven ships of the line and a frigate, having on board two regiments, for Newfoundr TffoFrencii Near Cape Race, at the southernmost part of that Island, f)y'SrBrli- boscawen had the good fortune to capture two ships of 64 guns, the Alcide and the Lys ; while the residue of the French fleet, with much exertion, safely ascended the St. Lawrence. This * The b!ock-hous2 above Port St, Georg-e was g'arnsoned by a p^rty of the inhabitants nnder Kilpatrick ; that at Cnshinj, built in 1733, was under Capt. Benjamin Burton ; and that at th3 mouth of the river, was under Capt. Henderson.— EaW* MS. J^ar. p. 12. Chap, xii.] of waine. 307 event, followed by Ze^^erj o/" marque and reprizal, was deemed A. 1755. the commencement of the war by sea. h^y^Iea.^^^^ But the second expedition, previously mentioned, against the Particulars French in Nova Scotia, and its results, are sufficiently connected expedition with the History of this State, to admit of some particulars. As f?.pn"oh in*^ the French laid claim to the territory of Sagadahock,* as well as to the Bay of Fundy and northern parts of the Acadian Province 5 the eastern tribes appeared determined to east in their lot with that people, whatever might.be the hazard ; hoping, that one and the same happy destiny for them and their friends awaited both Pro- vinces. Hence, Lieutenant-Governor Lawrence of Nova Scotia proposed to Governor Shirley, that he w^ould, with all the Pro- vincials he could bring into the field, join the regular troops then in that Province^ under Lieutenant Colonel Robert Monkton ) provided they could be re-enforced by 2,000 men from the Pro- vince of Massachusetts ; giving it as his opinion, that such a body of troops would be abundantly able to compel a speedy capitu- lation of the enemy. Governor Shirley laid the subject before the General Court, in February, when he assures them of his Majesty's particular approbation of the zeal and vigor, evinced by them in their late enterprizes upon the river Kennebeck ) adding, that the aid of Massachusetts had been required by the Earl of Holdress, the British Secretary of State, to dislodge the French from Nova Scotia, before the arrival of their war ships from France. For, said the Governor, * should they be prevented a free navigation in the bay of Fundy, they will be driven to such straits for provisions and supplies, that they would not dare^ through fear of famine, to embody their Indian allies ; while a removal of them entirely from the Province, would cut off their communication between Louisbourg and Canada, across that bay and the peninsula, break the principal link in the chain of forts, * and effectually wound the monster in the head.' The expedition was extensively popular, and of course duly winsiow encouraged by the Legislature. Within two months, there were ,o]ffJJ[JJ'''j[ enlisted about 2,000 men, for one year, if their services were soJ"»<^^i^" ' fore Fort long required, who were generally from Massachusetts and Lawrence. Maine, and who had been promised like pay and treatment in ervery respect, as the regulars in the same service. They had * See ante, A. D. 175^. 308 THE HISTORY [Voi.. II. A. D. I76fl. their own officers, and were formed into a regiment of two bat- talions, under Governor Shirley, as Colonel, and John Winslow, as Lieut. Colonel, the latter having the immediate command of the whole. Besides belonging to one of the most ancient and honorable families in Plymouth county, where he was at the time, a Major-General of the militia, he possessed soundness of judgment, amiable manners and military skill, as discovered in the expedition upon the Kennebeck, the year past ; which ac- quired him considerable reputation, and especially the love and May 20. confidence of the soldiery. On the 20th of May, the body of recruits embarked from Boston for Annapolis, where they ar- rived safely, after a passage of five days. The fleet, consisting oi 41 vessels, proceeded thence through Chignecto channel, into Cumberland Basin, near Fort Lawrence, where they anchor- ed and were joined by 270 regulars with a small train of artille- ry, under Colonel Monkton, to whom was given the chief com- mand of the expedition. The English On the west side of the Missaquash river, at its mouth, there dnve the . French over was a block-house of the enemy, enclosins: some small cannon the Missa- , . i quash river, and swivels, and secured by a breastwork, — where 450 men were posted judiciously, to oppose their progress. This place was attacked with such spirit by Winslow, at the head of 300 Provincials, that the enemy were obliged to fly and leave them in possession of the works. The French then deserted the block-house, and opened an unobstructed passage across the river, having first set fire to their outer defences and the village, ForfBeau- ^^^^ June, a bombardment was commenced upon fort J^jo«J^(now Beau-sejour, and continued four days. It then surrendered, land) though the French had 26 pieces of cannon mounted, and •urrenden. , /. • • mi • t • plenty of ammunition. The garrison was sent to Louisbourg, on their promise not to bear arms in America for six months 5 and 300 Acadians were pardoned, because they pretended they had been forced into the service. Monkton, after stationing a portion of his men in this fort, and changing its name to that of June 17. Cumberland, proceeded the next day, to reduce the other French Fort Gaspe- ^Ort, upon the river Gaspereaux, which runs into Bay Verte, duced.'*' [now Fort Monkton] ; that being the chief magazine for supply- ing the French, Acadians and Indians, with arms and ammuni- tion. On entering it after a surrender, he found there, large quantities of provisions and stores of all kinds. — Captain Rouse Chap, xii.] of maine. 309 then sailed with three ships and a snow, to the mouth of the a. d. 1756, river St. John, to attack the new fort erected there by the French ; J^^J^^"^ »^ but they saved him that trouble, by relinquishing it upon his ap- abandoned, pearance, after having burst their cannon, blown up their maga- zine, and destroyed, as far as they had time, all the works they had lately raised. The officers of the fleet were received with tokens of respect, by 150 of the Indian tribe residing on this river, — who were glad to escape chastisement, upon their prom- ises of friendship and obedience. During the whole of this ex- pedition, the English had only twenty men killed, and about the same number wounded ; the success of which secured the tran- quillity of Nova Scotia.* But after subduin"; the country and disarmina; about 1,500 of The French , , 11, Neutral*. the inhabitants ; the best course to be pursued and the most politic disposition to be made with them generall}', were ques- tions which the Provincial government found it extremely difficult to determine. They were not prisoners of war, because under the treaty of Utrecht, April 11, 1713, they had been, and still were, permitted to retain their possessions. They were not British subjects, because they had refused to take the oath of allegiance, till it was so modified as not to oblige them to bear arms against the French, even in defence of the Province, From these circumstances they assumed the character as well as the name of " JVeutrals.^^f They dwelt principally about Annapolis, Chignecto, Bay Verte, the Basin of Minas, Cobaquid Bay and in that vicinity : — and " all together made a population of 18,000 souls. "{ They were an industrious, frugal people, strongly at- tached to the French interest and the catholic religion. So de- sirous were they of throwing off the yoke, that they had secretly courted the visit of the French troops, and furnished them and the Indians with intelligence, quarter, provisions and every assist- ance ; and a part of them had actually taken arms in violation of their oath of neutrality. Nay, all of them now, as heretofore, ut- Their refa-^ sal lo take' terly refused to take the oath of unquahfied allegiance to the the oath o< British crown ; though such as had not appeared openly in arms, * 2 Smollett, p. 533-9.— 1 Minot,p. 219-20. t See ante, A. D. 1749, Note. I 1 Haliburlon^s, JV. .S. p. 172, citeg Abbe Reynal. — But the rniEn"ber is evidently estimated too hig^b. 31 Q THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.D. 1765. were assured, if they would take it, they should still be allowed the unmolested enjoyment of their lands and houses. ^, . , Perceivine: the indissoluble attachment of these Acadians, or Their fate. ^ , . . ' French Neutrals/ to their parent nation, Lieutenant-Governor Lawrence, and the Provincial Council, with advice of Admirals Boscawen and Mostyn,- finally determined, that the whole of them be removed and dispersed among the British Colonies, where they, being unable to unite in any offensive measures, would be- come naturalized to the government and country. Without knowing their destiny, they were summoned to meet in their chap- els, Sept^ 5, to hear their doom* At Grand Pre, [Minas and Horton,] assembled 1 ,923 persons, aged and young, whom Gen- eral Winslow met, and after animadverting upon their disloyal conduct, said to them, I now declare to you his Majesty's orders j ^Know iheUi ' that your lands^ tenements, cattle and live stock * of all kinds are forfeited to the Crown, with all other effects of * yours, excepting your money and household goods, which you ' will he allowed to carry with you ; and that yourselves and ^families are to be removed Jrom this Province to places suiting * his MajestyU pleasure ; — in the meantime, to remain in custody, * under the inspection and control of the troops I have the honor * to command.^ ' In a word, I now declare you all the king's * prisoners — Shocked and petrified at this thralling decree, some of them burst inta tears^ and some fled to the woods, whose houses were committed to the flames, and country laid waste, to prevent their subsistence. Indeed, every possible measure was adopted to force them back into captivity. Their remtf^ When the transports arrived at Annapolis, to convey away the ill-fated people from that place and vicinity, the soldiers found the houses entirely deserted by the inhabitants, who had fled to the woods ^ carrying with them their aged parents, their wives and their chi-ldren. But hunger, infirmity and distress soon compelled the return of numbers, who surrendered themselves prisoners at discretion. The more athletic penetrated into the depths of the wilderness, and encamped with the savages ; and a few wander- ed through the woods to Chignecto, and thence escaped to Canada. In Cumberland, the summons was generally disobeyed ; and hence it was found necessary to resort to the most severe meas- ures. Here 253 of their houses were set on fire at one trme, in? Chap. XII.] of Maine. 311 •which a great quantity of wheat, flax and other valuable articles A.D. 1753. were consumed ; — the country presenting for several days and several miles, a most direful scene of conflagration. As the dif- ferent Acadian settlements were too widely extended to admit of fln actual subjugation at once, only 7,000 were collected at this time and dispersed among the several British Colonies. On sept. lOi the 10th of September, 161 young men, taken from among the prisoners belonging to the district of Minas, were driven by a military guard on board of five transports, stationed in the river Gaspereaux. The road from the chapel to the shore,- one mile in length, was bordered with women and children, all of whom, bathed in tears, knelt and uttered amid deep, heart-broken sighs — -farewell ! — -as the dejected prisoners advanced with slow and reluctant steps, weeping, praying and singing hymns as they pass- ed. These were followed by their seniors, who passed through the same heart-rending scene of sorrow and distress ; and when other vessels arrived, they carried away also their wives and -children. About 1,300 arrived in Massachusetts and Maine, and became a public charge, — principally in consequence of an irrecon- cilable antipathy to their situation. Also 415 were sent to Pennsylvania, and some were transported as far south as Georgia.* Such was the wretched fate of the French Neutrals. f During these extensive expeditions, several persons were taken Mischiefs of captive, and some were killed by the Indians about the frontiers of Maine. The first victims of the savage war, this spring, were at Gorhamtown, about the last of April. Two men by the name AtGorham* of Peales were killed ; — also Mr. Bryant and his family. In this plantation, which crossed the thoroughfare of the natives be- tween the rivers Saco and Presumpscot, there were now about 60 inhabitants, who in seasons of the most danger, were only shel- tered by a small fort, and defended by ten soldiers. ' For several * years, whenever the men went into the fields to labor, they car- * ried their guns, and one was uniformly stationed as a sentry ; * 1 Haliburton's JV. S. p. 173-198. r-rrln the District of Minas there were destroyed 255 houses ; 276 barns; 155 outhouses; 11 mills and one church. — The flocks and herds belong-in^ to the inhabitants of Grand Pr^ consist- ed of 5000 horned cattle ; 493 horses and 12,887 sheep and swine.— 1 Minot., p. 226. f Provision was made for their maintenance in Massachusetts by the General Court. — See Resolves, A. D. 1755. 312 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D, 1755. ' for the Indians were continually skulking in every quarter, and * oftentimes come upon them in such numbers, as induced them * to fly within the walls of the fort for safety :^ — The Indians At (iray. next appeared in New-Boston [Gray] ; and an alarming report ran through the neighboring towns, that the plantation was de- At Dresden, stroyed. At Frankfort [Dresden,] May 13, two men were killed and a dwellinghouse laid in ashes. — As five men were en- At New- gaged in their spring-ploughing at Sheepscot [Newcastle,] a party of Indians rose upon them, at an unguarded moment, and made them all prisoners ; though two of them afterwards, adroitly ef- At Nortii- fected their escape. One Snow was killed in North-Yarmouth, Yarmouth. ^ ^ ^ ' May 29, and his companion was missing — supposed to be taken captive. About the same time, one Barret was shot at Tecon- net; Mr. Wheeler was taken as he was passing from Fort West- ern to Fort Halifax ; John Tufts and Abner Marston were made prisoners not far from Fort Shirley [in Dresden,] and two men At New- were seized in New-Gloucester, while at work on a stockade fort, Gloucester. ^ _ _ ^ ^ ' and carried into captivity. One of them, Joseph Tailer, continu- ed absent till near the close of the war. He learned to speak the French language so well, during his captivity, that after his release, he acted as interpreter to General Amherst. f June 10. In consequence of these depredations, and the war in Nova Scotia, the government, June 10, sent additional supplies to the eastern garrisons, J especially to those upon the river Kennebeck ; and ordered the ' six Independent companies' of Maine, to guard them from the landing to the places of their destination. — The War c?e- "^^^ ^^Y^ Governor, at the special instance of the General agafnli all ^o^^'tj declared war against tjie Jlnasagunticook Indians, and irites^ cx*^" «// the Other tribes eastward of Piscataqua, excepting those upon Pa^obscor -P^^^^*^^^ 7'iver. Large premiums were offered as inducements to enter into this peculiarly distressing kind of warfare. Com- panies of volunteers, consisting of not less than 30 men, who Bounties, ^^q^q out one month or more, were entitled to receive £200 for every Indian scalp, and £250 for a captive. To individuals who performed the same service, £100 were promised for a scalp, and E.^^^JJ/er-£iio for a captive. some. 1'q tj^g eastern soldiery, this species of service, though in self- * MS. Letter H. D. McLellan, Esq. f MS. Letter of J. Woodman. I Fort Halifax was now under the command of Wm, Litbgovr, and Fort Western under that of James Howard. Chap, xii.] of Maine. 313 defence, was undesirable and irksome. A place in Colonel Pep- a. d. 1755. perell's regiment, or among the forces in Nova Scotia, where glory as well as wages, presented motives to military ambition, was altogether preferable to scouting on the frontiers, hunting for Indians in the forests, or acting the part of servile guards. Since the capture of Louisbourg, in the last war, there was manifest among the young soldiery of Maine, a glow of military ardor. The Independent companies, displeased with the duties of guards and rangers, assigned them, were slow to obey their orders; and drafts were made from the militia to perform the service. Yet Governor Shirley, though requested, was not prevailed upon to disband those spirited companies. The force provided for the defence of our frontiers, consisted Defence of of 300 men, besides officers, who were formed into four parties ; frontiers!'^" — 50 scouted from Lebanon to Saco river ; 60 from Saco to New-Boston, [Gray,] by way of Sebago pond and New-Glou- cester ; 90 from New-Boston to Fort Shirley, at Frankfort ; and 100 from thence to the river St. Georges. For the two forts and the block-house on Kennebeck river, there were garrisoned 80 men, who were well supplied with all needed stores. A boun- ty of 1 85. was offered, to every recruit who would furnish his own gun ; also the statute reward for captives and scalps. The enlistments were made for five months, from the 20th of June. But the recruits performed no signal exploits. Indeed, the bril- liant successes of Monkton and Winslow in Nova Scotia, which diffused so much joy through the country, seemed to strike the Indian tribes with dismay. They retired back, and we hear after this of no more mischief perpetrated by them this season, on our frontiers. The settlements between the rivers Sagadahock and St. Qeor,res' Georges, now deserved and received great attention. At Mus- f'ver. congus and Meduncook, [Friendship,] there were forts ; and at Pleasant-point, near the mouth of St. Georges river, at the Narrows above the garrison, and indeed in every neigh- borhood, there were block-houses, all of which were put in the best posture of defence, and were made the common re- ceptacles of the settlers' families and effects. The Tarratine tribe professed still to be neutral : and Capt. Bradbury, who had command of the garrison at St. Georges, was instructed by the Vol. II. 40 314 THE HISTORY [VoL. 11, A» D. 1755. government to cultivate peace with them, and if possible, to es- trange them from the French interest. If any of them were abet- ters of the late mischief, nothing criminal was directly laid to their charge by the government ; and when the submissive pro- fessions of the tribe at the river St. John were known, fresh en- couragements were entertained, that those on the Penobscot might continue our ally. Jea^iousies gut the people indulged themselves in jealousy and prejudice, pie. Unacquainted with facts, and unaccustomed to discriminate, many were disposed to attribute all aggressions of the Indians to the savage dispositions of the race, and to avenge themselves on the first of these hated barbarians, they met. All friendly intercourse with them was looked upon as treachery. Even Capt. Bradbury did not escape the whispers of suspicion. It was basely rumored, that for the sake of personal gain, he traded with them and furn- ished them with arms and ammunition, to take the lives of his own countrymen. Though all such as were with him in the garrison, thought these rumors cruelly slanderous ; they neverthe- less gave him not only much pain and trouble, but actually frus- trated some of his plans. The people, particularly those at the neighboring block-houses, looked with an evil eye upon the par- ties of Indians, he treated with caresses and presents, and some- times unprincipled scouting parties plundered them of their ef- fects. Nor were the friendly individuals of the Indians them- selves always safe asiong us, though they were engaged, at the risque of their lives, in bringing intelligence to the garrison. Cargiii's In July a melancholy afiair occurred, which filled all good men with grief, and greatly embarrassed the government. Capt. James Cargill of Nevvcasde, with a commission for raising a scouting company, enlisted several men about the St. Georges* river, and led the whole on an excursion towards the margin of Penobscot bay. Near Owl's head [in Thomaston,] they dis- covered a party of Indian hunters, and without taking any trouble to ascertain whether they were friends or enemies, or rather knowing, as many believed, that they belonged to the Tarratine tribe of that region, they instantly shot down twelve of the num- ber, and took their scalps ; obliging the remainder to save them- selves by flight. On their return, they met with Margaret, a friend- ly squaw, who had been at the garrison on one of her wonted ex- peditions of intelligence and kindness, whom they also fired upon Chap, xii.] of Maine. 315 and mortally wounded. In the agonies of death, she held up A. D- 1753 her infant to her murderers, and told them, ' take it to Capt. * Bradbury.' Unmoved by this tender though trifling request, one of them more barbarous than a savage, uttered a base taunt, and then despatched it before the eyes of its expiring mother.* No other equally base treatment towards the eastern Indians can be found in history. It was a shameful violation of the rights of common neighborhood, and a treacherous invasion of a solita- ry Indian ally, at a crisis, when their amity and their aid were never more needed. While the transaction was universally cen- sured ; Margaret's fate was deplored, especially by the garrison, who well knew the value of her messages. All the humane and good among the settlers confidently predicted a verification of the old adage, that reckless manslayers never die quietly in their beds ; and so far as notice or remembrance followed them, the prediction was literally fulfilled. Cargill was apprehended for trial on a charge of murder ; a letter of condolence was sent by government to the suffering party ; their brethren, who had lately visited Boston, returned laden with presents and soothed with favors ; and the tribe were invited to come under a safe-conduct and prosecute the offenders, — full assurance being given, that law and justice would be measured to them by severest rules. But subsequent events prevented their attendance ; and after a con- finement of two years, Cargill was discharged. Still the government was unchangeably anxious to secure their The faiih alliance and aid against the other tribes ; and as soon as the deep of Ihe" Tar- wound lately inflicted ceased to bleed, the General Court offered ^J?"^^ ***^* to all who would enter into the public service, the same pay and rations as other soldiers had ; and also similar support or pen- sions to their invalids, women and children. Prior to the late unhappy occurrence, nine of their leaders had been called into St. Georges' fort to hear the Governor's letter upon the subject ; when the inhabitants and garrison rose in arms, and would not permit their departure, till they would signify their determination to enter into the service according to treaty. Seeming to com- ply with the requisition, they at last wrote to know when they must go against the Indians of Canada, who, they said, had struck them, as well as the English ; and sent three of their * Eaton's MS. Nar. p. 12-13 See post, A. D. 1757. 316 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1765. brethren to Boston, evincive of their sincerity and good faith. But they were now, both offended and aggrieved. The fresh injuries they had received, rankled in their bosoms, and could not be forgiven, nor pass unrevenged. To reconcile enraged Indians, or to excite enduring sympathies for them among the English, is a task equally difficult. Lieutenant- To bring the subject to an issue, the Lieutenant-Governor, ad;irei to* Octobcr 2, addressed to the tribe a letter of this purport ; — ihem. ^ ixmst perccive, that it is impossible for us in the present ' rupture, to distinguish the men of your tribe from others with ' whom we are at war ; and should any of your people be killed ' by our forces, when pursuing the enemy, you must impute the ' misfortune, to your disregard of the proposals made by us, for * your safety. You are permitted to trade only at St. Georges' * fort ; and should it be found on enquiry, that any of your tribe * were concerned in the late mischiefs, war will be proclaimed * against you. If you will come in with a flag of truce, you shall * be protected from all wrongs and insults, and if need be, have * a guard to defend you. By complying with the articles of the * existing treaty, and sending, within eight days after demand ' made, 20 men to join us in arms against the enemy, you are ' assured of receiving every token of our favor ; whereas a re- *^fusal will be considered a breach of the treaty, sufficient to au- * thorize our declaration of war against the tribe.' They delay Never was a people more sorely pressed. Desirous of keep- a* Snst^ihe' P^^^^ ^^'^'^ ■'^^^^^"^^^^ unwilling to separate enemy. from their brethren and immemorial allies, and dreading the cen- sures of the catholics, if they failed to take arms against the English, they deliberated till the cup of conciliation was exhaust- ed. A committee of both houses, to whom the subject was re- ferred, reported, that the Commander-in-Chief be desired to pro- claim war against them immediately ; and the report was accept- ed by the House, though rejected by the Council. Shortly after- wards the members of the House sent a message to him, stating, that they had taken into further consideration, the danger and mischiefs to which the people in the Province, especially in the eastern parts, were continually exposed, from the local situation of the Tarratines, who refused or delayed improperly to join the English, and perhaps were abetters of the depredations commit- ted by others, and therefore repeated to him their request. But Chap. xii.J of maine. 317 he replied, that it was contrary to his Majesty's instructions to A. D. 1755. declare war without the advice of the Council : and hence the Nov. 5. 1 TVT Ti 7 • ^ Wardeclar- subiect was postponed to Nov. 5, when a Proclamation of war ed against • J 1 i-i- t J -1 J u • the tribe at was issued and published against them, and the same premiums Penobscot, offered for scalps and prisoners, as in other cases. Provision was next made for the winter establishment, in which there were stationed at fort Halifax, and the store-house at Cushnoc 80 regular soldiers ; at Saco truck house 1 5 ; at fort George in Brunswick 5 ; at fort Frederic 20 ; and at St. Georges' 35 ; all the others in the eastern service being discharged."^ These mingled scenes of civilized and savage warfare, and the Nov. I8. gloom of the season, were rendered more direful by the shock of quake, an earthquake, the most violent one ever before known in this hemisphere. It happened, Nov. 18, at about 11 minutes after 4 in the morning. Its direction was from north-west to south-east, and it was heard and felt through the whole country, from Ches- apeake bay, to Halifax in Nova Scotia. It commenced with an undulatory motion, and lasted at least four minutes. In Boston it did considerable damage to brick houses as well as chimnies ; and many in Falmouth were injured in like manner. According to the Rev. Mr. Smith, in his Journal, — "it seemed as if it would shake the house to pieces." Neither of the four great earth- quakes,f which had previously shocked this country since its first settlement, could compare with this. It had a surprizing effect upon the moral sensibilities of the community. The houses of public worship were frequented and filled by all or- ders of people ; and the 23d of December was observed as a day of humiliation and prayer, on account of the awful dispensa- tion.! An act passed the next day, for the distribution of the French French neutrals through the Province, and the support or relief of them in the different towns, as beneficiary paupers. A number were assigned to Maine. The overseers of the poor were required to make suitable provision for them at the charge of the Province, unless they were remunerated by the crown or by the govern- ment of Nova Scotia. Bigoted to the Romish religion, necessi- tous, disaffected and unhappy, they entertained a settled uncon- * 9 Jour. H. Rep. p. 248. f Namely, A. D. 1638—1658—1663—1727. J 2 Holmes* A. Ann. p. 216. — Lisbon was destroyed by an earthquake, Nov. 1, 1755.— 2 Smollett, p. 562, 318 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D, 1755. querable dislike of the English, their habits and sentiments ; — and being exiles from their native land, which they loved and longed to see, they were neither enterprizing nor industrious, but an intolerable burthen to the government. According to a Com- mittee's report, Jan. 25, 1760, there were, even at that time, 1,017 of this miserable people within the Province.* A.D; 1756. A plan of operations and campaigns, for the year, 1756, was January 17. settled in January, at New- York, in a Council of the colonial tour expe- diuons plan- Governors ; Shirley being at that time, Commander-in-Chief of the troops on the American station. It was agreed, that 10,000 men proceed against Crown Point ; 6,000 against Niagara ; 3,000 against Fort du Quesne ; and 2,000 up the Kennebeck river, to destroy the settlements on the Chaudiere, and by rang- ing to the mouth of that river, keep all the neighboring parts of Canada in alarm. Embarrass- When Govcmor Shirley returned, and laid before the two Province, branches of the General Court, the quiDtas of men and supplies, to be furnished by the Province ; the House stated to him the reasons which rendered a compliance impracticable. They said, it did not then contain so many inhabitants, as it did at the commencement of the last war ; the people were ready to sink under the burden of taxes incurred by the expeditions of the preceding year ; and the government had stretched its credit to the utmost, without being able to borrow money sufficient to pay off their troops lately returned. Only 1 ,200 men were required at the opening of the last year, and yet the number had been augmented, in the course of the season, to 4,000 and more, be- sides the eastern scouting companies. Nay, the Crown Point expedition itself, cost the Province more than £80,000, exclu- sive of charges for the support of the sick and wounded. Nor were the Provincial troops, by any means satisfied with the treat- ment they had received in the preceding campaigns ; — ^particu- larly, as they had not been permitted to return home, at the ex- piration of their enlistments. On the contrary, soldiers had been taken from their ranks, to fill up the standing regiments ; and even Winslow and most of his brave men were still in Nova Sco- tia. Another complaint was, the invidious distinctions made be- * 10 Jour, of House Rep. ip. 305;— a^^o 9 Jour. p. 219, 266.— In 1758, Nova Scotia paid £394 to Massachusetts by way of remuneration for re- lieving those transported neutrals. Chap, xii.] of Maine. 319 tween the Provincial troops and the British regulars ; the officers A. D. 1766. commissioned by the crown, taking post and precedence of those from the Provinces, who had the same rank and held commis- sions of an older date. The wisdom too of another expedition, as projected against Crown Point, was boldly called in question ; and in short, the ill success of the war drew down upon Shirley, so long as he continued to be Commander-in-Chief, a crush of censures and invectives. In this dilemma, he agreed to loan the Province ^30,000 ster- A loan of ' ° . . £30,000 ob- ling out of the king's money in his hands, to be repaid by direct tained. taxes upon the people, the two following years ; and hence, the Legislature voted to raise 3,500 men, who were to be command- 3,600 men . voted to be ed by Major-General Winslow, called for that purpose out of raised, to be Nova Scotia. But owing partly to an unjust detention in service eral Wina- of a battalion, sent the year preceding into Nova Scotia, and the impressment of sailors by the king's ships, from the eastern ves- sels and even from the fishing craft, the enlistments were so slow, that on the 26th of May, General Winslow had only 2,600 men yi^y ^s. upon the rolls. In June, the king of Great Britain published a declaration of war de- war agaiyist France ! — and the same month. General Aber- a'^Jnlt crombie, arriving with an army, took the chief command from General Shirley, which he held till he was himself superseded, Abercrom- late in July, by the earl of Loudoun. Recalled for the ostensi- . f. . Lord Lou- ole purpose of givmg the mmistry a mmute account of American doun. affairs. Gov. Shirley embarked from Boston, Sept. 25, and was ^avgg^tjjg never afterwards in the Governor's chair. His intermarriage with chair and _ ° the Prov- a catholic lady, when he was last in Europe, and his ill success ince. ^ in managing the present war, had rendered him unpopular, and finally caused his removal from the government of Massachusetts to that of the Bahamas.* The force appointed in March, for the protection of the fron- j vv'heei- tiers in Maine, consisted of 300 men exclusive of officers, and Jj;'"'&ht of the troops in service there, during the winter. These recruits Genera'- were divided into scouting parties, and directed to range from place to place, mostly according to the plan and order of the pre- * Gov. Shirley returned to Roxbury in 1770, and died there the follow- ing year, in April, " a poor man," though very respectfully interred. He was Governor of the Province from July 1740, to Sept. 1756. Nor was a successor appointed till the middle of the following- year. 320 THE HISTORY [VoL. II, A. D. 1756. ceding year. John Wheelwright of Wells, Commissary General, and superintendent of the Indian trade, was instructed to take care of the munitions of war in the eastern country ; to see that the forts and garrisons were in a defensible condition ; and to procure all extra supplies necessary for the Kennebeck expedition. Tiie In- The settlements which the Indians seemed to have marked Burton's^^'^ first for destruction, this spring, were those upon the river St. garrison. Georgcs'. Benjamin Burton, had reared a commodious fortifi- cation around his house, near the mouth of the river, [in Gush- ing,] which might be well guarded by 7 or 8 men. Yet the In- dians commenced their outrages by an attack, March 24, upon that place ; in which they killed two men and scalped a third, leaving him half-dead. The next news was the story of a young man by the name of Knights, who, having escaped from the A general enemy, three days after he was taken, came into North-Yarmouth and told that 120 Indians, divided into small parties, were pre- paring to fall upon the frontiers at different places, and spread desolation from Saco to Brunswick. Alarmed by this intelli- gence. Captains Ilsley, Milk and Skillings, with companies sud- denly collected, and Captain Smith with a re-enforcement from North-Yarmouth and New-Casco, went out in search of the sav- ages ; but they were too well acquainted with the woods and with ambush, to be discovered. Still it was certain, there were plun- dering parties hovering around the settlements ; for depredations were committed by the Indians at several different places about the same time. ThelndiaDs They appeared next at North-Yarmouth ; and at Flying-point wick and they killed a man and took a woman captive. On the 3d of cesier!^'**" May, three men, well armed, went from Harpswell to Brunswick, and on their return in the afternoon, three Indians rose up among the trees and bushes at a place called Smith's Brook, and firing, wounded Young, one of the scout and took him prisoner. The others threw down their guns and fled. They were pursued by two of the assailants, about a mile ; who, when coming in sight of a house which was barricaded, gave up the chase. Return- ing, they bound Young, and carried him to Canada. In about a year he obtained his liberty, and took a water passage to Hali- fax, where he died of the smallpox.* New-Gloucester being * MS. Let. of Rev. S. Eaton. Chap, xii.] of maine. 321 greatly exposed to the ravages of the enemy; a large block- a. D; 1766. house was erected there two years since, for an asylum and de- fence of the settlers, which had been offered to government with a request to make it a Provincial garrison. Indeed, so extreme- ly perilous was considered the condition of this people, that every inhabitant, in 1 756, was promised the value of £2, old tenor, in provisions, who would abide in the place twelve months.* In the morning of May 14, at 8 of the clock,f ten men, inhab- May 14, • At ^Vind* itants of New-Marblehead [Windham,] started from the fort with ham. an ox team and sled, to work upon the farm of Mr. Brown, one of the company, a mile distant. Armed with their guns as usual, they proceeded the greater part of the way, when Brown and Winship, who were in advance taking down the bars, received a shot from a body of at least 20 Indians in ambush. Brown having two balls lodged in his heart died instantly. A ball passed through the eye of Winship, and another entered his arm, and he fell. The Indians supposing his wounds fatal, scalped him as well as his companion. But though he feigned himself life- less, he was perfectly conscious of all that transpired. Hearing the report of the guns, four of the others hastened back to the fort, and the rest advanced in sight of the spot, the Indians still keeping themselves concealed. Abraham Anderson and Stephen Manchester, crept near the place with the utmost silence, and hid themselves behind a large log. The latter then raised his cap on the muzzle of his gun behind a tree ; when Poland, a noted Indian warrior, believing it to be a man's head, fired and lodged a heavy charge in the tree. As he turned and began to load his ^ gun, Manchester rose and shot him to the ground. The Indians killed, then raised a hideous yell and fled into the woods. The bodies of Brown and Winship being laid upon the sled, were returned to the fort. An alarm gun having been fired at that place, brought thither from Saccarappa,J where a company was stationed, a party of soldiers, who pursued the enemy till night. At a place called the Great Meadows, they overtook an Indian, bearing two packs and two guns, and shot him. On receiving the wound, he * Prop. Rec. of New-Gloucester— A. R. Giddings, Esq. I 1 Jtfinoi, p. 300. — He says, "in the month of April" — erroneously. — Smith's Journal, p. 65, says, Capt. Skilling-s killed one, and the " Indians left 5 packs, a bow, and bunch of arrows. I This was S. W. of Presumpscot river, and northerly of Stroudwater. Vol. II. 41 322 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.D. 1766. was seen to fall; but he rose, relieved of his burden, and made good his escape. One gun and also one pack was known to be Poland's, by a small looking-glass and some other articles it con- tained.— Manchester was a man of great courage, — perfectly acquainted with the woods and with the Indian manner of fight- ing. He knew Poland to be an inveterate enemy of the settlers, and once, in a lime of peace, he went with his brother to the savage's camp with intent to despatch him. But, as several Indians were present, — when he raised his axe to strike at Poland's head, the courage of his brother failed him, and nothing was done. — 'Before I killed Poland,' Manchester says, *I had a * mind to give him a call ; but on the whole, thought it better to * send him a leaden message :' — and through subsequent life, he said he always noticed the 14th of May, as "the day he sent the devil a present." — Poland claimed all the lands on both sides of the Presumpscot river from its sources to its mouth ; and was resolutely determined never to make a lasting peace with the English, till what he claimed as a right should be restored. He was shrewd, subtle and brave, — and reputed to be a chief. Mr. Bolton, a redeemed captive, stated, after his return from Canada, that when he asked some of the party, what had become of Po- land, they said, ' he had gone to Mississippi with an hundred men.' But after peace, his comrades told, how they bent a stad- dle, till its roots on one side were turned up, then taking off one arm to be deposited in some holy catholic burying-ground, they placed his body beneath the roots, and let the tree spring to its former position.* Indians at At the head of Arrowsick Island [in Georgetown,] a party of town?** Indians killed Mr. Preble and his wife, as they were planting their corn, and carried their three young children into Canada. After the reduction of Quebec, Captain Harnden of Woolwich, their mother's father, went to Canada and brought them home. By their account, the Indians treated them with great kindness on their journey through the woods ; carrying them on their backs when they could not walk, and giving them a share in whatever of subsistence they could procure. So strongly attached were they to their Indian parents, that they never had, they said, during their absence, felt half so much anguish, as at the time of parting * MS. Let. of John Waterman, Esq. Chap, xn.] of maine. 323 with them. There was a fort on the lower end of the Island, A .D. 1756. and though a strong party of the Indians assailing it the same year were unable to take it, the people within were insufficient to drive them off ; — therefore they had an opportunity to kill the cattle on the Island, and to enjoy the spoil at pleasure.* Fort Halifax was viewed by the enemy, as an object of great At Fort affi-ont and hatred. As two of the garrison were catching fish at the falls, four Indians fired and wounded them mortally. One, however, returned the fire, and the arrival of men from the fort, was quick enough to prevent their being scalped. Finding that the scouting parties, established throughout the ^^l^^i'^fj eastern country, did not prevent attacks and rapine, the govern- c'l* ment sent a small force in whale-boats up the river Androscoggin, to alarm the enemy and prevent his incursions into the eastern towns. But the party meeting with no Indians, carefully took the courses of the river, noted distances to the extent of about 85 miles, and made observations upon the nature, appearance and state of the country.f Before the summer closed, our country was deeply shrouded J^loom of in gloom. The barbarians were let loose from the wilderness upon our frontiers ; a great number of farms were abandoned or laid waste ; hundreds had lost their lives, their families or their property ; some places were visited with severe sickness ; and whole fields of corn and grain were ruined by devouring worms. Trade had greatly declined. Pressed with a load of debt and other burdens, the General Court had petitioned the king to garri- forts, son the forts within the Province, at the national expense. But Mr. Bollan, its agent in London, wisely raised these queries in check of the proposition ; — viz. would not the surrender arm the prerogative with claims against charter rights or will the Crown man and support garrisons at the public expense, and not claim jurisdiction of the country so protected ? — In a word, can it be good policy to fill our forts with foreigners ? — or to set any price upon rights or privileges ? The current events extensively increased the discouragements. Coastprs Some of our coasting vessels, and even fisbing craft, were plun- and men ' dered while at anchor, and several of their crews killed by the Sullivan, p. 176-7. t 1 Minot, p. 300-l.~>Ma8s. Records. 324 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.D. 1756. savages.* There was in fact no occurrence, which had the ef- fect to raise the drooping spirits of the people, or the military The preat ^^P"^^^^^" country. The northern campaigns were ter- expediiions minatinff, without memorable successes or exploits. The forts at uiisuccess- " ^ _ . 1759. Even the reduction of Louisbourg, the pillar of his fame, has been ascribed to a series of lucky incidents, or to special Divine in- terposition, rather than to any remarkable military skill of the General. His usual dress afterwards, according to the expen- sive style and costume of those days, was scarlet cloth, trim- med with gold lace. But amidst all his wealth and honors, his affability of manners never forsook him. He had a very deep sense of Divine Providence, which made him modest and hum- ble, and appeared to influence every action of his life. He died at his seal in Kittery, July 6, 1759, aged 63, — exhibiting the christian believer and hero, as well in his dying moments as in his living years. He devised a large estate to William P. Spar- hawk, son of Nathaniel Sparhawk, Esq. whose wife was the only surviving child of the Baronet."^ Defence To protect our frontiers, during the winter, there were em- Sef/'^^ ployed 160 men, who were thus distributed ; — namely, at Fort Pownal, 84 men; at Fort HaHfax, 41 ; at Cushnoc, 13 ; at St. Georges, 13; and at Saco, 9. Fort Frederick, at Pemaquid, which had so long been the principal eastern fortification, had been dismantled the preceding year ; and the fears of a further attack from the Indians were, since the late events, more than half diminished. The ship King George was likewise cruising off our coast through the winter, partly as a convoy of our trade with Louisbourg, and partly as a protector to our fishery against privateers, who had seized several of our vessels. Animated by a perspective of the Penobscot country filled praptt^d!*^"* with people, the Governor told the General Court, during their winter session, that " a great many families" stood ready to re- move thither and setde, provided there were no obstacles in the way of their obtaining a title to the lands. The subject was pop- ular, and he urged its importance upon their consideration, with earnestness ; believing that permanent settlements there would be- come supports essential to the strength and interests of the Pro- vince. Woolwich On the 20th of October, 1759, the plantation of JVequasset, or incorpoiai jy^^^g^^^ ^j^g erected into a town by the name of WooLWicH.f * Allen's Biog^. p. 473. — Folsom's Hist. Saco and Biddeford, p. 257. f Woolwich (the 14th town) is said to have been so named after that in England, from the relative situations of the two, to *' Fiddler's Reach" — in the Thames and Kennebeck, the turns and courses of the water in both Chap, xii.] of Maine. 343 It had been a precinct of Georgetown. The first settlers were A. D. 1759. Edward Bateman and John Brown. They resided here as early as A. D. 1638; and the next year took from Robinhood, an Indian Chief, a deed embracing most of the present township : though afterwards, a large part of it was claimed by Clark and Lake, and by the settlers under them, who erected mills there, as early as A. D. 1660. The cellars and wells of the original inhabitants, who were driven away or destroyed in the second Indian war, are yet to be seen. It is supposed, the place was resettled soon after Dummer's treaty was formed with the In- dians, in 1726. Early in the opening year, 1760, there were express indica- a. D. 176(^, tions, that the wars between the New-England provincials and The Indians the eastern tribes, which at periods, within the last eighty-five peacef years, had overspread the land with blood and desolation, were about to terminate, — probably forever. Wasted by war, famine, hardships, and disease, particularly the smallpox, and now left to their fate, by the people that had made them dupes and self-de- places being' alike. " Trott's Neck,'' in ttie southerly part of the town- ship, was sold in 1685, by Ag'amag'us, Moxus, Eg'eremet, Essenienseco — a chief called by each of these names. Woolwich is bounded northerly by Dresden, on the east by Monsweag bay, and by water on all the other sides, containing- about 20,000 acres, in part covered by Nequasset pond of 400 acres. The stream, in passing down from the outlet, descends a fall and meets the tide, where are mill-sites and an alewife fishery. Though (he soil be rocky in some parts, it has borne a heavy growth of oa/c, which has been much used in ship-building-. It is worthy of remark, that Sir William Phips, the first royal Governor of the Massachusetts Province, was a native of this place ; — born in the south-cast part of the present town OB a peninsular projection into Monsweag bay. The first point east of Neqtiasset stream, is Hockomock ; thence over Tibbets' ferry, one mile and a half to Phips' point; thence across to Westport, half a mile. Rev. Josiah Winship, a graduate of Harvard, was the first settled minister in this place ; and when he was ordained, June 12, 1765, there were in the town only about twenty families, and two framed houses. — JIS. Letter nf Jloses Davis, Esq. — Sullivan, p. 75-160. — Mr. Winship continued to per- form the pastoral and parochial duties of his trust " about fifty years," till becoming enfeebled by ag-e, he was persuaded to accept of a colleague. Rev. Jonathan Adams, who was ordained in February, 1817, The titles of the inhabitants to their lands, are either by actual settlement under the grantees of Robinhood's deed, or by deeds from Thomas Clark, and Sir Biby Lake, who was assig-nee of Rog-er Spencer. — Sullivan^ p. 145-169.—' See post, A. D. 1767 to 176a. 344 THE HISTORV [VoL. 11. A. D. 1760. stroyers, the eastern natives saw themselves at the shrine of ruin, when it was too late to avoid the sacrifice* The mixed tribe at St. Francois, was effectually broken and scattered, and their vil- lage in ashes. The brave Tarratines, that once carried terror evert among the Sagamores of Massachusetts, were now too much enfeebled, either to resent the menaces of defiance, or oppose a seizure upon their country. A treaty The Iribes that first sued for peace, were those at the river St^ at' siljXn John and at Passamaquoddy. They had been forward in taking tnaqiSy. t^c tomahawk, and probably feared the severities of the English, which they so richly deserved. One tribe, therefore, sent Michael Neptune, and the other Bellomy Glaube, to see Governor Law- rence at Halifax, who entered into a negotiation with them, Feb* 23, 1760 ; by which, the treaty made in December, 1725, and confirmed at the river St. John, in August, 1749, by the Mickmaks and Marechites, was fully recognized, and their allegiance to the king renewed. The Indian delegates, furthermore agreed to traffic only at the truck houses ; to have this renovated treaty signed before the 20th of the ensuing May, by the Sagamores and chief men in the tribes represented by them ; and in faith of the engagement, to put three hostages in the meantime, into the hands of the English.* Also ^g neutral French, and the Mickinaks [Cape Sable Indians,] finally joined in this treaty. The Mickmaks at this lime were in number near 3,000 souls. — Ckubb^s Sketches^ p. 99, 100. j Eaton's MS. Narrative p. 16. Chap, xii.] of Maine. 345 or in the Council chamber. As usual, the Indians acknowledged A. D. 1760. themselves to be the good subjects of King George ; confessed their rebellion and the consequent forfeiture of their lands ; re- linquished all allegiance to the French government ; and prom- ised to deliver up future offenders for trial, according to the laws of the Province. The tribe was reduced, as stated by the dele- gates themselves, to five Sachems, seventy-three warrior?, and perhaps 500 souls. All they had left to them was the |)rivilege of hunting, and the possession of such tracts, as the English might assign to them. So few and insignificant had become the whole Abenaques people, that not one tribe of them, not even the Can- ibas Indians, took any leading part in settling a general peace. The signal advantages obtained the last year over the French, Canntia were pursued this season with an intrepidity and determination, nmrcon- ' which aimed at nothing less than the speedy and entire conquest K,',oiaiid"liy of Canada. In a train of glorious acliievements and events, Mon- treal capitulated, Sept. 8 ; a French squadron in the bay of Chaleurs was vanquished by Captain Byron, commander of the war ships, left for the protection of Louisbourg ; and at length, all the French subjects inhabiting the territories from the Bay of Fundy through the Canadian country, and all the Indian tribes in that region, were subdued and subjected to the English govern- ment. In fine, the whole acquisition so gloriously achieved, re- ceived a solemn confirmation to the English, at the close of the war, by the sanctions of a treaty, which was succeeded by a peace to the frontiers of New-England, firm and enduring. Cap- tives returned to their homes ; and friends who had long been separated, joyfully embraced in the fond hopes of being never more disturbed by the war-whoop and tomahawk of the mer- ciless savage.* * As soon as Louisbourg- surrendered, July 26, 1758, to the British arms, Jfova Scotia resumed fresh courag-e and a enore enlivening aspect. The government was new-modeled and improved, — and a House of Representa- tives established 2d October ; when Governor Charles Lawrence, among other measures , invited people from the New-England and other Colonies to settle upon the lands which had become vacant by the removal of the Acadians, or French neutrals. He also, through an agency established in Boston, " declared he was ready to receive any proposals, that mig-ht be made to him for settling this valuable tract of country — 100,000 acres of which had produced wheat, rye, barley, oats, hemp, flax, &c. without failure for the last century ; and another 100,000 had been cleared and stocked Vol. II. 44 346 THE HISTORY [VCL. II. CHAPTER XIII. Eastern patents J and grants — Business and livelihood of the inhab" itants — Neiu statute-laws — Trustee process — Jury-hoxts — Poor debtors — French neutrals — Gov. Pownal leaves the Province — Eastern members of the Council in three administrations — Pow- nalborough incorporated — The counties of Cumberland and Lin- coln established — Lieutenant-Governor Hutchiiison in the chair — Governor Bernard arrives — Trade with the Indians — George TIL crowned — New valuation — Political parties — Governor and House at variance — Custom-house officers — Writs of assistance — Districts instead of towns — Public finances — York bridge — Twelve townships, eastward of Penobscot — Mount-Desert granted to Governor Bernard — Fryeburg to J. Frye — Line between Maine and Nova Scotia — Calamities, drought, sickness and fires — Windham, Buxton and Bowdoinliam incorporated — Treaty of peace at Paris. A. D, 1757, -^"^ ^^^^ eventful period of our history, there was particular and to 1760. extensive notice taken of all the numerous interests, which so essentially concern a rising community. The larger patents, and proprieties, though they had for some years been dormant, were no longer neglected, or overlooked. Limits of As to the limits of the Plymouth patent, Messrs. Walcot, omhpatent. Gridley, Pratt, Worthington and Hawley, five eminent lawyers with English grass, planted with orchards and embellished with gardens — the whole so internriixed, that every individual farmer might have a pro- portionable quantity of ploughed land, grass land, and woodland." By a second Proclamation, Oct. 12, 1758, he prescribed the terms upon which lots would be granted to settlers, and guaranteed liberty of conscience and worship to all christians, except papists. In consideration of these flatter- ing encouragements, numbers of agriculturalists, emigrated from New- England and settled on the soulherlj'^ shores and easterly borders of the Bay of Fundy.— 1 H alibiirton s J^ova Scotia, p. 503-223— 234.— From Boston arrived there, six vessels carrying 2C0 settlers ; from Rhode Island, four schooners with lOO passengers ; from New-London, 100, and Plymouth, 180 em grantj=to 580 souls. In 1764, the Acadians were permitted "to settle in the Province [of Nova Scotia] and hold lands upon taking the customary oaths." ChaF. XIII.] OF MAINE. 347 of the age, to whom the subject was referred, awarded, in 1757, A. D. 1760. that the southerly boundary of that patent, on the eastern side of the Kennebeck, be limited by the line which forms the northerly bound of Woolwich ; that the claimants under Clark and Lake, hold the lands in that town below its north line, between Mon- sweag bay, and the Kennebeck waters, southerly to Towasset bay, also all Arrowsick, and 450 acres of Parker's Island ; that the southerly boundary of the same Plymouth patent on the west side of the Kennebeck be a line drawn at right angles from the river, through the lowest bend of Cobbeseconte river ;* that the northern extremity of the same patent ought not to extend farther, than to a line drawn east and west across the mouth of the river Wessarunset ;f and that the Pejepscot Company ought to hold the lands eastward to the mouth of Cathance, and north- purciiase. ward to the falls 20 miles above those at Brunswick, — also Small Point peninsula, [Phipsburg,] and the Islands in New-Meadow's river, excepting Sebascodegan and Little Damariscove.f The xraot ofiho territory of the Wiscasset Ccmpany^ was determined in 1 762, J^jJ^^pa^^^^ to lie between Monsweag river and the water which separates the main from Jeremisquam, and to extend as far as the upper Narrows in the Sheepscot at Flying Point, and westward to a line equidistant between the Sheepscot and the Kennebeck. There were several plans renovated or projected at this period, and great exertions making, by the proprietors of these large tracts and of the Waldo patent, to enhance the value of their lands, and to settle them with enterprizing inhabitants. A new and most favorable impulse was given by the conquest Enterprize of Canada, and the prospects of a perpetual peace with the In- hood'of the dians, to every species of enterprize and improvement. The losses sustained by removals and deaths, being fewer than in any form- * This was afterwards, about A. D. 1766, confirmed by the Superior Court of the Province. — Sullivan, p. 118. — Jeffries v. Donnel. — Hon, David Sewairs J\IS. Let. also, see post, A. D. 1774, note to Pittston. I The south line of the township of Cornville, as located : — about half a league above its present southerly boundary. — Mr. Roger Walcot was of Connecticut, Maj. Hawley of Northampton, Col. Woi thington of Spring- field, and Messrs. Gridley and Pratt were of Boston. They sat in Boston. J See Printed" Slatemcnts of Kennebeck Claims.''^ \ Called the '* Boston Company''^ in 1734, who held meetings in the name of the " Jeremisquam or Witcasset Proprietor*." — AntCt vol. I, p. 330-1, also MS. Let. of Jd. Davit, 348 THE HISTORY [Vol.. II. A.v. 17C0. er war, were soon repaired either by a return of fugitive settlers or by new emigrants. Ship-building, trade and settlement, were even promoted, by the stories of soldiers and visitors, who, hav- ing lately seen the country, gave extravagant representations of its goodness, beauties and water-priviJeges. A sailor's or travel- ler's tales about remote places, often carry with them such an air of romance, as to have an absolutely irresistable influence upon both the curious and the enterprizing. If the lumber business, opened a captivating yet delusive prospect of gain ; the cultiva- tion of the soil and the raising of domestic animals, being- prop- erly esteemed the almoners of human life and the means of solid wealth, soon commanded considerable attention. But the early inhabitants found great difficulties in preserving their smaller cattle, sheep and poultry from destruction by the wild beasts. So in the late war, when the cattle were turned or strayed into the woods, to get subsistence, which a new farm or small enclosures did not yield, they were often killed by the savages. Yet many of them, more particularly cows, it is affirmed, had partaken so largely of the general and perpetual fear, or had so much in- stinctive knowledge of their danger, that they would flee affi-ight- ed at the sight of an Indian, and run with speed to the nearest garrison. If they were shot, the report of the gun would give alarm, and therefore they were, to some extent, a safeguard to the inhabitants. A few of them, being " lost in the woods, were *' found on the return of peace, after an absence of three years." ^Viid Though there were in the neighboring forests great numbers beast*. j^jjjj varieties of wild beasts, and some of them, such as bears and wolves, being very bold and ravenous, oftentimes killed the smaller domestic animals; the abundance of moose and deer, slain by the hunters, was a full equivalent for the loss. Fond of ground juniper, of which there was a pkiitiful growth about the river St. George, a herd of moose resorted thither in 1762 ; and being obstructed in their retreat by a crust upon a deep snow, 70 of them were killed in one winter.* * Ealoii's J\1S. .N'ar. p. 15. — It was necessary, in the vicinity of the St. Georg-e's river, to rebuild the houses. They were at this age constructed of lojs and covered with bark ; and nine of them were raised in one day. Tiie nearest mill was at the distance of 20 miles. The only road was the river; and the travel from house to house was in foot paths. There were Chap, xiii.] of Maine. 349 Some statute regulations of this period are worthy of particu- A; D. 1760. lar notice. One act, passed in 1758 made original provision for statutes in- r ■ 1 -1 • r I • sliluting- the the attachment of a debtor s property ni the possession oi his trustee pro- trustee, — requiring a disclosure upon oath. Others, in I'^^^j g^g^e^^jjon ^j- made it the duty of towns to keep two jury-boxes, — from one Jurymen, ef which all jurors were to be drawn, except the petit jurors to the Common Pleas and Sessions, who were to be taken from the other box ; both being replenished with tickets, bearing the names of townsmen most suitable for the important service. Prior to this, they were chosen by the qualified voters in town meetings, called for the purpose.* Any two justices of the quorum were ^.^^^^^^^^ authorized to discharge poor debtors from imprisonment, upon ofpoordebi- their taking an oath of tlieir inability to pay the debt.f The gaol, support of the French JVeutrals, though defrayed by the Pro v- Support of ince, was a disagreeable burden to the towns ; for they were still Neutrals, ignorant bigoted catholics, broken spirited, poor and indolent. Falmouth, for instance, received from the public chest, £141, and York, £30, in one year, for maintaining a part of them. But the people bore their burdens with fortitude, and the eov- ^ » ^ ... Governor ernment managed the political affairs with wisdom. Governor I'ownaL Pownal, who was a watchful and economical ruler, had to a re- markable degree acquired the confidence and esteem of the eas- tern inhabitants. The repeated visits he paid them ; his regard for their critical and trying situation ; his energetic measures at Penobscot ; and his unremitting attention to their interests, in general, merited in their opinion all the tributes of respect and praise, which they were disposed so cheerfully to render him. His frank and facetious manners gave him great acceptability in Sagadahock ;J though they rendered him obnoxious to the shafts no carls. The wood and staves were cut near the river and hataled on handsleds, or by horsey and cars. One Bog's broug-ht from Boston the first flock of sheep, into the St. Georg-es, ever owned there. * Prov. Stat. A. D. 1699, p. 332, 624, 633. t Passed A. D. 1763, and the debtors oath prescribed in form, which has. ever since prevailed. The new act, however, only revised and improved- former laws upon the same snbjsct. — See ante, vol. I, p. 384. I As an instance of his humor, accommodated to the blunt manners of the Irish settlers upon the river St. Georges, whom he often visited, it may be mentioned, that he called Captain Thomas Kilpatrick whose name wa» a terror to the Indians, — "Tom kill the Dm/;— and in return for hi» own energetic measures against them, he was called, « Tom pound the devil" —Eaton's MS, JVar, p. 4. 350 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1760. of satire, — as being inconsistent with the puritan sentiments and habits of Massachusetts people. He solicited a recall, at a point of time most favorable to iiis honor and happiness ; it being before the field of battle was entered by the antagonists of right and prerogative, and before the tide of his own fortune had slack- ileleaves ^ned. When he embarkedj June 3, b-oth houses in a body at- iljco^*'^"^" ^^nded him to his barge ; and his subsequent opposition to the measures of Parliament, framed against the colonies, while he was a member of that body, fully proved, they had not misplaced their confidence in him as a friend to equal rights and civil liber- ty,* according to the pure whig principles of the age. Members of In the three administrations of Belcher, Shirley and Pownal, iil^ihe^i'iast a period of thirty years, f the Councillors from Maine were Timo- lions.""'^'^ thy Gerrish, Samuel Came, Jeremiah MonJton, John Hill, Jabez Fox, JVathaniel Sparhawk, and Richard Cutis ; — for Sagada- hock, John Jeffries, James Mien, John Wheelwright and WiU liam Brattle. Mr. Gerrish. Mr. Gerrish resided in Kittery and was Colonel of the wes- tern Yorkshire regiment. He was first chosen into the Council, in 1730, and had a seat at that board five years successively. He was also on the bench of the Common Pleas,Jin 1731, where he continued several years. But he was more distinguished for his Mr. Came, military than his judicial abilities. § Messrs. Came and Moulton were both inhabitants of York. The former having represented his town in the General Court five years, was chosen into the Council, in 1733, and had in all, nine successive elections into that Legislative branch. He was commissioned to the bench of the Common Pleas, in 1730, which he filled with reputation to Col. Moul- himself twenty years. Col. Moulton was elected into the Coun- oil for the first time in 1735. Though he was unassuming in his disposition and manners, and never a restless aspirant for office ; few men in this age and this Province, had a greater share of public confidence, or were called to fill so many places of official trust and responsibility. He was representative of his town in the House two or three years ; county treasurer ; a judge on the bench of the Common Pleas, about thirty years * Allen's Biog-. p. 482.— Eliot, p. 3S6.— 2 Minot, p. 64. \ See ante, A. D. 1728. } Or " Inferior Courts." ) One of bis dau^^hters nnarried Hon. RLshwortb Jordan of Biddeford. Chap, xiti.] of maine. 351 prior to the division of Yorkshire ; also, in 1760, he was sen- A.D i7eo. ior justice, and the next year Judge of Probate. He was hke- wise Colonel-commandant of the western regiment ; and in the reduction of Norridgewock, and also at other times, the pru- dence, skill and bravery, which marked his conduct, gave him rank among the military characters of distinction. He was a member of the Council board 17 years in succession — a man of sound judgment — possessing a character of uncommon excellence. His son, of the same name, was sheriff of York county many years; and also Lieutenant-Colonel of the regiment. — Mr. Hill^h.UM of Wells, was the grandson of Joseph Hill.* He had twent}^- nine successive elections into the Council, first in 1742, and last in 1770. He was appointed a Judge of the Common Pleas in 1753, — an office which he filled about 13 years. He was also a p^rt of that period a Judge of Probate. Mr. Fox Mr. Fox. had three elections into the Council, A. D. 1762-3-4. He died, April 7, 1755, before the political year for which he was last elect- ed had expired. He resided in Falmouth, and was a representa- tive of his town to the General Court, in 1745, and in five sub- sequent years. Mr. Sparhawk was an inhabitant of Kittery. Mr. Spar- His wife was the only surviving daughter and child of Sir Wil- liam Pepperell ; and himself was first elected to the Council Board, in 1760, the next year after the Baronet's decease ; — a seat which he filled 13 years in succession. He was also as many years a Judge of the Common Pleas. He was six years a representative of his town ; his first election being in 1745. Mr. Cutis also belonged to Kittery. Three brothers of his name, Robert, John, and Richard, emigrated from the west of England, about 1645, and settled on the Isles of Shoals. Rob- ert, who removed to Kittery, was appointed a magistrate by the king's Commissioners, in 1665 ; and when he died, in 1672, he left a large estate to his son Richard, the father of the Council- lor. This gentleman was chosen a representative of his native town in 1734, and also in seven other years, prior to his first election into the Council in 1755, the successor of Mr. Fox. * Peter Hill of Saco, was a deputy to the Lyg-onian General Assembly, iu 1648. He died in 1667. His grandson, Joseph Hill, whose father's name was Roger, was born in 1671 ; married Hannah Bowles of Wells in 1689, and settled in that town, and superintended the erection of Fort Mary in Saco. 352 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D» 1760. He was also eight years a member of the Board, — a man of considerable talents and influence. Mr Jeffries Sagadahock — Mr. Jeffries was the successor of Spencer Pbips at the Council Board in 1733. He received eleven elec- Mr. AiicH. tiQns in succession, except in the year 1742, when James Allen JJ^^-^jyheci- ^as chosen, but never afterwards. John Wheelwright of Wells, succeeded Jeffries, A. D. 1745; receiving in all, ten successive elections. He was the great-grandson of the famous minister, Mr. John Wheelwright. For thirty years past, he had acted as Mr. Braille. Commissary General of the whole Province. Mr. Brattle, a man of extraordinary talents, was a Harvard graduate, in 1722, a minister of the gospel, a lawyer and a physician* — eminent in each profession. He resided in Cambridge. He was a Major- General of the militia, and a member of the Council eleven years. All these Councillors for Sagadahock were non-residents, if we exdept Mr. Wheelwright. Pownai- The incorporation of Pownalborough, Feb. 13, was prob- cor^|)ofaied.' ^^^7 ^^^^ ^^^^ legislative charter of a township, approved by the Governor, while he was in the executive chair. Its name, of sonorous sound, is an evident compliment to his character. Its territory was large ; embracing the three present towns of Dres- den, Wiscasset, and Alna ; also Swan-Island, four miles by 200 rods in extent. As there was a petition pending, to divide Yorkshire, the bill for incorporating the town was pushed through the Legislature in some haste ; and preparation made to build a Court-house there, — it being intended, if possible, to make it a shire-town. There was a settlement begun at Wiscasset point, about 1663, which was afterwards destroyed by the Indians. But on the 17th of Oct. 1754, there were in the place 64 signers to the petition for an incorporation. It was a shire-town thirty- four years till divided ; — the early residence of several distin- guished men.f * Dr. Allen's Biog. p. 197. fThe plantation name of Pownalborough was Frankfort. This is the 15th corporate town. It was divided, A. D. 1794. — See Dresden and JVetc- JUifford [Alna] ; also Wiscasset^ 1802. — The Court-house built opposite the head of Swan-Island by the Plymouth Company, was in its dimensions, 45 feet by 44, three stories in height. The Court Chamber was 45 by 19^ feet, with two fire places in it. Fort Frankfort or fort Shirley, has been described. — [See 1754.) — Pownalborough was first represented in the Gen- Chap, xiii.] of maine. 353 The propositions for dividing the county of York, hitherto a .d. 1760. embracing the whole territory of the present State, were renewed Applica- immediately after the reduction of Quebec. The petition, which new counly. proceeded from Falmouth and was presented to the General Court, at the beginning of the January Session, enumerated the inconveniences arising from the establishment of the Courts and of the public offices in the corner of the county, where all the jury trials were, except a few of a minor class, which were tried at a single term of the Inferior Court each year, at Falmouth ; and prayed, that the county might be divided, a new one erected, and that appointed a shire-town, in which, it was said, a good court-house and a sufficient gaol were already finished. In consequence of the notice published in the Boston news- papers by order of the General Court, the Plymouth proprietors, at the May session, presented a counter-memorial, stating that they and 400 settlers within their patent, had petitioned the Leg- islature, six years before, to erect the territory and its inhabitants into a county ; that nothing but the late rupture of the Indians had deterred the memorialists from pursuing their application ; and eral Court, 1774, by Thomas Rice. — John Gardiner, Esq, a celebrated Barrister at law, represented the town in the General Court, for three or four years prior to his death, A. D. 1793-4. He was the son of Doct. S. Gardiner, was educated in Eng-land, and practised law first on the Island St. Christophers. His only daughter married with James Lithg-ow. Mr. Gardiner made himself famous by his endeavors to have ' special pleading-* abolished by law. Major Samuel Goodwin, born in Boston, 1717, and liv- ing- at Pemaquid, came to the assistance of Kichmond fort, in 1750, when it was besieged by the Indians. He afterwards commanded Fort Frank- fort, till it was dismantled. About the time the county of Lincoln was es- tablished, three brothers, William^ Charles, and Rowland Gushing, removed to Pownalborough. Rowland, a very personable man, practised law at "W'iscasset village till his death, in 17S3. William, a Harvard graduate, 1751, was an eminent lawyer, and the first Judge of Probate for Lincoln county. He resided and pursued his profession a short distance from the Court-house, till he was appointed judge of the Supreme Court of Massa- chusetts, in 1772. He was chief justice in 1777, and commissioned to the Supreme Bench of the United States, 1789. Charles Gushing, graduate at Harvard, 1755, was a military man, and a Brig. General of the miliiia. He was the first Sheriff of the county ; — an office he filled upwards of 20 years. He removed to Boston, about 1782, where he was appointed Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court. He was succeeded in the sherifialty by Edmund Bridge, who also lived in Pownalborough. Jonathan Bovoman was second Judge of Probate and also Clerk of the Court. Vol. IL 45 354 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1760. that therefore, they would now renew it, and pray the General Court, to form the eastern section into a separate county and appoint the Courts to be held at Pownalborough. The coun- view of both applications, therefore, and of the extensive lies of Cum- ^ ' beriand and country, the General Court, by an act of June 19, 1760, estab- Linroliies- • /-^ tabiished. lished two ncw counties, Cumberland and Lincoln, and pre- scribed the lines of division.* York Coun- The easterly line of York County, by the division passed along in the northeasterly exterior of Saco, and Buxton ; in the south-westerly line of Standish as it borders on the river Saco to the north-west corner of the town ; and thence " north two de- grees west on a true course, as far as the utmost limits of the Province." At York, an autumnal term of the Supreme Court and two terms of the Cdurt of Common Pleas, were appointed to be holden for the county annually as heretofore. Cumbrr Cumberland County adjoined the county of York, and was land Coun- bounded south-eastwardly on the Atlantic and Casco bay, ex- ^ tending to Cape Small-point and including " all the Islands in that bay and on the seacoasts and north-eastwardly on the eastern shore of New-Meadow's river to Stevens' carrying-place at its head ; thence to and upon Merrymeeting bay and the river Androscoggin thirty miles ; and thence north two degrees on a true course *' to the utmost northern limits of the Province." The shire-town was Falmouth, where the Superior Court was directed by law to hold an annual term on the fourth Tuesday of June ; and the Inferior Courts of the county, to set on the second Tuesdays of May and September. Lincoln The residue of the present State, including the Islands upon Coumy. ^j^g seaboard, and extending to Nova Scotia eastward, and to the utmost limits of the Province northward, was embraced by the county of Lincoln ; of which Pownalborough, was the shire- town. Here the terms of the Inferior Courts were appointed to commence on the second Tuesdays of May and September. But all matters, arising in this county, which were cognizable by the Superior Court, were to be heard, and tried at their term in Fal- mouth. The act took effect, November 1, and became operative. In Lincoln, a Register of Deeds was appointed for five years by * 12 Jour. H. of Rep. p. 44, 73.— Prov. L. p. 629, 637. Chap, xiii.] of maine. 355 the Governor and Council; — in Cumberland, he was appointed A. D. 1760. by the Courts of Session to hold his office till one was chosen.* On the departure of Governor Pownal, Thomas Hutchin- t. Hutchin- SON, who had been Lieutenant-Governor two years, took the tenam-Gov- chair. He was a native of the Province, a graduate at Harvard in 1727, and by profession a merchant. Not succeeding in his commercial pursuits, though it seemed to be the most ardent de- sire of his soul to acquire wealth ; he applied himself indefatiga- bly to the study of history, politics and law. He was early elected by the inhabitants of Boston into the House of Repre- sentatives, and in 1747, he was Speaker. By his industry, elo- quence, and knowledge of public affairs, he acquired great influ- ence and distinction. Besides being Lieutenant-Governor he was a Councillor, Chief Justice of the Superior Court in 1760, and also Judge of Probate for Suffolk. The friends of Govern- or Pownal, were foes to Hutchinson, a man destined and willingly disposed to take a conspicuous part in the great political drama, approaching. He assumed great concern for the people on the eastern frontiers, and told the House, June 3, 'it was undoubted- * ly necessary to continue in employ the military of the preced- * ing year.'f Sir Francis Bernard arrived, August 4, from New-Jersey, Arrival of of which Province he had been Governor; now succeeding to^^|!|^^"j^ the same office in Massachusetts and Maine, at a period, when there was a favorable opinion entertained of his politics and merits. In his introductory address to the General Court, he * COUNTY OFFICERS. York County. Cumberland County. Jeremiah Moulton, Ij^j y John Minot 1 j^^ . S.mon Frost, ! i^^.^^^J^^ Ezekj^el Cushin^^^ 1 John Hill, r p, Enoch Freeman, [ p, Nathaniel Sparhawk, J Edward Millikeo, J Jeremiah Moulton, Jt/d^eo/* Probate, Samuel Waldo, Judge of Probate. Simon Frost, Register. Stephen Longfellow, Register. Jeremiah Moulton, jr. Sheriff. Moses Pearson, Sheriff. Lincoln Countv. Samuel Denny, "j jyclfes of ^^'ilham Cushing-, Jwrf^g o/" Pro6afe. William Lithffow, [ ^ William Bryant, Register. 1 TT- I I y the lyommon , l • f>i ■/r- Aaron Hmkley, \ Pleas Charles Cushing-, Sheriff. John North, J * Jonathan Bowman, i2eg'r. of Deeds. N. B. By act, Feb. 17, 1762, Biddeford was made a shire-town with York, where one term of the Court of Common Pleas and Sessions was holden year- ly, 2d Tuesday in October, f 12 Jour. H. of Rep. p. 21.— 2 Minot, p. 79. 356 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 17G0. spoke respectfully of the peoples' charter rights ; and as the suc- cessful state of public affairs gave him an opportunity of remark- ing upon the peculiar happiness of the times ; he noticed, as nearest his heart, that all parties were united and the voice of faction wholly silenced. But, replied the House, this Province, happy as it may appear, has been for more than sixty years a barrier as well as frontier to his Majesty's other northern colo- nies, against neighbors false and perfidious in peace, — bold and barbarous in war ; and the avenues of blood opened are yet scarcely closed. Trade of the Yet, OS the affairs of the Indians had now as to themselves so liinians te- ' sumpfi and fatally chanffcd, it was determined to command if possible their regulated. ^ J o ^ i entire trade, through the medium of two truck houses, one at Fort Halifax and the other at Fort Pownal, — by furnishing them with every article and supply needed ; putting those houses un- der the most judicious regulations ; and establishing in each of the forts a garrison of about 25 or 30 men, with two chaplains and armorers. It was also believed, the prejudices of the Indians might be entirely overcome, and all disputes with them effectually prevented, by favor, presents, and honorable traffic — according to the policy and rules of former times. The establishments were therefore made,* the legal provisions upon the subject re- vised, and the experiment tried. All this, however, was insufficient, for according to the Governor's views, expressed Dec. 17, ' still * further amendment of the laws concerning the Indians was de- * manded, particularly " to prevent their contracting large and " unnecessary debts, which they have no prospect of paying, but " by a sale of themselves ; to prevent parents from selling their " children, or making them subject to their debts ; and to subject "Indian offenders, to corporeal punishment, instead of fines, " which they can seldom pay." Dec. 23i^^^ In the midst of this legislative session, the Governor announc- crowued. ' ed to the General Court, a demise of the Crown, Oct. 25, and the accession of George III, to the throne of Great Britain ; — a young monarch, whose well known liberal sentiments in politics and religion were presages of a reign, auspicious to his subjects throughout his dominions. * Balance of truck trade due the government for one year prior to June », 1761, was £104. Chap, xiii.] of maine. To secure, more effectually, the trade of the Indians once so lucrative, and to learn something more of them and of the re- gions in which they have dwelt ; two ranging parties of 1 5 men each were sent out, one under James Howard of Cushnoc, to ascend the Kennebeck to its sdurces, and thence proceed down the Chaudiere to its mouth ; and the other, to make an excursion through the waters of the Penobscot, and thence to the St. Law- rence. Provision was likewise made for a third expedition from Berwick through Coos, into Canada.* By a new valuation, taken and completed in 1761, it appeared, that 19 towns and plantations in the three eastern counties, were considered of sufficient importance and ability to be called upon, and that their aggregate proportion of a £1,000 Provincial tax, was £74, 6s. 4£f?.f From these data, their whole population has been computed at 17,500 souls. 357 A. D. 17G1. Exploring parlies norlhvvard. New valua lion. * 12 Jour House of Rep. p. 79. — Wag-es per month to a Captain and two surveyors were £ll each, and to privates j^e each. f The following" apportionment exliibits the relative importance of these towns and plantations: — County of York. York Kittery Berwick Wells Arundel Biddeford Narrag'anset No. 1 [Buxton.] £ 9 9 7 4 2 4 0 11 10 s. d. County of Cumberland. 3 5 Falmouth 10 8| Scarboroug-h 10 9 North- Yarmouth, 17 0 Brunswick 9 lOi Ilarpswell 11 11 Gorhamtown Pi. New-Marblehead [Windham.] d. H 3S 15 6 County of Lincoln. £ s. d. Pownalborough Georgetown Newcastle Woolwich Topsham Precinct 1 17 9| York County 3 7 0 Cumberland Co. 17 0 Lincoln Co. 1 4 7i 0 17 0 Total £ s. 13 16 5 5 2 9 2 3 lOi 1 13 00| 0 19 08i 0 9 10 26 17 5| £ s. d. 38 15 6 26 17 ^ 8 13 5 74 6 4| 8 13 5 There were in number, about as many more plantations, which were not brought into the valuation. — Hampshire County of 31 towns (after Berkshire County was established in 1760) paid £75, 15*. 6J. ; Plymouth County, of 14 towns paid, £75, 4s. Id, — Falmouth was the principal town in Maine. The Neck, [now Portland] contained 136 dwellinghouses, besides 4 shops, which had families in them. — Smith'' s Jour. p. 74. 358 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.D. 1761. As peace and prosperity had never before dawned upon Maine Political with so nauch apparent brightness ; it is to be regretted that the ^ glorious victories over the French so long desired, had scarcely been achieved, ere the wicked spirits of jealousy and crimin- ation, should have countenance to poison the pleasures of success, to damp popular ardor, ^nd to mar all the preconceived enjoy- ments and advantages of conquest. There had, it is true, long existed in the Province, party distinctions, — such as, advocates for the prerogative of the Crown, and defenders of charter and popular rights. It now became a matter of policy, conceived with much pride by the ministry and their emissaries in America, and advocated with great plausibility by them, that it would be inconsistent with the ability of the Colonies, to think of keeping up a military or marine force for their defence ; but that the country ought to rely upon British Governors and other select officers of the king's appointment, and upon royal ships of war and national garrisons, for protection or security. This party with us gener- ally consisted of all those, who were holding commissions under the Crown, or were courtiers expectant of some lucrative post, arising out of the anticipated system of taxation, planned ostensi- bly for defence of the Colonies, under ministerial direction.* Governor The class to which Governor Bernard belonged, was a ques- poiiticsand tion which did not long rest in doubt. English-born, educated at Oxford, and devoted to the episcopal religion ; a man of tal- ents, literary taste, extensive knowledge, and fair moral charac- ter, he was selected by the ministry as a fit instrument to promote their deep and dark purposes. For though he, in one of his early speeches to the General Court, spoke of merit as the only passport to preferment ; — and of all party distinctions as resolved into patriotism and loyalty; — even whig and tory — court and country, — (as he said) being swallowed up in the name of Brit- on : Yet he took upon himself to advise both branches, it was observed, to lay aside all political divisions whatever, to catch the spirit of gratitude, love and duty, which inspired the whole body of the English at home, and to disregard all declamations intend- ed by designing men, to excite among the people suspicions and fears, that their civil rights were in danger. — It is true, said the * Two shocks of an Earthquake were felt, March 12, at 15 minutes after two at night. That 5 years ago was jarring ; — this was undulatory. Chap, xiii.] of Maine. 359 House, a spirit of patriotic fire has powerfully touched the bosoms A. D. 1761. of his Majesty's American subjects ; and in this Province, it burns a pure flame — undamped by any political dissensions among the people. The intimation, therefore, of any party-spirit prev- alent among us, is received from the chair with deeper regrets, because we are unconscious of its having any foundation in fact. The first controversies with him related to the custom-house ; Matters in the writ of asssistance ; the establishment oj new municipal COT- him. porations ; and the pecuniary concerns of the Province. The numerous seizures made, were of course all libelled in officers of the Court of vice-admiralty, where exorbitant fees were taxed, and large rewards allowed to informers ; and hence the officers of the customs not only incurred an abundant share of popular odium, — they were also boldly accused of not paying into the Province treasury, the third part of the forfeitures or condem- nation money, as the law required."^ A resolve, therefore, was passed, authorizing the treasurer to sue for the money ; and though it met the Governor's prompt negative, the suit was com- menced. It was abated, however, in the Superior Court, Mr. Hutchinson being at the head of the bench ; — a decision, gener- ally received with great disrelish by the people. The writ of Assistance was a warrant granted by that Court, Writs of commanding all subjects, as well as officers, to search any house or place without designation, and without requiring a return of the precept. This arbitrary stretch of power was the more ob- noxious, because it was allowed to all custom-house officers on request ; and it required every body to assist them in making search, or collecting the revenue. Hence, by way of retaliation, the General Court subsequently passed bills, to exclude the judges from both legislative branches, and to reduce their sal- aries. Great affi-ont was also taken, about this time, especially by the Governor eastern people, because of the Governor's refusal to sign acts, in- [n?orpoI'a- corporating plantations into towns, with the usual rights and priv- [o^i!,,"^ ileges. He contended, that a multiphcation of these municipal corporations would swell the House to a size, never contemplat- ed by the charter, and incur an expense, unnecessarily burden- * Due the Province at this time, £475, 9*. \\d. — 12 Jour. [louse of Rep. p. 231, 247. 360 THE HISTORY [VoL. 11. A. D. 1761. some to the community. If they were districts, vested with all the rights of towns, except that of sending representatives to the General Court, he told them his approval would not be with- holden. They reminded him of the unnumbered difficulties, which had attended the frontier plantations in the setdement of a wilderness ; also the lives, labor and treasure, their defence had cost them ; and protested against giving these meritorious sections of the community, the opprobrious name of district; — a name unknown to all his Majesty's other dominions, and designed to imply a restriction of privilege, however large the place in terri- tory, or population. By the charter, every * town and place* might choose two representatives — till a statute approved by the Crown, though restrictive, allowed every town of at least 40 freeholders, to choose one ; and hence, no district nor other * place^ having that number ought to be barred the privilege. But afterwards the Governor received a royal instruction to sign no bill for incorporating new townships " without a clause to sus- pend the right of sending a representative to the General Court."* This touched a political artery — for the people perceived, he already entertained a jealousy of the popular branch Public Though it appeared, that by levying a tax of usual amount, — continuing an excisef on tea, coffee, china-ware and other arti- cles,— and receiving £60,634 sterling, as reimbursement money advanced, the Province funds would be in a good condition ; yet a question arose about making gold a tender at the current rates, in payment of treasurer's notes and taxes. In this the Governor joined the opposition against the House, and after a fortnight's altercation, prorogued the General Court to January; hoping, he said, by the time they met again, they would be more free from bias and prejudice, than they had manifested by their late con- Dispute of duct. At the next session, however, the voice of the House rlor^rcT'^" prevailed against the Governor and his party; — a result, which House. threw him into a fit of passion, and provoked him to utter several angry and unguarded expressions. Among the enterprizes undertaken at this period in this eas- tern Province, we may particularly mention the spacious wooden ♦ Gov. Speech. Feb. 1762.— 12 Jour. H. of Rep. p. 272. t Collectors of excise ; in York county, Nathaniel Clark ; in Cumber- land, Theophilus Bradbury; in Lincoln, Charles Cushing. — In Cumber- land county it was farmed out for £57 for one year. Chap, xiii.] of Maine. 361 bridge, erected over York river, one mile from town, as an a d. I76i ingenious specimen of art and improvement. Exclusive of large York^ abutments at the shores, it was 270 feet in length, by 25 in width ; resting on thirteen piers, each of which consisted of four piles driven to a depth into the bed of the river, sufficient to render the whole superstructure firm and solid. It was a toll-bridge — and is still standing. The entire enterprize, including the new method of driving the piles, owes its construction to the inven- tive genius of Major Samuel Sewall, a native inhabitant of York. The good disposition, discovered at the winter session pf the A.D. 1762. Legislature, was mutual ; for the interest of the eastern ^o^'^^'^y j^i 's east came under consideration, and all measures proposed for its set- ward of Pe- . ... - nobscot nv- tlement and security, were heartily espoused without distinction of er granted, party. Already there were several scattered settlers in the re- gion of Penobscot ; and on application of numerous petitioners, twelve townships were conceded to them ; — it being confidently believed, that by the united and persevering exertions of the Legislature and Governor, they should be able to procure a con- firmation from the Crown. Six of them were granted to David Location of Marsh and 359 others* named, and were to be located sever- ally, six miles square, in a regular contiguous manner, between the Penobscot and Union rivers. These grantees, as voluntary associates and tenants in common, individually bound themselves, their heirs and assigns, in a penal bond of £50, conditioned to lay out no one of the townships more than six miles in extent, on the bank of the Penobscot, or on the seacoast ; to present to the General Court for their acceptance plans of the survey, by the 31st of the ensuing July;f to settle each township with sixty protestant families within six years, after obtaining the king's approbation, and build as many dwellinghouses, at least 1 8 feet square ; also to fit for tillage, 300 acres of land, erect a meeting-house, and settle a minister. There were reserved ia each township one lot for parsonage purposes — another for the * Some of the others' names were Enoch Bartlett, James McHurd, James Duncan, Peter Parker, Edward Mores, Dudley Carlton, Benjamin Harrod, &c. t A plan was presented in June, 1763. — See posty A, D. 17S5. Vol. II. 46 362 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1762. first settled minister — a third for Harvard College — and a fourth for the use of schools. The second Other class of six townships were granted to several asso- class. ciations of petitioners upon the same terms.* These were to be laid out between the eastern limits of the first class and the river St. Croix ; and to be confirmed by the General Court, provided the royal assent could be obtained within eighteen months. The whole survey was made under the superintendance of Samuel Livermore ; and as six of the townships were bounded on one side of " Union River,^* and six on the other, the circumstance gave the river itself its present name.f oMhe In these and all other conveyances of the * Crown Lands,' grant. lying between Sagadahock and St. Croix, the patents or deeds were signed by the Governor and Speaker, countersigned by the Provincial Secretary, and conditioned, according to the restric- tive clause in charter, to be valid, whenever they were confirmed by the king, otherwise without effect. The names also of the grantees were inserted, the boundaries described, and the con- ditions expressed ; each patent closing with a proviso, that the grantee " yield one fifth part of all the gold and silver ore, and precious stones found therein." Mount Des- ^^^^ General Court granted the far-famed Island " Mount ertgranied Descrt" to Governor Bernard, in consideration, as they said, of to Governor ^ . . Bernard, his " extraordinary services — or more probably, in fact and in policy, to secure his influence and efforts towards obtaining the royal assent. * Yes,' said they to him, « your immediate and undi- 'vided attention to the subject is more especially requested, be- ' cause a sufficient number of subscribers or applicants have come * forward, ready to go and settle thirteen townships, as soon as * the royal confirmation can be obtained.' * The associations of petitioners for the second class of townships were, David Bean and 80 others; Moses Twitchell and 179 others; Ebenezer Thorndike and 58 others ; Wait Wadsworth and 50 others; Samuel Liv- ermore and 40 others.— 13 Jour. H. of Rep. p. 278-9.— See post, A. JD. 1785. t First Class : No. 1 Bucksport. Second class :— No. 1 Trenton. Between Pe- 2 Orland. East of Union 2 Sullivan, nobscot and 3 Penobscot, river. 3 Mt. Desert. Union rivers. 4 Sedgwick. 4 Steuben. 5 Bluehill, 5 Harrington. 6 Surry. 6 Addison. Chap, xiii.] of Maine. 363 In the prevalent passion for new settlements, other grants were a.d, mz. obtained ; some in the old Province of Maine, where the king Fryeburg /• 1 • 7 T Slanted. had no territorial rights. One was that of a township to Joseph Frye, upon conditions cast in the common mould with the others ; subsequently known by a name derivative of his own.* The liberality manifested by government in these numerous grants, was a pledge of public patronage, encouraging to emigrants, as well as settlers ; the beneficial effects of which were in a few years extensively witnessed. The ungranted territory of eastern lands Lands east was still immense, and according to the report of a legislative scot, committee, there had hitherto been no claim pretended to any of the region between Penobscot and the eastern line of the Pro- vince, except some right, which the proprietors of the Waldo ])3itent challenged ; and to all this, they were willing to sign an acquittance, in consideration of a single township. f The General commis- Court, therefore, aware of the advantages which amity and as^Jertain tranquillity afforded, appointed three Commissioners, William [|l,e between Brattle, James Otis and John Winslow, " to repair to the river ^oy^^g®"? " St. Croix ; determine upon the place, where the said easterly " line is to begin ; extend the said line so far as they shall " think necessary ; and ascertain and settle the same by marked " trees or other boundary marks — they being directed to pro- ceed ex parte, if not met upon the ground, by Commissioners from Nova Scotia. It seems their report was made in the fol- lowing February, accepted by the Legislature and printed. But it shewed rather a view, than any descriptive survey. As the Indians were tranquil, it had been determined by the Governor's government in a spirit of economy, to keep a very inconsiderable "Sve^o force under pay in Maine this season. Only one Lieutenant, one oppJsed^by armorer, one sergeant, and fifteen privates were stationed at Fort House. Pownal ; and the number was still smaller at Forts Halifax and Cushnoc. The Province-sloop cruised upon the eastern coast, and carried supplies and intelligence to the garrison. On her re- turn to Boston, news was received of an attack by the French upon Newfoundland, corroborated by an arrival of 700 French * Fryeburgh. t Nor had they, as it turned out, in fact, any territorial right on the easterly side of the Penobscot ; though they owned several of the Islands in the Bay. 364 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. Di 1762. Neutrals* from Halifax, whom the rulers of Nova Scotia durst not allow to live in that Province. Apprehensive for the safety of our fishing vessels, the Governor with advice of Council, des- patched the sloop and 50 men to Canseau for their protection. But the House, at the next meeting of the General Court, thought the emergency did not demand the expedition, — it was a charge upon tlie treasury without an appropriation, and the precedent was mischievous ; therefore they blamed him and refused to pay the expense. A proposition of his to visit Fort Pownal, and acquaint himself with the temper of the Indians at this juncture, received also a decided negative. ' Let the Chiefs,' said the House, ' come to Boston, if they wish to have a talk or parley.' — He met them, nevertheless, at Penobscot, in October, and con- firmed the peace, which continued uninterrupted many years. Twoyeaw It is worthy of remark, that when the operations of the war scarcit/and in the northern colonies were closed, they were succeeded by two years of drought and scarcity. In both, the freshness and bloom common to June in other years, were shrouded in the habili- ments of decay ; and the husbandman, in view of his withering fields, had sufficient reason for a deepening despondency of his hopes. The drought of 1761 was preceded by a wasting sick- ness, which greatly added to the calamities of the season. These severe frowns of Providence were followed with devouring fires, which did immense damage. They burst forth from the woods of New-Hampshire, early in July of that year; and burning with irresistable fury, passed through Towoh [Lebanon] in Maine, and being driven by the winds to the eastward, entered Scarborough, Gorhamtown, New-Casco, and the neighboring forests, where they raged till they were only checked by a flood of rain, which fell on the 19th and 20th of August. The next year, (1762,) somewhat earlier in the season, six dwellinghouses, two saw-mills, and several barns were reduced to ashes at Dunston in Scarborough ; six families were burnt out in North-Yarmouth ; and extensive fields were destroyed by the flames or laid open by a consumption of the fences. Even the cattle, in many places, did not escape the violence of devouring fire. A prodigious * The General Court thought it justifiable to " forbid the landing- within the Province of tbefie unhappy exiles." — 2 J\HnoU p. 119. — I Haliburton, p. 241, and they were returned to Halifax. Chap, xiii.] of Maine. 365 quantity of the most valuable forest-timber was destroyed; and AiD. 1762. so much were crops cut short, that greater supplies from abroad than usual, were necessarily imported for the people's support. There were three Plantations incorporated, this year, into Three plan- towns, by the names of ^Windham, Buxton and Bowdoinham ; made towns, whose respective dates are, June 12, July 14 and September 18, in their order.* Windham was a grant by the Provincial government to sixty of Windham, the inhabitants in Marblehead, A. D. 1734 ;f and was surveyed the next year, when the first permanent settlements were made. The planters, though few in number, erected a large block-house in the fifth Indian war, and being aided by the proprietors, de- fended themselves manfully against the hostile visits of the natives, so often repeated; — a fortitude which received additional lustre in the late war. They enjoyed the settled ministry of Rev. John Wright, eleven years prior to his death, in May, 1753; and when Rev. Peter T. Smith w^as ordained, in 1762, to the sacerdotal office among them, with a salary of £80, there were only thirty- nine families in the place. { The primary grantees and settlers of Narraganset Number Buxton. One, now Buxton, originated from Ipswich, Rowley, Newbury, Haverhill, and Amesbury in Massachusetts ; and the town is full of their descendants. It was one of the military townships, and though it was granted in 1728, and allotments of land made within four years, we find no settlers upon them, till after the * These three are the I6th, 17th, and 18th towns incorporated in the State, t See ante, A. D. 1734. X Windham was previously called Kew-Marhlehead. It contains 25,600 acres. There were 630 original lots, the rest was holden in common. To make the settlement compact, the first lots contained only 10 acres. There are two ponds in this town, Sebago and Duck ponds — The first church (of 7 members,) was gathered in 1743. — Rev. Mr. Smith was the son of Rev. Thomas Smith, settled in Falmouth. When he was ordained, the proprietors paid him £83. He was dismissed in 1790 ; and was suc- ceeded by Rev. Kathaniel Stone, in 1798. The town was first represented in the General Court, 1767, by Abraham Anderson, and a Post OflSce es- tablished there in 1T90. — The soil is " light, arable, and free from rocks." In 1821, there were 125 orchards — yielding 15,000 bushels of apples annu- ally ; three meeting-houses — one for congregationalists ; one for friends, having a society of 40 families ; and one for methodists and baptists ; a social library of 100 vols. ; 13 school districts ; 12 mills and a Comb^faetory. —MS. Let. of J. Waierman, Esq., 1821. 366 THE HISTORY [VoL. IK A. D. 1762. treaty of Aix la Chapelle, in 1748, and the close of the fifth Indian war. There were only twenty-one families in the planta- tion in 1760-1, when the itinerant labors of the Rev. Doct. Paul Coffin commenced there. Yet he lived to see the wilderness subdued and blossom, and every interest of society brighten into maturity ; — for his pastoral connexion with this people was con- tinued beyond sixty years.* Bowdom- Bowdoinham is a name evidently given to the town in compli- ment to a family, distinguished for its wealth and one of its mem- bers, whose benefactions contributed so largely towards the endow- ment of the first College in this State. There were probably residents in the vicinity of Fort Richmond, nearly opposite the head of Swan Island, soon after that fortification was established about 1720. The township extends from Cobbessecontee to Merrymeeting bay and Cathance river ; and was originally claim- ed by the Plymouth proprietors, who conveyed it and other con- tiguous lands to William Bowdoin of Boston. f But the title was involved in a dispute. For in 1637, July 3, Sir Ferdinando Gorges granted to Sir Richard Edgecomb, of Mount Edgecomb in England, a tract of 8,000 acres, situated or to be surveyed * near the lake of New-Somerset.' The bounds were undefined, if the place of location were not wholly uncertain ; and neither * Buxton was so called, at the instance of Rev. Mr. CoflBn, who originat- ed from a town of the same name in England. He was graduated at Har- vard, in 1759 ; ordained, 1763 ; and died, 1821. He was a man of talents and learning;— and was honored with a doctorate. The first minister be- fore him, was Rev. Mr. White ; who preached in the garrison at Little Falls^ now in Hollis. The next was Mr. Thompson. There are two meet- ing-houses for congregationalists in town, in which Mr. Loring the suc- cessor of Doct. CoflBn, preaches alternately : also two meeting-houses, for baptists, and two for methodists. There are three bridges over Saco river, between Bnxton and Hollis ; and in Buxton 15 mills. "The soil is gener- ally of a superior quality ;" and orchards are numerous. The town was first represented in the General Court, A. D. 1781, by Jacob Bradbury. N. B. "Bonny Eagle pond" is in Buxton near Standish line. — See ante^ A. D. \1ZZ.—MS. Let. of Charles Coffin, Esq.y 1822. t Doct. Peter Bowdoin, was one of the protestants, who fled from Rochelle in France, after the edict of Nantz was revoked, and arrived at Falmouth, [Portland,] in 1688, and in 1790, removed to Boston, where he died, 1705,— leaving two sons, John and James. — The Doctor's grandson was Governor of Massachusetts, in 1785-6 ; whose father was rich. — J)r» AUen's Biog, p. 79. Chap, xiii.] of Maine. 367 grantee nor his heirs paid any regard to the patent, till after A. D. 1762. Queen Anne's war. But John Edgecomb, of New-London, ap- peared for the heirs, in 1718, and entered in the Book of Claims, a minute of the grant, which seemed to be descriptive of a tract equal to four miles square, on the western bank of the Kenne- beck-river where it meets Merrymeeting bay.* The claim was revived in 1756 by Lord Edgecomb, the heir,f who committed the agency of his interest to Sir William Pepperell. On his death, the title lay dormant till 1768; when the Lord Proprietor empowered Sir William's son-in-law, Nathaniel Sparhawk, to pur- sue the claim. To try the title, Mr. Bowdoin brought an action against one Trial of the Springer of Bowdoinham, the ter-tenant, and shewed a derivative title from the Plymouth proprietors, and a quit-claim from Abba- gadasset, an Indian chief ; — all which the counsel for Springer, or rather Edgecomb, encountered, by exhibiting Gorges' grant to the ancestor, and a transcript of the description entered in the Book of Claims ; and endeavored to shew, that the lake of ' New- Somerset,' mentioned, was Merrymeeting bay. But the early acts of possession by the Plymouth company, and the Indian deed, prevailed against an obsolete indefinite grant ; and his Lord- ship lost his case. Yet by a decision of the Superior Court, per- haps about 1767-8, the south line of the Plymouth patent was determined and fixed in the northerly line of Bowdoinham. J Early in the winter session, the Governor congratulated theA.Dii76X General Court, on the joyful news received of a general peace. Peace. By the treaty signed at Paris, Feb. 10, 1763, it appeared, thatT,.ea,y France had renounced to Great Britain, all Canada, and all her J^^^r^' other northern dominions in America. This was followed by a royal Proclamation from the British crown, Oct. 7 ; erecting Canada into a Provincial government by the name of Quebec, and run- qScc* ning a part of its southerly line, as a boundary, from the point * Book of Claims, p. 82.— Sullivan, p. 135. t Nicholas Edgecomb, removed from Blue-point to Saco, in 1660. His son Robert married Rachael Gibbons. — Folsoni's Sacoy 4rc. p. 112. \See, antCy 1637, 1760. — Sullivan^ p. 118. — Bowdoinham was called before incorporation, Richmond. The fort stood on the bank of the river. It was dismantled, about 1754-5. The town was first represented in the General Court, in 1784, by Zacheus BeaL 368 THE HISTORY [VoL. 11. A. D. 1763. where the 45th degree of latitude intersects the St. Lawrence, and in that parallel eastward, across the outlet of Lake Cham- plain, thence " along the highlands, which divide the rivers that " empty themselves into the said river St. Lawrence, from those " which fall into the sea''* — extending to the bay of Chaleur; — a line supposed to form the northern boundary and limit of Maine. Note. — Government of Nova Scotia, from De Monts' patent, 1603, to the conquest by the English, 1710 — 1713. 1603. De Monts' Patent. [French.-] 1613. M. Suassaye, Gov. under Madame Guercheville. Conquests by Sir S. Arg-al. lEnglish ] 1620. Mons. Biencourt. [French.] 1621. Sir William Alexander, Proprietary Ruler. [English.] 1630—50. La Tour— Razilla— d'Aulney. [French.] 1651. La Tour, sole Commander. [French.] 1652. M. Denys and le Borgne, Governor's. [French.] 1654. Conquered by Major Sedgwick. [English.] 1655. Stephen de la Tour's claim. [French.] 1656. Sir Thomas Temple, Governor. [English.] 1667 — 8. De Bourg and M. Denys. [French.] 1682—90. M. de la Valier.— M. Manneval. [French.} 1690. Conquest bv Sir W. Phips. [English.] 1691. John Nelson, Governor. [English.] 1697. M. Villebon, Governor. [French.] 1702. M. Brouillon. [French.] 1705—6. M. de Subercase. [French.] 1710. Conquered by Col. Nicholson, — Vetch, Governor. [English,'} 1713. Conceded by treaty of Utrecht to England, [For residue, see 1 Hal. JV, S. p. 316 — IS.] Chap, xiv.] of Maine. 369 CHAPTER XIV. Revenue in America — Disturbances with the Indians — The Forts Halifax and Pownal — Public lands — Census — Topsham, Gor- ham, Boothbay, Bristol and Cape-Elizabeth incorporated — Stamp act — First Congress — Stamp act repealed — The royal woods — J. Wentworth, Surveyor — Machias granted — Lebanon — The peo- ple— Duties laid on teas, glass, paper — Salaries and Fees rcgu- latedby the Crown — Sandford incorporated — Penobscot — A Con- vention— Troops stationed in Boston — Dispute bettceen the Gov. and House — Gov. Bernard leaves the Province — Duties repealed, except on teas — Boston 3Iassacre — Militia — Public lands — Thomas Hutchinson commissioned Gov. of the Province — Set- tlement of Penobscot and Kcnmbeck — HaUoiodl, Vassalborough, TVinslow and Winthrop incorporated — Revenue officers — Defec- tion of William Brattle — P epperelborough^ \^Saco'\ incorporated — Right and Prerogative — Letters of the Gov. and others sent hither from England — Judge Oliver impeached — Belfast and JValdoborough incorporated — Patriotism of ministers and law- yers— Episcopal sect — Causes of political controversy loell under- stood by the parties — Letter to Mr. Tyng — Teas destroyed in Boston — Hutchinson goes to England — Edgecomb and New-Glou- cester incorporated. Amidst the diffusive glory and joy with which the war had ^.d. 1763. closed ; the politicians of Great Britain thought it a highly fa- Measures vorable period, for trying more effectually the experiment long rpvcnui"m* contemplated of raising a revenue in America. The colonies America, were large sharers in the fruits of success ; and it was said the exhausted state of the national treasury, the weight of debts and taxes in England ; and the reimbursement money and pensions — all, rendered a call on them for contributions both rea- sonable and just. The ministry, therefore, without loss of time, gave the officers of the colonial revenue, instructions very strictly to enforce the acts of trade ;* and Grenville went so far in the House of Commons as to suggest an internal tax by a stamp-act. * Sec ante, « American System;" A. D. 1750-1-2, Chap. xi. Vol. II. 4a 370 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.D. 1763. This, however, was postponed ; but the order for executing rigid- ly the molasses act, occasioned deep and general excitement.* Perhaps no act enforced, could more vitally affect the interests of the eastern country. For it was apprehended, that the fish- ing business, estimated as amounting in Massachusetts itself to £164,000 sterling by the year, might thereby be broken up ; and the particular advantages of sending lumber and other commodi- ties to the foreign plantations, would be entirely lost. There were likewise other impolitic measures urged by the king's servants. General Thomas Gage, having lately succeeded General Am- A disturb- herst in the chief command of Canada, proposed to carry war aiice wiih ' r r J ilie norihmi into the countrv of the Indians, south of the Great Lakes : and Indians. . . . t»/i , for this purpose, made a requisition even upon Massachusetts, for 700 men. But the call was deemed unreasonable though there were a great rupture in that quarter, and the General Court disregarded it; believing with the Governor, that in view of their loyalty and duty, there ought rather to be adopted timely and special measures for the security of the eastern country. Savage hostility at this age was considered a contagion, and no one could foresee how far it might extend. Though the eastern Indians were not numerous, said he, they are able, even without foreign assistance, to spread desolation through our scattered and defenceless settlements ; and there ought to be under constant pay, at least 200 men for their protection. It is true, added he, the tribes are in professed amity with us, but what is the charac- ter of Indian faith ? what apprehension of evil from savage men is out of time, whose maxim is, — " the first blow is the best part of the battle .?"f There were besides some special reasons for these jealousies Eastern Tn- and fears. For early the last spring, an unfortunate affray had ecTand^aci- happened at Penobscot, a few miles from Fort Pownal, in which an Indian was killed by a party oi four English hunters, who took from him several traps and a large lot of fur. It was sup- posed, the bloody perpetrators when at home lived in the county of Cumberland, yet the uncertainty prevented detection ; and * 2 J^linot, p. 140 —"In 1763, there were three families settled on the " southern part of Orphan Island and not another settler above them on « the river at this time." Mr. Buck settled at Bucksport the next year. — MS. Letter. \ Governor's Speech, Dec. 1763. Chap, xit.] of maine. 371 it was found to be so much impossible to repress the resentments a, D. 17B3 which the villainy enkindled among the Indians, that an actual rupture with them was apprehended. The current of feeling, especially among inconsiderate men, set strongly against the very name of Indian, so that ihey wished for only plausible excuses to take arms. Aware of this, the Governor issued a proclama- tion, July 19, forbidding all hostile acts towards the eastern tribes ; and made the greatest exertions to soothe the people's fears, to remove the Indians' jealousies, and to take the offenders ; pursuing also another party, who had pilfered from the Canibas tribe, and compelling a restitution.* These evils educed a legislative act, to prevent the English from hunting in any part of the king's woods. About the same time, three of the Tarratine Chiefs vis- ited Boston, and peace was once more fully confirmed. On the resignation of General Preble, Thomas Goldthwait a. d. 1764 was appointed commander and truck-master at Fort Pownal ; the Fom Pow- , . . r !• . ^ 1 nal and garrison then consisting of a lieutenant, gunner, armorer, chap- Hulifax. lain, interpreter, two sergeants and thirty-two privates. Besides furnishing the establishment with all necessary articles and sup- plies suitable for the Indian trade, a large outer building for bar- racks, 40 feet by 24, was erected near the fort, to accommodate public worship, and to shelter the Indians in tempestuous weather, who resorted thither to trade. Fort Halifax, commanded by WiUiam Lithgow, had not usually been garrisoned by so large a number of men, though the Governor said the public safety required it. Possession of the Penobscot country and the prospect of a The public long peace, drew to the General Court a large number of officers oh'jecIs'*of and soldiers, with petitions to be remunerated for their " services pj*^^''*^ and sufferings."! The claims involved the duties of gratitude and justice ; and the General Court directed lists to be made of all their names, beginning with those in the first expedition against Louisbourg ; and directed a second tier of townships eastward of Union river, and all the Islands upon the coast, except Mount Desert, to be surveyed ; — " in order that some further reward for " their brave services might be given them in the unappropriated * Council Rec. p. 14, Jour. H. of R. p. 35. f The king- by proclamation encouraged these grants without any pe- cuniary exaction or terms.— 2 Holmtt* A. Ann. p. 263. 372 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1764. " lands of this Province." — The demand for new lands had now greatly enhanced their value ; dormant claims were revived ; and the Plymouth proprietors, for instance, thought their patent to be in fact above all price. Partaking of the fever, government appointed again two ranging parties to explore the bays and rivers Penobscot and St. Croix. Cen- 177L future, were forcibly diverted, by the widening breaches between Dispwie the parent country and her colonies. The motives and spirit of Governor , . , . . , . nboiii the an imperious ministry were supposed by the American whigs, to revenue offi' be transfused into all the servants of the crown in this country 5 and there were occurrences, every year, which served to deepen the disaffection of the parties. The custom-house laws and officers were known to be extremely obnoxious, to mercanlile men and the people in the seaports, who frequently came in con- tact with them and their exactions. Yet the Governor, sheltered by the king's instruction, had the imprudence, to withhold his sig- nature from the tax-bill, because it did not, contrary to all former usage, expressly exempt the officers of the customs from tax- ation. The House told him, they knew of no such officers, " nor of any revenue his Majesty had a right to establish in ho Province 5" and a refusal of his assent to a bill for such a cause, was in effect to vacate the charter, and give to instruction the paramount force of law. Still he delayed a long time to sign the bill ; and nothing could have had a more direct tendency to load with public odium and prejudice, the department he was intend- ing to favor. The only custom-house in this eastern Province Cnsiom- was established at Falmouth, Francis Waldo, being collector j [lers\1-^^ Arthur Savage, comptroller and naval officer ; and Thomas Child, surveyor and tidewaiter. As the collector was absent on a journey to England, the comptroller, ne^^t in authority and trust, ordered the revenue-cutter, a tender, to seize, in the harbor, a schooner of Mr. Tyng, for breach of the revenue laws. It be- ing excusable, if not praiseworthy, to evade if possible those ob* tioxious laws and officers, as too many were ready to believe ; the resentments which this seizure enkindled bursting forth, were not satiated, till a mob assembling, Nov. 13, administered to the un- happy comptroller such indignities, as a spirit of extreme preju- dice madly directed. In June, 1772, the Governor concluded to remove the General A.i). 1772, Com-t again to Boston. But it was too late to acquire him any Governor popularity. His acceptance of an annual compensation from the General crown, gave the representatives great umbrage ; they considered Boston? it an infraction of their charter; and when he mentioned to them the repairs needed upon the Province-house, they plainly Vol. II. 50 394 A.D. 1772. Salaries. William Bratlle. J. Adams. Pepperell- borougli, or Saco incor- porated. THE HISTORY [Voi>. 11. told him, that " as he had accepted a salary from the king, they " felt no obligation to incur expense for his accommodation." The Judges of the Superior Court were equally exposed to the animadversions of the people, for they also had salaries offered them by the crown, which they were under strong inducements to accept. The subject underwent learned and able discussions in the newspapers, William Brattle, the Councillor for Sagada- hock many years, and now senior member at the board, had hith- erto decidedly condemned the severe policy of ministers towards the Colonies ; strenuously asserting the charter-rights of the Province, in opposition to the arbitrary conduct both of Bernard and Hutchinson. But he became now more unsettled, and less decided in favor of the people ; and at length boldly declared it as his opinion, that the new regulations, by which the Judges were to receive their support from the king, had not so dangerous a ten- dency as some apprehended. He publicly apologized for the measure, upon the ground that it made them more independent. He contended that the Judges held their office during good be- havior, and would not therefore be unduly subservient to the views of foreign administration, though they received their salary from the royal munificence. He was opposed by a series of able essays from the pen of John Adams, already a powerful advocate in the cause of civil liberty ; and at the next election. Brattle lost his seat at the Board, and the Governor gave his negative to the election of Adams.* Only one town was added to the list the present year. This was Pepperellborough which was formed by dividing Bid- deford, incorporating the moiety, June 9, which lies on the eastern side of the river Saco, and giving it a name, designed as a compliment to the memory of Sir William Pepperell;{ — a name it bore 37 years, till it was changed to that of Saco, by which it was so extensively known abroad. It is fully established, that the present Saco, otherwise Pepperellborough, was first settled six or seven years before the date of the patents executed by the Plymouth Council, Feb. 12, 1629-30, to Vines and Old- ham, and to Lewis and Bonython. In July, 1653,§ the govern- * 1 Bradford's Hist. Mass. p. 263. t Pepperellborough was the 30th town in the State : It was incorporated into a district, June 9, 1762. | See ante, A. D. 1759. ^ See ante, A. D. 1653, vol. I, p. 352. Chap, xiv.] of Maine. 395 ment of the plantation was assumed by Massachusetts; in 1690> A.D, 1772. it was depopulated by the Indians 5 and after the pacification in 1713, the dispersed inhabitants began to return to their deserted homes. The town has had a gradual growth ; becoming at length one of the most important in the State.* * Saco (or Pepperellboroug-h,) was probably settled about A. D. 1622-3. The two patents dated in Feb. 1629-30, one to Lewis and Bonython on the north side of the river, and the other to Vines and Oldham on the south side, have been previously mentioned. It was a well org-anized plantation in 1636 ; [Sullivan, p. 218.) the seat of Sir F. Gorg-es' Provincial g-overn- ment, A. D. 1640; and of Rigby's, under Cleaves, A, D. 1646. In 1653, the inhabitants submit to Massachusetts; and in 1664, the Royal Commis- sioners assume jurisdiction over them. — The town records commence in 1653. The earliest list of town oflBcers is dated, June 16, 1656, these were, Thomas Williams, Ambrose Berry and Robert Booth, Commissioners ; R. Booth, Clerk of the Writs; and Booth, Waddock, Gibbons, Tristram, and Hitchcock, ' Prudential [or select] men ;' Williams, Town Treasurer ; and Tristram, Constable, — The town was represented in the General Court of Massachusetts, in 1659, by Robert Booth ; in 1660, by R. Hitchcock ; and in 1675, by R. Waldron of Dover, (N. 11.) Under the g-overnment of the king's Commissioners in 1667, Brian Pendleton, was elected Burgess, to attend the General Court of the Province. In April, B. Pendleton, Ralph Tristram, and Henry Waddock, were chosen Commissioners, or Judges of small causes, and sworn in presence of the meeting; and James Gibbons, master of the magazine. In 1670, there were men who were warned " not to be inhabitants." It seems there was an " inventory" taken, and a tax gathered in 1672-3, of 1 penny and a farthing on the pound. There was a rate to build a prison at Falmouth about this time. Lewis, one of the patentees, died about 1638-9. One of his daughters married James Gib- bons. He afterwards removed to Kittery. R. Bonython had one son, John, a violent man, who had the nickname — " Sag-amore of Saco."— He died 1684. He survived his father 31-2 years. Richard Foxwell, married Richard Bonython's daughter, settled at Blue-point — a member of the Gen- eral Assembly of Lygonia in 1648, and died about 1676. His daughter conveyed the estate to Sir William Pepperell in 1729. — Henry Boade, settled at Winter-harbor, before 1636, and in 1642, removed to Wells, and helped to lay out the township. John Parker, removed probably from Saco, before 1650, and purchased Erascohegan, since Parker's Island, at Sagadahock. John Smith ,of Saco, was Marshal under the government of Lygonia. He died about 1685. Francis Hooke, a friend to the govern- ment of Gorges, was Provincial Treasurer in 1681 ; removed to Kittery ; and was a member of the Provincial Council of JM[assachusetts in 1692. He died, 1695. Rev. Seth Fletcher, and his father-in-law. Major Pendleton, removed from Saco at the commencement of the first Indian War, 1675-6. About 10 years previously, a meeting-house was erected at Winter-har- bor ; and the people seated by assignment of pews. The wife of Commis- sioner Maverick, daughter of Rev. J. Wheelwright, of Wells, had " the prerogative. 396 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1772. If Governor Hutchinson was not so much opposed as his pre- Jlight ami dcccssor to the division and multiplication of towns ; the ministry found in no American, more vigilance and zeal in defence of un- hig-hest seat " Several of the inhabitants were presented : — some for not attending- meeting-, and one for a common sleeper on the Lord's day, at the public meeting," another for talebearing-; and a fourth for idleness. Under the administration of President Danforth^ Saco sent to the General Assembly, in 1680, John Harmon; in John Davis ; in 1683, Benjamin B I ark man ; in 1684, John Sargent, and in IG85, George Turfrey. — Gover- nor Andros endeavored, in 1688, to unite Saco and Cape Porpoise. — Major William Phillips married a wife, ivhose first husband was Secretary of Rhode-Island, and her son Peleg-, Governor of that Colony, 1680-1-2. Elisha Hutchinson was her son-in-law, and Councillor of Massachusetts in 1692, and g^randfather of Governor Hutchinson. Phillips, in 1661-4, made large purchases of the Sag-amores. He died in Boston in 1683. — [JF'olsom^ p. 162-4.] Major Pendleton removed from Portsmouth to Saco in 1665 ; and died, 1680. Benjamin BlacJcman, a graduate of Harvard Col- Jeg-e, 1663i. married a daughter of Joshua Scottow in 1675. From 1676, to 1680, the records of Saco are not found; perhaps none were kept. In 1703, the fort at Winter-hnrbor capitulated. The next year that at the Falls, built of stone, was repaired ; and in 1708-10, a new fort was built at the Pool, or Winter-harbor, called F'orl Jlary ; and a garrison was main- tained through the 3d, or Queen Anne's war. The town revived and had la mejsting- in March, 1717 ; and was the next year named Biddeford. [See ihis town, ante, A. D. 1714.] Its name is froni a town in England, from which, probably, some of the inhabitants emig-rated. In the Spanish, or 4 years' war, otherwise the 5th Indian war, between 1744 and 8 inclusive, the g-arrisons in Bjddeford were repaired and a new one built, and four houses near Wiater^harbor, strongly fortified. Eight or nine of the towns- men went in the ejfpedition to Cape Breton, in 1745 : Capt. Thomas Brad- bury then commanded the block-house. The next year, the Indians killed or took Joseph Gordon and Mr. Pike : in April, 1747, they killed one or two in Scarborough ; and in July, Mr. Eliot and Mr. March, were car- ried to Canada. The town experienced, after this, no more attacks from the Indians. A meeting--house, erected in 1752 and finished in 1755, on the east side of the river, at the Falls, was near the site of the present 2d par- ish meeting--house. Rev. John Fairjield was settled there in 1762. Saco, on the eastern side of the river, was the early residence of W. P. Preble, Minister to the Netherlands ; Cyrus King-, P>,epresentative to Congress, who died 1817 J Thomas G. Thornton, who was Marshal of Maine from 1803 till his decease in 1825 ; and Colonel Thomas Cutts, being- the young- est son of Dea. Richard Cutts, of Cutts* island, Kittery. He was the g-reat-grandson of Robert Cutts, an emigrant, who came from the west of England, about 1645, with his brothers, John and Robert. They settled on the Isles of Shoals.— In 1825, a company, principally from Boston, made purchases about the Falls, at the cost of $1 10,000, for the erection of a Cotton Factory, It was subsequently put in motion, and was flourishing, Jill destroyed by fire. —Foliom^s Saco and Biddeford, Chap, xiv.] of malne. 397 limited prerogative. He crowded his speeches with arguments, a^d. 1772. to prove the entire and absolute supremacy of the crown and parliament, throughout all the British dominions. As they had an unquestionable right to establish charter corporations, such as the colonies were ; surely these municipalities, he contended, can never justly claim any more power than was expressly given them^ — to be controlled or withdrawn, at the pleasure of the royal or political grantor. — But on the contrary, the General Court insisted that such preposterous doctrines would overthrow the eternal principles of reason and justice, and subvert the securi- ty of every enjoyment 5 that it was a fundamental maxim of British liberty never to lay taxes, nor even to legislate, in any instance, where there was no representation ; and that the Col- onists, by their charters, had in themselves vested rights^ which no powder upon earth, not even the king or parliament, could just- ly take away ; — such were the rights to make laws for themselves, to hold assemblies for legislation, to have their own courts of justice, and to be protected in the full enjoyment of all chartered privileges, both civil and religious. In the height of this contention, between the Governor and the a.d. 1775. House, which presented a fearful array of power against princi- Letters re- ples ; some original letters of Hutchinson, Oliver, the Lieutenant- England °" Governor, and other officers, falling into the hands of Doct. Frank- fence?^" lin, the agent of Massachusetts in England, were transmitted by him to Boston and laid before the General Court, early in June. They were dated in 1768 and 9 ; and as a specimen of their contents, one of them^rom the pen of Hutchinson himself, stat- ed, among other animadversions, that ' the colonies should be * abridged of what they called English liberties ; and that the * people ought to be prohibited from holding town-meetings, and ' forming combinations to disuse British goods imported into this * country.' — ^Justly and highly exasperated, the House forthwith memorialized the king to remove Hutchinson and Oliver from office ; and resolved to impeach the judges of the Superior Court before the Council, in case they accepted their salaries from the crown. Judge Oliver only risqued the threat, and against him, j^^^^ ^j.^ articles of impeachment were actually preferred.* The Gov- p^^^lJ^'^^ ernor complained of the unparalleled ill treatment he repeatedly * 1 Bradford, p. 264-282, 398 THE HISTORY [Vol. II. Two towns incorporat- ed. Belfast. A. I). 1773, received from the House, shook at them the rod of his master's wrath, and advised them to finish the public business without further delay. But before adjournment, two towns were incorporated ; name- ly, Belfast, June 22, and Waldoborough, June 29,* both re- spectable plantations. Belfast, so called by request of an early settler, out of re- spect for the name of his native place in Ireland, was the first town incorporated upon the Penobscot waters. The township being a part of the Waldo patent, was purchased of the proprie- tors, in 1765, by a company of fifty-two associates, at the low price of twenty cents by the acre ; — about which time there were effected some permanent settlements. The plantation enjoyed the encouragements of a gradual growth, for six years after it was incorporated. But when the British, in the war of the Rev- olution, had fully established a garrison upon the peninsula of Majorbiguyduce ; the settlers were forced to abandon their homes, in consequence of the pillage and cruelty suffered from a rapa- cious enemy ; nor did they return till two years after the peace. f Waldoborough, previously a plantation known by the name of Broad-bay, was inhabited by Germans, and perhaps a few Irish emigrants, as early a& the year 1740. But in the Spanish and Indian war which followed, they were all driven away or destroyed. Yet, immediately subsequent to the treaty of Aix-la- Chapelle, in 1748, the settlement was revived. In 1752-3, Sam- uel Waldo, son of the General, visited Germany and issued pro- Waldobo rougli. * These were the 31st and 32d towns in the State. The settlement of Belfast was begun on the west side of the river Pa*- 5ag--a*«iu'rt-fcea^, near its mouth, where the villag-e now is. The town is separated from Northport by Little river, and from Prospect by Half-way brook. The Indians say the name of the river means ' the place of sig-hts or ghosts !' It is crossed by two bridges, and the lower one is 100 rods in length. The river is navigable a league from Belfast bay. There are in town three meeting-houses. Rev. Ebenezer Price, the first settled minis- ter, was ordained, Dec. 29, 1796, when there were only 90 families, and 12 framed houses. A presbyterian church was formed at the same time. Mr. Price was dismissed in 1802. Rev. Alfred Johnson was settled.in Sep. 1805. His ministry continued eight years. Rev. Mr. Frothingham was installed in July, 1819. The town was first represented in the General Court, A. D. 1803, by Jonathan Wilson. Post Office first established, July 1, 1786,— In the village are 30 stores ; and from 15 to 18 vessels are owned by the in- habitants. It is also the shire-town of Waldo county.— JtfS. Letter in 1825. Chap, xiv.] of Maine. 399 claraations, promising every man who would emigrate and settle A. D. 1773. upon the Waldo patent, 100 acres of land, and also assistance to the first permanent planters. Influenced by these encourage- ments, about 1,500 people removed from Germany to Broad-bay ; a large part of whom settled at Broad-cove, on the westerly side of the Muscongus river. Here the inhabitants lived undisturbed till 1763-4, when the lands on that side were claimed by Drowne as being without the Waldo patent ; and hence they were pur- chased anew by the occupants. On this occasion, at least fifty deeds were executed to persons who had settled under Waldo. The settlers, a quiet, industrious people, submitted to this cgurse, probably, because of the patent to Elbridge and Aldsworth, which was pressed upon them, and because of a report by a Legisla- tive committee, Feb. 23, 1762, which confined the Waldo patent between the rivers Penobscot and Muscongus. The Brown claim was likewise revived in 1764-5, to the same lands, and depositions taken to support the title. Afterwards, the heirs of Waldo had an adjustment with the Commonwealth, in which they released all the lands on the west side of the river ; and the German set- tlers resident on them, under Waldo, thus perplexed, were left, contrary to " every principle of justice and good faith," without indemnity or remuneration. Injured and affronted by this ill 300 fami> treatment, disappointed in their expectations, displeased with the waidobo- climate, and determined to be rid of lawsuits, 300 families were """"sh- persuaded by their German brethren, who had lately purchased lands in the south-western parts of Carolina, to remove thither. Therefore they sold their possessory estates, for the most they could obtain, removed to that Province in 1773, and joined a large body of Germans, who settled Londonderry. It was with the deepest regrets, that their neighbors, and all their remaining brethren, parted with them. For * they were mostly husband- * men, of excellent moral character, and considerable agricultural * skill — distinguished for their industrious and economical habits.' When the German pilgrims first planted themselves at Broad- bay, they formed a Lutheran Church, and being a devout peo- ple, met every Sabbath for public worship, till the arrival of their first minister, Rev. John M. Schaeflfer, who settled with them, in 400 THE HISTORY [VoL. II* A. D.1773. 1762, when there were only about 80 families. Hrs discourses were delivered in their vernacular language.* The emi- All the GcFman and Irish emigrants, settled in these eastern grams. ^ . , towns, were warm friends to the cause of civil and religious rights. For these, in fact, were the principal motives which had induced their removaL Nay, few of the yeomanry, or the laboring class of citizens any where, were attached, either to the ceremonies The people. ecclesiastical government of the episcopal church. The in- habitants of the interior, and especially in the new townships, were wholly in favor of the congregational order ; — as being a system adopted by their pious ancestors, more consonant to scrip* ture, according to their belief, and more favorable to the princi- ples of political freedom, in which they felt so deep ar> interest.- T,, . . The settled ministers, too, of whom there were in the three eastern J he i¥jin5> ' ' ters. counties, upwards of thirty, partook largely of the same free spirit ;f ready to, every good word and work, as well at the altar of liberty * JFaldoborough contains ^5,376 acres of land. It is separated fronv iS'obleborongh by Pemaquid, Duck-puddle Pond and Brook, and a line 123 rods long-, to Moody's Meadow, ft rs separated froni Bristol by a line of 2 miles long- from Dnck-puddle Brook to the head of Broad-eove ; and from Meduncook, [Friendship] by Goose river. In Broad-cove, there are sev- eral Islands appendant to Waldoborough ; viz. Upper Narrows, Hog", Po- land's, Hadlock, Hungry, Otter, Jones', Garden, and others smaller; sev- eral of which are very pleasant, and some are inhabited. — A great part of the settlers, before their removal, lived on the west side of B:oad-cove i-n Bristol. The church of Mr. SchaefFer, consisted of about 50 or 60 mem- bers, eacbof whom paid him £3 old tenor, one bushel of corn and a day's- work, annually. The minister also had a contribution of half a dollar, fof the ordinance of baptism, or the sacrament, and a dollar for attending a funeral. His successors were, 1st. Kev. Mr. Croner, in 1785, — who preached 4 years \ 2d. Rev. R. B. Ritz, in 1793. His remuneration was 100 acres of land, and $220 annual salary. He died in 1812. Mr. Star- man, the present Lutheran minister, preaches a part of the time in Eng- lish. There are two other parishes in town; in the first Was settled Mr; Gutting ; and in the 2d, A. D. 1816, Rev. Mr. Mitchell, in the village. There are also a baptist and a methodist society in town; 17 saw-mills, 9 grist-mills, 6 clothing-mills and carding machines, and 6 bridges. The In- habitants own about 30 vessels. The town was first represented, A. D. 1780, by a German gentleman, Jacob Ludwig, Esq. — Waldoborough was a shire-town, from A. D. 1786-7 to A. D. 1800.— J»/5. Let. of R. Ludwig, Esq,^See ante, A. D. 17 40. -^Eaton's J\1S. JVar. p. 10.— 2 Holmes' A.Ann. p. 306.— Report of Claims, A. D. 1811, p. 26.~Testimony of W. Burn* and J. Ludwig, p. 161-5. t With two or three exceptions only, and these were episcopalians. Chap, xiv.] of waiNE. 401 as of religion, with their lamps burning. Also the gentle- A. D. im men of the Bar, Theojphilus Bradbury, David Sewall, Caleb Lawyers. Emery f William Gushing and James Sullivan, were men equally distinguished for their whig politics, and their patriotic zeal, as for their talents and their learning.* But the officers of the crown, and some of the more opulent Episcopa- citizens, usually attended worship in the episcopal churches. There was one of this order at Falmouth, which had been estab- lished more than ten years. At first, about forty associated ; and having invited Rev. John Wiswell to settle with them^ they sent him to England for ordination by the Bishop of London, and erected for him a very beautiful church. — There was another edifice reared for this communion at Pownalborough, about the same time, principally by the contributions and subscriptions of the Plymouth proprietors, through whose encouragement the * Mr. Bradbury, a native of Newbury, (Mass.) graduated at Harvard College in 1757, read law in Boston, and entered upon the practice at Falmouth in 1761. His wife was the daughter of Ephraim Jones, Esq. of Falmouth. Mr. B, removed to Newburyport in 1779, was a member of Congress in 1797, when he was appointed an Associate Judge of the S. 5, Court of Mass. He left the bench, 1803, and died the same year ; beloved and respected for his talents and his virtues. JSlr. Sewall, bom at York, and graduated at Harvard, A. D. 1755, com- menced the practice of law in his native town, A. Dw 1759, whete he re- sided till his death. He was Register of Probate, Provincial Councillor, Judge of the S. J. Court and District Court of Maine^ Jifr. Emery resided first in York, then in Sanford. It seems he was in the practice of law, from 176& to 1785-6. He was a military officer, and represented his town in the General Court, the two last years of his life* He was a younger brother of Noah Emery, Esq. of Kittery. Mr. Cushing, resided in Pownalborough, where he commenced practice in his profession, soon after the county of Lincoln was established. He was son of John Cushing, a Judge of the Superior Court. — Ste PovonaU bor&ugh, 1760. Mr. Sullivan^ a native of Berwick, first opened his office at Arrowsick Island, soon removed to Pownalborough where we find him in 1768. He afterwards removed to Biddeford, A. D. 1772-3. — See post, A. D. 1808. Mr. David Wyer was a native of Charlestown, Mass. and son of a mer- chant of the same name. He was graduated at Cambridge, 1758, read law with John Chipman, who died of an apoplexy at Falmouth ; and, it is believed, commenced business in his profession, about 1764-6. Mr. Wyer died at Falmouth in Oct. 1775, aged about 40 years. He was of graceful stature and manners, and possessed handsome talents. TkeophUtu Parsons settled in Falmouth, [Portland] A. D. 1774. Vol. II. 61 402 "THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A> Di 1773. Rev. Jacob Baily officiated in that place several years. But in the commencement of the revolutionary war, finding very few to agree with him in politics, he removed to Annapolis, and never returned. Excepting some of this denomination, there were none found in the three eastern counties, who were advocates for the supremacy of king or parliament. The causes The present year was remarkable for the maturity, which pub- wefi'Tnder- OP'^^O" s^^"^®^ ^^^^^dy to havc acquired. All due means, parUesf ^''^ t^"^' used, for more than four years past, to enlight- en and unite the people, by essays, addresses, and letters. Some of the publications were extremely fine specimens of composition, — worthy the pen of a Sydney, a Sheridan, or a Burke. Through Committees of correspondence, chosen in the different towns, in- telligence was communicated and received with great convenience and despatch. The Governor's motives, in his backwardness to improve the organization and discipline of the militia, and to use suitable methods for furnishing the inhabitants with arms, were criti- cally examined, and their baseness fully exposed. The successes of these indefatigable labors among the people, were more than adequate to expectation. Perhaps the grounds of political contro- versy between rulers and subjects were never better understood. In short, such were the spirit and thorough information of the community, and such the tendency of measures pursued by ad- ministration, that it were strange, if there was none to entertain fears of a revolutionary rupture. — The instructions given early in the year by the inhabitants of Falmouth to William Tyng, Esq. their representative, will exhibit their temper and apprehen- sions. ^ ^ ' Sir, — As you are our representative, we would offer a few- Mr. Tyag. * things for your consideration, in the transaction of the very im- * portant business, which may come before the General Court at ' the next session. Though the infringements upon our liberties * give abundant reason for complaint ; — we shall not undertake to * enumerate our grievances. These having been often and tho- ' roughly investigated, are all well known to the General Court. * At present, the best methods of redress or relief are, in our ' opinion, of the most importance. Endued with singular abili- * ties and naturally fine disposition, as the Governor is, — himself ' and family too, embarked in the same bottom with ourselves, we * know of no better expedient to be tried, than for the members Chap, xiv.] of Maine. 403 * of the General Court to conciliate him, if possible, by a manly a. D. 1773. ' expression of sentiment, and an open and elevated course of * conduct. The manner most judicious, will be dictated by their * wisdom and prudence ; — full in the belief, as we are, that if he * could be prevailed upon to join the other branches of the Legis- ' lature, in a petition to the throne, for a redress of wrongs and * grievances, it would be heard, and the much desired relief would * be administered.'^ The same spirit of conciliation pervaded the whole commu- Address of iiity. The General Court, in a letter to Lord Dartmouth, — as- couS^toThe sured him, that the people " would rejoice at the restoration of ministry. " the harmony and good-will, which once subsisted between them " and the parent State. But it is in vain, (they said,) to expect " this happiness, during the continuance of their grievances, and " while their charter rights, one after another, are wrested from " them." In short, could your Lordship condescend to ask, " what measures would restore the harmony so much desired ? — " we should answer in a word, that we are humbly of opinion, if " things were brought to the general state in which they stood " at the close of the late war, it would restore the harmonious " and happy union, which then subsisted." His Lordship, who was Secretary for American affairs, was Teas, altogether more favorably disposed towards the Colonies, than Lord Hillhouse, his predecessor, had been ; yet there was no change in the system. The duty on teas was still retained ; — associations for the disuse of them, prevented sales in America ; — the warehouses in England were full of the article ; — therefore the merchants obtained leave of Parliament to ship it on their own account across the Adantic. They confidently believed, upon its being landed, the duty must necessarily be secured or paid; and great quantities would, in all probability, find their way into the interior and be consumed by the people. Shipments were of course prepared 5 — but no measure of administration, not even the stamp-act, had ever created more excitement and alarm. For the Colonists, who had determined neither to import the ar- ticle nor use it, supposed it was now to be forced upon them. By consequence, early in December, or late in the preceding * Smith's Jour. App. p. 17-18. A.D. 1774. 404 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1773. month, three ships arrived in Boston harbor, laden with it ;* Dec. 16. which no motives nor arguments, urged from day to day by the S Boston^ inhabitants upon the consignees, could induce them to send back. Hence, amidst the agitation, seventeen men, dressed like the Na- tives, boarded the ships, on the evening of the 16th, and threw 342 chests into the water, f This bold act, though not instigated by the people of Boston, was nevertheless shielded with excuses, framed equally by them and by the country ; being also with the attendant circumstances, a principal cause of determining the Governor to leave the Pro- vince. Every movement entrenched upon his plans. In the win- Hutchinson tcr scssion of the General Court, he was extremely perplexed by fand.^°^"° applications, either to remove Chief Justice Oliver from the Su- preme Bench, or to receive from the House articles of impeach- ment against him, which charged him with the high misdemeanor of accepting a salary from the crown. Hutchinson saw the gath- ering storm ; and having received the royal consent to visit Eng- land, he prorogued the General Court, March 8, and embarked about two months and a half afterwards, but never returned. { Two towns Among his last official acts, in concurrence with the General uicorporat- (^^^j.^^ ^^^g jjjg signature of two bills, by which Edgecomb, March 5, and JVew- Gloucester, March 8, were incorporated into towns.§ Edgecomb. The township of Edgecomb was originally settled in 1744, by Samuel Trask and others, in " several places." Under a pos- sessory claim, they and subsequent settlers lived undisturbed upon their lands ten years, when three men, appearing from Boston, challenged title to them in virtue of an Indian deed, and surveyed several lots next to the Sheepscot, which they numbered and marked. But if the whole did not justly labor under the suspi- cions of sheer speculation, the deed of the Sagamores contained no definite boundaries ; no actual possession had ever been taken ♦ The tea was in two ships and a brig-, which lay at the side of the wharf. It was then ebb tide, — the water in the dock was not more than two feet deep, and the tea thrown overboard soon grounded ; the heaps be-, ing- so high on the sides of the ships, as to fall in upon the decks. — B, Simp- son's statement. — Folsom*s Saco and Biddefordy p, 288, t 2 Holmes' A. Ann. p. 302.— 1 Bradford's Hist. p. 298—305. X See ante, A, D. 1770, note.— Allen's Biog, Die, p. 364, 5 These were the 33d and 34th towns jn the State, Chap, xit.] of maine. 405 under it; and the settlers were not disposed to surrender. Made A.U. 1774. acquainted with these facts, and actuated by a generous spirit, a gentleman of the bar in Boston, undertook their defence without fee or reward ; and the three claimants abandoned their pursuit. In compliment to the lawyer's generosity, the plantation took the name of Freetown, which it retained till its present establishment. The corporate name was given by the General Court, in honor of Lord Edgecomb, who was, at this crisis of political affairs, a dis- tinguished friend to the interests of the Colonies. To the Island Jeremz^g'wam,* which was a part of the town; the "Wiscasset Proprietors" supported their claim, and compelled the settlers to purchase of them. Among its first inhabitants were John Doors and Joseph Whittam, whose residence was commenced upon the Island about 1745. So populous or spirited was this town, that we find it represented in the Provincial Congress, by Moses Da» vis, the next year after it was incorporated,! * " Jeremisquam^^'' {West'port^'\ is separated from Wiscasset, Woolwich, and Georgetown, by the Sheepscot waters, Mock's and Mountjoy's bays, westwardly ; and eastwardly by the Sheepscot, which runs between the Island and Edgecomb. Jeremisquam Island embraces 15,460 acres; and is 11 miles in length. One George Davie purchased of the Sheepscot Saga- mores, Dec. 21, 1668, and took their deeds of large tracts in that quarter and settled at Wiscasset point. It seems that the town of Wiscasset and the Island of Jeremisquam, embraced by some of those deeds, came by in- heritance and transfer into the possession of several wealthy gentlemen in Boston, who associated there in 1734, under the name of the " Boston Company;'^'' — but in their subsequent meetings, were called the Jeremi- squam and Wiscasset Proprietors. — Sullivan, p. 149. — June 13, 1762, they released to the Plymouth Company, the lands " on the west side" of the Island, retaining the territory of Wiscasset. — Kenneheck Claims, p. 12 — 25. The inhabitants of the Island are principally fishermen, or mariners. There is another Island belonging to Edgecomb, called the Folly, near the N. W. angle of the town, opposite to Wiscasset village, containing 95 acres. This is the site of the United States garrison. — See vol. 1, p. 55. f The land-title of the inhabitants in Edgecomb, otherwise " Edge- cumbe," was supposed to be involved in the great controversy, (like those of Bristol, Nobleboro', Newcastle and Boothbay) — with the Tappan claim- ants. But by the iZeporf, 1811, p. 24, Edgecomb and Boothbay escaped. Seethe Reference — in Resolves June 20, 1811, p. 238-9. — Award — in Re- solves Jan, 7, 1813, p. 181-202. Yet the settlers were embraced in the Re- solve of Feb. 25, 1813, for quieting them, the lots were surveyed in Edge, comb, and deeds given them by Jeremiah Baily and Benjamin Orr, who were Commissioners appointed by the Executive, for the purpose Resolve Feb, 13, 1816. By these deeds the Commonwealth quit-claimed its right to 406 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.D, 1774. New-Gloucester* was granted by the General Court, in New-Glou- 1735, to the inhabitants of Gloucester at Cape Ann, whence it CGstcr derived its name. A survey of the township into lots was made in 1737 ; and so great were the exertions to effect immediate and permanent settlements, that in 1743, the proprietors state, they had erected nineteen framed houses and a saw mill, — thrown two bridges across Royall's river, at the cost of £400, — made twelve miles of road, and cleared considerable land. In the subsequent Indian war, this promising plantation was interrupted, and finally suspended for a period of about eleven years. Not long after the peace, a block-house was built, in March 1754, which was subsequently a Provincial garrison, a store-house and asylum for the settlers, and for sixteen years, a place of public worship. Encouraged by a bounty of £60 old tenor, and by some local considerations, twenty men, in the spring of 1756, undertook the resettlement of the township, engaging to dwell there twelve months. The proprietors' meetings were, in Nov. 1763, holden for the first time within the plantation; and in Jan. 1765, Rev. Samuel Foxcroft, a graduate of Harvard, (1754) was ordained over a church of eight members, embodied at the the lands, for 13^ cents per acre ; [See post, A. D. 1813,] and the inhabit- ants were quieted. A church was first embodied in Edg-ecomb, June 24, 1783. Mr. Pickles preached there before that time, and Mr. Whiting- afterwards; but neither of them was settled. Rev. Benjamin Chapman^ the first minister of the town was installed, March 4, 1801. He died, July 13, 1804 ; and was suc- ceeded in the ministry, Sept. 30, 1807, by Rev. Samuel Sewall. About the time, Mr. Chapman was settled, Timothy Cunningham, an inhabitant of the town, who was a freewill baptist, " was made an elder of that Society, and has since been their minister." There are two meeting'-houses, built by the town before it was divided — one on the main, and the other on Jeremisquam. There are in town six mills — and the inhabitants own about 1,200 tons of shipping. The original settlers suffered greatly from the Indians, from famine, and from privations, in the fifth Indian war. Moses Davis, Esq. the first representative of the town, was born, Sept. 23, 1743, at Hampton Falls, IS. H. ; and in 1770, removed to Freetown. He was in the Convention of Mass. that ratified the Constitution of the United States ; — one of the most worthy men of the town. — JIS. Let. of Rufus Sewall and Moses Davis, Esqrs. 1822, * In New-Gloucester, there is a family or society of Shakers, consist- ing of 75 or 80 individuals. They planted themselves in the north-west part of the town, soon after the close of the revolutionary war — a neat, frugal, industrious people. Chap, xiv.] of maine. 407 same time. The people built for him a dwellinghouse, and the a.d, 1774. proprietors paid him a salary. His ecclesiastical connexion with the people continued twenty seven years.* * J^ew-Gloucester has been one of the most distinguished towns in the State. Being- a half shire with Portland, the Courts of Common Pleas and Sessions sat here from 1791 to 1805 ; when Oxford county was established, and the Courts all returned to Portland. — The first openings in the woods were made by Mr. Mason and Mr. Russell, on the sides of " Harris-hill." The garrison, which stood 100 rods south-west of the present meeting- house, was sold in 1772, at auction, for seven bushels of corn — and was standing as lately as 1788. Religion, youthful education, and public spirit early characterized this people. Two lots of land were appropriated for the ministry ; and one preacher here, before the Rev. Mr. Foxcroft, was Rev. Samuel Eaton, who settled in Harpswell. Among the candidates who have labored with Mr. Foxcroft, was Mr. Wait Cromwell, a powerful young divine ; to hear whose discourses, religious assemblies were crowded. The preachers in this plantation, who settled in other places, were Mr. Broad- street, (settled in Chester N. H.)— Mr. Hugh Wallis, (in Bath) ; Mr. James Boyd, (in Bangor) ; and Mr. John Dane (in Newfield.) Rev. Elisha JSloseley of Hampton (Con.) was ordained Feb. 10, 1802, in this town. — Greenleqfs Sk. p. 120. — In the war of the revolution, no people evinced more zeal and public spirit. To furnish their quota of soldiers, the town paid a bounty to those who went into the army, took care of their families, and cultivated their fields. Three men in this town worthy of particular notice, are Israel Parsons^ William Widgery and James Slinchjield, Mr. Parsons removed into the township in 1762, was the first magistrate appointed in it ; was the repre- sentative to the General Court in 1783, and other years ; a senator ; a colonel of the militia ; a Justice of the Sessions ; — a man equally noted for his piety, promptitude and integrity.— He was a deacon of the church, and a clerk to the proprietors till his decease. He died in 1825, aged 86 years, — The character of Mr. Widgery is worthy to be emulated ; for he attain- ed to eminence by his own industry and merits. He came to this town anr unlettered youth and stranger ; yet he had the honor of being elected to a seat in the House of Representatives ; in the Senate, in the Council, and in Congress. He was also a Judge of the Common Pleas ; and when he died was worth $100,000. Mr. Stinchfield removed with his father's fam- ily into the plantation in 1753. He was a mighty hunter, and well ac- quainted with the woods, and with the Indian manner of warfare. He helped to build the first fort, and was a principal man in the town for some years.— JtfS. Let. of J. Woodman and A.R, Gedding, Esqrs, 408 THE HISTORY [Vol. II. CHAPTER XV. T'he destruction of tJie tea offends the ministry — Port of iBostoft closed-^Provincial charter altered — The Canadians — Toion-meet" ing of Falmouth — T. Gage, Governor of the Province — Dissolves the General Court — A fast'day — Resolutions hy the people of jBiddeford-^Provincial and Continental Congresses — Resolves of Cumberland Convention — Provincial Congress organized — Ap- point Committees — Affair with Coulson^Mowett arrives in the harbor of Falmouth — -Dismantles Fort Pownal — Agencies to Can- ada and Penobscot — Battle of Lexington — The country aroused to arms — Gen. Gage denounced — His last official act. A.D. 1774. Although the tea destroyed at Boston, was the private prop* The de- ertv of the East-India company, the British ministry considered struclion of . . the tea of- the act art outrage upon the national goyernment ; and the king, fends the T./ii.t,/ \ ti * i» r ' t ministry. March 7, (1774) made the transaction a subject of special mes- sage to both Houses of Parliament. In this communication he represented the Colonists to be guilty of obstructing the com- merce of ihe kingdom,* and aiming to subvert the British con- stitution ; and particularly mentioned Massachusetts and Boston, as deserving immediate legislative chastisement. The declaration from the throne, filled the tories throughout the realm with great satisfaction 5 and a noble Lord, proudly avowed, — that he would " not listen to any complaint or petition from America, till she " was at his feet.'^ — On the contrary, among the American peo- ple, there was no other alternative thought of, than freedom or death ; and through the medium of conventions, the organ of expression in those times, they solemnly resolved, ^ that if mil- * lions, swarming through a boundless extent of continent, will * tamely submit to live, move, and have their being at the arbi- * trary will of a licentious minister, they basely yield to voluntary * slavery, and future generations shall load their memories with * '* The inhabitants of New- York and Philadelphia sent the tea shiptf back to London."— 2 Holmes' A. Ann. p. 303. Chap, xv.] of Maine. 409 Three statutes were hurried through Parliament too hastily, if AiD. 1774. not too intemperately, to be examined with becoming delibera- The port of tion. The first closed the port of Boston to all trade, after the ed. first day of the ensuing June. The second, which was to come into operation on the second day of the succeeding August, so ^^^^^^^ ^ altered the provisions of the Massachusetts charter, as to vest in Massachu- 1 ^ 1 • r 1 • ' Ml • T sellsallered. the Crown, the appomtment of thtrty-six Councillors, m lieu of the iwenty- eight, annually chosen by the two branches of the General Court in convention. The Provincial Governor was officers, likewise empowered to appoint and remove, at pleasure, without the Council's concurrence, all judges, sheriffs, and justices ; and to disallow all town-meetings, excepting what were ordained by meetings, standing laws * Nay, all jurymen, who had been by law drawn Jurymen, in open town-meetings, from the jury-boxes, — were to be subse- quently selected, summoned and returned by the sheriffs of their respective counties. The third provided that if any officer in Trials, the act of executing the laws, or any person aiding him therein, should be charged with murder or other capital offence, he might be sent for trial to another Colony or even to England. TherheCana- fourth, which was passed later in the session, new modeled the ciu?aged. government of the Quebec Province, and also granted to the Canadian catholics, some peculiar privileges, which justly and generally alarmed the protestant colonists in the northern parts of New-England. f The eastern towns, as well as those in Massachusetts, held ^, ' ' The senli- meetings in the meantime, and strengthened and encouraged each p^^"j^^^j°[jj other, by resolves and communications through the medium of inhabitants, their Committees. The inhabitants of Falmouth, the only port of entry in this eastern Province, convened in town-meeting ; discussed independently the different subjects of wrong, redress and resistance ; and declared it as their undivided opinion, ' that ' neither the Parliament of Great Britain, nor any other power ' on earth, had a right to lay a tax on us, without our consent, or * the consent of those whom we might choose to represent us. * This is one of the most important articles in the glorious Mag- * Prov. Laws, p. 785, 796. f The catholic religion was now established in Canada, perhaps to ani- mate the French there, or Indians, to take arms against New-England, in case of war. — 2 Holmes'' A, Ann. p. 313. Vol. II. 53 410 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.v. 1774. «na Charta ; the liberties of which we have a right inviolate to * enjoy? as being interwoven with the constitution of the rational * mind, and agreeable to the laws of God and of nature. But * we have in Parliament none to represent us ; and the vast * ocean, which rolls between this continent and Great Britain, * renders a representation impracticable. But as a substitute, we * have a sacred compact, as yet unbroken by us, — a Provincial ' charter, purchased by our forefathers, and sanctioned by the * parent government ; whereby, we have a Parliament of our * own, or rather a Supreme Provincial Legislature, in which we ' are equally represented, and to whose laws, in obedience to the * law of God alone, ought we to be subservient. Controlled by 'the dictates and acts of two legislative bodies at the same time, ' and in relation, perhaps, to the same subjects, we are exposed * to slavery of the worst kind. All this, a corrupt and disaffected ' ministry have attempted to palm upon us, by the formidable stamp- ' act and other arbitrary measures ; turning at length the tea-mer- ' chants upon us, to achieve the projected and unfinished machin- * ation. Yet surely, there can be found no subjects more loyal ' to their prince than we, in all his dominions. We have no de- ' sire to be released from the restraints of good government and ' reasonable laws ; while to obey such as are oppressive or to re- * sist them — is a most unhappy and trying alternative. — If we ' yield, — we own the power that oppresses us, and must forever * submit to its despotic sway ; — we detach ourselves from the * great body of our fellow countrymen, and must endure their * just and severe reproaches ; — nay, we must endure all the evils * which a servile submission will bring upon us and our posterity ' in succeeding generations. — If we resist, we help to sever a * mighty empire ; — we arouse against ourselves, a most powerful * nation ; and in the midst of our greatest exertions, we put to ' hazard our own security, in all that is dear.' ' But we have weighed the subject fully and fairly ; and we ' feel constrained by the sacred obligations of patriotism and self- * preservation, and the tender ties of filial affection, to join our * brethren of the several towns on the continent, in opposing the * operation of despotic measures. The dictates of nature, of * reason and of conscience, admonish and urge us to the support * of our freedom ; for upon this all our political happiness must * depend. Our cause is just, and we trust in God, if we do our Chap, xv.] of maine. 41 1 * duty, he will enable us to transmit to our children that Sacred a. d. J774. * Freedom, which we have inherited from our fathers, — the pur- * chase and earnest of their purest blood.' — They closed their meeting with these resolutions, — to make no use of India teas, till the duty be repealed ; to support their brethren in Boston at all times, in defence of their country's rights and liberties ; to withhold licenses from all innholders and retailers, who might presume to buy or sell tea ; and to have a standing Committee of correspondence, — as in other towns, throughout the Prov- ince.* General Thomas Gage, being appointed to succeed Governor General Hutchinson, arrived at Boston, May 13, a few days prior to the pointed ^ departure of his predecessor for England. Gage had been, for May 13.' several years, Commander-in-Chief of the British troops in Amer- ica— residing mostly at Montreal or New-York ; and his new commission now made him rather a military ruler, than a chief magistrate of a free people. f His sentiments and measures were presently evinced by his devout subserviency to ministerial dictation, and to the politics of the tories. At the May elec- tion, he gave his negative to thirteen of the new chosen Coun- cillors ; and in a few days he adjourned the General Court to Salem. Here most of the session was consumed in discussions June 17. upon public affairs, and when he was informed, June 17, that the choose 5 del- House had determined by a vote of 116 to 12, to choose five S|ress. delegates, to meet others in Congress at Philadelphia from the different Colonies, he sent the Secretary to dissolve the Assem- bly. Apprehensive of this, the House ordered the door to be J ' TheGener- locked ; and as they proceeded in the choice, the proclamation ai Court dis- for dissolving the General Court was read by the Secretary on the stairs ; and Governor Gage and the Legislature never met afterwards. The inhabitants of Boston, whose port had now been shut sixteen Falmouth, days, received testimonies of universal and most cordial sympathy. Some towns encouraged them by spirited resolutions, some by generous presents, and others by expressions of deepest regret. At the time the act took effect, a heavy gloom spread over the * Smith's Jour. App. p. lQ-22.—Benj2imin Miissey, Robert Pag-an and Enoch Moody, were a Committee " to enquire what quantity of tea is in " town, of what quality, in whose hands it is, and when imported ; and " make report" at the next town-meeting. f 1 Bradford, p. 335. 412 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1774. whole Province. In Falmouth and other places, the bells were tolled the whole day ; and the inhabitants of that town, assembling, addressed to the people of Boston a letter, which breathed sen- timents of the purest and most manly affection. — ' We look upon * you, (said they) as sufferers for the common cause of American Letter to 'liberty. We highly appreciate your courage to endure priva- Boston. ( ^j^^ distress — sensibly aware that the season puts to se- * verest trial, the virtues of magnanimity, patience and fortitude, ' which your example will honorably exemplify. We beg leave ' to tender you all the encouragements, which the considerations ' of friendship and respect can inspire, and all the assurances of * succor, which full hearts and feeble abilities can render.' ^ (Jay Qf According to the usages of our forefathers in times of emer- fasting. gency and affliction, a day was appointed for fasting and prayer, through the Province ; — a day, however, on which the tories at Falmouth and elsewhere made entertainments; not forbearing probably to treat the occasion with ridicule. Precepts for To meet the " Mandamus Councillors'^ in legislation, regard- Court, less of the people's indignation and affront, at their appointment; the Governor, in August, issued precepts to the several towns for the choice of Representatives, and ordered them to meet in Gen- eral Court at Salem, the first week in October. In the mean- time. Conventions were holden in all the larger towns of the Province, which concurrently resolved, that the ' royal or man- damus Council' be in nowise acknowledged, as the upper constit- uent branch of the General Court : and recommended that dele- A Frovin- gates be chosen in all the towns to meet in a ' Provincial Con- gress, GREss.' When informed of these measures, the Governor issued iipmi!'^ a proclamation by which he postponed a meeting of the General Court, till further orders. ^ ^ ^. In view of the late acts of Parhament, which closed the port of Bidde- of the metropolis, — essentially altered the civil government, and entirely destroyed " the invaluable right of trial by an uncor- rupted jury ;" the inhabitants of Biddeford, resolved in town- meeting, to pursue with the other towns in the Province all such legal and constitutional methods, as might be thought conducive to the restoration of our natural rights as men, and our political rights as Englishmen ; and that no inconveniences, however inju- rious to private interests, shall be a sufficient cause to break this resolution. We determine also to sign the " covenant oaths and ford Chap, xv.] of maine. 413 agreements," received from Boston, and break off all commercial A. D. 1774. intercourse with Great Britain, until her oppressive acts be re- pealed ; shrinking from nothing, that the General Congress shall advise. Nor will we have any society, trade or commerce, with the individual, who shall demean himself contrary to any plan laid for our deliverance, either by Congress or a majority of the towns in this Province.* County Conventions were recommended ; and the inhabitants Measures of of Falmouth, meeting August 30, chose four delegates to the one appointed in Cumberland. Other towns set or imitated the ex- ample ; and the people with great anxiety turned their thoughts upon the subjects of their defence and safety. Military compa- nies of volunteers were formed in several places, who elected their own officers. Arms and weapons of war underwent inspec- tion and repairs. Great improvements were made during the year in military exercise and discipline ; there being soldiers yet in the prime of life, distinguished for their bravery, skill and ex- perience, in former wars. At length, delegates from eleven Colonies appeared in Phila- ^^^^ ^ delphia, Sept. 4 ; and having chosen Peyton Randolph of Vir- JjJ^^^d'^c ginia, President, and resolved upon so conducting the public bu- gress. siness, as to allow each colony one equal vote, whatever might be the number of its deputies, unanimously agreed upon a De- claration of Rights, reciting the several parliamentary acts which had violated them ; — declared the repeal of those acts indispen- sable to the restoration of harmony between Great Britain and the Colonies ; — recommended non-importation and non-consump- tion agreements ; — prepared addresses to the king, to the people of Great Britain, to Canada and Nova Scotia ; — and after a la- borious session of two months, adjourned. Their recommenda- tions, though advisatory, it has been said, were more effectually carried into execution, than the laws of the best regulated State. f From this time, all regard for royal authority, everywhere Appearan- daily declined. Inherent rights and defensive measures were the Revolution, topics in every department and circle of the community. In the * Probably drawn by James Sullivan. — Folsom^s Saco and Biddeford, p. 277-8. I 2 Holmes'' A. Ann. p. 312— The members from Massachusetts were T. Cashing, S. Adams, R. T. Paine, J. Bowdoin and J. Adams. 414 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 177']. Province of Massachusetts, the legislative body was dissolved. The Superior Court found in the fall circuit, the course of jus- tice greatly interrupted, by popular excitenaent and distrust. The juries in several counties, especially v^^here Chief Justice Oliver presided, refused to take their oaths. A spirit of revolution seemed to pervade the community ; and the people, resorting to the principles of Social Compact, met and acted as individuals in their primary assemblies ; and then by their free-chosen com- mittees, adopted measures in other bodies. Sept 21 '^^^ county convention in Cumberland, was holden at the Cumber- court-housc in Falmouth, Sept. 21, by 39 members, delegated Jand Con- . . ' o ■veniion. from mwe towns. Having elected Enoch Freeman, chairman, they made it their first business to ascertain if William Tyng, Esq. sheriff of the county,f intended to act under the new statute of Parliament, which gave sheriffs the power of selecting jurors. They therefore addressed to him a note, requesting him to meet the convention, and answer for himself He appeared ; and after complaining of the gross misrepresentations made about his compliance with the requisitions of the act, he said — ' I do * here solemnly declare, I have not in any way whatever acted or * endeavored to act in conformity to it ; but have complied with ' what this assembly through their committee have required of *me. I further declare, that I will not as sheriff of this * county, or otherwise, conform to the requirements of the act, * unless by the general consent of the county ; and that 1 have * not received any commission whatever, since the first day of * July last : — It was then voted by the assembly that these de- clarations were satisfactory. 500 men The convention was probably urged to this procedure with the present. sheriff by out-door influence ; for there were present, early in the day, from the eastern towns in the county, about 500 men, J many of whom were armed, and all determined not to depart, till they had compelled the sheriff to resign his office, or make an unqualified avowal of his intent to obey the province law and not that of Parliament. In view of our political affairs, rendered so alarming by meas- * The towns were Falmouth, Scarborough, North-Yarmouth, Gorham^ Cape-Elizabeth, Brunswick, Harpswell, Windham and New-Gloucester. \ 10 Col. Mass. Hist. Soc. p. 184-5. J Smith's Jour. p. 100. Chap, xv.] of Maine. 415 ures of a ministry too imperious to hear entreaty, and by a re- A. D. 1774. enforcement of the troops at Boston, avowedly removed thither JJ^'^^^'^J^^^ to enforce subjection at the point of the bayonet ; the members lion. of the convention, still unintimidated by any array of consequences, advised to a firm and persevering opposition to every design, dark or open, framed to abridge our English liberties ; recom- mending, in unison with other similar conventions, that the rep- resentatives elected by the towns, meet at the appointed time and place, and form themselves into a Provincial Congress ; that the Justices of the Common Pleas and Sessions, the magistrates, and all other civil officers proceed to discharge their official duties, as if no parliamentary act had passed ; that the executive Coun- cillors chosen for Maine at the last election, take their seats as usual, at the Council Board ; that collectors pay into the Prov- ince treasury no more monies, till the government be replaced on its constitutional foundation, or till they receive instructions from the Provincial Congress ; that every vender of merchandize, raising his prices in consequence of any non-importation agree- ment, shall be esteemed an oppressor of his countrymen ; that all due means be used for increasing and improving our flocks of sheep, for raising more flax, and for promoting manufactures ; that as there are foreign forces in the Province, and as the " very extraordinary and alarming acts for the estabhshment of the Ro- man Catholic religion and French laws in Canada," may bring down the French and Indians again upon our frontiers — every man ought to be well provided with arms and ammunition, — mil- itary companies formed and officers chosen in every town, to ex- ercise and perfect them in tactics and military arts ; and that every individual in the county use his best endeavors to prevent or suppress all riots, mobs and licentiousness — the Great God, in whose presence we always are, being himself a lover of order, and not of confusion. All the members severally agreed before they separated, not to take a commission under the Provincial government, as it had been new-modeled by ParHament, nor re- cognize the ' Mandamus Councillors.' Regardless of the Governor's proclamation, the representatives October?, chosen by the towns, to the number of 208,* met at Salem, Oct. ^afc^n-" 7, and formed themselves into a Provincial Congress ; electing s^^^^ meets. * jyir. Bradford in his History., p. 353, supposes the number was " 288." 416 THE HISTORY [VoL, lU A. D. 1774. John Hancock, President, and Benjamin Lincohi, Secretary. J. Hancock, They adjourned to Concord. In their address to the Governor. Fresideut. i i i , • i . t , they told hmi there was mdispensable necessity for their meeting, to provide for the public safety, if not to prevent impending ruin ; for whenever a government originally designed for the security and welfare of the people, is employed to harass and enslave them, it becomes a curse rather than a blessing. It was next re~ solved, that unless the Mandamus Councillors within ten days, signify their intention to resign, their names should be published and themselves considered as rebels against the state. In adopt- H. Gardi- iug defensive measures, they elected Henry Gardiner of Boston, urer. '^^ ^ Province treasurer ; and ordered the sheriffs and collectors of taxes to pay over to him all the public monies. They advised the militia to form companies and battalions, elect officers, and attend strictly to military discipline ; and after prescribing the number of citizens to be enlisted and in readiness to march at a moment's warning, they elected their general officers, viz. Jed-^ ediah Preble,* Artemas Ward and EL Pomeroy, to command Committees them, and all the militia. They then appointed a Committee mi(f^up- OF Safety and a Committee or Supplies, vesting one with power to put in military array, if necessary, any portion of the militia for the common defence ; and the other, to secure all the public stores, which General Gage had not already seized. At the November session, about 12 or 15 of the new Council- lors sent in their resignations ; a fourth part of the Militia was put in requisition, and ordered to be paid from the day they left home ; — and two more general officers were chosen or appointed. — This first Provincial Congress, which had three sessions, dis- solved Dec. 10, previously electing five delegates to a new * Con- tinental Congress.* A. D. 1773. Another Provincial Congress convened, Feb. 1 , 1775 ; between 2d Provin- which time and its dissolution, May 29, it had four sessions. It gres?" consisted of 215 members ; — an assemblage selected and distin- guished for their zeal, intelligence and whig principles. Among the seventeen from Maine, were James SulHvan, Ichabod Good- win, Samuel Freeman, Thomas Rice, and Dummer Sewall. This Congress urged the people to be prepared for resistance ; * General Preble, was an inhabitant of Falmouth, had represented his town in the General Court several years ; and at the preceding May elec- tion, was, the second time, chosen into the Council. Chap. XT.] of maine. 417 ordered enlistments of minute-men, and provided for a system of A. D. 1775. military laws and regulations. Though there was a scarcity of provisions in the eastern towns, '^^e people, owing to the intercepted intercourse between them and Boston, and the general embarrassments of trade ; the season itself was fine, and the enterprize and political courage of the people, never greater. The towns took measures to provide themselves with a stock of powder, lead and flints ; and at the annual town-meet- ings in March, the whig politics effected all the changes desired, being wholly triumphant. An affair happening in Falmouth at this time, was the probable The affair origin of the train, which laid the town in ashes. A vessel arriv- son. ing in the harbor from England, brought the rigging, sails and stores for a new ship, built by Thomas Coulson, a resident of Falmouth, who was in politics a tory. There was also on board a considerable cargo of goods and merchandize. When she had anchored, the Committee of Safety and Inspection, consisting of Enoch Freeman, Theophilus Parsons and seventeen other gentle- men, met, March 2, and summoned before them the Captain and March 2. Coulson, to give an account of the shipment. They were frank and full in their disclosure — when the Committee determined, that the packages unbroken, and the suit of sails and rigging re- maining on board, ought to be sent back to England, in the ship which brought them ; and that if Coulson used any of the ar- ticles, he would violate the agreement of the * American Associa- tion.' But he resolved not to be defeated in his purpose ; al- leging that the English vessel needed repairs, which could not be made unless she was unladen. By the firmness of the Com- mittee, however, and some threats of the populace, he was kept in check, four or five weeks, till the Canseau sloop-of-war, com- c^P'- j^o^- ' ' ' ett arrives manded by Capt Mowett, arrived in the harbor and anchored. . . y ^ mouth. As this visit was effected through the instrumentality of Coulson, he now presumed to lay the English vessel beside his new ship, and in bold defiance of * Congresses and Committees' he took on board the cargo. This so enflamed the people's resentments, that none of them could be hired or brought to assist him, till Mowett pressed them into the service, while the ship itself was not beyond the hazard of destruction, by the hand of popular violence, during the whole time Coulson was rigging her. The Vol. II. 53 418 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1775. visit had the misfortune to give Mowett and the town's people, unfavorable impressions of each other, which were not forgotten. Kort Pow- Mowett proceedine next to Penobscot, dismantled Fort Pow- iial disman- i <_> •led by nal. Carried away the guns and ammunition, and nearly destroy- ed the " rich trade" with the natives, which had been profitably improved upwards of twenty years. He then returned to the harbor at Falmouth. But the Tarratine Indians, who could not be supposed to understand the merits of the dispute, between England and hef Colonies, were thus interrupted, at a most criti- cal season of the year, in the traffic, which, with its advantages, had been secured to them by treaty. The eastern people, also, were soon disquieted by frightful rumors, that an army from Canada was coming upon them ; and that a party of 40 or 50 Indians had certainly been discovered upon our frontiers, near Royalston, [now Durham,] in this State. An agency Though these reports were groundless, the selectmen of Fal- Lnd ^to^Pe- ^outh thought SO much of them, as to employ Benjamin Ham- nobscot. mon, Jabez Matthews and David Dinsmore of New-Gloucester, and Remington Hobby and John Getchell of Vassalborough, to visit the Canadians at Quebec, also the Indians at Penobscot, and ascertain if any Frenchmen we,^e in motion, or any of the savages were preparing to ravage the frontier settlements. The three first were seized in Canada as spies and thrown into prison, from which they by stratagem, were glad to escape with their lives.* New re- Early in the spring there was authentic intelligence from Eng- of parlia- land, that the National Legislature had passed acts by large ma- ™®"** jorities, to limit the trade of the New-England Colonies to Great Britain and the West Indies ; to interdict our people from the fishery upon the banks of Newfoundland, and these north-eastern coasts, and to divide the colonies by proffering favor, to such as would submit. The vindictive character of these acts, from which the parent country could expect to derive small advantage, and the British re-enforcements at Boston, induced the Provin- * They obtained their arms through the help of Robert Forbes, an Irish tailor, residing there. After they had escaped and travelled 10 miles, they were stopped by a party of Indians — from whom they also escaped. They were 15 days in the woods. — Smith's Jour. ^Qpp. 46. — A. R. Gid- dinge's Let, Chap, xv.] of maine. 419 cial Congress, April 8, to raise a force sufficient to resist any A. D. 1776. attack the British troops might make. Informed of certain provisions and military stores, deposited Batt'e at ' Lexington, by the people at Concord, 18 miles from Boston, General Gage April 19. sent a detachment of 800 men, April 18, to seize them. The troops crossed Charles river before midnight, arrived in about four hours at Lexington, and finding sixty or seventy people as- sembled, fired upon them, killed eight men and wounded others. The regulars then proceeded to Concord, where they destroyed what military stores and provisions they could find ; and being on their return re-enforced at Lexington by 900 men, under Lord Percy, reached Bunker Hill about sunset ; the citizens, most of the way, hanging upon the enemy's rear, with a destructive fire. The battle of Lexington sounded the tocsin of alarm through the continent. As defence and not aggression, was one of the deepest principles in American politics ; many thought it an auspicious omen, that the British should have shed the first blood in the war. The country was instantly aroused to arms. In York the news The country aroused to of the battle arrived in the evening, and early the next morning, arms, the inhabitants assembled, enlisted a company of more than sixty men, and furnished them with arms, ammunition, and knapsacks full of provisions, — and they, under the command of Johnson Moulton, travelled fifteen miles the same day, besides crossing the Piscataqua ferry,* being the first company in Maine, that took up their march for Boston. The inhabitants of Falmouth despatched their military company under Captain Bradish, April 21, to head-quarters near Boston; and Colonel James Scammon of Biddeford soon led to Cambridge a regiment of volunteers, where they remained about a year. He was well fitted to shine in the military profession ; possessing vigor of mind and body, and a gaiety of temper, which secured the good-will and attachment of all such as were under his command. f Forts and magazines were now taken for the use of the Provincials ; regular forces were raised ; and every town was disposed to contribute in proportion to its abilities. New-Gloucester, for in- * 3 Coll. Jl. Hist, Soc. p. 10, 11.— Colonel Moulton was afterwards Sheriff of hia county. He was also Lieutenant-Colonel, in Scammon's regi- ment, and D. Wood was Major, t Folsom, p. 283. 420 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A;D. 1775. stance, raised twenty men, and voted, that the domesticjlabor of each soldier at home, should be performed during his absence, his wages paid, and himself billeted on the road at the town's expense." In a few days, there were in the environs of Boston, 1 5,000 men ; and when the Provincial Congress was convened, April 22, they authorized the treasurer to borrow £100,000 for the use of the Province. Genera^l On the 5th of May, that Assembly resolved, "that General nouBced. Gage had, by the late transactions and many other means, utterly disqualified himself from serving this Colony as Governor, or in any other capacity ; and therefore no obedience was in future due to him ; — but on the contrary, he ought to be considered and guarded against, as an unnatural and inveterate enemy to the country." The precepts for calling a General Court this spring were preipared by him, and perhaps signed, but were never dis- tributed. He pronounced the Province in a state of rebellion ; and the politics of the Judges of the Superior Court, except one* being obnoxious to the people, they held no sessions during the spring in any of the counties. — The last official act of the Governor was a proclamation in his Majesty's name, by which he offered pardon to allf those who would " forthwith lay down their He leaves " arms, and return to the duties of peaceable subjects." — In a for England. months he embarked for England, and was succeeded in the command by Sir William Howe. Thus an end was put to the British government, throughout the Provinces of Massachusetts and Maine, after it had subsisted under the Provincial charter eighty-three years, and through the administrations of eleven Royal Governors, * This was William Gushing. The other Judg-es were Peter Oliver, Edmund Trowbridg-e, Foster Hutchinson, and William Brown. Judge Oliver went to England and lived several years on a pension from the crown. The Courts were shut about 16 months. I Except John Hancock and Samuel Adams. Note. — The appellations, Whig and Tory, are well known to be political expletives from the politics of Great Britain, whose origin may be traced to the last ten years of the Stuart dynasty, perhaps to the year 1680. In those times of bitter dissension, the Court party or Royalists reproached their antag-onists with their affinity to the fanatical conventiclers in Scot- land,— known by the name of Whigs ; while the country party found a resemblance between the courtiers and the popish banditti in Ireland — who were called Tories, — 6 TJume, p. 140. — See ante,vol. 1. p. 602 — [JSTote,^.] Chap, kti,] OF MAINE. 421 CHAPTER XVI. The war of the revolution — Falmouth — Col. Thompson and volun- teers seize Capi. Mowett — He is discharged — Displeasure and conduct of the multitude — Third Provincial Congress issue bills of credit — Gen. Washington, Commander-in-Chief — Other officers — Distress of the eastern people—Capt. Buck takes charge of Fort Pownal — Tarratine Chiefs pacific — Duddington visits Fal- mouth— He and Coulson leave the harbor — Eastern regiments and troops — Littlefield, Deputy Commissary-General for the eastern counties — The agents return from Canada — Exploits at Harps- well and Machias — Provincial Charter resumed — Councillors — Acts of the General Court — Representatives — All commissions va- cant after Sept. 19, ^1775 ) — General Court first issue paper money — Defence — Falmouth laid in ashes by the enemy under Mowett — Statement of the selectmen — Falmouth visited by a British ship of war under Symonds — Eastern towns defended — Gen. Mont- gomery captures Montreal and proceeds against Quebec — Ar- nold's expedition thither through Kennebeck — Repulsed — General Post Office — New appointments of civil and military officers — Militia reorganized — Style of all legal papers changed — The British leave Boston — Troops raised in Maine — Declaration of Independence — The advantages of it. As the events of the American Revolution have been given to x. d, i775. the public by several able v^riters ; it will be the design of the The war. present compiler, to confine himself essentially to such partic- ulars of it, as relate to the History of Maine. Falmouth, the seat of justice for Cumberland, and the re- Faimouih. motest custom-house established in New-England, was the me- tropolis of the eastern towns, in population, business and wealth. Here was an episcopal church, where Rev. Mr. Wiswell was the ordained clergyman ; and where all the crown officers with those of the customs, and their political friends, usually attended public worship. At the court-house w6re frequent county Conventions, formed of men most distinguished for their love of liberty, and their independent sentiments ; whose resolutions and measures were designed to exert an influence upon the opinions of the in- 422 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D, 1775. habitants in the adjoining counties, as well as in their own. These measures, boldly supported by one class of citizens in town, and as boldly condemned by their opponents, opened a severe warfare between the parties ; and when reported with exaggerations to the officers, who commanded the British war ships on the New-Eng- land station, excited very bitter resentments towards Preble, Freeman, Parsons and the town itself; and prompted a most jeal- ous and hostile scrutiny into their conduct. In short, Falmouth was denounced by adversaries, as a younger member of the same rebel family with Boston. Col. Samuel Among the zealous whigs of these times was Samuel Thomp- Tbompson. ^^^^ Brunswick or Topsham, a Lieutenant-Colonel of the mili- tary, and a member of the Provincial Congress. Though well formed in stature and countenance, and quite acceptable to his acquaintances, as far as wit and pleasantry could render him so ; and though a zealous whig and a military officer, who possessed a kind of boldness and courage which was specious ; he was not a suitable man to be entrusted with a difficult enterprize. For coolness, consistency and foresight were by no means such dis- tinguishing properties of intellect in him, as to qualify him for a leader or chief commander. May 9. Yet being informed that Capt. Mowett was often ashore in Fal- vo?unteers Hiouth, he couccivcd the design of making him a prisoner. For Moweu^and ^^^^ purposc, he and a company of 50 or 60 volunteers, landing others. ^t Sandy-point, on the eastern part of Falmouth peninsula. May 9, secreted themselves from view, in a neighboring copse of trees. Their appearance was more rural than martial ; they having for a standard a spruce pole, tufted at the top with limbs of green foliage ; and each one, for a plume in his bat, having a sprig of evergreen. To prevent a discovery, unknown as his plan and situation were to the town's people, he detained such of them as happened to pass near him, till Capt. Mowett, his surgeon, and Rev. Mr. Wis- well, regaling themselves in a walk xhat way after dinner, fell into the ambush, and were all three taken into custody. Mowett was tormented with chagrin ; for he knew his imprudence in leaving his ship, might uhimately cost him his commission. — Thompson also had the greatest reason, soon to call in question the wisdom * and expediency of the exploit ; for he had acted without orders ; and presently found he had filled the municipal authorities with fearful apprehensions for the safety of the town. Seizing upon con- sternation Chap, xvi.] of maine. 423 the occasion, Hogg, the sailing-master of the Canseau, being a. d. i776. on board when he heard the news, wrote to the Committee of Inspection, that if Capt. Mowett and his companions were not set at liberty within two hours, he would lay the town in ashes. A scene instantly opened of wretched consternation ; for the Great < fears of a furious cannonading seized every heart in the village, ensued Females burst into cries and tears ; some gathered their children and fled from their houses ; some put their goods into country- men's carts, without even asking the drivers' or owners' names ; and there were individuals bedrid, who were hurried away from home with so much haste, as to endanger their lives. The act itself of Thompson, was generally considered a rash one, and the tories thought the prisoners ought to be rescued by the mi- litia. Admitted to Thompson's quarters, the first characters in town He refuses expostulated with him, pressing upon him the consideration, that Jhe^jHsmf- the exploit, which decided nothing, exposed the town to ruin,®"* and urging him to set Mowett at liberty. But he continued inex- orable. He said there was open war between Britain and the Colonies; and the prisoners, whom Providence had put within his power, ought not to be discharged. Suspicious there might be a rescue, or some other violence attempted, Edmund Phinney of Gorham, Colonel of the minute-men, who happened to be in town, issued orders for two or three of his companies to appear there in arms. To avoid the chills and winds of the night in the open field, Mowett and Thompson consented to have himself and party escorted by the discharged Falmouth Cadets to the dwellinghouse of one Marston ; where, °°^"°* through excessive importunity, he was induced about two hours after dark, to give the prisoners their parol, taking Gen. Preble and Col. Freeman, pledges for their re-surrender by nine in the morning. Never did man express himself in more grateful terms to deliverers, than Mowett did, to the town's people and his guar- antees and then returning to his ship, instantly discharged all who had been taken and detained as reprizals. But the volunteers were highly affi-onted, when informed of Mowett's discharge. Being happily joined during the night, by Phinney's companies from Gorham and Windham, and most of the militia from Scar- borough, Cape-Elizabeth and Stroudwater, about 600 men, they all appeared determined to attack the Canseau in the morning, 424 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1775. provided Mowett continued in the harbor and did not surrender himself. He failed lo seems, he regarded his liberty as a man, more than his return, and honor as an officcr ; for he broke his parol, and left his pledges his sureties ^ * i o were seized, to be seized and thrown into confinement. Mr. Wiswell then appeared and declared, that though he was ready to die in a good cause, and thought the church of England worth the sacrifice, he was an unbeliever in the doctrine of passive obedience and non- resistance, and thought Great Britain had no right to tax the Colonies. But when Mowett's pledges, Preble and Freeman, in- formed him, that by the forfeiture of his word, ' their lives and estates were at stake he undertook to justify the Captain's con- duct, stating that he had been told — * if he were again seen on * shore he would be cut in pieces.' The officers '^^^^ military officers present, in the next place, resolved them- hold a coun- ggjyes into a committee of war, and ordering Preble and Freeman to be brought into the chamber, compelled them to furnish at their own charge, the necessary food and refreshments for the soldiers ; voted by a large majority, that the Canseau ought to be destroyed ; and proceeded to call before them for examination, all those who were suspected of being adherents to the crown. Mr. Wyer, brought in by a file of men, was forced to make an humble apology, for saying the militia ought to have rescued Mowett. Capt. Pote, though prepared to defend himself unto blood, was taken and laid under bond of £2,000, to answer be- fore the next Provincial Congress, for his treacherous conduct. Acts and The collection without, were by no means free from tumult ; ihe'muliu'^'^and the officers being aware of the insubordinatiouy and of the slender command they had over the men, rose and separated. The multitude had, during the night, as it appears, rifled Caul- son's dwelhnghouse, and converted it into barracks, and now a party of about 100 men, drew his boats through the streets to Back Cove, with shouts of triumph and defiance. Believing William Tyng, the high-sheriff, to be a tory, they carried off his laced hat and his " Bishop," as they called it, being a piece of plate thought to be worth, at least, £500 old tenor ; which they said they would hold as a pledge for the owner's good behavior. These were among the last acts of their indiscretion. They mostly left the peninsula before night on the third day ; and Mowett's threats, to hoist the proper signals for a canQonade, if Chap, xvi.] of Maine. 425 the "mob," as he called the assemblage, did not disperse, were a.iD. 1775. of course not carried into execution. Plausible excuses or palli- ations might easily be framed for the people's conduct on this emergency. There was a scarcity of corn, owing partly to the embarrassments of trade, and the enemy's presence in the har- bor. The people felt injured and were exasperated. Yet, if it could be deemed good policy to seize Mowett and detain him a prisoner of war ; it was certainly unwise to set him at liberty, without hostages from the ship. He knew the inhabitants of J^°J^g"||g Falmouth were not partakers in his arrest ; his whole conduct, as he perceived, had thrown him into a sad dilemma ; and when the multitude had dispersed, he weighed anchor, and accom- panied by Coulson in his own ship, departed for Portsmouth.* The third Provincial Congress was convened at Watertown, May 13. May 31, consisting of 245 members. Doct. Joseph Warren, cfai**Con° was chosen President, and thirteen of the ablest men appointed a * Committee of General Safety.' A continual intercourse was kept up between this and the Continental Congress, then sitting at Philadelphia ; 26 regiments were filled up; the proper officers of every grade appointed and commissioned, and every prepara- tion made for resisting an expected attack ; the British army hav- ing been lately and largely re-enforced by fresh troops, under eminent officers, such as Howe, Burgoyne and Clinton. The First bills Continental Congress emitted bills of credit to the amount of afmoney."^" three millions of Spanish milled dollars, for defraying the expen- ses of the war ; pledging the faith of the twelve! united june is, Colonies for their redemption ; also, June 15, chose George J^gj^^*^" Washington, Esq. Commander-in-Chief of the American ^^^^^^^^j: army. In a few days, the same Congress appointed Artemas oiher offi- Ward, Charles Lee, Philip Schuyler and Israel Putnam, Major- Generals ; Horatio Gates, Adjutant General ; and eight Briga- diers. Being respectfully requested by the Provincial Congress to give their advice, what form of civil government was proper to he established for the Province, in her novel and peculiar situ- ation, the Continental Congress, recommended the reassumption * Smith's Jour. A'p'p. of Mr. Freeman^ p. 30, 41-7. — As Mowett was seized, it is pretty certain, that so long as he was detained a prisoner the town would not be injured. His imprisonment, so long- as it lasted, was evidently an indemnity to the town. f Georgia acceded to the confederacy, in July, 1775, — the 13th colony. Vol. II. 54 426 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1775. of her charter, and precepts were accordingly issued for an elec- tion. Distress of The greatest sufferers next to Boston, hitherto, since the rup- the eastern ° i * mi peepie. ture, were the eastern towns and setUements. The people were unable to raise corn and grain sufficient for their support ; there were few calls for wood and lumber ; and a messenger, coming to Falmouth from Deer Isle, eastward of Penobscot, gave a most melancholy account of the dearth and distress, in that quar- ter. He represented, that according to reports, numbers of chil- dren had actually died of hunger and cold, many families were without bread, and unless relief were immediately extended to them, they must either leave their abodes or perish. Nay, a memorial was actually sent to the Provincial Congress, from the inhabitants upon the bay and river Penobscot, stating their great distress for provision, and equally their destitution and want of arms and ammunition. That assembly, therefore, recommend- ed to the Committee of safety and correspondence at Newbury- port, or in any other town, to send and exchange with them at moderate prices, two or three hundred bushels of corn, — for fuel or lumber, in a spirit of charity and friendship. Capt. Jonathan Capt.Buck,_ , ' ^ . _ ^ ^ , the people's JoucK, at liiastern river, [now rJucksport,] a very worthy man, pfrnte'/to and one of the memorialists, was designated by them as the of4^)rt^Pow! trustee and almoner of presents, if any were made ; and he was also appointed the Provincial agent to take from Capt. Gold- thwait, the superintendant of Fort Pownal, the keys, the arms, and whatever else remained, since Mowett had dismantled it.f Tarratine The Indians caused some anxiety ; for a report was circulated Falmouth that a party of them had been seen at Androscoggin, consulting to ihTpro^ what course it would be their interest to pursue in the present gress?'^°° war. It was at this juncture, that Mr. Lane, the messenger to Penobscot, arrived at Falmouth, with four Tarratine Chiefs or Captains, Orono, Jo Peare, Poreis, and one other, on their way to the Provincial Congress. Mr. Gilman, their interpreter, who spake their language with ease and fluency, represented Orono, as a man of good sense, and a hearty friend to the Americans ; and he himself appeared to be well affected towards their cause. The * There were petitions to the Provincial Congress from Fox Island, Machias, Waidoboroug-h, and other towns. — Prov. Con. Records. — Hon. S. Jones'' Letter. \ Records of 3d Pror. Con.— MS. Let. of H. Little, Esq. Chap. XVI.] of Maine. 427 people provided for them a carriage, horses and money to help A. D. 1776. them on their journey to Portsmouth ; entertaining a strong be- lief, that by generous usage, the tribe might be indissolubly at- tached to the interests of the Colonies. About the same time, the sloop of war Senegal, of 16 guns, june 12. commanded by Lieutenant Duddington, entered the harbor of ^t"Fa"-^^°° Falmouth, attended by two tenders, and deliberately anchored ; ""o"^^- followed by Coulson, June 12, who gave his vessel a berth under shelter of the Senegal's guns. Supposing he intended to take in a cargo of masts and spars, the Committee of Safety consulted upon the subject ; and a party of men, probably at their instance, towed them to a place beyond his reach. Indeed, the Provincial Congress had given orders to prevent the tories from carrying * their property or effects out of the country.' Tyng, the Sheriff, went on board Coulson's ship, when they both requested leave of the Committee, that their wives, who were in town, might be allowed to visit them. But, though the women were not profess- edly detained as hostages, the request was not granted, till Dud- dington informed the Committee, that he was only ordered to protect the persons and property of his Majesty's faithful subjects, not to distress them. Afterwards five of Coulson's men and his boat were seized, just below Presumpscot bridge, and ultimately Couison released upon his promise to leave the harbor ; and in a short harbor!^^ time, he and Duddington departed.* All these scenes were se- vere trials to the people of Falmouth. To give countenance to the enemy, was treason ; — to resist, was rendering the town ob- noxious to the destroyer. Philip Crandell of Harpswell, coming into town, told, that he on a trip to Salem, had been carried a prisoner before Admiral Graves, who declared, if Coulson was not permitted to load his vessel, ships should be sent there to lay the rebel town in ruins. If the antagonists in this war panted for an occasion to try their june 17. courage and strength, it had arrived ; as the battle of Bunker battier Hilly or rather BreedU Hill, which happened on the afternoon of Saturday, June 17, is one of the most memorable events recorded in American History. During the engagement the British brought to the field 3,000 troops, and lost in killed and wounded 1,054; the Americaiis had 1,600, whose loss was 139 slain, and 314 * Tyng probably at this time left the country. 428 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1775, wounded and missing. In this action there were several soldiers from Maine.* The eastern The Open and exposed condition of the eastern seaboard, seaboard. ^ ^ lined with scattered villages or settlements, from Kittery to Pas- samaquoddy, and vulnerable in a thousand places, was sufficient to fill the people with the greatest solicitude. Men were leaving home for distant scenes. Recruiting officers met with Col Scam encouragement by free enlistments. Col. Scammon's regi- P^.n's and ment was already in service; that of Col. Edmund Phinney was regimeHis, nearly complete, and Capt. Bradish had actually left Falmouth to join the army at Cambridge. The service of military guards upon the frontiers or in the seaports, was too inactive and in- glorious, to gratify the emulation of the ardent soldier. He pre- ferred the camp and the siege. The interposition of the Provin- cial Congress, in this behalf, having been besought, the Assembly ordered, that four hundred of Phinney's regiment should be marched to the camp in Cambridge ; that the residue be under Troops east- the immediate command of Col. Freeman of Falmouth, and be stationed at such places, on the seaboard, in the counties of Cum- berland and Lincoln, as he and Gen. Preble of the same place, and Major Mason Wheaton of St. George's river, should appoint; that the Grand Committee of Supplies furnish the troops with provisions, conformably to the allowances established ; and that the towns in those counties supply them with ammunition, to be replaced whenever the Provincial magazine should be sufficiently j^Liuiefi«id replenished. Capt. James Littlejield of Wells, was appointed Commissa- Deputy Commissary-General for the three eastern counties ; and for th^fhree the Committee of Supplies, were directed, during the recess of counties, the Provincial Congress, to grant such succors out of the public stores, to any of the eastern inhabitants applying, as might be deemed consistent with the general interest, and needful for their relief, f The In Indians, the Provincial Congress paid special attention, dians. calling those at Penobscot ' our good brothers making them val- uable presents, and directing Messrs. Preble and Freeman to * Namely, Seth Spring- and Joseph Leland of Saco, and many others. Jerenniah Hill of Saco enlisted a company for three years service and led them to Boston. He joined Col. Vose's regiment. In the Penobscot ex- pedition, 1779, he was Adjutant-General. — Folsom^ p. 264. \ Provincial Congress Records, p. 142-273. Chap, xvi.] of Maine. 429 furnish the truck house at Fort Pownal, with all such goods and a.d. 1775. provisions, as might suit the tribe, and to continue a traffic with them, such as had been theretofore practiced.* Jabez Matthews j^j^t^hg^s having returned from Canada, reported that some of the Indians ^J'^^I^JJ^^ and a few of the French bailiffs, whom they saw, treated him return, and his companions roughly ; yet the French people in general, were kind and benevolent ; several of their women having been the means of their relief from confinement. ' So far as I could obtain * information, (said he) through the medium of an intelligent * French interpreter, I have the best reasons to believe, that the * Canadians were " determined not to come out against us." * Should they continue quiet, there would probably be no rupture * with the neighboring Indians.' There were some other circumstances, about this time, that had fncoumged. an encouraging influence upon the eastern people. The fall of plentiful showers changed the withering aspect of nature to fresh- ness, and opened a prospect of good crops. The long desired arrival of corn and flour, too, administered abundantly to the ne- cessities of the people ; and intercourse between place and place was encouraged. Yet the inhabited Islands, and the smaller set- tlements were frequently severe sufferers, from the plunder and abuse of the enemy. For instance, a picaroon boat, command- exploit ed by one Hammou, visited an Island of Harpswell, inhabited by ^.^'^^"^^ a single family, whom he and a crew of seven men rifled of their effects, in the night time ; concluding then, to rest in the house till daylight. Having a hint of the affair, Nehemiah Curtis, commander of the militia in the western part of the town, rallied a party, and before morning took the boat and the crew, and carrying the prisoners to Falmouth, caused them to be confined in the county gaol. Hammon, however, as soon as his plau- sible stories had procured his liberty, proceeded again to the same Island, with a larger vessel and a much larger crew. Here Cur- tis with a company of volunteers, once more engaged his enemy; and in the smart skirmish that ensued, one of the plunderers was mortally wounded, and the rest made a precipitate retreat. Cur- tis thus proved himself one among the number of brave men, whose exploits and merits, so much adorned the revolution. f *Prov. Con. Rec. p. 146. — Father La Juniper Barthuaine, "Recollect" mis- sionary to the Tarratine tribe of Indians, f MS. Let. of Rev. Mr. Eaton. 430 ^'HE HISTORY [Vol. ii. A. D. 1776. The affair at Machias, of similar character, acquired to the Exploits at inhabitants of the plantation much credit. The place, though it had been settled only twelve years,* now contained " about eighty families and one hundred single men."f Capt. Ichabod Jones of Boston, whose wife and daughter were with their kin- dred at Machias, obtained leave of admiral Graves to freight his vessel with provisions, and carry them to the settlement ; upon condition of returning with a cargo of wood and lumber for the British troops. Jones was accompanied thither by the Margra- netto, an English schooner, armed with four or five 4 pounders in the hold, several swivels mounted, and a sufficient number of hand granades; being commanded by midshipman Moor, a relation of the Admiral. On their arrival in the west branch, Jones had a meeting of the settlers called, early in June, who took a view of their destitute and remote situation, and passed votes to permit his vessel to load. But Benjamin Foster and a party from East river, conceived the bold design of making the British officers their prisoners, while attending public worship on the Sabbath ; and likewise the Margranetto their prize, while lying below the point formed by the confluence of the West and Middle rivers. As he and his party, however, passed over armed, to the southerly side of the West river ; the officers discovered them, and barely avoided seizure, by going instantly on board. Perceiving their danger, they moved down their schooner and anchored near the Foster and mouth of the rivcr. As Foster was thus disappointed in his first wit^"two object and plan, he sent for Jeremiah O'Brien, and his sons, with volunteers whom he held a consultation in the woods, two miles below Margranet- O'Brien's house ; when it was concluded to make an attempt upon Moor's schooner. Foster and his party, therefore, took a coaster in Eastern river, and O'Brien and his party took Jones' largest sloop in the West river, and having prepared for action, both proceeded down the rivers, on Wednesday, some armed with muskets and some with pitchforks, and manoeuvered to lay their vessels along side of the .enemy's schooner and board her. To prevent it, several hand granades were hove at O'Brien, Fos- ter and their companions, also several swivels and muskets were discharged at them, by which two of O'Brien's men, McNeil and Coldbeth were killed, and two or three others were badly to. * Ante, A. D. 1766-7. t Hon. S. Jones' MS. Let. Chap, xvi.] of Maine. 431 wounded. But the British schooner received a deadly fire in re- A D. 1775. turn ; and Moor, who made a brave defence, presently fell of a mortal wound. At the same time, one Avery, master of a Connecti- cut coaster, then in the harbor, happening to be on board, was killed ; and several of Moor's men also were either slain or received fatal wounds. The bloody skirmish so terrified the second officer in hJr^'anV^ command, a young midshipman, that he fled panic-struck to the command-*'^ cabin. She was then boarded, and soon brought up to the foot of the West Falls in triumph. Moor, who was kindly carried ashore, died the next day. Hostilities having been thus commenced, Jones' sloop, sur- O'Brien and T M r- i 'till Foster also named the " Liiberty, was fitted up with bulwarks, and armed take ihe Dii- with swivels and cannon, taken on board from the prize and Under " * mounted ; and being prepared for a cruise, the plantation Com- mittee of Safety appointed O'Brien to take the command of her. He proceeded into the Bay of Fundy, in search of the Diligent, a British schooner of 70 or 80 tons, under Capt. Knight, who had been sent out to survey the coast. Returning without suc- cess, after a cruise of three weeks, Capt. O'Brien, a few days subsequently, was informed, that Capt. Knight, and Hutchins, the commander of a tender, had anchored in Buck's harbor ; and had been ashore among the few families settled there, making enquiries about the capture of the Margranetto. Capt. Stephen Smith and a guard stationed there, being out in a spy-boat, and discovering Knight, secreted themselves till a favorable opportu- nity offered, and then made him a prisoner. The next day, O'Brien in the Liberty, and Foster in the coaster, proceeded down the rivers, and finding Spry, the Lieutenant, wholly unpre- pared for a contest, took the schooner and tender without loss, and moored them near the other prize. Both crews were imme- diately transported in small vessels to Falmouth, attended by O'Brien and Foster, who proceeded with the news to head- quarters at Cambridge, where they received many plaudits ; and Voteof ^ub- on the 26th of June, the Provincial Congress presented them them.^'* ^ with the tribute of public thanks, " for their courage and good conduct."* The Liberty, Capt. O'Brien, and the Diligent, Capt. John O'Brien and Long, were put in commission by the government of the Prov- in°cwnmis- * Records of 3d Prov. Con. p. 146. 432 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1775. ince, and both cruised in the Bay of Fundy, without any other success however, than the capture of a brig by O'Brien, which was laden with provisions.* July 19. Agreeably to the recommendations of the Continental Con- Province ° sumed'^ gress, the Provincial charter was resumed ; and 208 representa- A meeting ti^cs, duly elected by towns, convened at Watertown, July 19, and era?CouiT P"^ ^^^"-^ ^^^^ Provincial Congress ;f — nearly Councillors members being returned to the House. Becoming or- and'saga S^"'^^^> % choicc of a Speaker and Clerk, they proceeded dahock. to elect 28 Councillors ; — those for Maine were Benjamin Chadbourn of Berwick ; Enoch Freeman of Falmouth ; and Charles Chauncey of Kittery ; and for Sagadahock, John Tay- lor, a non-resident. Acts of the Among the first Legislative measures of the General Court, Court?' was a resolution that the Council be considered and recognized as the Supreme Executive of the Province, according to the * MS, Narrative of Hon. Stephen Jones of Machias. I The period of these three Provincial Congresses was, from Oct. 7, 1774, to July 19, 1775—9 months and 13 days; and the members in them from Maine, were the following- : — York County. Gorham, Bryant Morion. York, Daniel Bragdon. Solomon Lombard. Kittery, Edward Cults. North- Yarmouth, John Lewis. Charles Chauncey. David Mitchell. Berwick, Ichabod Goodwin. Lincoln County. William Gerrish. Georg-etown, Samuel McCobb» Wells, Ebenezer Sayer. Topsham, John Merrill. Arundel, John Hovey. Samuel Fulton, Biddeford, James Sullivan. Bowdoinham, Samuel Hamden. Cumberland County. Gardinerstown, Joseph Jforth. Falmouth and ) Enoch Freeman^ Vassalboroug-h, Remington Hobby, Cape-Elizabeth, \ Samuel Freeman. Winthrop, Ichabod Howe. Scarborough, Samuel Marsh. Pownalborough, Timothy Langdon.. Brunswick and ) c.^^,,, rp, „ Edg-ecomb, Moses Davi^, Harpswell, \^ Sam I Thompson. ^ The Provincial Congresses received petitions, passed resolves, desig- nated Committees, and managed the political affairs of the Province ; but made no laws. — Their Presidents were John Hancock^ Joseph Warreny and James Warren : — Their secretaries, Benjamin Lincoln, and Samuel Freeman. Note. — Their transactions are recorded in three manuscript hooks quarto^ unbound — in all 576 pages. — Secretary's office^ Boston, N. B. — In August, the troops, assembled at Cambridge, "were organized « into a continental army, and received into the pay of the whole United " Colonies."— 2 Bradford's Mass, p. 44. Chap, xvi.] of maine. 433 provisions of the charter ; the Governor and Lieutenant-Governor, a.d. jt75. having vacated the chair by absenting themselves from the trust, and disregarding their duties and the sacred obligations of their official oaths. Another enactment made all the transactions of the several Provincial Congresses, valid and binding to every in- tent and purpose, as if they were the Legislative acts of the General Court. A third declared every corporate * District,' a town, and enlarged the immunity of representation ; authorizing every town, in which there were by the charter 30 qualified Represen- voters, to return a Representative to the General Court ; and the next year, every town however small, was allowed to send one ; and if it contained 220 voters, three ; — or 320, four ; 100 voters being the mean ratio, for every additional Representative.* Upon the subject of office-holders, the General Court pre- All civil mised, that there were numbers of them, civil and military, offices va-"^^ who were unfriendly to the rights and liberties of the American tember^il?' Colonies, and must be removed ; and that appointments ought to be made of those, and those only, who were devoted to the free- dom and interests of their country. But still the Legislature thought it inconsistent with sound policy, and by no means free of difficulties, " to deprive all such unfit persons of their offices singly and by name," and therefore enacted, that all executive appointments and commissions, made prior to the present session of the General Court, should be void and of no effect, from and after the 19th of the ensuing September. Several military and yome new county appointments were soon made ; though a new organiza- menls"^ tion of the Judiciary was not undertaken till November. Tyng, Sheriff of Cumberland, early hastened his own removal, both by his obnoxious politics, and his improper conduct in office. For having a warrant against Noyes, collector of Falmouth, he pursued him with threats, till he extorted from him a deed of his real estate ; — a conveyance, however, which was afterwards set aside by the Legislature.f To meet the numerous pecuniary calls and applications, the A Provin- General Cou^t was under the necessity of resorting again to*^' '^"^ ° * Prov. Laws, p. 695, 798. t Tyng' was appointed Sheriflf of Cumberland in 1767. He also received a Colonel's commission from Governor Gage. His private character was humane and good. Vol. 11. 55 434 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. I). 1775. «^flper money." — ^Therefore, they now ordered an emission ol paper £100,000; and appropriated one half of it to build or buy ten vessels, and the residue, to increase the army, pay and supply the soldiery, and provide for the common defence. " We have taicen " arms," said they " in defence of that freedom, which is our " birthright ; — for the protection of our property, acquired solely " by the honest industry of our forefathers and ourselves, — and " against the violence actually offered us : — We shall lay them " down when hostilities shall cease on the part of the aggressors, " and all danger of their being renewed, shall be removed, — and " not before." Defence of I" answer to the memorials of the inhabitantSj in Bristol, Pow- towns.*'*'^" nalborough, Camden and other towns, stating their fears of being plundered and distressed by the enemy, and praying for relief and protection ; the General Court ordered Capt. James Curtis' company and two others, into the County of Lincoln ; afterwards stationed another of 60 men at Machias ; and in the course of a month appropriated £1,300, for the support and safety of the eastern towns. There were good grounds, for these fearful ap- prehensions of the people ; though it were a maxim of the Brit- ish officers, that private property and unoffending subjects were not to be injured.* The burn- The burning of ill-fated Falmouth, the pride of Maine, was a mouSf. fatal event — deserving particular notice. ' The central part was the ancient Casco, now Portland, called the Neck;' which had been permanently settled more than one hundred and forty-five years. There were upon the peninsula, at the present time, about 250 dwellinghou^es ; as many shops and stores, besides other buildings ; and, inclusive of the environs, not much short of 2,000f inhabitants. The village itself was commercial, fair and flourishing. Captain Such was Falmouth when first visited by the detested and cow- ardly Mowett. His arrest, confinement and discharge had been attended with circumstances, which vitally and incurably wound- ed his pride. Though he affected to be affronted at the treat- ment which Coulson, Wiswell, Tyng, the officers of the revenue, and other friends to the crown, had received from the inhabitants ; Mowett. * Rec. Gen. Court, A. D. 1775, p. 64-5, 100-1. 2 Bradford's Mass. p. 43. f In 1790, the population of Portland was only 2,240 ; though there were in all Falmouth, in 1764, 3,884 inhabitants. Chap, xvi.] of Maine. 435 he only waited a plausible pretext to gratify the malevolence of A. D. J775. his heart. For had it been susceptible of any moral sense, or even the least generous sensibility, the inward struggle would have been successful in favor of men, who, not being the authors of his chagrin and disgrace, were yet his deliverers and hostages. But without doubt the tories, who were often more malignant than the British themselves, had endeavored to inflame his re- sentments ; while the haughty spirit of Admiral Graves and of the naval officers, was provoked by the people's conduct towards Coulson and Duddington ; by the affair at Machias ; and by the spirit, the union, and the whig principles of the eastern Provin- cials, especially those of Falmouth ; and hence Mowett was de- signated to lay the town in ruins. On Monday, Oct. 1 6, he arrived in the harbor, with a squad- October 16. ron of four armed vessels, the Canseau in which he himself was^ronSires- the Cat. a ship of war ; a large cutter-schooner, and a small aiVa"^^' bomb-sloop ; and dropped their anchors a league from the town. The alarms, which their appearance excited among the people, were in some degree abated, so soon as it was ascertained that Mowett commanded. For they had reason to believe, that his grateful sensations, if real, which had been so lately felt and ex- pressed for favors and deliverance, could not yet be stifled or ex- tinguished ; and that they ought not to apprehend any great evil at his hands. They supposed the object of his errand, was to take from the Islands a supply of cattle, sheep and hay ; and therefore the most of Capt. Noyes' company and a part of Capt. Knight's, were despatched thither, to prevent if possible the plun- der. By consequence, the town was left without any adequate means of defence. The next day, the vessels were towed up towards tlie wharves, the winds not favoring them ; and about four in the afternoon, they moored in a line near the compact part of the town. Im- mediately, Mowett sent ashore a flag by a messenger, who de- livered the following letter : — " Canseau, Falmouth, Oct. 16, 1775. " After so many premeditated attacks on the legal prerogative Mowett's *' of the best of sovereigns, after the repeated instances you have " experienced in Britain's long forbearance of the rod of correc- " tion, and the manifest and paternal extension of her hands to " embrace, again and again have been regarded as vain and nuga- 436 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1773. " tory — and in place of a dutiful and grateful return to your king " and parent state, you have been guilty of the most unpardona- " ble rebellion, supported by the ambition of a set of designing *' men, whose insidious views have cruelly imposed on the cre- " dulity of their fellow creatures ; and at last have brought the " whole into the same dilemma — which leads me to feel not a " little the woes of the innocent, of them in particular, from " my having it in orders to execute a just punishment on the "town of Falmouth, in the name of which authority, I previ- " ously warn you to remove without delay, the human specie out " of the said town, for which purpose, I give you the time of two " hours, at the period of which a red pendant will be hoisted at " the main top gallant mast head with a gun. 1 do also observe, "that all those who did on a former occasion, fly to the king's " ship under my command for protection, that the same door is " now open to receive them. " The officer who will deliver this letter, J expect to return " immediately unmolested. "lam, fee. H. MowETT." theT'I? Greatly surprized, the town forthwith convened and appointed A Commit- P^'^^lc, Doct. Coffin and John Pagan, a Committee, to learn iafe wSr*" Mowett the cause of this extraordinary letter, and of the have his threats it contained. — To the enquiry — ' My orders,' said he, *I terms. < havo received from Admiral Graves, and they direct me to re- * pair to this place with all possible expedition, take my position * near the town, and burn, sink and destroy ; — and this without * giving the people warning ! The note you have received is of * special grace, at the risque of my commission.' They then ex- postulated with him not to execute such cruel orders, till time was allowed to consult the Admiral. He told them, his orders related to every seaport upon the continent ; and the best terms, added he, I shall give you are these — deliver me four pieces of cannon, your small arms and your ammunition, hy eight to-mor- row morning, and you are safe till I hear farther from the Admi- ral, who may he induced to save your town : — or, deliver me eight stands of small arms immediately, and you will not be mo- lested till that hour. The town The tcmis were humiliatine;, : yet to gain time, the town sent refuses to . O' w o comply. him the eight stands. Few were inclined to do more, — and to the inhabitants the night was sleepless and distressing. Many left Chap, xvi.] of aiaine. 437 the town, and all made the best preparation in their power, to A. D. 1775. meet or avoid their hard destiny. Another town-meeting was holden about daylight in the morning, when it was voted not to comply with Mowett's terms. Bravely to suffer death in a good cause is martyrdom — tamely to obey the assassin's dictates by a surrender of rights, or of defensive armor, is crime of which few could be willingly guilty. The Committee, in their last interview with Mowett, urged upon his consideration every argument, not forgetting the favors he had received from the town, to delay the work of destruction, at least for a short period. I will give you, said the tyrant, thirty minutes and no more. About nine, the same morning, the firing was opened fromwednes- all the vessels, and being urged with great briskness, a horrible Fai^uth ^' shower of cannon balls from three to nine pounds' weight, car- as£.^^ cases, bombs, live shells, grape-shot, and even bullets from small arms, were thrown upon the compact part of the town, — which was much more exposed and injured, by reason of its inclined situation towards the harbor. Armed parties, under cover of the guns, set fire to the buildings ; and, though some of them were saved by the watchfulness and courage of the inhabitants, others were shortly blazing in several parts of the village. The can- nonading was continued between eight and nine hours ; and the conflagration was general. St. Paul's church, the new court- house, the town-house, the public library, the fire-engine, about 130 dwellinghouses, and 230 stores and warehouses, and a great number of stables and outhouses, were all, in a short time, reduced to ashes. Two vessels only escaped the flames to be carried away by the enemy. To save the houses of the tories, there were endeavors made, which were in a few instances not without success. Mowett, when he had accomplished this dia- bolical work, departed. Yet his name lives to be execrated, and his dark deeds are portrayed to teach base men, what indelible infamy shall cleave to their memories, long after their relics have mouldered to their original element.* The Congregational meeting-house of Rev. Mr. Smith, about a partes- 100 of the poorer dwellinghouses in the outer skirts of the pen-firef^*^® * " Mowett wantonly, without the hope of gain, cruelly and without pro- « vocation, destroyed the subsistence, and blasted the hopes of a whole "community." — Sullivan^ p. 208. 438 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 177S. insula, and one or two wharves escaped the flames, though sev- eral of the buildings remaining were injured by bombs and can- non shot; and not half the merchandize, furniture and goods were removed from such as were burned. The village was a melancholy heap of ruins ; — 1 60 families, who the day before, were in comfortable circumstances, were reduced to want, and turned upon the world, without shelter from the autumnal storms, or the approaching winter. Selectmen's The Selectmen of the town say in their statement, — *our circu ar. jjg^rts ache for the misery in which the greater part of our people are involved. We were greatly impoverished before the final catastrophe, by the decay of navigation and trade, which were our sole means of support. So many have now lost a part or the whole of their subtance, that we conjecture, not less than 100 families must suffer for the necessaries of life, unless relieved by the bounties of charity. The settlements back of us are new, the lands are only in part cultivated, and most of the in- habitants are poor, — having never yet been able to raise their own bread, so that much alms cannot be expected from them. — Sijice the town of Falmouth was destroyed, evidently for no other reason than its obedience to the Continental and Provincial Congresses, and the attachment of its inhabitants to the cause of liberty in America ; they who live remote from us, would do well to administer something of their abundance for the relief of our suffering poor, till they can find some way to support themselves.'* Remarks 1^ was believed, when Mowett's errand was known, that meas- i^^s of the "^^^ defence would be vain. The people were in great agi- tation and distress — all anxious to save their lives and something of their property. Two companies sent to the Islands could not be recalled. There were at command only two six-pounders, and these were wholly unsupplied with cartridges. The shot of small arms could not reach the enemy with effect. The inter- val allowed by Mowett for the consideration of the town was short ; and indeed the place was wholly taken by surprize. False re- A rumor immediately spread along the whole eastern coast, tacks^by the that the British troops were landing in different places, killing the British. people and burning their habitations. To this, the inhabitants * Freeman's App. to Smith's Jour. p. 50-54. — Remembrancer for 1775. — E. Argus extra, Nov. 1820.— 2 Bradford's Mass. p. 63. Chap, xfi.] of Maine. 439 gave more credence, because of what Mowett had said of the A. D. 1775. general orders given him. Slight fortifications were thrown up about the eastern harbors ; but before those at Falmouth* were a ship of the rendered defensible, Capt. Symonds appeared in a war ship of tbe'harbor ' greater force, than all those united, which had destroyed the town. He found, also, that the inhabitants and volunteers from the neigh- boring towns were sedulously engaged in laying the foundations and walls of a battery, and preparing to mount two six-pounders, and make defence. Symonds in a menacing manner forbade the work; but finding his threats disregarded, and his ship exposed to an attack, from a people rendered desperate by suffering ; he hoisted sail and made a precipitate retreat ; — and this was the last visit Falmouth had from the enemy during the war. How- Defence of ^ , - . the eastern ever, upon representations 01 those outrageous measures and vio- towns, lent threats and orders of the enemy yet to be executed, the General Court appointed a suitable force to be stationed at Fal- mouth through the winter, ordered 400 men to be raised for the defence of the eastern coast, and directed a call upon all the militia of the three eastern counties, if necessary, to resist the attacks or prevent the inroads of the enemy. In December, Gen, Frye. Brigadier-General Joseph Fryef visited Falmouth, and the suc- ceeding spring, General Washington sent him thither to take the command. But the great objects of American enterprize were somewhat ^^^^ divided. After Ticonderoea and Crown-point had been surpriz- gomery or r captures ed and taken by Colonels Ethan Allen and Seth Warner, Gen- Montreal, • march- eral Washmgton, July 3, assumed the command of the continental es to Que- bee. army, and ordered General Montgomery to proceed against Montreal. It was an important movement for him, — the place and eleven sail of vessels surrendering to him, Nov. 12, when he and his troops taking up their march expeditiously, soon arrived before Quebec. Foreseeing, that probably the force of Canada would be con- ^mold's er- centrated about Montreal, General Washington projected likewise fh^ugj an expedition against Quebec in a different direction. He pro- * Remains of these forts were seen more than 20 years afterwards. — Sullivan, p. 208. I In May, 1775, Mr. Frye was Colonel ; J. Bricket, Lieutenant-Colonel; Thomas Poor, Major. General Frye died at Fryeburgh. 440 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.D, 1775. posed to send a detachment from his encampment at Cambridge Kennebeck throiiffh the Kenncbeck, the wilderness between the upper settle- river to ^ ^ Quebec. ments on that river and those on the Chaudiere, to the St. Law- rence ; who were to co-operate with the troops under the com- mand of Montgomery in the attack meditated. The force detached and collected, chiefly consisted of infantry from Massachusetts and Maine, joined by a few from New- Hampshire and Connecticut, by three companies of Riflemen, one of Artillery under Capt. Lamb, and by a considerable number of volunteers — in all, about 1,100 men, including officers.* The command of this arduous expedition was given to Benedict Ar- nold of Connecticut, lately commissioned a Colonel; who, when joined with Colonel Allen in the late capture of Ticonderoga, had shown himself a gallant officer. Among his associate offi- cers, were Col. Christopher Green of Rhode Island, Majors Return J. Meigs and Timothy Bigelow; also Col. Roger Enos, who commanded the rear division. Some of his Captains were Henry Dearborn, Samuel McCobb, and Daniel Morgan.f Sept. 16. The forces bavins; collected at Newburyport, embarked Sept. Embark at . ° . . ^ Wevvbury. 16, with provisions, arms, ammunition and baggage, and proceed- ^^'^ ' ed in ten transports to Fort Western, the head of tide-waters on the Kennebeck. From this place, Arnolil (despatched up river an exploring party of 8 or 10 men, John Getchell of Vassal- borough being one of their guides. On the 25di-6-7-8th, Capt. Morgan, Col. Greene, Major Meigs and Col. Enos, suc- cessively followed in batteaux with 45 days' provision. But as they advanced they found shoals, ripples and falls, to impede their progress by water ; and on the land, thickets, cliffs and gullies, covered with decaying trees fallen in all directions, which rendered travelling exceedingly slow and fatiguing ; they being obliged to bear their provisions and baggage by falls and rips on Oct.io— 12. their shoulders. They arrived, however, Oct. 10, 11, 12, with- out much difficulty, at the Great carrying-place, across from * There were 10 New-Eng-land companies of musqueteers, and 3 com- panies of riflemen from Virginia and Pennsylvania. f Dearborn, afterwards of Pittston, (Me.) Secretary of War. McCobb of Georgetown, (Me.) afterwards Brigadier-General. Lieutenant Hutch- ins, afterwards resident of Fryeburgh. Morgan belonged to Virginia, and commanded the riflemen. — Aaron Burr, then of New-Jersey, and a young man, was a volunteer, afterwards Vice-President of the United States. Meigs was father of the late Post-Master General. Chap, xti.] of maine. 441 Kennebeck to Dead river, 30 miles above Old Norridgewock, A. D. 1775 or the mouth of Sandy river. All proceeded over immediately, except the division of Col. Enos, who stopped on the banks of the Kennebeck to build a small block-house. He then followed the main army, which passed the third pond of the carrying place, on the 15th, and arrived at Dead river the next day. During the subsequent week, the advanced forces ascended rt about 30 miles to the mouth of the river, which comes from the west; having previously met the exploring party on their return. As late rains had flooded the country, and rendered the river rapid, by reason of which several barrels of provisions, some cash, clothes and guns were lost; the army encamped on the 24th, when a council ordered the sick to return. On the 27th, the army passed a portage of 4 miles and the height of land, where they met with rugged steeps and other obstacles, sufficient to ap- pal the stoutest heart. It was in this mountainous wilderness, probably not far from the month of West river, that Col. Enos, Enos re-- having charge of the sick, and still commanding the rear divis- ion, equal to a fourth part of the army, separated from the main body and returned ; believing the whole must inevitably perish through famine, if they continued together. His arrival at Cam- bridge, at first excited indignation, yet on his trial, the causes and reasons alleged were deemed a sufficient excuse* Arnold and the other divisions, pursued their march abofit 1 00 . , . ' ^ Arnold pr6^ miles from the Kennebeck river, as they supposed, through a ^^^J^" rugged country, " represented as being never before trodden by any foot but that of Indians and wild beasts," passed the Nepess Lake on the 29th, and the next day at night encamped near the ^ north end of Lake Megantic, where the Chaudiere issues from it. They were extremely exhausted, for they had endured all the miseries incident to storms, fatigue and cold aggravated by the maladies of a prevailing sickness, and the dismays of famine. *' It would be difficult to find any thing in the histories of war, or indeed to conceive of greater hardship, labor and resolution,- than attended the exertions of this body of men." When they reached the head waters of the Chaudiere, the scanty remnants of provision were divided among the companies ; and they were directed by their commander, to pursue their march, regardless ©f military order^ to the nearest Canadian settlements. Even a Voi,. II. 56 442 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1776. month or more, they travelled this hideous wilderness, without seeing a house, or any other human being, than their own com- panions ; and when they were ahout ten leagues from the frontier habitations, every morsel of food was consumed. There were a few dogs in the army which they killed and ate ; and some did not spare even their moose-hide breeches, moccasins and bayo- net belts ; for they tried by first boiling and then broiling them on the coals, to relieve the dire cravings of hunger.* Preceded by Arnold, however, who went forward to provide for his men the best and earliest means possible, to satisfy the demands of nature, the troops still persevered in their march, unsubdued by the hardships they had encountered, until they once more found ^' themselves, Nov. 4, at the mouth of the de Loup river, in regions frequented by human beings, though still more than twenty leagues from the St. Lawrence. No farther time was allowed for rest or repose, than was bare- ly sufficient to collect the rear, which was greatly scattered, and to refresh the men. Here Arnold published his letter of instruc- tions received from General Washington, for the information both of his troops and the Canadians. — General Dear Colonel : — " You are entrusted with a command of the Washing- ton's in- utmost importance to the interests and liberties of America. Upon him. your conduct and courage, and that of the officers and soldiers detached on this expedition, not only the success of the present enterprize and your own honor, but the safety and welfare of the whole continent may depend. I charge you, therefore, and the officers and soldiers under your command, as you value your own safety and honor, and the favor and esteem of your country, that you consider yourselves as marching not through an enemy's country, but that of your friends and brethren : for such the in- habitants of Canada and the Indian nations, have approved them- selves in this unhappy contest between Great Britain and Amer- ica ; and that you check by every motive of duty, and fear of pun- ishment, all attempts to plunder or insult the inhabitants of Can- ada. Should any American soldier be so base and infamous, as to injure any Canadian or Indian in his person or property, I do * « Many men died of fatigue and hunger — frequently four or five min- utes after making their last effort, and setting down." Maj. Meigs passed several, Nov. 1, who were sick and had no provisions, and who " must have perished in the wilderness." Chap. xvi.J of maine. 443 most earnestly enjoin you to bring him to such severe and exem- A»Di ins. plary punishment, as the enormity of the crime may require ; — should it extend to death itself, it will not be disproportionate to its guilt at such a time and in such a cause. "But I hope and trust, that the brave men who have volunta- rily engaged in this expedition, will be governed by far different views; that their order, disciphne and regularity of behavior, will be as conspicuous as their valor. I also give it in charge to you, to avoid all disrespect to and contempt of the religion of the country and its ceremonies. Prudence, policy and a true christian spirit will lead us to look with compassion on their errors, without insulting them. While we are contending for our liberty, we should be very cautious of violating the rights of conscience in others, and should ever consider that God alone is the judge of the hearts of men, and to him only in this case are they answerable. " Upon the whole, Sir, I beg you to inculcate on the officers and soldiers the necessity of preserving the strictest order, during their march through Canada : — to represent to them the shame, disgrace and ruin, to themselves and country, if they should, by their conduct, turn the hearts of our brethren in Can- ada against us. And on the other hand, the honor and rewards, which await them, if by their prudence and good behavior, they conciliate the affections of the Canadians and Indians to the great interests of America, and convert those favorable dispositions they have shewn into a lasting union." " Yours, he, George Washington." As Colonel Arnold had been furnished with £1,000 in specie to defray contingent expenses, and his troops were now supplied by the Canadians " with great cheerfulness," he paid them fully, Nov. 8. for all the provisions received of them, resumed the line of march. Arrival be- and, November 8, reached Point Levi, opposite to Quebec. The bee town was almost entirely without a garrison ; and the unexpected appearance of an army, emerging from the depths of an unex- plored wilderness, threw the place into great consternation. Had the troops immediately crossed the St. Lawrence, Quebec must have submitted to a capitulation. But the men were greatly fatigued, — ^boats and small craft could not be readily procured, to transport them over the river — ^the winds were high, — the weather was chilly — and there being a consequent delay of several days, 444 THE HISTORY [Vol. 11, A, D. 1775. the fortunate moment was lost. For though Arnold and Mont- gomery joined forces in a bold attack upon the garrison and Repulsed, city^ December 31, they were repulsed ; — -the gallant Montgomery fell ; — Arnold was wounded ; — and in about eight months, the Americans evacuated Caniida,"^ General Before the close of the year 1775, the Continental Congress yosi office. * established a Geperal Post Office, and soon " put it in operation" raeiiTto"^ from Georgia to Maine. f It was also ordered by the same body, Massachu- that £65,000 be reimbursed from the Treasury of the United Colonies to the Province of Massachusetts, for advances she had made to her troops in payment of services rendered prior to Aug, 1st, when the Continental army was formed. About 2,000 men were stationed by the Province at different places upon her At-r lantic shores, as the people were constantly exposed to insult and plunder .; and it was desirable also to prevent the ene):ny from collecting any supplies for the army in Boston. J New ap- To every department of the Provincial government, which was Sr.civToffi- ^"^^^P^^'^^® of political revolution, were now given system, form and permanency. New Judges of the Supreme Judiciary,^ Com- mon Pleas, and Judges of Probate ; and new Justices of the Peace and Sheriffs, ||— were all appointed ; and the General Court cers. * 1 Coll. Maine HiU. Soc. p. 367—416, by Dr. Allen.— 2 Williams' Ft. p. 50-2. — Also Arnold's 50 Letters— ivom Sept. 27, to Dec. 5, lllh^^Mon" tresor's Journal^ A. D. 17G0.-t-To Arnold'g army of 650 men at Poiot Leyi, may be added 40 or 50 Indians, who had joined him. Two of thepi Tyer§ Sabbatis and J^atanis — ^benaques. General Morjtgofnery arrived Dec. 1, with 600 men and 3 armed schooners, ammunition, provision and clothing-. The remains of Montgomery were removed from Quebec, in June, 1818, to N. Yorlf, and deposited in St. Paul's cemetery.—Arnold died, June 14, 1801, in London. | Samuel Freeman of Falmouth, 1st Post-Master in Maine, \ 2 Bradford's Mass. p. 6§-7. \ The Judges of the Superior Court, commissioned in November, were John Adams, William dishing, J^'alhaniel P. Sargent, William Reed, and Robert T. Paine. But Adams, Reed and Pjiiae declined : and in a few months, Jedediah Foster, and Jame^ Sullivan were appointed jn their stead, JRobert Treat Paine was appointed Attorney-General, 0 COUNTY OFFICERS IN MAINE, foWf; York County. Judges — J^athaniel Sparhawk, of Kittery. James Gowen, " '* Rishworth Jordan, Biddeford, John Bradbury, and Judge of Probate, Buxtor), ^^leriS— Johnson JUoullon, Yorji. Chap, xvi.] of maine. 445 say in their proclamation, 'we have seen a large and populous A. d, i776. * Colony, subsisting for more than a year in great harmony and -* order, under a suspension of the powers of government.' During the winter session, the General Court arranged the Tiic i\^iiitia snilitia anew ; and formed Massachusetts proper into three Divi- ed. siofls,* and Maine into one. To the command of the militia in -each county, there was appointed a Brigadier-General, and the tliree in Maine were John Frost of Kittery ; Samuel Thompson of Brunswick, and Charles Gushing of Pownalborough. Each brigade was divided into regiments, the officers of which were a Colonel, a Lieutenant-Colonel, and a first and second Major. The complement of a militia company was sixty-eight men in- icluding non-commissioned officers. All able-bodied males be- tween sixteen and sixty years, were enrolled and compelled to do military duty, except Quakers, settled ministers of the Gos- pel, the officers of Harvard College, colored men and Indians. Any one drafted, or detailed, who refused to go into the public service, was finable £12, and if he did not pay the money im- «iediately, he was committed to prison. At the May session, the General Court enacted, that all civil May^ession. and military commissions, and all writs, precepts, and recogniz- .J,|^p^^,'^j'j^jg"^ Alices should, after the first day of the ensuing June, be " In ^'^"'J^^^'^^ ■THE NAME OF THE GOVERNMENT AND PeOPLE OF MaSSACHU- *^,^P'^ ' the form of 5ETTS Bay in New-England :" — and bear date in the year of oaths,— aU . ... tered. the christian era, without any mention of the British sovereign. The oath of office was so changed as to require the incumbent, — • Cumberland County. Judges — Enoch Freeman, and Judg-e of Probate, Falmouth, Jeremiah Powell^ North-Yarmouth. Jonas oMason^ " Solomon Lombard, Gorham. gherifF — John Waits, Falmouth. Clerk — Samuel Freeman, " Lincoln County. Judges — William Lithgow, Georgetown. Aaron Hinkley, Brunswick. Thomas Rice, Wiscasset. James J\lcCobb, Georgetown. Judge of Probate, Jonathan Bowman, Pownalborough. Sheriff — Charles Gushing, " * The Major-Generals were John Hancock, Benjamin Lincoln, and Azor Ome, — and P. Wadsworth was Adjutant General. 446 THE HISTORY [VoL. 11. A. D. 1776. < honorably, faithfully and impartially to execute all the duties of * his office, according to the best of his skill and abilities.' The enemy The British forccs after cvacuating Boston, March 17, 1776, [eave Bos- and hovering upon our coast more than two months, opened their summer campaign, by operations against New- York and Charleston, South Carolina ; and thither was shifted from New- England, the theatre of the present war. Still there was kept in vigorous exercise, a constant assiduity to guard the eastern Defence of seaports. A Small force was stationed at Falmouth, furnished with six cannon and a suitable quantity of military stores. Also one fourth of all the male inhabitants of sixteen years and up- wards, except those eastward of Camden, were required to be arranged into companies, either by enlistment or draft, and equipped with a good gun and bayonet, or in lieu of a bayonet, with " a tomahawk, cutting sword or hatchet — ready to march at a moment's warning, and serve in the continental army three months, under officers appointed by the General Court. Yet so much exposed and so critically situated were the eastern Provin- cials, when Congress called on Massachusetts for 5,000 men, that only 105 were taken from York, 39 from Cumberland, and none from Lincoln. There were Committees in the several counties employed to aid and encourage the enlistments ; and to those in York and Cumberland, there were entrusted £1,265, from which advances were to be made of the usual bounty, a month's wages and some articles of outfit, to each soldier re- cruited.* Reconciiia- AH expectations of effecting a reconciliation between Great lion imprac- i i i • • licabie. Britain and these colonies, had by this time, come to an end. The Americans were declared to be out of the royal protection ; and Parliament at the last session, even took measures for em- ploying 16,000 foreign mercenaries, to effect our subjugation. But oppression exacting more than is due, often loses the bene- fit of all just rights and legal claims. The object of the contro- versy had hitherto been * Constitutional Liberty,' — not Indepen- dence. Protection and allegiance were considered reciprocal; and as the one had been refused, the other, it was thought, might * The wages were per month, for a Colonel £15, Lieutenant-Colonel £12, Major £lO, Captain £8, Lieutenant £5, 8s., Chaplain £7, 10s., Sur- geon £7, 10s., Adjutant £5, 10s., Quartermaster £3, 10s,, and a private £3. Chap, xvi.] of Maine. 447 justly be withholden. If the parent state calls in the aid of stran- a. u. 1776. gers to crush us, we must seek similar aid for our own preserva- tion. If foreign auxiliaries and succors then, be desired by us, they must be sought in the capacity and character of Indepen- dent States, else the Colonists would still be deemed mere sub- jects rebelling against their king, though relying on their own re- sources in the mighty struggle. To declare ourselves indepen- dent— is only announcing to the world, our true political state, and the grounds and reasons of the controversy. For in the short period of two years, nearly three millions of people have passed over " from the love and duty cherished by loyal subjects, to the rancor and resentment usually felt by settled enemies;" — the great question of final separation having been, for several months, deeply and extensively considered. Therefore, on the ever^^h'^- ^ liidepen- memorable July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress declared deuce de- these thirteen United Colonies to be, " free, sovereign and INDEPENDENT StATES." The declaration of Independence, everywhere received with Published, joy by the people and the army, was printed by order of the Executive Council, and sent to the ministers of every denomina- tion within the State ; — to be read by them, to their respective congregations at the close of divine service, on the first Lord's day after it was received ; and to be recorded by the town clerks at full length in their respective town books. The country was now absolutely our own. No royal functionary had a shadow of authority in any of the Colonies ; nor had British troops actually a print of foot impressed within our territories. Relieved from ^^^^^^ the embarrassments occasioned by the refined distinctions between quences. liberty and authority, — rights and prerogatives, — every individual knew on what ground he stood, and every thing assumed a re- generate appearance. The question became single, shall we be conquered Provinces, or free and independent States ? — In poli- tics there were none allowed to be neuters. It was a momentous crisis, and the friends of liberty were bold to stake their lives on the issue. Their more traitorous foes had sought an asylum in the enemy's arms ; and all lukewarm citizens were suspected. There had in fact arisen a mortal aversion to the very name of tory, and to every relic and vestige of royalty. Yes, the prop- erty of all absentees was deemed meet for destruction, or at least 448 THE HISTORY [Voi.. ir. A. D. 1776. for confiscation and if it were in the hands of confidential de- Passion of positaries, it ought to be drawn from them by coercive power. the times. i-, , . . ^ i i i liiven the portraits or pictures of any who belonged to the royal family, it was considered patriotic to deface ; the emblems of tfae king's arms, crown or scepter, appearing upon any article, ren- dered it detested ; and all India teas were looked upon with dire antipathy and prejudice, as if they had infected the whole com- munity with some deadly epidemic* Only the active and de- cided friends of freedom could have a single particle of true patriotism ; in short, nothing averse to republican equality, pris- tine freedom and plain economical habits, could possibly possess the least attribute of good. Whereas the man who took arms,, was the legitimate son of liberty, and he who lost his life in th© war, died a blessed martyr. * 2 Bradford's Mass. p. 89, 105. — Some returned, after they retired witBf the enemy from Boston, and were taken into custody, tilt their penifence; was fully tested. Chap, xvii.] OF MAINE. 449 CHAPTER XVII. Amity of the eastern Indians — Measures for deJence-^Nova Scotia and the enterprize of Jonathan Eddy and his party there — They flee repulsed to Machias — An army raised for three years or during the war — Warren incorporated — Brilliant successes of the Americans-^ Firearms and military stores arrive from France — Treachery punished — Defence of the eastern towns — A garrison established at Machias — Fryeburg and Thomaston incorporated — A British force sent against Machias repulsed — Expedition to Nova Scotia unsuccessful — Surrender of Burgoyne — Commodore Tuckgr's success — New State-Constitution rejected- — Lyman and Gray incorporated — Estates of Absentees confiscated — Ar- rival of a French fleet and army — Maine formed into a District — Pittston incorporated — Majorbiguyduce taken and occupied by the British — Force raised to drive them from the peninsula — Expedition fails — Particulars of it — Towns and Islands ill- treated by the enemy — The Tories — Defence of the eastern people — Gen. Wadsworth in command — Dark day — Arnold's treason — New State-Constitution formed and ratified — Members of the Provincial Council in the District of Maine for twenty years prior to the Constitution. In the present war, the Indians had continued quiet. A truck ^ ^ j^^g house had been established at Fort Pownal, and another recently j^,^ ,9 at Machias ; and the political relations which had long subsisted J^JJaiJ^."^ between the governnrient and the Tarratines at Penobscot, had been lately confirmed. Under their influence^ the tribe at Passa- dians. maquoddy, had given such indications of good-will towards the Americans, that there was little doubt what course they would pursue. Moreover a delegation from the Marechites at the river St. John,* and from the Mickmaks of Nova Scotia, went to Wa- tertown and entered, July 19, into a treaty of alliance and friend- * This tribe (it is said,) promised the gt)vernment of Nova Scotia, 1774-5, either to aid in the defence of that Province or remain neutral. But if so, it seems they had chang-ed their minds; though they received large pres- ents from that government for their families. — Ste ChubVs Sk. p. 104. Vol. II. 57 460 THE HISTORV [VoL. 11. A.D. 1776. ship with the government of Massachusetts, which \vas subscrib- ed by ten of their chiefs. Its preamble recognized the indepen- dence of the United States and their power to levy war, form leagues and treaties, and conclude peace. By its articles, an alliance offensive and defensive, was established ; and those tribes bound themselves to withhold all aid from the British king. The treaty likewise strictly prohibited all private revenge, and provided, that if there should be any quarrel, outrage, wrong or misunderstanding, the suffering party should apply to the gov- ernment and laws for redress. It further stipulated, that the In- dian tribes, then treating, would send 600 men to join the army of General Washington at New- York, and continue in the ser- vice three years ; that they should be formed into companies, each one find his own gun and be allowed a dollar for its use, and all receive their other supplies at Machias truck house ; and that a vessel should be provided to transport them from that place to the army.* The Indian delegates also engaged to per- suade, if possible, the Indians at Passamaquoddy and other places, to enter into the public service ; and their endeavors were partially successful, as we soon find that tribe generallyf united with the others in the alliance. Defence of For the defence of the country between Camden and Machias, the eastern ^ •' ^ ^ country* government raised about 200 men ; loaning and sending to the Committees of towns and plantations, on their personal security, powder, balls, flints, and other articles to the amount of £1,543, 6*. to be distributed among the inhabitants in reasonable propor- tions ; and granted to the people of Machias the value of £170 in corn and rye, for their relief and encouragement. A party of thirty men, ten of whom were Indians, under the command of Andrew Gilman, was stationed at Fort Pownal, for the de- fence of the settlements upon the Penobscot ; and the Tarra- tine tribe were furnished with 200 lbs. of gunpowder and 200 * This treaty was signed by Ombruis Var, Newel Wallis, J. Francis, delegates from St. Johns; — Joseph Denaquaza Charles, Mattahee On- trane, Nicholas, John Battis, Peter Andre, and Sabbattis Netocombuit, delegates from the JMickmaks. — See the treaty in 10 articles^ Secretary's of- Jice Boston. I " The Whig- and Tory principles ran high among the tribes; but the " Whig Indians being- much the most numerous, the Tories remained at " home as neutrals." — Hon. S. Jones'' Letter Chap, xvii.] of maine. 451 lbs. of lead, besides an appropriation made of £400 in monfey, A. D. 1776. to procure necessaries for the tribe. A company of Matrosses Muster- . ^ . » ^ masters. was established at Cape-Elizabeth ; a Muster-master was ap- pointed in each eastern county ;* and all the interior military operations of the State were under the direction of a Board of^°^^^ ^ ^ war. war^ lately established, consisting of nine gentlemen, chosen by the two Houses of the General Court in joint ballot. There was a great number of families in Nova Scotia, who Nova Sco- were connected by the ties of consanguinityf or interest with the people of Massachusetts and Maine, and who had, as it was believed, a strong desire to see that Province a member of the American confederacy. A free intercourse had been encour- aged, or rather allowed, and also a representation was made to General Washington, that an expedition thither, might afford re- lief to many persons, well disposed towards the American cause, and produce a result favorable to the United States. To learn their condition and views, therefore, he despatched to the Prov- ince two agents ; but when they had ascertained what extreme suspicions the British authorities were entertaining of all inter- course, they thought it imprudent to proceed farther than the lines. But Jonathan Eddy, a native of Norton, in Massachusetts, Jonathan who had resided ten years in the immediate vicinity of Fort Sseniations. Cumberland, { at the head of Chignecto bay, and was Sheriff of the County, represented to the General Court, that the garrison had been lessened from time to time, till the number remaining was only sufficient to take care of the artillery and military stores ; and that in his opinion it might be easily taken by a small force. Though he in fact received no aid nor direct encouragement; yet he returned and projected a plan for taking the fort. To ascer- tain its true condition, he sent Capt. Zebulon Rowe, who visited and thoroughly examined it without exciting suspicion. Eddy j^jj^g next had the address by persuasives, threats, and the promises of f^^epody rewards, to raise about 150 men; and with a competent ""^"ber J^'^^^^j".^ of them he proceeded to Chepody Hill, in the night time, and harbor. * These were Nathaniel Wells of Wells ; Daniel Ilsley of Falmouth and Dummer Sewall of Georgetown. t See ante, A. D. 1759.— 1 Haliburton, p. 219. \ Eddy lived at Fort Lawrence, two miles south of Fort Cumberland. — See ante. A, D. 1755. 452 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1776. toot a Captain, a sergeant, and 14 men prisoners, without loss. The third night afterwards, he and a party of 25 men attacked a vessel of 100 tons as she lay aground, and made prize of her. She had on board 600 barrels of pork and beef, a ton of candles, 50 firkins of butter, 700 new blankets, and two hogsheads of rum, all intended for the garrison ; — a part of which however was retaken. TKefort. ^pj-jg whole fort embraced about an acre of ground. Its in- trenchment was 50 feet in width — the slope 25 feet and the em- bankment within, eight feet in height — and the breadth on the top four feet. On the outside were pickets, and logs stretched along the declivity, which might be rolled down with the utmost ease, and with great violence, upon any assailants.* Collecting his whole force, inclusive of nine Indians belonging to St. Sept, 27. John's river, he approached the fort, in a cloudy night, Sept. 27, saSby by three parties; one attempted to ascend the banks, by scaling iUspany^' ladders, while the others in different quarters made a furious as- sault. But Colonel Gorham, commander of the garrison, having been apprized of the design, and been reinforced, made a brave defence, killed several of the invaders, and completely repulsed the rest. Seldom is a defeat attended with more painful circum- stances. Those who had houses in the vicinity soon saw them in flames, and their families in the depths of distress. No other alternative remained to the unfortunate assailants, than for them either to surrender at discretion or flee the Province. If caught, their fate might be that of rebels or even traitors ; and therefore Repulsed, they left their families, and took their route along the north shore, ifiachfas^ *° across the river St. John at Fredericton, proceeding down the Schoodic, and thence to Machias. Here they successively ar- rived, half-naked and famished, having been in the woods twenty- five days. Their families, who remained behind through a winter of severe suffering, were brought away in the spring, under a flag of truce. f * There were in the fort a mag-azine and barracks ; and a vessel of 50 guns could safely ride into the adjoining- harbor. f This account is from Ibrook Eddy, Esq. son of Jonathan Eddy, who was with the father in the sieg-e and retreat. A company of these refu-r gees, JoualJian Eddy being one, settled Eddington.-^See A. D, 17S5. Mr, Eddy, active, bold and patriotic, was a Cobnel in the Revolution. He af- terwards was one of the petitioners for Eddington township, where he die4 in August, A. D. 1801, aged 78. Chap, xvii.] of Maine. 453 To those who live in peaceful times, and pass their days in re- A.l). nic. tirement and safety, it is too incredible to believe what sufferings I'^'e people, were endured and hazards encountered, by the brave men of this eventful period. Few people in any age have ever made greater efforts for the acquisition of social, political or religious enjoy- ments. But the flush of the first year's war had now subsided. The American people had to contend with a powerful and veteran army, under intrepid and experienced generals. The government was subject through the summer to perpetual alarms, and to solemn and repeated calls for protection, firearms, ammunition, clothing, provisions and other supplies. The people saw that the emergency was great and the war might be long. The General Court were Jhe7j"eueraf a-ctually in session the greater part of the year. They directed ^o"*"'- a census to be taken by the selectmen, of all the males in their towns of sixteen years old and upwards, they laid a general em- bargo on all vessels, and designated sets of committees to procure different articles of clothing,* and to aid in effecting the levies. The minute-men were well organized ; and calls upon portions Minute- of them were frequent. About £150,000 were advanced this year by order of the General Court for the defence of the State ;f — two-thirds of which being soon reimbursed by Congress, ^^^^^ ^^^^^^ replenished the state-treasury and preserved the public credit. • "O- All the soldiers now in the army, having been enlisted directly Provisions by continental authority, expected their period of servi(ie would Conimenfar expire with the present year. But men of military talents and 3 years or experience, saw that troops must be raised for a longer period i'ar."^ than one year ; otherwise small reliance could be placed on numbers, discipline or equipment. General Washington said,— " our cause is ruined, if you engage men only for a year. You " must not think of it. If we ever hope for success, we must have men enlisted for the whole term of the war." Therefore, to prepare seasonably for the next campaign. Congress in Sep- tember, concluded to raise 70,'000 men J upon the States, for the term of three years, or during the war ; of whom the quota as- signed to Massachusetts and Maine, was ultimately eighteen bat- talions, including one of artillery — equal in all to 13,000 men. * Of 5,000 blankets which the State called for in the autumn, the quota to York County was 212 ; to Cumberland 123 ; to Lincoln 89. j 2 Bradford's Mass. p. 124. \ Or ninety battalions. 454 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1776. To raise and support so large an army, required the greatest ex- ertions. It was a time when the people needed all the encour- agements and supports, which an enthusiastic spirit of liberty, and the duties of self preservation could inspire — with the bless- ings which an approving Providence might be pleased to impart. addreis''^^ The address of the General Court to the people was perti- nent :— ' You have seen how the paths of the enemy are marked with blood. Our towns are ravished from us — our fields are plunder- ed or destroyed. — and we robbed of our richest enjoyments — the fruits of our fathers' wisdom and toil, by mercenaries, whom no laws can bind — nor the most sacred principles of humanity control. These States, the asylum of freedom and happiness, are now infested with a foe intent to rifle them of every privilege, that can render life a blessing. But you will long remember how the first inroads of a base invading soldiery upon our peace- ful homes, were encountered by a voluntary array, which put them to flight and to shame. Nor are we, as a people, called into the field to support principalities and crowns, but to defend the dear- est rights of men, — the gifts of heaven, consecrated by our fa- thers' blood. — You will cheerfully rise in arms to defend your country, your liberty, your wives, your children, and your pos- sessions, from rapine and ruin. Yes, we conjure you, by your holy religion, by your civil freedom and social happiness, to act with fortitude and vigor, at this crisis of affairs, so important to us all ; and your exertions will be blessed of God with that suc- cess, which belongs to the brave, to the wise, and the patriotic' Nov. 7. It was at this interesting; period, that Warren,* Nov. 7, was Warren in- , ^ . (corporated. established, being so named in honor of General Joseph Warren, who fell in the battle of Bunker Hill. — It was the first town in- corporated upon the St. George's river, which had now been settled forty years. About forty Irish and Scotch presbyterians, who had emigrated from the north of Ireland, to different parts of America, collected and entered into a contract, April 18, 1735, with General Waldo ; by which he agreed to give them severally lots of 100 acres, extending back from the banks of the river be- tween the bend and the falls ; to build a meeting-house, make a road, and appropriate three lots for the ministry and a free school. In consideration whereof, each of them promised to clear four acres of land, build a dwellinghouse within eight months, and * This is the 35th town in this State. Chap, xvii.j of Maine. 455 live on his place three years. Thirty families removed upon A. D. i776i their lots the next year ; the most of the men being tradesmen Warren. and unacquainted with husbandry. Waldo erected a grist-mill on Oyster river ; prosecuted the business of burning lime, com- menced in 1734 by him, imported provisions and necessaries for the settlers, which he exchanged with them for staves, bark and firewood ; and at length, built a meeting-house, on the western bank of the river, in the lower part of this town. One of the first born in the plantation was Thomas Starret, in A. D. 1737- 8 ; — subsequently an eminent citizen. The early settlement was connected with that of Thomaston ; the people of both retired to St. Georges' Fort in times of war or danger, though there was a block-house north of that fortress ; and the two plantations together, were considered the " Upper and Lower Towns,^^^ till they were severally incorporated. During the Spanish and fifth Indian war, commencing in 1745, many of the settlers entered into the army under General Waldo, and the houses more remote from the fort, either went to decay or were destroyed by the savages. They took the lead sashes from the meeting-house windows for bullets, carefully stocking the glass. They also burnt the mills, and killed or drove away most of the cattle. After the war the plantation revived. In 1753, General Waldo procured an accession of seventy emigrants from Sterling in Scotland, who settled in a cluster towards the western part of the township, which has since been called by the name of the city they left. The earliest Provincial tax upon the whole plantation or upper town, was laid in 1764 ; — a year, when the first ship was built and the first framed house raised within the township ; and when the number of families was about fifty. The town company, in 1775, commanded by Capt. Thomas Starret, consisted of thirty- four privates! — men whose genuine patriotism and courage, their posterity might be emulous to claim as an inheritance. * See ante, A. D. 1743, p. 238. — The " Lower Toicn," also embraced orig-- inally the settlements on the west side of the river, down to its mouth, and along the shore to Meduncook river, — now Gushing- and Friendship. The hme was then burnt at the " Lime Kiln," near the present State's prison in Thomaston.— See ante, Ji, I). 1719-20, p. 97. I Warren embraces 27,000 acres. The river is navig-able to Andrew's pond for vessels of 100 tons, and smaller craft to the bridg-e and head of the tide, 3-4ths of a mile higher. The Jfarrowi arc just below the south line 456 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A» D. 1776, The present had been a season remarkable for the number Army of the and importance of its events. Nay, though there had been diffi- formed. culties attending the enlistments to fill and form what might be truly called the Army of the Revolution, and though General Washington found it necessary to call into the continental service for a short time, 2,000 minute-men from the Province of Mas- sachusetts, the spirit, liberality, fortitude, and union of the people, were seldom greater ; some events affording fresh and particular encouragement. Our cruisers had been so remarkably success- ful at sea, that the amount of prizes, taken by the Americans be- tween the commencement of the war and the close of the pres- ent year, was estimated in England to exceed a million and a Battles* half sterling.* In the engagements at Sullivan Island, at Long Island, and at White Plains,f and in the withdrawment of Gen. of the town. Great quantities of shad and alewives were formerly caug-ht in this river, and yielded a revenue to the town. The natives marked a tree near the first falls, and forbade the English to fish above it. Oyster river empties its waters on the eastern side near Thomaston line. South pond holds a communication with the tide waters of the main river. Mount Pleasant is in the N. E. part of the town. — On an average, nearly 33,000 casks of lime were manufactured here in each of the years 1826-7-8. There are in town 12 mills ; also a brass foundery ; an academy^ incorpo- rated Feb. 25, 1808 ; and a social library of 500 vols. The town was first represented in the General Court in 1779, by Moses Copeland, Esq. — after- wards by Samuel S. Wilde and Samuel Thatcher. — Henry Alexander, elected in 1738-9, was the first captain of the plantation militia, and his successor was Thomas Kilpatrick, about A. D. 1748, who had charge of the block-house, built in 1753, above the fort. To these, to Burton's block- house and another at Pleasant-point both in Gushing, the settlers on the river were driven in 1754, where they abode till the close of that war. — The town records commence in 1777, and are continued down unbroken. By these it appears, that the inhabitants were the active and bold friends of liberty. They even voted in 1783, to oppose the return of the refugees to their former homes. The first post office in town, was established in 1794 ; — and the present meeting-house was built the year before. The baptists built another in 1806. Rev. Robert Rutherford preached several years to this people and those at the fort, prior to 1756. Rev. John Ur- quehart, a Scotch presbyterian, was the first settled minister. He was dismissed in 1782-3. He was succeeded by Rev. Jonathan Huse, who was ordained, Oct. 28, 1795. — The first bridge over the river was built inr 1780 ; and another at the head of the tide in 179Q-1 ; ami the first saw mill was built in 1785. A court-house was erected and courts established there in 1799. — MS, J^arrative of Cyrus Eaton, Esq. of Warren. — Jesss^ Page, Esq. * 2 Bradford's Mass. p. 133v t Namely, July 28, Aug. 27, and Oct. 28, 1776. Chap, xvii.] of Maine. 457 Washington beyond the Delaware, the enemy acquired no A. D. 1776. great advantage ; while the battle at Trenton, Dec. 26, filled the pec 26. * ... . Brilliant country with exultation, as it won the American arms much glory, successes of and happily closed this eventful year ; reviving the spirits of de- can arms at , r Trenlon. spondmg men, and giving a timely impetus to the success oi en- listments. This was followed in the spring, by arrivals of fire- arms and military stores in large quantities, from France : one Firearms , , , , , . , , arrive from vessel landing at Portsmouth 5,000 stands, besides some other France, articles. To complete the State quota of troops, the General Court pro- a.D; 1777. vided clothins; for the recruits, and offered additional bounty ; Enlistments _ o ' J 7 encouraged. the ministers of the gospel read the legislative address to their respective congregations ; and it was made highly penal either to discourage enlistments into the Continental Army or Navy, to depreciate the bills of credit, or to weaken the supports given by the people to the National Independence. In short, if there Treachery J . ^ ti • ' ' 1 ^ .^ "id treason were good reason even to suspect any one " inimical to the punished. United States," he might be arrested on a Justice's warrant, and banished to the enemy, unless he would take the oath of allegi- ance ; and his return incurred a forfeiture of his life. So all persons charged by the Selectmen in town-meeting with political treachery, if pursued by a vote of the town against them, and found guilty by a jury, were immediately to be transported to some place within the jurisdiction of the enemy ; and should they return, they were to be adjudged felons. Their personal effects only, they were allowed to carry with them, while all their con- veyances of real estate were pronounced absolutely void. A law was also passed by the General Court against treason ; by which every one within the State, deriving protection from its laws and government, and thereby owing it allegiance, was declared to be guilty of that crime, if he conspired to levy war against it or against any of the United States ; and upon conviction, he for- feited his life and his estate.* For the defence of the more exposed eastern seaports, compa- Defence of ^ ^ * the eastern nies were raised by the State, in March, and stationed at Kittery, towns. Falmouth, Cape-Elizabeth, and Boothbay. There were also fifty men assigned to the last mentioned place, who were furnished by the Board of War, with one 12 pounder, two 9's, and two 6's, * Statutes of 1777. Vol. II. 58 458 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1777. on carriages, 50 rounds of cartridges for each gun, and appara- tus complete. In the course of the last year, the town of Fal- mouth had legislative relief from taxes ; and many of the Inhab- itants, who had been compelled by the fire to remove into the neighboring towns, returned and resumed their abode upon the peninsula.* Anexpedi- June, an expedition was undertaken for the relief and aid tioii to tlie BayofFun-of the people upon the river St. Johnjf and upon the borders of dy, project- i i i i i ed. the Bay of Fundy, who were friendly to the United States, and who were reputed to be harassed or oppressed by British emissaries. It was probably projected through the importunity of Jonathan Eddy and his brave fugitive companions, who still be- lieved Fort Cumberland could be easily taken. Though the con- sent of Congress was obtained, — the plan, the outfit, and the expense, all attached to Massachusetts. A regiment was raised in Maine, a naval force suitable for the purpose procured, and high expectations entertained of success, there being many anx- ious to see Nova Scotia a member of the Union. But there arose unexpected difficulties in the prosecution of the plan, which occasioned delays, and finally an entire abandonment of the en- terprize in its original form. . . The eastern department first underwent a revision ; Machias A garrison ^ ^ af Machfas m^de the placc of general rendezvous and the head-quarters under Col. of Operations ; and a garrison with a truck house was established Allen ; and ° . . a fuck^^ there. It was then raised to a contmental establishment, and Stephen John Allen, Esq. an inflexible Whig of Nova Scotia, as well as a gentleman of integrity, intelligence and popular manners, was ap- pointed general agent and superintendant, with the rank and pay of Colonel. The garrison consisted of 300 volunteers, enlisted from the County of Lincoln exclusively, and were furnished with 100 stands of new firearms, two 9 pounders, one 6 pounder and the necessary stores. For the purposes of promoting the trade with the Indians, and strengthening the alliance or amity with them, connected with measures of defence, 500 bushels of corn, 30 barrels of flour, 1 5 firkins of lard and numerous other articles * Resolves. f- A town was settled there from Essex, in Massachusetts, A. D. 1762. — The party amounted to near 20 men, besides two families that took pas- " sage from Newburjport, May 16, 1762,'* to St, John's river. —Chubb's Sk. of j\r. jB., p. 101. Chap, xvii.] of maine. 459 which they wanted, were shipped to that place; a chaplain was A.D. 1777. employed ; and Stephen Smith was appointed truck-master. Colonel Allen then taking six of the Indians into the military service, clothed them, paid them wages and found them rations ; becoming entirely successful in his endeavors to keep the Indian tribes in the interest of the United States. The next year, he was authorized to raise two volunteer companies, one of artillery and one of rangers ; and also entrusted with large sums of money, to procure supplies and build two block-houses. Early the current year, there were incorporated two towns, '^'wo new Fryeburg, January 1 1 ; and Thomaston, March 20 both corporated, flourishing plantations. The Indian name of one was " Peg- wacket and the other had been called " Georgeekeag as connected with Warren, it was the upper part of the " Lower Town:' The original town of Fryeburg was granted by the General Court, March 3, 1762, to Joseph Frye, Esq. afterwards General Fryeburg. Frye, from whom it derived its name. He divided the whole into sixty-four parts, and commenced a settlement the next year. The first church being congregational, was embodied Aug. 28, 1775; and Rev. William Fessenden was settled in October of the same year.f * These were the 36th and 37th towns in the state. j- i^rt/e&wrg-, when incorporated, thoug-h now of a semi-diamond form, was 2,172 rods square. A triangle of 4,147 acres was taken from its south- west corner, when the dividing- line between New-Hampshire and Maine was run ; and an " addition," has since been annexed to the north part, and another tract added, which was taken from Brownfield. The circuity of the Saco forms a northern bow in the town, 31 miles in extent ; — cross- ed about midway of the town by a canal throug-h Bog'-pond. The mead- ow bottoms and intervals of Fryeburg- are very fine. — This place has been rendered famous by being- the seat of an Indian tribe ; or a branch of the Sokokis ; 2ind hy LoveweWs Jighf, in May, 1725. The villag-e is situated between a pond of his name and the river, in the south part of the town. Here is an academy, incorporated A. D. 1792 ; a cabinet of curiosities ; a library of 150 vols. ; and a " telescope of g-reat mag-nifying- powers, much the largest in the State." The meeting--house in the villag-e is elegant. Rev. Mr. Fessenden, an able and excellent man, graduated at Harvard College, 1768, died in 1805; and was succeeded Oct. 11, 1809, by Rev. Francis L. Whiting, who was dismissed in 1817. The amount of the min- isterial fund is about $2,600. It was first represented in the General Court A. D. 1781, by Simon Frye, many years a senator and judge of the 460 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.D. 1777. Thomaston,'^ was so named in honor of Maj. Gen. John Thomaston. Thomas, of Massachusetts, a brave officer, who died the preced- ing May, in the army at Chamblee. The fort in this township, rendered the place more noted, than any other on the river St. George. It was the heart of the Waldo patent. Several men emigrated hither for the purposes of trade and business, within a few years, after the Plymouth Council made the grant; but no permanent settlement was effected. A new fortification was erected in 1719-20, which was rebuilt and enlarged before the Spanish and 5th Indian war — though at no time abandoned from its first establishment till the close of the revolution. In 1750-2, the fort was so crowded with people, that 1 5 or 20 families at their own expense, built two rows of block-houses, 100 rods dis- tant from it on its westerly side, which they surrounded with a picket of perpendicular posts, ten feet in height. The men form- ed themselves into a military company, and frequently performed the duty of rangers as well as guards, and sentinels. f Upon Mill river, which issues from Tolman's pond partly in Camden, and empties into the main river at the elbow or bend. Mason Wheaton commenced a settlement in 1763 ; and three years later, Messrs. Snow, Coombs and their associates, setded at Westkeag river in the south-easterly section of the township at the head of the creek. Distinguished for its natural privileges, the enterprize of its earlier and later inhabitants, and the special patronage of the Waldo proprietors and heirs, this place, it was foreseen, must attain to an elevated rank among the eastern towns, which time has fully evinced. { Common Pleas. A post ofl&ce was established there in 1798. — See " Saco river," ante, introduction p. 27-28 : also vol. Ily this Hist. p. 135-141, and A. D. 1762. JMS. LeMers of A. J. Cook and J. Frye, Esq. * Latitude 44® ; longitude 69° from London. The incorporation took several lots from Warren. f See ante, A. D. 1752, p. 287. I There are in Thomaston four meeting-houses one for cong-regation- alists, not far from the great Bend ; two for baptists, one at the mouth of Mill river and the other at Westkeag ; and a fourth, of brick, between^Tol- man's pond and Owl's head. Rev. Robert Rutherford first preached here as well as in Warren. He was a native of Ireland and a presbyterian. He came over with Col. Dunbar about 1729. He retired to St. George's Fort, when Dunbar's widow married Mr. Handerson, and settled there and was chaplain. He died at the fort, Oct. 1756. — [See ante., vol. 11, p. 281, JVofe *.]— At TFestkeag, Elder Wisha Snovr was settled over the first baptist church in 1784 ; and at Mill river, Elder Job Washburn. A con« Chap, xvii.] of Maine. 461 The expedition planned against Fort Cumberland, St. John's A D. 1777. and other places about the Bay of Fundy, and the general ren- Four armed 1.1 vessels sent dezvous established at Machias, were measures, which could not against ivia- be kept secret from the British Admiral at New-York ; and be- ^ fore many of the recruits had arrived at Machias, he sent the greg'ational church was g-athered in 1807, and Rev. John Lord settled. — In 1826, there were in town a printing- office, a Bank edifice of granite front, a bank of $50,000 capital ; 40 stores; seven ship yards; eight mills of different kinds, and a ropewalk 600 in length. Here is the State's Priso>', built of split granite, since the Separation, situated northerly of Mill river, 200 rods from its mouth. — In Thomaston is an inexhaustable bed of Lime-rock, which has been burnt into the best of lime from year to year since 1734 ; perhaps annually for the last 10 years, 50,000 casks. Connected with this business is the manufacture of J\Iarble, which abounds and which has been wrought into beautiful slabs for chimney pieces, hearths, grave-stones, &c. The manufacture was commenced by Mr. Dwight in 1809, and in 1825, there were two mills and factories of it, in which 200 saws were in motion, and 12 or 15 men constantly employed, by whom 4 or 5,000 superficial feet of polished marble is wrought in a year. There was also a factory of Wool/ens and Linens established on Mill river in 1814, 60 feet by 40 and four stories high— costing $20,000. — Among- the inhabitants of this town, have been several eminent men. Ma- son Wheaton. a connexion of General Thomas, its first representative to the General Court, elected in 1781, and a Colonel in the war of the rev- olution ; John Paine, a most enterprizing trader, who in the single year of 1820, paid $170,000 duties on imports ; jyir. Healy, an extensive ship-build- er ; and David Fales, who removed to the fort from Dedham in 1763, — a physician, schoolmaster and surveyor of lands. Employed by Mr. Fluker, son-in-law of General Waldo, as agent, he became attached to the same politics. But the most distinguished inhabitant of this town was Major- General Henry Knox, commander of the artillery in the American revo- liltion. He was born in Boston, July 25, 1750. With a common school education and a taste for military science, he stood forth, in 1774, among- those ardent sons of liberty who blazed in the cause of their country. He was Secretary of war from 1785 to 1794. In the years 1793-4, he built his eleg-ant mansion house in Thomaston, not a g-reat distance from the bank of St. George's river, at the great bend, near where the fort stood. Its style of building-, its piazzas, its balconies, its farm, summer, and out- houses, and its appendant gardens and walks, formed a seat which far sur- passed in beauty and commodiousness, any other in the State. It cost more than $50,000. He married the daughter of Thomas Fluker, Provin- cial Secretary, and g-rand-daughter of General Waldo. He died, Oct. 25, 1806, aged 56. His wife, son and 2 daughters survived him. — MS. Letter of Hon. Hezekiah Prince. — Though the post-office was not established here till 1794, there was a mail carried on foot from Falmouth to Thomas- ton, during- the last years of the revolutionary war. 462 THE HISTORY [VoL. II, A. D. 1777. Rainbow, two frigates and an armed brig there, to frustrate the August. expedition. They arrived in August, and came to anchor at the foot of the narrows, a mile or more below the junction of East and West Machias rivers. They first burnt a tide water mill and took a coasting sloop, and the next day proceeded with her and their brig up the west branch ; and it being foggy, they landed at the " Indian Brim," two and a half miles below the village at the West Falls. Here they burned two dwellinghouses, two barns, and a building erected for a guard house — all near the battery. The barges then towed the brig and sloop to the mouth of mid- dle river in a dead calm, and anchored them half a mile below the foot of the Falls, when it was highwater and towards sun- They were set. Beinff briskly attacked on the westerly side by Major Still- effeclually , , ? ^ ^ , , , / i r-^t - r repulsed, man and his party, and on the other by Joseph Neptune, Chief of the Passamaquoddy tribe, the men were driven from their barges on board of the brig ; and before she could be worked down to Indian Brim, she run ashore, and the men to save their lives went below deck. When she fleeted, she received so brisk a fire from the north shore, that her crew could not manage her, and she grounded again ; yet with a fair breeze she at last effect- ed a retreat to the ships at anchor. Every man in the place able to bear arms, was upon the shores ; and when the barges were ascending the river, there were present between 40 and 50 Indian fighters, who raised and kept up a hideous yell ; which being echoed by the white people in the same Indian tone, so reverberated through the forests, as to induce the supposition that they were full of wild savages. Discouraged by these appear- ances, and by the vigor and spirit with which they were resisted, the British squadron in a day or two, left the place ; but the offi- cers published in the war-bulletin, or ' Field of Mars,' a very extravagant account of their expedition ; stating, that they had destroyed two magazines,* full of tanned hides, rice and other stores. A flotilla of But the exaffeeration produced a result highly favorable to the whale-boats . . ^ . enter and safety of the place, for It was not afterwards considered by the John. ' enemy, as worthy of another visit during the war. — Soon after * These must have been the grist mill and one of the houses burnt, which had been occupied by a shoemaker, where they saw some leather and skins. — MS. Letter of Hon. Stephen Jones. Chap, xvii.] of Maine. 463 their departure, a large party proceeded from Machias to the river a. Dj iin. St. John in whale-boats, in which they passed through the Falls and took possession of several houses on the western shore, and Makeanun- ^ successful occupied them as barracks. Two whale-boats carried another aiien.pi up- ^ _ on Fort party into Chignecto Bay, commanded by Captain Eddy, who Cumber- made another unsuccessful attack upon Fort Cumberland. How- ever, to prevent the Americans from continuing in the bay or visiting it for the purpose of plundering the towns on its borders, the Vulture sloop of war was stationed between Annapolis and St. John's ; — nay, she actually " came into the harbor of the latter, while the Machias party were at their head-quarters^ above the Falls." Indeed, few of those towns could be secured from depredations, as whale-boats might easily pass ships of war in the night and in the fog. But though Fort Cumberland was not captured, the same or another party visited the harbor of Pictou, where the men seized a valuable armed merchant ship — which was afterwards recaptured. The British in Nova Scotia were so highly enraged towards those, who had retired to the United States, that they even ordered back a cartel arriving at Windsor with prisoners, to be exchanged for the families of the refugees, declaring those families should be removed to Halifax.* In the language of Judge Jones, ' it was an immense advantage J^^^^^^^^^^^'^ * to the inhabitants eastward of Penobscot, that the srreat majority tached to . . . . . the Uuited * of the Passamaquoddy and St. John's Indians joined with us in- States. * stead of adhering to the enemy ; for had they been against us and * been set on by the British to plunder our towns and settlements, ' the whole population in this quarter must have been destroyed. ' Great credit is due to the Indians for their rigid adherence to * our cause ; although at times, the commissary's department was * destitute of sufficient provisions and clothing for them. In con- Recruits * sequence of the attack on Machias,' he adds, ' several companies !ierTan?™* * of Militia, some of them from the western part of Cumberland * County, were ordered out ; and all of them tarried until the * latter part of the autumn.' There were memorable rencounters of the contending armies. Battles this this year, at Princeton ; at Brandywine ; at Germantown ; and at suTrender of Red Bank ; yet it was only the surrender of General Burgoyne ^"'■so^"^. and his array, October 17, at Saratoga, which diffused any exulta- * 1 Halliburton's N. S. p. 258-9.— Chubb's Sk. of N. B. p. 108. 464 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1777. tions of joy through the United States. This was a great victory ; for it compelled more than nine thousand of our enemies to lay down their arms, — it reflected upon General Gates and his troops great glory,* — it averted all danger of an invasion from Canada ; — the theatre of war afterwards was confined to the southward,— and within four months, an alliance with France was happily con- cluded. The^eastern No part of the Union, it was justly acknowledged, could produce braver or better seamen than the towns upon the eastern shores. They were hardy, skilful, and bold ; of good character and hab- its. The water was their wonted element, and many enlisted into the navy ; also numbers entered the privateer service. To Commodore Samuel Tucker, since an inhabitant of Bristol, in this State, was given the command of a Continental Frigate. A. D. 1778. Having on board, in February, 1778, Hon. John Adams, the Tuckcr's*''^^ American Envoy to France, he fell in with an English frigate success. which he fought w"ith the undaunted courage of a veteran, confi- dent of success ; then manoeuvreing with incomparable valor and skill, shook off his antagonist, and finished his voyage in safety. In the action, the intrepid Minister was bold and active to a de- gree, which drew^ from the Commodore rough mandatory expres- sions of caution — yet not otherwise affecting his illustrious friend, than to inspire still more his energy and exertions. New consti- In the preceding May, the General Court directed the towns posed.'''^° and plantations to " instruct their next representatives, in con- " junction with the Council, to form such constitution of govern- " ment as they should judge most conducive to the public hap- " piness — which when formed, was to be ratified by the peo- ple, convened in their respective towns throughout the State. Accordingly a committee of twelve was appointed in June ; and they reported a draft in January, which was submitted to the people for their acceptance, at the March town-meetings, A. D. Rejected by 1778. But Still it was not ratified, for several reasons : — it con- the people, ^gjjjg^j declaration of rights ; it made the Governor the Presi- dent of the senate, and the Lieutenant-Governor a mere mem- ber ; it limited the number of senators, besides those two officers ♦British force, surrendered, was 6,280; Bnrgoyne's other losses, 2,933, — total, 9,213.-2 Holmes'' A. Ann. p. 391.— When he returned home on pa- rol, his Sovereign refused to see him. The captured army proceeded to Cambridge, (Mass.) where they tarried a year or more. new ncor- ChAP. X71I.] OF MAINE. 465 to twenty-eight; it provided for choosing the Judges of the A. D. 1778. Courts by the legislature ; and it was thought not to have settled upon a just and equal principle of representation.* There were two towns incorporated early this year, Coxhall rj,^^ [Lyman,] March 1 1 ; and Gray, June 19; — ^both respectable j^^J^J'^j plantations. The title to the town of Coxhall, or Lyman is derived from Sagamore Fluellen's deed, A. D. 1660, to John Saunders, John^^*"^ Bush and Peter Tarbitt, who sold their claim in 1668 to Harlac- kindine Symonds. This man afterwards conveyed the territory to Roger Haskins, and thirty-five others, under whose proprietor- ship, the town was first settled in 1767.f Gray, hitherto managed as a " propriety," was granted by the q^.^^ General Court, A. D. 1735; — being afterwards called JVeii;-^05- ton, because most of its proprietors had their meetings and dwelt in Boston. It is believed a settlement was attempted in 1 750 ; — certainly a fort and meeting-house were built in 1755, near the centre of the township ; though it was, during the French war, mostly destroyed, and the plantation laid waste. It was never- theless effectually revived in 1762 ; and in August, 1774, a con- gregational church was formed and Rev. Samuel Nash ordain- ed.J See this constitution. — 2 Bradford's Mass. p. 349-62. ^ Lyman is the name given to the town, Feb. 26, 1803. — The people in their parochial affairs were at first connected with Alfred and Saridford. Their first church was formed in 1780. But in 1787-8, they began to asso- ciate as a separate people, from those in the other towns ; and in 1801, they settled Rev. Jona. Galef. The baptist society settled Elder Simon Lock ; and each parish has erected a commodious meeting-house. It was first represented in the General Court, A. D. 1786; — John Low, Esq. having been its representative 30 years. — Lyman is the 38th corporate town in the state. [See Sandford, ante A. J). 1768.— JtfS. Let. John Low, Esq.'] It is believed, its present name was chosen in compliment to Theodore Lyman, Esq. of Boston, originally of York. X Gray, [the 39th town] so named for one of the proprietors, has one congregational parish accommodated with a convenient meeting-house. Mr. Nash, the first settled minister, was succeeded by Rev. Sam*l Perley, whose pastoral charge was continued from 1784 to 1791. There are iu town also, methodists, baptists and some universalists ; a school fund ; a social library ; six mills ; and a woollen factory. — Little pond is partly in Gray and partly in Windham ; and Goose pond is in the corner of the two Vol. II. 59 466 A. D. 1778. The country people, whigs. Properly of absentees confiscated. THE HISTORY [Vol. II. Smallpox. Paper money. Both the ministers and people of these new townships, were in high estimation with the government ; for they were all ardent friends of liberty. The Tories lived in the older and more op- ulent towns ; and in September a law was passed, by which the estates of 310 persons by name, late inhabitants of the State, were all confiscated. Only seventeen of these mistaken men, however, dwelt in Maine ; and all of these belonged to Falmouth except one, who resided in Pownalboro'.* As they had retired to the enemy, they were called absentees ; and the several Judges of Probate, as authorized by law, appointed agents, to administer upon the estates, as if the late possessors were in fact dead. Copies of the confiscation or " absentees' act," were transmitted to every legislative assembly in the Union ; and also to Hon. John Adams, our minister to the court of France. Should any absentee return, he was to be arrested and transported to the do- minions or some military occupation of the enemy ; and on the second return, he was to suffer the pains of death. f The greatest occasions of present discouragement, were the prevalence and fatality of the smallpox, which had brought many of the bravest men in the army to their graves : — Also the alarm- ing depreciation in value of the paper currency, which was al- most the only circulating medium in the State. Thirty dollars of bills, which were constantly sinking, were now only equivalent to one dollar in specie ;J — a deterioration which wronged and disheartened the brave soldier, and yet the wisest men could ad- minister no adequate relief or remedy. For both the nation and towns. Dry-pond is a curiosit3\ It has no apparent outlet ; but has a re- markable embankment, evidently a work of art, a mile in length — the la- bor of unknown hands — JJS. Let. Jeremiah Ferley, Esq. * These were Francis Waldo, William Tyng, John Wiswell, Arthur Sav- age^ Jeremiah Pote, Thomas Ross, James Wildridge, George Lyde, Robert Pagan, Thomas Wyer, Thomas Coulson, Joshua Eldridge, Thomas Oxnard, Edward Oxnard, John W right, and Samuel Longfellow, all of Falmouth, and Charles Callahan of Pownalboro'. — Statutes, 1778. f There was a Commissioner appointed in each county to enquire after absentees' lands, and make lists and returns of them to the Secretary's office ; — in York county, Tristram Jordan ; in Cumberland, John Wait ; and in Lincoln, Rowland Gushing, were Commissioners. I There were g-iven $6 for a shirt or pair of stockings ; $7 for a pair of shoes ; and in 1780, it was voted in one town to raise a sum of money suffi- cient " to purchase 1780 lbs. of beef at $5 a pound."— jEafora'* J^'arraiive, p. 18. Chap, xvii.] of maine. 457 the several States were without money or pecuniary funds. The a. d. nn. despondency at this interval, however, was happily counteracted Battle of by the brilliant successes of the American arms in the battle of Monmouth, June 28; and by the arrival of Admiral Count Arrival of d'Estaing with a French fleet of 12 ships of the line and 6 fleet and frigates, with a considerable army.* The ultimate and entire es- tablishment of American Independence, and the co-ordinate po- litical rank of the Republic, among the nations of the earth, were after this, in view of the most intelligent statesmen, envel- oped with few or no doubts. Congress, having by resolves, assumed appellate jurisdiction of all maritime causes, as incident to the rights of making peace and war, divided the state of Massachusetts into three districts, the southern, middle and northern ; the last embraced the three eastern counties of York, Cumberland and Lincoln, and acquir- ^'J"/^^ ed a distinctive name — the " District of Maine ;" which it re- ^ maritinne . Court es- tained till the Separation. The Judge of this district was Timo- tabiished. THY Langdon, EsQ,.f a lawyer of considerable eminence, who resided at Wiscasset ; and JVathaniel Thwing of Woolwich was clerk. The General Court conceded the jurisdiction to Con- gress, and authorized an appeal from the State Courts to that Body, or its tribunals, whenever the subject of a foreign power in amity with the United States, claimed a vessel or cargo cap- tured or libelled ; unless he chose to waive his right of appeal, and have his trial in the Superior Court of the State. The Judges of the Maritime Courts were also Judges in Admiralty ; but all persons charged with piracy or felony upon the high seas, were triable by any two Judges of the State, and the Admiralty Judge residing within it. The /or^ze^A and last town established by the General Court un- ^ ^ der the royal charter, was Pittston ; incorporated Feb. 4, 1779, Pitision in- which embraced at the time, both the present town of that name and Gar diner, \ Our few succeeding observations will be con- fined to Pittston since the disunion. It was a part of Plymouth Patent, and the name given it was either in compliment to Pitts, * The fleet arrived off Newport in July, La Fayette had been in Amer- ica several monthg. The treaty with France was signed Feb. 6, 1778. t See post, A. D. 1790. X See Gardiner, incorporated Feb. 17, 1803. — 3 Special Lawtf p. 92-3. 468 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. I). J779. one of the proprietors, or to Sir William Pitt, a well known friend in Parliament to the late Colonies. The settlement was commenced by James Winslow and Ezra Davis in 1761. Doct. Sylvester Gardiner was the principal owner of the soil, — conveyed to him by the Patent-proprietors, and he presently built mills on Eastern river in Pownalboro' ; also two dwellinghouses on Swan Island, and others in Pittston. JVaumkeag, a small mill stream, in the lower part of the town, which empties into the Kennebeck, opposite to an Island of that name, was formerly celebrated, in consequence of the great though unsuccessful endeavors, made to limit the south line of the Plymouth Patent on the easterly side of the river, at that place.* The Penob- The settlers upon the banks of the Penobscot and upon the scotcouij- sijQj-es eastward, attracted at this juncture the particular notice of the enemy, as well as the perpetual regard of the government. The British commanders had become sensible, that they were suffering considerable losses from the American cruisers and pri- vateers in these waters; owing to their minute acquaintance with all the harbors, which their vessels could at any time make, with convenience and safety. The enemy perceived the advan- tage, and believed, by establishing a military post in this quarter, * In Pittston is Wolornontogus stream, emptying- into the main river at the north-westerly corner of the town, a place, where in former times, alewivcs crowded tog-ether in such shoals that, " bears and even swine have been known to devour them from the water-side." There are in the south-easterly part of the town the * Pebble Hills^'' — which are ridg-es as clear of earth, as if washed aad cleansed by running water. Some have been so infatuated with the notion, that there are precious metals hidden, or bedded below the surface, that they have dug- more than one hundred feet for them, and are not yet discourag-ed. The town was first represent- ed in the General Court in 1799, by Henry Dearborn. In 1820, there were jn town 163 dwellinghouses ; and two meeting hpuses, one for methodists, and one for congregatipnalists. The first congregational church was gath- ered in 1812, when Jlev. Mr. Kendrick was settled, whose ministry was continued eight years. — Relating to "Nahumkee," « Nahumkike," or " Negumkike," there were taken in 1752-3, the depositions of Thomas Johnson^ Joseph Bdne,, Jabez Bradbury, Philip Co-lly Obadiah Call and James Colliar — Bane testifies, that he was with the Indians seven years and ten months, and learned their language, and there was a place called *' Jfahumkeeg brook,'" and falls on the east side of the Kennebeck, about seven miles above the foot of Swan Island. — Statement of Kennebeck Claims, p. 14-15.— JtfS. Let. from Pittston, 1820. See the Plymouth Pq^ i^nf— ante, A. D. 1729-30, where « Neguamkike," h mentioi?ed» Chap, xvii.] of Maine. 469 it would command those harbors, the coast, a wide region of ter- A. D. 1779. ritory, and a more ready supply of ship-timber for the royal navy-yard at Halifax ; — it would serve to check incursions into Nova Scotia ; — and it would offer to their ships in stress of w^eather and at other times, a favorable retreat. Accordingly General McLane, and about 900 men, embarking ju^e 12. at Halifax, and attended by a fleet of seven or eight sail, pro- S^'j^^ni ceeded to the peninsula of Major-biguyduce, called 'Biguyduce* froopsTake neck, [now Castine,] and landed, June 12, without opposition. PJ?^;^^^^';'^" They immediately cleared away the trees and underwood, and began to make preparations for erecting a fortification upon the Tl^^y fo'- high ground, in the central part of the peninsula. Its form was rectangular or square, with a bastion at each angle ; and its out- lines were so drawn as to embrace an area large enough to admit of a block-house in the centre, constructed with apartments for the officers, and barracks for the soldiery. It was intended to en- Three viron the embankment with a deep moat, and secure it by pickets, ma^rund'er Three sloops of war under Capt. H. Mowett,f of detested memory, were assigned to this station 5 and the rest of the fleet in a few days left the harbor. Partaking largely of the general alarm, Brigadier-General Prepara- Cushing of Pownalborough addressed a letter, on the 24th, to drive the the General Court then in session, advising an immediate expe- rhe^peninsu* dition to dislodge the invaders, before they had time to entrench themselves. The important subject had already been considered by that Body ; and directions were forthwith given the Board of War, to engage or employ such armed vessels. State or National, as could be procured and prepared to sail in six days ; to char- ter, or if necessary, to impress in the harbors of Boston, Salem, Beverly, and Newburyport, a number of private armed vessels, belonging to individuals, competent, when joined with the others, for the enterprize ; to promise the owners a fair compensation for all losses and damages, they might sustain ; to allow seamen the pay and rations of those in the continental service ; and to procure the necessary outfits and provisions with all possible de- spatch. Also the Executive Council ordered Cushing and Thompson, Brigadiers of the militia in Lincoln and Cumberland, * Pronounced ^Bageduce, j He commanded a 20 gun ship of war, the * Albany.' 470 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1779. to detach severally 600 men, and form them into two regiments 1,200 men for a campaign of two months, subsequent to their arrival in the detailed i i r • from the Penobscot ; and to avoid in any event, the failure of having a brigades. Sufficient force, Brigadier-General Frost was directed to detail 300 men from the York militia, for the purpose of a re- enforce- ment. Supplies. 'pjjg supplies and munitions of war provided, were nine tons of flour and bread, ten of rice, and ten of salt beef ; 1,200 gal- lons of rum and molasses in equal quantities; 500 stands of arms ; 50,000 musket cartridges with balls ; two 18 pounders with 200 rounds of cartridges ; three 9 pounders with 300 rounds ; four fieldpieces ; six barrels of gunpowder, and a sufficiency of axes, spades, tents, and camp utensils. The Amer- "phe fleet consisted of nineteen armed vessels and twentv-four lean fleet. ^ ^ ^ transports. If it were in grade comparatively a flotilla, one more beautiful had never floated in the eastern waters.* It carried in all 344 guns. At the head of the armament was the Warren, a fine new Continental frigate of 32 guns, — 18 and 12 pounders : — Of the others, there were nine ships, six brigs, and three sloops.f R. Saiton- The command was entrusted to Richard Saltonstall of stall, Com- aodore* New Haven, in Connecticut ; — a man of good capacity and of * One who was an eye witness, says, " our fleet had an imposing- appear- " ance ; and I think the enemy must, from the number of our transports, " have reckoned upon our having- at least 3000 men on board." ■J- Frigate Warren, 32 guns, Commodore Saltonstall. s Monmouth 24 Brigs Active 16 guns Vengeance 24 Defiance 16 6 Ib'rs. Gen. Putnam 22 Hazard 16 Sally 22 Nancy 16 Hampden 20 Diligence 14 Hector 20 Tyrannicide 14 Hunter 18 Sloops Providence 14 Black Prince 18 Spring Bird 12 Bky Rocket 16 Rover 10 216 128 Brought forward, 216 Total, 344 The Black Prince was owned by Capt.Williamt and others, and cost £l,000 Hector by Jonathan Peet and others, 1,000 Hunter by Samuel Silsbee, 1,000 General Putnam by Waters, [taken without leave,] 900 Chap, xvii.] of Maine. 471 some naval experience, but of an obstinate disposition. His offi- A.D. 1779. cers were chiefly commanders of privateers, severally bound on a cruise as soon as the expedition was at an end. There were, besides sailors, between 3 and 400 marines and soldiers on board, when the fleet sailed from Massachusetts ; and the transports were to take on board 1,200 detailed militiamen and volunteers, from Thompson's and Cushing's brigades. One hundred men had actually embarked at Boston, who belonged to Lieut. Col. Revere's celebrated battalion of State troops, in that vicinity. The command of the land forces was given to Solomon Lovell s Loveii, of Weymouth, at that time Brigadier-General of the Suffolk mili- der^jT^he tia.* He was by profession, an agriculturist, and in the militia ''^"^ ^o^ce*. * an officer of high repute.' " He was a man of courage and "proper spirit, a true old Roman character, that would never " flinch from danger, but he had not been accustomed to the *' command of an expedition in actual service." The second in command was Peleg Wadsworth, at that time the Adjutant- ^- ^Y^^^* •> worth. General of the Massachusetts Militia. He had been in actual service, an Aid-de-Camp to Major-General Ward, and command- ant of a militia regiment from Essex to Rhode Island, in the ex- pedition under Gen. Sullivan, at the time of his action there with the enemy. f The ordnance was entrusted to the superintendance * Suffolk and Norfolk at this time formed only one county. " July 19, *' the vessels with their soldiers sailed for Townsend, where the whole ar- *'mament was to collect." — On the 21st, seventeen "vessels of war from " Boston, went by us [at Falmouth] to Penobscot." — Smith''s J our p. 112. — The expenses of this expedition were afterwards presented to Congress. —See post, A. D. 1785. f Gen. Wadsworth was born Ma}- 6, 1743, at Duxbury in the county of Plymouth ; and graduated at Harvard College, when 21 years of age. He joined the army at Roxbury, having command of a company of minute men. He was appointed by General Thomas an Engineer, in forming the lines in Dorchester and Roxbury; in which duty he spent the season. In the second year of the war, (1776,) he was aid to Major-General Ward, when possession was taken of Dorchester Heights, He at length left the army in consequence of ill health. He was then appointed Adjutant-Gen- eral of Massachusetts. In 17S0, he had command of the coast from Pis- cataqua to St. Croix. After the war, he settled in Falmouth, [Portland,] and represented the district in Congress, fourteen years in succession. He then removed to the town of Hiram, where he died in 1830. He was a man of good abilities, true courage, great intelligence, and zealous un- deviating patriotism. He had a fair ily of several children. One son in- heriting his father's spirit, fell under Decatur before Tripoli. A daughter married Hon. Stephen Longfellow of Portland. .Tnlv 2-j. TI.e fleet and troops arrive in 472 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.i). 1779. of Lieutenant-Colonel Revere. The expedition was put in mo- Lieiii. tion by Massachusetts, " though with the knowledge of Con- Kevcre. ° ° gress ; and hence a draft was made upon the State treasury for £50,000, to defray the expenses, exclusive of the provisions which the merchants in Newburyport and Salem supplied for six of the fleet, two months. With so much celerity had this expedition been prepared and put in motion, that the whole force made its appearance, July rciiobscot. 25, in Penobscot. But a distinguished officer has said, that though the government had ordered out at least 1,200 of the militia, — " we had less than 1,000 men — about the number of the enemy." They were undisciplined troops, having been para- ded together only once, and this was at Townshend, their place of rendezvous, while the vessels were detained in the harbor by a head Vv'ind. They were, however, "brave and spirited men," ' willing to encounter the enemy ; and had circumstances justified ' an attack, they would without doubt have done their duty raan- ' fully.' Tiip i?ritivh General McLane having heard of the American fleet four duce. ^ ^ days before its arrival, used every exertion to render his fortifi- cation defensible. Yet he was illy prepared to receive a visit from an enemy. Two of the intended bastions were not begun, the other two were in no place above five feet high, many parts of tlje ditch did not exceed three feet in depth, there was no platform laid, nor artillery mounted ; and therefore, when he had the news of a meditated attack, he employed his troops day and night upon the works. Still he was fully aware of his weak con- dition ; consequently as soon as our fleet made its appearance, he despatched a messenger w^ith the intelligence, to Halifax. J ^ Nothing was attempted on the second day after arrival, owing 400 Ameri- to the surf occasioncd by a brisk wind from the south.* But landing. early in the morning of the third day, July 28, it being calm and foggy, our vessels were drawn up in a line beyond the reach of musket shot from the enemy ; and 200 of the militia and 200 of the marines v. ere ordered into the boats from the shipping, ready at die signal to push for the shore ; Mowett had taken Hut Capt. John Brewer, a settler at Se^eunkedunk, [in Brewer,] went on board the fleet. He liad been in the Fort on the 25th July, and exam- ined it ; and now gave the General and Commodore every information they could desire. Chap, xvii.] of maine. 473 a judicious position, which enabled him to command the mouth of a d. 1779. the harbor, and prevent a landing on the southerly side of the penin- sula. A trench had been transversely cut nearly across the isthmus, at the northward, which severed the neck from the main, and se- cured the passes in that quarter. No landing could be effected except on the western side, which was a precipice — 200 feet high, steep and extremely difficult of access ; also there was a line of the enemy posted upon the cliffs or heights, ' who opened a brisk * fire upon us, (as an American officer states,) just as our boats * reached the shore. We stepped out, and they were immediate- * ly sent back. From the enemy's shipping, there was now a * stream of fire over our heads, and from the top of the cliffs, a * shower of musketry in our faces. We soon found the sum- ' mit at this place inaccessible, and we divided into three parties ; * one deployed to the right and one to the left, in search of a ' practicable ascent ; the centre keeping up an unceasing fire to * distract the attention of the enemy. Both parties succeeded ' in gaining the heights ; yet closing upon the enemy in the * rear rather too soon, gave them a chance to escape ; and they * fled, leaving 30 killed, wounded and taken. The conflict was * short but sharp, for we lost 100 out of four hundred men, on * the shore and bank — the marines suffering most as they forced * their way up the precipice. The engagement lasted only * twenty minutes, and would have been highly applauded, had ' success finally attended the expedition. There was not in fact < a more brilliant exploit of itself than this, during the war. We *next threw up some slight fortifications, within 700 yards of the * enemy's main works.' A council of war was called of the land and naval officers, the a Council same morning. The former were for summoning the garrison to"^^^*^* surrender, offering them honorable terms ; but the Commodore and most of his officers were opposed to the measure. It was next proposed to storm the fort ; but as the marines had suffered so severely in effecting a landing, the Commodore refused to dis- embark any more of them, and even threatened to recall those on shore. Our force was thought insufficient to drive the enemy from the fort ; and the assistance wanted was communicated to government by special messengers, sent in whale-boats to Boston. Application On application to General Gates, then commanding at Provi- Gates. Vol. II. 60 474 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1T7D. dence, he detached Colonel Jackson's regiment of Continental troops, as a re-enforcement, \^ho were stopped at Falmouth. Conduct of In the mean time, General Lovell reduced the enemy's out- icans. works and batteries, took several fieldpieces, and by indefatiga- ble labor every night, upon zigzag intrenchments, approached within fair gunshot of the garrison ; so that a man seldom in daylight showed his head above the enemy's works. It was after- wards fully ascertained, that General McLane was prepared to capitulate, if a surrender had been demanded. But Saltonstall was self-willed and unreasonable. He and the General disagree- ing as to the plan of operations, added one more to thousands of fatalities, incident to dissension. Wadsworth was the best officer on the ground. He urged upon General Lovell the expediency of keeping open a good retreat, as one of the first maxims of war. For this purpose he chose a place on the west bank of the river near the Narrows, below the head of Orphan Island ; and recommended the establishment of some works there, whith- er ' our men might retreat, should there be necessity, or make * a stand in case of pursuit.' But Lovell opposed this ; alleging ' that it would dishearten our troops, or rather evince to them * our own despair of success.' Condition of A. fortnight's time gave the British every advantage. General fort.*"^"^ * McLane, by skilful industry and perseverance, filled the gorge of one bastion with logs, surrounded the other with facines and earth ten feet thick, laid a platform and mounted several can- non, environed the fort with a kind of chevaux-de-frize, and en- closed the whole with an abatis. At intervals, Commodore Sal- tonstall manoeuvered to enter the harbor ; and day by day re- Skirmishes, newed a cannonade from the shipping. On the land, too, there were frequent and fruitless skirmishes, occasioned principally by reason of Lovell's exertions, to cut off all communication between McLane and Mowett. In the midst of their solicitude, a de- serter informed McLane, that his camp and Mowett's vessels were to be attacked the next day, by the whole American force. Had the attempt been essayed two days earlier, it might have met with brilliant success. But the fortunate day had passed ; and little else remained to the Americans than disaster. Au^sti3. A spy-vessel brought Lovell news, August 13th, that a Brit- fleet arrives, ish fleet of seven sail, was in the outer waters of Penobscot bay, standing in towards the peninsula. A retreat was immediately Chap, xvii.] of Maine. 475 ordered by General Lovell, and conducted during the night by A»u. 1779. Gen. Wadsworth, with so much silence and skill, that the whole of the American troops were embarked undiscovered. As the . ^ August 14< British squadron entered the harbor, the next morning, it was found to consist of a large man-of-war, a frigate, two ships, two brigs and a sloop ; commanded by Sir George Collier, ten days from Sandy Hook, near Halifax, and carrying 200 guns and 1,500 men.* Saltonstall drew up his fleet in the form of a crescent, with the The Amer- apparent design of maintaining his position ; though in fact, for dispersed! the purpose of checking the enemy's advance, till the land forces on board the transports, could be conveyed to some places of safety or retreat, up the river, or upon the western shores. Con- fident of his entire superiority, Sir George advanced without de- lay and poured in upon his enemy, a heavy broad-side, which threw the American fleet into confusion, and caused a disorderly flight. Most of the transports retreated up the river ; several went ashore at the foot of the narrows,f from which the men took some provisions ; and after landing and setting the vessels on fire, four companies collected and were led off by General Some ves- Wadsworth to Camden.J Others, against a strong tide, were able ^^'^ to ascend the river. A general chase, and indiscriminate destruction ensued. The The rest . destroyed. Hunter and Defiance endeavoring to get by the head of Long Island, to sea, through the western passage, were intercepted ; and the Hunter ran ashore with every sail standing ; which, after Hunter, a smart skirmish between her crew and Lieutenant Mackey with * An accurate account of this fleet, viz : — The Raisonable, Com. Colh^^r | ^^^^^ « Blande, " Berkley 32 220 « Grey Hound, « Dickson 28 200 ) These on their pas Galatea, « Read 24 180 ^ sag-e took 2 Am. priv. « Camilla, « Collins 24 180 « Virginia, " J. Ord 18 150 « Otter, « 14 100 204 1,530 f Between Orphan Island and the western shore. X An attack upon Falmouth was afterwards expected. Thither Colonel Jackson and Colonel Mitchell resorted with their regiments.— Smithes Jour. p. 112. 476 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1779. a party of 50 men from the Raisonable, fell into their hands. Defiance. The Defiance hid herself in a small creek ; when, her crew find- ing the Camilla was in search for her, blew her up about mid- Sky Rocket, night. The Sky Rocket met the same fate from her crew, near Active. Fort-point ledge. The brig Active was burnt off Brigadier's Island. The residue of the fleet, by means of oars and studen sails all set, also the transports, made good their retreat into Marsh Hampden ^^J"' ^^^^6^7 pursucd by the British squadron. Here the Hamp^ Nancy being overtaken, surrendered ; and at the same time, prizes Rover. were made of the JVancy and the Rover. The frigate Warren Warren, was Committed to the flames by her crew, at Oak-point cove, General half a league above Frankfort village. The General Putnam Putnam. ° ^ ° ^ ^ Vengeance, Vengeance, having ascended still higher, were burnt op- Monmouth. posltc Hampden. The others, being the Monmouth, Sally, Black Buldc Prince, . Hazard, Diligence, Tyrannicide, Providence Sloop, Hazard. Spring Bird, Hector, and several transports ascended to places Tyrann? ' ^^^^^ j^^^ bclow the mouth of the Kenduskeag, where they ide^ceSioop' ^^^^ blown up or set on fire by their own crews,* to prevent Sp'^Dg their falling into the possession of the enemy. f A prodigious Hector. wreck of property, — a dire eclipse of reputation,^ — and universal Losses. chagrin— were the fruits of this expedition, in the promotion of which, there had been such an exalted display of public spirit, both by the government and individuals. Our whole loss of men was probably not less than one hundred and fifty ; that of the enemy, eighty-five. So great pecuniary damage at this critical period of the war, and of the State finances, was a severe mis- fortune. In short, the whole connected was sufficiently felt ; for it filled the country with grief as well as murmurs. Aug. 15. The ofiicers and men landing at different placesj on the west- cant ttkTup ern shores of the river, among inhabitants few, scattered and iS^Kemie- indigent, immediately took up their march westward, through a ^eck. ^jjj gjj^ trackless country, thirty leagues or more, as they travel- led it, to the first settlements upon the river Kennebeck. Guid- * Several were burnt on the morning- of the \bt\\.^ Colonel Brewer. f Forty years afterwards, adventurers came into the river with a diving bell, and took from these wrecks, some of which could then be seen at low water, a g-reat number of cannon ; and in the search, they found a barrel of pork, entirely good, except rusted next to the staves. \ Downing-, a surg-eou of the American fleet, dressed the wounds of sev- eral, at Capt. Brewer's dwellinghoiise.— Some were carried to Maj. Treat's in Bangor, Chap, xtii.] of maine. 477 ed by Indians, they proceeded in detached parties, suffering every a.d. 1779. privation. For, not being aware of the journey and fatigue which they had to encounter, they had taken with them provisions altogether insufficient ; and some who were infirm or feeble actu- ally perished in the woods. A moose or other animal was occa- sionally killed, which being roasted upon coals, was the most precious, if not the only morsel, many of them tasted, during the latter half of their travels. The ' Penobscot expedition,' was so much a subject of obloquy couriofEn- and remark, that the Legislature at its next session, Sept. 9, ap- ^""■^* pointed a " Committee"* or Court of Enquiry, consisting of nine gentlemen, — to examine into the causes of its failure and make their report. At their second session, which was in Boston, the General and Regimental Officers, and the Commanders of the armed vessels attended ; and after a thorough investigation, the Court, Oct. 7, pronounced their opinion, which was this, — That " the principal reason of the failure was the want of proper Their de- " spirit and energy on the part of the Commodore :"f — That the destruction of the fleet was occasioned essentially, because of his not exerting himself at all, in the time of the retreat, by oppos- " ing the enemy's foremost ships in pursuit :" — " That General ^' Lovell throughout the expedition and retreat, acted with proper ^* courage and spirit ; and had he been furnished with all the men ordered for the service, or been properly supported by the Commodore, he would probably have reduced the enemy — ^That though a majority of the Commodore's naval Council, being commanders of private armed vessels, were against offen- sive measures, yet he repeatedly said, * it was matter of favor that he called any Council of them ; and when he had taken •* their advice he should follow his own opinion ;' and in that way discouraged all the measures on the part of the fleet : — -That " the naval Commanders, each and every of them behaved like * This Committee, or Court, consisted of Major-General Artemas Ward ; Francis Dana, Esq. ; Major-General Timothy Danielson ; Brigadier-Gen- eral Jonathan Titcomb ; Major-General Michael Farley ; Major Samuel Osgood; .Tames Prescott, Esq.; Colonel Moses Little, and William Seaver, Esq. ; the last three were not present when the report was signed. I The popular voice charged Saltonstall with treachery and cowardice. But it seems these were not formally charged upon him ; and report says, that « he fought a very good battle afterjvards in a large privateer." 478 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.D. 1779. " brave experienced officers, during the whole time — And that " Brigadier Wadsworth, the second in command throughout the " expedition, in the retreat and after, till ordered to return to " Boston, conducted with great activity, courage, coolness and " prudence." — The Court also found " the number of men or- " dered to be detached for this service, to have been deficient " nearly one third. Whether the shameful neglect is chargeable " upon the Brigadiers, Colonels or other officers, whose particu- " lar duty it might have been to have faithfully executed the or- " ders of the General Assembly, we cannot (said they,) ascer- SahonstaU " tai"-" — Upon this report the General Court adjudged, that cashiered. Commodore Saltonstall be incompetent ever after, to hold a com- mission in the service of the State, and that Generals Lovell and Wadsworth be honorably acquitted. Se"indians Tarratiuc Indians at Penobscot, conducted throughout the whole campaign, with all due fidelity and friendship towards the Americans, agreeably to the articles of subsisting treaty. To two of the tribe, in reward for their good conduct, the govern- ment presented suits of clothes ; and afterwards the Legislature, placing more confidence in their integrity, resolved, that any of them be permitted to testify in cases of prohibited traffic. Public bur- '^o defray the expenses of the Penobscot expedition, and the charges of local defence and of the ordinary civil list ; to meet the call of Congress, for six millions of dollars, being the State's quota of 45 millions ; and to raise a re-enforcement of 2,000 men for the army ; — ^were burdens rendered more insurmounta- ble, because of the great numbers taken from the field and shop of productive labor. Public credit was oppressed, for the nom- inal State debt was about 200 millions of dollars, and if reduced to a fair exchange of $40 in the bills to one in silver,* the real debt was still more than 5 millions. In Maine, the late fatal disaster, the enemy upon our coasts, the embargo, which prevented intercourse between our seaports and other places, and the uncommon drought — ^were circum- stances, which increased the dearth of provisions and the general distress. Yet no measures were left unessayed to relieve, pro- * In Falmouth, [according to Rev, Mr. Smith''s Jour. p. 111-112.] corn in June sold for $35 per bushel ; molasses $16 per gallon ; and one man ask- ed $75 for a bushel of wheat meal, and another, in August, paid $19 for a pound of tea. Such was, at this period, the value of paper money. ChAH. XVII.J of MAINE. 479 tect and encourage the eastern people. Provisions were sent A. D. 1779. thither at the public charge. Eight families were removed from The easura 'Biguyduce ; Muster-masters, committees of supplies, and pru- P^*^^®' dential agents of different trusts were appointed ; a truck house was established at Fort Halifax, and furnished with articles to the amount of £5,000, principally to promote the Indian trade ; and so much was a map of Maine, especially a correct one of the eastern coast, wanted at this time, that government granted to Mr. Sheppard, for his labored delineation of a chart, a whole township of land. As to articles of sustenance, no wines, spir- its, sugar nor molasses, — no wool, flax, cotton, nor goods made tiiS°prohib-- of them, — no coffee, salt or chocolate, — no shoes, skins or leath- er, — no live-stock, nor any sorts of provisions, — were allowed to be exported to any other State, after Sept. 23, upon the penally of forfeiture. Nor might any person lade those articles nor any spars on board of a vessel, under a pretence of carrying them to the army, without license first obtained from a legislative com- mittee-man, appointed in every county.* The people upon the Islands and banks of Penobscot, after The treat- the British had established themselves upon the peninsula, suffered peopie'by^^ from their soldiery great insults and injuries ; though the inhabit- ants had the promise of the British General, that they should re- ceive good treatment, if they would continue quiet at home. Be- fore the American fleet arrived in the bay, an advanced guard was placed at Eastern river, [Bucksport,] to prevent all commu- pj^.^'^^''*' nication. This gave the people umbrage ; but after the defeat, a British party, visiting that place, burnt the dwellinghouse of Jonathan Buck, his saw mill, vessel, and two barns, also four or fire of his neighbors' habitations,! and took off a considerable quantity of plunder. Gen. McLane himself, was a man of noble spirit. He gave to the settlers who visited him, the fullest assurances of safety, if their conduct was neutral, — he even permitted a cartel to * These were, for York county, Daniel Jloulton ; for Cumberland, Col. John Wait; and for Lincoln, Dummer Sewall. — There were at this time naval officers :-- York, Richard Trevot ; Pepperellboro\ Tristram Jordan ; Falmouth, Thomas Child ; Penobscot, JSTicholas Crosby ; Gouldsboro', Wm. J^ichols ; Machias, Stephen Smith. t The other houses burnt, were Moore's, Peck's, McDonald's, Lam- phiere's. — J\1S. Let. of Henry Little, Esq. 480 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1779. take home the wounded from different plantations on the river. But Capt. Mowett was a different character. He proceeded up the river, and threatened Capt. John Brewer to run him through with his sword, because he carried away in the cartel, Capt. Ross, and^Hamp- Commanded one of our armed vessels.* Hence, Mr. den. Brewer and Mr. Crosby on the west side of the river, and others, procured a passage and conveyance for their families and effects, on board of a vessel to Camden, under George Ulmer, then in the river, who commanded at that place ; and drove their cattle A. 1780, thither through the woods. — In the winter, the people of Belfast were plundered and abused in a manner so outrageous, that they were forced to leave their houses and possessions, and seek a livelihood in distant places.f At one time, a plundering party ^ ^ from the British camp, visited the dwelling-place of John Gilky Island." upon Long Island, himself being absent ; and, driving his five cows to the shore, shot them all to the ground. His wife begged them to spare one for the sake of her children ; and one it is true, was spared, but it was left dead. Gilky then removed to Cape Cod ; yet returning before the war closed, he was taken from his house by another party, and confined in the fort a year. His house was plundered of its contents, by the crew of a boat called the ' Shaving mill,' and his family left in a most wretched con- dition. Shubael Williams, on a neighboring Island, afforded a The Tones, visiting soldier some service or relief, for which he was falsely charged with encouraging him to desert, and carried before a Court Martial at the garrison, and sentenced to be whipped 500 lashes. Relief of The wretched condition and local misfortunes of the settlers, peopie^^^'^" were greatly aggravated by the Tories. They had removed from Massachusetts into Lincoln county, for the sake of being in the vicinity of their British friends ; and were either acting as spies and informers against the inhabitants, or encouraging them to a treacherous intercourse with the enemy. Therefore, to inspire the people in the eastern counties with union and a determinate spirit of resistance, the requirements upon them of men and provisions to re-enforce the Continental Army, were partially re- laxed. It was determined furthermore, March 15, that the troops stationed at Machias under Colonel Allen ; and the two * Hon. D. Perham's Letter. t They did not return till after the peace.— See, A. D. 1785. Chap, xvii.] of Maine. 481 volunteer companies, belonging to York and Lincoln counties, A. D. 1780. retained in pay since the Penobscot expedition, should be still continued in the service ; and that 600 men be detached for eight months' duty, from the three eastern brigades ; making a force of about 800 men, including officers. Every soldrer was ordered to march, well equipped, within 24 hours after he was detached, or pay a fine of £60 currency money, which was to be ap- plied in procuring a substitute* This new detachment was to be arranged and organized into eoo men companies of a single regiment, and to be thus distributed, — 300 posted Tast- to Falmouth, — 200 to Camden,— and 100 to Machias. Warrants were drawn on the public treasury, in favor of the eastern mus- ter-masters for needful monies ; and the Board of War ordered to Falmouth, two 18-pound cannon, and five 4-pounders, with thirty rounds, and supplies of shovels, spades, crow-bars, pick and cutting axes, wheel and hand-barrows, and all articles neces- sary in the construction of a fortification. The command of the whole eastern department, between Pis- General Wads worth cataqua and St. Croix, was given to General Wadsworth. He commands , , . .the eastern was thereupon empowered to raise a company oi volunteers m department- Lincoln county, whenever he should think the public safety re- quired it ; and to execute martial Taw, ten miles in width upon Martial law the coast eastward of Kennebeck, and upon the Islands, con- formably to the standing rules and regulations of the American Army. His head-quarters were at Thomaston. That town and other places,* whose supplies were intercepted, and proper- ty plundered by the British and the Tories, were relieved from their taxes and other public contributions, elsewhere exacted. For the purpose of protecting friends, the General found it necessary to draw a line of demarkation between them and their Executed, foes ; therefore he issued a proclamation, strictly prohibiting all intercourse with the enemy. But yet forbearance was con- strued into tacit indulgence, until a treacherous Tory conceived himself to be in no more danger than a zealous Whig. For in- stance, one Soule, a staunch known friend of liberty, who lived at Broad bay, was shot dead by the Tories or the enemy, * No place eastward of Penobscot was called upon for taxes or contri- butions after this, till the close of the war. Vol. XL 61 482 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. AiD. 1780, while in his bed, and his wife also was severely wounded. This drew from the General another proclamation, which denounced death to any one convicted of secreting or giving aid to the enemy. Afterwards, a man by the name of Ba.mn, was tried and ad- judged by a Court-martial, guilty of treachery, — and was ex- ecuted. "This act of severity, though painful in the last de- gree" to the General,* proved a salutary preventive of similar transgressions — in verification of the maxim, — ' velribuilve jus- tice to foes is safety to friends.' Jj».tercourse A great abuse had likewise crept into our too indulgent inter- Nova Sco- course with Nova Scotia. For it was represented, that some of the smaller privateers, visiting that Province for the pretended purpose of relieving friends, collecting debts, or removing eiTects, had committed acts of plunder among thom, and thereby shroud- ed our often avowed friendship, with suspicion. The General Court, therefore, required every commpiider of a private armed vessel, to give a penal bond for his good treatment of that people. A feat at There was a feat. May 22, at Townshend, [Boothbay,] which Boothbay. ig, worthy to be mentioned. James R. Mowett, captain of the ' King's Rangers,' falling in with a sloop, belonging to Joseph Reed, seized her as a prize. The owner being extremely anx- ious to recover her, managed with so much adroitness, the next day, as to make him and nine of his companions, prisoners. The extent of JVlowett's chagrin can hardly be imagined. He offered to restore the sloop and even to surrender his own schooner without a parley, if he and his men could be released ; — and the offer was at length accepted and the prisoners liberated. f There were two occurrences which rendered the present year memorable, though they were of no very great importance. One was the dark day, May ] 9, in which a lighted candle was need- ful at noon, the darkness of the night being equally extreme and fearful. It extended through New-England, and a short distance Dark clay. * General WadsworlK's Letter. — One account states that Baum was thoug-ht to have acted Inconsiderately rather than criminally ; and " his " death g-ave dissatisfaction to many warm friends of the Revolution. — Eaton's Jfar. \ The people of Mount Desert suffered much injury from the enemy. The crew of the ship Allegiance, killed their cattle and robbed them of their property. A Tory privateer took the Jolly Robin, a schooner, and the effects of several families as prize property. — Let. of J\'icholas Thom- as, E$q. Chap, xvii.] of Maine. 483 out from the coast. Among the marvellous, it excited interest A. D. nso. and concern ; and among all, curiosity was awakened to enquire for the cause. It is now conjectured to have been in conse- quence ol' the smoke arising from large and extensive fires in New-Hampshire and Maine, and of a peculiar state of the at- mosphere. The other was the treachery of General Benedict Arnold, in Tieason of Arnold. September, at West Point, New- York ; whose execrable, though defeated plan, to surrender that post to the enemy, resulted in the execution of Major Andre, as a spy. If we except the attack Events of upon Connecticut and the plunder of New-Haven, in 1779, the events and incidents of the war, during that and the present year, were confined principally to the soudiern States : — ^years, in which there were displayed consummate generalship and great intrepidity of character, by the troops of both armies. In a second attempt to form a State-Constitution of govern- a newCon- ment, 322 delegates, chosen by towns, convened at Cambridge fbrmeTand on the first Monday of September, 1779, who organized them- selves into an Assembly, by the choice of James Bowdoin, Pres- ident, and Samuel Barrett, Secretary.* After a short discussion of principles, a Committee was appointed, of 31 members, se- lected from the different counties, to prepare and report a draft ; — to whom, time was allowed for the purpose, till the 28th of Octo- ber. The Convention then re-assembled and sat a fortnight. The next meeting was, January 5, (1780,) at the State House, where a draft was received from the pen of John Adams,f chair- man of the Sub-Committee. J This of course became the inter- esting subject of debate and revision, through a protracted session of nearly two months. At last, a form, completed, accepted, and printed, was distributed for adoption among all the towns and * Journal of this Convention, in 6 — 4to. MS. Books, — Secretary's Office, Boston. f The Sub-Committee were J. Adams, Sam'l Adams, J. Bowdoin. \ The Committee struck o'lt of the Sub-Committee's report, two clauses, " one was an unqualified negative of tiie Governor;" the other was " the power of the Governor to appoint all militia officers from the highest Gen- " eral to the lowest Ensign." — « The declaration of rights was diawn by « John Adams ;" " but the article respecting religion, was referred to some « of the clergy or older and graver persons than myself, (says Mr. Adams,) « who would be more likely to hit the taste of the public." — MS. Letter of Hon, John Adamsy 1812, to the author. 484 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1780. plantations throughout the State. The yeas and nays were to be taken in town-meetings upon every article ; which was severally to be declared ratified, if 2-3ds of the voters present were in its favor. — ^Accompanying the Constitutional Draft, was an address to the people, written with considerable ability-^stating the diffi- culties of entire unanimity, in subjects so important, as the powers and departments of government, — -protective of civil liberty, and connected with the rights of conscience and religion. However, the Contention found, at their fifth and last meeting, that, of 290 towns and plantations, 186 had met and acted ; and that by the returns, every article was adopted by the requisite majority. — Hence it was declared, June 14, by that Body, " that the people have accepted the Constitution as it stands, in the printed form submitted to their revision and therefore it will come into operation, on the last Wednesday of the ensuing October. jjiembers of During the last twenty years* of the Royal charter, the Coun- ciaJ Coun- cillors for Maine and Sagadahock, were thirteen— John Brad- bury, James *GowEN, Jerahmeel Bowers, Jedediah Preble, Enoch Freeman, Benjamin Chadbourn, Charles Chauncey, David Sewall, Joseph Simpson, Edward Cutts, Jeremiah Powell, John Taylor, and Henry Gardiner. Mr. Brad- Mr. Bradbury, an inhabitant of York, had been a representa^ tive of that town ten years, prior to his first election into the Council in 1763. He was also ten years successively a member of the Board; and between 1778 and 1780, a Judge of the Mr. Gowen. Common Pleas. Mr. Gowen, having been a representative eight years in the General Court, from the town of Kittery, where he resided, was elected into the Council for Sagadahock, A. D. 1770-1^2; and in 1773, for Maine. He was appointed also upon the bench of the Common Pleas, where he had a seat about Mr. Bowers, seven years. Mr, Bowers was a land proprietor and non-resi- dent of Maine, dwelling as it is understood in the county of BristoL Elected in 1773 into the Council, he was a member that year Mr. Preb- only. Qm, Preble lived in Falmouthr— ra gentleman of great respectability and influence. Eight years he represented his town in the General Court ; three he was a Councillor, beginning with 1773 5 and the first four years of the Constitution he was the IMr.Free- senator for Cumberland, f Mr, Freeman lived in the same man. . . town ; represented it in the General Court two years, and wa§ * See ante, A. D. 1760. \ General Preble died March 11, 1784. Chap, xvii.] of maine. 485 tn the Council in 1774 and 6. He was also 28 years a Judge of a.d. mo. the Common Pleas, and 12 Judge of Probate. He was a na- tive of Eastham, Massachusetts; a graduate at Harvard in 1729 when 23 years of age, and settled in Falmouth in 1741 ; — a man of worth, usefulness and piety.* Mr. Chadbourn represent- JJjurn^^* ed Berwick, his native town, 16 years in the General Court. He was elected into the Council, for Sagadahock, in 1774, and for Maine the two succeeding years. He was likewise a mem- ber of the Executive Council several years under the Constitu- tion ; and a Judge of the Common Pleas. He was the great grandson of Humphrey Chadbourn, who came and settled at Newichawannock in 1636 ; and it is believed, his father, of the same name, was a member from Berwick several years in the General Court. Mr. Chauncey, who lived in Kittery, was elect- Chaun- =ed into the Council, in 1775 and 7, two years only. Mr. Sew- Sewaii. all, a native inhabitant of York, was a member of the Council- board in 1776 and 7 ; — one of the most distinguished citizens of the State — a graduate of Harvard, a Register of Probate, a bar- rister at law, a Justice of the Peace through the Province and State, a Judge ot the Supreme Court, 10 years, and of the District Court, 30 years. Mr. Simpson of York, was in the Mr. Simp- House, three, and in the Council, two years ; and a Judge of the Common Pleas, and of Probate, about sixteen years subsequent 10 his first appointment in 1780. Mr. Cutis of Kittery, after Mr. Cutts. representing his town in the Legislature seven years, was elected a member of the Council in 1779, and succeeded Judge Simpson in both the Judicial offices he held. Mr. Powell dwelt at North- poweij Yarmouth, of which he was the Representative in the General Court eleven years. He was first chosen into the Council in 1 766, and was a jnember for Sagadahock, four years in suc- cession ; and afterwards for Maine, eight years. He removed, it is beheved, for a time to Boston, about the year 1775, and was President of the first Senate under the Constitution.f For Sagadahock, Mr. Taylor was Councillor in 1775-6, and 7, and Mr. Taylor, Mr. Gardiner of Boston, in 1778 and 9 ; — both non-residents. Gardiner. The latter was Treasurer of the State, f He had also fiUed the ^flSce of Colonel. He died Sept. 2, 1788, leaving two sons, amuel of Portland, and Enoch of Westbrook. t Colonel Powell died at North- Yarmouth, September 17, 1784. — Smith, 486 THE HISTORY [Voii. ir. CHAPTER XVIIL Statc-goveriiiimn organized under the Constitution — Bath incorpor- ated— General Wadsivorth made a prisoner at' Biguydace — Par- ticulars OS to his and Burton's escape — Defence of the eastern country — General McCobb, commandvr of the eastern deparlntcnt — The Indians — Public debt, credit and burdens — Specie plenty — I he people — Committee of eastern lands — Surrender of Lord CormvuUis and his army — Peace — Revision of the Judiciary and the fee-bill — Confession and tender acts — The Militia organ- ized—The coast guarded—Port at 3Taehias discontinued— Dc- fnitivc treaty — American army disbcnuhd — Losses in the war — Public debt incurred — Losses in Blassachusctts and Maine. A.D. 1780 ConstiiutioD, adopted June 14, and brought into oper- 2g ation, Oct. 25, tlie administration of the State-government was ftiulfion*"^' several particulars essentially changed. The executive pow- er was now vested in a Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, and an advlsatory Council of nine members. Legislation was commit- ted to a General Court of two branches, — a Senate of 40 mem- bers, and a House of Representatives, — the one chosen by coun- ties or districts, and the other by corporate towns. The num- ber of Senators assigned to a county was in proportion to its property returned in the periodical State-valuation. Every town of 150 taxable polls, was entitled to a single representative, also to one more, for every additional number of 375 polls, or ratable persons. The members of the executive and legislative depart- ments received an annual election ; the Councillors were chosen from the Senators, in convention of the two Houses ; and the others by the ballots of voters* given in the town-meetings. All Judicial officers were appointed and commissioned by the Exec- utive, to hold their offices during good behavior.f The militia of the State was arranged into Divisions, Brigades, Regiments * A voter must be 21, and have an income of ^10, or estate worth $200. •j- Except Justices of the Peace, who held their offices seven years only^ unless recoinmissioned. Under the charter, they were commissioned during good behavior. Chap, xviii.] of maine. 487 and Companies. The Major-Generals of Divisions were chosen by A. D. 1780. the two legislative branches, each having a check upon the other; the Brigadiers by the officers of their brigades ; Regimental officers by those of the regiments, and company officers by the members of 21 years old ; — and all were commissioned by the Gov^ernor as Commander-in-Chief. The Secretai:y, Treasurer, Commissnry-General nnd delegates to Congress, as well as the State Councillor,-,'^' were ciiosen by a joint ballot of die two leg- islative branches in convention. At the first election, Sept. 4, John Hancock was chosen John Han- Governor, and when the General Court convened, (^ct. 25, they Governor, elected Tho ias Cnsiii^iG. LicnteniiiU-Go^/ernor ; no choice having been made at the polls. Joremiah Pov\?ell vras chosen President of the Senate ; — Caleb Davis, Speaker of the House, and Samuel Freeman, Clerk ; the number in the latter branch being 19G members. The Senators assigned by the Constitution to the District of Senators Maine were four ; York county was allowed two, and elected Edioard Cuits of Kittery, and Benjamiii Chadbourne of Ber- wick. The latter was then chosen into the Council. Cumber- land was allowed one, and Lincoln one, and the former elected Jedediah Preble of Falmouth, and the latter Thomas Rice of Pownalborough. When the Governor met the Legislature, he urged upon their Governor'* consideration, in his first Speech, the wisdom and indeed the ^P^®^^'* necessity of supporting public credit, — of enforcing a prompt collection of taxes, — of encouraging and extending the means of education, — and especially of providing relief for the ministers of the gospel, those flaming lights of liberty, suffering losses even to penury, through a depreciation in the currency.f Among the few acts of a general nature passed the first year, pirst acts of were those— framed to establish the salaries of the Governor and §Jurt?' the Judges of the Supreme Judicial Court ;{ to provide by lotte- * If the CouDcillors of the first choice accepted, — their seats at the Senate-board remained vacant throiig-h the year; if they refused to accept, the second choice was taken from the people at large. t There were at this period, in the District of Maine, thirty-one settled ministers of the g-ospel ; — 28 congrcg'ationalists ; 2 presbyterians ; 1 or 2 baptists, and in Kittery, a small society of friends, :{: Governor's salary, £1,100 "in specie;" Chief Justice, £320;— the other Judges, £300 each. A Committee consisting of the Judges of the 488 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1781. ry for clothing the Massachusetts troops in the Continental army ; to regulate the currency, upon principles of equality and justice ; and, March 3, to regulate the Militia, in conformity to the pro- visions of the constitution. Bath incor- The first town established by the new eovernment was Bath ; porated. . i -n i . incorporated Feb. 17, 1781 ; which had been, since Sept. 7, 1753, the northerly or second parish in Georgetown. It is situ- ated north of Winnegance creek, which mostly separates it from the present Phipsburg. It extends between Sagadahock, Long- reach on one side, and New-Meadows or Stevens' river on the other, to Merryraeeting bay. The first settlement was ancient. Thomas Stevens, between A. D. 1667 and 1670, purchased of Elderunkin and Devele Robin Nenement, two Sagamores, their possessory right to a large tract including this township. But il is believed, that the first settlement was undertaken on the banks of ^ Long-reach,' above the « Elbow,' before A. D. 1 670, by Rev. Mr. Gutch, without either the patronage or interposition of Stevens. For in the trial of Doct. Gardiner's action in 1758, who claimed 1200 acres under the Plymouth patent, where Bath village now stands, against Col. Nathaniel Donnel of York, who defended under a derivative title from Gutch ; it was testified by old Mr. Preble, living on the eastern bank of the river oppo- site, that he " could remember to have seen Mr. Gutch's meeting- house," and that he was often told ' he had been a preacher to the fishermen, and was drowned " near one hundred years" pre- vious to the time of his testifying.' Gardiner recovered ; and probably from the time of lhat decision, the settlement, which had lain waste from the first or second Indian war, was gradually revived. There was also another settlement on Stevens' or New- meadows' river, which was till 1770, probably the most popu- lous neighborhood. The first parishrmeeting was holden at the house of Jonathan Philbrook, in that part of the settle- ment. A meeting-house was raised and boarded in 1760, on the westerly side of Donnell's pond ; and January 2, 1768, Rev. Francis Winter settled there in the ministry ; who accepta- bly acquitted himself of the pastoral duties nineteen years.* Supreme Judicial Court, — the Attorney-General, — J. Bowdoin, and J. Pick- ering- vrere appointed to revise the statute law and report at a future day. * JBo/A, (the 4l8t town in the State) first settled by Samuel York or Mr. Gutch, was a namo suggested by Dummer Sewall, Esq. The title to the Chap, xviii.] of Maine. 439 To return to the war — as soon as the 600 militia, detached in A d. i781. March, a year ago, for eight months, had returned home in De- The aitack cember. Gen. Wadsworth had left to his command a very small Wads- force. So situated, he had selected for a few weeks' residence, a habitation at Westkeag, a small rill in the heart of Thomaston, where he was living with his family ; consisting of his wife, a son, five years old, a daughter younger, and Miss Fenno, a par- ticular friend of Mrs. Wadsworth. He was then guarded by only six soldiers. Acquainted with his defenceless condition. Gen. Campbell despatched a party of 25 men under Lieut. Stockton, from the fort at 'Biguyduce to make him a prisoner. Xhey arrived at dead of night, Feb. 18, near his house, which was four miles from the place where they had landed and left their schooner. The ground was covered with snow, and the weather was severely cold. The sentry hailed, *' who's there — and then, contrary to all orders, entered the door of the kitch- en, which being used as a guard-room for the soldiers, was now opened by them, to receive him. His retreat was instantly followed by a volley, fired into that part of the house. At the same moment, others discharged their guns into the sleep- ing apartment of the General and his wife, and blew in a part of the window ; and a third party forced their way to Miss Fen- no's room. Thus possession was taken of the whole house, ex- cept the General's room, which was strongly barred. Finding no person with Miss Fenno except Mrs. Wadsworth, who had lands was long supposed to be in the Plymouth Company. — [See George- tovm, ante, A. D. 1716.] — Rev. Mr. Winter's successor in the ministry at Bath, was Rev. Hugh Wallis, ordained in 1795 ; but he was dismissed in 1800. Rev. Asa Lyman was settled in 1805 ; and Rev. John W. Eiling- wood, 1812. Bath Academy, incorporated March, 1805. In 1820 there were in Bath four commodious meeting-houses — 2 churches of congrega- tionalists, two of baptists, one of methodists, one of universalists and a *' Society of J^ew-J erusalem" since organized, (in 1829.) There were in town (in 1820) two Banks, Lincoln and Bath, each $100,000 capital ; and two weekly newspapers printed. The harbor of Bath is good, being 12 miles from the entrance into the river ; and the passage to it safe. The tonage of this town, in Dec. 1828, was 36,291 tons. Between 8 and 12,000 tons of shipping are annually built here. — It is told by tradition, ' that in < king Philip's war, there was a battle iB this vicinity between the English ' and the Indians, in which the former, theugh they won the day, lost 200 < men — But unsupported as a fact by any other accounta.— Jif bO in specie, for every mounted 2-pounder which should be taken, and a far- ther sum of £10 for any additional pound-shot in an ascending series to £120 for a 9-pounder,* and £6 for every prisoner ; $6,000 being put at the disposal of the Governor to pay bounty- money. There were also employed two sloops severally armed with twelve 4-pounders, a row-galley, and a flotilla of whale-boats, furnished with 200 barrels of flour, 100 barrels of pork, 400 stands of firearms, 2,000 pounds of powder, and 4,000 lbs. of lead, for themselves and the eastern troops — all which were ad- vanced by the Commissary-General of the State, and set to the debit of the United States. Afterwards two additional armed vessels were hired to range and guard the eastern coast. In Lincoln county, 160 men were enlisted to be stationed at such places eastward of Penobscot, as the Governor might appoint ; and 120 more, raised in York and Cumberland, and assigned to Falmouth and its vicinity ; — which soldiers, when armed and equipped at their own expense, were to receive 20*. per month besides their Continental wages. General Wadsworth being a prisoner, the command of the eastern department was committed Colonel to Samuel McCohh of Georgetown, Colonel of the first militia commands regiment in Lincoln, promoted about this time to a Brigadier- department. General.f The hostilities of the eastern Indians, so bloody in former wars, Friendship were happily changed to the amity and friendship of faithful and active auxiliaries. Our alliance with the French, and their influ- * Mass. Resolves. f General McCobb succeeded General Gushing. Vol. IL 63 498 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.D. 1781. ence among them, had a most salutary effect. Orono, a Tarra- tine Sagamore, fitted out at his own expense, an express to Ma- chias, and thence to the tribes at Passamaquoddy, St. Johns and Nova Scotia, upon an errand of intelligence beneficial to us."*^ For this friendly and watchful service, there was dealt out to him thirty daily rations, through an unknown number of months. To la Juniper Barthuaine, a Catholic missionary, resident with the tribe, who was recommended by the French Consul, as a sincere friend to the American interests, the government allowed £5 per month of the new emission, in remuneration of his ser- vices, and provided for his personal accommodation. Public The pecuniary affairs of the State had become highly interest- mg. inere were mcessant calls upon the people tor recruits, provisions, and taxes. Many were creditors to the State, who could obtain no pay, except depreciated bills, by which they sus- tained losses ; and soldiers were importunate for their wages, which the most of their families at home greatly needed. Yet the state of the public funds, at the close of the year 1780, and that of the public credit, was such, that the bills issued by the State and still in circulation, amounting to eleven millions of dol- lars, had depreciated to be worth no more than $275 or 300,000, specie value. f To draw these all into the treasury, there was a JVew Emission of paper, which, for a short period, nearly retain- ed its nominal value. These were made a tender by a law ; which, however, in a few months was repealed. Public bur- Besides the pecuniary burdens and taxes upon every town and *^*'^* plantation in the State, there were repeated calls upon each one of them for a specific proportionate number of recruits ; and for particular articles, such as blankets, shirts, pairs of stockings and shoes, and pounds of beef: and in every county there were constantly muster-masters, and collectors of the different articles. The number of men called into the public service in 1780-1, was said to exceed one tenth of all the male inhabitants of the State, sixteen years old and upwards. Yet, according to an es- timation in the new emission of bills receivable by law in pay- ment of taxes, at the rate of one dollar and 7-8ths in the bills, *Sept. 1, 1761. There is news, that 5 English ships and 5 brigs have arrived at ^Biguyiuce.— Smith's Jour. p. 114. •j- 2 Bradford's Mass. p. 205. — That is, one silver dollar would purchase from 35 to 40 dollars of the bills. Chap, xviii.] of maine. 499 to one dollar in specie, the sums necessary to be raised in the A. D. mi. Commonwealth during the year 1781, would, as it was stated, amount to £950,000 * But specie was plenty. The French brought money into the Specie country. Some probably found its way among the inhabitants from the enemy, through the medium of Tory emissaries ; and considerable sums were taken on board the prize vessels, captured by the Americans. Nevertheless, the difficulties and delays Legislative in collecting the assessments, so numerous and heavy — drew from ^^^rest. the General Court to the people a pressing address ; — * We con- *jure you by all the ties of honor and patriotism, to give up ' every consideration of private advantage, and assist in supplying * Items :— This year's Civil List, £30,000 Interest on public notes and oflSicers' wages, 213,000 Instalment of public debt to be paid, 600,000 For Congress, 86,000 Clothing for the army two years, 50,000 Indian department — Coats and firearms to the \ Chiefs, duffel and dowlas to the tribes, a barrel / gnn of pork and 2 bbls. of flour, to every family off * an Indian soldier falling in battle, ) Furnished to Col. Josiah Brewer, truck-master, Halifax, ,500 To Col. Allen at Machias, pork, corn, and other articles, ,150 Defence of the coast, provisions and other items, 70,150 £950,000 Ways and means ;— Silver money tax assessed last year, collecting, £ 72,000 Tax, (1781,) on polls and estates, 320,000 Excise on articles of consumption, 50,875 Lottery for purchase of clothing, 20,000 Sale of confiscated estates, ^ 40,000 Shoes and stockings — specifically assessed on towns, 20,200 Surplus of beef towards this year, 16,000 Loan, (on the supply-bill,) 400,000 Deficit 10,925 £950,000 N. B.— In every tax of £1,000 upon the whole State, the District of Maine paid thus :— York, £39 10*. lOd. ; Cumberland, £30 9*. 8d. ; Lin- coln. £22 2*. 7d=£92 2s. Id. Beef tax on Maine, was 236,120 lbs. Total beef tax on the whole State, 2,400,440 lbs.— Shoe and hose tax on Main€ in 1780, was 1,016 pairs. — York, for instance, furnished 60; Fal- mouth, 72 ; and Pownalborough, 36 pairs, — other towns in proportion. — Resolves, 1780-1, vol. 5. 500 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1781. * the treasury without delay; for it is manifestly impossible to * support an army, if the towns withhold their taxes. Let it be * evident, that the people of Massachusetts, are animated with * the same principles which inspired them in the early stages of the * contest ; and that they feel the salvation of the country to be of * higher importance, than any other interest or object. Thus shall * we dash the last hope of the enemy, founded as it has been and * still is, upon the inability, avarice, or disunion of the people.' The eastern In the midst of all the burdens, privations and evils, which the people. eastern people had been called to suffer, — the enemy at length firmly seated in the bosom of their country ; there had been rather an increase than diminution of population. No longer alarmed by the war-whoop and tomahawk of the Savage, men chose the depths of the forest for a retreat and residence, rather than be separated from their families. Though they had here to struggle with poverty, it was to them no new acquaintance ; and though removed from the mechanical and social conveniences of civilized life, they could enjoy domestic quiet, — an asylum from the noise and ravages of war ; and feed their minds with reasonable anti- cipations of future improvements and plenty. In short, an early distinction was likewise made by the public, between the greedy trespasser who entered the forests merely to fell and plunder ; and the enterprizing actual possessor, whose motives were settle- ment and culture. Espousing; this doctrine, the General Court A Commit- _ . tee to in- appointed a Committee of five able men,* to inquire into all the quire into the state of eiicroachments upon the wild unappropriated lands of the State ; the eastern . , ' , r i • i lands, to examine the rights and pretexts 01 claimants; and to prose- cute obstinate intruders and trespassers — ^yet liquidate fair adjust- ments with all such as were disposed to do right, upon principles of equity, good faith and duty. So long as the war continued, there was no great trade in lumber, and consequently the tempta- tion to plunder the forests was small; though the law which pro- hibited the exportation of masts and spars, was in the spring fol- lowing repealed. In the southern States, which had been for a long time the theatre of the present war, a great and auspicious event occurred, * These were J edediah Preble^ of Falmouth; Jonathan GreenlenJ, of New-Gloucesler ; David Sewall of York ; John Lewis of North- Yarmouth ; and William Lithgow of Georgetown, — Resolve, *May 1, 1781. Chap. XVIII.] of maine. 501 which filled America with joy, and formed a prelude to the clos- A. D. mi. ing scenes of the revolutionary struggle. This was the surrender October 27. of the British army under Lord Cornwallis, at Yorktown in of Cornwal- Virginia, Oct. 27, 1781 — to the combined forces of the Ameri- cans and French; — four years and two days, subsequent to the capture of Burgoyne. The prisoners exclusive of seamen, were 7,073 ; of which number, 5,750 were rank and file.* General Washington, on this very joyful occasion, ordered, that those who were under arrest should be pardoned and set at liberty ; and recommended, that all the troops not on duty, do attend divine service appointed to be performed to-morrow, " with a serious deportment, and that sensibility of heart, which the recollection " of the surprizing and particular interposition of Divine Provi- " dence in our favor claims." — Congress went in solemn proces- sion to Church, — returned thanks to Almighty God for crowning the allied arms with success, — and issued a proclamation, ap- pointing December 13, as a day of national thanksgiving and prayer. The period of suspense, as to the future course the British a. d. 1782. government might pursue, was short ; for the Commons resolved, March, on the 4th of March following, that they " would consider as en- Commons amies to his Majesty and the country, all those who should advise, prosecutlT or attempt the farther prosecution of offensive war, on the Conti- farthen nent of North America." Commissioners were soon after ap- pointed to negociate a peace ; and on the 30th of November, jy^^ they agreed upon the Provisional Articles, by which Great Britain Peace, acknowledged the Independence of the United States in its full- est extent. In the meantime, there were in several places acts of hostility Private by the powers at war ; but the storm was over, and the commu- nity felt relief. To the voice of liberty, which had been so uni- versally revered, succeeded that of justice, with calls equally imperious. Every body was in debt, and every body had claims.f In adjustments between right and wrong, between debtor and creditor, resort was often necessarily had to law and to Courts. Hence the Judiciary system was revised in July, when there were * 2 Holmes', A. Ann, p. 458. f Also, « people are in a sad tumult about Quaker meetings, ministers and taxes." Feb. lA.—SmiOCs Jour, p 115. 502 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. I). )782. established a Supreme Judicial Court of five Justices through the The judici- State : and in each county, a Court of Common Pleas constituted 3r_y system revised. of four Judges ; a Court of General Quarter Sessions, formed by the Justices of the Peace therein ; and a Court of Probate, to be holden by a single Judge. From the adjudications of these three latter Courts, parties had a right of appeal to the Supreme Court of Judicature. Two terms only were allowed this Court to the District of Maine, both of which were in June ; one Fee-bHi im- being at York and the other at Falmouth. The fees allowed to civil officers, and those taxed in lawsuits, were revised ; and had the policy been as good as the motives were, to prevent litigation and costs, the benefit of some new statutes might have been ex- tensive. Confession For an act was passed, May 3, with a very imposing title, * to * provide ^ more speedy method of recovering debts, and to pre- * vent unnecessary costs by which any creditor, if he should " see cause,"* might summon his debtor before a Justice of the Peace to acknowledge a debt of any amount ; and his only chance was an appeal : — Otherwise, upon his acknowledgment or default, payment might be enforced by immediate execution. But it proved an artifice abundantly calculated to ensnare both parties in its toils. The creditor chose his court ; legal process was loose ; justice was abused ; undue advantage was taken of debtors in their absence ; and an extent upon their real estate was some- times made and recorded, before they had actual notice of the suit. A reversal of such proceedings, with costs, through the medium of a higher court, was the usual consequence ; and in less than six months, the General Court declared it did not answer "the ends designed," and therefore, Oct. 19, the same year, they re- pealed it. Instead of it, however, a salutary provision of law was introduced, by which a voluntary recognizance of debts be- fore Magistrates, was authorized, and has ever since been in force. Tender act. To perfect the system still more, another act was passed, July 3, which provided for the satisfaction of executions by cattle and other enumerated articles of personal property, at the appraise- ment of impartial men under oath. In its practical operations, this law tempted debtors to conceal their most valuable kinds of * This law, by way of nick-naim, was afterwards called the " See cause " Act — from that expression in the first clause of it. Chap, xriii.] of Maine. 503 property ; and when the officer came with the execution, it was Ai D. 1782. levied on articles of little use to the creditor. It unjustly deterred him from demanding his dues, and encouraged the debtor to neglect or delay payment. Still it was less mischievous than the other and had a longer life."^ By the Militia laws, March 3, 1781, and March 21, 1783, the Miiitiaof trainbands were to consist of all able-bodied men from 16 to 50, and the alarm list of those and others between 50 and 65, ex- cepting from both classes, all judicial, executive and church offi- cers, legislators, masters of arts, and even selectmen; and the officers as well as soldiers were finable, if they were unequipped or absent from duty. The militia in the District of Maine, was arranged into 120 companies ; and finally classed into 13 regi- ments,f three brigades, and two divisions — denominated the sixth and seventh of the State. Ichabod Goodwin of Berwick, was G^"- afterwards chosen by the General Court, the Major-General of ^jJ^^^Li'i^'i the former, embracing the militia of York and Cumberland ; and go^* William Lithgow of Hallowell, still later, the Major-General of the latter, embracing all the militia of Lincoln County. A small armed vessel and tender were ordered, in March, to a.D; 1783x cruise for the enemy in Casco bay, and along the eastern coast, A cruise to collect the firearms, and public property of the State, wherever "oasu found in the hands of individuals, and distribute the same to the best advantage. By this time, the faith and honor of British privateers and soldiers, were extremely low. The strong antici- pations of peace were no certain security against predatory ag- gression ; and the guards at Falmouth, Cape-Elizabeth, and ^^X^^payf* probably at Camden, were to be continued in the public service, so long as the Captain-General of the Stale might order. But on receiving, in May, more authentic intelligence of peace May. News of in Europe, furloughs were granted to the non-commissioned offi- peace ia cers and soldiers of the American Army ; prisoners in England puriout^^s were dismissed ; the military post at Machias was considered to ^^J'J'igry * The people eastward of Penobscot, petitioned the General Court to enlarg-e the jurisdiction of Justices of the Peace among- them, to j£lO ; and to establish the usual County Courts in that quarter, with rig-ht of ap- peal to the Supreme Judicial Court at Boston. j In York County, 3 regiments ; Cumberland 4 ; in Lincoln 6. The militia act underwent a revision, March 10, 1785, when the District of Maine, was constituted one division, — soon after formed into two divisions, and the Major-Generals chosen, above named. 504 A.D. 1783 Post at Ma- chias, dis- continued. Definitive treaty of Paris, Sep- tember 3. October 18. American army dis- banded. Losses in the war. THE HISTORY [VoL. II. , be no longer of general importance, — and orders were given, July 11, for the discharge of Col. Allen, and the removal or sale of the public stores. Numerous stands of firearms had been distributed to his neighbors and the people of other seaports ; — 107, for instance, having been delivered to General Preble and Capt. Ilsley of Falmouth, and to Isaac Snow of Harpswell — all which, and others, were commanded to be returned into the pub- lic arsenal. On the 3d of Sept. 1783, the definitive treaty of peace was signed at Paris 5 the second article of which described the north-eastern boundary to be " formed by a line drawn due " north from the source of St. Croix river to the highlands, " along the said highlands, which divide those waters which empty " themselves into the river St. Lawrence, from those that fall " into the Atlantic ocean, to the north-easternmost head of Con- " necticut river" — and " east by a line to be drawn along the " middle of the river St. Croix, from its mouth in the bay of " Fundy to its source — being the eastern and northern boun- dary of Maine. The treaty also conceded to the United States, " all the Islands within 20 leagues of the shore, and the right unmolested to fish on the Grand Banks, and on all the other banks of Newfoundland, and generally in every place where the inhabitants of both countries have heretofore used to fish." This was succeeded by an entire cessation of hostilities ; the withdrawment of the British from our shores, and the disbanding of the whole American army on the 18th of October, (1783). It was not, however, till December, that the garrison at 'Biguy- duce was broken up and abandoned.* The people who had retired from the eastern parts made immediate preparations to return ; and with them emigrated large numbers of new set- tlers. It has been stated, that Great Britain, in this war, lost of her own subjects and mercenaries, one hundred thousand lives ; and added to her national debt, £120,000,000 sterling ; winning nothing but an inglorious defeat. The United States established their National Independence, at an immense sacrifice of blood and treasure ; losing probably more than fifty thousand brave Colonel Wardwell. Chap, xviii.] of Maine. 505 men, and incurring a national debt of 45 millions of dollars,* A. D. 1783. besides local and individual expenditures and damages to an un- told amount. The loss of men to Massachusetts, in the field, in camp and bosses in '■ Massachu- in prisonships, has been estimated at a number between 8 and 9 setts and thousand. Her own debt incurred was about five millions of dollars in specie value ; besides her proportion of the national debt, which was estimated to be as much more.f The quota to Maine of these and all other public burdens was one tenth, ac- cording to the general valuation ; the ratio being subsequently from time to time enlarged, as numbers and wealth increased proportionably faster here, than in Massachusetts proper. The men belonging to Maine, who fell during the war. must have ex- ceeded a thousand. * Namely, Foreign debt, $7,885,085 Domestic do. 84,115,290 Interest to 1783, 2,415,956 $44,416,331.-2 Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc. p. 402. Equal to about £10,000,000 sterling-, f 2 Bradford's Hist of Mass. p. 228, 247. Jfote. — Though the eastern Indians were friendly, those at the north were of a different disposition. For instance, in June, 1782, a party came through the wilderness from Canada, and fell upon the infant settlement of Newry, set their habitations on fire, and destroyed all the property they could not carry off ; acting out their accustomed barbarity, yet did not molest the women ; — and fortunately the men were gone to the next town, now Bethel, then Sudbury Canada. The Indians proceeded then to that place, where they killed several, carried others away prisoners, a part of whom they slew on their way to Canada. — Letter of Luke Riely, Esq. — The same party of Indians carried away from Bethel, Nathaniel Segar and Benjamin Clark, and detained them 15 or 16 months. — Letter of J, Graver, Esq. — Netallie was a Chief, dwelling on an Island in Lake Umba- gog. His sons joined the English in the war. This so offended the father, " that he drove them from him and forever disinherited them." — JIS. Let, of J. A. Poor, Esq. — On the 4th of August, 1781, two men were killed by the Indians in Gilead. — JUS. Let. of A. Burbank, Vol. II. 64 506 THE HISTORY [Vol. II. CHAPTER XIX. The District of Blaine — Committees of eastern lands — Land-office — Survey or- General — Surveys hy him — Settlers encouraged — Lum- ber ^ ashes and fish — Plantations — Machias incorporated. — New- Brunswick — Settlements at St. Croix — Conflicts of the borderers — Commissioners inquire into the causes — The excise — Statute-law revised — Expenses of the Penobscot expedition — Governor Han- cock resigns — James Boicdoin elected Governor — Demand for eastern lands — 12 toimiships confirmed — New-Sharon — Number three — Mount-Desert — Eddington — The Islanders and settlers — Counter-titles to lands — Tract claimed by the Tarratine Indians — Treaty with them — Towns and plantations revived — Shapleigh, Parsonsfield, and Standish, incorporated — Great freshet. A.D. 1783. As soon as peace was settled, and the definitive boundaries The District known ; the eyes of thousands were turned upon the District of of Maine, jyj^jj^g ]\j-Q feavs now remained of the Indians. These ancient, independent and hardy freeholders of the soil, had become re- duced by the wastes of time and war, to a spectacle commanding the generous sensibilities of every heart. They were our allies likewise ; and their conduct had given full attestation of their fidelity through the war. After allowing to them a restricted territory ; the rivers and forests were no longer theirs. The fee and virtual possession of all the ungranted region, it was agreed on all hands, were in the State. She had made very few grants''^ since the declaration of independence. The importance, at this period, attached to the extent and value of these eastern lands, was great ; for if the District of Maine embraced 30 mil- lions of acres, it was supposed, that when all patents and other conveyances were deducted, two-thirds of the whole still remained unappropriated. Nay, such were its water privileges, the resour- ces of its forests, the goodness of its soil, and such its various * One of the first grants was September 21, 1780, of 6,000 acres to Arthur Lee, to be located on Saco river. This was to remunerate him for services rendered the State in London, after tlie return of Doct. Frank- lin in 1775. Chap. xix.J of jvjaine. 507 attractions to enterprize, that no man needed the power of pro- A. D. i788i phetic discernment, to foresee the country filled with inhabitants and wealth. For three years, the primary Committee* had acted as watch- A.D. 1784. ful guardians of the public lands ; in which period, wherever they March 19. found obstinate or incorrigible trespassers, they had instituted Commiuee prosecutions against them. But, aware of their inability to per- form the numerous and complicated duties devolving upon them, they resigned their trust eastward of the river Kennebeck; and in March, Samuel Phillips, jr. of Roxbury, JVathaniel Wells New Com- of Wells, and JYathan Dane of Beverly, were appointed to the eastern same office, and vested with more ample powers. These were their* duties, instructed by the General Court to inquire into all trespasses, illegal entries and encroachments upon the public lands ; to as- certain how far grantees had compKed with their engagements, and what were the limits of the tracts, owned or claimed by the Indian Tribes ; and to report the expediency of employing skil- ful surveyors, to run out six townships on the river St. Croix, — four on the west side of Penobscot, above the Waldo patent, — and all the territory on the eastern side of the latter river, between the Indian lands and the twelve townships conditionally granted before the war. For these purposes, they were directed to send one of their number to visit this District, in person. To encourage soldiers and emigrants, desirous of settling upon Offers to new lands, the Committee were farther instructed by government to offer every such adventurer, at one dollar per acre, his choice of 150 acres any where upon the rivers and navigable waters of Maine ; — or to give him 1 00 elsewhere, if he would but clear 1 6 acres in four years. A Land Office was established at the ^JaJhshed^ seat of government ; Rvfus Putnam was appointed State-survey- and a sur- er, and public notice was given in the newspapers, that wild erai ap- lands would be offered in quantities — to suit purchasers, as soon as the surveys and plans could be made, arid the requisite infor- mation could be obtained ; that payment would be received in soldiers' notes, or the consolidated securities of the Common- wealth ; and that all who had entered and made actual improve- ments upon the State's lands, under mistaken licenses, or without any leave, would be quieted upon fair and feasible terms. * Ante, A. D. 1781. 508 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.D. 1784. During the season, several townships were actually surveyed in Surveys the county of Lincoln, so far as to run the exterior lines. Sur- seuiersen- vcys Were also made of Rogers' Island, and three others, in couraged. jy[Q^g_pg(.]^y_j.(.ach^ and conveyed to Paul D. Sargent and his associates. Burnt-coat Island was sold to James Swan ; and in general, the Committee were authorized * to sell and deed any * pieces or strips of unappropriated land, at public or private sale, * for the most they could obtain.' These encouragements at- tracted much attention. Great numbers returning home from the army, in want or indigence — possessing little more than a sol- dier's note, a few depreciated bills, and a character for courage, patriotic zeal, and industrious habits, removed into this eastern country, and laid the foundations for their families' respectability and fortune. Pine-iim- To prevent the destruction of the innumerable White Pines and shin- yet Standing upon the public lands, by far the noblest trees in the eastern forest, the Legislature made it penal in the sum of $100 to cut one of them, — recoverable by indictment. They also forbade by a perpetual law, the exportation of any other than square-edged boards, or any other shingles than such as were 18 inches in length and entirely sound ; and required towns to Pol and choose survcyors of lumber. Pot and pearl ashes, and fish, be- and'^lishlir' ^"S articles of exportation from Maine ; inspectors of them were specied. ^ Statute of 1784, required to be appointed for the benefit of trade, and the encouragement of exporters. By these timely and judicious provisions, an additional value was given to those articles, and a more ready sale secured in foreign markets. Plantations. By a new census and a new valuation this year, several places were brought into the lists, which had heretofore escaped notice. The plantations of Little Falls, [Hollis,] and Massabeseck, [Wa- terborough,] were, for instance, bounded by law principally for the conveniences of collecting taxes. To poor men, an exemp- tion from the public pecuniary burdens, now so heavy, had be- come a motive, sufficient to induce them to settle in plantations. These being unorganized, often escaped assessments, and there- fore had little desire to be incorporated into towns. At last, the General Court made a thorough enquiry into the reasons, why there were so few applications for the establishment of towns, since the war. w?pol?ted' however, was incorporated this year. This was MachiaSj Chap, xix.] of maine. 509 June 23, the most noted plantation in Maine.* Its extent was A.D. 1784. about ten miles by eight, through which the river runs, called by Machias. the Indians " Mechises — whence the town derives its name. It was the first municipal corporation established, between the rivers Penobscot and St. Croix. The effectual commencement or revival of this plantation, is traced to incidents which occurred in the years 1761 and 2 ;f when this place was visited by men from Scarborough, for the purpose of cutting hay in the marshes. Mill sites were then selected by them, just above the head of the tide in West Machias river. Sixteen associates, attended by Mrs. Larrabee, the wife of one, removed from that town in May, 1763, to the northern shores of the river, erected a saw-mill at the place chosen, and laid out a tier of 16 seven-acre lots, below, opposite, and above the mill, as far as the southerly margin of the marsh, which adjoined Middle river. Eleven of them built log houses upon their lots, into which they removed their families during the autumn. Accessions were made to the settlement the next year ; and in 1765, Benjamin Foster, and his neigh- bors, assisted by Capt. Ichabod Jones of Boston,! erected a double saw-mill against the west shore of the east branch or riv- er, about 100 rods above the head of the tide, where the foun- dation was laid of the eastern village. There were several mills built by Jones and others, on the east and west branches, and one on Middle river, before 1 770 ; when on appHcation to the General Court, in June, by a petition bearing eighty" signatures, the township was granted and confirmed by courses and boundaries, to the inhabhants, with the usual reservation of lots for public uses. Nevertheless, the legisla- tive grant was to be void, unless the king's approbation should be obtained within three years. For this purpose, an agency was committed to John Bernard, Esq. a son to the Governor ; yet he met with no success before the war of the Revolution, which ex- tinguished all royal claims. The first minister of the gospel resident in the plantation, was Rev. James Lyon, educated at Nassau Hall, in Princeton, New-Jersey. Though never regular- * JIS. J^arrative of Hon. S. Jones, 35 pages, finished in 1825, — when in the SlUi year of his age. — Machias has been divided into the towns of Ma- chias, East Machias and Machias-port, since the Separation. I See aute, A. D. 1766-7 and 1775— 3 Mass. Hist. Coll. p. 144. i The father of Hon. John C. Jones. 510 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.D. 1784. ly invested at this place, with the sacerdotal office, he discharged its sacred duties, from December, 1771, through a period of nearly 32 years; for which he received £100 settlement, £100 salary, and a land-right through the township.* Settlements Settlements were now formino; and extending upon both banks on the St. _ " _ or Croix. of the St. Croix, and the Islands in the bay of Passamaquoddy. For, as soon as the war closed, the Tories or Loyalists retired in great numbers to the country northward of the Bay of Fundy ; ince of STew which was this year erected by the British crown into a Province foJS'*^*^ by the name of JVew-Brunswick, — Col. Thomas Carlton being appointed Governor. The people in St. Andrews, on the British side, and those upon Moose Island, 15 miles southerly, on the American side, becoming neighbors, were in ill temper to enjoy Conflicting mutual and immediate friendship. Conflicts as to jurisdictional claims. claim resulted in bitter complaints to their respective Governors, and threatened serious difficulties. The whole dispute arose from the question, which is the river St. Croix, as intended by the treaty ? — a question which had been agitated by Gov. Parr, of Nova Scotia, before the Province of New-Brunswick was estab- lished. * J\lachias^ (the 42d town of the State,) is noted for its salt and fresh jneadows of 1,500 acres, and for its water privileges. The names of the 16 original associates were S. and S. Scott, T. D. and G. Libby, S. and J. Btone, D. and J. Hill, J. Foster, W. B. and J. Larrabee, and D. Fogg-. In 1765, Morris O'Brien with his sons, and others, settled there, and built a double saw-mill on the south side of the west branch. B. and W. Foster, S. Scott, J. Seavy, D. Fogg-, and J. Mansur, settled at the East Falls. Mr. £jyon, a native of Princeton, New-Jersej^ was first settled at Onslow, Nova Scotia, in presbyterian orders ; — and died at Machias in Oct. 1794. His church, formed in 1781, was small. He was succeeded by Rev. Clark Brown, in May, 1795, who left in Sept. 1797, by mutual consent. Rev. Marshfield Steele was ordained, Oct. 1800,— with whom Rev. Abraham Jackson has been settled as a colleague, — There are five large bridges in Machias. The upper one over the west river is 300 feet, and that over Middle river is 240 feet in length, at the head of the tide. The upper bridge over the east branch is 300 feet, — the lower one is 5 rods. In 1822, there was built at the falls over the west river and Middle river, a few rods above their confluence, a bridge of half a mile in length. There is a meeting-house at West-Machias, built in 1794; — and there is another at East-Machias. In the west village, is a Court house^ gaol and county- house : — In the east village, an Academy. Machias is a port of entry— and a shire-town. Hon. Stephen Jones settled in Machias in 1768. His father was killed at Minas, Nova Scotia, Jan. 30, 1747. His son was many years a Judg^e of the Com. Pleas, and Judge of Probate in Washington county. Chap, xix.] of Maine. 51 1 To inquire into claims and aggressions, and report a statennent a. d. 1784. of facts, Benjamin Lincoln, Henry Knox, and George Patridge Commis- were appointed Commissioners, June 9 ; who repaired to those enquire into parts, and, so far as they were able, investigated the merits of the of dispute, controversy. Afterwards the evidence, documental and parol, was collected, which, with copies of the correspondence between the respective Governors, Hancock and Parr, were transmitted by the State of Massachusetts to her delegates in Congress, with directions — ' to procure if possible such instructions to our Min- * ister at London, as might prevent or remove encroachments.' Yet the dispute did not abate, but rather increased. The next A. D. 1785. year (1785) Gov. Carlton wrote to Gov. Hancock — "That the Ttie people . . ^ on the bor- " Great St. Croix, called " Schoodiack" by the Indians, was notdersof St. " only considered by the Court of Great Britain to be the river contend. " intended by the treaty, and to form a part of that boundary; but " a numerous body of loyal refugees, immediately after the peace, " built the town of St. Andrews, on its eastern banks ; and in " fact, (added he,) it is the only river on that side of the Province, " either of such magnitude or extent as could have led to the " idea of proposing it as a limit, between the two large and spa- " cious countries ; — and he hoped the subject would be consider- " ed with temper and attention, essential to the preservation of " national peace and harmony." In short, to test the question^ the Provincial Sheriff of Charlotte County required the inhab- itants of Moose Island " to send jurors to the County Court, on " penalty of forfeiting their estates, in case of refusal." — This, they disregarded. He then actually arrested, in December, Mr. Tuttle, Deputy-Collector of imposts and excise* at Moose Island, in an action of debt ; and told him he must either find bail or be committed to gaol in St. Andrews. But Tuttle disavowed the officer's authority, and absolutely refused to submit. Hence the Sheriff, fully determined on doing his duty, to the extent of his jurisdiction, which he said included the Island, threatened, if he did not surrender, to send for assistance to an armed ship moored at Campobello ; but, fortunately for the antagonists, the threat was not put in execution. * The State passed an act in July, 1783, laying- a duty of 5 per cent, ad valorum on imports ; Jonathan C. Chadbourne of Berwick, James Lunt, jr, of Falmouth, and Joseph North of Hallowell, beings Collectors. 512 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. Di 1785. To facilitate and expedite the collection of the internal revenue, The excise the county of Lincoln was divided into two districts, the Eastern and Western ; and an act was passed, extending the excise to parchment commissions, law process, and legal instruments. Also, as goods, wares, and merchandize were in great demand, and the population of many places scattered, it was found necessary for the Legislature to provide against the frauds and impositions of pedlars in such articles, by the enactment of a statute highly The body penal against men so employed. Indeed, all the Leo;islative acts of Staluic /. , -X . . 1 law revised, of the Provmcial government underwent a thorough examination in 1784 and 5; — some being repealed — some modified — about 140 or 50 revised or re-enacted ; and the whole body of Statute Law, greatly improved and altogether adapted to the genius of a free government. Expenses of Ungrateful as the mention of the Penobscot expedition always scot expedi- was, the expenses of it brought the subject frequently under discussion. It was undertaken by the immediate direction of Massachusetts, and most of the claims for services, losses, and disbursements had been liquidated, and some of them paid;* yet it was insisted, that the enterprize was in fact a " national concern " and therefore ought to be a national debt." For " in the exi- " gencies of our affairs through the late arduous contest, (the " General Court say to their delegates in Congress,) f this State " on that and other occasions often thought it her duty, to seize " every advantage, which could advance the common cause ; to " part with her property and render her services cheerfully, rely- " ing on the goodness of her cause, the necessity of the measure, " and the assurances given by Congress, of a day of equal retri- " bution. The enemy," they add, " were advantageously posted " for the purpose of extending their depredations, by land ; and still " far better situated to annoy the commerce of the United States. " With a view to prevent those evils, this Commonwealth engaged " in the undertaking, which, it is believed. Congress would have " readily recommended, had their attention, at that time, not "been called to other more important scenes — especially the " operations of the enemy in the other States. As all were in- * Though Governor Bowdoin says in his speech, as late as June 2, 1786, — " all the accounts relative to the Penobscot expedition have not yet « been settled." f Letter, A. D. 1784— vol. 5, Resolves, p. 76-7, Chap, xix.] of Maine. 513 " terested in this expedition, Congress will not let the whole bur- a. d. 1785. " den of it fall an intolerable load on those, who generously en- " gaged in it, because in the chance of war it proved unfortu- " nate."-^It seems, however, that the representations were trav- ersed, and the claims deferred by unreasonable postponements, till the delays of Congress to assume the expenses, and to repay the bounty money advanced from time to time, to the recruits of the American Army, awakened an uneasiness, which became truly fearful, before the claims were allowed. Towards the close of the legislative session in March, 1785, Governor Governor Hancock, having fallen into a state of ill health, re- sii^ns, and signed the office of Chief Magistrate ; and the executive chair GoT.'cS- was filled during the residue of the political year, by Lieutenant- lEf chiin Governor Cushing. This gentleman had been Speaker of the House, a Delegate in Congress, and was the first Lieutenant- Governor under the Constitution — an office which he filled ac- ceptably till his death, in Feb. 1788. He was a distinguished Whig and an able statesman, — ^yet a man of intrinsic worth, rather than of great popularity. At the May election, James Bowdoin was chosen Governor Mr, Bow- by the Legislative branches; no candidate having a majority of nor? the votes given at the polls. He was aware of the uncommon responsibilities, which the office brought with it, at the present critical conjuncture. — In his first speech, he inveighed against the His first unrestrained importation and use of superfluities, which stifled domestic manufactures, and drained the country of money. Pub- lic credit, said he, can be maintained only by retrenching un- necessary expenses ; by practising rigid economy ; by providing ways for lessening our debts, and paying the interest on them ; and by manifesting to creditors and the world, that in all our transactions, we are guided by principles of honor and a spirit of strict integrity. Taxes, he knew, were heavy ; yet all must know and feel, that public credit and pecuniary justice are matters of infinitely greater weight. But there were no subiects which commanded more lively and Demand '' ^ " for eastern universal attention, than the settlement, the conditional grants, and lands, the timber of the eastern lands. As turned thither, the current of popular thought daily deepened and strengthened. There was a passion for obtaining settlers' lots, mill sites, and water Vol. II. 65 514 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1786. privileges. Though the State Surveyor, Mr. Putnam, had laid out several townships in the south-eastern section of the District of Maine, which the Committee were ready to sell ; the applica- tions for lands and surveys were so numerous, and the claims so various in character, that he was unable to acquit himself of all assisianf*' dutics enjoiucd, and Barnabas Dodge was appointed his as- survej^or. gistant. Confirma- The conditional erants in March, 1762, of the twelve eastern tion of J2 ^ ^ ' ' townships towuships, wcrc uow presented to the consideration of the Lesris- on each side ^ " of Union laturc. Consequently, there were allowed to the several settlers, within those of the first class,^ between Penobscot and Union rivers, convenient lots of 100 acres, so surveyed as best to in- clude their respective improvements ; and after reserving 1,200 acres for public uses in each town, the residue was divided among the original grantees and their representatives, in proportion to their shares or rights in the primary divisions. The six town- ships of the second class,\ on the eastern side of Union river, were confirmed to the original proprietors, and their representa- tives upon these conditions ; — that those of each town should pay to the government in * Consolidated Notes' £1,200, and within six years, build sixty dwellinghouses, settle as many pro- testant families, erect a meeting-house, and ordain a learned and orthodox minister ; and that they should also quiet every inhab- itant upon a lot of 50 acres, who resided upon it before the peace. Among the other numerous confirmations and grants, a few New-Shar- may be mentioned. One township was granted to the represen- on granted, ^g^j^gg q£ Capt. William Tyng and his company, in consideration of their services and sufferings, during a dangerous pursuit of the Indian enemy, in the first winter of Queen Ann's war, A. D. 1734, upon snow-shoes ;{ — being in lieu of one previously grant- ed, which they lost by a survey of the southerly line of New- * See ante, A. D. 1762.— These were the " David Marsh Townships — the confirmation was now prayed for by Enoch Bartlett and others. t Claim to township No. 1, ITrenton,'] revived by Paul Thorndike and others; No. 2, [Sullivan,] by N. Preble and 4 others; No. 3, [ML Desert,-] by J. Bernard ; No. 4, [Steuben,] by Edward Small and others ; No. 5, [Harrington,] by Josiah Sawyer and others ; and No. 6, [Addison,] by N. Parker and others.— Sec iie*o/«c, JVov. 17, 1786; /or JVb. 3, » jyiajor-hig- wadwcc," in 1st Class, , X Tyngstown, [New-Sharon,] post, A. D. 1794. Chap. XIX.] of MAINE, 515 Hampshire. A part of Townsend in Middlesex county, Massa- a.d. 1785. chusetts, was taken from that State in the same way ; and there- fore the General Court granted the whole township of No. 3, ^, . ° ^ ' Charlotte between Denny's river and Robbinston, [now Charlotte,] to the apj>ropria- sufferers, upon the payment of £870 ; — their loss being in this way remunerated. The whole Island of Mount Desert, formerly the ^ount Des- •' ert re-con- property of Governor Bernard, had been confiscated ; yet his son firmed. John, an inhabitant of Bath, having been an unchanging adherent to Whig politics, and being able to exhibit a character meritorious through the war, the government restored to him one half of the Island. There appeared not long afterwards for the rest or rather for the whole, a very ancient and unexpected claim. This was a patent of the Island from the French king, dated April, 1691, to la Motte Cadillac, which Mons. Gregorie and his wife presented in her right, as grand-daughter of the patentee."'^ It would seem to have been a claim too antiquated and obsolete to be regarded ; but the government was so highly disposed at this time "to cultivate mutual confidence and union, between the subjects of his most Christian Majesty and the citizens of this State that the General Court were induced first to naturalize the petitioners and their family, and then quit-claim to them all the interest the Commonwealth had to the Island, reserving only to actual settlers, lots of 100 acres. General Thompson of Brunswick, was appointed to run the lines and give possession. Jonathan Eddy and his companions had, during the war mani- Grant to j. fested so ardent and laudable an attachment to the American associates, cause, that Congress, moved by their merits and sufferings, par- ticularly recommended their condition to the attention and hu- manity of Massachusetts. Hence the government granted to twenty of them, several lots of different sizes, making an aggre- gate of 9,000 acres, — to be located in one body ; which now con- stitute a part of Eddington.f The Islands in Penobscot bay, were also surveyed ; and the Provision settlers quieted upon them for very small considerations. Their efiV'^f i^^' lots were in fact intended as mere gifts, in consequence of the * It is believed this is the only French territorial claim ever sustained to lands in Maine. The names of the petitioners were Batholomy de Greg-o- rie and his wife Maria Theresea.— See 1 Special Laws, Oct, 29, 1787, p. 170 ;—also E. Land Res. p. 70-72. t See ante, A. D. 1776; and post, A. D. 1811— Eddington. 5 1 6 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.D. 1785. plunder, privations and abuses, suffered and sustained during the other set- late war from the enemy. In a word, no means were spared, tiers, , . ' which might promote the enterprize, interest and contentment of the inhabitants. For besides the reservation of lots in these grants for the use of common schools and a protestant ministry ; the General Court directed the Committee to employ a public religious teacher half the year, to preach unto the people in the destitute plantations of Lincoln County, and pay him out of the State-tax collected from the inhabitants. mis^io '^^^ ^^^^ formidable perplexities in relation to the eastern J^nds. lands, appeared to spring from counter-claims to large tracts, the Brown, Tappan and Drowne rights ; the Plymouth and Waldo patents ; and at length, the Pejepscot purchase.* The antago- nists, who had rested in quiet and silence through the war, ex- pected a full measure of justice on the return of peace. Yet they found in many instances, it could not be administered, without the arbitrament of law, as the last resort. The Waldo patent was in a peculiar condition. Samuel Waldo, son of the General, died before the war ; and William and Sally Wetmore, were his administrators, she being his daughter. The shares belonging to Francis Waldo, his brother, and Mr. Fluker's wife, his sister, were confiscated and sold. General Knox, marrying her daughter, and standing high in the favor of government, made purchases to great advantage and amount, and saved a large estate from the wreck. Under these circumstances to administer exact justice to settlers, creditors and heirs, involved a variety of difficulties. f Lands The territorial claim of the Tarratine tribe of Indians deserved claimed by theTarra- great regard. Their fidelity and friendship had not only merited protection, but the government had promised it. The Provincial Congress, June 21, 1775, had strictly forbidden all wastes and trespasses upon lands, called theirs, six miles in width on each side of Penobscot river, extending from the head of the tide, as far up the river as the tribe claimed. Therefore, Commissioners were appointed, in July, 1784, to enter into a negociation with their Chiefs, and if practicable, settle and fix their boundaries, and agree upon the price to be paid them for an extinguishment of their claim to the residue. To this ti'ust, William LiihgoWy (tioes. * See ante, vol. I (A. D. 1630,) p. 236, 240-1 : p. 329-30: p. 574. t Sec ante,— Note, (*) A. D. 1770. Chap, xix.] of Maine. 517 jr., Thomas Rice, and Rvfus Putnam, were appointed in March, a.d. 1785. 1785 ; and after, Benjamin Lincoln was substituted in the place of Mr. Lithgow, who declined the service, they entered into a treaty with the heads of the tribe, which was ratified October 11, 1786 ; and subsequently, the proper deeds were executed and exchanged. By this agreement, the Indians released all claims to the lands Treaty with on the Penobscot, from the head of the tide to the mouth of the Piscataquis, on the western side, and to the Metawamkeag, on the eastern side ; reserving only to themselves, Old-town Island, and all the others in the river above it, to the extent mentioned. — In consideration of which the government engaged, that the tribe should enjoy in fee all the reserved Islands, and also White Island and Black Island, near Naskeag point, [opposite Sedgwick] ; that all the lands on the waters of Penobscot river, above Piscat- aquis and Metawamkeag, " should lie as hunting grounds for the " Indians, and should not be laid out or settled by the State, or " engrossed by individuals and that 350 blankets, 200 pounds of powder, with a suitable proportion of shot and flints, should be given them as a present. Such corporate towns as had been deprived of their privileges, y^^^ns and severally resumed them j and plantations vacated were resettled. fgyJ'^eJj""* For instance, the former inhabitants of 'Biguyduce, and other places upon the Penobscot returned ; and those of Belfast, under a warrant, issued Feb. 24, 1785, by Capt. Jonathan Buck, ac- cording to the order of the General Court, were reorganized and resumed their municipal rights ; they having, the preceding year, repaired or rebuilt their habitations, and removed into them.* Three towns were also incorporated this year; Shapleigh, 3 new towns March 5 ; Parsonsfield, March 9 ; and Standish, November ^'^^''P"'"*'* 30 ; — all of which were plantations. Shapleigh, hitherto called Hubbardstown, was named for Nicho- Shapieigh. las Shapleigh, Esq., formerly of Kittery, principal proprietor nr claimant of the township. It has Salmon Falls river west, and Little Ossipee north. Its territory was a part of the original purchase obtained of the Sagamore Captain Sunday, by Francis Small, who conveyed an undivided moiety of the whole to Major Shapleigh. Small's original deed, unrecorded, was found in the year 1770, among the papers of the family, and the descendants * See ante, A. D. 1779. 618 THE HISTORY [V OL. II. A.D. 1785. of the two tenants in common made partition, August 5, 1771, when this township became the acknowledged property of the claimants under Shapleigh. In a short time afterwards, settle- ments were commenced and prosecuted with vigor, for eight or ten years. Discovering at length, that the original purchase of the Sagamore possibly might not embrace the whole township, and that the title to the lands was unsound, the inhabitants pro- cured from the State, an acquittance, Oct. 30, 1782, for which Parsons ^^^^ P^^^ £400 into the public treasury.* field. Parsonsfield, previously Parsontown, its plantation name, was so called to keep in remembrance Thomas Parsons, Esq. a gen- tleman of reputation and a principal proprietor. This township is a part of the tract sold by Captain Sunday, previously men- tioned, of which Small and Shapleigh were joint owners.f In * Shapleigh^ (the 43d town,) contains 32,150 acres. In the town are two ponds, north or Square Pond^ and south or Long Pond — which form the sources of the Mousum river. The soil is good except about 7,000 acres of sandy pitch-pine land, in the north-east part of the town. There are in town two parishes and two meeting--houses — both for congreg-ationalists The first or west one is on the west side of the ponds. Here Rev. Joseph Brown was settled in January, 1796 ; in the second or eastern parish, was settled Elder Nehemiah Davis over a baptist society. Elder William Godin was settled in the 1st parish, 1806 ; and in J818, Elder John Chad- bourn was ordained in 2d parish. There are in town 11 saw-mills; 5 grist- mills; 1 fulling-mill, and 2 carding machines. The town maintains one half of 5 bridges over Salmon Falls river; and one half of 5 others over Little Ossipee river. The town was first surveyed in 1776; first repre- sented in the General Court in 1788, by Jeremiah Emery ; and the first post office established in it, 1796. See note (a) « Parsonsfield."— -JH/S. Letter from Shapleigh, 1820. f Note (a) to avoid repetition, it may be well to state, in this place, that about A. D. 1661, Capt. Sunday, a Sagamore of Newichawannock, sold a large tract of land to Francis Small, embracing generally the territory between Great and Little Ossipee rivers. Small conveyed an undivided moiety to Nicholas Shapleigh, and went to Cape-Cod in the commence- ment of the Indian wars, where ho died. The original Indian deed being found among Small's papers, in 1770, his heirs and those of Shapleigh made partition, Aug. 1, 1771, of the whole. The tract was supposed to embrace Parsonsfield, [Parsontown,] Shapleigh, [Hubbardston,] and a part of Lim- erick,— which were assigned to the Shapleigh claimants: — Also J^ewfield, [Washington,] most of Limington, [Ossipee,] and Cornish, [Francistown,] — which were assigned to the Small claimants. Doubts which occasioned dispute were afterwards raised, if there was an equal division; the Shap- leigh proprietors claiming one half >of Newfield and Cornish. Chap, xix.] of maine. 519 the partition, A. D. 1771, this fell to the claimants under Shap- A.D. 1785. leigh, who conveyed it, August 5, the same year, to Mr. Par- sons, above named, and 39 associates. Immediately the whole was surveyed into lots of 100 acres ; two of which were reserved to each proprietor, nine others for the use of the ministry and schools, and one for a mill privilege. According to the conditions of the grant, twelve families were settled in the township, A. D. 1772, increased within four years to 40; who, in 1780, erected a meeting-house.* Standish was so named from respect to the courage and Standish. character of Miles Standish, one of the original founders of Plymouth Colony. It was originally granted by the General Court, in 1750, to Captains Pierson and Hobbs, and their re- spective military companies, whose services were eminent in the first siege of Louisbourg. Its plantation name was Piersontown and Hobbstown ; situated between Sebago-pond or Lake, and the river Saco. A settlement was commenced in 1 760. The first ordained minister of this place was Rev. John Thompson, in October, 1768, when a church of seven male members was organized, and when there were not exceeding thirty families in the plantation. His ministry was continued till 1783, when he removed and settled in South-Berwick. To this people there were great accessions during the revolutionary war ; — many re- tiring thither from the seaboard, to avoid the ravages of the en- emy.f \ Parsonsfield, (44th town,) contains 22,000 acres of g-ood soil. — The con- veyance to Parsons and others, was executed by Alexander Scammel, Jo- tham Moulton, and Philip Hubbard, a " Comn)ittee." The public lots are leased for 999 years. There are in town 7 grist-mills, 7 saw-mills, a fulling- mill, a woollen Jactory, an oil-mill ; one meeting-house for congregational- its; one for Calvinist baptists; two for free-will baptists; and one for friends. Rev. Benjamin Rolfe was settled over the congregational parish in 1795, when a church was gathered. He was dismissed in 1815. Elder Samuel Weeks, succeeded by Elder John Buzzell, was settled over the free-will baptists ; and Elder Wentworth Lord, succeeded Elder Levi Chadbourne, both of whom were Calvinist baptists — The town was first represented in the General Court in 1806, by David Marston. A post of- fice was established here in 1798. — MS. Let. of Hon. Rufus JHcIntire, A. D. 1820. •j- Standishy (the 45th town,) is equal to 8 miles square ; including a large portion of Sebago-Lake, and an Island of 500 acres. Much of the land consists of pine plains. In Standish, there are two baptist societies, 520 THE HISTORY [VoL. 11. A. D. 1785. It was in this section of the District, that the uncommon fresh- Great et, in October, did such immense damage. * Two days and * nights it rained without cessation, as powerfully as was ever * known.' The waters in the rivers, particularly the Saco and Presumpscot, rising to a fearful height, swept away bridges and mills, and otherwise made such destruction, that seven towns* the next year, had their taxes, to the amount of X530, abated by the General Court. one of congreg-ationalists and one of methodists. Mr. Thompson was suc- ceeded in Sept. 1793, by Rev. Jonathan Gould, who died in July, 1795 ; and in Sept. 1796, Rev. Daniel Marrett was setOed. The first representative to the General Couit was Edmund Mussey, in 1806. — See ante, A. D. 1750-1-2.— JUS. Let. of William Thompson, 1827. * These were Biddeford, £lOO; Pepperellboroug^h, £100; Lebanon, £80 ; Sanford, £60 ; Buxton, £75 ; Wells, £90 ; and Limerick, £25. Chap, xx.] OF MAINE. 521 CHAPTER XX. Measures to separate Maiiie from Massachusetts — Falmouth Gazette Jirst printed — A Convention upon the subject of Separation — No- tice taken of it hy government — A list of grievances — Addresses and memorials — Portland, Turner and Union incorporated — Shays' insurrection — New-York case settled — Land lottery — The Separation — Result of measures — Policy of government to satisfy the people of Maine — Governor Hancock re-chosen — Economy ^ industry and retrenchment — A remarkable explosion — Tlirce towns incorporated — The Constitution of the United States adopted — Slavery abolished in the State — An eastern College contemplated — Twenty new towns incorporated — George Washington inaugu- rated first President of the United States. The separation of Maine from Massachusetts had now been a a. d. 1786. subject of general conversation for many months. The want of Separation a distinct government had been often felt during the late war, discussed, and was still recollected. As the State debt was large^ there must be heavy taxes through a series of years, which most men would like to avoid. An excessive thirst for superfluities was draining the country of money, while thousands were poor and perplexed with debts. These, and such as had every thing to gain and nothing to lose, were inclined to try an experiment. There were, however, advocates for the measure among all class- es ; — men of probity, wealth and intelligence, who believed a sep- arate administration would be of essential benefit to every por- tion and interest of the community. Some of the greatest op- opposition, ponents were men in office ; and all of them could present plausi- ble and correct pleas, that the generous favors and provident care which the people of Maine had at all times received, from the State government, ought to silence every complaint ; and that by a separation at the present juncture, the vigor and force, indis- pensable to the protection and security of the District, would be essentially weakened, if not altogether paralized StilJ it was quite difficult either to collect the public sentiment First No. of upon the subject, spread and scattered as the people were over cazeue!^ Vol. II. 66 622 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1785. an extensive District ; or to move them in a way altogether ju- dicious and unexceptionable. To aid the object, the first num- ber of the * Falmouih Gazette,^ printed by Thomas B. Wait, appeared new year's day, 1785 ; being the earliest Newspaper published in this State. At the written request of several gentle- men, the Editor published a notification, in September, of the following purport : — A meetii** * Agreeably to a request signed by a large number of respect- the tJbject" * ^^^^ gentlemen, and presented to the printers of this Gazette, of separa- < the inhabitants, in the counties of York, Cumberland and Lin- tlOD. 'coin, are hereby notified, that as many of them as can conven- * iently attend, are requested to meet at the Rev. Messrs. Smith's * and Deane's meeting-house in Falmouth, on Wednesday the * 5th day of October ensuing, to join in a Conjerence, upon the * proposal of having these counties erected into a Separate gov- * eminent ; and if thought best, to form a plan for collecting the * sentiments of the people upon the subject, and pursue some * peaceable and proper method for carrying the same into effect.' October 5 appointed time and place, thirty-three delegates appear- ^on'**"*^*"* ed from twenty of the principal towns, viz. ten from York, twelve from Cumberland, and eleven from Lincoln ; several of whom were gentlemen ol abilities and influence. They organ- ized themselves into a Convention, by the choice of William Gorham, President, and Stephen Longfellow, jr. Secretary.* The object was stated and course justified. — To assemble, they said, in an orderly and peaceable manner, for consultation upon the common good, or for redress of grievances, was considered by them as natural privileges founded on reason, and secured by the Bill of Rights in the Constitution. But, considering the importance of the subject which had called them together, the inadequacy of the present representation from the towns, and the necessity of knowing the opinion of the whole people, — ^the Convention re- An address solved to Send an Address to the several towns and plantations in to the peo- , . ' pie. the District, and request them to choose delegates to another Convention then appointed, to be holden in the same house, on the first Wednesday of the ensuing January, for the purpose of considering these questions : — Is it expedient, thai these eastern counties should he formed into a separate State ? — If sOf what * Both of Gorham. Chap, xx.] of maink. 523 will he the best methods, by which in a regular and orderly way, A.D. 1785. to carry the measure into effect? — The address prepared and immediately transmitted, was dated Oct. 5, and signed by a Com- mittee of seven, Peleg Wadsworth being Chairman.* The Governor, in his speech to the General Court, Oct. 20, Sentingnts took notice of these proceedings, conformably, as he said, to ad- and House vice of the Council. He represented the course pursued as hav- subject, ing an evil tendency, towards dismembering the Commonwealth. The " design," he said, "had been for some months evident, by " a great number of publications in the Falmouth Gazette, call- " ing upon the people in the counties of York, Cumberland and "Lincoln, to assemble together for the purpose of separating " themselves from the government of this Commonwealth, and " of withdrawing the duty and allegiance they owe to the State. " In consequence of these calls, about thirty persons, as J am " informed, assembled at the meeting-house in Falmouth, on the *' 5th instant, and sent out a circular for another meeting in Jan- " uary." — In reply, the General Court, thought and felt, as they said, 'that attempts by individuals, or bodies of men, to dismem- * ber the State, were fraught with improprieties and danger. The * social compact solemnly entered into by the people of this ' Commonwealth, ought to be guarded with the utmost care ; and * it will,' added they, ' ever be the aim of the Legislature, to ' prevent all infractions of it, and to preserve the Constitution * entire. Should any legislative measures become necessary for * these purposes, they shall be made the subject of future delib- * eration.' A Convention assembled, Jan. 4, 1786, according to appoint- ^- ment, and chose a Committee of nine, to prepare a statement of ^^""^oJ^i** evils and grievances, suffered by the people of the three eastern counties, and estimate the expenses of a separate government, compared with those paid by them, connected with Massachu- setts. The next day, they presented a statement of the follow- ing particulars : — 1. The interests of these three counties are different from A list of those of Massachusetts, and therefore, they can never be fully ^"*^^*''^*^* understood by her, nor will they for the same reason ever be * The whole Committee were Peleg- Wadsworth, Stephen Longfellow, jr. William Gorham, Stephen Hall, Jeremiah Hill, Joshua Fabyan, and Hen- ry Y, Brown. 624 THE HISTORY [VoL. II, A. D. 17S6. duly attended to and promoted, during the present connexion. In fact, their advancement and importance are checked and de- based, to a degree prejudicial even to the United States at large. 2 h S. The seat of government is at a distance, the Gen- eral Court large, and its business multifarious and perplexing ; so that tbe petitioners and suitors in their journies, as well as in de- lays, have to suffer many and great inconveniences, expenses, and discouragements. 4. Public Justice cannot, according to the Constitution, be * administered promptly and without delay' by the Supreme Ju- dicial Court, throughout this extensive Commonwealth, Most assuredly so long as the Clerk's office, and the records of all that is done by that Court, within these Counties, are kept in Boston,"^ legal process and lawsuits must be attended with additional costs, perplexities and delays of justice. 5. The present regulations of trade operate unequally and un- justly towards these Counties ; for they tend to depress the price of lumber and discourage and injure those employed in getting it, — thus contributing proportionably to the special emolument of traders and men in other parts of the State. 6. A great part of the inhabitants in these Counties are de- prived of a representation in the popular branch of the Legisla- ture, where all money-bills originate ; — a grievance, from which there appears at present no prospect of relief. 7. The present system of taxation upon polls and estates is unequal and unjust ; because the eastern inhabitants and their stocks cannot be employed to the same advantage, nor their lands improved with the same profit, as in other, or older parts of the Commonwealth. 8. The excise and impost acts operate a grievance upon the inhabitants of these Counties ; — the eastern people being dispro- portionate consumers of foreign articles. Sheep cannot be kept by them without great difficulty and expense, owing to hazards from wolves and other beasts of prey, and the great severity and length of the winters ; and in general, they have no products from their orchards, and few conveniences of life, as the fruits of husbandry among them. 9. The act imposing a duty on deeds, &;c. operates unjustly * This evil continued till the year 1798. Chap, xx.] of maine. 525 upon us, by reason of the more frequent conveyances of real A. 1> 1786. estate, and their smaller value in new, than in older settled coun- tries. The Committee also made some calculations upon the probable expenses of a separate government ; but as it was uncertain what the form would be, they concluded to present no estimate. The Convention ordered the Report to be signed by the Presi- ^gP^J^^g^^j dent, and sent to every town and settlement within the District, sent to the appointed another Convention to be holden on the first Wednesday of the next September, at the same place, and subjoined to each report, a request to the towns and plantations,— that they would choose delegates at the next March meetings, and certify the number of votes for and against such choice ; and that the dele* gates chosen may come together prepared to act upon the griev- ances, and adopt some regular peaceable measures for relief. In the interim, the subject was pursued through the medium of the Falmouth Gazette, in which it was moreover urged, that the Courts of Common Pleas and General Sessions of the Peace ought to be abolished, and the business of Deputy-SberifTs, trans- ferred to Constables, The Convention, which assembled Sept. 6, consisting of 31 Sept. 6. members,* resolved, that in their opinion, these Counties were suf- convention, * The following- are the members of the twp Coaventions ; — those with this raark{*) were members of bothi — County of York. Arundel — Thomas Perkins. Fryebtirg- — Joseph Fry Paul Lang- 'Berwich.-^JVathaniel Low. don, Daniel Pessenden, Isaac Walk- Brownfield — * Henry Y. Brown, Jas, er, JVathaniel Jlerrill. Haywood, Samuel Haywood. Wells — John Storer. Buxtoa—Sam'l Knight, J^athH Hill. County of Cumberland. Brnnsvf'ick— Aaron Hinkley. *S. Longfellow, jr. Clerk; *Ed- Cape-Elizabeth — *Jas. Leach, Bar- mund Phinn^y. zilla Delano, C. McLellan. Gray — ^Jedediah Cobb. Falmouth — -*Peleg Wadsworth, New-Gloucester — *John Merrill. ^Stephen Hall, *Samuel Freeman., Scarboro' — TFm. Thompson, Joshua John Watte, Enoch Ilsley, Daniel Fabyan. Davis, Stephen Codman. Standish — Seth Spring. Gorham — *Wii.i,iam GoBHAivr,Pr«s, CpuNTY or Lincoln. Bath — Dummer SewalL Topsham — '^Samuel Thompson. Bristol — '^William Jones. Vassal boroug-h. — ^Dennis Getchell. Georgetown — Wm. Lithgow, Daniel Winslow — *Zimri Heywood. J\fIcFaddan. Winthrop— Jona. Whiting, Joshua Hallowell — Daniel Cony. Bean. New-Castle — Samuel JSichols. Hancock PI. > r » di. wl i hewiston-Lemuel Cummings. [Clinton,] \ ^"'^'^ Phtlbrook, Pittston — Reuben Colburn. 526 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1736. fering the grievances, presented by the former Convention, except what is expressed in the fifth article ; that the only effectual remedy perceived, rested in the power and privilege of legislating for themselves. A Committee was then appointed to petition the General Court, that these Counties be erected into a separate State ; — to address the people upon the subject, and request towns to meet and vote upon it. The town-clerks also were directed to make to the President of the Convention, returns of all the yeas and nays taken in town-meetings, for and against a separation. — ^The language of the address was courteous and well expressed. Address to Friends and Brethren: — Agreeably to the duties assigned us, le people, j^^^^g ^|jQj.Q^,gjj]y (.Q^^gj^jg^.g^j ^j^g grievances of the people in these Counties, and believe the formation of them into an inde- pendent State, is the only measure which could bring effectual relief. You experience distresses and evils, which will not be lessened till you legislate for yourselves. True liberty is rational, and government is a problem of easy solution. But restraint is arbitrary ; and mysteries in politics are absurdities. The object and end of all civil authority ought to be the good of the people ; and the design of government — to secure unto them the rights and blessings of life. We therefore, in a spirit of justice and duty to ourselves and all concerned, send you this address, and also the form of a petition to the General Court, requesting that body to relinquish all claim of jurisdiction to these Counties, and consent to have them formed into an Independent State ; and we expect you will give your early and unabating attention to the important subject. Memorial In the courtly address prepared to be presented to the Gen- l°rai Court?" eral Court, the memorialists say, — ' we have always heartily united in the support of government and law, and we are the advocates of Justice, — disposed to pay all the taxes due from us, towards removing the weight of public debt. Of the unappro- priated lands, we expect no more than our just proportion ; and we claim only the exercise and enjoyment of equal rights and equal privileges with other parts of the State. But the most of us reside at a great distance from the seat of government. Our local interests, numerous and great, can never be fully represent- ed, nor minutely understood in legislation, so long as the connex- ion continues. We therefore believe it to be a duty, which we owe to ourselves, our fellow citizens throughout this District, and Chap, xx.] of Maine. 527 even the Commonwealth at large, to spread our grievances and A D. i7S6. requests before the General Court, in a peaceable and dutiful manner, agreeably to the Constitution ; and we do respectfully pray this honorable body to relinquish all right of jurisdiction to these three Counties, and consent to their being formed into a separate State. We likewise, as friends and brethren, most ar- dently wish that the whole business might be managed and adjust- ed, upon the broadest basis of justice and equity.' The Convention adjourned to the 3d of January ; and In the Theoppo- meantime, the opposition assumed a formidable attitude. The remonstrance from Machias, which contained the substance of all the arguments, alleges thus : — ^^that the supposed grievances were only the burdens or inconveniences incidental to all govern- ments and States, if the laws or any regulations operated une- qually, the Legislature will administer all the relief in their pow- er, consistent with equal rights and the good of the whole. Yes, and by a provision in the Constitution itself, it may be amended in 1795, and evils, if they exist, be remedied. As to burdens, the expenses of supporting a separate government, would enhance the taxes to a degree far beyond what these counties have ever yet paid ; and in the event of a war, our total inability to defend ourselves is self-evident. The encroachments of the British upon our eastern borders may be resisted with more success, and the dispute settled with more ease, if the connexion be con- tinued, than if it be dissolved. In trudi, while our political and pecuniary afiairs labor under such complicated embarrassments — the people in several parts of the v/estern counties rising in open rebellion, — we think it unwise and unkind, farther to perplex the departments of our administration. At this interesting conjuncture, Falmouth was divided, and Poriianr? the peninsula with several opposite Islands, was incorporated into aled.^*"^" a town, July 4, 1786, by the name of Portland. The " Neck," as it had been called, was first setded under the Plough Patent of Lygonia, A. D. 1 630, as one author supposes. There might have been at that period fishing cabins and hunting camps con- structed upon the shores ; as there certainly was a setdement pro- jected upon the Neck, in 1631, by passengers on board the Plough, effected in 1632, by Cleaves, and promoted in 1638, under Richard Dummer, to whom the patent was delivered with directions to take possession. The transfer, April 7, 1643, to 528 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1786. Alexander Rigby and the consequences have been previously stat- ed. In May, 1690, Fort Loyal was surrendered to the savage enemy, and the place was laid waste, and continued without in- habitants about nine or ten years, to the close of the war. It then revived, though its cup of afflictions was not yet full. For in Queen Anne's war, which followed, though there was a contin- ued garrison at Fort Loyal, the peninsula was nearly depopulat- ed. Rev. Thomas Smith, the first settled minister, was ordained March 8, 1727 ; at which time a church was also organized. In October, 1764, Rev. Samuel Dean was settled with him as a. col- league. Though about 400 dwellinghouses and stores were laid in ashes by the enemy in October, 1775, and a vast amount of other property destroyed ; a most flourishing village. Phoenix-like, has since risen; — being increased in the course of two years, 1786 and 7, by the erection of 45 dwellinghouses. It has always been the shire-town of Cumberland ; and for 25 years past, the larg- est village and capital town in Maine.* Two new There were two other towns incorporated this year ; namely, corporaied. TuRNER, July 7, and Union, October 20 ; the prior name of the former was Sylvester Canada; and of the latter Sterlington. Turner '^^ reward Capt. Joseph Sylvester and his company, for their services in the expedition against Canada, in 1690, the General * Portland, the 46th town, and only city in the State, is about 3 miles in length, and, on average, 3-4ths of a mile in breadth. It embraces, exclu- sive of streets and what is covered with water, 2,157 acres of land — six of which are marsh, in 1797, it contained 390 dwellinghouses ; 4 meeting- houses; and 452 sliops, barns and outhouses. — In 1820, its numbers were 700 dwellinghouses ; 321 shops or stores ; 66 ware-houses ; 11 bake houses ; 6 distilleries; 7 tanneries; 7 slaughter houses; 15,583 tons of shipping; 692,096 square superficial feet of wharves ; and 6 fire engines ; — also 10 houses for public worship, — viz. one for episcopalians ; one for first con- gregational societ}-, — Rev. Mr. Smith and Mr. Dean; one for 2d ditto, — Rev. E. Kellogg, settled in Oct. 1788 ; 3d do. Chapel, 1808 ; 4th do. 1812 ; friends (1743,)— established in 1790; methodist, in 1794; baptist, in 1801 ; Union, or christian society, in 1810 ; independent methodist, in 1819 ; and, universalists, 1821. — Portland Library was founded in 1763 ; an Academy was incorporated, 1794 ; and there are in town 25 societies, for different charitable, pious and literary purposes. Here also is a small State-house ; a very elegant Court-house of brick ; a brick Academy of three stories ; a market house ; 5 banks ; and 8,581 inhabitants, in 1820. It was the seat of the State government from the Separation to 1832. The same year it was incorporated into a City, Hon. A. L. EMERS0^', Mayor. Its popu- lation in 1830, was 12,601 inhabitants. — Sie Falmouth, vol. /, p. 393. Chap, xx.] of Maine. 529 Court granted them a township, which, when the divisional line A» D. 1786. was run between the two Provinces, fell within the limits of New- Hampshire. On a representation of these facts by James War- ren, Joseph Joslyn, and Charles Turner^ agents for the claimants under the original grantees, the General Court, June 25, 1765, remunerated their loss by a grant of this township ; — upon condi- tion that thirty families and a minister should be settled, and a meeting-house built there, within six years. But the proprietors were so remiss, that the first trees were not felled till 1774 ; nor did the accessions to the settlement, the succeeding year^ consist of any more than three families. Rev. John Strickland was or- dained, Nov. 20, 1784, when there were only about 30 families, or 180 souls, in the plantation. Turner'^ embraces about 40 square miles. Uniorv is still larger, containing about 50 square miles ; and is Union, a pari of the Waldo patent. The original settlement of this township was begun early in the Revolutionary war, by men dis- posed to retire from the distresses and perils upon the seaboard and banks of Georges' river, to places in the interior of more safety. Its growth was slow ; for when it was incorporated, it contained only seventeen families, perhaps less than 150 souls. f Governor Bowdoin again, on his re-election, reminded the ^^Hl^^^'^ Legislature of their duty to creditors, to their own honor, and to the nation, stating that a million and half of dollars, would not meet the demands upon the treasury, the current year, if the army notes, the other public securities then due, the civil list, and the exaction of Congress were all included ; and yet the taxes for two or three years past remained uncollected. Measures, said he, more efficient must be adopted. But so much was the attention of the Legislature diverted Legislative o measures. * Turner^ (47th town,) was named for one of the ag'ents, C. Turner. Mr. Strickland, a native of Hadley, (Mass.) and a graduate of Yale College, 1761, continued to be the minister of Turner till 1792. He was succeeded by Rey. Amasa Smith, of Belchertown (Mass.) in 1804, who left in 1806 ; and Rev. Allen Greely was settled A. D. 1810. The north line of the town is 5^ miles; west line 10 miles ; south line 3 miles and 250 rods. f Union, (48th town) is large in territory and its soil is good. A church was formed in 1803, and in Sept. 1805, Rev. Henry True was settled. The plantation name, Sterlington, was adopted probably by the first settlers^ because some of them who lived in Warren, had emigrated from Sterling in Great Britain. — See Warren, A, D. 1776. Vol. n. 67 530 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1786. from the interesting and important subject, by the insurrectional A spirit of spirit, which had broken forth in several of the western counties manifest in the State, that the General Court only passed acts for the col- lection of taxes already voted, and for a temporary suspension of all suits, in collecting private debts. They then proceeded to establish rules and articles for governing the Militia in actual ser- vice ; and to adopt other measures to prevent riots, and crush the rebellion. Its causes There appeared to be a variety of causes for this seditious and extent, g^citement — such as a heavy State-debt, — repeated calls for taxes, — a decay of trade and manufactures, — a free use of for- eign luxuries, — a sudden scarcity of money, — a laxity of morals, and above all, the private pecuniary demands of creditors, which though sued, the debtors had not the mind or the means to pay. At last, the spirit of reform or rebellion, rose to such a height, that delegates met at Hatfield, on Connecticut river, August 22, from 50 towns, and framed a great number of articles, which they voted to be grievances and needless burdens. Next, about 1,500 malcontents appeared in arms at Northampton. Their i^eleader ^^^^^ leader was Daniel Shays, who had been a Captain in the Revolution. But though their numbers increased surprizingly, and the Courts of Common Pleas and General Sessions of the Peace, in the counties of Hampshire, Berkshire, Worcester and Middlesex, were prevented by them from holding sessions, the insurrection was entirely suppressed the ensuing year, with little sion"^"^^^^* bloodshed ; and all the insurgents either escaped or were par- doned.* The New length the territorial claim beyond the river Hudson, so York tract long controverted, was determined against New- York, when Mas- sachusetts sold the tract, which ultimately brought into her treasury a million of dollars. Another expedient, which met with some Land-ioiie- succcss, was a laud-lottery . In the scheme, there were to be 2,720 tickets, of £60 each, for which soldiers' notes and all other public securities of the State, would be received in pay- ment. If the tickets all sold, the aggregate would bring in £163,200. Against these there were to be put into the wheels, 50 townships of six miles square, equal to 1,107,396 acres of land, situated between the Penobscot and the Schoodic or St. * See MiDot's Hist, of the Insurrection, Ed. 1788. Chap, xx.] of Maine. 531 Croix ; and every ticket would entitle the holder to a prize ; — A. D. i786. the lowest being half a mile square, and the highest a township. The land Comnaittee* were the managers, and the drawing of the lottery was appointed to commence in the ensuing March. A considerable part of the tickets sold, and at the time of drawing, William Binghamf of Philadelphia, a man of immense wealth, took what lands the ticket-holders did not draw, and purchased in afterwards the greater part of their prize lots. With those, The lottery whose lots collectively amounted to a township, the government, ^^^^ at their request, made exchanges and granted them other lands.J The ' lottery townships,' and those who settled upon them, were to be exempt from taxes fifteen years. But if this project drew in a large amount of the public securities, it did not promote the settlement of Maine. On the subject of Separation, the Convention reassembling, A. D. 1787. January 3, comformably to adjournment, found upon examina- January 3. tion of facts and returns, that the whole number of towns and on the sub- plantations in Maine at this time was 93 ; of which 53 had notjluon.^*'*^' been represented in any of the Conventions, and 8 of the others had sent in no returns. The whole number of votes upon the question of Separation was 994, of which 645 were yeas ; and if the reckoning were by towns and plantations, there were 24 affirmatives against eight. A motion was then made, that the proposed petition for Sepa- * At this time, the Committee were Samuel Phillips; JVathaniel Wells ; John Brooks^ appointed Nov. 30, 1785, in the place of Nathan Dane, a member of Cong^ress ; Leonard Jarvis, and Rufus Pulnam, who were added to the Committee Nov. 11, 1786. f Mr. Bingham died at Bath, (England,) in 1803, and left one son, Wil- liam, of Philadelphia ; one daughter, who married Alexander Baring of London, (Eng.) ; and one other married to a German nobleman, attached to the Austrian government. The heirs own another large tract in Maine =2,350,000 acres in all.— See Greenleaf^s JIap. X See these loilery acts, JVov. 9, 1786, and June 20, 1788. — These town- ships were Nos. 7, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20-1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,=15 in the east division ; and Nos. from 14 to 43, both inclusive=30 in the middle division ; and Nos. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,=5 in the northern division, beginning at the north-west corner of No. 8, at Union river, thence north 30 miles, and including one tier north of the end of that line, except the corner town- ship ; thence east to the Schoodic ; thence southerly through Denny's river to Orangetown ; thence westerly back of Machias, Columbia, &c. to the first comer mentioned. 532 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.D, 1787 ration be presented to the Legislature; — when unexpectedly to many, it was decided in the negative. Immediately a member moved a reconsideration, whence ensued a spirited debate. The arguments so often pressed against a Separation were repeated ; to which in reply it was insisted, that the present was the * golden ' opportunity to effectuate the important object one venturing so far, as to intimate a denunciation of the Senate and Attorney- General, as needless, and to desire a new emission of paper- money. A reconsideration at last prevailed by a majority of two The result, yotes ; and the Committee were directed to present or retain the petition, according to the dictates of their discretion. — It was in fact presented, the next year, and referred to a Committee of seven, 3 from the Senate and 4 from the House. Meanwhile the Convention was kept alive by adjournments, till Sept. 1788; — expiring at last, by reason of the non-attendance of its mem- bers."^ Measures of Alwavs disposcd to administer justice towards the eastern peo- government ... . . tosaiisfy ii.e pie, in a spirit of conciliatory generosity and affection, the Gen- people of J (-1 J Maine. eral Court employed measures calculated to cool and abate the high Separation-fever. Wild lands were exempted from taxation for ten years, after the execution of the State's deed to grantees. The fee-bill, so much the occasion of popular discontent, was re- vised. The law for the relief of poor debtors committed to prison, was so amended, as to require rooms to be furnished them, separate from criminals. Two roads were ordered to be laid out at the public expense ; one between the heads of the tide, in Kennebeck and Penobscot rivers ; and the other between Penob- scot and Passamaquoddy bays. Every permanent inhabitant settled upon any of the public lands before the year 1784, the Legislature ordered to be quieted by a deed of 100 acres, so as best to embrace his improvements, on his paying the trifling sum of five dollars. A term of the Supreme Court for the first time, and an additional term of the Common Pleas and Sessions, were established at Pownalborough in 1786; — and in March of the present year, one term of the lower Courts was established at Hallowell, [Augusta,] and one at Waldoborough. The Secretary of State was directed to publish the laws of the Commonwealth in the Falmouth Gazette. In fine, the establishment and patron- * The last President was Peleg' Wadsworlh. Chap, xx.] of Maine. 533 age of a College in this District, were treated with marks ofA.D. ]787. Legislative respect and attention : — By which conciliatory meas- ures, the subject of Separation was rocked into a slumber, from which it was not aroused for several years. At the spring election there were political changes in the State Gov. Han- administration. Mr. Hancock was re-elected Governor by a sen. large majority over his competitor. Governor Bowdoin ;* Gene- ral Benjamin Lincoln, the next year was chosen Lieutenant-Gov- ernor ; and the greater part of the Senators and Representatives were new members. No man was better fitted to maintain the tranquillity of society and the authority of government, than Hancock. In the general retrenchment of expenses, he relin- Economy quished flCOO of his salary; and he was always able to exert fr^^ an inspiring influence, upon the great interests of industry and economy. Specimens of domestic fabric and pieces of manual ingenuity, were now particularly viewed with pleasure and praise. Even the mothers and daughters of the age aspired to attainments in the grace and merit of industry, recommended by the pen of inspired wisdom. To cite an instance, as a memorial, an hun- dred females among the best families, stirred by a spirit of emula- tion and benevolence, convened in May, (1788) at the house of their minister, in Portland, and presented his wife with 236 skeins of cotton and linen, as the fruits of their afternoon's labor and skill, from the turn of only sixty wheels ; and in the evening, a large concourse assembling, was entertained with a concert of sacred music. Such, at this period, were the admired examples of pro- ductive labor — such, the rational mirth and well improved habits, which merited esteem and imitation in the fairest and best circles of social life. Perhaps an occurrence that happened August 26, soon after ^bie expJo' four of the clock, P. M. may be considered too rare to be passed * See post, A. D. 1794, Bowdoin College. Governor Bowdoin, a native of Boston and a graduate of Harvard, A. D. 1745, was a philosopher and statesman of the first order. In 1774, he was a member of Congress, and was at the head of the Council after Governor Gage was denounced, till the adoption of the Constitution. He was a whig patriot of good abilities and great worth. But his administration of two years was at a most criti- cal conjuncture. He was accused unjustl}' of being partial to the mer- chants; because he thought in humanity and justice, according to the treaty of peace, the acts of confiscation ought to be repealed. He died lamented, Nov. 6, 1790. 534 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D, i'/87. unnoticed. A ball of fire, apparently as large as that of a nine pounder, was seen by numbers in Portland, New-Gloucester and other places, flying through the air in a south-western direction, at an angle of more than 45 from the ground, when it suddenly exploded three times in quick succession, like the discharge of as many cannon, with reports resembling thunder-claps. No tre- mor of the earth was felt, yet buildings were shaken ; and from the smoke observed, it was believed, the electric fluid must have been above the clouds. The explosions were heard as far east as Frenchman's bay, and westward at Fryeburgh. Three new The towns incorporated this year, were Penobscot, Feb. 23 ; Jj^^^g^yj^"'"' Limerick, March 6 ; and Waterborough, the same day. Penobscoi. Peuobscot, extending northward from Buck harbor, nearly to the foot of Orphan Island, was then about 1 5 miles in length ; and was the first town incorporated on the eastern bank of the Penobscot waters. It embraced the celebrated peninsula of Ma- jor-biguyduce, [now Castine,'] to which reference must be had for particulars omitted in this place.* The early history of the two towns is, of course, inseparably connected. Penobscot was No. 3, in the first class of townships conditionally granted by the Provincial General Court, in 1762 ; an effectual settlement hav- ing been commenced two years before, by eight or ten families, migrating across the bay from the neighborhood of Fort Pownal. It seems, that in the confirmation of the titles to the settlers, in 1785, P. and C. Jarvis had a prominent agency, and acquired an interest to a considerable extent.f * See Castine^ incorporated, A. D. 1796. \ Penobscot, (49th town,) contained, after Castine was taken from it, about 20,310 acres. The 1st parish, or rather the town, settled Rev. Jon- athan Powars, Dec. 31, 1795 — whose salary was £80. About 1802-3, the parish built for him a meeting-house, 40 by 38 feet. He died Nov. 8, 1807, and was succeeded by Rev. Philip Spaulding-, who continued there three jears. The methodists, also, have a meeting^-house. — There are 11 school- houses, 4 mills, and 9 bridges, one of which is 200 feet in length. The town was first represented in the General Court in 1791, by Isaac Parker, who was afterwards for many years Chief Justice of the S. J. Court of Massa- chusetts.— By act, passed June 13, 1817, Brooksville was formed out of the old town and a part of Sedgwick ; since which, the town of Penobscot ex- tends only three miles on the Penobscot waters, — viz. — from tlie mouth of Eastern river to Morris' cove — thence, 1^ miles, to the northern head of Castine river.- -See ante, A. D. 1762, 1785 — J\1S. Let. of Col, J. Ward- welL 1820. Chap, xx.] of maine. 535 Limerick is a part of the ancient purchase of Captain Sunday A. D, 1787. by Francis Small. It is a township of only 13,000 acres. Its Lime.nck. first settlement was during the Revolution ; having within its lim- its, in 1780, no more than twelve families.* Waterboroup'h, the plantation of Massabesec, is a part of the Waterbo- rough. tract purchased by William Phillips, A. D. 1661-4, of Saga- mores Fluellan, Hobinowell and Captain Sunday. The earliest improvements undertaken in this township, by felling trees, were about the years, 1767-8. The progress of the settlement was slow. The inhabitants and those of Lyman and the present Al- fred, at first, associated in religious w^orship, and for many years cultivated and enjoyed mutual fellowship. The first church was organized in 1780, consisting of members who belonged to those three places. f At the November session of the General Court, the Governor Constiuuion of the Unit- presented to the two Houses, the Federal Constitution, as ed tjiaies. reported by delegates from the several States, sitting in conven- tion upon the subject at Philadelphia, from May 14th to the 17th of September. J To form an Assembly for adopting it, the sev- eral towns were authorized to choose as many delegates, as they had a right by the State constitution to elect representatives ; and in January, 1788, 360 convened in Boston, of whom 46 were A. D. nsSv from Maine. Governor Hancock was President, and William Cushing, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, was Vice-preal- * Limerick, (50th town,) lies on the north side of Little Ossipce, and ad- joins tlie -'Ripplings." — See Fai'sonsfield, ante, Ji. D. 1785. — J^oie [a.) — In 1795, a church was g-athered and Rev. Edmund Eastman was ordain- ed. He died Dec. 1812. His successor was Rev. Charles Freem;in, settled in 1820. J- WaUrhoroiigh, (51st town,) lying- south of Little Ossipce river, is larg-c in territor}', containing- 26,000 acres, besides 1,580 r.cres owned b}^ the town, and 1,639 acres covered with water. The plantation name was taken from Jlassabesec pond in this township. In 1S20, the number of dwelling-houses was 133 ; and 7 mills. Population in 1790, was onl}' 110. The inhabitants are g-enerally of the baptist persuasion ; —Elders Pcla- tiah Tingly and Henry Smith, having- been the first religious teachers of the two societies. — Waterborough was made a shire-town in York cotint}', in 1790; where the Courts of Common Pleas and Sessions were holden, till removed to Alfred, in 1808.— See ante, Sanford, Jl. D. 1768. I See "Journal, Acts and Proceeding-s of the Convention," — published by Resolve of Congress, March 27, 1818, Ed. A. D. 1819, pages 510, includ- ing the ratification of the Constitution by the States. 536 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.I) J788. dent. In this Convention were great talents, and the influence of the State. The period of the session was a season of ex- treme anxiety.* The yeas and nays were taken, February 9, when there were 187 against 168; — giving a majority of 19 in its favor. The majority of the delegation from this District for it, was as 25 to 21. f By the Constitution, which was soon brought into operation by a ratification of eleven States, Massa- chusetts was entitled to eight Representatives in Congress ; and hence, the General Court divided the Commonwealth into as many Districts, — Maine constituting one, and electing George Thatcher of Biddeford, a distinguished lawyer. The two Houses chose David Sewall, Elector in Maine, for the first President and Vice-president of the United States.J Skvery ^ As there had been for more than half a century, a considera- ble number ol colored people in this eastern country, as well as in other parts of the State, who were slaves ; — the very name after the revolutionary struggle became doubly odious. It was thought to be base hypocrisy and crime in a free people to tolerate slave- ry ; and consequently, it was declared in the Bill of Rights, a constituent part of the State constitution, that " all men are born free and equal." Aided by this clause, the Supreme Judicial Court at Worcester, in 1783, imposed a small fine upon a man for correcting his negro servant, though he pleaded his privilege in justification. The public were satisfied ; and every slave felt the relief for which he had long sighed. But this was not suffi- ciently effectual, for there had been lately an attempt by a sea- captain to seize three blacks in Boston harbor, for the purpose of * In the midst of this extreme solicitude, the opinion of an observing- sage and pious father, was requested upon the subject. ' The New Gov- ' ernment,' said he, ' I think will be adopted, for I find our praying- people < are for it adding, ' when General Pepperell went from this town, [Fal- ' mouth,] against Cape-Breton, in 1745, there were great anxieties and ' fears about the result. Doct. Franklin knowing it, remarked, "I am " certain General Pepperell will succeed, for all the praying people of the " country are on his side." t In York County, In Cumberland. In Lincoln. yeas 6 j^eas 10 yeas 9=25 nays II nays 3 nays 7=21 \ The two Senators chosen, were Caleb Strong of Northampton and Tristram Dallon of Newburyport. George Thatcher had been elected in June of this year, by the two Houses, a member of the old Congress. Chap. xx.J of maine. 537 caiTying them to the West-Indies ; and therefore, the Legislature, a. d. i788. March 26, (1788,) passed an act, highly penal against both kid- napping and the slave trade. To the affairs of Maine, now flourishine;, the government paid i>and Com- ' , . niiuee and the Utmost attention. The original Committee, appointed in 1781, their power, were discharged ; and two added to the standing Committee for the sale and settlement of eastern lands. Their number was now five ; and their authority, or power, was co-extensive with the whole territory of Maine. They were required, immediately to complete plans of all surveys made, uniformly reserving in every town, 320 acres for the ministry and schooling ; to quiet settlers upon lots of 100 acres for small considerations; and to offer lands to foreigners, if they would actually settle upon them, proposing to naturalize all such, as could exhibit proof of contin- ued good behavior, for two years. There were several considerations, which were urged with force The estab- and spirit for the establishment of a College, in this rising com- an eastern munity. If the moral sense be improved, and liberty secured by ^dered.^°"" a diffusion of useful knowledge, and a culture of the arts and sciences, according to the sentiments and maxims of the fathers ; it was insisted by the eastern people, that a public Seminary planted among them, would enlarge and spread the benefits of education, in proportion to the facilities presented in obtaining it. Nay, a public literary establishment was absolutely needed ; and from the grateful recollections of the character and merits of John Winthrop, entitled the ' Father of the Massachusetts Colony ; a worthy son of his name, the Governor of Connecticut ; and another, distinguished for his talents and science ; many thought it might, with no ordinary propriety, take the name of Winthrop College. — To determine and fix its site, it was believed, that a large Committee of gentlemen ought to be selected from the three eastern counties ; and to provide it with funds, it was said, two or three townships of land ought to be granted, and monies might be raised by means of a lottery. The Legislature did in fact appropriate one township* for the purpose, the best that could be selected north of the Waldo patent, between Penobscot and Kennebeck rivers. The object was expansive, and six years Vol. XL * Dixmont. 68 638 THE HISTORY [Vol. II. Twenty new towns incorporat- ed. Bowdoint A.D. 1788. elapsed, before a Collegiate Seminary in Maine was fully estab- lished. To remedy the inconveniences experienced by the people, who resided upon the river Penobscot and eastward of it, owing to the remoteness of the Courts from them ; the government was dis- posed to divide the County of Lincoln, as soon as there were established in the eastern section, a competent number of corpo- rate towns, from which jurymen could be legally drawn. The General Court, therefore, March 24, called upon the larger Islands and new townships settled, to assign their reasons at the succeeding session, why they did not apply for charters of incor- poration. This call so generally awakened the inhabitants of plantations, that within the period of about fifteen months there were incorporated twenty towns ; — by taking a cursory view of which, we are able to trace the progress of settlement and the growth of the District. BowDOiN, hitherto " the plantation of West Bowdoinham,^^ was incorporated, March 21, 1788, when it probably contained 120 families. The people were principally of the baptist denom- ination, and one of the first ministers settled there was Elder James Potter. This town is supposed to have been settled some years before the revolutionary war.* Orrington, incorporated also March 21, was previously call- ed * New- Worcester,' or * plantation number nine and embraced the present town of that name and Brewer.-f The first settle- ment was commenced by John Brewer in the summer of 1770, at the mouth of the stream Segeunkedunk. Having obtained the assent of the General Court to settle there, upon condition of get- ting a confirmation from the crown within three years, he and his associates caused the exterior lines of a tract large enough for a township, to be surveyed. They then sent by Doct. Calef of Ipswich, a petition addressed to the king for a grant ; which was heard, and a grant promised, yet prevented by the news of the Lexington battle, received at the English Court. The settlers were threatened by the British, and some of them disturbed, in the Revolutionary war ; therefore Brewer and several others found Orrington. * Bowdoin (52d town) took its name from the family of Governor Bow- doin. In compass it is 10 miles by 8 — extends as far southerly as Bowdoin- ham, and bounds on Topsham. t See Brawer, incorporated Feb, 22, 1812. Chap, xx.] of Maine. 639 it most consistent with their safety to retire. But they all return- A. D. 1788 ed early after peace ; and on the 25th of March, 1 786, Capt. Brewer and Simeon Fowler, who had settled three miles below, in what is Orrington since the division of the town, purchased of the government the lots jutting upon the river, equal in all to 1 0,864 acres ; for which they gave £3,000 in consolidated notes. The residue of the township was granted to Moses Knapp and his associates.* NoRRiDGEWocK, incorporated June 18, is one of the northern- Norridge- most townships within the Plymouth patent. It is a place pecu- liar for its beauties of nature. The first settlement was com- menced about A. D. 1773; and the first child born of English parents was a son of Abel Farrington, in August of the succeed- ing year.f Greene, also incorporated June 18, is the northerly section Greene, of the plantation called Lewiston. It is situated between the Androscoggin and the west line of the Plymouth patent, and is a part of the Pejepscot purchase. The original settlement was begun about the year 1773 ; and when the town was incorporat- ed, it contained nearly 100 families. Its name was given it in honor of Major-General Greene. J * Orrington (53d town,) is a name altog-ether adventitiously chosen. When the agent to the General Court was requested to give a name to be inserted in the bill, for its incorporation ; he accidentally opened a book and saw the name, which being- novel and sonorous, he caused to be select- ed. Before the division, the town extended from Buck's ledge, 15 miles on the river, to the ' Bend,^ and contained 37,304 acres. It was surveyed by B. Dodge in 1784, The fishing privileges belong to the town. There were first erected two meeting-houses, 7 miles apart, equidistant from each end of the town.. The first Representative was Oliver Leonard, in 1798. —JUS. Let. of Hon. D. Perham.. f J^orridgewock^ (54th town,) is a name from the Indian Norridgwog, so much celebrated in History. — [See vol. 1. p. 49, and 467.] The present is the shire-town of Somerset. The village is in the bend of the Kennebeck. Here the river is 650 feet in width and the water from 10 to 15 feet deep ; over which is a good bridge. Six miles above is " Old Point," opposite to the mouth of Sandy river, where was the famous old Indian village. Here the water in the Kennebeck is quick and shoal, and only 60 rods wide. — MS. Let. of Hon. W. Preston. X Greene, (55th town,) contains good land. There are in it three small ponds, — called Sabbatis, Bates and Berry ponds ; one meeting-house, and 4 mills. It was first represented in the General Court in 1806, by Luther Robbins, Esq. A post-ofiice was established there in 1790. — *MS. Let, of Luther Rolibins, Esq. 1820. 540 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.D. 1788. Fairfield, so called, as being expressive of its fair aspect by Fairfield, nature, was incorporated June 18, by the name it had previously borne. It was settled about 1774.* Canaan. Canaan, incorporated June 18, embraced at that time, the present town of BloomJield\ also. Its name was chosen, because it was conceived to be fertile and fair, like the land of promise. It was surveyed in 1773, and improvements were begun the next year. The place had been called ' Heywoodstown,' from Peter Hey wood, the first settler. { Nobieboro.' NoBLEBOROUGH was incorporated Nov. 20, being previously known by the name of Walpole. The territory of the town was claimed, under the Brown right, and the title was pursued till 1765, by James Noble, who married the widow of William Vaughan. He and others were then dispossessed, though they did not abandon their claim. Vaughan either commenced or re- vived the settlement under Dunbar, about the year 1730. It did not increase rapidly, as there were in the plantation only 30 men able to bear arms, at the beginning of the Revolutionary war. Arthur Noble gave to the town its present name. He was the proprietor's heir. But the name was displeasing to the people, principally because of their antipathies towards all who were pro- prietary claimants. The first settled minister of the place, was Rev. Ebenezer Stearns, a calvinistic divine, who was ordained in 1768.§ * Fairfield, (56th town,) contained in 1790, 492 inhabitants. The first congregational church in this town, was gathered in 1815, consisting of 8 members. It is a large and excellent township of 42 square miles, lying 8 miles on the western bank of the Kennebeck. f See Bloomfield, incorporated Feb. 5, 1814. \ Canaan, (57th town.) a part of the Plymouth patent, contains 28,000 acres. The plantation records commence in 1783. Of the different re- ligious denominations in town, there are about 180 of the ' christian con- nexion.' In 1784, Rev. Nathan Whittaker was settled, and dismissed in 1788 ; Rev. Jonathan Calef succeeded him in 1794, and tarried five years. The next minister was Rev. J. Cayford, who continued there from 1809 to 1813, There are in Canaan 2 grist-mills, 3 saw-mills, a fulling mill, and 8 bridges ; one is over Wessarunset river, and one over 15 mile stream. It was first represented in the General Court by Benjamin Shepherd ; and a post-office was established there in 1793. — JIS. Letters of A. Powers, Esq. 1821. § jSTohleborough, (snth town,) contains about 15,500 acres. The con- troversy about the title was settled in 1811-14. — See ante, vol, II, p. 250, note * — also notes to Boothhay, A. D. 1764, and notes to Bristol, A. JD, 1765. Chap, xx.] of Maine. 541 Sedgwick, previously JVaskeag, was incorporated January A. D. 1789. 12, 1789, by this name, in memory of Major Robert Sedgwick.* Sedgwick. Captains Goodwin and Reed, and John and Daniel Black, began a settlement at Naskeag point in 1763, which gradually increased, even during the war of the Revolution. The General Court, averse to the claims and pretensions of original proprietors, pro- ceeded, in 1789, to quiet every settler on a lot of 100 acres, and thereby establish tranquillity and contentment. f CusHiNG was incorporated, January 28, and called by this Gushing, name in compliment to Thomas Cushing, Lieutenant-Governor of the State. Its plantation name was St. George; and Cushing, now incorporated, embraced then the present town of that name, its situation since the division is between the rivers St. George and Meduncook. The first settlers were emigrants from Ireland in 1733; who were induced to remove by a proclamation, which Ceneral Waldo's son published in Cork. The first child born in the plantation, of white parents, was Archibald Robinson, whose birth was in 1 734. { — Nobleborough is connected with Newcastle by a toll bridg-e across the Damariscotta at the Lower Falls; and two miles above by a free bridge. The inhabitants are generally calvinists. After Mr. Stearns, they settled Rev. Phineas Pilsbury in 1808. Elder A. Judson was settled over the 2d baptist society in 1819. There were then in town two meeting-houses, North and South, also nine mills. The town was first represented in the General Court, in 1806, by James Perkins. The Oyster banks in this town opposite to the upper falls are a curiosity. They consist of oyster •shells from 12 to 15 feet in height. — See ante^ vol. i, p. 56. — JIS. Letter of Ephraim Rollins, Esq. * See this History, ante, A. D, 1654, p. 360. f Sedgvoick, (59th town,) is one of the David Marsh townships condition- ally granted in 1762, being No.4. It is bounded southerly on Edgemora- ^an Reach. In 1817, 5,000 acres were taken to form Brooksville, leaving in Sedgwick 22,000 acres. There is in town one meeting-house, occupied by baptists. — In the church are 231 members. Elder Daniel Merrill was settled in 1791. He was the first representative to the General Court, in 1809. His successor in the ministry was Elder E. Tinkham. Post-oflSce was established there in 1812. — MS. Let. of Daniel Morgan and William Johnson, Esqrs. \ Cushing, (60th town,) was divided Feb. 7, 1803.— See St. George of that date. — It now contains 8,600 acres. It includes Gay''s Island. In 1819, Cushing had within it neither settled minister, lawyer, physician, tanner, tailor or shoemaker ; each being his own mechanic. The people are about l-4th baptists, and the residue congregationalists.— They have one meet- ing-house, 75 dwellinghouses, and a social library of 104 vols. The town was first represented in the General Court, 1789, by Edward Kelle- 542 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. AiD, 1789. IsLESBOROUGH was incorporated January 28, embracing Islesboro.' Long Island, Seven hundred acre Island, JoVs Island, the lAme Islands, Marshall's or William Pendleton^ Island, and Las- seWs Island, — all of which were then inhabited. The first set- tlements were commenced in 1769, by William Pendleton and Benjamin Thomas. The town contains 6,000 acres, and the in- habitants derived titles to their lands in 1801, from General Henry Knox.* Bluehiiu BLUEHiLLjf prcviously plantation * number five,' was incor- porated January 30, and includes a * Long Island' on its south- easterly side. A majestic hill 950 feet in height above the level of the sea, crested by a mass of grey curl-grained rock, in the centre of the town, — has given the town its name. Formerly covered with a growth of evergreen, it exhibited to the eye of the distant beholder, an appearance of dark blue. The first settlement was begun in 1762, by Joseph Wood and John Roun- dy. In 1772, a church of 14 members was embodied ; and in 1786, a meeting-house was built. J ran, Esq., since then a senator. — MS. Letter from Gushing, 1819. — Major Burton's fort was in this town. It was constructed of stone — a very strong fortress. * Islesborough, (61st town,) it is said, has neither a rich man nor a poor man in it. They are farmers and fishermen. They own more than 400 cows, and raise about 1,000 bushels of wheat annually. They have a meeting-'house and a baptist church of 49 members. Their first settled minister, Elder Thomas Ames, was ordained in June, 1794. Connected with Vinalhaven, their first Representative to the General Court was Thomas Waterman, in 1820. The air of these Islands is remarkably healthful. — Those on the western side of Long-Island form several excel- lent harbors, often frequented by coasters. The length of Long-Island itself is eleven miles ; upon the north end of which is a mill at the outlet K)f a small pond. — See vol. I. p. 71. f The Indian name was " CoUegewidgwock." — R. Dodge, Esq. Bluehill (62d town) is one of the second class of townships, condition- ally granted in 1762 and 1764, which bounded on Union river, the dividing line of the two classes. The town embraces four fresh ponds, whose out- lets run into a salt pond in the south part of the town, and form several good mill sites. In 1776, the plantation chose its committees of safety, in- spection and correspondence ; and the peoples' ardor in the cause of free- dom was not damped by the encampment of the British at 'Biguyduce ; — as they usually submitted to the dictates of prudence and remained quiet. The first English child born in town was Jonathan Darling, Oct. 17, 1765. A second meeting-house for congregationalists, was built in 1792 ; and Rev. Jonathan Fisher was ordained July 13, 1796. A baptist church was form- Chap, xx.] of maine. 643 Deer-Isle, deriving its name from the abundance of deer an- a,d. 1789. ciently found in its forests, was incorporated January 30 ; includ- Deer-lsle. ing Deer-Island^ Little Deer-Island, and the " Isle of Holt,'''' These, together with Sheep Island, which were all surveyed in 1785, were found to contain 16,876 acres, and to be inhabited, prior to January 1, of the preceding year, by 80 settlers, who were entitled to the bounty-lots of government. The earliest set- tlements upon these Islands were undertaken about twenty years before the survey. In 1785, a church was organized on Great Deer Isle, and Rev. Peter Powers ordained.* Freeport, incorporated Feb. 14, previously called the Harra- Freeport*. seeket settlement, was the eastern part of the ancient North-Yar- mouth. The place was inhabited by settlers removing thither from the parent town, probably about 1750. One Means, living in the eastern part of the settlement, was killed there by the In- dians, early in the French war. In December, 1789, a church was gathered and Rev. Alfred Johnson settled, whose ministry was continued upwards of fifteen years. f Trenton was incorporated, Feb. 16, containing at that time Trenton, about 300 souls. It was first settled as early as the year 1763. It was * township number one,' separated from Mount Desert by ed in 1806 : parish incorporated in 1813 ; and meeting-house built in 1817. In town, there is a school fund of $3,225 ; a social library of 445 volumes, and there are owned 2,000 tons of shipping-. A post-office was estab- lished here in 1795. — Bluehill Academy was incorporated in 1803 ; has $6,552 funds, and is flourishing-.— JtiS. Letters of Rev. J. Fisher, Hon. A. Wiiham and E. Finkham, Esq. 1820. * Deer-Isle, (63d town,) contained, in 1790, 682 inhabitants.— S^ee Re- solve, March 24, 1788,— Rev. Mr. Powers died in 1799. Rev. Joseph Brown, a dissenting- minister, settled in Eng-land, removed to Exeter, N. H. and thence to Deer-Isle, where he was reinstalled in 1809, and contin- ued till his death, in 1819. — See ante, vol. I, p. 73-4. t Freeport (64th town) probably derived its name from the openness of its harbor. It lies between Cozen's river, on the south-west, and Front's gore, on the north-east. Harraseeket river is the only one in town— nav- igable on the tide a league from the bay. Freeport was divided and Pow- nal incorporated in 1808. — Tke successors of Mr. Johnson were Rev. Sam- uel Veazie in 1806, and Rev. Reuben Nason in 1810, both graduates of Harvard. The baptists have gathered a church and built a handsome meeting-house. There is another for universalists. In this town are six. mills, besides a tide mill — 4 Coll. JI. Hist. Soc. new series, p. 176. 644 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1789. Jordan's river ; a branch of which being salt tide-waters, stretches a league and a half into the town.* Gouidsbo- GouLDSBOROUGH, incorporated Feb. 16, was originally granted rough. by Massachusetts to Nathan Jones, Francis Straw, and Robert Gould of Boston, who immediately settled it with lumbermen from Portland, Saco and other places in that vicinity. The town, so named in compliment to one of the grantees, embraces Siave, Jordan's, Ironbound, Porcupine, Horn, Turtle and Schoodic Islands, some of which are inhabited. f Sullivan. SuLLivAN, prcviously JVew-Bristol, or number two,J was in- corporated, Feb. 16, by that name, in honor of James Sullivan, afterwards Governor of the State. It embraces, besides main land, eight Islands, viz. Capital A, Bean, Dram, Preble, Brag- don, Burnt, Black, and Seward Islands. The town was origin- ally settled by three families, emigrating from York in 1765. Each settler since the revolution has been quieted on 100 acres, by paying $5 into the public treasury.*^ * Trenton (65th town,) was confirmed to Paul Thorndike and others, June 21, 1785. The original grant was January 27, 1764. — See Resolve — At Trenton-point are the appearances of an old settlement, probably under- taken by the French. f Gouldsborough (66th town) is situated between Frenchman's bay and Gouldsborough harbor, and contains 30,000 acres ; one third of which is too billy or too rocky for the plough. In Gouldsborough there is a town-house; 5 saw mills, 3 grist mills and 3 bridges. A post-office was established here in 1792. The town was first represented in the General Court in 1814, b}' Mr. Shaw. This was for many years the residence of Gen. Da- vid Cobb, who was one of Gen. Washington's aids in the Revolution ; twice Maj. General of the militia ; Chief Justice of the Common Pleas in the county of Hancock; Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts, and many years in the Council. — MS. Letter, I One of the David Bean townships. \ Sullivan, (67th town) granted January 27, 1764, was confirmed by the General Court, June 21, 1785, to the proprietors, upon paj^ment of £l,250, in consolidated notes; quieting the settlers, building a meeting-house, and introducing 60 families within six years. In the Revolution, 40 families were reduced to 20. — The Clam-shells, from 12 to 18 inches thick on the points projecting into the bay, cover several acres ; and on one of the Isl- ands they are six feet in depth. Another curiosity is the reservoir which fills at flood and empties at ebb, where is a toll-bridge 700 feet in length. There are in town 6 or 7 mills; and the people own 15 sail of vessels. — A post-office was first established in 1794. The town was first represented in the General Court by Paul D. Sargent, Esq. a Colonel in the revolution ; and Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, and Judge of Probate, several years in the County of Hancock, Chap, xx.] of Maine. 545 Mount Desert, incorporated February 17, embraces an IsI-A.d. 1789. and of that name, the largest upon the eastern coast : and also Mount De- serl. Bartletfsy Robinson's^ Beach, and the Cranberry Islands, There is no place upon the seaboard of Maine, which is more noted than the Island itself of Mount Desert. It is said to con- tain 60,000 acres, — two thirds of which are mountainous and incapable of cultivation. This was the place where the French missionaries, Biard and Masse, A. D. 1609,* formed a terppo- rary residence. The re-settlement of this Island was effected in 1761, by Abraham Somes, who built a dwellinghouse near the head of the sound, which thence took his name The Cranberry Islands became inhabited about the same time, and John Robin- son settled on an Island, since called by his name. It was erect- ed into a plantation in 1776; and the inhabitants, during the war of the Revolution, suffered much, both from the enemy and for necessaries. After reserving to settlers their possessions, the General Court, June 23, 1785, and July 6, 1787, confirmed the residue of the Island to Bernard and Gregorie,f in undivided halves. The population at the time the town was incorporated, was about seven hundred. J Durham, a part of the Pejepscot purchase, was incorporated Durham. Feb. 17 ; its plantation name being Royalsborougb, or Royals- town, from Colonel Royal of Medford, who was a considerable proprietor. The first settler was Samuel Gerrish, who with oth- ers brought forward the settlement immediately, though slowly, after the reduction of Quebec.^ * See ante, A. D. 1609, 1613, p. 205—8-9. f See ante, A. D. 1785. \ Mount Desert, (68th town) was divided in 1796 ; when Eden was taken from the north part and incorporated into a town. The mountain is a land- mark for mariners, rising- about 2,400 feet above the level of the sea. Bass harbor is at the JiOnth end of the Island; and Somes' sound, which extends north to the heart of the Island, is navig-able a league. About the pool on the western side of the sound, are the relics of ancient habitations. Possibly the station chosen under Madam Gourcheville was at the north- east harbor. There are two ponds in town, 5 miles by 1, and 2 by 1. There are in town 7 saw-mills, 4 grist-mills, and two meeting-houses. Ebenezer Eaton is a lay preacher to the congregationalists. First representative to the General Court, was Davis Wasgatt, in 1805. The first child bom in the town was George Richardson, August, 1763, and the first marriage, Aug. 9, 1774.— JUS. Let. of Davis Wasgalt and D. Richardson, Esqrs. \ Durham, (69th town,) lies north of Brunswick, and contains about 17,C00 acres. There were in town, A. D. 1820, about 170 dwellinghouses ; Vol. II. 69 546 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1789. Frankfort, extending " from Belfast to Wheeler's mills," Frankforti on Soadabscook stream, was incorporated June 25, and em- braced the present town of that name, Prospect, and the greater part of Hampden. It was the north-east corner town of the Waldo patent, extending beyond its north line. In the present town of Frankfort we find there were settled inhabitants, as early as 1770 ; for in 1773, there were twelve residing at Marsh bay; one family at Oak point, and one where the village now is.* Vinaihaven. ViNALHAVEN was incorporated by that name, June 25, in compliment to John Vinal, Esq. of Boston, who had been em- ployed, the preceding year, by the settlers, in obtaining legis- lative measures for quieting them upon their lots. The town embraces the JVorth and South Fox Islands, and all the smaller Islands within three miles of their shores. The first permanent settlement, which was effected in 1 765, increased to the fifth year of the Revolutionary war ; when the British, issuing from their encampment at 'Biguyduce, compelled these Islanders to leave their families and work upon the fortification ; sometimes killing their cattle and plundering them of their effects. To avoid ser- vility and abuse, numbers retired from their houses, some of which the enemy subsequently reduced to ashes. * Returning after the peace, 72 of the inhabitants obtained, in 1786, from the government, deeds of their lots, in consideration of only £246 for the whole. These Islanders have been " noted for their hu- " raanity and benevolence to strangers."f and when the town was incorporated, about 700 inhabitants. Rev. Jacob Herrick was settled, and a church gathered in March, 1796. * Frankfort^ (7oth town,) is at the head of winter navigation on Penob- scot. In the town are two heights, Mount Waldo, and Danforth's moun- tain.— Marsh river, is a commodious mill stream, emptying into Marsh bay, has two branches, viz. south branch, on which Prospect partly bounds, and the mairi branch. The first settlers were J. Treat, E. Grant, J. Kinna- kum, J, Woodman, P. King, S. Kenney, and E. Ide. " The first settlers «' got their living by hunting moose, beaver and muskrat; and by fishing « in Penobscot river."— J»7S. Let. of Joshua Treat, £.97.— Frankfort was divided, and Prospect, and Hampden incorporated, Feb. 24, 1794. In 1790, the whole town contained 891 inhabitants. t Vinaihaven, (71st town ) contains 16,527 acres. Between the two Fox Islands is a thoroughfare, as previously mentioned, about a mile in width, and a deep channel. The employment of the inhabitants is farm- ing and fishing. They own 700 tons of shipping. On the north Island, the baptists have a meeting-house and a church of 125 members. There are Chap, xx.] of Maine. 547 By tracing the origin and progress of these plantations, rising A. D. 1789. to notice in such quick succession, we exhibit evidence of un- The corpor- , . ^ . ale towns. common mcrease and improvement. But some commercial reg- ulations were necessary to give prosperity and success to enter- prize ; and in proportion as the federative government progressed, the prospect widened, of seeing system and effect given to trade, which the coercive power of law only could accomplish. George Washington having been elected President of the Georse United States, was inaugurated, April 30, 1789, at New- York ; (on, I'resi- and the national government became constitutionally organized, imw^ '^^ To regulate commercial intercourse, and the duties on tonnage and imposts j — and to assume and fund the public debt, were among the first measures of Congress. The expenses of the Penobscot expedition were at length made an item of the na- tional debt ; and justice, equal and universal, was administered. In this age of sober habits, and improvement, the State Legislature passed one Act, which is worthy to be mentioned, — this was for encouraging the manufacture of beer, as a desirable and whole- some substitute for ardent spirits. To this generation in fact, is due the credit of patronizing temperance and economy, though commerce,' navigation and trade, were its ruling springs of action. also mefhodists. Rev John Lewis preaches on the South Island, and Rev. Samuel Macomber on the North Island. The town was first represented in the General Court in 1801, by William Vinal, a Judge of the Common Pleas, in the county of Hancock. — Here also are large beds of clam shells^ found on the shores, about which there is no tradition. The silver grey foxes found on these Islands when first discovered, occasioned the name. None are seen there at the present time. — JIS. Let. of Thomas Waterman, Esq. 1820. 648 THE HISTORY [Vol. II. CHAPTER XXI. The Counties of Hancock and Washington established and hounded — Shire-towns and terms — Maine District re-established — A Cen- sus— Collection of the Customs — District Court established — People on the eastern borders quieted — The lumber and fur trade — Nine towns incorporated — Objects of the people's enterprize — Death of Governor Hancock — Buckfeld and Paris incorporated. A. D. 1739. To the remarkable increase of municipal corporations, imme- June 25. diately succeeded measures to divide the County of Lincoln. Uefo? Han- present extent upon the seaboard exceeded forty leagues ; — it Washhi^ton Contained a large and wide spread population ; and public conve- esiabiished. ^ignce required a division. The General Court therefore, by an ret of June 25, 1789, established two new counties, Hancock and Washington ; — names borrowed from those of two men, the most eminent and popular in the Union. Boundaries The divisional line between Lincoln and Hancock, commenc- of them. ing on the margin of Penobscot Bay, at the north-east corner of Camden, proceeded westerly in the upper line of that town to its corner ; thence northerly to the north limit of the Waldo pa- tent; and "thence north to the Highlands;" leaving to Lincoln the seacoast between New-Meadows and Penobscot bays, and all the opposite Islands. — The dividing line between Hancock and Washington, commenced at the head of Gouldsborough river east branch, and proceeded to the south-east corner of township number sixteen ; and " thence due north to the highlands."* The eastern boundary of Washington County was drawn "by the river St. Croix ;" and thence north so as to include all the lands within the Commonwealth eastward of Hancock. Both Counties were bounded on the north " by the utmost northern limits" of the State ; and to each County were annexed all the opposite Islands. See the act of the British g-overnment in 1763, by which Quebec was formed into a Province; the Quebec Bill, passed Oct. 1774; the treaty of 1783; and the division of Canada into the Upper and Lower Provinces in 1791, to ascertain these " Highlands." Chap, xxi.] of Maine. 549 On the first day of May, 1790, the act took effect, and the two A. D. 1790. Counties became established ; Penobscot [now Castine] being May i. . . Shire-towns the shire-town of Hancock; and Machias, that of Washington, and terms of 1 o • • T Court. The terms set for the Common Fleas and Sessions, were in June and September for both counties : but all matters happening in either, whereof the Supreme Judicial Court had cognizance, were to be heard and tried at their annual term in Pownalborough. There were also several measures adopted by Congress, which were of interest to these eastern counties. A late Federal Cen- t^'^""ict. sus taken, exhibited a population in them to the number of 96,540 souls ;f considerably exceeding all previous calculations. For many purposes, Maine, as if it were a separate State, was now expressly formed into a District, and jurisdiction assumed over all its affairs belonging to the national government. Such, among many, were light-houses ; — the single one in Maine, at l^^^^^l Portland-head, and the appurtenant lands, being conceded to the United States. All the coasts and ports in Maine, were classed collection into nine commercial districts, in each of which there were ap- '^^^^^ pointed a CollectorJ and other Custom-house officers. * CouNTV Officers in Hancock. Judges of C Paid D. Sargent of Su'livaii. SimeonFowler of Orringlori, County Treas'r. the Com.< ^■^illiam Vinal of Vinalliaven. Thomas Phillips, V.\erk. Pleas O/ii-er Pa/ Arer of Penobscot. Richard Hurinewe/l of Pcnohscol, Sheriff Paul D. Sarsenl, Judge of Probate. William Webber of do., Register of Deeds. Jonathan Eddy of Peiio!)sc()t, Keg'r of do. CouNrv Officers in Washington. Judg-es of C Stephen Jones of Machias, Ralph H. Bowles, Clerk, the Com and Judge of Probate. Ja/7ips .4 cf/ i/. Reg. of Probate. Pleas. \ James Avery of Machias. George Stillman, Coun'.y Treasurer and j Alexander Campbell of No. 4. Reg. of Deeds. {John Crane of fso. 12, John Cooper of Passaniaquoddy, Sheriff. Machias at this lime was the only corporate town in the County of Wash- ing-Ion. The first term of S. J. Court at Pownalboroug-h, was in 1786 ; and since that year the Common Pleas have set at Hallowell, [Aug-usta;] also from the same year in Waldoborough, to A. D. 1800 ; and in Pownal- borough, [Dresden,] to March 22, 1794. In Cumberland — New-Glouces- ter, was half-shire with Portland, from Jan. 1792 to June 1805. In York county, the S.J. Court sat at Wells, from 1800 to 1802, when it was re- moved to Alfred. The Common Pleas sat at Biddeford from A. D. 1790 to A. D. 1806; and at Waterborough, from 1790 to 1806. The Common Pleas were established at Alfred the same year. N. B. — Name of Pow- nalborong-h changed to that of Wiscasset, June 10, 1802. — See ante., 1787. •f In York county 28,821 ; Cumberland 25,450; Lincoln 29,962; Han- cock 9,549 ; and Washington 2,758, inhabitants. I Collectors, in ForAr, Richard Trevett ; Saco river^ Jeremiah Hill; Po/f/anc/, Nathaniel F. Fosdick; Bath, William Webb; Wiscasset, Fran- cis Cook ; Penobscot, John Lee ; Frenchman's Bay, Melatiah Jordan ; ^Machias, Stephen Smith ; and Passamaquoddy, Lewis F. Delesdernier. 65 0 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.D; 1790. A District Court was established, of which David Sewall District was appointed Judge, William Lithgow, Jr. of Hallowell, Attor- lis officers ■^^''^^V Dearbom of Piitston, Marshal, and Henry Sewall of Hallowell [Augusta,] Clerk.* People on Bv the United efforts of Congress and the General Court, the eastern , borders during the last three years, an effectual check had been given to acts of violence, often threatened and sometimes committed, by the Provincials on the eastern side of Passamaquoddy ; though they had defied the arm of resistance. Legal precepts from the British side had been served upon our citizens ; and in 1786, two of their vessels, while at anchor, were seized by the custom- house officers of New Brunswick ; as that government claimed to " the western shore of Passamaquoddy-bay," also Moose, Dud- ley and Frederick Islands. The General Court proclaimed to the inhabitants in the mean time, not to forsake the constitution and laws; for by these they would be protected, till the dispute was fairly adjusted by commissioners of the American and British governments. This determinate resolution served both to en- courage our citizens, and dishearten their opponents. More than 200 people, had already settled on the western side of Passama- quoddy, resolved not to leave their homes, unless driven away ; and therefore the General Court, on application, appointed a com- mittee of seven, from those inhabitants, to survey unto each set- tler one hundred acres, so as best to include his improvements, provided he would pay from five to ten dollars, according to the quality of the land, and take the oath of allegiance. Li3irtt>crand Since the war, the lumber-business and the fur-trade had greatly increased. Hunters multiplied, and many spent the whole year in the northern woods of Maine; seldom returning so much as to visit their homes. Hence it was found necessary to preserve by law the lives of those fine furred animals, at sea- sons when their coats were thin, and their offspring young ; and Pena% for ^he General Court made it penal in the sum of ten dollars, to kill killing cer- * • i r i i tainaame. or take any otter, beaver, mink, sable or martm, fisher or black- vcat, leusife, musquash or wolverinin either of the summer months or in September.! * See Ante, A. D, 1779— when Maine was first made a District, f Statute, June 10, 1791. No one allowed to kill a deer between January 1, and August 1, under a penalty of ten dollars. Chap, xxi.] of Maine. 551 Early in the year 1791, there were three towns incorporated, A. D. 17M. two of them were plantations, and all of them had been settled Three new *■ towns i.tKoc- upvvards of twenty years. poraied.. Camden, originally Megunticook, on the west shore of Penob- Camden.. scot bay, above the north-east section of Thomaston, was incor- porated, Feb. 17, by that name in memory of lord Camden,* a parliamentary friend of the Colonies in the Revolution. This township, a part of the Waldo patent, was surveyed by David Fales of Thomaston, in 1768 ; within three or four years after which, settlements were commenced on Goose river, Clajia cove and Megunticook. Mills were erected ; some attempts at farm- ing on a small scale were made ; and for about ten years, the plantation gradually advanced. But after the occupation of 'Big- uyduce, by the British in 1779, Camden became the only place upon the Penobscot, of general rendezvous for the Americans. Thither they fled from their homes through fear of the enemy ; and here was an encampment of a small American force, which is believed to have been under the command of Major George Ulmer.f The saw-mill on Megunticook stream was burned by the British ; and they set fire also to the grist mill, but it was ex- tinguished by Leonard Metcalf and a small party, who bravely drove the assailants to their barges. Since 1794, Camden has been a flourishing town. J * In a speech of his, as to the royal proclamation, inviting- the savag-es to take the tomahawk,' — he said, " it ought to be damned — it held forth a war '*of revenge such as JVToloch in Pandemonium advised; and it would fix " an inveterate hatred in the Americans, against the very name of Eng-lish- *' man, which would be left a legacy from father to son to the latest poster- " ity." — The mountains in Camden, viz. Mount Batty, Mount Pleasant, Mount Hosmers, and Megunticook mountain, are described in another place. The highest is at least 1,000 feet above the level of the sea. f Afterwards Major General of the militia, a senator and sheriff. \ Camden (72d town) contains 23,500 acres. Its south-east corner is a rock marked A. X. on the north side of Owls Head bay. The shores are deeply indented with water, and Megunticook cove, next above the mouth of Goose river, forms a good harbor in front of the village. The 'people manufacture large quantities of lime, which they export to all parts of the Union. The 20 associates were proprietors of Camden. In towa there are twelve mills of different kinds ; — also two meeting-houses. The first minister settled was Rev. Thomas Cockran, who was ordained in Sep- tembsr, 1805. After ten years, he was dismissed by mutual consent. In town is a social library of 200 volumes, instituted in 1796, and a post- office, established in 1794. Camden has three harbors, Clam Cove, near 552 THE HISTORY [VoL. 11. A. D, 1791. Bangor, hitherto the plantation of Kenduskeag^ was incorpor- Bangor. atcd February 25, embracing about 20,000 acres. Stephen Bussell and his family passed the winter 1769-70 on the decHv- ity, half a mile above Kenduskeag point, and 100 rods from the Penobscot, — whose residence has been considered the commence- ment of a settlement in this town. He was followed, in the ensu- ing spring, by Jacob Bussell, his father, and by Caleb Goodwin, with their families. The next summer, (1771,) Tho's Howard, Simon Crosby, Jacob Dennet, John and Hugh Smart, removed into the place ; and in 1772 there were in the settlement twelve fami- lies. In March, 1787, a vote was passed to build a meeting- house, 40 feet by 36 ; and the transactions of this meeting are the earliest plantation records extant. Rev. Seth Noble, had then resided with his family in the place about a year, when he entered into a written agreement, with those who signed it, to preach to the people on each side of the river Penobscot, alter- nately, so long as they would pay him $400 by the year. He was installed and continued in the ministry here, about eleven or twelve years. Entrusted with an agency in procuring the incor- poration of the town, he was directed by a vote of the plantation to have Sunbury inserted in the act, as appropriate to the pleas- ant appearance of the place. But the name displeased him or escaped his recollection ; for when the legislative Committee en- quired what the town should be called ; he being passionately fond of the church-tune Bangor, told them to insert that name.* Thomaston ; Goose river having^ 10 fathoms of water, and Megunticook or Camden harbor. Into the latter empties a pond of the same name. Hos- mer's pond empties into Goose river. By Statute, 1802, a turnpike was made one mile in length, over Megunticook mountain, to Smelt brook. — The first Representative to the General Court, was Samuel Jacobs in 1798. — J\1S. Let. of Hosea Bales and B. Gushing, Esqrs. * Bangor, (73d town,) in lat. 44° 45', when a plantation, extended from the first house north of Wheeler's mills at Soadabscook, to Stillwater, [ia Orono;] and contained, in 1790, 567 inhabitants, including adjacents. The township to the stream Penjejewalk, two miles above the 'Point,* was originally claimed by the Waldo proprietors, and they caused a survey to be made by Joseph Chadwick, in 1773, to that place. Afterwards^ to make up a deficiency in their patent, the General Court, in 1799 and 1800, assigned the township to General Knox, first reserving 113 lots of 100 acres each, to the settlers. — From 1774 to 1779, Doct. John Herbert was exhorter in religious meetings ; and in the winters taught a school. Rev. Mr. Noble was one of the whig refugees, who fled in 1776, with Col. Jonathan Eddy, Chap, xxi.] of Maine. 553 Readfield, the northerly moiety of Winthrop, was iiicorpor- A. D. 1791. ated March llj having been the north parish of that town. Its Readfield. settlement commenced about A. D. 1760, with the other part of Winthrop, on the southerly side of Chandler's pond.* ^ ^ ^^^^ There were, in 1792, six towns incorporated, all of which, six new except one, were previously plantations. poTafed.^*''" Monmouth, taking a name commemorative of the place, Monmouth, where a noted battle was fought, June 28, 1778, in the revolu* tionary war, was incorporated January 20, 1792. Its plantation name was Wales. The first settlement was commenced „ proba-' bly, about 1774-5. It is a part of the Plymouth patent.f Sidney, situated between Kennebeck river and Snow's pond, Sidney, was taken from Vassalborough, and incorporated January 30,—* a name famous in English history. The earliest settlement in this town upon the river, was A. D. 1760, and upon the borders of the pond, in 1774. The Calvinistic baptists formed a church in 1791 ; and in Nov. 1793, settled Elder Asa Wilbur in th© ministry. J from Kova Scotia ; and had a lot of 350 acres given him by the General Court in Edding-ton. During his ministry, there was an associated Church constituted of members on both sides of the river. — He was installed by Rer. Daniel Little, under an oak. His successor was James Boyd, wha was settled in September, 1800, and dismissed, November, 1801. Rev. Har- vey Loomis was settled, by the town, in November, l&H, and died in his pulpit, January 2, 1825. He was an able minister and a most excellent man. He was succeeded by Rev. Swan Lc. Pomrsecii>y the it originated in a desire to assure the favor of the English — not in the exigency of the times ; that if the neutrality first avowed by our government towards the nations at war, had been strictly and impartially pursued, an acceptable treaty might have been easily negociated with France, and all these hostile movements, expenses, obnoxious taxes and laws, and the increase of public burthens avoided. They contended, that the dictates of self- interest and every motive of sound policy, must render her averse to a war with America. In support of these doctrines, Envoys sent a fresh proposal of amity and intercourse was received from the French Directory ; which being accepted by the President, he, with advice of the Cabinet, immediately appointed three envoys, and sent them thither, to negociate a setdement of difficulties ; professing, however, to suspect that the proposal was rather illu- sory than sincere. At this critical juncture, Capt. Truxton, com- Truxton's manding the frigate Constellation of 44 guns, captured the French frigate Insurgente, of the same size, Feb. 10, off one of a.d. 1799. the West India Islands, after a most obstinate engagement. The Federalists considered this a glorious victory ; Congress presented him with a gold medal ; and the underwriters of Lloyd's CofTee- house in London, honored him with a silver urn, worth 600 guineas. * This act came into operation, January I, 1798. i Passed July 14, 1798. J Enacted June 26, 1798. 582 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1799. To regulate " the collection of duties on imports and tonnage," Collection the coasts and seaports of Maine were arranged anew,* and formed into ten districts, namely, 1st, York ; 2, Biddeford and Pepperelborough ; 3, Portland and Falmouth ; 4, Bath ; 5, Wiscasset ; 6, Waldoborough ; 7, Penobscot ; 8, Frenchman's Bay; 9, Machias ; and 10, Passamaquoddy.f Another act was passed the same day, March 2, to regulate the fees of the collec- tors, naval officers and surveyors. J Kennebeck The northern part of Lincoln, Feb. 20, was erected into a Swislved!' "6w county by the name of Kennebeck. Its southern tier of towns were Unity, Freedom, China, Windsor, Pittston, Gardiner, Monmouth and Greene ; having Hancock on the east, and Cum- berland on the west. The shire-town was Augusta ;§ where two terms of the Common Pleas and Sessions, and one term of the Suprerqe Judicial Court, were appointed by law to be holden annually. North dis- The County of York was also divided crosswise along the York! Great Ossipee ; and all the inhabitants and territory north of that * See ante, A. D. 1790. f To each of those districts, there were annexed ports of delivery only., viz. to 1st district, Kittery and Berwick ; to the 2d, Scarboroug-h, Wells, Kennebunk and Cape Porpoise ; to the 3d, North Yarmouth, Brunswick, Freeport, and Harpswell ; to the 4th, Pittston, Topsham, Georgetown and Brunswick ; to the 5th, Boothbay ; to the 6th, Bristol. Nobleborough, Warren, Thomaston, Gushing-, Camden and Ducktrap ; to the 7th, Frank- fort, Bluehill, Hampden, and Deer Island ; to Frenchman's bay, Union river ; and to the other two districts, there was no annexation. J Fees to a collector for the entrance or clearance of a vessel of 100 Ions and upwards, $2,50 ; and for the entrance or clearance of a vessel under 100 tons $1,50 ; a port entry, $2,00 ; a permit to land goods, 20 cents ; for a debenture or other official certificate, 20 cents ; bill of health 20 oents ;— all to be equally divided between the Collector and Naval Officer. To each surveyor for admeasuring vessels of lOO tons, $1,00; exceeding 100 tons, $1,50 ; and his services on board of vessels laden with goods, $3,00 ; and an inspector, $2,00 per day. J The County officers were — Judges ~) Joseph JSTorth, ) of Augusta. Judge North, was, prior to this, a of the [Daniel Cony, S Judge upon the bench in Lincoln. Common \jfathaniel Dummer, of Hallowell. Pleas. J Chandler Robbins, of do. who was Register of Probate. James Bridge, Judge of Probate. John Davis, Clerk of the Courts, except the Sessions. Barzillai Gannet, Clerk of the Sessions. Henry Sewall, Register of Deeds. William Howard, County Treasurer. Arthur LUhgow^ of Winslow, Sheriff. Chap, xxii.] of maine. 583 river, formed into a District, for the convenience of registering A. 1799. deeds ; — the office of which was to be kept at Fryeburgh. At this place, Hkewise, the Judge of Probate for the County was direct- ed to hold a court every year. Lisbon, incorporated June 22, 1799, was the only town estab- J^JJp^^J^^^ lished this year, being the 122d of the District. It was taken from the westerly part of Bowdoin ; and its corporate name, till changed February 20, 1802, was Thompsonborough. To all these municipalities, being with the unorganized planta- Counties tions thus classed into six Counties, — we find there were Ridded, ^"^ ^^w*^'* between the present time and the Separation, — a period of twenty years inclusive, the number of 114 other corporate towns, — chief- ly from plantations : — a number too large and too rapidly multi- plying to admit of a topographical description in a History, or any other book than a Gazeteer. Maine returned to the Leg- Senators islature, in 1799, six Senators and thirty-eight Representatives. se"nia^ives^' To this statement we may subjoin, that there were upwards of ninety settled and located ministers of the gospel, — a third part of whom belonged to the Baptist denomination ; and all the oth- ers, except two of the Episcopalian and one of the Presbyterian orders, were Congregationalists. As to monied institutions. Port- g^^^ land Bank* was established in June, of this year,— the first one in Maine. In the settlement of this eastern country, all the people found resident upon the lands of the State, were readily and happily quieted in the enjoyment of their possessory lots ; the govern- ment granting them deeds upon the most liberal terms. But those settled upon proprietary patents or tracts, met with diffi- culty in effecting a fair adjustment of their claims, and obtaining deeds of their lots for the equitable considerations due. — Con- nected with this subject, were the disputes raised about the limits of several large tracts.f — To begin with the Plymouth Patent, Plymouth or KennebecJc Purchase, the Legislature proposed to release to P^'®"'* the claimants, a tract, ' fifteen miles in width on each side of the * Kennebeck river, and from the northern line of Woolwich, on * the east side, and the utmost limits of Cobbissecontee, on the west ' side of the river, extending to a boundary line drawn east and * west, three miles directly north from the mouth of Wesserunset * The capital stock was to be not less than 100, nor more than 300,000 dollars. fSee vol. I, p. 236, 240, 573. 584 THE HISTORY [VoL. 11. A. D. 1799. ' river provided the proprietors would release their claim to all exterior lands, and quiet settlers, resident within the boundaries mentioned. The proposal was accepted June 12, 1789, though it proved unfortunate to the settlers ; — for there was no provision made for quieting those resident within or upon the Patent so limited*, — an omission, which occasioned lamentable wrongs and difficulties. To the Waldo proprietors, the Government, July 4, 1785, pro- Waldo pa- a i i ^ lem survey- poscd to survcy a tract equal to thirty miles square, extending between the Penobscot and the Muscongus, from the seacoast, so far north as to embrace that quantity ; provided they would quiet all settlers found within its limits, who were in possession of their lots before April 19, 1775 ; and execute a release to all other lands claimed in virtue of the Patent. f They complied, and a survey was made, which extended northerly to the south line of Hampden, Dixmont, and Joy ; but inclined so far westwardly as to take in at its north-westerly corner, a triangle of several town- ships from the Plymouth patent. A re-survey was consequently ordered, February 23, 1798; and Thomas Davis was appointed agent by the government, to assign to the proprietors, above the north or head line of the former survey, a quantity of land equal A deficien- to the interference. The result was, that four townships, now good^by^ Bangor, Hampden, Newburg, and Hermon, excepting the set- 4 townships. tiers' lots, were assigned to them, February 5, 1 800, to make up the deficiency. Tiie Pejep- But the limits and extent of the Pejepscot purchase were not scot pur- . J J- X chase. SO easily settled. The General Court, March 8, 1787, resolved, that the " Twenty-mile falls, being about 20 miles above those of Brunswick, ought to be considered the " Uppermost Great Falls" in Androscroggin river, referred to in the deed of July 7, 1684, from Weruraboo and other Sagamores, to Wharton; and that no lands be sold by the government's agents below the south line of Bakerstown, [Poland,] which angles on the falls, upon the * See Resolve, JsTov. 17, 1788.— The Committee appointed by the State, to settle and g-ive the quit-claim, were, Caleb Strong-, Nathaniel Wells, Abel Wilder, Dummer Sewall, William Widgery, Larkin Thorndike, Israel Hutchinson, Thomas Ives, and Samuel Nasson. — See Resolve, June 12, 1789 ; also, February 12, 1796.— Post, A. D. 1809. \ Reserving-, however, all such rights as had escheated and been confis- cated to the State.— See Stat, of September, 177S. Chap, xxii.] of Maine. 585 western side ; nor on the eastern side below the south line of Port- A. D. 1799. Royal, [Livermore,] which was five miles above the falls. Dissat- isfied with the extent or limits so proposed, the proprietors entered into a reference with the Attorney-General, by which the dispute, in 1798,* was submitted to Levi Lincoln, Samuel Dexter, jr. and Thomas Dwight. The Government was ready to comply with the award as soon as they made it, February 1, 1800 ; — provided the proprietors would assign to every settler within the purchase, 100 acres of land, as stipulated, so as best to include his improvements, and in consideration of so much money, and on such terms of payment, as Commissioners, f — appointed by the Executive, might judge reasonable. But the proprietors re- fused to abide by the award and terms ; and therefore the orig- inal inquest of office, instituted by the Commonwealth against Josiah Little, actin2; for them, was ordered by the General Court, Limits set- March 12, 1808, to be reviewed or revived. However, m 1814, and not till then, the controversy was settled by means of that award, and of actions brought in the counties of Cumberland and Lincoln : and hence the tract or purchase was so limited and ex- tended, as to embrace Brunswick, Topsham, and the lands on the west side of the river Androscoggin, four miles in width, to said falls ; and four miles in width on the eastern side, to Leeds, inclusive. J At the spring election of this year. Governor Sumner was Death and chosen the third time. Chief Magistrate of the Commonwealth, by Gov. Sum- an increased majority. But he died June 7, aged 53, a very few days after his election was officially announced. The chair, thus vacated, was filled by the Lieutenant-Governor, Moses Gill, who * See Resolves, June 29, 1798.— June 7, 1799. I These Commissioners were Nattianiel Durnmer, Ichabod Goodwin, and John Lord, Esq'rs. and they made the assig-nment and prescribed tlje terms of payment. About 20,000 acres were conveyed to settlers in virtue of the condition stipulated. — JIS. Letter of E. Little, Esq. I More particularly, on the eastern side of the river, the Pejepscot pur- chase embraces Topsham, 4,000 acres at the south-west corner of Lisbon, all Lewiston, and Greene, and 3-4ths of Leeds, on the southerly side of (he town. On the western side of the river, the purchase embraces Bruns- wick, the greater part of Durham, and Danville, except a g-ore of 4.000 acres, the easterly part of Poland, and about 4 or 5,000 acres in the soutli- easterly part of Minot. The falls at Lewiston, were fixed upon as the Uipper falls, referred to in the purchase.— See anie, A. D. Ylbl.—MS. Let- ter of E. LiUle, Esq. Vol. IL 74 686 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.D. 1799. had been lately elected, the seventh time to that office. On the 20th of May ensuing, he also deceased, and the executive trust devolved upon the Council. A chaste writer, who knew Gov- ernor Sumner well, says, " he was eminently fitted for the offices he sustained. To a sound understanding and extensive political and legal knowledge, he united engaging manners and habitual goodness. — Benevolent, upright, and unassuming, he was beloved as a man, revered as a magistrate, and his memory is blessed." He was born at Roxbury, November 27, 1746, and graduated at Harvard, in 1767 ; and his Biographer says, " he was mild, can- did, and remarkably free from any appearance of party-spirit. Soon after he commenced the practice of the law, he made a public profession of his belief in Christianity, and his life was exemplary."* Death of NoF did the year close till it was rendered memorable, De- ington. cember 14th, by the death of the great and beloved Washing- TOK, — a man first among the political fathers of the Republic, and first in the hearts of his countrymen. f * Doct. Allen's Biog-. p. 135-6.— 1 Knapp's Biog. Sk. p. 79-106. f He was 68 years of ag-e. — Hearing of General Washing-ton's death, Bonaparte, First Consul of France, ordered black crape to be suspended on the flags and standards of the Republic ; and Fontanes pronounced an oration in the temple of Mars, commemorative of the event. — Delaplain^s Repository, Chap. xxiii.J OF MAINE. 687 CHAPTER XXIIl. The bench of the Supreme Court enlarged — C. Strong chosen Gov, — Electors chosen — Opposition of the Democrats — Treaty with France — Federal Badge — Circuit Court of the United States — T. Jefferson, President — Six new towns incorporated— Public lands — Read and Coffin, agents — Retrenchment — Prosperity of the country — Merino sheep introduced — Ten new towns incorporated — Three new banks established — Laws regulating them — The Judiciary system reformed — Twenty-three new towns incorpor- ated— Oxford County established — A democratic majority in the General Court — Cincinnati Society — Orono incorporated — An election law — Principles of free trade — British impressments — • Articles not allowed to be imported from England— Outrage of Whitby — Attack of the Ijcopard upon the Chesapeak — Berlin and Milan decrees — Orders in Council — General embargo laid by Congress. Early in the year 1800, there were improvements attempted ^* ^^^^ in the Supreme Judicatory system of the State. As the law re- The bench quired a majority of the Judges to be present in the trial of all coun en- * causes, it was represented that they were unable fully to clear the dockets in the different counties. Therefore the General Court, March 4, enlarged the bench from five to seven Judges ; authorized the appointment of a Solicitor-General;* directed terms to be holden twice each year in every county of Maine, ex- cept Hancock and Washington, for which there was to be at Castine, only one term in a year ; and arranged the Common- wealth into two Circuits, empowering any three judges to hold a Court. In this way there might be sessions at the same time in different counties. The elections of the present spring were managed with more * The Judg^es appointed, were Samuel Sewall, and George Thatcher ; and Daniel Davis, in 1801, was appointed Solicitor General, with a salary of $1,000 ; being succeeded in the oflSce of District Attorney, by Silas Lee of Wiscasset, a member of Congress, on the resig'nation of Judge Thatch- er.— Terms of the Common Pleas were now appointed to be holden at Topsham. 688 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.D. 1800. spirit and zeal, than in any previous year. Both parties were C. Strong well Organized and equally active in support of their respective chosen Gov- j- i r ernor. candidates for Governor, and other elective officers ; and so close was the run, that Caleb Strong, who united the suffrages of the Federalists, was elected chief magistrate over Elbridge Gerry, his opponent, only by a majority of about 200 votes; though the aggregate much exceeded any number ever before taken at the polls.* Choice of In the choice of Electors^ for President and Vice-President, the contest was equally sharp and more rancorous. The manner of choosing them by the Legislature, as the administration had prescribed, and not by districts, as the democrats strenuously urged to have done, was by them censured with great severity. It was a franchise, they said, which ought never to be taken from the primary assemblies of the people ; — a franchise perverted, however, in the present instance exclusively to party purposes. Opposition As the politics of the State and of the national administration publicans!* Were in unison, a successful attack upon the measures of the one or the other, was an advantage of equal importance to the Democrats. The stamp-act was rendered by them doubly odi- ous, as it awakened recollections which connected its name with the Revolution. The land-tax, they represented as oppressive and unnecessary ; and a bankrupt-act, which was passed April 4, filled their mouths and their newspapers with censure and complaint. Many were induced to believe it a piece of legislation exclusively for merchants ; tempting to adventure and speculation, and legalizing a fraud upon honest creditors. In support of the position they had assumed, — that nothing was wanting to perpetuate peace with France, but a pacific disposi- tion on the part of our government; it was happy for them, that A treaty a treaty of intercourse and friendship was signed at Paris, Sept. 30, (1800,) which, when ratified, settled the difficulties between the two powers, and furnished the Democrats with a pretext of * The whole number of votes for Governor, was 39,059, viz. for Mr. Strong-, 19,630 ; for Mr. Gerry, 17,019 ; scattering-, 2,410. Previously to this year the minority voted for several candidates — having- no one reg-u- larly nominated ; this year the democrats united in the nomination of Mr. Gerry. f The Electors in Maine, were Samuel S. Wilde, Lemuel Weeks, and Andrew P. Fernald. Chap, xxiii.] of maine. 589 fresh credit, for their sagacity and judgment. On the contrary, A.D. isoo. if there were any merit, the Federalists claimed it as due to them, satisfied as they professed to be, that had not energetic defensive measures been adopted, the negociation would not have been effected. The bankrupt law, they contended, was what the Fed- eral Constitution itself contemplated, and would in its operations relieve from distress a large class of worthy citizens, and revive their enterprize, essentially important both to themselves and to the interests of the community. Amidst this struggle of the po- p^jp^ai litical parties for ascendency, the Federalists assumed as a badge ^^^^g^^* of distinction, a silver eagle in a black rose, stitched to the side of the hat crown, and worn by them generally, in token of their patriotic attachment to the federal government. By this time, however, they must have been fully aware how much the wisdom of their politics had daily declined in the public estimation, since no one called in question their abilities and intelligence as a par- ty ; yet singular as it may appear, the national administration, at last, enacted a law, fatal to the revival of its popularity, by (^jr^uit creating a Circuit bench, and the necessity of appointing six- Jj""^^^*^^^^® teen Judges to fill it.* For, as the newspapers had previously ^^^'^s. announced, it was found and declared, on canvassing the elec- toral votes,! in Congress, that Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Jp^^A^^'up" Burr, had severally 73 ; Mr. Adams, 65, and Charles C. ll'^y-^'l ' Pinkney, 64 : From the two highest candidates then, the I'resideiu. House of Representatives, voting by States, according to the Constitution, chose, at the end of more than 30 ballotings, Mr. Jefferson, President; — Mr. Burr being of course Vice-President. By a second federal census taken this year, the population of 2d Census. Maine appeared to be 151,719 ; exhibiting an increase of more than fifty-five thousand inhabitants in ten years. J In a conse- quent apportionment of representatives to Congress, through the Union, Maine was allowed four^ instead of three, its former * This act was passed Feb. 13, 1801 ; and the Judg-es were selected from the partizans of the administration, t Feb. 8, 1801. Choice effected, Feb. 17. \ Census in York County, 37,729 ; in Cumberland, 37,921 ; iu Kennebeck, 24,394 ; in Lincoln, 30,100 ; in Hancock, 16,316 ; and in Washing'ton, 4,436. \ In districting- for the choice of Representatives to Congress, there were assigned to York, one ; — Cumberland, one ; — Lincoln, with 6 towns from Hancock, one ; — Kennebeck, Washington, and the rest of Hancock, ontf.=4 in all. 590 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. u. 1800. number ; and it was therefore divided into as many districts for choosing them. A new valuation of taxable property through the Commonwealth, was also taken ; and by a subsequent dis- tricting, seven Senators* to the General Court, were assigned to ^ Maine, instead of six, the former number. Another evidence of iiKoiporat- its rapid growth was the perpetual multiplication of towns. — RuMFORDjf OrlanDjJ Ellsworth,§ and Lovell :|| were * Thns, to York, 2 Senators; — Cumberland, 2 ; — Kennebeck, 1 ; — Lin- coln, Hancock, and Washington, 2. — Statute, June 23, 1802. \ Rumford, (123d town,) incorporated February 21, 1800, previously call- ed J^ew- Penny cook, was settled, A. D. 1777. The name of the first set- tler was Jonatlian Keyes. The town lies on both sides of the Androscog-- gin, above and below the Great Falls. It was g-ranted in 1774, by Massa- chusetts, to Timothy Walker, Jr. Esq. and 83 others, who were deprived of their rig-hts at Pennycook in N. H. by running the lines. That town, in IN". H., was called Rumford for many years after incorporation, and then •changed to Concord — and as most of the settlers were from that town, this was called Rumford, from Count Rumford, who was owner of 6 shares in the township. " Pennycook Falls''' in the Androscoggin, are towards the easterly part of the town, where the water descends 70 feet in 2 or 3 rods, and rests in a large basin ; from which it escapes over another " larg^e fall." Within half a mile, the whole descent is equal to 140 feet. — Here is Ellis' river, south-west, — Swift river, east, and Concord river, on the south, of the Androscog-gin. The mountains seen, are " White Cap,''^ to- wards East Andover, 4(>0 feet in height « Glass-face,^ near the centre of the town, 300 feet high ; and " Black mountain,''^ north-east. A mine of red, white, and yellow paints, has been discovered here. The village is at the point, in the upper part of the town. In the town are two meet- ing-houses ; Rev. S. R. Hall, was settled Nov. 14, 1811 ; succeeded by Rev. Daniel Gould, May 31, 1815. — In town, are two Post-Offices, one at the Point, the other in the lower part of the town. The first Representative to the General Court, was William Wheeler, in 1811.— JWS. Letter of Rev. Daniel Gould, 1826. X Orland, (124th town,) was incorporated February 21, 1800. It was "Eastern River, No. 2," and adjoins the "Thoroughfare" and Bucksport. Census in 1790, was 240. \ Ellsworth, (125th town,) incorporated February 26, 1800, was previ- ously No. 7, or New " Bowdoin," and lies on both sides of Union river. It was settled in 1763. First minister was Rev. J. Urquhart, in 1785, — dismissed in 1790, Rev. Peter Nourse was ordained in 1812. II jLot^eZ/, (126th town,) incorporated November 13, 1800, had been called JVcio Suncook. It was settled in 1777 ; — and was named in memory of the famous John Lovell, [Lovewell,] the hero of Pegwacket. The township was granted to the officers and soldiers of that battle, and their heirs. The place first selected was Suncook, on the Merrimack, which, on running the line between New-Hampshire and Massachusetts, was taken into the for- Chap, xxiii."! of Maine. 591 established, in 1800 ; and Strong* and Leeds, f in 1801. a. D. I801. — In 1801-2 and 3, Governor Strong was re-elected, by an in- Gov. strong creasing majority each year ; though Mr. Gerry, an able and truly popular man, was run against him ; and in both legislative branches, there was a large majority of Federal members. jJ'he public The public lands were uniformly in some way, a subject of great interest. To every soldier, who had served three years in the Revolutionary war, or to his widow and heirs, were offered 200 acres of land, on the eastern frontier, or twenty dollars in specie, as a new gratuity, for services or sufferings ; the govern- ment desiernins; to offer so small a sum in money, as to induce P'^'asant ° ^ point secur- every one to prefer the land, and undertake a settlement. — Nine- ed toihein- ty acres of land, at Pleasant point, [now in Perry,] on the wes- terly bank of the Schoodic, were granted by the General Court, to the tribe of Indians at Passamaquoddy, — to be possessed and used by them till further order of the government ; and here they have planted their village. In short, it appeared that no less than 24 new townships had been granted or sold within the last six years, notwithstanding an order was then passed for suspending sales. Several of the grants, however, were donative, and the oth- ers had hitherto yielded no great revenue to the State. For among other inadvertencies, one of the land committee had un- mer ; and this grant was to make g'ood the loss. [Sweden was taken from Lovell in 1813.] The present Lovell contains 24,000 acres. Keezer''s- pond, in it, is 8 miles by one. Here is one meetings-house. — Rev. V. hit- tie was settled January 22, 1823. — JIS. Letter from Lovell. * Strong, (127th town,) incorporated January 31,1801, was previously J^o. Three, or Readstown, lying north of Farmington. It was first settled in 1784. Its present name was given it in memory of Governor Strong. The first settler was Hon. William Read. The town contains 22,400 acres. Post-office established here in 1819. The title to the lands is derived from the State. — MS. Letter of James Mayhew, Esq. ■\ Leeds, (128th town,) the plantation of Littlehorough, was incorporated February 16, 1801. — It lies on the east side of the Androscoggin. The first settlement was begun in 1779, by Thomas and Robert Stinchfield. It wa.s claimed by the Pejepscot proprietors, and a township was laid out by them in 1780-1, and called Littlehorough, in honor of Col. Moses Little. It contains 22,000 acres. Here are 4 mills and 8 bridges. A Baptist so- ciety was incorporated in 1804, and a meeting-house built in 1806. The Friends also have a meeting-house in the south part of the town. Rev. Thomas Francis was ordained, June 29, 1799. He was the first Repre-> sentative to the General Court, from this town, in 1804. Census in 1790, was 263. — JilS. Letter from Leeds. 592 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1801. fortunately become a defaulter, and all of them were now dis- charged. The important trust was next committed to two land agents, John Read and Peleg Coffin who were empowered to anJp^^Cof- complete all the bargains of their predecessors, wherever the faith fd lE'-'' the State was pledged, and none other. Agents. rpj^^ government in its readiness, if not haste, to dispose of the public lands, had, with the best motives, been actuated by an er- roneous policy, and fallen into mistakes prejudicial, in many in- Snies of stances, both to the buyers and settlers ; — the purchases of town- Inr'^'G Irncts • • • • • lopropiie- ships or large tracts, by individuals, often-times retarding settle- tms impoh- ^^^^^ Yor by grasping at what they were unable to pay for, and buying upon conditions which they could not perform, they were under the necessity of making incessant applications to government for an extension of credit ; deeds in the mean time were withholden ; and settlers were perplexed and discouraged, because of their inability to obtain titles to their lots from the proprietor or speculator, and were therefore induced rather to enter upon the public lands without license. They, in fact, found it safer to risque the severity of a benignant government, than a land-jobber's generosity, or his sense of justice or duty. As political retrenchment, economy, and reform, were among Retrench- the subjccts which had been urged with a success, sufficient to shift the reins into democratic hands, immediate improvements were expected. Therefore, Mr. Jefferson, in his message to Congress, December 8, says, ' we may now safely dispense with ' all the internal taxes, comprehending the excise on stamps, * licenses, carriages, and refined sugars ; and a salutary reduc- * lion may be made in the civil list, the army and the navy.' To all the changes and reverses of policy adopted, there was a gen- A. D. 1802. eral opposition ; and when the bill was introduced to repeal the the'cfrcuii law establishing the Circuit Court, the federal members in Con- Couiilaw. g^ggg j.gsisted its passage with great spirit and ability: — still it was carried by a considerable majority. f On its repeal, how- ever, an excessive clamor was raised against the new administra- tion, by all the federal newspapers, and every class of political opponents. They insisted that the Constitution was directly vio- * In 1803, another agent was appointed, with special powers to resist or prosecute trespassers and intruders, t In the Senate, 16 to 15 ; and in the House, 59 to 32 : — Such being the state of partie*, at this time, in both branches of Congress, Chap, xxiii.] of Maine. 593 lated, both in its letter and spirit : — For it solemnly ordained, A. D. 1802. (said they,) that "the Judges, both of the Supreme and Inferior Courts, shall hold their offices during good behavior whereas such measures, founded in a policy regardless of principle, and in an overweening disposition to court popular applause, wouM effectually prostrate the honor and prosperity of this rising re- public. But the people, it seems, approved of the course pur- sued ; the country in all its general interests, continued to flour- ish beyond a parallel : and the democratic politics became trium- phant in the United States, though not immediately in Massa- chusetts, nor in several other of the States. If we except the rage of party-spirit, which did not forbear Pmsperity even to attack with fury the sanctuary of private character ; the try. Commonwealth was in the enjoyment of great quiet, as well as un- common prosperity. Peace was re-established in Europe. " Our ships visit every part of the world, and bring home the product of every country."'^ Manufactures, ship-building and other mechanic arts, — agricultural pursuits and the fisheries, were all flourishing ; and even the State debt had been by actual pay- ment greatfy reduced. Our woollen fabrics, especially, were in a short period, much improved through the enterprize of Da- vid Humphreys, late ambassador to Spain, who imported into New-England this year, 100 Merino sheep from that country ; Merino whose fleeces greatly exceeded those of our flocks both in vi^eight iroduced. and fineness. f This eastern State being a grazing country, the advantages which the inhabitants derived from this source, were readily appreciated and extensively improved. Even the Legis- lature was disposed to notice it. Also, for the first time, an act was passed for preserving deer ; by which it was made penal in the sum of ten dollars, to kill one between December and August. But it could never prevent the mischief. There were ten towns incorporated in 1 802 ; — these were * Exports of the U. States, A. D. 1792,$20,753,097 ; in 1802, $71,957,144 Revenue, " " 8,771,(500 " 14,995,793 Expenditure, " " 8,962,920 " 13,270,457 Besides coasters and fishing- vessels, there were 900,000 tons of regis- tered and enrolled shipping in the United States, f The price of a Merino buck, in 1802, was $300. Vol. II. 75 594 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.D. 1802. MiNOT,* the 18th, Chesterville,! BrownfielDjJ and Vien- Ten towns NA,§ the 20th, and Avon II and New-VinkyarDjIT the 22d of uicorporat p^i^j.^^^.^ . D^j^yiLLE,"** [^Pegypscot,'] March 6, and BALDWiNjff LiNCOLNViLLEjfJ and Waterville,§§ on the 23d of June. * The successes in commercial enterprize, and a correspondent * Minot, (129th town,) was formed from the northerly part of Poland. — [Sec A. D. 1795.]— It begins in the S. E. corner of Turner at the Crooked Ripples in the Androscog-g-in, and extends down the middle of the river, to the Great Falls. Rev. Jonathan Scott was settled in Poland before the division, but the new incorporation of Minot took in the most of his soci- ety. In 1805, two meeting-'houses were built in Minot, and he was in- stalled Pastor in the Eastern Parish. In 1806, Rev. William Pidgin was settled in the west part of the town. j Chesterville, (130th town,) the plantation of Chester, was first settled in 1782, by Abraham Wyman; and in 1783, Samuel Linscolt and Dummer Sewall settled here, and built mills. The town embraces 19,000 acres. The title to the lands was from the Commonwealth. It was surveyed in 1788. Wilson's stream passes through the town, and empties at the falls in Sandy river. Here is one meeting-house ; Rev. Jotham Sewall was settled here; — also Elder Ward Ijock, in 1813. Post-otfice was establish- ed in 1795.— cA/S. Let. of Mr. Lock, 1820. I Brownfield, (131st town,) was previously a plantation of that name. It lies between the Saco and New-Hampshire. Rev. Jacob Rice was set- tled here in 1806. Its population in 1790, was 120 souls. § Vienna, (132d town,) had been called Goshen, or Wy man's plantation* II Avon, (133d town,) was plantation Number 2 in Abbot's purchase, lying on both sides of Sandy river in the first range of townships. It contains 22,500 acres, surveyed by Samuel Titcomb, in 1793. The number of in- habitants in 1790, was 130, including the precincts. IT JSTew-Finpyard, (134th town,) was previously called by the same name, and also No. 2, on the west side of Kennebeck river, north of the Ply- mouth patent. ** Danville, (135th town,) was called "Pejepscot," or "Pegypscot," till changed by act of Feb. 1, 1819. It was previously a part of the Pejepscot claim and Little's Gore. It was settled in 1764, by one family, and the Gore, in 1777. It was first represented in the General Court, in 1812, by Mr. Roberts, who was the baptist minister of that town. ff Baldwin^ (136th town,) was called Flintstown plantation. Its census in 1790, was 190 souls. II Lincolnville, (137th town,) was previously called the plantations of Ducktrap^' and "Canaan." It lies between ISorthport and Camden. Its census in 1790, was 278 souls. §5 Waterville, (138th town,) is taken from the town of Winslow. — [See ante, 1771.]— Here is Waterville Seminary, established 1813, and made a College, in 1820-1. Though it may be under the particular patronage of the Baptists, it is open equally to students of all denominations, and is flourishing. The situation of the edifices is beautiful. Chap, xxiti.] of Maine. 595 demand for money, inspired a passion for banks. Though * Port- a.d» 1803. land Bank,'' incorporated June 15, 1799, was making liberal Banks es- loans; ^ Maine Bank'' was established there, June 23, 1802; — * Lincoln and Kennebeck Bank,^ at Wiscasset, on the same day ; — and ' Saco Bank,'' at Pepperelborough, March 8, the succeeding year ; — the aggregate of whose capital might be nine hundred thousand dollars. As bank-bills, therefore, became the pecuniary Laws regu- currency, the government found it expedient for the safety of anXeir^ holders, occasionally to inspect the funds of the banks, and at length required them to make semi-annual returns, to the Gov- ernor and Council, of the capital stock paid in, — debts due, — specie on hand, and bank notes in circulation. For, next to spu- rious bills, are those of doubtful credit ; — an evil, which in former years had filled the country with so much distress. Incidental to this paper medium, too, arose several inconveniences, which required the repeated interposition of the Legislature, before they were effectually prevented. The community, for instance, was imposed upon by notes similar in form to bank-bills ; which pri- vate associations, and even individuals, sent into circulation, and were unable to redeem. A flood of small bills was spread over the country, because the banks found they did not in amount re- turn so soon as those which were larger ; and by consequence, it seems that the Commonwealth was drained of silver change, and the circulation of specie prevented. Both these evils were at- tempted to be removed by a legislative act, of June 22, 1799, which suppressed all private banking institutions, and forbade the bitnks to issue notes of a less denomination than five dollars. Yet the latter remedy did not fully effect its purpose, — it rather drew into circulation small bills from other States. Hence the Gen- eral Court again interposed, in 1805, and allowed Banks to issue bills of one, two, and three dollars, equal in amount only to one fifth part of their capital stock. Lastly, to prevent another, and the greatest evil of all, namely, counterfeiting, the General Court, the same year, sharpened the penalties against that crime, and afterwards required all the Banks to use Perkins' ingenious stere- otype plate, which had never been successfully counterfeited. In 1803-4, it was found, by experiment, that the late Judici- l^^^^^f ary system of the State, needed revision ; — a subject which was ^^^l^^l^' under Legislative consideration for several sessions. At last, it ^^ree. 696 A. D. 1803. One only to sit in Jury trials. THE HISTORY [Vol. II. First Re- 1>orter of aw-cases. Courts of Common Pleas new modeled Jurisdiction of the Quarter Sessions abridged. Fisheries regulated. was concluded to reduce the Judges of the Supreme Judicial Court, from seven to Jive, the original number. Three were then constituted a quorum lor deciding cases of law, in the spring Circuit ; and one, alone, authorized to preside in all jury trials. If either party should be dissatisfied with his opinion, or decision of the law, pronounced at the trial, his council might file excep- tions, and bring the points [.before the whole Court, for revision at the next term.* Thus, by the introduction of this JVisi prius system, an opportunity was given the Judges to consult authori- ties ; their decisions were more learned and correct ; and the contradictory and hasty interpretations of the law, too often man- ifest, since the Legislature had authorized the sessions of two Courts at the same time, were discrepancies effectually avoided. Previous provision was made, March 8, for a Reporter of decis- ions ; and Ephraim Williams, of Deerfield, was the first officer of that character, in the Commonwealth. A law, passed March 9, 1804, prescribed to the Bench of the Common Pleas, a Chief Justice, and two associates, instead of four judges, previously appointed to constitute that Court ; and so extended their jurisdiction as to embrace all matters cognizable by the Quarter Sessions of the Peace, excepting what related to gaols and other county buildings ; — to county taxes and accounts ; — to licenses ; — and highways. It was in this way, that the ses- sions of the two Courts were severed, which had previously both set at the same time and place, in the several counties, from the time they were first established, under the Provincial Charter. The civil causes triable by the Common Pleas and the petty offences of criminals triable by the Sessions, were previously heard alternately ; and every Justice in the county had a right to claim pay for three days' attendance upon the Sessions' bench at each term of the Court. No essential change had been before effect- ed in these subordinate Courts, for more than a century. Another subject more exclusively important to this eastern country, was that relating to the fisheries. The object was to prevent fraud in packing pickled fish, and render this article, so plenty with us, prime in a foreign market. Therefore, two acts were passed, in 1 803 U 4, which regulated the size and quality * This act was not in fact passed till March 15, 1805 ; and the reform commenced with the judicial year, or spring' Circuit. The system still pre- vails, both in this State and Massachusetts. Chap, xxiii.] of maine. 597 of the casks, and the prerequisites of exportation. As to mack- A. D. 18(H. erel, in particular, all persons were forbidden to take them near the shores, between March and July, under considerable penal- ties. But what exhibited the rising importance of Maine to the best Twenty- advantage, in the years 1 803 h 4, was the establishment of twenty- [*n^(^rporai- one new towns. Those incorporated in 1803, were St. George,* the 7th, and GARDiNER,f the 17th of February ; Athens, { the 7th of March; Harmony,^ the 15th, Temple, || ALBANY,ir and George, (139th town,) was formed of that part of Gushing-, which iies on the east side of St. Georg-es' river. [See Gushing-, A. D. 178t>.] The town of St. Georg-e was settled about A. D. 1751. It is bounded south and east on the sea, and contains 11,026 acres. It includes Metinic, Ei- ^rell, and Georges' Islands. There is one meeting--house in town. The first minister was Elder Ephraim Hall; and his successor, Elder Benjamin Eames, both Galvanist Baptists. In this town is a social library of 220 volumes. — MS. Letter of Joel Miller, Esq. f Gardiner, (140th town,) was taken from that part of Pittston, [See A. D. 1779,] which lies on the west side of the Kennebeck river. Its planta- tion name was called ' Cobbesse.' Between 1754 and- 1764, the Plymouth "Company granted to Dr. Sylvester Gardiner, the most of the township ; and in 1760, he erected a mill on the river Gobbesseconte, and began a settlement. He died in 1786. Prior to his death, be built an Episcopal church, which was subsequently burnt by a maniac. When the proprie- tor, Robert li. Gardiner, Esq. came into possession, in 1803, there were not above 650 persons within its limits. At present, no town in the State can exhibit such a variety of mills, machinery, and other mechanical im- provements, as Gardiner. The pier, built at the mouth of the river, is 1,250 feet in length. Here is also a Bank with a capital of $100,000. The Episcopal house of public worship, dedicated in October, 1820, and called ChrisVs Church, is 96 feet by 78, — whose walls are 53 feet high. The edi- fice has an elegant spire ; — its style of architecture throughout, is purely Gothic : — and it is allowed to be one of the most beautiful buildings in New-England. The Rectors have been Rev. Henry Warren, James Pow- ers, Samuel Haskell, and Gideon W. Olney. The Gardiner Lyceuniy which owes its origin to the enterprize of Mr. Gardiner, is a literary es- tablishment of celebrity. — MS. Letter of R. H. Gardiner, Esq. Athens, (141st town,) adjoins Solon, and is a good township. § Harmony, (142d town,) was originally granted to Hallowell Academy ; and purchased by Charles Vaughan. It was settled in 1796 ; and its name was Vaughan's town, till incorporated. (I Temple, (143d town,) had been called Abbotstown, or No. 1. Census in 1800, was 83 only. IF Albany, (144th town,) had been called Oxford plantation. Its settle- ment is recent,^ as it contained only 69 inhabitants in 1800. 598 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1804. Industry,* the 20tli ; RAYMOND,f Surry,{ and Dixfield,^ the 21st; and Wjlton,!! the 23d of June. — Those incorpor- ated in \Q0 4:, were Rome, IF and Madison,*'^ on the 7th, and Albion,! f [Fairjax,'] on the 9th of March ; UNiTY,t{ Emb- DEN,§§ and Mercer, II II on the 22d ; Hope,1[1[ Palermo,*** '^ Industry, (145tli town,) v/as previously tlie plantation of tiie same name. A Congreg-ational Church was gathered here in 1802. Raymond, (146th town,) was previously known by the same name. The first settler was Capt. Joseph Dingle}^, in 1771. It was incorporated by its present name in memory of Capt. William Raymond, who had the grant in 1767, for himself and company, in consideration of services in the Can- ada expedition umler Sir W. Phips. Its contents are 36,000 acres. The town was first reprcsovited in the General Court, in 1810, by Samuel Leach. Post-otfice was established here in 1800. The oldest church is a Freewill Baptist, gathered in 1792. Its population in 1790, was 345 inhabitants.— J)'JS. Let. of Zachariah Leach, Esq. I Surry', (147th town,) was called No. 6. In 1790, it contained 239 in- habitants. § Dixfidd, (148th town,) was granted originally to Jonathan Holinan and others. It bounds on the Androscoggin to the south. Its inhabi- tants in 1800, were only 137. II WUton, (I49th town,) was previously the plantation called Tyngstown. It adjoins Farmington. Its population in 1800, was 244 inhabitants. *^ Rome, (150th town,) formerly Wcst-jyond plantation. It is separated from Dearborn by the pond. Census in 1800, 215 souls. JlafZ,'5o?2, (151st town,) embraces Bernard's township No. one, and " mile and a half strip," The township was sold in 1792, by Massachusetts, to Moses Bernard, Josiah Hilton, and Peter Sanborn. But it was settled by Jonathan Fames and others as early as 1780. Its name was taken in honor of James Madison. It contains 30,000 acres, including a large pond of 2,000 acres. The town was surveyed in 1791, by Samuel Weston. The town was first represented in the General Court, 1812, by Nathaniel iBIackwell. It lies nortli of Norridgewock, — MS. Let. of John J^eal, Esq. It Albion, (152d town,) originally Fairfax, afterwards Lygonia, was, ■when a plantation, called Freetown, and in 1790, contained only 6 families. J{ U.uity, (153J town,) was previously called the plantation of twenty five mile 'pond. Its population in 1790, was 264. The first settlement was in 1782. " Unison in political sentiment," we are told, was the circumstance which induced the name. The town contains about 21,000 acres. The land titles a.re derived from the Plymouth company. The town was first represented in the General Court, in 1809, by Frederick Stevens. — MS. Let. from Unity. A Church was first organized here in 1804. Embden, (154th town,) was township No. one,'] in 2d range. Its cen- sus, in 1800, was 367. fj[l Mercer, (155th town,) was a part of the plantation of Industry, Its census, in 1800, was 41 souls. nil Hope, (156th town,) previously called the plantation of Barretstown. Palermo, (157th town,) had been called the Great pond settlement. Chap, xxiii.] of jviaine. 599 East-Andover,* [now Andover,] and GiLEAD,f on the 23dA.D. I805. of June. In 1805, there were only two towns incorporated ; these were pjg^^jj^j^ Harrtson.I March 18th, and Newry,^ June 15th. Indeed, at no ^nd Newry . incorporal- previous period had there appeared such an ardor for corporate ed. associations, as the present exhibited. Encouraged and animat- ed by the force and strength of numbers united, all the enter- prizes most difficult of accomplishment, such as bridges, turnpikes, canals and booms, were undertaken, through the medium of statute incorporations. As a spirit of adventure and risque, 4 •''P''"''^'^'] ^ ^ ' risque and however, was in this way oftentimes emboldened, to attempt what ^^^emuie . . . ' ^ manliest. was inconsistent with the dictates of sound judgment ; the inev- itable consequences were not unfrequently losses and disappoint- ments of immense importance. East- Andover, (15Sth town,) derived its name from Andover, (Mass.) from whence 9-lOths of the first inhabitants emigrated. It was first set- tled in 1789, by Ezekiel Merrill, Esq. Since 1821, it is called Andover, Ellis river "intersects the town nearly in its centre." The town contains about 31,000 acres. The lands were granted by the General Court. There is one meeting'-house ; — the first minister, settled in 1806, was Rev. John Strickland. The most noted mountains around this town, are Blue moun- tain and Bald Pate. The former rises to the north of the town from 2 to 3,000 feet in height. The latter lies farther to the west. — MS. Let. of John A. Poor, Esq. f Gilead, (159th town,) was previously called Peabody's patent. It had two families in it, Aug. 4, 1781 ; but both the men were killed by the In- dians that day. Peabody was a principal proprietor. AVild river passes, through the town. — jyiS. Let. of Abraham Burbank, Esq. X Harrison, (160th town,) was formed of the north-westerly part of Otisfield, and the easterly part of Bridgeton. It lies between Crooked river and " Long Pond." § J^ewry, (161st town,) contains 26,000 acres. Its name is from Newry in Ireland, — whence several of the settlers emigrated. The plantation took its name from Mrs. Bostwick, through whom the people derive their title to their lands. The first settlement was commenced in 1781, by three brothers, whose names were Barker, from Methuen, (Mass.) But they and their families were plundered in 1782, by Indians from Canada, and re- tired till the close of the war. The first sale by the land agents to Den- nis, after his assignment to Peabody, reverted to the State ; and in 1794, John J. Holmes of New- Jersey purchased Newry; also Ketchem or Riley ; and « A. 2" or Holmes. He took the deed of Newry in his sister Bostwick's name. There are in this town some Catholics. One says « I " have travelled over a great part of Europe and of the United States, and « I believe the people here to be the most honest, industrious and sober of any I ever met with.— MS. Let. of Luke Ridey, Esq. 600 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1805. As the increase of population and business required, an Act Oxford was passed, March 4, 1805, incorporating the northerly parts Couiily es- tabiished. ol lork and Cumberland into a county, by the name of Ox- ford ; of which Paris was appointed to be the shire-town.* It was the seventh county in Maine. Tw^o annual terms of the Common Pleas and Sessions were established here ; but all causes and matters cognizable by the Supreme Court, were to be tried at Portland. The next year the same county was di- vided into two Districts for the Registry of Deeds, the eastern and western ; — Paris and Fryeburg, being the towns where the law required the offices to be kept. A.D. 1806. So severe was the contest between the political parties, in the Gov. Strong- , . r r ' re-elecied. spring election of 1806, that though the whole number of votes given was never precisely ascertained. Governor Strong, it was certain, did not receive 2,000 more than his competitor, James Sul- livan, whose support was now much greater than in any preced- ing year. In canvassing the returns, the legislative committee found so great a number of scattering votes, that they would have been constrained to declare there was no choice by the peo~ pie, had not a defect in the return from Lincolnville, enabled them to make a report more favorable to the election of Gov. Strong ; and hence, the Legislature declared him Governor.f But General Heath, the democratic canditate, was elected Lieu- tenant-Governor, over Edward H. Robbins, by a plurality of «-a?ic"ma- morc than 1,400 votes; and there was also a decided demo- iTy'bra" ch" cratic majority in each branch of the Legislature ; though the mefr*^'^"' members in the House were 481,{ — a number greater by 133, :j: County ofl5ccrs, Simon Frye of FryeburgH, 1 Luther Carey of Turner, V Judges of the C. Pleas. Samuel Parris of Hebron, ) Judah Dana of Fryeburg-h, Judge of Probate. Samuel A. Bradley, " Register of Probate. Cyrus Hamlin of Paris, Clerk of the CourtSv David Learned of Livermore, Sheriff. a^nt^r srif K^r'' \ In 1805, the Courts were removed from New-Gloucester to Portland ; and in 1806, from Biddeford to Alfred. f By one list, the whole number of votes was 72,784 ; another list made the aggregate 75,171. John Bacon was elected President of the Senate over H. G. Otis ; and Perez Morton, Speaker over Timothy Bigelow. X Of these 115 were from Maine. Chap, xxiti.] of Maine. 601 than had at any time before constituted that body. The politics A. D. iso6. of the Council, were of the same character with those of the Senate and House, and of course at total variance with those of the Governor. Among the latest acts of the Federal State Legislature, were Beds and three, passed March 13, which are worthy of particular notice, empied from One exempted from attachment and execution, a cow and swine of every debtor, and also his household furniture necessary for upholding life. Another prohibited under considerable penalties, Stage-pi^s all interludes, stasie-plays and theatrical entertainments. The^™! . . . .»* Cincinnati third, was the incorporation of the Cincinnati Society in Massa- Society in- . . i . 1 /I- • 1 corporated, chusetts, — an association formed m 1 783, by * officers m the Massachusetts line of the Continental Army,' for the relief of indigent members, their widows and Orphans. One town, and only one, was incorporated the present year Qrono !«- this was Orono, March 12, previously called Stillwater. It is corporated. the 1 62d town in the State of Maine ; taking its name from a distinguished Chief of the Tarratine Tribe, whose friendship to the cause of American liberties, gave him an elevated place in the public estimation.* It is an excellent township of land, — em- bracing Marsh Island, also Indian " Old-town,^'' the village of the Tarratine Natives. Orono was settled in 1774, by Jeremiah Colbourn and Joshua Eayres — also John Marsh was on the Island soon afterwards. It is peculiar for its mill sites and water priv- ileges, which are extensively improved. Though there were 118 acts passed during the present politi- A" elecilon cal year, that relating to Elections, was the only one which caused excitement, excitement. To avoid a repetition of the lamentable confusion, which occurred at the last canvass of returns, — the act direct- ed the Secretary of State to keep all the returns of votes for Governor, Senators and Representatives to Congress, with the seals unbroken, till delivered to the two branches of government ; and required the selectmen to be upon oath * faithfully and impartially * to discharge their duties in all elections, and in the returns.' The bill was presented to the Governor for his signature, June 24, the day on which the General Court was adjourned to meet in January. On the second day after they re-assembled, the Governor returned the bill with his objections in writing ; but * Orono died, Feb. 5, 1801, aged 113 years* Vol. II. 76 602 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1806. the House, January 22, resolved, that it had not been returned by the Governor within the time prescribed by the Constitution, and the bill became a law without the Governor's signature. Since the flames of war had been re-kindled in Europe, there were some public measures and interesting events, which, though of national character, were of two much concern and import- ance to the people of Maine, to be passed without particular no- tice. Determined to be guided by maxims of the purest justice Commercial and soundest policy, the National Government had resolutely doctrine in the United supported the doctrine, — that free ships make free goods ; — that a neutral flag ought to protect from capture all it covered ; — and that the right of searching neutral vessels, was never allowed under any circumstances, by the Laws of JVations, But Great Britain and France, the two most prominent countries at war, were pursuing a policy calculated to destroy our neutral charac- ter ; each charging the United States with partialities to the British im- ^^^^^y treating our national flag with insult and abuse. The pressments. impressment of our seamen by the British, was cause of the Importation g^'^atcst complaint ; — and Congress, in April, prohibited the SciesTora i"ipo''t^tion into this country from Great Britain, of all paper, ^rohibked ^^^^^^ ^^^^ clothing ; — all beer, ale and porter ; — all woollen hosiery, glass, silver and plated wares, and in short, all articles manufactured of leather, silk, hemp, tin and brass. The British rage o"f HOW became indisposed to repress resentments ; and in June, ^pt. Whit- jYhi^jjy^ Captain of the Leander, fired upon a coaster in the harbor of New- York, and killed Pierce, one of the seamen, as he was standing on deck. For this acknowledged insult and cruelty, Whitby was subsequently tried, but acquitted ; and as a commentary upon the whole transaction, not to be misunder- stood, he was promoted to the command of a seventy-four. Finding the Republic only giving vent to complaints and cen- sures, without offering to avenge the affront, and acquainted with the Brit?sh temper of the ministry at home. Captain Humphreys, of the uponTh*e fi^S^^^ Leopard, carrying 50 guns, presumed to commit a most Chesapeak. flagrant outrage upon our national flag on the 22d of June, the ensuing year, (1807,) by firing upon the Chesapeak of 38 guns, off Virginia, commanded by Commodore Barron, killing 3 men, and wounding twenty others. Never had an affair happened in the American Republic, which occasioned a greater burst of pub- CHi.P. XXIII.] OF MAINE. 603 lie indignation. The British cabinet was execrated, and Barron a.d. 1806. was cashiered, because he did not repel the attack. Meanwhile, Buonaparte, the imperial ruler of France, ^^vis- ^^j"^'" ^^n^ ing a new species of warfare, issued his celebrated ' Berlin de- crees. cree,' Nov. 1806, by which, he declared all the British Islands in a state of blockade ; and on the 1 7th of December, the suc- ceeding year, he promulgated his Milan decree, in which he pronounced every ship denationalized, and of course, lawful cap- ture, which should at any time, either submit to be searched by the English, pay them a tax or duty, or be found on a voyage to their dominions. These edicts were either provoked or retaliated by British or- A. D. 1807. ders in Council, issued January 1, and Nov. 11, 1807, which British or- . . ders in interdicted the trade of all neutrals, not m amity with Great Council. Britain; and the British king, moreover, ordered his naval com- manders to seize his natural born subjects, in whatever foreign ^f^e^h-g service they might be found. Thus the British impressment of ^"^ii^^*^ JO J- wherever our seamen, whom it was difficult to distinguish from theirs, was virtually authorized by the aggressor, and the wrong which had been a grievance for many years, was basely and boldly repeat- ed— small regard being paid even to the most formal protec- tions"^ of our seamen. To preserve our neutrality, the honor of our flag, and the General rights of sailors inviolate, in this complication of difficulties. Con- d^c^sI^ gress, Dec. 22, 1 807, laid a general Embargo on all the ship- ping in the different ports and harbors of the United States. This policy, which has been denominated, the first part of the * Restrictive System,^ was not only opposed and derided by the Federalists ; but it was utterly condemned by them as ruinous to our national character, as well as to our commerce and shipping ; and designed to prevent the English from searching for their own seamen, — a rights the exercise of which, they never would surrender. To no portion of the Union, was the preservation of ' Sailors' The mari- RightSj' viewed with more intense interest, than by our eastern mSqc! inhabitants. For we had a numerous body of seamen ; — the amount of our tonnage was altogether disproportionate to our * Protections were certificates setting forth the birth place or citizea- ship of the possessor, signed by the Customhouse officers. 604 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1807. wealth, or even population ; and a large number of our seafaring men were believed to be then holden as impresses, or rather as slaves, on board the British ships of war. Still there was, on the part of the administration, a strong desire to ascertain the extent of the insult and the wrong, and to prevent or correct the evil, if possible, without a resort to arms. Or, if war were the only alternative, there might be allowed a monitory preparation for such an event, through an act of Congress, preservative of our immense shipping from capture or destruction. P. S.— In August, 1807, died Edward Preble^ aged 45, a naval officer of merit and eminence. He was born at Portland, in 1761, the son of Briga- dier Jedediah Preble. A mariner from his youth, he entered as a mid- shipman, under Capt. Williams, in 1779, and in a short time was promoted to a lieutenancy in a sloop of war, under Capt. Little, with whom he continyed till the peace of 1783. Prior to this, he, with a few men, board- ed and captured a vessel of more than equal force, lying in the harbor of Penobscot, undfer a furious cannonade from the battery, and an incessant fire from the troops. In 1801, the command of the Essex frigate was given to him ; and in 1808, he was appointed commodore of a squadron of seven sail to the Mediterranean, to humble the Tripolitans. By his wisdom and valor, peace was obtained on honorable terms. His good conduct extorted praise from the Bashaw of Tripoli, and even the Pope of Rome applaud- ed him.— Doff. *^Uen's Biog. p. 48S. Chap, xxiv,] OF MAINE, 605 CHAPTER XXIV. James Sullivan, Governor — Laws in relation to County-Attorneys — Courts of Sessions — Justices* jurisdiction enlarged — Jury Act — Betterment law — Eleven new towns incorporated — Division of eastern militia — Death of Gov. Sullivan — Election of C. Gore, Governor — Somerset county established — Acts repealed — Five new towns incorporated — Confiscations hy Buonaparte — Embargo con- tinued as to England and France — Non-intercourse — Er shine's ar- rangement— Buonaparte' s Rambouillet decree — J. Madison, Pres- ident— Chadwich's death, and trial of those who killed him — E. Gerry, Governor — Population and prosperity of Maine — Ten new totons incorporated — Statutes relative to religious freedom. Clerks of Courts, County- Attorneys, Circuit Courts of Common Pleas, Sheriff, County Treasurer, passed — Party-spirit — Ren- counter of the President and Little Belt — Sth and Qth military Divisions in Maine — State Senators and Representatives to Con- gress, from Maine — Titles or claims to lands in Lincoln County examined^ referred, and settled — Deeds given to the settlers — Gov. Strong re-elected — Six new Banks in Maine — Seven new towns incorporated. When the administration of this Commonwealth was organ- ^ igg^^ ized, in the spring of 1807, there was a decided Democratic or jamesSuiii- Republican majority in every branch. Mr. Sullivan was elected ^ "senior ^ Governor, by a plurality of 2,730 votes, above the number given ^Janch^^ for Mr. Strong ; and so well united were the parties in their re- democratic, spective candidates, and such the zeal and spirit of the times, that, though nearly 82 thousand ballots were given at the polls, there were no more than 325 scattered. Levi Lincoln, late At- torney-General of the United States, was elected Lieutenant- Governor, Samuel Dana, President of the Senate, and Perez Morton, Speaker of the House. The Governor, in his speech, approved of the President's poli- His Speech, cy. He said, * it was through the wisdom, firmness, and modera- ' tion of his measures, under the favor of God, — we remain the ' quiet spectators of those wasting wars, which the situation of * European powers may have rendered expedient or necessary 606 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1807. ' amongst them, but by which they are deluged in blood, and op- * pressed with taxes.' — He soon interceded with President Jef- ferson to adopt measures for settling the northern and eastern boundary of Maine ; determined to maintain the dignity and faith of the State, and exert himself *' to strengthen and consoli- date the national union on the principles of National Govern- ment." Legislative He was an able and independent Chief Magistrate ; and there are several legislative acts, which characterize his administration too strongly to be passed unnoticed. One vested the appointment Couniy-At- of County- Attorneys in the Governor and Council. They had torneys. ^ . hitherto been designated by the Court of Sessions, till the trials of petty offences were transferred to the Common Pleas,* and therewith this power as incident to their jurisdiction. Another sSonsi established a Court of Sessions in each county, consisting of several Justices, not exceeding six, who were commissioned to do what the justices of the peace in the county collectively had heretofore done ; — the men selected to fill the offices in both classes being generally of Democratic principles. A third, en- oriusUces" larged the jurisdiction of justices of the peace, from $13 33 cts. *niarg^d?'^^ to $20. A fourth, provided for the selection, draft and service A Jury-act. of Jurymen ; — a far more perfect act of legislation upon the subject, than had at any time appeared. The better- But what more eminently distinguished the administration of ment act. Qovernor Sullivan, was the ' Betterment Act,^\ as it has been called, which was a remedial statute for the relief of ter-tenants, in possession of lands, converted by them from a state of nature to that of cultivation, who were nevertheless, not owners of the Tiie passes fee. Great numbers of our most enterprizing eastern inhabi- ' tants were in this condition, who had, by dint of industry and toil, changed tracts of wood or wild lands into farms, accommo- dated with dwellinghouses, out-buildings and the conveniences of life. Some had made purchases of men who had no title; some occupied where there fathers had, supposing the title-deeds were destroyed by time, or accident, or by the savages in the Indian wars ; some entered under verbal licenses, or in virtue of * Repealed, A. D. 1809, and revived, A. D. 1811. f This Act did not in fact receive the Governor's signature, till March 2d, 1808.— When it was revised by the Legislature of Maine, it was enlarged and improved. Chap, xxiv.] of maine. 607 bargains never finished ; and not a few who had nothing to pay A, d, 1807. towards lots, took possession and commenced improvements, trusting to the chance of obtaining the lands at fair prices, when the rightful owners might appear. None were in a worse pre- dicament than the settlers between the Kennebeck and the Mus- congus, for their soil was claimed by several competitors, who were contending for the title among themselves. There were The argu- also rightful proprietors, who refused to give deeds to the settlers a ^rainsl the for fair considerations ; or perhaps, intending to make gains of their labor, permitted them to occupy without molestation, tiU near the time when the statute of limitations would bar their claims, and then ejected them by suits at law. Though they, by opening the wilderness and making improvements, enhanced the value of con- tiguous lands ; yet merciless proprietors sometimes treated them as malefactors, unprincipled trespassers and " squatters," a name by which they tauntingly called them, undeserving relief, or remun- eration for labor and improvements, so begun and prosecuted in their own wrong.* To provide a remedy for such a class of men, it was said by the opposition, would be enabling them to take ad- vantage of their own errors, and unconstitutionally deprive lawful owners of their rights, without their consent and without an equivalent. But this doctrine was considered to be neither sound nor cor- rect. For though a mere trespass makes land worse, — actual settlement renders it better ; and especially when the possession was long continued, it implied the owner's consent. If, then, he and the settler had mutual interests in the same property, it was consistent with principles of the purest justice, to secure to each one his own rights. In all actions, therefore, instituted to recov- ^^^^ p^^^ er lands holden six years or more, by possession or improvement, the Betterment act humanely provided, that whenever the jury found for the demandant, they should at the tenant's request also ascertain the increased value of the premises at the time of the trial, in virtue of his buildings and improvements ; and like- wise, at the demandant's request, find the value of the land, were it then in a state of nature. The proprietor then had his choice, either to abandon the land to the tenant at the price set by the Jury, and receive the money within a twelvemonth, or to sue out a writ of possession at the end of the year : — Or, if he did 608 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.D. 1807. not of record so abandon, be was bound to pay tbe tetiant in one year tbe price of bis improvements as appraised by the Jury, or lose tbe land. Thejj^JJ^ The proprietors of large tracts were bigbly displeased witb this remedy. law ; and several entertained sanguine expectations, that tbe Su- preme Court would pronounce it unconstitutional. But they were altogether disappointed ; for tbe Court gave tbe provisions of it, both a liberal and effectual construction ; nay, few other acts of tbe Legislature were ever, in a given period, promotive of relief more salutary, or equity more reasonable.''^ Eight There were established in 1807, eisrht new towns, seven of lowns in- , , corporated. which wcro incorporated the same month, namely, MoNTViLLE,f the 18tb ; — Denmark J and Porter,^ the 20tb5 — Jefferson, [[ * It has been said, that the remedy provided by this judicious statute, was originally sug-gested by Hon. William King-, one of the Senators from Maine. f Montville^ (163d town,) had been called Davistown, It contains about 20,200 acres. It was settled as early as 1780. « The people derive their titles to their lands from the 20 associates living in Boston." Here are six religious societies — 2 Calvinistic and 4 Freewill Baptists ; — A Post-Office was established here in 1806. One of the first Representatives to tbe General Court was Cyrus Davis, Esq. — JUS. Letter of C. Davis, Esq. I Denmark, (164th town,) was formed from Brownfield and other tracts, being about six different grants in all, made to Fryeburg Academy and in- dividuals, by the State. The town was settled in 1788-9. Within it are two houses of public worship, for Calvinistic Baptists ; whose Elders are Tristram Jordan, settled in 1804, and James Lord. In 1819, a Post- office was established here ; and the same year the town was represented in the General Court, by Elias Berry, Esq. * Pleasant mountain'^ is in this town. — jyiS. Let. of Cyrus Ingalls, Esq. § Porter, (165th town,) was before called Porterfield. It was granted to Dr. Aaron Porter and others, in 1790. The village is on the banks of the Ossipee river. There are in town 9 mills and machines, and one distille- ry.— JIS. Let. of James Coffin, Esq. II J^ffcTson, (166th town,) was previously the eastern part of the planta- tion of Ballstown.—[See Whitejield, 1809.]— It was settled in 1770, by John Ball. The difficulties between the settlers and proprietors, were adjusted by reference, — [See post, A. D. 1811.] — and titles obtained in 1814. The price paid by those who settled before 1784, was 13 cents per acre; those later, 30 cents. The religious sects are Baptists, Methodists, and Roman Catholics. There is a meeting-house at the head of Damariscotta pond ; where Elder William Allen was settled in 1809. A Post-Office was estab- lished in 1814. — MS, Let. of James Robinson, jr. and Jesse Rowell, Esqrs, Chap, xxiv.] of maine. 609 the 24th ; — Friendship,* the 25th ; HiRAM,t the SYth, and Dix- A» D. 1808. MONT,{ the 28th of February ; and Palmyra,^^ the 20th of June. Threetowns In 1808, there were three incorporated, viz. Pownal,|| the 3d, edT'^^**'^^^ FREEMAN,ir the 4th, and New-Portland,** the 9th of March. K fourth division of militia was estabhshed this year in Maine, pfvislon being the eleventh in the Commonwealth, of which William King Jig^']'^'* * Friendship, (167th town,) previously called Jleduncook, was first settled about 1750-1. The town embraces 2 Islands — one 2^ miles long-, the other contains 85 acres ; the town comprizing- on the main 7 or 8000 acres only. It is a part of the Waldo patent, and the title deeds were from Gen. Waldo. The inhabitants, in 1820, owned about 500 tons of shipping-. Here is one meeting-house, and also a Calvinist baptist church, of 70 members. The first Representative to the General Court, was Benjamin Burton, (in 1811,) who had been imprisoned at 'Big-uyduce with General Wadsworth in 1780. The town lies between the rivers Meduncook and Muscong-us, and is accommodated with two g-ood harbors. — JIS. Let. of Melzar Thomas, Esq. f Hiram, (168th town,) settled in 1780, was first a district, and made a town in 1814. The titles are derived from the Commonwealth, partly through General Wadsworth. The town was first represented in the General Court, in 1808, by Timothy Gibson ; Post-OflSce established in 1802. Here is a cabinet factory worked by water power, where ten or twelve men are employed, who make " annually from 8 to 10,000 chairs ; 4 to 600 bedsteads, — besides larg-e quantities of other work." Hiram was the last residence of General Wadsworth, who died there in 1830. — MS. Let. from Hiram; and plan. J Dixmont, (169th town,) was a donation to Bowdoin Colleg-e ; and hence called Collegetown. Dr. Blasdell purchased of the trustees 3,000 acres ; and Dr. Dix, for whom the town is named, the residue. The first settle- ment was in 1799. The town contains 23,040 acres, surveyed by Moses Hodsdon. Here a Post-Office was established in 1806. — JUS. Let. of Ben- jamin Butman, Esq. § Palmyra, (170th town,) No. 5 in 3d Rang-e, was sold by the State to Mr. Barnard of New-Hampshire, for 12^ cents per acre. He conveyed it to Dr. John Warren of Boston, whose wife g-ave it the name in memory of the ancient city. The first settler was Daniel Gale, who removed his fam- ily here in 1800. It was first called Sheppardstown ; and was surveyed in 1798, by Samiiel Weston. Post-Office was established here in 1817 J^S, Let. of Samuel Lancy, Esq. 1820. II Poxjonal, (171st town,) was taken from the north-west part of Free- port. — [See Freeport, A. D. 1789.] — Rev. Perez Chapin was ordained here in March, 1811. IT Freeman, (172d town,) was township No. 3, in 2d range, called Little river plantation ; embracing 17,000 acres. ** Jfew-Portland, (173d town,) granted to the sufiererg of Falmouth, by the enemy in 1775 ; — as was also Freeman. Vol. II. 77 610 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1808. was chosen the Major-General. It embraced the two brigades in the county of Lincoln. Governor Governor Sullivan was re-elected in 1808, over Christopher Sullivan's ^ _ ' * last election Gore, by a smaller majority than he had the preceding year ; and speech. in both legislative branches, the Federalists had attained the A majority asccndency. They placed around him a Council of their own fstshreach poHtics, and his political situation in the chair, was like that of Hou»e. Governor Strong in 1806. In his speech, he says — ' the arrest ' of our navigation by the embargo, and the interruption of our * trade, must produce great anxiety in all : but the Act is intend- * ed as an expedient, both to save our immense navigation from the * destruction which was then in wait for it, and to induce the * nations with whom we have been in commerce, to leave our * rights entire, and not involve our trade in the depredations of The death. ' their wars.' — He died, Dec. 10, aged 64, greatly respected. SuiMvan. ^^^^ ^^^^Y active part on the side of his country in the Revolution ; and in 1776, he was appointed a Judge of the Superior Court. In 1783, he was chosen a delegate to Con- gress, and the next year, one of the commissioners to adjust and settle the contested claims of Massachusetts and New-York, to the western lands. He was a member of the executive Council, and Judge of Probate for Suffolk, in 1787 ; and in 1790, was commissioned Attorney-General, — an office which he held till elected Governor.* A. D. 1809. In 1809, Christopher Gore, the federal candidate, was eiecieT elected Governor by a plurality of 2,788 votes, over his rival Governor. Lincoln, Lieutenant Governor the two preceding years ; Lt. Gov!' the office, to which General David Cobb was now elected, against * Governor Sullivan was born at Berwick, April 22, 1744. His father, an emigrant from Ireland to this country in 1723, was a man'of liberal ed- ucation. The son first settled at Georgetown, in the profession of the law; then removed to Biddeford. where he resided till appointed Judge. He always retained a high regard for the interests of his native Maine ; and his superior talents, his eminent legal attainments, and his political and general knowledge, gave him an elevated rank among the most able men. He published his « History of the District of Maine," in 1790 ; his « History of land-titles in Massachusetts," in 1801. He early made a pro- fession of Christianity ; — and in a letter he says,* I know this earth is the repository of pain and sorrow, but Jesus Christ is the great Physician, who mingles the draught, prescribes the regimen, and pours the balm of comfort on the wounded soul." — 1 Knapp'^s Biog. Sk, p. 291 — 313. — Doct. Mien's Biog. p. 533-5. Chap. XXIV.] OF MAINE. 611 Joseph B. Varnum ; and in both legislative branches there was a A. D. 1809. federal majority. Immediately prior to the election, while Mr. Lincoln was in Somerset •' ^ ^ County es- the chair, the County of Somerset was established, March l,tabiished. with corporate powers and full privileges, after the 1st of June; JVorridgewock being appointed its shire-town. It was taken ex- clusively from the northerly part of Kennebeck County ; and there were established within it, two annual terms of the Common Pleas,* and of the Sessions ; but whatever belonged to the juris- diction of the Supreme Judicial Court was to be tried at Augusta as before. The name evidently suggested itself from old Som- mersetshire in England, transferred to Maine in the days of Sir Ferdinando Gorges. Exasperated towards the politics, the procedure and the men The acts for of the late democratic administration, the Federalists proceeded Courts^ of^ without delay to reverse its measures and destroy its works; and, an?^ipoint- therefore, as early as June 19, in the first session, they abolished ASorneys^" the Courts of Sessions, and transferred their powers to the Judges '■^P®*'®**- of the Common Pleas, whose political sentiments were generally in unison with those of the Legislature. The next day, they repealed the act which authorized the Executive to appoint County-Attorneys. They moreover raised the salaries of the Judges; and passed an act relating to town officers, which, how- ever, they repealed before it fully came into operation. The towns incorporated in 1 809, were SoLON,f Feb. 23d ; Five new Windsor,! the 3d, and Jonesborough,§ the 4th of poraied. * County oflBcers : Bezer Bryant of Anson, ) f .. ^ Bryce jyicLellan, of Canaan, ( Andrew Croswell, of Mercer, ) <^ommon Pleas. William Jones, Judge of Probate & Clerk of the Courts. Benjamin Sheppard, Register of Probate. Richard Sawtell, of Norridg^ewock, Sheriff, f Solon, (I74th town,) was settled in 1782-3, by some of the soldiers of the Revolution. Its plantation name was Spaulding-town ; — Thomas Spaulding' being one of the grantees. A Post-Oflace was established here in 1818 JIS. Letter of E. Coolidge, Esq. X Windsor, (175th town,) incorporated JJalta, had been previously ca]!' ed JVew-Waterford. Its name has also been Gerry. The township is a part of the Plymouth patent. Here was a severe and long controversy between the proprietors and settlers. — See post, p. 613. $ Joneshorough, (l76th town,) lies west of Machias. It contains 48,160 acres granted to John C. Jones and others by the State, January 1, 1789. 612 A. D. 1809. Confisca- tions by Buonaparte Embargo continued as to Eng- land and France. IVon-inter- course act. Erskine's arrange* THE HISTORT [VoL. II. March ; Calais,* the 16th, and WHiTEFiELD,f the 19th of June. — Our political relations with England and France, appeared to admit of no improvement, which the good faith, forbearance and neutrality of our government could effect ; so long as each power continued to be manifestly determined to make the United States either its ally or foe. A year ago, Buonaparte had ordered the vessels which the French had seized for some violation of his edicts, to be confiscated ; yet Congress passed an act to suspend the Embargo in relation to either power, that would relax its severities towards us. But as this accomplished nothing, that Body, still determined to avoid a war, if it were possible, inter- dicted, by statute of March 1, all commercial intercourse between the United States and both Great Britain and France, and their dependencies. By this, which was termed the non-intercourse law, the Embargo act, passed 14 months before, was so far re- pealed, as to permit the departure of our merchant-vessels with their cargoes, to all other countries than the two expressly men- tioned. An extensive commerce was soon opened between us and Holland, Spain, Italy, Naples and other European countries, though they were in a greater or less degree under the control or influence of the French ; and our coasting trade was entirely relieved from embarrassments. In the spring of the same year, (1809,) Mr. Erskine, the British minister, entered into an arrangement with our govern- ment, by which it was understood, that the Orders of Council were to be rescinded, so far as they related to the United States ; nevertheless, on his return home, the king, his master, declared * Calais, (177ih town,) or " No. 5" contains i9,392 acres, and was g^ranted by the State, June 27, 1789, to Waterman Thomas. It is situated at the head of navig-ation pn the Schoodic, or St. Croix. f- Whitefidd^ [llSiXi town,) is the western part of the plantation of Balls- town ; — [See Jefferson^ 1807,] so named in memory of the famous Georg-e "Whilefield. It was settled in 1770, Here is a meeting-house for Baptists, in the southerly part of the town, where Elder Joseph Baily was settled. The northern section of the town is settled principally by Irish emig-rants, who have erected a Catholic Chapel, and enjoy the instructiens of Rev. Dennis Ryan. The town was first represented in the General Court in 1819, by Elder Baily, Sheepscot river in this town affords many valuable sites for mills and machinery. Upon the falls are 9 saw mills and 4 grist mills. The Plymouth Proprietors claim the fee of the town, and the set- tlers have opposed them. The town contains about 29,000 acres. A Post OfKce ivas established here in 1807 — MS, LeL of David Crowell, Esq. Chap, xxiv.] of Maine. 613 be had exceeded his instructions, and consequently refused to A. D. ms. ratify the negociation. On the other hand, Buonaparte viewed Rejected, with supreme satisfaction every event and incident, which i^^^'- p-'X-Tpon- cated a rupture between the two nations; stating to the Russian duci and de- Emperor, that " the United States were on the worst terms with England and expressing through his prime minister to our am- bassador in France, his ' great approbation of the course pursued ' by the government of the Republic towards the British.' Still nothing better than consummate intrigue lurked at bottom ; for, such was the base and vacillating policy of the man, that on the 23d of March, 1810, he issued his decree at Rambouillei, direct- ing that all American vessels and cargoes, met with, which had but entered the ports of France since the 20th of May, preceding^ be seized and confiscated. This was avowedly a retaliatory edict against our non-intercourse law ; and its retrospective operation was a most flagrant violation of all principle. There was now on this side of the Atlantic, no longer any confidence in his honor or integrity.* All the honest politicians of both parties, after this, denounced him. — Meanwhile, the treatment we received from the intieatnnent ^ . . received English was of a similar character ; — one contemned our pro- from ihe fessions of impartiality and plundered us of our property, — the other impressed and kidnapped our seamen, and shamefully in- sulted our flag. At this crisis, Mr. Jefferson, tired of public life, left the President's chair, March 3d, to Mr. Madison, — a states- ^^j. man of the same politics, of exalted talents, and extensive politi- ^g"/'*^®^'" cal knowledge. f On the 8th day of September, an homicide was committed in p.^^. (-^ad- Malta [now Windsor,] near the head-waters of the Sheepscot, ^^^^ which occasioned great excitement. The lands in that town and vicinity, which had been settled extensively and improved by the inhabitants many years, were claimed by proprietors and others under the Plymouth patent, who employed one Paul Chadwick to survey them.f Not knowing, probably, to whom the legal tide in truth belonged, the settlers resolved to defend their possessions * Mr. Jefferson himself is known after this time, to have expressed great satisfaction in the success of the allies against Buonaparte. I The Electors in this Commonwealth were chosen by the Legislature. For York County, Andrew P. Fernald ; Cumberland, Samuel Freeman ; Kennebeck, Samuel S. Wilde ; Lincoln, Jeremiah Bailey. I See ante, A. D. 1799. 614 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.D J 809. against all encroachments; and hence a party of ten or twelve, disguised, and armed, endeavored to intimidate Chadwick and cause him to depart. But he disregarded their threats ; and they shot him. Languishing of his wounds, he survived till the next day and died. ^uplSl^d'^*^ Immediately, seven of the supposed malefactors were arrested, murderers, and Committed to Augusta gaol, on the charge of murder ; and nothing had ever happened in the county, which excited equal perturbation. At times, there were circulated alarming reports, sufficiently authenticated to be believed, that a large number of Pubnc ex- '^^^^ s^®" woods between Malta and Augusta cjtemeat. yJHage, all armed, and preparing to rescue the prisoners from their confinement. The people, especially those who lived in the immediate vicinity of the prison, were exceedingly agitated ; and the weak and timid had, in the light of their disordered im-* agination, drawn a scene horrific with devouring flames, and the most dreadful forms of death and ruin. To allay the public fears and guard the place. Major- General Sewall of the eighth division, was requested by the Justices of the Common Pleas, and Sheriff, under the Statute, to detach a part of the militia, without loss of time. But he supposed the exigency would not justify the call, and a few only were employed as sentinels, pa- trols and videttes. At midnight, however, about the 1st of Oc- tober, 70 men or more, well armed — some being in disguise, ap- proached within 150 rods of the bridge, on the east side of the river, preceded by a spy, who came so near a few posted sentinels, that three of them seized him, and carried him 50 or 60 rods. An affray ensued, in which a party of 30 malcontents rushing forward, rescued the prisoner, and caught Major Weeks, one of the party, and hurried him away into the woods. Alarm guns were instantly fired by the others, — ^the court-house bell was rung, — and the streets, in a few moments, were full of people. The next day, General Sewall called out 300 men, — ^reduced afterwards to 100, whom he kept in arms till the excitement (abated. On the 1 6th of November, seven* were put to trial at the bar * Their names, were David Lynn, Jabez Meigs, Elijah Barton, Prince Cain, Nathaniel Lynn, Ansel Meigs, and Adam Pitts. They were indict- ed at the October term, and tried at an adjourned term in November ; — Chap, xxiv.] of maine. 615 of the Supreme Court, on an indictment for murder. Forty- A. D, I809. four witnesses were examined, and the trial lasted ten da3's, in- Trial of the prisoners. eluding two consumed by the Jury in their deliberations. But, astonishing as it appeared to those who listened attentively to the ^h^^'^j^*^* whole testimony, the prisoners were, by verdict, all acquitted. A few remarks of Judge Parker, in his charee to the Jury, f ' . ° . •' Remarks of before they retired to their room, may with propriety, be here Judge Far- subjoined. — " In this free and happy country, where every man's claims are to be decided by his peers and his neighbors, men of like passions and like interests with himself, and under laws of his own making, can there be any excuse for resorting to vio- lence } Do not the most abject and miserable find countenance, support, and encouragement in the maintenance of their rights, when they claim it under the laws } — Have not the Legislature done every thing within their constitutional power, to aid those who are supposed to have stronger claims upon humanity, than upon strict justice } Why then do we hear of our citizens as- suming the garb of savages, and perpetrating acts, at which even savages would tremble ^ To what will all this lead .'' If men of similar interests, may combine, and by menaces and violence, de- prive their antagonists of the evidence, essential to the just de- termination of their disputes, or if men may with impunity, oppose the laws,— such system must go to the destruction of every man's comfort, security and happiness, as well as of the constitution and laws under which we live. — There have also been menaces, that the Courts of Justice will be stopped by violence ; and it is noto- rious, that assemblies of men have appeared, for the avowed object of rescuing the prisoners before trial. There is reason, likewisCy to apprehend, in case of a conviction, that there will be similar attempts to prevent the execution of the law. But have not the prisoners had a fair, patient and impartial trial i* — It has occupied an unprecedented portion of time. Every indulgence to which they are lawfully entitled, have been cheerfully allowed them.. They have had the best talents and the best efforts in their de- fence. If they are not proved to be guilty, though they them- selves may know they are not innocent, they will still be acquit- the Solicitor-General, Daniel Davis, for the Commonwealth, — Prentiss Mellen, Samuel S, Wilde, Thomas Rice, and Philip Leach, for the prison- ers. 616 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1809 ted, and allowed to return to their families and friends. — ^If they are convicted, the law must have its course.— Will this gov- ernment, abounding in loyal citizens, yield to the violence of a few deluded men ; and tamely see its authority defied, and its prisons violated, without stretching forth an arm to prevent its own overthrow ? Should its power be exerted, what must be the destiny of those wretched mistaken men ? — ^What, but either to be killed in battle, executed on a gallows, or fly from a land of freedom and security, — to seek a miserable shelter in some for- eign country. Their habitations will become desolate, and they will be fugitives on the face of the earth."* kTSovernor '^^'^ Unhappy affair produced the enactment of a statute, which mhS'fra-^' ^^^^ ^ high Crime for any person to disguise himself in the tion. likeness of an Indian or otherwise, with intent to molest a sheriff or surveyor in the discharge of his duty ; and in Gov. Gore's ad- ministration,f the militia law was revised. — Of statutes passed upon other subjects, in 1809, one directed towns to introduce and practice vaccination, at the corporate charge, as a means of pre- servation against a deadly pestilence ; and another, for a still more benevolent purpose, incorporated the Bible Society of Maine. A.D. 1810. In 1810, and the year succeeding, Elbridge Gerry was eiecS'^Gov ^^^^^^^ Govcmor over Mr. Gore by handsome majorities ; and and vvm* WiLLiAM Gray was choscu Licutenant-Govemor, the present (iray, Lt. / . . Governor, year, over Gen. Cobb, and the next year over William Phillips. In the House, the Democrats had the ascendency, but in the Senate it was with the Federahsts. In his speech, the Governor spoke of union as the soul of our independence ; and in respect to the gigantic powers, England and France, he said, they were contending for paramount domin- ion ; while " the United States, ever careful to offend neither, " have with uniform solicitude cultivated the friendship of each,"^ and * observed in good faith, the soundest maxims and rules for * preserving an impartial neutrality. Yet a jealous phrenzy in- * stantly seizes them both, if either merely suspects a disposition * on our part, to favor the other ; and nothing short of destruction * awaits us from the one that takes affront.' These embarrassments, which were So oppressive to our com- * See the printed trial, by John Merrick, Esq. 186 pages. f The manner of packing pickled fish was also improved this year. Chap, xxir.] of maine. 617 merce and navigation, had quite a different effect upon different clas* a, d. mo. ses and interests of our eastern citizens. For though they involved Advance- our seamen, our seaports, and our trade, in deep perplexities, they agricultural were promotive of settlements in the interior, and of agricultural popEon' 1 r^i 1 1 • .1 • • wealth. enterprise every where. Checked as men were in their mari- time pursuits, their only alternative was the culture of the earth, and a resort to the mechanic arts. There had been, within the last ten years, a great increase of population in Maine, amount- ing, by the Census taken lately, to 228,687 ; while her progress in ^^"sus. wealth was such that her exports this year, were ^803,619, and Exports, the aggregate of her shipping, though it had deteriorated, was 'p^^j^^^^ 141,057 tons. It ought also to be remembered, that large quan- tities of lumber, fuel, Hme, and fish, were transported coastwise from Maine to Boston, and other places, not included in the pre- ceding statement, which amounted probably to much more than the exports entered at the custom-houses. There was, however, only one town incorporated in 1810 ; and Efiiot. this was Elliot,* March 1 , which was taken from Kittery. But in ^ d jsn 1811, the number incorporated was nine, namely, ExETER,f p^jne new * Eliot, or Elliot (179th town,) was first called Sturgeon Creek. In Jtine, 1713, Kittery was divided into two parishes j the north, or second one was about that Creek, now Eliot ^8 J\lass. Rec. p. 288, 323. " The first set- tlers residing- thereabouts, began the plantation where Berwick now is. These were the Frosts, rieards, Shapleig-bs and Chadbournes. The ancestor of the Chadbournes came over on the invitation of Gorges and Mzson.^''— Sullivan, p. 246. Their agent, Walter Neal, made grants (in Eliot) as early as 1832 ; and the first settlement was a few years earlier* At Sturgeon Creek, a church was organized in June, 1721 ; and Oct. 25th the next year. Rev. John Rogers was ordained, and Continued a minister there 52 years. June 29, 1768, 5 years before his death, he received Rev. Alpheus Spring as a colleague, who died in June, 1791. Rer. Samuel Chandler was settled in n92.-^ Greenleafs Eccl, Sketches. fEoceter, (iSOth town,) No. 3, in the 4th Range, was granted March lU 1793, to Marblehead Academy, and sold to Benjamin Joy, and others ; for' ■whom Doct. Blasdell, of Dixmont, promoted settlements ; and hence it was originally called ^torfe/fou-n. The first settler was Lemuel Tozier, •who removed into the township in 1801. Exeter was a name chosen by «ome of the inhabitants, who removed thither from Exeter, N. U^—JIS. Letter of John Channberlain, Esq. Vol. II. 78 618 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1811. Charleston,* and Garland,^ the 16th, Robbinston,J the towns incor- 1 8th, Eddington,§ the 22d, and Washington, || [first Put- nam,'] the 27th of February ; also, CorintHjIT Carmel,** and LuBEc,f f the 21st of June. * Charleston, [181st town,) first New Charleston, was granted July 14, 1802, by the State to John Lowell, being- 6 miles square, called No. 2» Range 5. The earliest settlement was beg"un in 1795, under the auspices of Charles Vaug-han. The first settled minister was Elder Henry Hale, ordained in February, 1811, being- of the Calvinist baptist denomination. —c/tfS. Letter of D. Wilkins, Esq. t Garland, (182d town,) was granted June 2, 1798 to Williams' CoUeg-e, [No. 3, 5th Rang-e.] It was settled in 1802, by Joseph Garland, for whom the town was named, and by Isaac Wheeler, and Josiah Bartlett. Hon, Levi Lincoln was one of the purchasing- proprietors ; and hence, the plan- tation was called Lincolntown. The lots were surveyed in 1805, by A. Strong'. A church was first gathered here by Rev. John Sawyer. Post- Office established in 1818. — J\IS. Let. of Ahner Sanborn. J i2o66m*Se5sio7Z5 wcrc re-established, and the same jurisdiction given A Slate them, which they before possessed, 8. A State Bank was in- j^g^^'^^^s^^'^- corporated, it being alleged, that hitherto banking bad been a Federal monopoly. Propriety of These important reforms, though generally viewed by the Fed" niedsures. gj.r^|jg{g innovations upon ancient usages, for the purpose of affording patronage to the party in power, were nevertheless im- provements which the community demanded, There is a march of mind in correctness of thought and maturity of judgment, in the estimation of rights, the views of political independence, and knowledge of the public good, which require correspondent improvements in measures. More freedom was demanded in the enjoyment of a free religion ; more ability and legal learning upon the benches of justice ; a more equitable gradation of re*- wards for official services ; and a reasonable limitation of such offices as partook essentially of an executive or a pecuniary char«- acter. But the administration of Governor Gerry had its allotment in Tlie per' . *^ piexhies of portentous times ; and the present was a political year, as dark aggravated and distressing to our eastern citizens, as to those of any State in spimr*^' the Union, Our commercial perplexities were not only continu- ed— they were aggravated by the sharpness and even malevo- lence of party spirit. The perpetual trade and intercourse be- tween the eastern people and Boston, afforded the Federalists of * The Judges in the first eastern Circuit, were Benjamin Grepn^ Judah Dana^ and Wiliiatn Widgtry ; — in the eecond, J^aihan Wesfon, jr. Ben" jamin JUmes, and Judah J)lcLellan ; — in the third, William Crosby, Mar- tin Kinsley, and James Campbell. The first, named in eptch Circuit, wag Chief Justice. — Dana, McLellan and Crosby, were of Federal ppjitics. Chap, xxiv.] of maine. 621 that and other places, the greatest facilities of communication A. D. isii. with our sea-ports, and enabled them by means of town meetings, * assemblages,' and publications, to inflame and direct the fury of party against the policy of the state and national administrations ; — in a manner too, which did evidently encourage and em- bolden British aggression. In a late speech to the Legislature, The Cover- the Governor took notice of these extravagant transactions, meni. stating that by the act of Congress, May 1, 1810, every British and French armed vessel, without distinction, was interdicted our harbors and waters ; which act, he added, would have ceased to operate against either nation, that should, before the 3d of March last, have revoked its obnoxious edicts, but be enforced against the other, — with the act likewise of March 1, 1809, which had suspended the commercial intercourse between the United States and those Powers : That the edicts of France, as announced by the Emperor, had ceased to have effect upon us on the 1 st of November, 1810 : That the President, the next day, did, by proclamation discontinue the restrictions of that act, so far as it related to France ; and yet Great Britain, had, after a lapse of four subsequent months, neglected or refused to take a similar step : — wherefore our government, by act of 2d of last March, (1811,) as bound in honor, duty and express stipulation, deter- mined to carry the interdicting act into effect towards the British nation ; — and this, (subjoins Mr. Gerry,) is the statute which the YeAttra] a«- ^' assemblage" have declared unjust^ oppressive and tyrannical," gmbiage in i — and one of the laws, " which if persisted in must and will he resisted. By this time, news was flying through the country, of a ren- skirmish counter, May 16th, about thirty leagues eastward of the Chesa- Llltie Beu' peak, between the British sloop of war, the Little Belt, and the pj^g^deat American ship President. The action was between 8 and 9 in the evening, and lasted a full half hour ; in which the Little Belt, said to have been the aggressor, and to have fired first, lost 10 or 11 men and had as many more wounded. Dismantled, she gteered off to Halifax, and her Captain complained of the transaction to the ministry, as an outrage upon the British flag. But Commodore Rogers, our commander, was considered nowise blameworthy by the American government ; while the Demo- cratic newspapers exulted in his success. The Federalists spec- ulated upon the affair, and flouted the administration ; continually 622 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.i>. 1811. charging their political adversaries with partialities for the French, and not denying theirs for the British. Two new So much vvcre men supposed to be influenced or guided by military Di- • i i, v c visions party motives, that all public acts of a general nature, both in the Maini State and Nation, were treated by the minority with reprehen- sion. Even two new Divisions of the Militia, formed this year in Maine, and numbered the 12th and 13th of the Common- wealth, and the 5th and 6th of this District, was viewed by the Federalists as a party measure ; James Merrill of Falmouth and Levi Hubbard of Paris, both gentlemen of ' Democratic politics,' being chosen the Major-Generals. Ten State Subsequent to the late census, a State valuation had been lowed^^to^' tsken and hence there was a new distribution of Senators to the Maine. different parts of the Commonwealth. The number assigned to Maine was ten ; namely, to York, two ; Cumberland and Ox- ford, three ; Lincoln, Hancock and Washington, three ; and Kennebeck and Somerset, two. In classing towns, or districting the State for the election of ihem, the Federalists, with no incon- siderable reason and propriety, animadverted severely upon the classification, because it was formed with a design to favor the election of Democratic Senators. They especially treated the division of Essex County with great ridicule and derision ; draw- ing a caricature of one territorial district, and forging for it the ludicrous name of " Gerrymander." There had been also, since the late census, a new apportionment of Representatives to Con- A'lso seven gress, among the States. By this, seven were allowed to Maine, UvSSSn- which was of course formed into as many districts for the pur- pose of electing them.f Representa- Immemorially hitherto, the daily pay of the Representatives to General llie General Court lor their attendance, had been remunerated to St"of the^ them by the towns sending them ; but as the General Court leg- St^e freas- jgjgj^g^ j^jjg whole State, it was thought to be more consistent * But it was not fully completed with the revision, till 1814. — Vide Re- solves of that year. f The 1st Congressional District embraced most of York county ; 2d, most of Cumberland ; 3d, parts of Cumberland and Lincoln counties ; 4th, Lincoln, principally ; 5th, Hancock and Washing-ton ; 6th, Kennebeck County; 7th, Oxford. — The members elected were, 1^ Cyrus King; 2, George Bradbury; 3, Samuel Davis; 4, Miel Wood; 5, John Wilson; 6, James Parker ; and 7, Levi Hubbard, Chap, xxiv.] of Maine. 623 with the principles of justice and equity, to pay them for their A. D. isu. attendance as well as travel, out of the public treasury ; and con- sequently an act was passed to that effect. The Federalists charged this upon their opponents as a piece of selfish policy ; designed to draw from the country and the smaller towns, which were more generally Democratic, a fuller representation, and thus secure a majority in the House. At length, in consequence of the pressing memorials from the Commis- inhabitants of Bristol, Edgecomb, Nobleborough, Newcastle and Jhe"subjert Boothbay, there were appointed by the Governor and Council, L^^'e^'in^* under Resolve of Feb. 27, 1811, three Commissioners, Perez ^*^""^>'' Morton, Jonathan Smith, Jun. and Thomas B. Adams, to go into the County of Lincoln and investigate thoroughly, " the nature, causes and state of the difficulties," which had so long agitated the possessors and claimants of the lands lying between the Sheepscot and Muscongus rivers, and extending from the sea- coast back to Jefferson inclusive. They met the parties and dis- putants, May 1,(1811,) at the Court-house in Wiscasset, and subsequently held meetings in Newcastle, Bristol and Noblebo- rough 'j where they viewed the ruins of ancient settlements^ heard witnesses and examined all the deeds and documents ad- duced, and on the 20th of May, they made a detailed report of facts to the Legislature. In this, they presented distinctly the grounds and supports of the " Drowne Claim,^^ founded on the patent of the Plymouth Council, Feb. 20, 1631^ to Elbridge and Aldsworth ; the " Tappan Right,^^ derived from Indian deeds of 1661-2, and 1674; the Brown Right" traced from an- other Indian deed of 1625 ; and the Grant to the Duke oj York in 1664; — stating that the Drowne Claim covered all the town of Bristol^ and parts of Newcastle and JVobleborough ; that the Tappan Right and Brown Right as claimed, each covers the most of Bristol, and all of J\ohleborough and Jefferson, also the lands granted to Lincoln Academy ; and that the Tappan and Drowne Claims partly interfere with each other ; — but that no part of the lands within the towns of Edgecomb and Booth- bay fell within the lines of either of the three claims, Boothbay being settled about 1730, under a grant to Denny and McCobb, by Colonel Dunbar. It also appeared that " the Plymouth Com- pany made conveyances of lots situate in the towns mentioned," which they had claimed. Accompanying this Report was a proposal, executed May 10, 624 THE HISTOR\ [VoL. II, A.D. 1811. (1811)* by the agents of the several Rights and Claims, to sub- fefemice, subject-matter to the determination of three Com- missioners, to be designated by the Executive of the State.— To this the government agreed, and appointed Jeremiah Smith, of Exeter (N. H.) William H. Woodard of Hanover, (N. H.) and David Howell of Providence, three learned and able law- yers, who were clothed with ample authority to decide in law and equity, what were the rights, (if any) the non-resident claimants had to that section of the country.f On the 26th of January, 1813, the Commissioners awarded to the proprietors of the Plymouth Patent or Kennebeck Purchase, as an equivalent for lands of theirs witliin the disputed territory, " a tract of six miles TheRepori. square — and to the proprietors under the Drowne Right, a half township of 11,520 acres, to be chosen in each case from the public unlocated lands in Maine, with the usual reservations to public uses ; and they flirther advised the Legislature to grant a half township to the heirs of the late William Vaughan, in con- sideration of services performed and monies expended, and not in virtue of the Brown Right claimed j — subjoining, that none other had *' either in law or equity any title to any lands under their respective claims," within " the towns of Bristol, Edge- comb, Newcastle, Nobleborough, Waldoborougb, Jefferson, f or Boothbay. All the proprietary claimants executed deeds of release, and delivered them the day before the award was dated ; by which they extinguished all further pretexts of right within Seiiiement. the towns mentioned. The State then granted a half township to Vaughan's heirs, and made the other assignments conformably to the award.*^ Lots con- To complete the settlement of these lone; and most unhappy voyedlothe / 11.. 1 u . i_ I-- aeuiersor Controversies, and admmister peace and rest to the inhabitants, the General Court, Feb. 25, 181S, ordered that the representa- * See Pamphlet^ 1811, 183 pa^es^ — containing Commissioners' Report and Documents ; — also Report condensed^ — Resolves^ June 20, 1811, p. 219, 238. ■j- Ibid. p. 239, 41 ; and the Attorney-General was required to attend (he Commissioners on beiaalf of the Commonwealth's claims. — See the suhmis^ sion in Jorniy under 40 signatures and seals^ J^ov, 8, l&ll. — Resolves^ p. 193-5. \ The half township granted to Lincoln Academy, is part of the town of Jefferson. \See Report; Resolves^ 1813, p. 182, 197. — The number of Releases were 52. The money paid the referees for their serrices, exceeded $3,000u Chap, xxiv.] of MAINE. 625 tive of every man who had settled in these towns before January A. D. I812. 1, 1789, should be quieted on 200 acres* for five dollars; and iheir repre- . ^ . . scnlalives. all Others on paying 30 cents per acre, whose lots were in no In* stance to be larger than those of the former class. The agents appointed to execute the deeds, were Benjamin Orr and Jere- miah Bailey. The whole number of votes for Governor, in 1812, was Governor 104,156; of which Mr. Strong had 52,696, and was elected eiecied.'^^ the eighth time, by a small majority over Mr. Gerry. To the House there were returned 745 members ; 214 of whom were from Maine. There was a majority of Federalists in this branch, and of Democrats in the Senate : — Consequently the Council were of Federal politics. The Governor in his speech to the General Court, deprecated His speech, with much good sense the warmth and acumen of party, — the animosities it awakened — and the attacks made upon reputation and motives — because of a difference only in judgment ; adding — " such offensive imputations are injurious to the peace of the State, and threaten its prosperity ; for if party abuse should be- come general and indiscriminate, we shall lose one of the most powerful motives to meritorious conduct. The virtuous and vicious will be placed in the same light, and men of unblemished character will wish to have as little concern in public affairs as possible, that they may preserve their reputation." Next to the spirit of party, was the passion for banks ;— twenty six new of them receiving charters, June 23 ; six of which were estab- Maine.'" lished in Maine,* whose charters were all limited in duration to Oct. 1, 1831. Observing this uncommon solicitude to make large banking investments, the country members of the General Court, supposed the stock must be highly productive ; and there- fore, the same day, the General Court laid a tax of one per cent, upon the capital stock of every bank, to be paid half-yearly First bank into the treasury of the State. f ♦ These were the Bath — Cumberland — Hallowell and Augusta— Wiscas- set — Kennebeck — and Saco Banks — making ten in the District of Maine. [See ante A. D. 1802-3-4.] Maine and Penobscot Banks having failed, or stopped payment. t When these Banks commenced business, the banking capital in Maine was $1,620,000, and consequently paid into the State Treasury annually, $16,200 tax. Vol. II. 79 626 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.D. 1812. The number of towns established in 1812, were seven, which Seven towns were all incorporated the same month, namely, Bingham,* the ed. 6th ; Troy,-|- [^Kingville,'] Bbewer,J and Dearborn,^ the 22d ; Phillips, II the 25th; SebeCjIT the 28th; and Fox- * Bingham., (189th town,) was first settled about the year 1784. Its plant- ation name was Carratunk, from its contiguity to a waterfall of the same name, just below, in the Kennebeck river. It was incorporated by its present name, out of respect to the great kind-holder in Maine, William Bingham. Its contents were 23,040 acres. The first settlers were quiet- ed by the General Court, and the residue of the township sold by the State to Mr. Bingham. It was surveyed in 1801, by Philip Bullen. — J\IS. Let. ofObed Wilson, Esq. 1819. t Troy, (190th town,) was incorporated Kingville, in honor of the first Governor of Maine ; changed in 1814, to Joy — because much of the town was owned by Benjamin Joy, Esq. Its third name is Troy. When a plant- ation, it was called Snc^^'-e^foion ; General Bridge of Chelmsford, (Mass.) having ^ principal agency in the first settlement. On the west, it adjoins 25 mile pond, and contains 20,052 acres. It was surveyed by Ballard in 1797. A Post-office was established in this town in 1817. — JSIS. Letter of J ames Parker, Esq. I Brewer, (191st town,) was taken from the northerly part of Orrington. — {See this town, March 21, 1788.] — The name was in compliment to John Brewer, Esq. one of the first settlers, from Worcester ; and hence, it was inTsi czWeA J^ew-Worcester. He began to build his mill at the mouth of the Segeunkedunk, in 1770, and made the first improvements attempted in town. The occupation of 'Biguyduce in 1779, by the British, checked the settlement till peace. In 1784, the township was surveyed by Barnabas Dodge ; and the next year the State granted to Brewer and Fowler the front or water lots, lying on the Penobscot, and to Knapp and associates the residue of Brewer and Orrington. Rev. Seth Noble was installed pastor of Bangor and Brewer. A Post-Office was established in 1800 ; and Colonel Brewer was the first Post-master. In 1813, a new Post-office was established in Orrington. The same year, in January, Rev. Thomas Williams was settled in Brewer. The town contains 23,582 acres, and in 1816, there were in it, 86 dwellinghouses. The first Representative to the General Court, was O. Leonard, Esq., — who lived in this part of the old town — MS. Let, of Hon. D. Perham. § Dearborn, (192d town,) was so called in compliment to General Henry Dearborn. It is separated from Rome by " Great Pond." In 1820, the town contained 80 taxable polls, and 38 dwellinghouses. This township is a part of the Plymouth patent. II Phillips, (193d town,) was granted by the State, Feb. 15, 1794, to Jacob Abbot. It embraces 22,490 acres. It lies southerly of Mount Abraham. In 1820, the town contained 103 rateable polls. IT Sebec, (194th town,) is an Indian name from a beautiful stream that passes through the town. — In Feb. 1796, four townships of land, six miles square, Nos. 4, 5, 6, and 7, in the 7th range, incorporated, Sebec, Foxcro/t, Chap, xxiv.] of Maine. 627 CROFT,* the 29th of February; making 154 municipal towns a.d» 1812. incorporated since the close of the Revolutionary war, — a period short of thirty years. Guilford and Abbot, equal to 92,160 acres, were given by the State to Bow- doia CoUeg-e. Sebec was settled about 1804-5. — [See article Bowdoin Col- lege^ ante, 1794.] * Foxcroft, (195th town,) was granted to Bowdoin College,— [See Sebec,] — and first settled in the year 1805 ; Nathaniel and Samuel Chamberlain being among the first settlers. Its corporate name was chosen in com- pliment to Joseph E. Foxcroft, Esq., a Senator and Sheriff of Cumberland County, and proprietor. Here is a bridge across the Piscatequis, — " one arch over the main channel being 120 feet." There is in town a small social library ; — also an Academy, incorporated in Feb. 1823, and endowed with half a township of land, called ' Foxcroft Academy — a flourishing' institution. 628 THE HISTORY [Vol. 11, CHAPTER XXV. JBritish aggressions — Embargo and war — Defensive measures — The Federalists oppose the war — General HulVs surrender — Seamen* s war — Naval actions — Senators to General Court, and Represent- atives to Congress — Electors — Laws regaled — Six new Banks — Corporeal punishment abolished — 'Peace Societies Sweden, Freedom, Levant and St. Albans incorporated — Direct tax — Z>g- fencc — Boxer taken by the Enterprize — Perry* s victory^ — Gun- boats— Battles — British manifesto — Mediation of Russia — Pri- vateering, shipping and speculation — Restrictive system aban- doned— A general Blockade — Call for the militia by the Presi- dent disobeyed— Brilliant successes of the American arms — Manu- factures— Valuation — Eight toimis incorporated — Maine Theo- logical Seminary and Hancock Free School established. A WAR with Great Britain appeared, in the opening year, of A.D. 1812. 1812, to be inevitable. Our merchants' vessels had far too long gressSns° Submitted to search and detention j our flag had been repeatedly insulted j 6,252 of our seamen had been impressed into the war- ships of the British, and were reported to be still detained in their service ; our efforts to maintain a strict and impartial neu- trality had been ill-treated and abused j and every measure taken by our National Government towards the belligerents, was viewed with jealousy and dislike by the British cabinets, unless in some way particularly favorable or partial to that nation. In fact, so obstinately determined was England to persist, in the practice of search and impressment, that she refused to relax j though she knew that our government, after Buonaparte had receded from his pedatory system, must either take arms against her, or vio- late not only every principle of honor, but also an express en- gagement. Such was the unhappy alternative, to which the su- perior art and foresight of Buonaparte, the usurping ruler of na- tions ; and the superior pride of England, the assumed mistress of the ocean, had now brought the American government. It was utterly vain to expostulate longer against injuries, or to talk of maintaining neutral ground } our forbearance was viewed by Chap, xxv.] of maine. 629 the British as pusillanimity, and our little navy treated with con- A. D. I812. tempt. In this political emergency, Congress, April 4, laid a general April 4. embargo, for ninety days, on all vessels within the harbors of the United States ; — a measure which gave a greater shock to the American community, because it was generally believed to be a precursor of war. Nor were the public apprehensions mistaken ; for Congress, the same session, June 18, * declared war to e^tst^""® l^-, ^ ' , ^ ' , ' Wardeclar- * between Great Britain and the United States.^ ed. Immediately, the government called upon the States, for a de- defensive . . . . measures. tachment of 100,000 militiamen, of whom the quota for Maine, was 2,500 ; and also made provision for raising an army and en- larging the navy. The summer was principally consumed in making preparations for the conflict. But England being one of the allied nations of Europe, then engaged in a bloody war at home, was illy prepared for hostilities in this hemisphere ; and during a year or more, the people of Maine were only sufferers in common with others, situated on navigable waters, and deeply engaged, as they had been, in commerce, coasting and the fish- eries. Never before, as on this occasion, had the Federalists suffered violence of themselves to be wrought up to equal party heat and violence, [sts.^^'^^'^*'' They now gave reins to invective and reprehension. To men- tion a thousandth part of the objections raised by them against this * iniquitous war,' as they called it, would, without affording pleasure or profit, far transcend my limits. Suffice it to say, that the character of their opposition to the policy and measures of government, exhibited marks of peculiar obstinacy and insub- ordination. They said the country was plunged into a vortex of ruin : — But as the laws of duty require of us hope, and even faith in their sincerity and patriotism, it is my design to refrain from strictures upon the impropriety of their course ; — Likewise, con- cerning the war itself, my purpose is to relate no more of its events and incidents, than what has a connexion with the History of this State. The first considerable event of the war was disastrous : — it August 16. was the surrender of Gen. Hull's army, August 16, with the fort of (General at Detroit, into the hands of the enemy — the news of which many of the Federalists were ingenuous enough to declare, gave ihem no pain to hear. They, as a party, had professed to be 630 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.D. 1812. uniform advocates for the support of a respectable naval arma- ment ; and they insisted if the present was, according to the Seamen's Democratic doctrine, "the Seamen's War, — undertaken for or bailors' war. "jfree trade and Sailors^ rights " and not for conquest, it ought to be confined to the element where the wrongs were committed. They thought no other course could be consistent ; and, in fact, Naval ac- successes by sea were repeated and brilliant. For within iious. year, the Guerriere and the Java were captured by the Con- stitution the Frolic by the Wasp ;f the Macedonian by the United States ; J and the Peacock by the Hornet.'^, Subsequent- ly, it is true, we lost the Chesapeake, and the Argus ;\\ but they were victories which the Shannon and the Pelican won at a costly sacrifice of blood. Seven EJec- Determined to throw the whole weight of the Commonwealth tors clujsea. . ... into the, Federal scale, at the approaching Presidential election, the General Court formed the State into six districts ; of which York, Cumberland and Oxford constituted one, and chose three electors ; — Lincoln, Kennebeck and Somerset, one, and chose the same number ; — and Hancock and Washington a third and chose owe, — all of whom were found by the returns to be, as was ex- pected, of Federal politics.lF A.D; 1813. In 1813-14-15, Gov. Strong was re-elected by handsome The State majorities ; and the political character of the Legislature continu- Son/peder- cd unchanged. His competitors for the Governor's chair, were first, Gen. Joseph B. Varnum ; and afterwards, Samuel Dexter. Yet, if the votes given for Governor be a criterion,** the people * These actions were Ang. 19, and Dec. 29, (1812). f Oct. 18, (1812. I Oct. 25, (1812.) \ Feb. 24, (1813.) || June 1, and Aug. 14, (1813.) IT These were, Nathaniel Goodwin, Samuel Parris, Lathrop Lewis, Abiel Wood, Lemuel Paine, James McLellan, and William Crosby. ** The votes for Governor stood thus : Strong, Vamum, Strong. Dexter, fork County, 2,463 2,810 In 1814- -2,357 3,204 Cumberland, 3,041 2,440 3,193 2,732 Lincoln, 2,720 2,618 2,730 2,873 Hancock, 1,443 1,643 1,515 2,136 Kennebeck, 2.005 2,700 1,845 2,612 Oxford, ,902 1,491 ,953 1,767 Somerset, ,786 ,764 ,712 ,769 Washington, ,875 ,339 ,421 ,291 13,735 14,305 13,726 16,381 OhAP. XXV.] OF MAINE. 631 of Maine were by a decided majority the supporters of the Gen-A. D. 1813. eral Government and its measures ; possessing fewer predilections for the English, or perhaps more for France, than those of Mas- sachusetts. To what, but a spirit of patriotism shall we trace the cause ? — If her exix)sure, losses, and privations were great ; were not ours greater in proportion to our navigation and wealth } — hav- ing an extensive seacoast, hmited by a Province of the enemy, open and undefended in hundreds of places At the June session, the General Court repealed three acts of Several . , . . . . Acts of the the precedmg Democratic admmistration ; namely, those requir- former ad- ing the Representatives to be paid out of the public treasury i — lion, re- limiting the term of the Sheriffs' appointment to the period of ^^^"'^ five years ; — and forming the State into senatorial districts. An- other districting took place, on the 24th of the ensuing February, when nine senators, instead of ten, was the number assigned to Maine; and on the 20th of the same month, the law authorizing the Supreme Executive to appoint the Clerks of the Judicial Courts was also repealed, and the appointing power revested in the Judges of the several Courts. The rae:e for banking seem- c,. o O o Six new ed not to have abated ; for in the present and succeeding year, ^^^"p'^J^^jgj six new Banks were established in Maine, each with a capital oforiheir 100,000 dollars.* There was one legislative act passed, this vived. year, which does great honor to our statute-book. This was the total abolishment of corporeal punishment ; though it had, by non- ^^^^^^^^^ usaze, since the adoption of the State constitution, become essen- punish- . ° ' ^ . r ' merit abolw tially obsolete. Public sentiment upon the manner of treating ished. criminals, had undergone a gradual and happy improvement. In- stead of whipping, cropping, branding, standing in the pillory, and sitting upon the gallows, it was believed that confinement to hard labor and a period of prison discipline, would have a better efiect towards correcting the habits and amending the dispositions of the heart, than the infliction of bodily suffering or mental pain. Certainly it was more agreeable to the dictates of religion, and the principles of a humane government, to effect, if possible, the moral cure of an offender, than to drive him with marks of in- famy to despair. * These were Lincoln, Kennebunk, Bangor, Aug-usta, Gardiner and "Waterville banks. The latter four were incorporated in January and February, 1814; but all were to expire Oct. 1, 1331. 632 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. 1813. The voice of peace, ever a most exhilarating sound, was at Washing- this period heard through the land ; not, however, from the pow- ici.t socio- ers in arms, but from the opposers of the war, the self-denominat- ties urine ^ ^^^^ peace.' War, according to their doctrine, was a most deadly evil, both in principle and effect, and peace the great- est good ; and in a radical sense, it must be acknowledged, there was pure reason and correctness in iheir position. To promote, there- fore, their benign and benevolent purpose, associations were form- ed in many places, which they called " The Washington Benevo- lent Societies and had they originated at any other period, and been unmixed with party-politics, they must have received the approbation of all good men. Four towns The towns incorporated in 1813, were /owr, viz. Sweden,* mco.porat 26 ; Fbeedom, f the 1 1 th ; Levant,{ and St. Albans,^ the 14th of June. Direct tax. Additional taxes, as well as privations, are necessarily among the incidents of war ; and of the f 3,000,000 directly levied by Congress on the lands of the United States, to be collected after the ensuing January, $74,220 were apportioned to the District of Maine ; a tax which the majority of the people met and paid Enlistments, with patriotic spirit. Enlistments also were animated ; and it is believed, a greater number of soldiers was recruited for the army, in this District, according to its population, than in any Companies one of the States. Companies of regular troops were establish- slalioned. . , *■ ed at Portland, Kennebunk, Phipsburg, Castine and Eastport j * Sweden, (the 196th town,) was taken from the southerly part of Lovell. [See Lovell, ante, 1800.] It lies eastward of Fryeburg-h. f Freedom, (197th town,) was a name chosen by the inhabitants. The first settlement was begun by the Messrs. Smiths in 1794, and hence called Smithtown ; then Beaver-hill plantation. The town contains about 14,000 acres. It lies south of Unity and is a part of the Plymouth Patent. It was surveyed in 1813. A Post-Office was established here in 1817; and the town was represented in the General Court, in 1818, by Matthew Randall, Esq. I Levant, (198th town,) called Kenduskeag- plantation, was sold by the State to William Wetmore, in 1792. The first settler was Joseph Clark, one of the refug-ees with Col. Eddy, from Nova Scotia. Clark began to cut trees in 1789. In 1801, Moses Hodsdon's was the 12th house built in town ; and he was the first Post-Master. The first bridg-e over the Ken- duskeag, at the village, was built in 1802. 5 St. Albans, (199th town,) was sold by the State, in June, 1799, to John Warren. In 1S20, there were in this town only 18 dwellinghouses. Chap, xxv.] of maine. 633 though the principal reliance for defence, in case of an attack, A. D. 1813. was upon the militia, — the number at this time in the District, Miihia m including cavalry and artillery, being 21,121 men. The Boxer, B. British brig of 18 guns, carrying 104 ™^"> J^p^ju^"^ and commanded by Capt. BIythe, had been ordered to cruise off ^^^mer- Portland, for the purpose of bringing the American brig Enterprize of 16 guns and 102 men, Capt. Burrows, to an engagement. They discovered each other on the morning of Sept. 5th ; and at a quarter past 3 in the afternoon, the action commenced with- in half-pistol shot. For thirty-five minutes the firing was ani- mated and incessant, when the Boxer struck her colours, hav- ing lost 46 men in killed and wounded. Only two of our men were slain, though twelve others received severe, if not mortal wounds; — also both commanders fell early in the action. The Enterprize, arriving at Portland the next day with her prize, was greeted with great and heart-felt exultation, — damped only by the death of the intrepid Burrows and his brave companions. He was interred with every demonstration of attachment, re- spect, and grief; and a fort, afterwards erected for the defence of the harbor, was called by his name. The capture of the Boxer, was an event which excited more universal joy among the inhabitants upon the eastern coast, because of the great an- noyance she had been to our coasting. She had also been a troublesome visitant at several of the Islands. But the event which rendered this season peculiarly memora- Perry's vic- ble, was the brilliant victory of Commodore Perry, Sept. 10,^°*^^' on lake Erie. This excited a general burst of rejoicing and ap- plause ; — as the Federalists and Democrats were happily joint partakers, in the joy and triumph occasioned by these naval vic- tories. Nay, the former, with sentiments of exultation, often con- trasted the navy, which they said they had always espoused, and which had already won to the nation so much glory, — with the ' contemptible' Gunboats, as they called them, of Mr. Jefferson's upon"Gan« administration, — a futile system of experiments, totally unable, either to protect our seaports, or our commerce, — or to educe for the country a spark of honor. In this eventful year, we have, fortunately, more than a triple Battles of offset for the capture of General Winchester's army, at theJ^^ns^S"" river Raisin, and the defeat of Major Beaseley, at the river ^^giish. Vol. II. 80 634 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.D. 1813. Tenshaw, by the British :— -in the success of our arms at York, • — ^the signal victory of General Harrison, Oct. 1, over General Proctor, near ' Old Moravian town — and the well fought battle at Williamsburgh'-^all in Upper Canada ; — to which, add three victories over the Creek Nations at the southward, ifejlo?'"'*"" The Prince Regent of Great Britain, in a Cabinet Manifesto of January 8, (1813,) reviewed the unprecedented course of pol- icy pursued by the ruler of France, charged the American gov- ernment with entire subserviency to his measures, and affected to be surprised, that the exercise of the undoubted and hitherto undisputed right of searching neutral merchant vessels in time <' of war, and the impressment of British seamen when found " therein, could be deemed any violation of a neutral flag ; — or " to take such seamen from on board of such vessels, could be " considered by any neutral state, as a hostile measure, or a jus- tifiable cause of war." But it seems he was now evidently de- termined to prosecute with more vigor, the war waged against him by the United States, as he was prepared and enabled to do, in consequence of the daily reverses of Buonaparte's fortune and Mediation of success against the allies. In the mean time, the Emperor Russia. q£ j^uggjj^ proposed to mediate a reconciliation between the Brit- ish and Americans-— an office of friendship which met with ac- ceptance ; and our embassy sailed in May, and met the British envoys at Ghent, on the 8th of August. Privateer- By both nations, privateering had been authorized, and its baleful effects were fully experienced by us, along our eastern coasts and among the Islands, The adventure of foreign voy- ages was too hazardous to be so much as mentioned ; for even the enterprizes of fishermen and coasters were checked and de- stroyed ; several sloops and schooners being plundered, taken or Shipj)ing ofburnt. Men finding no employ for their vessels, drew them up sma va ue. dismantled them ; and shipping sunk in fact, to be worth not Provisions half its former value. Articles of importation, not even except- scarce and ^^^^ breadstufFs, in this eastern country commanded ex- travagant prices ; living was expensive, and sometimes, among the poor, quite difficult. Speculation seemed to float without control ; and the unaccountable fluctuation in the prices of for- eign articles imported, was such as to beggar all the sagacity and experience of the most shrewd and calculating merchants and Chap, xxv.] of Maine. 635 men.* Fortunes were made and lost in a day ; and nothing but A. D. I813. some ffleams of peace, seemed to check this maddening spirit Specuia- . . tioni of risque and theoretic adventure. On the recommendation of the President, March 30, 1814, A. D. 1814. Congress at length repealed all the restrictive laws which had ^J^rch 30. o D r Restriclive been passed. But it had no essential effect upon our commerce laws ail re- . . -j-v . . , . pealed. or navigation. Our seaboard was infested with British cruis- April 25. ers ; and on the 25th of April, the whole of our Atlantic coast The whole from Eastport to Mississippi, was declared by Admiral Coch- coast biock- rane, to be in a state of blockade. For the purposes of defence, the President next made a requisition upon the States, for pro- visional detachments of the militia, proposing to command them in the field by one of his officers. Gov. Strong disregarded the Governor ^ 00 Strong re- call, alleging, that if they were commanded by any other than fuses^toobey himself, as Captain-General, or his subordinates, they might, in dent's call violation of the State Constitution, be marched beyond the limits Militia, of the Commonwealth, and its own citizens left undefended ; he and his political supporters insisting, that the administration, which had plunged the nation into war and exacted allegiance, ought to provide and guaranty protection. As a party, they ap- peared disposed to leave no expedient unessayed to thwart the policy of the general government, so far as conquest was the ob- ject. For instance. General Provost, Governor of Lower Can- ada, had, in October last, ordered 45 of our oflicers and sol- diers into close confinement ; and, therefore, to retaliate the wrong. Retaliation the President sent eleven officers to the county goal in Worces- gSh!'^ ter. But the General Court refused to allow the United States the use of the county prisons for such a purpose ; — a refusal, however, which good sense, ingenuousness and justice, could hardly approve. The events and battles between the 20th of March and the 5th of October, 1814, were more important and memorable than all The battles, events and the rest during the war. Though the Essex, commanded by Capt. American Porter, was captured at Valparaiso, March 28 ; she cost a British this year.' * Before the war, — Since the war, — Coffee was from 18 to 20cts, per lb. In 1813, from 35 to 38 ; 1814^15,-20 to 22 per lb. Molasses, " 60 to 70 per gall. " " 1,50, 60 to 65 per gall Souchong tea, 1,40 to 1,50 per lb. " " 1,90 to 2,00 " 90 to 1,00 per lb' Hyson tea, " 1,80 to 1,90 per lb. " " 3,00 to 3,10 " 1,60 to 1,90 do. Cog. Brandy, " 1,80 to 2,00 per Ibi " » 3,00 to 3,50 » l,80to2,20pergall. 636 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.D. 1814. frigate, the Phebe, and a sloop of war, the Cherub^ so hard a fought battle for two hours and a half, that their commanders were forced to concede to Porter and his brave men, the merit of well earned, imperishable glory. To this succeeded the capture of the British Epervier, April 29, by Captain Warrington in the Peacock. Next the defeat of the British at Chippewa, July 4, by General Brown ; and his second sanguinary battle, July 25, at Bridgewater, near Niagara Falls, with the army under General Drummond : Also the capture of the British sloop of war, prob- ably the Avon, by Captain Blakely, in the Wasp ; which he was obliged to leave, in consequence of an attack by two other ves- sels of war. The defeat of Sir George Provost at Plattsburgh, Sept. 5th ; and the splendid victory of Commodore Chauncy, Sept. 11, on Lake Champlain. The unsuccessful attack of the British upon Baltimore, and the battle, Sept. 17, between the forces of General Brown and General Drummond, connected with the preceding events, acquired to the American arms fresh Washington ^"^^ verdant laurels. If the enemy, in August, could boast of city taken, capturing Washington, the seat of our National Government ; it was an exploit, basely tarnished by the Vandal destruction made of the Capitol, President's House and the Public Offices. Manufac* But though war be an evil, and its effects were severely felt by the eastern people ; it had manifestly become promotive of the mechanic arts and manufacturing establishments. Our country abounded with materials ; men of wealth and business were readyjto make heavy investments in factories ; and the General Court, this year incorporated about thirty Companies for the purposes ot manu- facturing cottons, woollens, duck, glass, files, wire and other articles. General According to the State valuation, revised and completed this year, the taxable property in Maine amounted to nearly one mill- ion and a half of dollars ; and the taxable polls were upwards Nine new of fifty-one thousand.* There were m*wc towns established this Rateable Polls. Counties. Valuation. Ratio of $1,000. $42,12 9,293 York $288,522,07 9,577 Cumberland 338,495.07 48,08 10,093 Lincoln 253,464,81 38,93 7>398 Kennebeck 174,538,19 27,25 6,852 Hancock 168,973,13 i6,08 1,984 Washiog-ton 47,611,93 7,40 2,480 Somerset 69,181,55 10,49 4,130 Oxford 102,354,42 15,78 51,807 1,443,141,17 116,832 in Massachusetts proper. 216,13 Chap, xxt.] of maine. 637 year; — viz. Phipsburg,* incorporated January 26 ; Sears- A, D. 1814. MONTjf Belmont,{ and BloomfielDj§ the 5th, South-Ber- poTatedT^*^" Phipsburg, (the 200th town,) was so named in memory of Sir William Phips. It embraces the peninsula between Sag-adahock and New-Mead- ows rivers, bounded north on Winnegance Creek, which partly separates it from Bath. This town was taken from old Georgetown, [See ante, A. D. 1718.] Popham's fort was in Phipsburg-, where the earliest colony was located, that was ever attempted to be planted in Maine. Near the site of the old fort, is the United States' fortification. + Searsmont, (the 201st town,) previously called Green, was first settled in 1804. It received its corporate name from David Sears of Boston ; the town being- owned by Sears, Thorndike and Prescott. It is a part of the Waldo Patent. It contains about 20,000 acres, and was surveyed in 1809 by J. Malcolm and J. Gleason. Here are 12 mills. — Ansel Lothrop''s Let. I Belmont, (the 202d town,) contains 20,000 acres. It was also a part of Green Plantation. The first settler was Daniel Dollif, who made a beg-in- ning in 1790. The title to the land is from Henry Knox ; who sold to B. Joy and S. Parkman. A post-office was established here in 1817. The name Belmont was proposed by Georg'e Watson, Esq. Representative of Belfast, who aided in procuring- the incorporation of the town. — MS. Let. of James Weymouth and Joseph Drew, Esqrs, \ Bloomjield, (203d town) was first called the plantation of Wessarunset, from the name of the stream which runs throug^h Cornville and empties into the Kennebeak on the north side of Bloomfield. This town was taken from Canaan. [See this town, 1788.] The original settlement was com" menced by Peter Heywood, Joseph Weston and their associates from Concord, Mass. in 1771. So much were they captivated with the pleasant- ness and fertility of the country, that they called it Canaan, a new land of promise ; Bloomfield being- an appropriate name for the part lying- south of the river, now incorporated, including- the Islands in the river. Scow- hegan Falls are a short distance above the mouth of Wessarunset, at the north-west corner of the town. This town is a part of the Plymouth Pa- tent. It was surveyed in 1779 by John Jones, Esq. At the Falls are vil- lages on each side of the river, where are 6 or 7 mills and a larg-e estab- lishment for machinery. The bridge over the river, built in 1809, cost 5,500 dollars. Bloomjield Academy was incorporated, Feb. 1807. The ed- ifice will accommodate lOO scholars. The first representative to the Gen^ eral Court was B. Shepherd, Esq. The post-oflSce was established in 1795. In 1777, « a few men were taken by the Indians and carried to Canada," from whom they escaped and returned. There are in town two meeting- houses, one for congregationalists and one for baptists. The first settled minister was Rev. Nathaniel Whitaker, D. D. a Presbyterian from Salem, installed in 1784. He was dismissed in 1789, and Rev. J. Calef was or- dained in 1793 ; Rev. John Cayford in 1809, and in 1814, Rev. Fifield Holt.— JtfS. Let. from Bloomjield, 638 THE HISTORV [VoL. II. A. D. 1814. WICK,* the 12th, and Westbrook,"!* the 14th of February ; San- GERviLLE,J and Hermon,'^* on the 1 3th, and Newport, || on the 14th of June. There were also incorporated, on the 25di and 26th of Feb- ruary, two Literary Institutions ; these were Maine Charity School^ a Theological Seminary,ir established at Bangor 5 and Hancock Free School, established at Williamsburgh. * South- Berwick, (204th town,) is taken from the south side of Berwick. [See A. D. 1713 ; also Elliot incorporated 1810 ; and embracing about 12,000 acres.'] South-Berwick contains less tl)an 10,000 acres. The town ad- joins Quampeagan Falls, and extends to Salmon Falls.*; Great Works river runs through the town. Mr. Chadbourne, one of the first settlers, purchas" ed of the natives in 1643, lands on both sides of this river at its mouth, which his posterity still hold. -^Sullivan, p. 20, 247. — This was the parish of Unity, sometimes called * Quampeag-an Landing-.' Here Mr. John Wade was settled, A. D. 1702, where a meeting-house v/as then built. His successor was Rev. Jeremiah Wise, ordained in Nov. 1707. He died Jan. 20, 1756 ; and Rev. Jacob Foster was settled in Sept. following. His sue* cessor was Rev. John Thompson, settled in 1783. — The parish was divided in 1751, and a meeting-house was built at Blackberry-hill, and Mr. Morse was settled in 1755. — [See Berwick^-^Greenleafs Ecc. Sketches, p. 29 — 34.] Here is an Academy, incorporated in March, 1791. South-Berwick Bank was incorporated with $150,000 capital. f Westhrook, (205th town,) first Stroudwater, till changed, June 4, 1814, was taken from Falmouth, having been incorporated the 4th parish of that town, in 1764. Rev. Thomas Browne was settled here in August, 1765, where he continued his ministry 32 years. He was succeeded, in Oct. 1799, by Rev. Caleb Bradley. I Sangerville, (206th to\^n,) Was settled in 1806. At first it was called Amestown, from the first settler, Phineas Ames. The corporate name was in compliment to Calvin Sanger, the principal proprietor. § Herman, of 24,360 acres, (207th town,) is one of the four towns as- signed to Gen. Knox by the State, to complete the complement of the Waldo patent. — [See Bangor, ante, A. D. 1791.] — Number of acres in the four towns, 83,000 — about half of which was assigned to Knox. II JVewport, (208th town,) Was settled in 1807, and was previously called ♦ Great East-pond Plantation.' The pond covers 4,500 acres. It afforded a portage for the Indians in their route from Penobscot to the eastern branch of the Sebasticook and hence the name of the town. In 1809, the town contained 94 families. The soil was sold by the State to David Green of Boston ; and lands were surveyed in 1792. A Post-oflice was established here in 1817.-— Jl/S. Letter of Benjamin Shaw, Esq. IF This was put under two Professors. One was the late pious and ex- cellent Rev. John Smith, D.D. who died in April, 1831. The Institution has flourished, and been the means of extensive good. The edifice, two stories high, with a cupola, was consumed by fire, March 2, 1829. Belong- ing to the Seminary, is a considerable Library,— and it has some funds. Chap, xxvj.] OF MAINE, 639 CHAPTER XXVI. The British take possession of Eastport — Their transactions in that quarter — St, Georges' river visited hy the enemy — Castine seized upon and occupied by the enemy — Expedition up the river Penobscot — The Adams destroyed — Possession taken of Hamp- den and Bangor — The rapine and conduct of the enemy in the towns upon the Penobscot — Return of the squadron to Castine — The militia, called to arms, encamp at TViscasset — A proclama- tion by the British commanders — Castine, a port of entry — Ma- chias seized upon by the enemy — Government instituted by Gen- eral Sherbrook over his New Province — Oath of allegiance re- quired— A British vessel taken — Mails stopped at the river — Custom-house at Hampden — Great trade — Smuggling — Agency to Halifax — Business at Castine — Neivs of peace — Jackson^ s suc- cesses at NeW'Orleans—Hartford Convention — Castine evacu- ated. Though the losses and privations of our Eastern citizens were a, d. 1814^ great during the two first years of the war, no portion of their Small fore© territory had been actually invaded. At an early period, two EasipTrt. companies of Militia, detached from the Brigade of General Blake, upon the Penobscot, were stationed at fort Sullivan, in Eastport, under Major Philip Ulmer, and were relieved within a year by regular troops. Of these, George Ulmer, Esq. was commissioned by the President, the Colonel-commandant. On receiving the appointment, he resigned the office of Major-Gen- eral of the 10th Militia division, which he was then holding ; and was succeeded by David Cobb, who had been Lieutenant-Gov- ernor of the State. It was Colonel Ulmer's design and duty ta prevent, if possible, all smuggling and illicit intercourse with the enemy ; in the faithful discharge of which, he gave to the inhab- itants some affront. Hence the government substituted in his. place Major Perley Putnam of Salem. His command extended so far as to include a slight fortification, manned by 30 men, at Robbinston, under a Lieutenant, as well as to the garrison on Moose Island, where he had about 70 men. 640 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1814. On the 5th of July, a small British expedition, secretly de- Juiy 6. spatched from Halifax, was joined by a fleet, six days from Ber- pedilLn. muda ; and the whole, consisting of the Ramilies, a 74, having on board the Commodore, Sir Thomas Hardy, — the Martin sloop of war, — the brig Borer, — the Breame, — the Terror, a bomb- ship — and several transports, carrying a large body of soldiers commanded by Colonel Thomas Pilkington, arrived abreast of July 11. Eastport on the 11th of the month, when the Commodore de- port "^^'^^^^ ^ surrender of the Fort, allowing only five minutes for an answer. The fort shall be defended against any force whatever, was Putnam's reply; and he prepared to meet an assault. But through the importunate persuasions of the inhabitants, he was reluctantly induced to order his flag struck, without resistance. By the terms of capitulation, all the public property, consisting of four 18-pounders, two sixes and the munitions of war, were law- ful prize — ^the soldiers surrendering, were put on board the enemy's prison-ship, — the five commissioned officers were ad- mitted to their parol, and all private rights and interests of the inhabitants were to be respected. 1,000 men Forthwith, upwards of 1,000 men, principally the 102d Regi- there.^ ment of Infantry and a battalion of Artillery, with females and chil- dren appendant, were by means of the barges set on shore from the shipping ; and about 50 or 60 pieces of cannon were also landed. Possession was taken of the fort, and the British flag immediately hoisted. The captors then seized upon the custom- house property, and took $9,000 in treasury notes unfinished, which they by menaces, pressed the collector to sign. But he absolutely refused, declaring that * death would be no compulsion.* Prizes were made of several vessels ; large quantities of goods were seized for breach of blockade ; and all property belonging to other persons, than the inhabitants of Eastport, was pro- nounced forfeit. Security Ncxt day, Lieutenant-Colonel Fitzherbert sent a letter from fhe pe?pie^° St. Audrews, to John Brewer of Robbinston, Brigadier-General quie7 '^^"^^ Militia in Washington county, stating, by order of Major- General Sir John C. Sherbrook, that the object of the British government in the present expedition was to * obtain possession of * the Islands in Passamaquoddy bay ; — as being within the Brit- * ish boundary line ; that there was no design to carry on offensive Chap, xxvi.] of maine. 641 * operations against the people resident on the main, unless their A. D. 1814. * conduct should provoke severities ; and that if they continued * quiet, neither their persons nor their property would be in the * least molested.' Also the commanders, Hardy and Pilkington, on the 14th, issued a proclamation in the name of the Prince Regent, declaring, that the municipal laws established by the American government, for the peace and tranquillity of those Islands, would remain in force ; and commanding them all to con- vene on the 16th at the school-house in Eastport, and take the oath of allegiance to his Britanic Majesty, or within seven days, depart the Islands. Reluctantly about two-thirds of the Islanders submitted to the requirement. The enemy then declared, he had possession of what was his due by the treaty of 1783, and no more. Immediately batteries were erected ; between 40 and 50 cannon were mounted ; a deputy-collector of the customs was appointed ; and the squadron then departing, left upon the Island about 800 troops. A trade was opened by the British at Eastport, which pre- A trade sented the citizens of Maine, with strong temptations to enter into an illicit intercourse with the enemy. So scarce were provisions upon Moose Island, that pork was worth 50 dollars by the barrel, and the soldiers were put on short allowance. No article was permitted to be carried from it, without an equivalent in some- thing eatable, received from the main ; and whatever was fresh, commanded the highest price. The inhabitants were fully aware of their distressed condition. Sales of real estate were daily made to the British, till stopped by proclamation ; and all were anxious to get away. The National government and its agents, now resolved effect- Provisions ually to prevent smuggling. Yet men would presume to drive the enemy, cattle towards the lines for the enemy, in defiance of law or rulers. Only a short time elapsed, ere the collector at Machias seized one drove, bound thither, and another, flying through the woods, hardly avoided arrest. Next, the British sent a party to drive Lieut. Mannine; and his Manning re- company, from their station at Robbmston j who being unable to chias. stand a siege, on the approach of the enemy, destroyed whatever they could not carry away, and retired to Machias. Soon after this, a body of men, despatched in barges from two armed ships, Vol. II. 81 642 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.D. 1814. lying at the mouth of St. George's river, entered in the night- A ^o'^J^^^^* time, without opposition, the fort below Thomaston, spiked the ge's river, guns, destroyed the munitions of war and buildings, set fire to one vessel, and towed away two others. It is said the barges ventured within a mile of Knox's wharf, near the old Fort ; and were only hastened back by the appearance of daylight. So bold was this adventure, that it excited a general and extensive alarm. Colonel Foote of Camden, ordered out a great part of his regiment, to guard and defend the neighboring coast and country ; a draft was made upon the militia of Bangor and its Casiine and Vicinity, to join the regular troops in the garrison at Castine ; and Machias Machias had reason to expect a visit from the enemy every hour. alarmed, ^ J J Business at the latter place, was suspended ; many inhabitants made preparations to remove to places of more safety ; and Judge Campbell, one of the Justices of the Common Pleas, ap- pearing in the court-house, on the first day of the annual August term, found no suitors, and therefore adjourned the Court with- out day. Expedition Supply the troops at Halifax with provisions, for which they against Cas- were Suffering, Caj)t. Barrie^ in the Dragon, of 74 guns, was despatched to that station, from the Chesapeak, with 800 barrels of flour and other articles, attended by their captured vessels, which had on board some freights. On his arrival there, an ex- pedition was speedily planned against Penobscot and Machias. The fleet consisted of three 74s, the Dragon, Spenser and Bul- wark; two frigates, late from the Mediterranean, the Burhante and Tenedos ; two sloops of war, the Sylph and Peruvian ; an armed schooner called the Pictu; a large tender and ten trans- ports. The number of troops embarked were about 3,000.* Lieutenant-General Sir John C. Sherbroke had the paramount, and Major-General Gosselin the immediate command of the land forces, and Edward Griffith, Esq. Rear-Admiral of the white, commanded the naval squadron. Fielueaves The fleet left Halifax, August 26, and on Thursday, Sept. 1, SeptT. rode into the harbor of Castine, — sounded, and came to an- CaAtine.^^ chor. So formidable was their appearance, that the troops at * Some said there were 6,000 embarked. It is only certain that the for- ces consisted of the G2d and 98th regiments, 2 rifle companies of the 60th regiment, and a detachment of royal artillery ; — possibly in all, 3,500 men, besides women and children, attached to the army. Chap, xxvi.] of maine. 643 the garrison and their commander, supposing all resistance would A. D. 1814. be worse than futile, did not so much as wait for a summons to surrender, but instantly discharged the cannon, blew up the fort, and fled for safety up the bay. In the course of the day, a large body of troops were set on shore, possession was taken of the fortification, the court-house and other buildings were entered, and occupied as barracks for the soldiers, and parts of the best dwellinghouses were taken for the accommodations of the officers. A flag was soon despatched across the bay to Belfast with a mes- Belfast visit- sage to the people, that if they made no resistance, they should not be injured. Still it was followed by General Gosselin with 600 men in two armed vessels, who took possession of the town. To parties of the soldiery, longing for fresh provisions, and eager for the enjoyment of a rural range, permission was given to visit the neighboring plantations ; and after revelling upon the rarities, the- best and most palatable they could find, the whole party in a few days returned to Castine. A part of the fleet, consisting of the Dragon, the Sylph and a squadron Peruvian, the Harmony, a transport, and a prize-tender, all un- rhe^^rfver"'' der Capt. Barrie, carrying about 500 infantry, riflemen, or " sharp-shooters," and a small train of light-artillery, under Col. Henry John and Major Riddle, proceeded without delay, up the waters of the Penobscot, and came to anchor in Marsh bay ; where the shipping lay, about four or five leagues below Bangor harbor, during the night. A few weeks previously, the United States' corvette, Adams, rp^^g Adams a sloop of war, rated at 18 guns, and mounting 24, had been JJ^^^^pj with extreme difficulty, taken up the river by her commander, Mor"s. Capt. Charles Morris, and was then lying at the mouth of the Sowadabscook stream in Hampden, for repairs. It seems she had met with the singular success of capturing, within the short space of three months, a ship, two brigs and a schooner ; and was afterwards, on the 17th of August, cast upon the shores of the Isle of Holt, in stress of weather, and was hardly preserved from total wreck. Capt. Morris was now engaged in refitting her for another cruise ; and as soon as tidings by a herald from Castine, were communicated to him and Brigadier-General Blake of Brewer, and the news spread, that the fleet was ascending the river, all had the best reason to suspect the object of the enemy was the destruction of the Adams, and the capture of two valu- 644 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. v. J814. able merchant-vessels, the Decatur* and the Victory, at anchor Decaturand off Hampden villasre. Morris, without loss of time, hoisted out Victory. the cannon upon Crosby's wharf, and formed two batteries, one Morris' bat- of 14 guns upon that place, and the other of 9 guns upon a com- manding eminence, 50 rods below, and not far from the water ; from which he was able to rake destructively, any approaching ship. To the militia, who by the General's orders were coming in by companies, during the day, mixed with volunteers, Morris offered a supply of muskets and ammunition, if they were desti- tute ; and determining to make all possible resistance, he assigned to Lieut. Wadsworth the command of the hill-battery, and that on the wharf to Lieut. Lewis. Defensive In the afternoon, he met Gen. Blake, his officers and some of measures. the most influential citizens in a council of war ; where he was much chagrined to find indecision and disunion, which, with the discouraging remarks made, directly tended to raise doubts as to the expediency of resistance, or our ability to repel the enemy. He and others assured their opposers, that no one ought to repose confidence of safety in British magnanimity : — ' No,' said he, * our arms must be our defence ; — keep the enemy from outflank- * ing me, and 1 will prevent his ascending the river, by the bat- * tery ; — these are our respective duties and we must discharge * them.' But the whole day was spent in query, without any specific well digested plan of operations, and without the energy indispensable to military control. No entrenchment, — nor yet the slightest breastwork was prepared ; nay, if there were in all the deliberations any real result, it was, that a line of battle be form- ed, resting the right wing on the meeting-house, and the left on the high ground towards the hill-battery. By the Adjutant's re- turns at night, the whole number in arms was about 500 militia- men from the vicinity, principally belonging to Colonel Grant's regiment, a part of Captain Trafton's troop of horse, and Captain Hammond's company of Artillery, with two brass four-pounders. They had also taken from the Adams, an 18 pound carronade, mounted, which was planted in the highway, near the meeting- house, and well manned. The winds being light and adverse, the Dragon did not weigh * The Decatur, Brown, master, had arrived here, July 19th, from Ro- chclle, with a rich cargo of brandy, wine, oil and silks. Chap, xxvi.] of maine. 645 anchor during the day ; but the residue of the squadron with A. D. I814. great exertion, ascended a couple of leagues, into Bald-hill-cove, ^"j^"*,^'""}* and landed at sunset, on the west bank, two miles below Morris' cove, batteries, about 500 light troops, including a small train of Artil- lery. The militia continued under arms, and Morris' men stood by their guns, all night ; for it was reported by our videttes, that the enemy was unquestionably preparing to move both by land and water as early as daylight, and before, if favored by the wind and weather. But the night was rainy and dark, and the morning foggy; so that the enemy did not appear upon the land in view of our lines, till about eight of the clock. As he The nrriimaa advanced with a quick step, our soldiery were commanded toihe^rar^s reserve their fire till he was near, and then take aim. They dis- ^" "^^^^^ charged a few rounds; when it was perceived, that the line was broken near the centre, and the men had begun to retreat without orders. The example was contagious ; and all the ex- ertions of the officers to rally them anew, were without effects Major Chamberlain, Captain Trafton, Adjutant Gilmore, and David J. Bent,* a non-commissioned officer of the Artillery, wha had command of the great gun, in the highway, — all discovered activity and valor. Bent was among the last to leave the ground ; and most of the officers and many of the soldiers were filled witk pain and regret to witness a retreat in the midst of confusion-, which could not be without dishonor. The moment the armed vessels, which were preceded by bar- Mom&ne- ges full of soldiers, were discovered by Capt. Morris, he opened a raking fire of grape and canister shot upon them from the bat- tery, which he continued with spirit and effect, for about 20 or 25 minutes ; when he perceived th^t the militia were retreating, and the British would, if he remained there, soon outflank him in the position taken; he, therefore spiked his guns, set fire to the Adams and the store-house, and retreated with his brave companions to Bangor, and thence, through a back woody road, to Kennebeck, Within one hour after the firing was begun, the vessels and Pitia^ of the village of Hampden, were in full possession of the enemy. * Chamberlain and Gilmore were afterwards Colonels of the Regiment ; Trafton, General of the Brigade ; and Bent, Major of the squadron of Ar- tillery. THE HISTORY [VoL. II. , 1814. Hence, succeeded a scene of abuse, pillage and destruction, which were a disgrace to the British name. Sixty or seventy of the principal inhabitants were seized and put under hatches; and at sunset, were removed to the cabin of the Decatur, where they were restrained during the night, without fresh air, fresh water, or any quiet sleep. — Next day, it is true, all except ten or twelve of the principal men, were admitted to their parol, while those still kept in custody, were put on board a prison-ship, where they were detained till another day, before they were set at lib- erty. The people were treated with abusive language,^ — their houses and stores were rifled, — their cattle killed, — some of their vessels were burnt, — and a bond was exacted from the town in the penal sum of $12,000, conditioned to deliver certain others at Castine, in October. Suffice it to say, that the losses and damages sustained by the people of Hampden, as subsequently ascertained, amounted to 44.000 dollars. In the midst of the rapine, a committee waited on Capt. Barrie, and told him they expected at his hand the common safeguard of humanity, if nothing more. He replied, ' I have none for you. My business *is to burn, sink and destroy. Your town is taken by storm, and * by the rules of war, we ought both to lay your village in ashes, * and put its inhabitants to the sword. But I will spare your * lives, though I mean to burn your houses.' A messenger was then despatched to General Sherbroke at Castine, upon the sub- ject, who returned an order not to burn without dire necessity. enemy The enemy's vessels proceeded without delay up the river ; and at the same time, about two thirds of the troops took up their march by land, towards Bafcigor. From this place, flags of truce were sent by land and water, to the advancing comman- ders ; but the best terms which could be obtained were * uncon- ditional submission.' When the Peruvian, Sylph, Harmony and transports entered the harbor, a few congreve rockets were thrown from them over the village, two cheers were given, and all the shipping anchored at the mouth of the Kenduskeag. Barrie rode up on horseback, in company with Col. John and Major Riddle, at the head of the detachment. Arriving about noon, he first demanded of the inhabitants, provisions and barracks for troops ; and threatened to give them leave to plunder the village, if there was not a compliance with his requirements instantly. The Court-house, two school-houses, a dwellinghouse, and one Chap, xxvi.] of Maine. 647 other building were opened to receive them; cattle and sheep A.D. J814. were butchered, and several barrels of pork were turned out to them from the stores ; all the bread in the bake-house was taken ; the best of liquors and garden vegetables were furnished ; and two of the better dwellinghouses were entered and occupied, as the resort of the commissioned officers. Also, the enemy took Their con- the town's stock of powder — the fieldpieces which were at Hampden, — a quantity of merchandize, previously seized by a custom-house officer for breach of the revenue laws, — upwards of $50 post-office money were exacted and taken, and tilso the military arms and other like articles owned by the inhabitants ; — also 191 men were compelled to report themselves, by their own signatures, prisoners of war. They were then admitted to their parol, and the safety of their families promised them, upon a stipulation, not to serve against his Britanic Majesty or his allies during the war, unless regularly exchanged. No resistance had been made by the inhabitants of this town, Capiiuia- except by those in the military companies at Hampden, and bo"(it"ven therefore it was expected, that private rights and property would Isi/offiJSi' be respected. But owners were sadly disappointed ; for the soldiery and the marines coming ashore, entered ten or twelve stores on the southerly side of the Kenduskeag, and by Barrie's permission, plundered them of their contents. They also rifled such dwellinghouses as the inhabitants had deserted ; books and valuable papers were pillaged from lawyers' offices and other places ; and four vessels on the stocks in the village and its pre- cincts, were threatened with flames. At this menace, there was great perturbation ; as the flames of the vessels, enraged by a fresh breeze then blowing, would probably lay the whole village in ashes. To prevent the fatal catastrophe, the selectmen of the town, by the advice of their neighbors, promised to give the enemy a bond, professing to bind the corporation in the penal sum of ^30,000 to deliver the four vessels at Castine, before the close of the ensuing October. When this bond was delivered, the next morning, which was the Sabbath, Capt. Barrie and Col. John, gave a written assurance, that all private property, both in Bangor and Orono, including every unfinished vessel, should be preserved, such only as were in the river being excepted. The troops were kept under arms through the night, — and it Sopi. 4. was truly a fearful one, to all the families, who knew nothing of take or"de-^ 648 A. P. 1814, siroy the shipping. Return to Hampden. Sept 6. Mischief there. Sept. 6. Also at Frankfort. THE HISTORY [VoL. II. the arrangement. In the nnorning, preparations were manifestly on font, to take away or destroy all the shipping in the harbor, and to leave the place. The movement commenced soon after noon. There were in the harbor at this time seventeen vessels, also three more on the Brewer side of the river not launched. These and ten others were burnt; and the rest taken down the river. Several were partly loaded ; some being moved only a short distance got ashore and were seen in flames at twilight and the dusk of the evening.* The losses and damages sustained by the people of Bangor, and the owners of vessels there, were found on a subsequent investigation to exceed 45,000 dollars. The enemy returned to Hampden in the afternoon, carrying with him, besides other booty, 18 or 20 horses; and the land- forces encamped during the night on the acclivity towards the hill battery. His stay in Bangor was about thirty hours. The next day, Sept. 5, the Decatur and the KutusofF, at Hampden, were burnt ; and the soldiers and sailors committed upon the inhabitants various acts of wanton mischief, such as the destruc- tion of household-furniture, books and papers. They also broke off the pivots and breechings of the cannon on the hill, and threw those on the wharf into the river. On Tuesday the 6th, the enemy proceeded to Frankfort; where the vessels came to anchor, and the Commodore demanded of the inhabitants 40 oxen,f 100 sheep and an unknown number of geese. He also required them to surrender their arms and ammunition — a part of which only was delivered ; and in general the sturdy republicans of this town were slow to obey any of his commands. Denouncing vengeance against them for their de- lays, he re-embarked the troops on the 7th, and returned to Cas- line. So much public indignation and chagrin were occasioned by * Burnt, the brig- Caravan; schooners, JVeptune^s barge ; Thinks- l-to-my- self ; Eunice and Polly ; the Gladiator ; the Three Brothers ; the Sloop Ranger ; three unlaunched vessels in Brewer and one in Bangor, not- withstanding- the stipulation. There were also three others in the harbor, that were destroyed, names not recoIlected.= I4, in all. They carried away, the Bangor Packet ; Schooner Oliver Spear ; the Hancock^ which was re- taken ; the Z.t/ci/> which was lost; the Polly, which was ransomed, and the beautiful Boat Cato, which could not be recovered,=6. f George Halliburton afterwards sued Frankfort for a yoke of oxen fur- nished the enemy at the request of the selectmen. But he lost his case and his oxen.— 14 JJass. T. Reports, A. D. 1817, p. 214. Chap, xxvi.] oF MAINE. 649 the feeble efforts,* which the militia at Hampden made, to resist a. d. 1814. the enemy's progress, that the government of the State, f ^"s^^" ^j- tuted an examination into the conduct of General Blake by a Enquiryand . . -r* 1 • J t • r Couri-mar* military Court of enquiry.J But they acquitted him of censure tiai. and suspicion. Immediately the General put Colonel Grant and Major Chamberlain under arrest, who were subsequently tried by a Court Martial at the same place — and the command of the former was suspended two years j but the latter was honorably discharged.^ From the violent manner In which the enemy had seized upon The miiuia Penobscot, there were strong apprehensions, that he designed to vvbcassef. extend his conquests to the banks of the Kennebeck. The peo- ple in the seaports especially, were much alarmed ; and Major- General King of Bath, issued orders for the whole of his division to appear in arms, at Wiscasset, and other places of his appoint- ment. A part of General SewalPs division also was put in requi- sition ; and Wiscasset the place of general rendezvous, was pres- ently filled with soldiery. Several families hurried away con- siderable quantities of their goods and household effects, and left the town. The specie was removed from the vaults of the Bath and Wiscasset Banks. A detachment proceeded even to Penob- scot, and had a view of the fleet as it passed Orphan Island, on its return to Castine. But the enemy by way of precaution, had taken and placed conspicuously upon the decks of his vessels, several prisoners, who could not be mistaken, and whose exposure prevented a shower of musquetry from the highland shores. The motion of the enemy was constantly watched. Several sail were seen, Sept. 10 and 11, off Pemaquid ; and one party ac- * Ouf loss was three or four killed J and the British lost by death and desertion about 3 times that number. f As the militia were called out by General Blakei and obeyed his or- ders ; those who appeared exacted pay for their services ; and the State made them up a pay-roll of $1,200, which they received from the treasury. \ This Court consisted of Major-General Sewall of Augusta, and Brig-a- dier-Generals Irish of Gorham, and Payson of Wiscasset They sat at the Court-house in Bangor, about a week. \ These military Courts were in the spring of 1816. — The Prssident of the Court Martial was Major-General Alford Richardson of North- Yarmouth, and John Wilson of Belfast was Judge Advocate. The Court which sat upwards of a week consisted t>f twelve membcrg, beside* twd Sapemumeraries, and a Marshal. Vol. II. 82 650 THE HISTORY [VoL. II, A.D. 1814, tually landed at Camden, and another at Northport. The mih'tia forces were continued in arms ; and Wiscasset was an encamp- ment, till it was known that most of the fleet had proceeded east- ward from Castine. A Procia- Jn the preparations made by Lieutenant-General Sherbrook malion by i r j the chief of- and Admiral Griffith, at the peninsula of Castine, for extensive ficers. . establishments, they issued proclamations, dated Sept. 1st and 5th, by which they assured the people between Passamaquoddy and Penobscot, — that if they continued to dwell quietly at their homes and pursue their usual occupations, surrendered their arms and forbore to communicate intelligence to the Americans, they should have protection and enjoy safety ; — that all who would furnish the British troops with provisions should be ade- quately paid for them ; — that the municipal laws of the American government, established for the conservation of the peace, would continue in force till further orders ; — and that the civil magis- trates would be supported, as they had been previously, in the execution of their official trust and legal duties. Castine, a Castinc was made a port of entry, and William Newton ap- fry? ° ^" pointed collector of the customs. There was also a general order promulgated, that all the ports eastward should be entitled to the same commercial privileges, as were enjoyed by other places in the British Provinces. The Registry of Deeds was diligently searched, to ascertain what lands were non-resident and subject to confiscation. All the United States' property was pronounced forfeit ; and as Mr. Hook, the collector, had the good fortune to make a safe and seasonable retreat, with the public papers, pos- session was taken of his estate as confiscated. \t^\ L On the 12th, Sherbrook and Griffith re-embarked about half Most of the ' enemy pro- Qf jj^g trooDs, and with scvcn or eisht sail, steered eastward ; ceed against ^ ' ° ... Machias. leaving Rear- Admiral Milne, Commodore of the remaining ships, and General Gosselin, commander of the new-conquered Pro- vince. The place of particular destination proved to be Machias ; where there was a fort garrisoned by 50 regular soldiers, several militia-men, and auxiliaries lately from Robbinston, commanded by Capt. Leonard, and defended by ten mounted 24-pound can- non. On the 13th, a party landed at Buck's harbor, a league or more below the fort, and took up their march thither, encouraged by a spirited fire, which was opened from the shipping. When the strength of the invading force, and the impossibility of de- Chap. XXVI.] of Maine. 651 fending the fort successfully, were perceived, Leonard and Lieu- a. d. 1814. tenant Morse destroyed seven of the guns, set the barracks on fire, blew up the fort, and retreated. Possession was immediately taken, and in the environs were found between 50 and 70 cattle,* seized probably when on their way to Eastport, for breach of the non-intercourse law, or in violation of the laws of war. The enemy now considered the whole country eastward of Penobscot, to be wholly subdued, and the fleet sailed for Halifax. It is an incident worthy of being noticed, that Leonard, Morse, A feat at and Manning on their way from Machias westward, with their soldiers, finding a party of the British at Frankfort, sent there from Castine, to take away a cargo of cocoa and other articles, boldly seized and made twelve of them prisoners, retook and re- stored to the inhabitants 50 muskets; and proceeding onward, delivered the prisoners to the Marshal at Salem. The force of the British at Castine was subject to perpetual British at changes; vessels of war frequently arriving and departing. There were, however, seen in the harbor about this time, the Bulwark 74, a frigate, a brig and 14 transports. The number of troops were understood to be about 2,200. The central eminence of the peninsula had been chosen for the garrison ; where they mounted more than 60 cannon. At the foot of the eminence northward, a canal of 10 or 12 feet in width and 80 rods in length, was excavated ; by which the Penobscot was connected with the river 'Biguyduce or Castine river, and the peninsula converted into an Island. This was done to prevent both desertion and surprize; for the soldiers escaped as often as they had opportunity. East- port, well fortified, was under the command of Lieutenant-Colo- nel Gibbins, whose force was 600 men including a company of Royal Artillery. Sherbrook, on arriving at Halifax, issued a long proclamation, Govem- Sept. 21, for establishing a Provincial government over his new "uf^d 'b* Province, between New- Brunswick and the Penobscot, embracing ^rook' all the opposite Islands upon the coast. He thereby appointed Major-General Gerard Gosselin to command and govern the country ; directed all magistrates and civil officers to perform the duties of their trust, agreeably to the laws and usages of the Gen. Sher- * The sight drew from one of the British officers, the witty remark, that. < this was the first fort he ever saw manned with bullocks.* 662 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.D» 1814. former government; and required the inhabitants to take an oath before such officers as might be appointed, — to behave peaceably and quietly, and not take arms against his Britanic Majesty, Should any individuals refuse to be sworn, or be found affording assistance to the Americans, or travelling without a pass, they would be subjected to military law. Or if any vessel should be caught in trading at any other place, or in entering any other port, than Castine, it would be forfeited and condemned as a prize. But all owners of vessels, who took the oath required, might have a coasting license from Penobscot to New-Brunswick. Foreign trade in British bottoms would be allowed ; they being with their cargoes subject to the same navigation-laws at Castine as at Halifax.* October s. At a special session of the General Court, convened Oct. 5, sSonl*^* to consider the unhappy condition of the eastern conquered country, it was resolved first to adjourn the November term of the Common Plea? from Castine to Bangor, in January ; — all commit- ments were ordered to be in the gaol at Augusta, and all deeds to be recorded, either at that place or at Bangor. Upon the subject of routing the enemy from Castine, the Senate believed it to be inexpedient to make the attempt ; for if it met with suc- cess, it must be at a great sacrifice of lives. A question was also raised, whether James Campbell, a Senator at the board from Washington County, had not been compelled to take an oath of submission to the government of the enemy, incompati- ble with his duties as a legislator ; and whether Martin Kingsley of Hampden, a Senator from Hancock, had not likewise been constrained to subscribe himself a prisoner of war.-^ln the short discussion had upon this subject, it was said, that General Bur- goyne, after he was captured and returned home, took his seat in Parliament, — and the cases of the two Senators were referred to the next session, and never afterwards revived. October J3 General Gosselin, when he received Sherbrook's proclamation, Oath of ai- issued anothcr, Oct 13, by which he appointed the Selectmen of Us\A9t» re- . . . ^uiredofihe Sullivan, to administer the prescribed oaths of allegiance or neu- trality, to all the male inhabitants of sixteen years old and up- wards, within the new Province, requiring them to report their * Sherbropk also commanded all collectors and receivers of public monies or taxes, to pg^y them pver to his collector of the customs at Cas- iim. Chap, xxvi.] of maine. 653 doings, and return rolls of their names. But the Selectmen A D. 1814. were unwilling to perform such an ungracious task ; and sets of men were appointed for the purpose in different places, who to some extent acquitted themselves of the trust. There were now large and daily importations of English goods Tmde and articles of traffic, into Castine ; — particularly, Nov. 3d, a ^^^^ ^ fleet of merchant vessels arrived there from the river St. John, and from Eastport, under convoy of the Furicuse brig of war. Provisions and lumber in great quantities were brought hither to market, and exchanged at a high price for European fabrics and colonial produce ; and the duties* on dry goods ex- acted from residents, were 2 and 1-2 per cent., and from non- residents double. But one of their vessels, a British sloop out of Halifax, with ves^eJlgJen a cargo of bale goods invoiced at $40,000, on her passage to Castine, was captured by Major Miller and an armed crew in a barge from Lincolnville, 3 leagues out, and carried into Cam- den. Informed of the capture, Capt. Mountjoy, in the Furieuse of 38 guns, steered down from Castine to Camden, and demand- ed a return, or restoration of the cargo captured, — threatening if they did not comply, to lay the town and likewise Lincolnville, in ashes. The district Judge, Sewall, was consulted upon the subject ; and he declared the goods ought not to be re-delivered. Defeated in his purpose, and not daring to execute his threats, Mountjoy seized at Camden, two of the Selectmen as hostages, and carried them to Castine ; declaring they should be detained Jill the goods were either paid for or restored. But he found the detention fulile, and at length suffered them to return home. All intercourse between the eastern and western sides of Pe- jy^aUg ,top. pobscot river J wag studiously prevented 5 excepting what was in- ^^f^^^ dispensible to the local condition of the bordering inhabitants. The United States* mail was stopped at the river ; and the Post- master General, Sept. 26, ordered the mails bound farther east- ward, to be opened at the Post-offices nearest to the territory controlled by the enenay, and not to remail, nor send any letters * The duties on rum were 33 cents per ^all. ; on sugar, 120cts. per cwt. ; on molasses, Sets, per gall. ; on brandy and gin, 43ct«. per gall. — The price of fresh beef was from $5 to $6 per cwt. ; of flour the same as in Boston ; of merchantable boards, $10 per thousand. — Molasses was re- tailed in Casting at 75cts. per gall., and other articles in like proportion. 654 THE HISTORY [VoL. 11. A.D. 1814. or papers thither, till the impediments were removed. On the day appointed by law, Nov. 7, for electing an eastern member to Congress, a few places east of the river had meetings and exer- cised the right of suffrage ; but most of the towns, in conse- quence of doubts and their peculiar condition, were not con- vened. A custom Mr. Hook, the collector, opened a custom-house office at Hamp- hoiise open- j r i • i i r n ■, edaiHamp- den, lorthe entries ana clearances of all neutral vessels ; — and the Swedish being of that character, was entitled to the privilege, and Peleg Tolman of Bath, was accredited as Swedish Consul. In this way, goods were continually passing from Castine to Hampden, where they were regularly entered and the duties paid. The Secretary of the Treasury sanctioned the practice, stating, that * Tzew^m/ vessels and cargos, coming from any part of * the British dominions, might be admitted to an entry in every * part of the United States ; the port from which she obtained a * clearance, whether it be real or colorable, from a friendly or a * hostile place, could make no difference in the case. But no * vessel could be permitted to enter into the coasting trade, nor * pass from one district to another in possession of the enemy, * without the requisite documents and papers, prescribed by A great ' acts of Congress.' Hence a great trade was carried on from through the Castine to the western side of the Penobscot, during November and winter. ^^iq winter months ; goods were abundant in market and cheap ; and live stock fit for beef was in great demand, and brought a high price. Hither traders and speculators thronged to procure goods and merchandize ; and taking with them eastern bank bills, drew from the vaults so much specie, the only money receivable at Castine, that the banks were soon under the necessity of stop- ping payment. A discredit was of course given to the bills, till the real cause was understood, when they so far revived as to pass current between the banks, and between debtor and creditor. In prosecuting the trade, gold and silver to a great amount, were brought from the westward into the District ; so that specie was found, in the change of times, to be more plenty than at any for- mer period. amugglingi But when the river became passable on the ice, smuggling was undertaken with obstinate determination. Dry goods pur- chased at Castine, were carried, or conveyed over the river at different places, and at all hours of the night — a practice, which Chap, xxvi.] of maine. 655 the collector was in duty bound to prevent. To cite an instance A.D, 1814. of the difficuhies springing from this illicit traffic : — An agent of the collector seized upon a loaded sleigh, when crossing the river at Hampden about daybreak, and was therefore on com- plaint of the enraged owner, arrested for higliway robbery, ex- amined by magistrates of his own selection, and sent by them in the severity of winter, to close confinement at Augusta ; where he was detained till liberated, on a writ of Habeas Corpus. There were also frequent attempts to drive across fat beeves to the enemy ; and several were seized by order of the Collec- tor, afterwards libelled and condemned. One drove of 28 oxen from the westward, which was taken by him into custody, was rescued from the keepers in the night time, by a party of 15 men. In short, such was the extent of trade, that the sums paid or secured for duties at Hampden in five weeks, amounted, as it was said, to 150,000 dollars. Unable to deliver the &o??c?ec? unfinished vessels at Castine asTheBang'or and Hamp- stipulated, the inhabitants of Bangor and Hampden sent Amos den bonds. Patten and John Crosby, Esqrs., as their agents to General Sherbrook at Halifax, to get either an allowance of farther time, or a part remission of the penalties. But he utterly refused to ameliorate the condition of the bond given by Hampden, and was far from being favorably disposed towards the other. Yet he told Mr. Patten, the people of Bangor might have their choice of four conditions, either to destroy the vessels on the stocks, — deliver them at Castine in the spring, — sell them at auction and distribute the proceeds among the captors, — or pay the penal sum of the bond. Hard as these terms were, no better could be obtained. The agents returned in December, after an ab- sence of six weeks. In the meantime, the enemy had virtually reduced the Hampden bond about half, by sending up and re- moving a considerable part of the vessels in the condition men- tioned. Subsequent events rendered both bonds a dead letter. Castine, during the winter, was a place of great resort by land Castine, a and water; — the seat also of amusement as well as business. Afesortand temporary theatre was opened, and plays performed by actors from Halifax. Here the British officers passed many of their winter evenings, as a principal place of pastime. They were in general, men whose dispositions, manners and minds entitled them amusement. 656 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1815. to respect. Gen. Gosselin, Col. John, Capt. Dickins* of ther Sylph, and several of subordinate grade, were truly humane and high-minded men. But Barrie, Captain of the Dragon, was a total stranger to literature, to every generous sentiment, and even to good breeding. A rough sailor, he had no more to recommend him than a savage boldness, and uncouth severity ; which when dis- played among vanquished foes, served to cast a deep shade upon the British character itself. News of News of peace and a treaty signed at Ghent, Dec. 24, reach- ed this country from Europe, Feb. 11 ;f and spread with ther greatest rapidity through the continent. It was received with every demonstration of joy manifested on similar occasions, by ringing of bells, illuminations, discharge of cannon, and, in sev- eral of the larger towns, by splendid balls and festive dinners. The General Court being then in session, appointed the 22d of February to be observed as a day of public thanksgiving, com- memorative of the joyful event. The war of Never were there before at Washington city, three topics of 2 and . r 1 • 1 v • , years end- Conversation, Iraught With so peculiar diversity, as on the pres- ent occasion. One was the joyful event and festive celebration of peace, after a storm of war, which had raged two years and six months without intermission. Another was the sisnal and re- General . ° Jackson's markably splendid successes of General Jackson, January 8^ successes, against the British army below New Orleans, which shed a re- fulgence of glory on the American arms, at a most interesting junc- ture in the very eve of the war. The third was the home embassy of three Commissioners, from the government of Massachusetts, Hartford gcnt thither to effectuate what the celebrated Hartford Convene Convention. tion had concluded to recommend. That body, of 26 members, distinguished for their talents and intelligence, of whom ten were from Massachusetts and two from Maine appointed by the General Court, closed a session of 20 days, January 4, and pub- lished under their signatures a long report ;{ pointing out such * Capt. Dickins, reputed to have been the son of an English Earl, was a young' officer of graceful manners and noble mind. But just at the close of the war, the Sylph was wrecked and he and his crew lost. There was not a British officer at Bangor, more admired than he was. f On the 6th of Feb. the enemy took possession of Bucksport in a for- mal manner. \ See " Proceedings of the Conventions'^ printed A. D. 1815— in 32 pages. The Delegates from Maine were S. S. Wilde and Stephen Longfellow ^ jr. Chap, xxvi.] of maine. 657 measures to the national administration, as the Federalists cen- a»d. 1815. sured or condemned, and recommending several amendments of the Federal Constitution. The errand of the embassy was to request of the General Government, that * Massachusetts might * separately, or in concert with the neighboring States, assume the * defence of themselves against the enemy ; and that a portion of * the federal taxes, collected within such States, might be paid * over for this purpose into their respective treasuries.' But hap- pily for both political parties, their voice was drowned and lost, amidst the general exultation and joy. The British troops evacuated Castine, April 25, after an en- Castine campment there of eight months ; the inhabitants suffering in the meantime every imaginable inconvenience. The return of their freedom and re-enjoyment of their rights, were celebrated in a joy- ful and festive manner ; and all the eastern country to Eastport was once more clear both of troublesome foreigners and ene- mies. Vol. II. 83 668 THE HISTORY [Vol. II. CHAPTER XXVII. P arty spirit subsides — Business revives — Importations — Reforma- tion of morals — Thirteen towns incorporated — Penobscot County established — A land-office — J. Brooks, Governor — Measures for a Separation — Brunswick convention — Emigration to the western States — Checked — Moose, Dudley and Frederic Islands, deter- mined by Commissioners to belong to the United States — Commis- sioners on the northern boundary — Eastern public lands — Timber on them — Agriculture encouraged — Eight new towns incorporated — The remains of the Indian tribes— Treaty with the Tarra- tines— A farewell view of them — The season — The Sea-serpent — The Separation revived — 2c? act — A Convention at Portland form a Constitution — Seven new towns incorporated — New Con- stitution ratified — Maine admitted into the Union — Meeting of Maine Legislature — William King, Governor — The branches and officers of government — State seal — Statute laws revised — Joint Commissioners' of the two States. A.D. 1815. The return of peace damped the flames of party-spirit, and Effects of wakened to fresh life every enterprize. As business resumed its of^peace!*^ wonted channels, and the policy of administration no longer par- took of a belligerent character, the severities of the Federalists presently changed to sentiments more acquiescent in its meas- ures. The most interesting subjects of remark seem to have been, the management, the expenses and the exploits of the late war, with strictures upon British cruelty to their prison- ers, especially in Dartmoor prison ; and with observations upon the people's interests and objects of their enterprize, in seasons of tranquillity. Massachusetts had expended a million and half of dollars, which Congress was indisposed to pay, because Gov. Strong had declined a compliance with the President's call for the militia, or had refused to put them under any one of his officers.* * A part of the militia was called out by order of the Governor from time to time ; and " it appears that a sum not much short of $1,000,000, has already been paid, or is shortly to be paid for the expenses of the Chap, xxvii.] of maine. 659 Commerce being now free of restrictions and embarrassments, A.D. I815. all vessels were in ereat demand, and the business of ship-build- Commerce • 1 T*/i • revived. ing and of lumbering, extensively revived throughout Mame. Also the cod-fishery, always considered by the inhabitants, an Cod-fishcry. enterprize worthy of encouragement, and usually found to be pro- ductive, was soon resumed with vigor and with prospects of profit, so long as they were unmolested. But as the article in the treaty between our government and the British, regulating the eastern fisheries, had expired ; their cruisers now seized upon all the fishing vessels found in their waters, — the brig Jesseur carrying into the harbor of Halifax, eight sail in one day. Owing to some inadvertence, or impolicy, this important subject made no part of the commercial treaty between the two nations, signed July 3, of the present year; and consequently the embarrass- ments were not removed, till the convention of Oct. 20, 1818; when, by the first article, our rights were re-confirmed, of taking fish in the waters of Newfoundland, and of curing and drying them upon the Island. Plaster, which had been extensively used Plaster, by agriculturists in manuring or dressing their fields, and been sold for more than thirty dollars by the ton, fell in its price to half the sum, as soon as the transportation of the article from Nova Scotia, was fully resumed. Heavy importations of Euro- jmporia- pean fabrics into this country, being soon and sensibly felt, had a ^^s*^^ twofold effect, — to reduce their prices greatly in the market, and to discourage the home manufacturers, who could by no means afford to sell similar commodities at so low a rate as the traders. Another effect was to reduce the value of materials, and the price of mechanic labor. The merino sheep, which had commanded an extravagant price, having been mixed with almost every flock in the eastern country, presently sunk to less than half their former value, and yet found comparatively few pur- past year." — See Resolves General Court, Oct. 1814, — also Jan. and Feb. 1815; and Report and Resolve, June, \SIS.— The question was, 'will the ' United States pay the expense, where their officers had no command ; ' and where the orders of the President had not heen obeyed ?'— Sec Gov. Strong's message, Oct. 5, 1814, and J\lr. Munroe''s letter; also a general or- der, Sfc. July 12, 1812.— By the Federal Constitution, Art. 2, sec. 2, " the " President shall be Commander-in-Chief of the militia of the several " States when called into the actual service of the United States." 660 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1815. chasers. Therefore, as Enghsh goods flooded the community, the wheels of factories and machineries turned heavily.* Reforms- As a dissoluteness in morals and a relaxation in religious du- joiio mor ^.^^^ v;rere noticed to have become deeper evils than before the war, great exertions were made to effect a reform. Hence, Bible Societies were established for the diffusion of the Scrip- tures, and Sunday-schools instituted for the instruction of the young, which were found in their progress to be of peculiar ben- efit. Also many excellent essays were written, sermons deliver- ed, and at length, an additional statute passed, to check the pro- fanation of the Lord's day. Tythingmen in towns were multi- plied, and only those chosen, who were expected to do their duty. The intemperate use of ardent spirits, was another prevailing sin, always ruinous to individual health and reputation, and often- times, to the comfort and respectability of families. Equally lamentable and perhaps more heinous, was the increasing profane- ness in conversation ; — evils, all of them, which incited a christian community to measures promotive of more purity in life and principle, and greater sanctity of manners. Maine sustained no diminution in her population during the incorporat- War ; her losses in the army and navy being more than repaired by emigration. For though the town of WooDSTocK,f incorpo- rated February 7th, 1815, was the only one established, in the District, the current year; there were established, in 1816^ twelve towns — all of which were formed of plantations, recently settled. . T» -.n.r Their names and dates of incorporation were these, viz.: A. 1816. * Twelve new I^'NGriELD,{ the 24th, and Moscow,^ the 30th of January; * A corporation was established, Feb, 15, 1816, for the encouragement of manufactures. I Woodstock, (209th town,) embraces the two half townships, granted, June 14, 1800^ to Dummer Academy, and February 7, 1807, to Gorham Academy. It is north of Paris, and a good town. I Kingjield, (210th town,) was [Plantation No. 3, Range 1,] a part of the Bingliarn purchase. It was surveyed by Solomon Adams, in 1808. Its name was selected in honor of William King, Esq. (1st Governor of Maine) — a principal proprietor. It was first settled in 1806. 5 Moscow^ (211th town,) is also a part of the Bingham purchase, and in the same range with Kingfield. Moscow was first settled as early as 1773, and called Bakerstown. It was surveyed in 1812. A baptist church was established in 1812. The town was named for the Russian city of Moscow* — MS. J etter of Charles Baker ^ Etg. Chap, xxvii.] of ma.ine. 661 Wales,* the 1st, Greenwood, f the 2d, Weld, J and Guil- A. D. I8I6. FORD,§ the 8th, and Cherryfield,|| the 9th of February ; towns incor- DEXTER,ir the 17th, and North-Hill,*'^ the 20th of June ; and Brooks,! f the lOtli, and Corinna,J.{ and Ripley,§§ the 1 1th of December. The County of Penobscot, was incorporated February 15th, p"""|^^^°[ 1816, being the ninth and last County established in the District established, of Maine, prior to the Separation. It embraced all the northern part of Hancock, above Frankfort, and Bucksport; and Bangor, a half-shire with Castine, since Feb. 28, 1814, in which there was then established an office for the northern Registry of * TFales, (212th town,) adjoins Monmouth. Its plantation name was Wales, — a small town of 4 miles by 3, of g-ood land. f Greenwood^ (213th town,) was No. 4, township, — 11,520 acres of which were g-ranted, March 19, 1800, to Phillips Academy ; and 9,000 acres, Feb- ruary 1, 1805, to Eleazer Twitchell and associates. I Weld, (214th town,) encloses a larg-e body of water called JVebb^s pond^ which g-ave name to the plantation. It is a larg-e town of 48 square miles. 5 Guilford, (215th town,) was township, No. 6, in the 7th rang-e, and was one of the towns originally g-ranted to Bowdoin College. — [See Sebec, A. D. 1312.J Census in 1S20, 325 souls. Jl Lherryjield, (216th town,) was No. 11, of the Lottery-townships, situ- ated on both sides of the Narraguagus river. Census in 1820 — 241 inhabi- tants,— a pleasant township. IF Dexter, (217th town,) was granted March 13, 1804, to Amos Bond and eight others. (No. 4, 5th Range.) The settlement of the town was com- menced in the spring of 1801. The plantation was called Elkinstown, probably from the first settler. It contains about 20,370 acres, 1,200 of which are covered with water. The soil of the town is fine. Post-Office established there in 1818. The town was named in memory of Samuel Dexter — Boston. — MS. Letter of Seba French, Esq, Jforth-Hill, (218th town,) is No. 2, a part of the Bingham purchase. It was first settled in 1801, by Jonathan Quimby, and the corporate name was given it by his wife. It was surveyed in 1804, by Philip Bullen. — MS. Letter of William Butterfield, Esq. ff Brooks, (219th town,) was so named in compliment to Governor Brooks. Its plantation name was Washington. It was a part of the Waldo patent. \\ Corinna, (220th town,) was township. No. 4, — 4th range. It was alien- ed by the State to Doct. John Warren of Boston, June 30, 1804. §5 Ripley, (221st town,) was settled in 1804 ; and incorporated by its pres- ent name in honor of General Eleazer W. Ripley, a distinguished officer in the late war. The original grant of the town, by the State, was Sept. 27, 1806, to John S. Frazy, who conveyed it to Charles Vaughan, and John Merrick, Esqrs. The town was surveyed in 1809, and 1813. The Post- Office was established in 181S. — MS. Letter of Mr. Jacob Hale. A land-of fice estab lished. 662 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. i>i mCi Deeds, was appointed the shire-town, for the new County. Still, all matters arising within it, cognizable by the Supreme Court, were to be tried at Castine ; and the gaol there was to be a prison for the use of Penobscot County, three years.* During an interval of 12 or 13 years, since the committee of eastern lands had been discharged of their official duties ; and William Smith, Esq. lately deceased, had been the agent, merely to oversee the lands, complete the sales previously made, and col- lect the debts ; there had been only seven or eight townships con- veyed in the whole time, otherwise than as donations, or gifts by special resolves of the General Court, — though these amounted to no less than four hundred and fifty thousand acres. It was found that the eastern lands were now in demand for settlement, and that the eastern people were anxious to have the sales re- sumed and opened in a manner calculated to suit purchasers. Therefore a statute was passed February 15, 1816, which estab- lished a Land-Office in Boston, for the management, sale, and set- tlement of them ; and three Commissioners were appointed to the trustf by the Executive, — assisted by a surveyor-general. They continued in office till the political connexion between Mas- sachusetts and Maine was dissolved ; acquitting themselves of the duties to the public acceptance. At the May election, (1816,) John Brooks succeeded Gov. Strong in the Chief Magistracy of the State, by a handsome ma- jority, over Samuel Dexter, who was the Democratic candidate. He was a man of unassuming manners and great political integri- ty. He had distinguished himself as an officer in the war of the Revolution, and was Adjutant-General of the State at the time of his election. He continued to be elected Governor from year to year, till after the Separation. The most important event of his administration was the divis- Commis- siouers. John Brooks Governor. * The County officers were — Samuel E. Button, [of Bang-or,] Judge of Probate. Allen Gilrnan, " Register of Prolate. Jacob McGaw, " County Attorney. Thomas Cobb, " Clerk of the Courts. Jedediah Herrick, [Hampden,] Sheriff. John VVilkins, [Orrington,] Reg. of Deeds^ and County Treas. •}■ These were Edward H. Robbing, of Milton, late Lieutenant-Governor of the State ;—Lathrop Lewis, of Gorham, lately a Senator, who was also surveyor-general ;— and Joseph Lee, of Bucksport, Rep. of his town. Chap, xxvii.] of maine. 663 ion of the Commonwealth. The necessity of a separate govern- A. D. I8I6. ment in Maine had pressed convictions upon the mind, through Separation considered. the whole of the late war ; and, therefore, as soon as peace re- turned, the subject became a topic of great interest and general discussion. Nay, it appeared that petitions for a separation had been presented to the Legislature, early in the preceding Janua- ry Session, by 49 towns, in their corporate capacity, and by in- dividuals in nearly as many others ; and that tlie population of the former was 50,264, and the memorialists themselves were 2,936. To ascertain in a legal and satisfactory way the sentiments and wishes of the people, the General Court, Feb. 10, directed meet- ings to be holden, May 20th, in all the towns and plantations of the District, and the yeas and nays to be taken on this question — *' Shall the Legislature he requested to give its consent to the " separation of the District of Maine jrom Massachusetts, and " the erection of said District into a separate State ?" — requir- ing the affirmatives, the negatives, and the whole number of votes, in each municipal corporation, to be certified and sent under seal to the Secretary of State. At the present session, in June, it was found on examination, Yeas and that by the votes returned there were 10,393 yeas, and 6,501 in^j^aine'j^" nays ; and that the whole number of legal voters was 37,828 ; — a majority of the freemen not having voted at all upon the ques- tion. The result was not precisely what the advocates had an- ticipated ; nevertheless, the Senators from Maine, and most of the Representatives, petitioned the Legislature for its consent to form the District into a separate State ; and accordingly a bill, drawn with great ability and skill, was reported by John Picker- inar of the Senate, which became a law on the 20th of June. It ^.^^ s^para- o ' _ _ iion-iaw. first prescribed the terms of separation ; and then directed the voters to meet in their respective towns and plantations on the first Monday of the ensuing September, and give their yeas and nays upon the main question as thus modified — " /s it expedient " that the District of Maine he separated from Massachusetts " and become an Independent State ?" — Also, every town was authorized to choose at the same time as many Delegates, as by the constitution, it might elect Representatives ; and these were directed to convene in the meeting-house at Brunswick, on the last Monday of the same September ; and if they found that a majority oi five to four at least of the votes returned, were in 664 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.D. 1816. favor of the proposed separation ; then, and not otherwise, the Cnnveiiiioii Convention was authorized to form a constitution. At the time at Bruns- wick, and place appointed, 185 Delegates convened and elected Wil- liam King, President, and Samuel K. Whitings Secretary. The next business was to canvass the returns ; when it appeared, that there were 11.969 yeas, and 10,347 nays; — presenting a result much less than the statute-majority required, and far below what had been confidently and generally anticipated. The advocates for an independent State, who constituted about two thirds of the Convention, unwilling to submit to a total defeat, endeavored to give a novel though unexpected construction to the act, and shew that there was a substantial compliance with its spirit, if not its letter. For a Committee reported that the aggregate of yeas, in the towns and plantations giving majorities in favor of a separa- tion, CQmpared with the nays, in those giving a majority against it, Nothinn; ef- exhibited an affirmative larger than as five to four.* Hence, the compiished. Convention accepted the Report, though encountered by the Pro- test of a large minority ; and appointed two Committees, one to frame a Constitution, and the other to apply to Congress for ad- mission into the Union ; adjourning to the 3d Tuesday of the ensuing December. But the General Court, convening in the meantime, disapproved of the construction assumed, and dissolved the Convention. Emigration Another subject, already more essentially interestine; to the to the west- . r -xi • 1 • r • • - r • ern stales, prosperity of Maine, was the infatuating spirit of emigration to the western States, — tauntingly denominated the " Ohio-fever." It began to rage early in the preceding year — occasioned, or in- flamed by a variety of causes, some of which may be mentioned. The latter period of the war had been gloomy to the eastern people. The enemy had seized upon a large region of their territory, invaded other places, and put an end to commercial in- tercourse— even the coasting trade. Articles of import and of provision, and indeed the principal necessaries of life, were scarce, * The Report stated, that " the whole aggregate majority of yeas, over «' the nays, in the towns and plantations in favor, was 6,031 ; — the whole *' aggregate majority of nays, over the yeas, in the towns and plantations " opposed, was 4,409 ; then, as Jive is to Jour so is 6,031 to 4,825. But the " majority of nays is 4,409 only." Yet the Legislature said, « the Con- " vention have misconstrued the act." — See Report and Resolves, Dec. 4y 1816, p. 317-322. Chap, xxvii.] of maine. 665 and their prices high. The altercations of political parties, so spir- A. D. I8I6. ited, so obstinate, and so long protracted, had become extreraely tiresome and disgusting to all unaspiring men. The spring sea- sons of the anterior and current years, were uncommonly cold and unpropitious ; — particularly in the present summer, there was * not a month without frost.' War and adversity had cast upon some a heavy weight of debt, and poverty had always been the lot of a still greater number ; — both classes having noth- ing to leave and little to carry with them. It was represented, that the lands in Ohio and Kentucky were rich, the climate mild, and the summers long ; and that breadstuffs and other articles of food there, were abundant and cheap. By this contrasted view of the two countries, rendered more visionary by captivating stories, industriously sent into circulation, the lower orders of so- ciety were put in motion, and nothing could break the spell. Neither the return of peace, the disappointments and miseries of some who had removed, the return of others, nor the dissua- sives of friends, could check the current. It had burst its banks, and could not for a period be controlled nor diverted. The winter of 1816-17, was the severest which had been ex- A.D. 1817. perienced by the eastern people for many years, the succeed- Cold winter ing spring was very chilly, and everything vegetable was back- *P""S' ward. Wheat, rye and corn were extremely scarce, so that in many places it was impossible to procure a sufficiency for seed. Nay, the forbidding aspect of the times was such, as to educe fears of a famine before the close of another winter ; and thus to give a fresh impulse to the enchanting spirit of emigration. Hun- dreds who had homes, sold them for small considerations, and lost no time in hastening away into a far country. But in July, Boumiful the showers and sunshines gave renovated freshness to the fields and face of nature ; and the autumn was crowned with the bounties of Divine goodness. In consequence of this favorable change in the seasons, preceded and followed by statements of facts, which the returning visitants of the western country published, and which served to correct the elysian stories reported ; many. Emigration half-prepared, delayed their removals till another year ; and it is believed, that subsequently, more returned than emigrated. Yet it has been supposed, that Maine in fact lost between ten and fif- VoL. IL 84 666 THE HISTORY TTo^* A. D. 1817. teen thousand inhabitants by this strange infatuation ; besides those who had means and courage sufficient to accomplish a return. Kudiey and discharge of the trust, to which Thomas Barclay and John Frederick Holmes, the English and American commissioners, were appoint- Islandsours, i • , , by Commis- ed in 1816, Under the 4th Article in the treaty of Ghent, they ccr- sioners' de- . _ , j i • • i i tvt ^ ^ i • i termination, titled, under their Signatures and seals, JNov. 24, their determina- tion, which was, " that Moose Island, Dudley Island, and Fred- " erick Island* in the bay of Passamaquoddy, do belong to die " United States ;" and that * all the other Islands in that bay and * the Island of Grand Menan in the bay of Fundy, belong to his * Britanic Majesty, in conformity with the true intent of the 2d * article in the treaty of 1783.' Therefore, Col. Sargent and Gen. Miller, the one on behalf of this Commonwealth, and the other of the United States, received at Eastport, in July, 1818, from the British, a formal surrender of those Islands ; which till this time had continued in their possession since the war ; — and immediately the event was announced by a proclamation from Gov. Brooks. fi'siern ^and To determine " the point of the Highlands lying due north Boundary ^^^^ sourcc of the rivcr St. Croix," designated in the treaty of Maine, of peace, (1783,) as the 'north-west angle of Nova Scotia,* and to ascertain ' the boundary between the head of the St. Croix ' and that angle, and along the highlands which divide the rivers * emptying into the St. Lawrence, from those which fall into the At- * lantic, to the north-westernmost head of Connecticut river ; and * down it, to the 45th° of northern latitude — the 5th Article in the treaty of Ghent, made provision for a joint commission, to be filled, by one from each of the governments ; and therefore, the king appointed Thomas Barclay, and the President, Cornelius Van Ness. Their first meeting was at St. Andrews, Sept. 23, 1816, and their last at New- York, April 13, 1822; when they * J)loose Island is Eastport ; Dudley''s Island is now Allen^s Island ; and Frederick Island is now Rice''s Island. Dudley's Island, which lies north of Frederick Island, is the larg-er of the two and contains about 70 acres^ orig-inally granted to Col. Allen, the commanding officer at Machias dur- ing the war of the Revolution. The family of his son's widow is now the only one on the Island. Frederick, or Rice's Island, of 15 acres, is owned by Mr. Thayer of Lubec, and is inhabited. Tliese two Islands lie between Eastport and Lubec, directly east of Seward's neck, which stretches up N. W. into Cobscook bay. — J\IS. Let. of Mr. L. Suhin and flan. See In- troduction, ante, p. 86. Chap, xxvii.] of Maine. 667 being unable to agree upon a boundary, reported their proceed- a. d. 1817. ings and points of disagreement, to their respective governments. It was subsequently referred to William, King of the Netherlands ; and he recommended a line from the source of the St. Croix to the thread of the river St. John, — thence in the middle of that river through the St. Francois to its source : and thence along the highlands south-westwardly to ' mile tree' and the head of Connecticut river.* Since the establishment of the land-office, the attention of the The nine public had been again drawn to the consideration of the value and fo^wSips; importance of the extensive territories in Maine, yet unappropri- gX^of ated. The nine townshipsf upon Penobscot river, released, August 8, 1796, by the Indians, and specially reserved in all sub- sequent grants, on account of their superior value, were ordered, June 13, by the Legislature into market, under the direction of the Land Commissioners ; who were now invested with additional powers, to prevent the destruction of the timber, becoming more exposed as the inhabitants increased, and more valuable as it grew more scarce. They were directed to seize all found cut by tres- passers, cause it to be libelled in the Court of Common Pleas, and condemned as forfeit. But the total amount of sales of lands made by the Commissioners, between their appointment and the Separation, was so inconsiderable, as probably not to exceed 10,000 acres. There had been uncommon efforts made since the war, to pro- Agriculture mote agricultural enterprize and improvetnent ; to multiply fruit- P''°'"'^^<^^- trees and render them flourishing ; and to improve the breed of horses and cattle, as well as sheep. Besides the able essays that were published, — the qualities of different soils were analyzed, and their adaptation to different grains explained ; and at length, to interest the whole community in those important objects, an Ag- ricultural Society was incorporated, Feb. 16, 1818, exclusively * The reference was, Jan. 12, 1829 ; and the detennination was, Jan. 10, 1831 ; — not yet ratified by the two g-overnments. The umpire's award is highly dissatisfactory to the United States and State of Maine. For as stated in the protest of our minister, Mr. Preble, the Umpire has under- taken to decide what was not submitted to him. t The nine townships surveyed in 1797, by S. To'wne,—-Jlesolve, 1817. See Introduction y sec. i, ante. 668 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.D. 1817. for this District; embracing men of the most influence and most skilfulness in agriculture. Brooksville There was only one town incorporated in 1817, namely incorporat- * ed. Brooksville*, June 13th; being formed from parts of Castine, A. D. 1818. Penobscot and Sedgwick. But in 1818, there were seven estab- i^corporai-' ^'^^^^^ ' these were CHiNA,f incorporated the 5th, Monroe, { and Perry,§ the 12th, Mexico, || and DennysvillEjIT the 13th, and Swan^ille,** the 19th of February; and JacksoNj|-|- the 12th of June. * Brooksville^ (222d town,) is bounded by the water on all sides except at the south-east corner, it adjoins Sedg-wick. It has Cape Rozier south, and is bounded southerly on Edgernarrog-an-reach, and easterly on one branch of Castine river. It took from Sedg-wick an eighth, and from Castine and Penobscot each a fifth of their taxable property. The same year Brooks- ville was established, about one fourth of Penobscot was annexed to Cas- tine. See Penobscot, A. B. 1787,— and Castine, 1796. f CAtna, (223d town,) was formed of Halifax, Albion and Winslow. It embraces about 11,550 acres of good soil, both for wheat and orchards. Here are two meeting--houses, one for baptists and one for quakers ; also an Academy. It was first represented in the G. Court in 1819, by J. C. Washburn, Esq. ; a Post-Office was established in 1818. It is situate on 12 mile pond." — MS. Letter of J. C. Washburn, Esq. I Monroe, (224th town,) is a part of the Waldo patent, and was the plan- tation of Lee. 5 Pcrri/, (the 225th town,) was township "No. one," bounding- easterly and southerly on the waters of Passamaquoddy-bay. It was so named in memory of Commodore O. H. Perry. At Pleasant Point in this town, is the village of the Indians at Passamaquoddy, I'he township was conveyed, March 7. 1786, to Benjamin Lincoln and others. II Mexico, (226th town,) was the plantation of Holmanstown on the north side of the Androscoggin. H Dennysville, (227th town,) was granted by the Stale, at the same time Perry was, to Benjamin Lincoln and others. It was numbered two in the eastern division of the Lottery townships. It is bounded westerly by Denny's river, and southerly by Cobscook bay and river. ** Swanville, (228th town,) called " Swan's tract," is a part of the Waldo patent: — A small town, lying on both sides of Goose river. W Jackson, (229th town,) is also a part of the Waldo patent, and adjoins its north line. It was the plantation of Jackson. It was so named in com- pliment to General Jackson of the Revolution. The first beginning in the town was by Mr. Cates in 1800; contained in 1810, 276 souls; and was or- ganized into a plantation in 1812. The title to the settlers is from Thorn- dike, Sears and Prescott, In this town, south of the centre, is " the pro- prietors' farm," of 1,200 acres and expensive buildings, owned now by I. Thorndike, jr. Esq., Boston. Rev. Silas Warren, was ordained over the congregationalists in Jackson and Brooks, in Sept. 1812. A Post-Office was established here in 1815. — MS. LHttr of B. Johnson^ Esq.y 1819. Chap, xxvii.] of matne. 669 Of the Indian Tribes, the only remnants in Maine, were those a. d. isis. at Penobscot and at Passamaquoddy. The former consisted of The Indian about * 250 or 300 souls, in 1816; more than two-thirds of whom * were women and children and the latter were about equally numerous. Both had become the objects of public charity and protection. Nay, such was the scarcity of provisions particularly xhe Tarra- among the Tarratines, in the winter 1816-17, that the General*'"^'*' Court, December 14, gave them 300 bushels of corn and sent it to them.* They were, however, the possessors or claimants of a large territorial tract, six miles in width on both sides of Penob- scot river, to an indefinite extent above the north line of the nine townships — an estate of sufficient value, had they known how to estimate and manage it, to have afforded the tribe an ample sup- port. The Legislature intended, that their acts of ownership should be restricted to hunting, fishing, and cultivation ; whereas the Chiefs presumed to sell the timber, and would even convey their lands to speculators, if. the transfers could be sanctioned by gov- ernment ; so improvident was their conduct or great their ne- cessity. Nor did they appear in fact to have any taste for the arts of husbandry, — not even the culture of "the fertile Islands they own." "Poor and destitute, they manifested a desire to release " to the State their rights in ten townships more ;" and the Legis- ture, February 13, authorized the appointment of three Commis- sioners to meet the tribe at Bangor, examine into their circum- stances, and treat with them upon the subject of relinquishing all claim to their lands. The agency and trust were given by the Executive to Edward H. Bobbins, Daniel Davis, and Mark L. s^oiTe^ltp- Hill ; whom Aitteon, Neptune, Francis and others, the Chiefs of P-eat wi.h the Tribe, met at the place appointed. After discussion, ten of the principals, June 29th, executed to The treaty, the Commonwealth a quit-claim of all the lands on both sides of the Penobscot river, above the tracts of thirty miles in extent here- tofore resigned ; excepting /owr townships, six miles square, viz. : one at the mouth of the Metawamkeag ; one on the western shore of the Penobscot, directly opposite ; two to be surveyed contiguous to the ninth range of townships — all which and the Islands in Pe- nobscot river, above Old-town Island inclusive, were to be enjoyed by the tribe without limitation of time. In consideration of this ♦ Resolves, 1816, p. 361. 670 THE HISTORY [VoL. II, A. D. 1818. assignment, the Commissioners engaged to procure for the use of the tribe two acres of land on the bank of Penobscot river in Brewer, fronting Kenduskeag-point — to employ a suitable man to instruct the Indians in the arts of husbandry, — to repair their church ai Old-town, — to deliver at that place in October of every year, 500 bushels of corn, 15 barrels of wheat flour, and 7 of clear pork ; 1 hogshead of molasses ; 100 yards of broadcloth alternately red and blue; 50 Indian blankets, 100 pounds of gun- powder, 400 of shot, and 150 of tobacco; 6 boxes of choco- late, and 50 dollars in silver. At the execution and acknowledg- ment of the treaty before a magistrate, the Commissioners made the tribe a present of one 6 pound canon, one swivel, 1 box of pipes, 50 knives, 6 brass kettles, 200 yards of calico, 2 drums, 4 fifes, and 300 yards of ribbon. f Afterwards $350 were ap- propriated by the government, as an annual stipend, to their re- ligious teacher J. The lost no- We here take leave of the Indians, who have commanded so ihe Indians! many pages in this History. Two centuries past, they were the sole possessors of the country — numerous and powerful ; now one tribe is driven to the Islands of a river, once wholly theirs from its sources to the ocean ; and the other restricted to a spot on the banks of the Passamaquoddy, who could once call the whole Bay and all the contiguous lands their own. Strangely inclined to the bigotry of Catholics, they fell early under the influence of the French, who have alternately assisted or deserted them, ac- cording to the dictates of interest. Adversity or ruin, is too often the fate of blind servility to another's will ; and the history of their decline and extinction, may teach lessons of wisdom even to the boasting sons of civilization. Were the natives guilty of cruelties and breaches of faith } — remember, they were barba- rians, untutored — entire strangers to the refinements of sensi- bility,— they themselves esteeming it greatness and glory to smile on torture. Their love of country was a flame unextinguisha- ble ; — and their love of liberty, ardent, uncompromising, univer- sal ; so that philosophers have been induced to believe them innate * This plat of ground was designed as a resting-place for the Indians when they came to Bangor to trade. Here the tribe have since several wigwams. — N. B. — The articles are to be delivered every year, so long^ as the tribe exists. •j- This treaty was ratified by the governmeut Feb. 20, 1819. X See Resolve, January 22, 1819. Chap, xxvii.] of matne. 671 principles of man's nature. But at this period, they rather linger A. D. I8I8. than live upon the earth — rendered despicable in the eyes of an Englishman, not only by the tincture of the skin, the features of the face, and the costume of their fathers, unchanged both in dress and the habits of life, — but on account of their ignorance, without desire for improvement, and of their savage manners, without a disposition to reform. In future ages, a Native will be viewed as a curiosity by civilized man ; and all the historic facts collectable about so peculiar a people, will hold a conspicuous place in the cabinet of literature. The summer season of the present year, was uncommonly The season, fine — rendered more exhilarating, as contrasted with others so unpropitious, which it succeeded. The fields yielded abundance ; the fishermen, who had encountered many perplexities since the war, found all difficulties removed by treaty, and had also, their captured cargoes restored to them before winter ; and moreover, emigration to the western country had nearly ceased. There were also three statute laws passed this year, which ought to be no- ticed,— these were, one revising the Probate Code, one regulating the practice of Physic, and one to prevent the killing of musical birds.* The present is the third year, a monster of the deep called a Sea-ser- Sea-Serpent, has been oftentimes seen along our eastern coasts. He has been represented to be from 60 to 80 feet in length, and larger in circumference than a barrel ; having protuberances on his back, and moving with his head out of water six feet. It is supposed his skin, which appears to be crustaceous, cannot be perforated by a musket ball; and it is universally attested, that his fleetness through the water when alarmed, is incredible. Subsequently to the late trial for a Separation, it was fully as- The Separ- certained, that ship-owners, masters and seamen were opposed to vivedr' the measure, principally because by a law of Congress, every State was a District ; and therefore if Maine were erected into a State, each coasting vessel must enter and clear, every trip made to and from Boston. To obviate this objection, the law was modified, March 2d, 1819, so that "the seacoast and * Its object was to preserve partridg-es, quails, v70odcocks, snipes, larks and robins. But the Act was repealed by the General Kepealing Act of Maine, March 21, 1821, and not revived. 672 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A D. 1819. navigable rivers of the United States," were divided into two great Districts; and the southern limits of Georgia made the partition line. In anticipation of this legislative provision, the ad- vocates for a separate State, had meetings in the senate-chamber during the winter session of the General Court, and appointed a Committee of fifteen gentlemen, dwelling in the several Counties of Maine, to take measures for effectuating the object. Accord- ingly they addressed the people, April 8, with a pamphlet of facts and arguments, in favor of a separation, properly expressed to attract the public attention. The subject was presently a topic of conversation in every circle, and in many instances it was warmly discussed. The opposition with renovated vigor again put itself in array, and encountered the movements with all its strength. Newspapers Consisted essentially of Federalists ; — and the same three news- take sides papers published in the District, namely, the Portland Gazette, the Hallowell Gazette, and the Kennehunk Visitor, espousing Federal politics, threw their weight into the scale against a separa- tion, as in the former trial ; which were counteracted by the Eas- tern Argus, the American Advocate and Bangor Register,^ known supporters of Democratic principles. In this way, a po- litical cast of character was in some degree given to the discus- sion ; though there were found a considerable number of men in the Federal ranks, who were desirous to see Maine an inde- pendent State. This circumstance helped to render the dispu- tants more forbearing and respectful towards each other ; yet the Democrats, in their zeal for the measure, were charged with an inordinate ambition to rise into power, — there being a majority of Democratic politicians, or partizans in Maine ; while the resist- ance of the Federalists was said to arise entirely from their un- willingness to have the reins of administration shifted from the hands of their party ; the government of the Commonwealth, at large being of Federal politics. Peiitious to But the exertions of adversaries were wholly without success. the General ^ . ^ . , • • i . i • Court. For the Legislature, convening in May, was presented with peti- tions for a separation, from about 70 towns ; and the Committee to whom they were referred, reported a Bill in favor of the ap- plicants, which, though resolutely resisted, passed the two Houses by handsome majorities, and became a law on the 19th of June, * The Register, however, was Dot devoted exclusively to cither party. Chap, xxvii.] of maine. 673 1819. The provisions were in substance the same, as in the A» D. 1819. former act. In the division of the property, all the real estate in Massachusetts was to be forever hers ; all that in Maine to be equally divided between the two, share and share alike. Maine was to have one third part of all monies reimbursed by the United States for war expenses ; or collected on bonds for settling duties ; also a due proportion of the military arms and ammunition, according to the last militia returns. Massachusetts and Maine were authorized severally to appoint two Commissioners, who were to choose two more ; and this Board w^as vested with au- thority, to determine all questions about the Indian subsidies, and about the actual division of the public lands and other property. All the voters in the towns and plantations of Maine, were di- ^^ti^n gcf*" rected to meet on the fourth Monday of July, and give in their yeas and nays upon this question — " Is it expedient that the Dis- trict shall become a separate and Independent State, upon the terms and conditions provided in — An act relating to the Sepa- ration of the District of Maine from Massachusetts proper, and forming the same into a Separate and Independent State.^^ The returns were to be made to the Governor and Council ; and if they found the yeas to exceed the nays, by 1,500, he was to make proclamation of the result, on or after the 4th Monday of August ; and each corporate town on the 3d Monday of Septem- ber, was to choose one delegate and as many more as it could choose Representatives to the General Court ; who were to con- vene at the Court-house in Portland on the 2d Monday of Octo- ber, form a Constitution, and apply to Congress for the admis- sion of Maine into the National Union. Should a Constitution be formed, it was to embrace the nine articles in the first section of the Act, which prescribed the terms of separation. As the votes when, taken were found to be in all, 17,091, and A Convene against it only 7,132 ;-— the Governor issued his proclamation, August 24, announcing the result ; and delegates being chosen, assembled, Oct. 11, to the number of 269, at the place appointed; and elected William King, President, and Robert C. Vose, Secretary. A Committee of thirty-three, selected from each county, was then raised to prepare and report a constitution- John Holmes being chairman. Retiring to a commodious room, they laid before them that of the Commonwealth, marked the Vol. II. 85 674 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.D. 1819. acceptable parts, and reported a new one to the Convention, by portions, as they proceeded with a finished draft. It differed in several particulars from that of the parent State. For instance, there was a more equal representation provided by way of a sectional classification of towns and plantations, though the Rep- resentatives were never to exceed 200, nor the Senators 31, in all. Possession of property was not a prerequisite, necessary to an elector's qualification to vote. It was believed, every citizen, though poor, ought to have the privilege of voting for his rulers. The executive was to consist of a Governor and a Council of seven members ; — without any Lieutenant-Governor. All taxes upon real estate, improved or unimproved, were to be apportion- ed and assessed equally, according to its just value. Wild lands and unimproved real estate, had been taxed under the Common- wealth, at only one third of its true value ; — a practice prevalent since the early settlement of the country. In other respects the constitution, accepted by the Convention and signed by the Pres- ident, essentially coincided with that of the Commonwealth. The A conslitu- / tionsentto Convention adjourned, Oct. 29th, to meet at the same place on the first Wednesday of the ensuing January ; having appointed the first Monday of December, for taking, in town meetings, the yeas and nays upon the adoption of the constitution reported to the people. Five towns The towns incorporated in 1819, were five, viz. Atkinson^ Hicorporat. Knox, the 12th ; Newburgh, the 13th ; and THORNDiKE,the 15tb of February; and Warsaw, the 19th of June. The two A D 1820 " * last towns incorporated in Maine, prior to the Separation, were aiiTEtna Hartland, the 7th, and Etna, the 15th of February, 1820 : uicorporai- j^^^j^^g 235 corporate towns established, before Maine be- came an Indepervdent State.* Constiiution A quorum of the members belonging to the Convention, re-as- ratified. scmbled at the stipulated time in January, when they found, by the retums, that the Constitution had been ratified by a large Remarks of majority of votes in its favor. Gov. Brooks took notice of the Brooks. event, in his message to the General Court the same month, stat- * Atkinson was the 230th ^ Knox, the 231st ; J^ewburgk, 232d ; Thorn- dike, 233d ; Warsaw, 234th ;■ Hartlandy 235th ; and Etna, 236th town in the State ; all of which were previously plantations. Atkinson was settled in 1804; Knox, in 180O ; Newburgh, in 1794; Thorndike, in 1799; War- saw, in 1796 ; Hartland, in 1804 ; and Etna, about the same time. Chap, xxvii.] of Maine. 675 ing, that the connexion between Massachusetts and Maine, had A. D. 1820. commenced at an esu'ly period of our History ; * and though anomalous and interrupted, till the charter of William and Mary,' had since " been uninterruptedly maintained to mutual satisfac- tion and advantage." But " the time of Separation," added he, *'is at hand. Conformably to the memorable Act of June " 19th last, the 15th of March next, will terminate forever, the " political unity of Massachusetts proper and the District of " Maine : and that District, which is bone of our bone, and flesh of our flesh, will assume her rank as an Independent State, in "the American Confederacy." At this juncture, obstacles were thrown in the way of our In- Maine ad- dependence, which were wholly unexpected. The admission of the Unioa. Maine and Missouri into the Union, were both under discus- sion in Congress at the same time. The advocates of the latter, wishing to carry it through the Legislature, without any restric- tive clause against slavery, put both into a bill together, — deter- mining each should share the same fate. The friends of Maine were ready to submit to any restrictions touching slavery, which might be imposed ; and considered the connexion of the two — a masterpiece of legislative finesse, deserving the obloquy of all fair-minded men. Several days the subject was debated, and sent from one branch to the other in Congress, till the first of March, when to our joy, they were divorced ; and on the 3d of the month, an act was passed, by which Maine was declared to be, from and after the 15th of that month, one of the United States of America, admitted in all respects whatever, on an equal footing with the original States, Another act assigned to Maine seven Representatives to Congress ; and subsequently, an order placed this State at the head of the list, in the morning-call of the Speaker for pethions by States. By the new Constitution, all the votes for Governor, Senators, Meetin"- of and Representatives, were to be given, this single year, on the Lef-Sure. first Monday of April ; — but ever afterwards on the second Mon- day of September. Likewise the Legislature was first to con- vene on the last Wednesday of May, and continue in power till the 1st Wednesday of January, 1822 ; and each subsequent Legislature was to convene at the same time, in every year. Assembling at Portland, May 31st, the two branches found, May 31. that William King was elected Governor, without opposition. clv^rnS' 676 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D. 1820. He was a native of Scarborough in this State, a gentleman of abilities, independent manners, and democratic sentiments. Sev- eral years, he had been a Senator in the General Court of the parent State, and President of both Conventions, on the subject TheSenate. of Separation. — The Senate^ elected John Chandler, Presi- dent. Being chosen shortly afterwards a Senator in Congress, he was succeeded in the chair, by William Moody, a Senator from York County ; who was, however, in a few days, appointed Sheri^ of his County, when William D. Williamson succeeded The House, jjjj^^^ — rpi^g Representatives returned to the House were 143; and they elected Benjamin Ames, their Speaker ; a gentleman who had been County -Attorney of Lincoln; a- Judge of the Common Pleas in the second Eastern Circuit ; and a Represen- tative from Bath to the General Court of Massachusetts.— In Convention the two Houses elected into the Executive Council, TheCoun- ThOMAS FiLLEBROWN, WiLLIAM WeBBER, MaRK HaRRIS, AbI- EL Wood, William C. Whitney, Isaac Lane and William * The whole Senate, by Counties, consisted of the following- members, — York County, '^William Jhody, ) Both subsequently Sheriffs of their Jusiah Tf \ Seaver. ) County, John JIcDonald, Major-General of the militia. Cpmberland, Joseph E, Foxcroft, previously and subsequently Sheriff of his County. Barret Potter, previously a member of the Executive Council, afterwards J udg-e of Probate of his County, * Jonathan Page. Jjincoln, Erastus Foote. afterwards Attorney-General. yVathaniel Greerie, since Register of Deeds, Lincoln County. Daniel Rose, subsequently President of the Senate, and Commissioner of the land-office. Hancock, ^George Ulmer, previously Sheriff of Hancock, and Major-General of the militia. Andrew 7F?7/iam, a Senator in subsequent years. Washington, Jerendah 0''Brien, subsequently member of Congress. Kennebeck, *Juhn Chandler, previously a member of Congress. ^Joshua Gage, previously a Kepreseqtative in Congress, Timothy Boutelle, previously an elector of President and Vice-President. Oxford, *Samuel Small. James JV, Ripley, since a member of Congresa. Bomerset, *John Moore, William Kendall, Penobscot, * William D, Williamson, Those of this (*) mark had been previously members of the Senate in (lie Legislature of Massachusetts Chap, xxvii.] of maine. 677 Emerson. — Ashur Ware was chosen Secretary of State ; and A. D. mo. Joseph C. Boyd, Treasurer. — John Holmes of Alfred, andoiheroffi- JoHN Chandler of Monmouth, were elected Senators in Con- o;ress, for the new State. — Upon the bench of the Supreme Ju- diciary, Prentiss Mellen was appointed Chief Justice ; and p'eu.eJudi- . ' cial Courts. WjLLiAM P. Preble and Nathan Weston, associate Judges — Erastus Fooie, Attorney General ; and Simon Greenleaf, Re- porter of Decisions. Among the first duties of the Legislature, after organizing, one State Seal, was to agree upon the emblematical devices suitable to be inscrib- ed upon the Great Seal of the State. As the moose, and the mast pine, were considered as the princes of nature in our forest, -—the local situation of Maine as a northern star in the constella- tion of States, — an anchor and a scythe as figurative of our com- mercial and agricultural enterprize ; — all these were adopted either into the shield or the ensigns.f But owing to the hasty call for a metalic stamp, through a necessity of immediately using it, HO part of it was very ingeniously wrought or executed ; and hence people of taste and judgment have not been altogether please(f^ith the devices, or emblems. On the recommendation of the Governor, in his address to the ijevisionof ^ the Statute Legislature, it was resolved to revise the whole code of Statute- 'aw*, law, without delay ; and therefore the Judges of the Supreme Court were appointed " a Board of Jurisprudence to arrange the " acts for the purpose." In legislation, there was some innova- tion upon the usages of Massachusetts. One was to send messa- ges from one branch to the other, by their respective clerks, in- stead of members. Another was to engross bills on thick linen Alterations of scvcrsl paper instead of parchment, and bind the sheets into folio volumes laws, with running indices. All the statutes underwent during the second or winter-session, a thorough and careful revision ; and some of them were essentially altered and improved. For in- stance, more ample provision was made for the Education of youth in Common Schools ; each town being required to raise a sum in school-money, equal to 40 cents a person by the next ♦ Mr. Mellen was a distinguished lawyer, had been a member of the Ex- ecutive Council of the Commonwealth, and was senator in Congress, at the time of the Separation. Mr. Preble was at that time District Attor- ney for Maine. Mr. Weston was Chief Justice of the 2d Eastern Circuit jof the Common Pleas. t See Resolve June, 1820. 678 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. ^.i). ]«20. preceding census. The Selectmen, Clerk, and Treasurer were constituted a board to grant Licenses in their towns ; which had been previously done by the Court of Sessions. The limitation of Real Actions was shortened generally ten years ; so that no one can nnaintain an action of entry upon his own seizin after 20 years, nor a writ of right after 30 years, next before the test of the writ. To the claimants for betterments, more liberal terms and conditions were granted. Clergymen were no longer allowed to solemnize m,arriages without being commissioned by the Gov- ernor, and taking the suppletory oath, faithfully to discharge the trust. Previously, that service had been oftentimes performed by men unauthorized ; and thereby the validity of marriages ren- dered doubtful. A Parish Act was passed by which any num- ber of persons associating, were empowered to incorporate them- selves into a religious society, without a legislative charter. There were penal prohibitions against the sale of all lottery tick- ets— unless the class was granted by our Legislature ; and also against all peddling, except that of tin ware by license of the Court of Sessions. The Joint P^^^ Commission, prescribed by the act of Separation, of'Ewo"" ^^^^^ ^^^"^ j — Massachusetts appointed Timothy Bigelow and Slates. JLem Lincoln ; Maine, Benjamin Porter and James Bridge ; and these four chose Silas Holman and Lathrop Lewis, to complete the Board.* To negociate with Massachusetts, if possible, a purchase of all her lands in Maine, the three Commissioners of Maine, joined by Daniel Rose of the Senate and Nicholas Emery of the House, proceeded to Boston in February, (1821 ;) where they were met by a Committee of the same number on the part of Massachusetts. A discussion of many days succeeded ; and at length, it was agreed that Maine should give Massachusetts for her part of the public lands in this State, $180,000 ; that is, dis- charge Massachusetts from all Indian claims and subsidies, equal to $30,000, and pay her $160,000 in 40 years, with annual in- terest at five per centum. All bonds, contracts and mortgages relating to the public lands, were also to be transferred to Maine ; in consideration of which, the latter was to pay all monies due * Big^elowof Groton, Lincoln of Worcester, and Holman of Bolton Porter of Topsham, Bridge of Augusta, and Lewis of Gorham. Chax . axvti.j of xMAINE. 679 pensioners resident In this State.* But neither of the State Leg- A. D. mo. islatures would ratify the agreement ; and therefore the Board of Joint Commissioners proceeded in due time, to perform the re- sponsible duties devolving upon them. It may be worthy of remark, that during the primary political [^I^^Qf,^.^^." year, a period of 17 months, all the constitutional provisions for "o^^'s Chain- filling the Executive chair, were called for and improved. In about a year, Gov. King was appointed a Commissioner under the Spanish treaty, and left the office to Mr. Williamson, the President of the Senate, who being elected, six months after- wards, a member of Congress, surrendered the trust to Mr. Ames, Speaker of the House. The President of the Senate, in the next Legislature, was Mr. Rose, who assumed the executive chair a day, till Gov. Parris was inducted into office by taking the requisite oaths. * These bonds and instruments amounted to $18,186, and were estimated to be worth $12,240. — In calculating- the value of Public Lands in Maine, the items of estimate stood thus : — A lot of land in Portland, 3 acres, at cost, Sl,500 Lands in Lubec, " Ellsworth, 9,000 at 20 cts. per acre, ],8(jO 13,000 25 3,250 " Orang-etown (Whit'g) 6,000 ?•) 20 ?5 1,200 " No. 23 near Machias, 11,(;00 10 55 1,100 Surry, 6,000 » 25 55 1,500 Reserved Lands, 53,320 25 55 13,330 Indian Lands, Unlocaled Lands, 120,000 51 15 55 18.000 8,000,000 ?> 4 55 320,000 Total, 8,218,320 $361,680 One half is 180,840 According- to the detailed Report, exhibited to the General Court, Feb. 1, 1820, by toe Commissioners of the Land Office, ' the lands conveyed to ' Colleges, Academies, purchasers and settlers, from the first establishment * of the Land Office department, about 1783 to 1820,' amotinted in the ag-- gregate to 5,465,(J75 acres. Lands within the same period, granted but not located, 250,420 Lands under contract since the re-establishment of the ) ^ Land Office, in 1816, \ ^'"^^^ Sales grants and bargains to sell, 5,723,796 acres. JVoie. — The proceeds of the sales, (exclusive of lands given away) and inclusive of the Lottery townships, then amounted to j£212,987 4.9. 2d. con- solidated securities, equal to $94,149,34 Proceeds of other sales, if nothing be deducted for salaries, bad debts, &c. 92,174,97 $186,324,31 N. B. — The " reserved lands^''^ above mentioned, were principally lots reserved for the future disposition of government, in the grants of town- ships; including probably parts of the nine Indian, townships on the Pe- nobscot river. 680 THE HISTORY" [Vol. II. SUPPLEMENTAL.. CHAPTER XXVJIL Maine — Its periods of History Its Government Militia — Ex-^ penditures — Revenue — Public debt — Paper money — Coins — Ed- ucation— The learned professions — Religious denominations — Catholics — Episcopalians — Presbyterians — Congregationalists — Baptists — Methodists — Quakers — Universalists — Shakers — Em- ployments— Shipping — Exports — Imports — Agriculture — Manu- factures— Institutions — Contrast of the past with the present times. xo'mo^^^' every community, the form and features of government, its State of military and fiscal system ; the education, religion, employments, Maine. institutions, and domestic life of the people, are obviously the lights or shades, that give it character. As we are about to take a cursory view of these subjects in relation to this State, it is well to premise, that the periods into which its history is manifestly divided, and to which there may be occasional allusions in the subsequent remarks, are three, ^r*^, from the earliest settlements Us History. 1691 ; secoud, during the Provincial Charter; and third, from the establishment of the State Constitution, to the time of Sepa- ration. govern- This eastern country, during the first period, was perpetually subject to political changes, or revolutions ; owing to a succession of different claimants and the zeal of bold competitors. United by no common bond, the parts afforded each other no considera- ble aid, and presented few allurements to attract the accession of numbers, it is true that the charter of Gorges was a model, and the system of rules and regulations which he prescribed, appear- ed to advantage, — especially as they were in practice modified and assimilated to the colonial usages and legal prescripts, adopted by Massachusetts. Yet the connexion of Maine with that Colony was anomulous ; its condition dependent ; and its want of a stable and uniform administration of government, was never obviated, till Chap, xxviii.] of Maine. 681 both were united by the Charter of William and Mary. The a. d. i623, . ^ to 1320. government, however, was m fact more arbitrary in the second than in the first period ; nor were the partitions between the Leg- islative, Executive and Judiciary departments well defined, nor the barriers of civil liberty well established, till symmetry was given to the whole system by the Constitution of the Commonwealth. The Militia has always been considered by our wisest men to Militia, be the best defence of a Republic. For it had uniformly em- braced all able-bodied citizens between 16 and 60, with the ex- ception of a few public ofiicers, till Congress, A. D. 1792, re- stricted the number to those between 18 and 45 years; — a body that must necessarily feel the greatest possible interest in the pre- servation and defence of the country. Originally, when firearms were scarce and expensive, the militia-men, not exceeding one third part of the company, were permitted to arm themselves " with a good pike, well headed — corslet, headpiece, and sword and youth between 10 and 16, were required by act of the Leg- islature, A. D. 1645, to exercise with small guns, half-pikes, bows and arrows, on the usual days of training. These days, before the Provincial charter, were six, afterwards, four in a year. The soldiers of a town during the first historic period formed a company, and nominated their officers, whom the County-Court had authority to accept or reject. The soldiery of a county constituted a regiment, which was commanded by a sargeant- Major, chosen by the freemen in town-meetings ; and the whole body of Militia was under a Major-General, annually elected by the General Court. But as every royal Governor was, by the charter, Captain-General of the Militia ; he himself formed the companies, classed them into regiments and those into brigades, — appointed and commissioned all the militia ofl5cers. Noth- ing could be considered by our democratic citizens to be more arbitrary ; and therefore the constitution gave to the several or- ders, or grades of the Militia, the choice of their own officers ; only the Major-Generals of Divisions were to be chosen by the Legislature. Before and after the Provincial charter, the regi- ments were to be mustered triennially, and the first time that of Yorkshire met, of which we have any record, was in 1674.* * The population of Maine in 1820, was 298,335 ; and of the militia there were then six Divisions, and, in all, 30,905 men on the muster-rolls. Vol. II, 86 682 THE HISTORY [VoL. 11. A.t). 1623, Next, the charges or expenses of government form an highly interestins: subiect of consideration ; and these consist of state. Public ex- , n^, . r 7 pendiiures. county, and town expenditures. — Ihe items oi state or 'pub- lic charge are several. The members of the Legislature have at all periods received a mileage for their travel, and a daily pay for their services.* The Governor, Judges of the Supreme Court, Secretary of State, Treasurer, and Attorney-General, have im- memorially been remunerated for their services from the public chest. Under the charter they had annual stipends granted them ; and under the constitution, they had stated salaries. Subsidies and gifts to the Indians have for a series of years, cost the gov- ernment large sums. The support of poor persons, who had no legal settlement within the Commonwealth, called State-paupers, has been another heavy charge upon the public funds. It was a humane provision — but became so shamefully abused by fraudu- lent practices, that the State of Maine, has determined never to feed them from the public crib ; requiring towns, where they fall into want or distress, to relieve or maintain them. To these may- be added the public expenses of trying criminals and supporting convicts. f County Another class of the public expenditures consists of the Coun- charges, fy charges. These are, 1st, for the erection and repairs of a court-house, gaol, and fire-proof offices for the Clerk of the Courts, and the Registers of Probate and of Deeds : — 2d, the mileage and day-pay of the Jurymen attending the Courts : — 3d, the salaries of the Judge and Register of Probate : — and 4th, the expense of supporting certain prisoners in gaol. The super- intendance of these expenditures belongs to the jurisdiction of the several Courts of Sessions. From 1692 to March 7, 1826, the Judges and Registers of Probate were paid for their services by the fees of office ; subsequently by salaries. — Our County of- ficers are eleven, the Justices of the Sessions, who are paid $3 by the day, out of the County treasury, for the number of days * Prior to 1692, and afterwards for several years, the pay of a Repre- sentative was3*. by the day. It was increased in 1720, to As. ; and owing- to the depreciated value of paper money, it was increased to 12*. ; 2U*. ; and in 1748, to 30*. per day. After the constitution, it was $2,00 per day, as it still is. f The Judges of the Common Pleas were paid by fees of office, till Feb. 8, 1822 ; when salaries of $1,200 each, were established for them. Chap, xxviii.] of Maine. 683 they sit ; the Judge and Register of Probate ; the Sheriff ; Clerk of the Courts ; County Treasurer ; Register of Deeds ; County Attorney ; Justices of the Peace ; Coroners ; and gaolers j — all of whom are appointed and commissioned by the Executive of the State, except the Treasurer, who is elected every year, and the Register of Deeds, who is elected once in five years, by the people of the County ; and the gaoler who is appointed by the Sheriff. Till 1715, deeds were recorded by the Clerk of the Shire. There were Justices of the Peace under the govern- ment of Gorges, but none under that of Massachusetts, till the appointment of them for an unlimited time, or during good be- haviour, was authorized by the Provincial charter : — but by the constitution, they were commissioned only for the term of seven years. Towns are corporate communities, whose inhabitants when con- Town vened, are denominated " the primary assemblies" of the people. They are required by law to support schools ; to repair high- ways ; to relieve or maintain paupers ; and to remunerate sev- eral town officers ;* the taxes in a single year, amounting fre- quently to $2 for every taxable poll in town, and one per cent, of the taxable property. Parishes are also corporate bodies, em- powered to build meeting-houses, and support the ministry. The Revenue, or money needed to meet these expenditures, Revenue, has been raised mostly by direct taxation, ever since the first set- tlement of the country. For the purpose of apportioning to the different towns, their respective parts of a public or general and single^ tax, equal to the usual charges or expenses of govern- ment ; all the rateable property has been inventoried, and the tax- * There are in each town about 20 town officers, viz. — 1. Selectmen, or » fathers of the town — officers as old as 1634 ; 2, town-clerk ; 3, treasurer, first chosen, A. D. 1699; 4, assessors of taxes ; 5, overseers of the poor; 6, school committee ; 7, constables ; 8, collectors of taxes ; 9, hig-hway sur- veyors ; 10, health officers ; 11, fence-viewers; 12, surveyors of lumber ; 13, field-drivers ; 14, pound-keepers ; 15, sealers of weights and measures ; 16, measurers of fuel ; 17, inspectors of lime, where lime is burned ; 18, cullers of fish ; 19, tythingmen ; 20 hog-reeves ; and to these there may be added auctioneers^ appointed by the selectmen. f If a " single"" tax was inadequate to the public exigency ; it was in- creased upon the polls and estate, a fourth, half, or double : but before the charter of William and Mary, the tax on Maine was paid into its own treas- ury. The first valuation found on record, was in the year 1631. 684 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A,D. 1623. able polls enumerated by the assessors in each town, about once tol820. . ^ , • . r u r u m seven years ; when a capitation tax lor the use ol the govern- ment, of twenty pence, equal to 37 cents, has been laid upon each male person of sixteen years and upwards in every town, except ministers of the gospel, the aged poor, and a few others ; and the residue distributively laid or apportioned upon the towns, accord- ing to their septennial valuation, or aggregate inventories of estate, real and personal. But it has been found, in the course of 175 years, that taxable property has increased in a much greater ratio than taxable polls ; and therefore the capitation tax has been les- sened from time to time, though the sum levied has been enlarg- ed. For instance, it was 28 cents in 1795 ; 27 in 1800 ; and in 1806, the Legislature declared the polls should never pay more than a. third part of the State tax. Nay, in 1814, though the State tax, as usual, exceeded 33 thousand dollars, the poll tax was reduced to 14 cents; and in 1819, the General Court en- acted, that it should not exceed a sixth part of the whole State tax. Within the last half century, a tax-act has been passed an- nually ; and every tax, whether county, town, or parish, is asses- sed upon the polls and estates in the same ratio as the State tax is. Taiation. As to taxation; — besides the periodical or septennial State val- uation, there are taken every year on the first day of May, a new census of taxable polls, and a new inventory of rateable estate, for the purpose of assessing the year's taxes upon individuals ;* all property in general being taxable, except sheep, household furniture, wearing apparel, farming utensils, tools of mechanics, pews and property belonging to literary and charitable institutions. Unimproved real estate-, however, from an early period of settle- ment, was taxed only at a third part of its worth — upon the prin- ciple, that income was the object of taxation ; but the constitu- tion of Maine has abolished the distinction. In the actual assess- ment, the sum is set in bills, to each townsman, what he is to pay on his poll and on his estate, and gathered by the collector. Public in- There are also some other sources of revenue. One is the Sala^taxes!*^ proceeds of public lands sold and conveyed ; which began to accrue at the close of the revolutionary war, and amounted at the ♦In 1820, there were in Maine, 59,606 taxable polls, and 21 millions of dollars rateable property, as returned to the Leg-islature by the Assessors. The tax was $50,000, of which the polls, at l7cts. each, paid $10,133, and the estates $39,867. Chap, xxviii.1 of Maine. 685 time of Separation, to the nominal sum of $186,324. Another A. D. 1623, ' to 1820. consists of escheats and confiscations. These, during the same war, amounted to large sums : — subsequently escheats have been few; for one who has property seldom dies without either will or heirs. Fines and forfeitures to the Commonwealth, in criminal and penal cases, are also a source of some revenue : But one of the largest is the annual tax to government of one per cent, on the capital stock of every bank in the State — an expedient which commenced A. D. 1812, and is still pursued. Public debt. The Province and Commonwealth were at different periods, deeply in debt. But though they owed between four and five millions of dollars currency, at the close of the Revolutionary war, the debt was reduced to $56,000 in 1807, and afterwards still lower ; until the last war swelled it to more than a million. It was however mostly paid before the Separation ; and hence, if the United States assume it, as expected, one third of the money will belong to Maine. It will be readily recollected, as previously stated, that the cir- T/.''^'^ eulating medium of the country was gold and silver,* computed in sterling value, as the manner of reckoning, till the famous Can- ada expedition and conquest of Nova-Scotia, A. D. 1690 ; when hills of credit were first issued. The sums emitted within the subsequent 60 years, were immense; and in 1712 they were made a tender. But as all these had depreciated in value, till they were of inconsiderable worth ; a new emission was issued in 1742, promising three ounces of silver, or an equivalent in gold, for every 205. in the bills. Yet both the old and new tenor, was soon of the same depreciated value ; so that £2,000,000 curren- cy in 1750, were paid off and redeemed with £234,000, name- ly, £184,000 sterling, received from England, as reimbursement money towards the expenses of the Louisbourg expedition, and an auxiliary tax of £50,000 imposed on purpose, to complete the redemption of all the bills in circulation ; they being redeem- ed at 50s. of the bills, per one ounce of silver, that is, at 6s. 8d. Large emissions were again made by the General Court during the Revolution, which were redeemed under an act of 1781, at the rate of 4 dollars in the bills for one in specie. The mintage * But the amount in circulation was small. Even in England, A. D. 1606, there were only 4 million pounds sterling-, of gold and silver, in cir- culation— less than 18 millions of dollars. — 4 Hume, p. 187. 686 THE HISTORY [VoL. 11. A.D 1623, of wfloer mowev then ceased, and a solid specie-circulation was to 1820. . ^ ^ r u o.^ • u- , 1 the current medium lor about SO years; suice which, the coun- try has been filled with another species of paper money, — being the bills of corporate Banks.* ^'"s- In short, a legislative act was passed, March 31, 1750, by which all subsequent contracts were to be discharged and paid at the rate of Soz, in silver for 205. " lawful money," and nothing less : — an act which changed the nominal value of a Spanish mill'd dollar, for instance, from 4s. 6c?. sterling, to 6s, an established " lawful" value.f The coins then in circulation, were the Se~ ville, Pillar, and Mexico, pieces of eight, weighing 17^ penny- weights, and worth by tale, 6s. lawful money ; the Rix dollars, Peru pieces oj eight, Ducatoons of Flanders, French Louis, Portugal crusadoes, three-gilder pieces of Holland, and other foreign coins of silver, passed according to their weight and fine- ness. These were followed by pistereens, 5 of which passed for a dollar ; French crowns, worth 65. 8c?., and at last Spanish milled dollars, coined in Spanish America. Education. Education has been esteemed by every age since the country was settled, as the guardian spirit of civil and religious liberty, and the main supporter of a republican government. At a very early period it was enjoined upon parents by law, that their chil- dren be taught perfectly to read the English tongue ;" and be acquainted with * the scriptures and principal laws.' By an ordi- nance of 1647, all towns were required to support free and com- mon schools ; and also grammar-schools, when the towns were so large as to contain 100 families. These rudimental semina- ries were put upon the most judicious foundation. They were open to every description of youth and children ; — all being equals, and all aiming to distinguish themselves by motives of merit. So highly popular has been the school-system at all times, that government and the best of men have always taken the utmost pains to promote and improve it. Every town has been divided into a suitable number of school-districts, usually from six to ten, in all of which, as it was estimated at the time of Separation, there were more than a thousand school-houses ; * Bank capital in Maine, 1820, $1,770,000. f In 1700, an ounce of silver was worth 10*., in 1710, 8*. ; in 1720, 12#. id. ; in 1730, 20*. 6d., in 1740, 26*. 6d. ; in 1760, 45*,— 50*. currency and from 1760 to 1775, ^s, 8d. lawful money. Chap, xxviii.] of maine. 687 and the expenditure every year, exceeded $130,000, raised byA.D^J623, towns for the purpose. There were also at the same period, 24 incorporated Academies ; that of Portland, established in 1784, being the oldest. But though these have had the special patron- age of government and of generous individuals, they have been represented by experienced and judicious men, not to compare in point of usefulness with grammar schools in towns, where there are fewer obstacles in the way of those possessing talents, of an emulation to excel, and a taste for literature. The course of education, common, academical, and classical, ^"^ has within half a century, been essentially improved. To the elementary branches, reading, writing, and arithmetic, anciently and uniformly taught in our town-schools, have been added Eng- lish grammer and geography. Even geometry, trigonometry, surveying and navigation are now not uncommon studies — as they are important to a people inhabiting a new country, or dwelling contiguous to navigable waters. In the classics, the dead languages, Hebrew and Greek, have within a few years gradually given place to a more thorough study of our vernacu- lar tongue, and some other living languages, and also of rhetoric, history and philosophy, natural, mental, and moral. Our gradu- ates are now more accomplished writers, than in the former age ; yet it must be confessed, there is at present, less taste for the beauties of style and the culture of the fine arts, than for dis- tinctions in politics and eminence in business. By introducing into this country the musical gamut, within the last century,* there has been a regular progression of improvement in sacred music, till it is now performed in many places, with a correctness, accentuation and melody, unknown to the first settlers in the country. Martial music also, aided especially by a variety of ingenious instruments, has within a few years, acquired singular celebrity. f But Church Organs and even Pianos, were rare instruments, till within a short period prior to the Separation. There are two species of instruction, now advanced beyond a Sabbath ' •' schools. * Singing by note is said to have been introduced in Boston, between 1717 and 1724. — 4 Jlass. His. Soc. new series^ p. 301. I Formerly the fife and drum for foot companies, and the trumpet for the cavalr}', were the instruments of martial music. But in later years there have been introduced the bass-drum, bassoon, clarionet, hautboy, French horn and bugle. 688 TFIE HISTORY [VoL. II. A 1). IG23, state of experiment, which well deserve to he mentioned ; — one is the Sabbath-schools, which were established in England, about 1780, also in Philadelphia, about 181 1, and have since spread over the United States ; there being a large number in Maine, which have been highly efficient among the youth of both sexes in the diffusion of scriptural knowledge, and the culture of moral Lancastrian sensc. The Other is the Lancastrian system, introduced several syslein. ... years later, which is in progress, and has its advocates and its foes. Learned Men of collcffiate education usually select one of the learned Professions. ° professions. Divinity, Law, or Physic, for the employment of life. Theolc^y In Theology, the student's term of study is two years, if he belong either to the congregational, baptist, presbyterian, or epis- copalian denominations of christians ; whose ministers are gener- ally clergymen of liberal education, and sometimes of profound science and extensive professional learning. Among other sec- taries, no period of scholarship is prescribed ; and some are licensed and enter into clerical orders, with quite a limited knowl- edge of the sciences.'*^ Law. The profession of Law, became a more eminent employment, and its practitioners, by degrees, a more distinguished order of men, subsequent to the revision of the Statute-laws and establish- ment of the Courts, under the Provincial charter. Previously, there was no great regard paid to legal forms of process ; the parties spoke for themselves, or employed their friends to state their case ; and clergymen were sometimes consulted, even as depositaries of the law. There were attorneys in Massachusetts, as early as 1654; some of whom practised before the General Court, which exercised judicial as well as legislative powers ; and therefore a common attorney was prohibited, in 1663, to set in that body. — Yet Randolph, in a letter from Boston, dated January, 1687, says, we have but two lawyers. There was no change in professional practice, till 1701.f Forms of writs were then es- *ln 1770, there were only 35 settled ministers in Maine ; all of whom, except four, were cong-reg-ationalists, viz. John Wiswell of Falmouth, and Jacob Baily of Pownalborough, who were episcopalians ; — Thomas Pierce of Scarboroug-h, and John Murray of Boothbay, who were presbyterians. t See 1 Knapp's Biog. Sk. <^c. " Introduction,'" p. 9— 35.— The first 70 years of our history passed away " producing but few, if any distinguished Lawyers. But by deg-rees, it was discovered, that men of intellectual and professional talents, were necessary in Courts of Justice, to manage the business of suitors with regularity and success. Chap, xxviii.] of Maine. 689 tablished, — Courts were empowered to make rules for the regu- A.^j^i623, lation of business, — and an oath was prescribed to attorneys.* But in 1714, two, and no more, were allowed to be employed in one cause, and no one on the offer of 12s. fees, might, without sufficient reasons, decline. There were in 1768, sia?,f and yet in 1790, only eleven barristers and practising attorneys in Maine ; though the number of lawyers had, in 1820, increased to two hundred and seventeen. When the order of Barristers was estab- lished in this country, it is not precisely known ; though it is cer- tain the older and more learned practitioners at the bar, were all called by that appellation many years before the Revolution j and the Supreme Court of Judicature were authorized by a Statute of 1782, to confer this degree at discretion. { The next * Prior to the Provincial charter, the practice was very informal. " Ac- tions of the case," were broug-ht to recover possession of lands; and other essential forms were disregarded ; " wholly occasioned by the want of learning- and skill in those who introduced them — and of their indistinct notions of the law."— Sfmrns on Real Actions^ note A. p. 491, 503. — The profession of law is ancient in Eng-land. Attorneys in that country were made such, by a patent from the Crown before A. D. 1285; when the courts were ordered to admit any one, the parly chose, to manag-e his cause. Afterwards, A. D. 1403, the Courts were enjoined to examine the candidates, and even the attorneys ; and to reject or remove such as were unlearned or unskilful ; and swear the rest to be faithful. In 1730, the term of study or clerkship was set in that country, at ^we years ; and is now pursued at the inns of Courts. In Spain it is pursued in Colleg-cs : — in France the profession is a sort of knighthood : — and in both countries the lawyers wear a costume. — In Germany and Poland the civil law is the basis of legal proceedings ; and almost every thing is done in writing. — In Russia, the civil law is also the basis of all law, and the pra<5titioner8 are mostly Germans. — Address of William Sullivan^ LL. D, p. 12 to 20» — J^orlh American Review^ July^ 1823. I These were William Cushing and James Sullivan of Pownalborough; David Sewall and Caleb Emery of York ; Theophilns Bradbury and David Wyer of Falmouth. — In 1780-1, there were only jive^ John Frothingham of Falmouth ; Caleb Emery of York ; Roland Cushing, Timothy Langdon and William Lithgow of Pownalborough. In 1790, the only barrister in Maine was John Gardiner of Pownalborough. \ Immediately after the adoption of the State Constitution, the Supreme Judicial Court, in Feb. 1781, established a rule, that whereas learning in the law, when duly encouraged and rightly directed, may be peculiarly promotive of private justice and public good ; and the Court being ready- to bestow peculiar marks of approbation upon the gentlemen of the bar distinguished for legal science, honor and integrity, do order^ " that no gentleman shall be called to the degree of Barrister, till he shall merit the Vol. II. 87 690 THE HISTORY [^OL. II. A. D^^i623, year, the precept and form of calling them to the bar for the pur- pose, were prescribed by that Court, and they were ordered to " take rank according to the date of their respective writs." But no barristers have been called since 1784 ; Parsons and Sedg- wick being the last of that order, who have had a seat on the supreme bench. The division into Counsellors and Attorneys, was established in 1806 ; when it was ordered by the Court, that those persons only, should be candidates for examination and admission to the bar as attorneys, who had, * besides a good * school education, devoted seven years to literary acquisitions, * and three of them in the office of a barrister or counsellor and when they have practised two years as attorneys they may be admitted Counsellors, whose privilege it is, both to manage and argue causes. Jurists. Under the Provincial charter, a period of eighty-nine years, there were commissioned to the bench of the Supreme Court thirty-seven Judges, seven or eight of whom were taken from the bar ; — being eminent ornaments of their profession, who had made great and successful efforts to reform and improve the Ju- dicial system, and who were succeeded under the Constitution, by none other than lawyers, till the Separation. " There are many persons, who remember the scarlet robes, with deep facings and cuffs of black velvet, which were worn by the Judges ; their bands and their powdered wigs, adorned with black silk bags; and their black silk gowns, worn in summer. It it probable this costume, was assumed, when the Judges were first appointed un- der the charter by royal authority — in imitation of the king's Judges at home. Certain it was worn long before the Revolu- tion, and resumed soon after its close. The Judges wore black silk gowns, at the fimeral of Governor Hancock, Oct. 1793; — the last time they appeared in that costume. Probably it did not same by his conspicuous learning-, ability, and honesty," — and then, by the mere motion of the Court. — Prec. Dedamlion, p. 566-^1. — There vvei e, A. D. 1820, about G,OJ0 lawyers in the United States :— in New-Hampshire, 204; in Maine, 217; io Massaclmsetts, 521 ; in Rliode-Island, 50; in Con- necticut, 273 ; in Vermont, 220 ; in New-York, 1,381 ; in New-Jersey, 134 ; in Pennsylvania, 417 ; in Delaware, 32 ; in Maryland, 175 ; in Virginia, 483 ; in Georgia, 157 ; and other States in proportion ; — giving a result of one to 1,500 inhabitants. Chap, xxviii.] of Maine. 69 1 suit the simplicity of our form of government. Also barristers wore black silk gowns, bands and bags."* The j)roJession of physic is noticed by a law as early as 1649 ; ^'j.^^'^^y*"** when chirurgeons, midwives, and physicians were forbidden to try any unusual experiment upon their patients, in a manner con- trary to the known approved rules of the art," without the advice of others well skilled in their occupation, if obtainable, — otherwise of persons, ** the wisest and gravest then present." The usual period ol a student's study is two years ; but there was no law to regulate the practice of physic and surgery, till those of February 19, 1818, and 1819, which declared, that if any person should commence the practice within the State without a license or medical degree, from some College, or the Massachusetts or other Medical Society, he should not have the aid of law, to collect any thing for his professional services. The same has been adopted by Maine. Since the year 1820, Medical Lectures have been delivered at Bowdoin College ; doctorates conferred ; and a Medical Society for the State established. A people's Religion forms one of its distinguishing traits of Reijgjo„ character. In this State, every person has an inviolable right to worship God according to the dictates as well of choice as of conscience ; and sectaries, whose controversies have stained European Histories with blood, are all equally under the protec- tion of our Constitution and laws.f There are nine Christian denominations in this State, of whose comparative numbers, ec- clesiastical polity, and clerical orders, it cannot be improper to take a cursory view.f * Mr. Sullivan, p. 34-6, 47. The urbanity of the Court and Bar towards each other underwent an unhappy chang^e during' the Revolution ; and the extreme austerity of the former and needless acumen of the latter, con- tinued till Judge Sedgwick ascended the bench. — The business and profits, incident to the profession of the law, are generally the greatest in com- mercial communities. Between January 1, 1820, and January 1, 1821, the whole number of " new entries" of actions and cases on the dockets of the Common Pleas, in the nine Counties of Maine, were 7,792 ; viz. 7,610 civil, 182 criminal entries. t But Catholics or papists were not allowed equal protection and rights with other sects, under either of the charters, nor yet under the Common- wealth ; for the oath of allegiance excluded all foreign and of course papal power ; and towns were required to support " Protestant teachers of re- ligion." Now by the Constitution of Maine, there is no preference nor distinction. J See an 569. Vol. II. 88 698 THE HISTORY [VoL. 11. A. D. 1623, into the number, means and conduct of all located and travelling ministers within its jurisdiction. They also send deputies and a report of their proceedings to the General Conference. Each annual conference is divided into Districts^ of which Maine forms three, — denominated the Portland, Kennebeck and Pe- nobscot Districts ; over which a Bishop appoints three resident Presiding Elders. These several districts are divided into Cir- cuits ; within each of which the Elder convenes, quarterly, the preachers, stewards, exhorters and class-leaders of the circuit, and holds a kind of court to hear complaints, and decide appeals arising therein. The Methodists have a Chartered Fund, originilly formed and occasionally increased by donations and contributions, vested in stock funded under the direction of Trustees, appointed by the General Conference. Their houses of public worship and glebes are owned by the Society, the deeds of which run to certain Trustees by name.. Every travelling preacher is allowed annu- ally eighty dollars besides his travelling expenses, and is paid out of the collections by the stewards, or out of the general fund.* Friends or The number of Friends or Quakers in this Slate, is perhaps Quakers. ^1^^^^^. 2,000, formed into 30 societies. At the head of this sect stands John Fox, born in England, A. D. 1624. By the Massachu- setts' law of 1653, several were imprisoned and otherwise perse- cuted, and some put to death. Their first meeting in Maine, was Dec. 1662, at Newichawannock. They also met on the other side of the Piscataqua ; when Richard Waldron, of Dover, issu- ed a warrant, commanding three Quakeresses to be whipped out of that Province. But it is not known that this persecution did in fact extend into Maine. The Friends, who are united by the strongest social ties, have their monthly, quarterly, and yearly meetings for business as well as worship. At the monthly meetings, they record births and deaths — provide for their poor — hear banns published or de- clared— approbate marriages — certify memberships, and disci- pline, or even " disown" such as walk disorderly. All attend, if possible, these meetings. The (Quarterly meetings are consti- tuted of representatives chosen by the preceding, and vested with power to determine appeals from any of them. There are usu- ally eight delegates, four of each sex, chosen at every quarterly * Doctrine and Discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 211 pages. Chap, xxviii.] of Maine. 699 meeting;, all of whom collectively when convened, form the a. d. 1623, 1 • 1 . • ' ^'rr to 1820. yearly meeting — the two sexes sitting apart, in dirierent rooms. They hear appeals ; enquire into the sufferings of individuals ; establish rules, and attend to the affairs of the whole body. Each society has at least four Overseers^ two males and two fe- males. Both sexes are allowed to speak in meetings ; and if they possess gifts and godliness, and are approved by a monthly meet- ing, they may enter upon the ministry of the word. Their form of marriages is expressly recognized by our laws, though in it- self peculiar ; for after the intentions of the nuptial union are approved in a monthly meeting, the parties are attended by their friends on a week day to their house of public worship, — then rising together, they join hands, and say, " we take each other as husband and wife :" — and then put their signatures to a paper, to perpetuate the evidence of the sacred relation formed."'^ There are a few societies of Universalists in this State, who Universal formed and adopted an ecclesiastical Constitution, A. D. 1789.'^^^" Their church-officers consist of their Minister, Deacon, Treas- urer, and Clerk. Each church is a body by itself ; yet several churches sometimes, like those of congregationalists, form Asso- ciations. The Shakers in this State have societies at Alfred, New-Glou- shakers, cester, and Gorham. Persecuted in England soon after their appearance, in 1706, several of them with their spiritual mother, Ann Lee, emigrated to New- York, in 1774, and settled at Water Vliet, west of Albany. The Shakers live in families, having a community of goods, or all things common ; — also Leaders whom they call Elders, and a house of public worship, which they call their Temple. Here both sexes join in acts and exer- cises of devotion, which they denominate *' labor." They have little connexion or intercourse with the world ; their government is patriarchcal ; they provide for their sick, maintain their poor, and religiously educate all children cast upon them by Divine Providence ; while they themselves acknowledge no outward or- dinance, not even marriage ; requiring of every member, a life of celibacy. A book of records is kept by a Ruling Elder ; * Clarksons 'portraiture of Quakerism — 3 vols. — Also Mr. Barclay's works. Quakers believe in no outward ordinance ;— -are foes to lotteries ; g-ames; wagers; theatres; chang-e of fashions ; and even music, as acting too much on the senses. 700 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A. D^J623, and should any One wish to join the Society, he signs a request and is put upon probation. If he be admitted, and afterwards withdraw, he may retire, taking his property, without interest, and receiving no pecuniary emolument for his labor. meiu?^' Next to education and religion. Industry and Employment h^vd been esteemed, in every age, as the vital arteries of society. Yes, there have always been statute laws in force with us, for the pun- ishment of idlers and spendthrifts. Hunting, fishing, lumbering, seafaring, ship-building, and in the present age, agriculture and manufactures, have been and are the objects of business and pursuit. The best age for hunting, was between the capture of Quebec, and the close of the Revolution ; the Indians being re- duced to peace, and game plenty. The cod and mackerel fish- eries have been pursued with great profit, on our coasts, as the salmon, shad, and alewife fisheries have been in our rivers. Lum- bering has, through a period of two centuries, employed an im- mense number of mill-wrights, axe-men, sawyers and other la- borers such have been the infinite quantities of it, taken from our forests and exported from our harbors. As a seafaring life offers generous rewards to labor, risque, and enterprize ; and skil- ful seamanship is an art which commands a ready employ as well as great wages ; the greater part of our young men upon our Tonnage, extensive seaboard, are mariners. Our tonnage* has always been beyond proportion large, compared with our population ; and our shipping, which consists principally of brigs, schooners, and sloops,f is the workmanship of our own builders and artisans, Exports and g^'cat numbers being sent to other States. Our articles of ca;- iwporis. portfl^. lumber, fish, and furs, have always been of superior qual- * Shipping in Maine was, in 1800, 87,390 tons; in 1804, 100,939 tons. in 1805, 117,622 " in 1810, 141,057 " in 1811, 139,727 " in l8l3, 135,056 " in 1814, 125,006 " in 1820, 140,373 " For the years 1820-5 :—See Greenleafs Surveyy p. 220-6. t There were built in Maine, in 1820, 2 ships; 29 brig^s; 101 schooners, and 17 sloops. J Exports from Maine — in 1810, domestic $763,285, foreign $40,334= $803,619 total. 1811, " 981,708, " 92,922=1,074,630 " 1813, " 169,763, " 18,959= 188,722 " 1820, total, 1,041,148, in 1821, = 1,036,642 " For the years from 1822-6. — See Greenleafs Survey^ p. 242. N. B.— It has been estimated that the exports from Maine, coastwise, Chap, xxviii.] of maine. 701 ity; — in return for which, we have received provisions, West- A. D^j 623, India products, cloths of European fabric, and commodities, of- tentimes of inferior quahty. The employments of the people necessarily render them great consumers ;* and the barter and domestic trade with them have often, and perhaps generally, yield- ed to the dealer a profit, both in the articles sold them, and pur- chased of them.f Our tonnage was the highest in 1810, before our drffictrltres with England assumed a serious character. In 182D, our fishe- ries were very flourishing, as it appears by the comparatrve boun- ties disbursed in different years. Also the large sums paid into the seaman's fund by the mariners of this District, exhibit proofs of the great numbers engaged in a seafaring life ; while the smatl amount, drawn therefrom by our seamen, is incontestible teslitnony in favor of their constitutions, habits, and healths. Agriculture, subsequent to the Revolution, and especially since j^^^'*^***" not registered, are about three or four times more than what appears above, by the custom-house registry, to have been entered. — So that the coast- wise exports for 1S20, may have been $3,500,000. * The /mpori* into Maine, in 1320, in Foreign and American vesselsf were $980,294 ; and yet probably the imports coastwise, were equal to 3 millions of dollars, the same year; allowing the balance of trade to be in our favor proportion ably in the coastwise as in the registered commerce. The duties were secured elsewhere, yet the consumer pays them. f The amount of Duties which accrued to the United States from Maine, on merchandise, tonage, passports, and cleai^nces," after deducting de- bentures issued on the exportation of foreign merchandise, bounties and allowances made, stands thus, viz : — in 1815, $456,837 18 in 1818, $252,278 60 in 1021, $378,852 21 in 1816, 316,787 37 in 1819, 310,734 40 in 1822, 369,466 96 in 1817, 254,936 00 in 1820, 337,989 67 in 1825, 466,819 18 The preceding is the gross amount (each year,) of the Revenue ; from which are to be deducted drawbacks on exports ; bounties ; and allowances lo vessels employed in the fisheries ; duties refunded ; and expenses of prose- cution and collection ; — leaving the net revenue about a third part less than the gross revenue. The Bounties or allowances paid out principally to Fishermen in Maine, were in 1815, none. in 1816, $7,989 25 in 1818, $17,748 04 in 1820, $42,345 86 [in 1817, 12,174 47 in 1819, 28,117 94 in 1821, 45,730 01 Amount rectivtd under the Act for the relief of sick and disabled sea- men in Maine, was in 1817— $2,592 04 ; in 1818, $2,743 92 ; in 1819, $2,854 84; in 1820, $3,168 40 :— making in four years, $11,359 20 :— in which time there were paid out for their relief only, $3,286 10. 702 THE HISTORY [VoL. II. A.n. 1623, the last war, has been both encouraged and advanced. Large to 1820. ° o and numerous orchards have been planted ; the breed or stock of domestic animals improved ; and soils have been made to submit to better culture under a management of more skill and care. Through an inspiring zeal to promote a taste and love for hus- bandry, agricultural societies have been formed ; and on their anniversaries, there have been exhibitions of cattle, and home manufactures ; and premiums have been awarded and paid to successful competitors.* Manufac- Though we have great numbers and varieties of mechanics and artificers, our articles manufactured are chiefly from wood, iron, wool and leather : — Such as agricultural implements, house- hold stuff, and the tools of handicraftsmen : also nails and augers, cloths, hats, cordage, paper, saddlery and shoes. In 1810, there were in this State, 16,057 looms, 22 furnaces, for- ges and nailerijes, and 1 1 ropewalks.f Institutions. Institutions are numerous, and of these descriptions, viz, religious^ literary, benevolent, monied and masonic. For in- stance, there were in the State, at the time of Separation, besides two Colleges, and the " Maine Charity School," twelve missionary and education Societies ; — nine Bible Societies ; — nine Charitable Societies ; — sixteen Banks ; and several Insurance Companies. To these may be subjoined as charitable or benevolent establish- ments, a Grand Chapter of Masons, four Arch Chapters, and thirty-three Lodges. The Grand Lodge of Maine was estab- lished at Portland, during the first Session of the State Legis- lature.J In 1820, there were in Maine, 78,964 acres of tillage ; 301,394 acres of mowing ; . 272,717 of pasturag-e ; 31,019 barns ; 17,849 horses; 48,224 oxen ; 66,639 swine ; and the Indian corn raised, was 508,143 bushels; wheat, 202,161 bushels ; rye, 45,679 bushels ; oats, 102,605 bushels ; barley, 74,972 bushels ; peas and beans, 34,443 bushels ; and 240,741 tons of hay cut and secured. f There were manufactured in this State, during the year 1810, 1,265,594 lbs. of nails ; the value of $2,000 in augers ; $478,000 worth of shoes and boots; 2,285,369 yards of woollen and cotton cloth; 60,123 hats; $16,500 worth of paper; and $234,60J worth of cordage.— In 1820, there were in this State, 1,768 mechanic workshops ; 248 tanneries ; 85 pot and pearlash works; 524 gristmills ; 746 sawmills ; 210 carding machines; 149 fulling mills, and 17 spinning machines. \ The first Masonic Lodge in America, called St. John's Lodge, was holden at Boston, July 30, 1733, by commission from Lord Viscount Chap, xxviii.] of Maine. 703 Man is a creature of expense ; and in this particular, the dwel- a. d. 1623, , r ' , , 1 , • r , 1 • 1 • 1820. hnghouses, lurniture, dress and habits oi the people, within a ^ century past, have undergone essential changes. When pecuni- nnd present /. . , . times, ary circumstances lavor or permit, men consult convenience, taste, and even elegance. A dwellinghouse of a single story, with its inside well ceiled, one hundred years ago, would proba- bly compare to advantage with one of two, perhaps three stories, at the present time, finished in the best modern style of architec- ture.* Throughout new countries, families first dwell in cotta- ges, oftentimes constructed of logs ; and there is equal simpli- city in their food and furniture. For anciently it was the second or succeeding generation, that built framed houses, and used pewter instead of the primary wooden vessels of their parents. The spirit of economy, it is true, attended the people through the Revolution, regardless of fashion and unambitious of orna- ment and display. But that period was succeeded by an over- flowing influx of foreign fabrics ; and when a passion for finery pervaded the community, families aspired to destinction by means of luxury and extravagance. Our indigenous cherry, black- birch, and curl maple, which received so fair a polish in the ser- vice of our grandmothers, were shoved from the parlour and set- ting-room, to admif articles of foreign mahogany, and perhaps of foreign workmanship. To cloths, manufactured in families, — the creditable specimens of female ingenuity, which a single age Montague, Grand Master of England. The next was St. Andrew's Lodge, inslituled there, Nov. 30, 1752, by a ' dispensation' from Lord Aber- dowr, Grand Master of Scotland. His successor, the Earl of Dalhousie, March 3, 1772, commissioned Doct. Joseph Warren, Grand Master of all the Masonic Lodg-es in America. After General Warren fell on Bunker Hill, June 17, 1775, Joseph Webb, Esq. succeeded him as Grand Master. The first Lodge in JIaine was Portland Lodge, chartered in 1762, and es- tablished in March, 1769.— The oldest Chapter, was Portland Chapter, in- stituted in 1805; and the G. R. A. Chapter, was established in 1797. The number of Masons in this State, might possibly be, in 1820, fifteea hundred ; and their funds fifteea or twenty thousand dollars, including masonic halls and other property. The Masonic are reckoned among the Charitable Institutions, and many are said to be relieved from their funds, who must otherwise suffer, or make applications to their towns for assistance. * Numbers of our meeting-houses are commodious and some are splendid. As many as 60 or 70, in 1830, were furnished with church bells. 704 THE HISTORV [VoL. II. A. n. 1623, ago, formed the apparel of our worthiest people,* has succeeded an excessive use of silks and muslins ; so that the best bridal dress of that day, would be wholly eclipsed now, by a young female's usual sabbath habit. Yes, a young man, too, whose grandfather's timepiece, might probably have been a leaden dial, by the well or the garden side, supposes he has not attained to the modern standard of fashion and elegance, without a goldea watch and silken underclothes. At the table, likewise, instead of the nutritious milk and simple viands, which gave vigor, health and cheerfulness, are teas, luxuries and surfeits, — the effects af which, too often undermine the constitution. If these customs are not the fruits and evidences ol a deterioration from puritan principles ; it is well that a radical reform, for instance, has been undertaken in the excessive use of spiritous liquors, which as- sures the promise of ultimate triumph, over the fell destroyer. In the former age, the amusements of the men were athletic, as wrestling, hunting and foot-races, — dancing being the favorite of both sexes. All these were harmless, and though the young have lost nothing of their passion for this exercise ; the others have yield- ed to sedentary diversions, such as chequers, backgammon, chess, and even cards. Nor has the last very unfrequently been perverted to baser purposes than the simplicity of diversion, — if not sometimes made productive of the saddest consequences. —Facilities and comforts in travelling, have in late years, been greatly promoted by the improved models of carriages, and supe- rior art acquired in building them.f The chaise is of com- mon use ; — and many are finished with a taste and elegance, to which our artisans of the former age were entire strangers. — In short the powers of ingenuity are not only great, but we live in a most favored age for improvement. In the present aspect of this State, there is presented every motive to excite patriotic sensibility and enthusiastic emulation. The prodigious vicissi- tudes within sixty years, next before Separation, through which * Before the Revolution, the wearing" of wigs was fashionable, even annong the common people. I Coaches were introduced into England, about 1580; before which time, ♦* the queen on public occasions rode behind her chamberlain." — 4 J/t/wie, p. 189 — Many of our mothers, in like manner, attended their hua- bands to public worship for years, even sioce the Reyolution. Chap. xxviii.J of Maine. 705 this eastern country has been called to pass, have exhibited the A. D. 1523, inhabitants in all the forms of struggle and contest for existence, for shelter, for food, and for freedom. An era is now unfolded to the enjoyment of unenthralled religion, and advancements in education and the arts ; — interests, which form the chief glory of a community and of man. Is the visitant, or traveller, surprized to find with what rapidity the forest has been converted into cul- tivated farms and populous towns — to behold how the myriads of savages are reduced to a few feeble clans — the objects of mere compassion, whose appalling yells so lately reverberated through the wilderness, and whose merciless revenge so boldly and un- sparingly slaughtered the numerous recruits of settlers, and de- molished their houses and strongholds — then may a spirit of future enterprize shew, that we consider the work of improve- ment and true greatness only commenced. The Divine pencil has drawn for us the outlines of an extensive commonwealth. A vast domain of nature still remains uncultivated ; and attainments in literary and moral refinement, are yet in the outer court of per- fectability. In the march of intellect, therefore, let science and practical skill put to experiment, what may serve to develope the resources of matter, mind and nature, and the effects must educe models — a thousand for one. Let the temple, founded in our fa- thers' virtues, and cemented by their blood, be finished, furnish- ed and fortified, in a style no less superior than the superstruc- ture itself — and so we and ours fulfil the destiny appointed us, of making strong and solid, the pillars of our country's greatness. Vol. XL 89 APPENDIX. First chosen, A. D. For Maine. NO. 1. List of Councillors in Maine, and Sagadahock, under the Char- ter oj William and Mary, from 1691 to 1780, inclusive. A. D. 1770 James Gowen, 1 year for Maine, and 3 years for Sag- adahock. 1773 Jerathmel Bowers, 1 year. *Jedediah Preble, 2 years. 1774 *Enoch Freeman, 2 years. Benj. Chadbourne, 2 years for Maine, and 1 year for Sagadahock. 1775 Charles Chauncey, 2 years. 1776 David Sewall, 2 years. 1778 Joseph Simpson, 2 years. 1779 Edward Cutts. For Sagadahock. 1691 Sylvanus Davis, 2 years. 1692 Joseph Lynde, 22 years. 1706 John Leverett, 1 year. 1717 Elisha Cook, 2 years. 1719 Paul Dudley, 3 years. 1722 Spencer Phips, 10 years. 1724 Samuel Thaxter, 1 year. 1733 John Jeffries, 11 years. 1741 James Allen, 1 year. 1746 John Wheelwright, lOy'rs. 1755 William Brattle, 12 years. 1770 l^See Powell, Chadbourne, and Gowen,'\ under 'Maine,' 1775 John Tailer, 3 years. 1778 Henry Gardner, 1 year. 1779 Joseph Simpson. 1693 1694 1695 1698 1701 1706 1708 1691-2 *Job Alcot, Sam'l Hey- man, and *Samuel Donnel, 3 years. *Francis Hook, 2 years, ♦Charles Frost, 11 years. *Samuel Wheelwright, 6 years. Eliakim Hutchinson, 21 years, died 1718. *Jos. Hammond, 21 years. Benjamin Brown, 6 years. *Ichabod Plaisted, 10 y'rs. Elisha Hutchinson, 2 y'rs. *John Wheelwright, 25 years. 1716 Adam Winthrop, 3 years. 1725 Edw. Hutchinson, 2 years. 1727 *William Pepperell, jr.t 33 years, Bart. 1746. 1730 *Timothy Gerrish, 5 years. 1733 *Samuel Came, 9 years. 1735 *JeremiahMoulton,17y'rs. 1752 Jabez Fox, 3 years. 1755 *John Hill, 16 years. Richard Cutts, 8 years. 1760 *Nath'I Sparhawk, 13 y'rs. 1763 John Bradbury, 10 years. 1766 *Jeremiah Powell,t 8 y'rs for Maine, and 4 years for Sagadahock. * Those with this mark were Judges of the Inferior Court, or Common Pleas. f Those with this mark were appointed « Mandamus" Councillors, in 1775. N. B, — The number of years annexed to the names was not always suc- cessive. 708 APPENDIX. NO. 2. List of Councillors and Senators from Maine j from 1780, to 1820, inclusive. \ A. D. First elected, A. D. 1780 Edward Cutts, 2 years. " Jedediah Preble, 3 years. " Thomas Rice, 3 years. " Benj. Chadhourne, 5 years. 1782 Nathaniel Wells, 10 years, Councillor, in 1793. 1783 John Lewis, 2 years — Wm. Lithgow, 3 years. 1785 Josiah Thatclier, Jr. 1786 Waterman Thomas. 1788 Dummer Sewall, 2 years. 1789 Daniel Cony, 3 years. 1791 David MxicheW— Alexander Campbell. 1792 Simon Frye— Peleg Wads- worth. 1794 William Widgery Ste- phen Longfellow. 1795 David Mitchell. 1796 Daniel Davis — Isaac Par- ker. 1797 Samuel Thompson. 1798 Nathaniel Dummer, Coun- cillor in 1809. 1800 Richard F. Cutts. 1801 John Lord, Councillor in 1813— Woodbury Storer. 1803 John Woodman John Cushing — John Chandler. 180G Joseph Storer— Levi Hub- bard—Dan'l Ilsley— Tho's Fillebrown — George Ulmer — John Farley — Benjamin J.' Porter — Nathan Wes- ton.f 1807 James Means — Wm. King — Barzillai Gannet. 1808 Joseph Leiand Lathrop Lewis — Ammi R. Mitchell — Theodore Lincoln — Da- vid Cobbi — Prentiss Mel- len.f 1809 Alexander Rice — Francis Carr — Joshua Cushman. 1810 Thomas Cutts Martin Kinsley . 1811 James Parker— iH/oses Carl- tonf — Asa Clapp.f 1812 William Moody— Eleazer W. Ripley — Jonathan Page — Ebenezer Poor — Erastus Foote W^illiam Webber — William Reed— Matthew Cobb.f 1813 John Holmes — Jacob Ab- bot—Dan'l Stowell— Josh- ua Gage — James Campbell. 1814 Mark L. Hill— Albion K. Parris. 1815 Wm. Crosby- Jbs/t. Headf Ezekiel Whitman.^ 1816 Isaac Parsons — Mark Har- ris— Wm. D. Williamson — Ebenezer T. Warren — Jo- siah Stebbins.i 1817 Archelaus Lewis — ^j-John Moor — Solomon Bates. 1818 Samuel Fessenden — Sam- uel Small — James Bridget 1819 James Irish — Barret Pot- ier.f 1820 March 15, Separation of Maine from Massachusetts. N. B. — Those in Italics were Councillors. I Those with this mark annexed, were only in the Council; except Gen. David Cobb, who was President of the Senate before he removed in- to Maine, APPENDIX. NO. 3. List of Members of Congress from Maine. First chosen. 1789 George Thatcher, [of Biddeford,] 10 years. 1793 Henry Dearborn, [Pittston,] 4 years. " Peleg Wadsworth, [Portland,] 8 years. 1795 Isaac Parker, [Castine,] 2 years. 1797 Silas Lee, [fViscasset,] 3 years. 1801 Richard Cutts, [Kittery,] 8 years. 1803 Samuel Thatcher, [ Warren,] 4 years. " Phineas Bruce, [3Tachias,] 2 years. 1805 John Chandler, [3Ionmouth,] 4 years. 1807 Orchard Cook, [Wiscasset.] " Daniel Ilsley, [Portlajid,] 2 years. 1809 Barzillai Gannet, [HallowelL] " Ezekiel Wliitman, [Portland.] 1811 Peleg Talman, [5aM.]— William Widgery, [Portland.] " Francis Carr, [Ba7igor.] 1813 George Bradbury, [Portland.] — Levi Hubbard, [Paris.] Cyrus King, [Saco,] — John Wilson, [Belfast.] " Abiel Wood, [Wiscasset.] — James Parker, [Gaj-diner.] 1815 Samuel Davis, [Bath.] — Benjamin Brown, [lyaldoboroi/gh.] " James Carr, [Bangor.] — Samuel S. Conner, [Norridgewock.] " Thomas Rice, [Augusta and Winslow.] 1817 John Holmes, [Alfred.] Benjamin Orr, [Brunswick.] — Joshua Gage, [Augusta.] " Albion K. Parris, [Paris and Portland.] 1818 Enoch Lincoln, [Paris.] 1819 Mark L. Hill, [Georgetown.] — Joshua Cushman, [Wi7islow.] " Martin Kinsley, [Hampden.] 1821 Joseph Dane, [Kennebunk.] " William D. Williamson, [Bangor.] — Ebenezer Herrick, [Boio- doinham.] 1822 Mark Harris, [Portland.] Prentiss Mellen, Senator in Congress from Maine, before the Separation. 1820 John Holmes, and John Chandler, first Senators from Maine after the Separation. Note. — Eighteen of these g-entlemen have deceased. — Mr. Thatcher was Judge of the S. J. Court of Mass. 10 years. He died, 1824. — Mr. Dearborn was Secretary of War, 4 or 5 years, and a Major-Gencral in the last war. He died in Boston. — Mr. Wadsworth was a General in the Revolution. He died at Hiram, 1831. — Mr. Parker was ('hief Justfce of the S. J. Court many years before his death, 183Q. — Mr. Lee was Dist. Att. for Maine for 12 years, before his d,eath, 1814. — Mr. Bruce was a young counsellor at law of distinguished abilities. — Mr. Widgery was for many years a Judge of the C. C. Pleas before his death. — Messrs. F. and J. Carr, father and son, were gentlemen of great tinnne&.« and integ- rity. The former, who died in 1820, survived the latter only a few years. — Mr. King, an eminent lawyer, was Maj. Gen. of the militia, when he died, 1817. — Mr. Brown died, 1817. He was a physician, learned in his profession and highly esteemed. — Mr. Lincoln was the third Governor of Maine. 710 APPENDIX JVO. 4. Government of Maine. Sagadahock, Western and Eas- tern ; — [os divided by Pe- nobscot river. ^ Accessitus. Western Sagadahock. 1631 ]664 1605 1674 1680- 1688 1689 Pemaquid proprietors. Patent to the Duke of York. King's Commissioners as- sume the administration. Devonshire County, estab- lished by Massachusetts. 7 Ed. Andros, and Tho's Dungan, ducal governors. Andros, Governor of New- England. Government assumed by Massachusetts. Eastern Sagadahock. Province of Maine. Accessitvs. J 635-6 William Gorges, Defy Governor. 1639 Charter of Sir F. Gorges. 1640 Tho's Gorges, Dep'y Gov. 1644 KichsLvdY ines, Dep'y. Gov. 164() Divided by Kennebunk river. 1646 Edw. Godfrey, elected Gov. of the west Division^ or Gorges' part. " George Cleaves, Deputy President of the East Di- vision, or Lygonia, under Alexander Rigby, to 1658. 1652-3 Massachusetts assumes the government of vi^e stern Maine. 1658 She extends her govern- ment over Lygonia, also. 1665 The King's Commission- ers assume the govern- ment of both. 16"68 Massachusetts resumes the administration of Gor- ges' original and entire Province, 1677 She purchases it. 1679-80 Provincial government of Maine established. 1680 Thomas Danforth, Pres't. 1686-8 Interrupted by Joseph Dudley, and Edmond An- dros. 1689 President Danforth's ad- ministration resumed. 1691 Province Charter of William and Mary, embraces Maine and Sagadahock. Royal Governors. Exitus. 1692 Sir Wm. Phips. He retires to England, 1694,— died 1695. 1694 William Stoughton, izewf. Governor. 1699 Richard Earl Bellamont, Gov. Died, March 5, 1701. 1701 Lieut. Governor Stoughton, " July 7, 1701. " The Council. 1702 June, Joseph Dudley, Governor. Removed 1715. 1715 Nov. 9, William Taiier, Lieut. Governor. 1716 Oct. Samuel Shute, Governor. Left for Eng. Dec. 27, 1722. 1723 Jan. 1, William Dumnier, Lieut. Governor. 1635 1651 1654 1655 1663 1670 1674 1688 1690 M. d'Aulney, [French,] Lt. Governor, and comman- der at Penobscot. M. de LaTour, [French.] Subdued by the English. Confirmed to them by treaty. Sir Thomas Temple, [En- glish,] Governor. Resigned to France, under the treaty of Breda. Rulers, [French,] viz. M. Denys ; — De Bourg- Duke's Patent, [English.] Gov. Andros. Subdued by Sir W. Phips. APPENDIX. 711 1728 July, William Burnet, Governor. Died, Sept. 7, 1729. 1729 Lieutenant-Governor Dummer. 1780 August, Jonathan Belcher, Governor. Displaced, 1740. 1740 July, William Shirley, Governor. Comm'r. to Paris, 1749. 1749 Spencer Phips, Lieut. Governor. 1753 August 7, Gov. Shirley returns. Goes to England, 1756. 1756 Sept. Lieut. Governor Phips. Died, April 4, 1757. 1757 The Council. ** Aug. 3, Thomas Pownal, Governor. Left, June 3d, 1760. 1760 Aug. 4, Sir Francis Bernard, Governor. Aug. 2, 1769. 1769 Thomas Hutchinson, Governor. " May, 1774. 1774 Thomas Gage, Governor-General. Denounced, Oct. 1774. " Oct. 7, Provincial Congresses to July 19, 1775. 1775 July, The Council, to Oct. 1780. Governors under the Constitution of the Commonwealth. Elected. 1780 Oct. 25, John Hancock, Governor 4 years and 7 months. 1785 May, James Bovvdoin, Gov. 2 years. 1787 John Hancock, Gov. 5 years and 4 months. Died, Oct. 1793. 1793 Oct. Samuel Adams, Lieut. Governor 8 months. 1794 *' Gov. 3 years. 1797 Increase Sumner, Gov. 2 years. Died, June, 1799> 1799 June, Moses Gill, Lieut. Governor 11 months. 1800 Caleb Strong, Governor 7 years. 1807 James Sullivan, Governor. Died, Dec. 10, 1808. 1808 Levi Lincoln, Lieut. Governor. 1809 Christopher Gore, Governor 1 year. 1810 Elbridge Gerry, Governor 2 years, 1812 Caleb Strong, Governor 4 years. 1816 John Brooks, Governor till Separation — 4 years. 1820 March 15, Maine separated from Massachusetts. Governors of Maine. Elected. 1820 William King, Governor. Resigned, May, 1821. 1821 May, W. D. Williamson, President of Senate, acting as Gov- ernor, December, 1821. 1822 Albion K. Parris, Governor 5 years. 1827 Enoch Lincoln, Governor. Died, Aug. 1829. 1829 Nathan Cutler, President of the Senate and acting Governor, to January, 1830. 1830 Jonathan G. Hunton, Governor 1 year. 1831 Samuel E. Smith, Governor. 712 APPENDIX. NO. 5. List of the Counties and Towns within the State, at the time of Separation — with references to the settlement, incorporation, or description. — N. B. — Those in Italics, are antiquated places. The numerical letters, i. ii. refer to the vols. : but where none in- tervenes the names and the figures, the reference is always to the page of the second volume. Addison, page 575. Agamenticus, i. 231, 287. Albany, 597. Albion, 598. Alfred, 565. Alna, 567. Andover, 599. Anson, 580. Appledore, i. 401, 564. Arundel, 85, (see Cape-Porpoise.) Athens, 597. Atkinson, 674. Augusta, 576-7. Avon, 594. Baldwin, 594. Bangor, 552, 646. Bath, 488. Belfast, 398, 480. Belgrade, 572. Belmont, 637. Berwick, [Newichawannock,] i. 243, ii. 77. Bethel, 573. Biddeford, 82, (see Saco.) Bingham, 626. Bloomfield, 637. Bluehill, 362, 542. Boothbay, 375, (formerly Towns- hend, 166.) Bowdoin, 538. Bowdoinham, 336. Brewer, 626. Bridgeton, 565. Bristol, 376, (see 166.) Brooks, 661. Brooksville, 668. Brownfield, 594. Brunswick, [i. 266,290,573,] ii. 87-8, 116, 159, 191,584. Buckfield, 556. Bucksport, 362, 479, 554. Buxton, 181, 365. Calais, 612. Camden, 551. Canaan, 540. Cape Elizabeth, 48, 377 Cape-Porpoise, i. 351, 2, ii. 29, 42, (see Arundel, ii. 85.) Carmel, 618. Castine, ['Biguyduce, i. 248,262,] ii. 572, 642. Charleston, 618. Cherryfield, 661. Chesterville, 594. China, 668. Clinton, 569. Columbia, 572. Corinna, 661. Corinth, 618. Cornish, 567. Cornville, 580. Cumberland County, 354. Cushing, 541. Danville, [Pejepscot,] 594. Dearborn, 626. Deer Isle, 543. Denmark, 608. Dennysville, 668. Devonshire, i. 443. Dexter, 661. Dixfield, 598. Dixmont, 609. Dresden, (Pownalborough,) 567. Durham, 545. Eastport, (Moose Island,) 579, 640. Eddington, 618. Eden, 573. Edgecomb, 404. Elliot, 617. Ellsworth, 590. Embden, 598. Etna, 674. Exeter, 617. Fairfield, 540. Falmouth, i. 393, 620. ii. 29, 83, 437. Farmington, 564. APPENDIX. 713 Fayette, 568-9. Foxcroft, 627. Frankfort, 546. Freedom, 632. Freeman, 609. Freeport, 543, Friendship, 23S, 2S5, 609. Fryeburg, 63, 459. Gardiner, 597. Garland, 618. Georgetown, [Arrowsick Park- er's Islands, i. 53, 535.1 ii. 89,119. Gilead, 599. Gorgcana, i. 288, (see York.) Gorham, 181, 244, 311, 374. Gouldsborough, 544. Gray, 465. Greene, 539. Greenwood, 661. Guilford, 661. Hallowell, 390. Hampden, 566, 64-5. Hajvcock County, 548. Harlem, 572. Harmony, 597. Harpswell, 87-8, 329. Harrington, 576. Harrison, 599. Hartford, 580. Hartland, 674. Hebron, 554. Hermon, 638. Hiram, 609. Hollis, 580. Hope, 59S. Industry, 598. Islesborough, 542. Isles of Shoals, i. 276, 304, 349, 401, 441, 564. Jackson, 668. Jay, 568. Jefferson, 60S. Jonesborough, 611. Kennebeck County, 582. Kingfield, 660. Kittery, i. 243, 303, 344-6, 415, ii. 86. Knox, 674. Lebanon, 180, 381. Leeds, 591. Lewiston, 568. Limerick, 534-5. Vol. II. 90 Limington, 554. Lincoln County, 354. Lincolnville, 594. Lisbon, 583. Litchfield, 568. Levant, 632. Livermore, 569. Lovell, 590. Lubec, 618. Lyman, (Coxall,) 465. Machias, i. 249, ii. 380, 430, 509. Monhegan, i. 61. Madison, 598. Mercer, 598. Mexico, 668. Minot, 594. Monmouth, 553. Monroe, 668. Montville, 60S. Moscow, 6()0. Mount Desert, i. 78, 205, ii. 515. 545. Mount Vernon, 555. Newburgh, 674. Newcastle, (i. 408.) New-Dart- mouth, 582. ii. 290. Newfield, 566. New-Gloucester, 187, 406. New-Portland, 609. Newport, 638. Newry, 599. New-Sharon, 514, 567. New-Vineyard, 594. Nobleboro', (Walpole, 166,) 540. Norridgewock, 131, 5:J9. North-Hill, 661. Northport, 573. North-Yarmouth, i. 561-4. ii. 81. 158. Norway, 576. Oldtown, Indian, i. 473. ii. 121. Orland, 362, 590. Orono, 601. Orrington, 538. Otisfield, 579. Oxford County, 600. Palermo, 598. Palmyra, 609. Paris, 556. Parsonsfield, 517. Penobscot County, 661. Penobscot, 362, 534. Pepper ellboro\ 394, (see Saco ) 714 APPENDIX. Perry, 668. Phillips, 626. Phipsburgh, 637. Pittston, 467. Poland, 568. Porter, 608. Portland, 83, 437, 528. Pownal, 609. Prospect, 565. Raymond, 598. Readfield, 653. Ripley, 661. Robbinstown, 618. Rome, 598. Ruraford, 590. Saco, i. 227, 359-2, ii. 29, 395. Sandford, 182, 383. Sangerville, 638. Scarborough, i. 392, 540, 570, ii. 29, 44, 81-3, Searsmont, 637. Sebec, 626. Sedgwick, 362, 541. Shapleigh, 517. Sidney, 553. St. Albans, 632. St. George, 597. Solon, 611. Somerset County, 611. South Berwick, 638. Starks, 569. Standish, 284, 517. Steuben, 362, 568. Strong, 591. Sullivan, 362, 514, 544. Sumner, 580. Surry, 362, 598. Swanville, 668. Sweden, 632. Temple, 597. Thomaston, 238, 284, 459-60. Thorndike, 674. Topsham, 87-8, 159, 374. Trenton, 362, 544. Troy, 626. Turner, 528. Union, 528—9. Unity, 598. Vassalborough, 391. Vienna, 594. Vinalhaven, 546. Waldoborough, 244, 285, 398, Wales, 661. Warren, 238, 284, 454. Warsaw, 674. Washington County, 548 — 9. Washington, 618. Waterborough, 534 — 5. Waterford, 576. Waterville, 594. Wayne, 579. Weld, 661. Wells, i. 293—4, 350-1-4, 542, 622. ii. 29, 42, 76. Westbrook, C Stroud water,) 638. Whitefield, 612. Wilton, 598. Windham, 181, 254, 321, 365. Windsor, 611. Winslow, 392. Winthrop, 392. Wiscasset, i. 331, ii. 347, 352. Woodstock, 660. Woolwich, (i. 243, 399,) ii. 342. York, i. 346, 416, 628, ii. 29, 78. York County, i. 285, 345. ii. 354, 444. Note. — The Compiler of this History cheerfully acknowledges he has received numerous epistolary communications from the pens of his obliging correspondents, — for which, he would tender them assurances of his hearty thanks. He would also add, that fuller descriptions of many towns would have been given, had the Cir- culars, repeatedly sent to them, drawn from the gentlemen ad- dressed, the information requested. I I I i # I I