" <^ • ' ^ • .V *^^ • " " " " A^ ■••"°- ./.-^^X ^°-'>^"> Z.-^;:/-. -^ -^^0^ * ^^ '^0^ v-o^ V^9' v^9- / ^^^^*'-- ' »i*°' V .^ ♦1 o^ \ V ^ ^°V. V A^ . « o ^ <^ ,^" .'.. ^^ I'i- o " " " -. <^> •»0 J.vo""*'^ O""*'**© Jl^o°"-»<0. ^^ yy d- % m dei^iZuAJt^ y V/i^^ k^^ n^^ 3 ^ f >. '■ ^ V f m I 1839.] 8:1 THE CAPTURE OF LOUISBURG IN f tlTS . "'^ % , ' BV W I L LI AM '^BRl GH AM .£a^, ^'-'ij^s!" init*-' Among the remarkable events that distinguish the history of New England, there is none more interesting than the seige and conquest of Louisburg in 1745. In boldness of conception, and in its fortunate issue, it has no parallel in the history of the country, and hardiv in the history of the world. An event on which the very existence of New England seemed to depend, and which did so much to prepare the way for American independence, can never be regarded without interest. Strange it would be if we should forget what in that day every New England man called the most glorious of victories — what produced universal joy and thanksgiving throughout the land — what first taught us our own strength, and what gave the mother country some idea of the value and importance of her American colonies ! The island of Cape Breton, on which Louisburg is situated, consti- tutes, at present, a part of the Province of Nova Scotia. It is of tri- angular form, and about eighty leagues in circumference. Its western and northern shores are steep, rocky, and inaccessible, while its south- eastern is indented with beautiful bays and harbors, commodious and safe for ships of the largest size. Its soil is broken and barren, and during a considerable portion of the year the island is either inveloped in fog or locked up with snow and ice. ' Its entire population at the present time does not exceed 30,000 — most of whom are enoracred in the fisheries, and in the coal and lumber trade. There is nothing in the present appearance of the island which would give one unacquainted with its history any idea of its former importance, or which would account for the long continued struggle , J., between Great Britain and France for its possession. Indeed, when we compare its present appearance with the glowing descriptions of former times of its fertility, wealth, and resources, we are almost made to doubt whether it is to this barren and bleak island that those con- ceptions were intended to apply. They bear but little semblance to truth, and were undoubtedly jnade in reference to its political impor- tance at that time. Its whole value in former times was owing to the political relations of Great Britain and France, or rather of their colonies in North America. Cape Breton and Nova Scotia seem to have been the seat of contention between these two powers for a century and a half, and their inhabi- VOL. 11 — 16 34 eAPTURK OP Lot'isncRG. [June, tants were sereral times compelled to take the oath of allegiance — sometimes to the one and sometimes to the other, till it became so uncertain to what nation they belonged that they were at length al- lowed the privileges of neulrality, and were commonly known as the neutral French. The location of these places, as will appear by an inspection of the map, must convince any observer that a possession of them at that time- would afford an immense advantage to either of the contending pow- ers — an advantage arising not from any inlernal resources, but as a means of effecting their ultimate designs. While France had posses- sion of the Canadas — the control of the navigation of the St. Laurence,, and was largely engaged in the fisheries — it was necessary for their security that she should also have possession of the islands in that neighborhood. The bays and harbors which they afforded were ne- cessary for the protection of her fishing vessels, her numerous priva- teers, and her increasing trade with Canada and the West Indies. The possession of these would render her dominions in North Ameri- ca safe, and enable her to accomplish her favorite plan of checking and restraining the growth and trade of the British American colonies. By the security which these places afforded, she was enabled to enlist and keep in her favor most of the northern and western Indians, and thereby extend her dominions not only through Canada and along the great lakes, but through the vast regions of the west, uniting her set- tlements in Canada with those on the Mississippi, and bringing both to an union of action to the forming of a barrier to the further extention of the English settlements. On the other hand, by the possession of these places Great Britain could defeat the ambitious designs of France, protect her own colonies, and secure her trade against the constant depredations of the enemy. This is the true reason why Nova Scotia and Cape Breton were for^ merly held in so high estimation — why millions of dollars were ex- pended in their defence — why the strong fortifications at Port Royal and Annapolis Royal, and Louisburg were built, and why they were so frequently made the seat of war. Of all the British American colonies none had so much reason to fear the ambitious designs of France as New England — none so much exposed — none so much engaged in the fisheries — and none so severely felt the depredations of the enemy on their commerce. No sooner was a war declared between Great Britain and France than the chief source of wealth at that time to New England was either cut off or put ia imminent hazard. Their ships were taken by privateers, and 18^9.] CAPTUItB OF LOUlSBUiia. 35 carriei! into French ports and judged lawful priz3 — iheir territory was invaded — their fortifications were attacked — their frontier settlements destroyed, and their own citizens were put to death, or carried into captivity. Under these circumstances there grew up a deadly hostility between the French and English colonists. The old enmity, which is said to be natural between England and France, seemed to have acquired new virulence by being transplanted. This was much increased on ihe part of the English by the successful efforts of the French in ac- quiring the friendship of the Indians, who always had more sympathy with the flexible Jesuit than the stern Puritan. These sons of tho forest, to the eternal disgrace of those who had their confidence, and who exercised over them a control, were always employed to act as pioneers in the work of death — to burn and desolate villages — to harass and distress the frontier settlements — to steal upon the innocent and unsuspecting inhabitants, putting them to death by the most inhuman tortures, or, what was perhaps still worse, carrying them into a bitter and hopeless captivity. The constant attacks of the Canadian French s.nd Indians upon the people of New England satisfied them that they had no security but in their suppression ; hence the conquest of the French settlements at at the north was always a favorite scheme — hence recruits for this purpose were always easily obtained — hence severe laws against Cath- olics were enacted, which are often adduced as evidence of bigotry, but which in fact, like many other things of that day, were desianed for the purposes of self-defence ; for it should ever be remembered, that to the people of New England, Catholicism and French perfidy were then identical. It was in this spirit that the expeditions against Nova Scotia in 1090 originated in Massachusetts, when to her great honor, by her own enterprize and resources, she was able to eflfect an important conquest, and enlarge His Mnjesty's dominions. It was not until after the close of Queen Ann's war that Cape Bre- ton began to assume an important character. While this island and Nova Scotia were both in the possession of the French, the preference for trade was given to Nova Scotia. At the treaty of peace in 1713, Nova Scotia was ceded to Great Britain, while Cape Breton was re- tained by France, and from that day no pains or expense were spared by the French Government in building and strengthening its fortifica- tions. At the southeasterly part of the island, at a place then known as the English harbor, they immediately commenced building a walled town, which, in honor of their King, they called Louisburg. The na- 36 CAPTUKK OF LOiJisBURO. [June, tural position of the town was more favorable for defence than any other town in America. It was frequently called the '* Dunkirk of America," for a description of it, I use the words of Dr. Belknan — '* It was two miles and a lialf in circumference, fortified in every accessi- ble point witli a rampart of stone from thirty to thirty-six feel high, and a ditch eighty feet wide. A space of about two hundred yards was left without a rampart on the side next to the sea, and enclosed by a simple dike and pickets. The sea was so narrow at this place that it made only a narrow channel, inaccessable from its numerous reefs to any shipping whatever. On an island at the entrance of the harbor, which was only four hundred yards wide, was a battery of thirty can- non carrying twenty-eight pound shot, and at the bottom of the harbor directly opposite to the entrance, was the ground or royal battery of twenty-eight forty-two, and two eighteen pound cannon. On a high cliff opposite the island battery stood the light-house, and at the north- east part of the harbor was a magazine for naval stores. " The town was regularly laid out in squares. The streets were broad, and the houses were built mostly of wood and stone. The en- trance to the town was at the west gate over a draw-bridge, which was protected by a circular batterj of sixteen twenty-four pound cannon." These works had been twenty-five years in building, and, though not finished, had cost France not less than thirty millions of livres. It was in peace a safe retreat for the French ships bound homeward from the East and West Indies; and in war, a source of distress to the northern English colonies — its situation being extremely favorable for privateers to seize their fishing vessels, and interrupt their coasting and foreign trade, for which reasons the reduction of it is said to have been as desirable an object as that of Carthage ever was to the Romans. Such was the place that the people of New England proposed to take by surprize in 1745. It was perhaps as impregnable as nature and art could make it, and was probably considered as safe by France then as Gibralter is by the English at the present day. Its reduction was suggested and accomplished by a train of circumstances as re- markable as the event was glorious. It was very properly said by a writer of the day, that "if in this expedition any one circumstance had taken a wrong turn on the French side, it must have miscarried." France declared war against Great Britain on the 15th of xMarch, 1744, and a declaration of a similar character was made by Great Britain a few days after, information of which did not arrive at Boston till the 31stof May, where two days after war was publicly proclaimed. By a fast sailing packet, the Commander of Cape Breton had heard of 1839.] CAPTURE OF LOUISBURG. 37 the war nearly three weeks earlier, and though expressly directed by his Governiricnt not to alarm the English colonies, yet thinking he could derive great advantage by surprising them, immediately made an attack on Conso, a small fishing town on the southeasterly part of Nova Scotia, which, being wholly unprepared, surrendered, and the inhabi- tants were carried prisoners to Louisburg, and" a large number of fish- ing vessels seized. Soon after he attacked Annapolis, which would have shared the sume fate, and with it all Nova Scotia, had it not been for the timely arrival of some troops from Massachusetts, which were fortunately sent there for the protection of the fort against the Indians. These f arly attacks awakened the colonies to a sense of their dan- ger. It soon became apparent that the safety of Nova Scotia, and perhaps all the English settlements in North America, depended on the conquest of Cape Breton. It was well known that France was making formidable preparations for carrying on the war the following year, end the colonists were satisfied that whatever was done must be done quickly. There was not a moment to lose. The prisoners taken at Conso in the spring and carried to Louis- burg had been exchanged, and returned to Boston in the autumn. From them an accurate account of the strength and fortifications of Louisburg was obtained, thus rendering a service to their countrymen not unlike that of the prisoners within the walls of Troy. From this account, Sir William Shirley, then Governor of Massachusetts, con- ceived the idea of taking the city by surptise early in the sprinor, and before any aid could be obtained from France. In this lie was sup- ported atid encouraged by a gentleman from New Hampshire named Vaughn, who was largely engaged in the fisheries, and who had re- ceived much information respecting the place from his own fisliermen. Vaughn has claimed t!ie honor of making the first suggestion of this to Shirley. Whether this be true or not it is now difficult to tell, but at any rate, he was a man of resolute character, and suggested seve- ral plans for carrying it into effect, one of which was to travel over the walls on the drifts of snow. Governor Shirley immediately wrote to the ministry requestincr aid the ensuing season without mentioning this particular expedition. — This he wished to keep a secret some time longer. To obtain the opinion of the General Court upon this subject, he early in January requested its members to lay themselves under an oath of secrecy to receive from him an important proposition. This is said to have been the first request of the kind ever made to a legislative body in the colonies. It was complied with, and he communicated his 38 CAPTL'RK or LouisHURo. [J line, plan of attackincr Louisbur;^, and asked for their consent. This was kept a secret from the public for a niiniber of days, but it was at last discovered by an honest deacon, whose whole soul was so filled with the plan of the expedition that he inaiivertently made mention of it at his family devotions by praying for its success. The boldness of the proposal at first astonisKed every one. It was referred to a committee, who reported against it. This report, after some debate, was accepted by a considerable majority, and it was generally supposed that the subject was put to rest. The Governor, however, was not thus to be defeated. He let the subject remain a few days, when, through his own solicitation and in- fluence, a petition from a number of merchants in Boston favoring the plan, was presented to the General Court. This was referred to ano- ther committee, who reported in its favor. This report was argued two whole days, during which time its advocates set forth the prospect of its success, and the advantages Massachusetts would receive from it — the importance of immediate action, and the strong probability, and almost certainty, that they would be amply remunerated by Parliament when it was known to His Majesty what proofs of loyalty his American subjects had given. On the other side, it was argued with more plausibility, and with much greater reason, that the scheme was chimerical — that inexpe- rienced militia could never reduce so impregnable a fortress — that by reason of fogs and ice the island could not be approached at that sea- son of the year — that they should incur the displeasure of Parliament by such a rash undertaking — that the Province was exhausted by pre- vious campaigns, and if this was unsuccessful it would prove its utter ruin. The question was taken on the 26th of January, and the expedition was voted by a majority of a single vote — several members, who were known to be opposed to it, being absent. No sooner, however, was this done, than a degree of unanimity upon the subject generally pre- vailed, and those who had before opposed it, like true patriots, came forward and gave their aid to carry it into effect. Never were a peo- ple more enthusiastic, or entertained stronger hopes of success, than the people of Massachusetts at that time. Circular letters were imme- diately sent to the other colonies as far south as Pennsylvania, request- ing their assistance. One of these, Vaughn, the resolute friend, if not the author of the expedition, carried by express to Portsmouth, where the Assembly of New Hampshire were then in session. They at once voted to aid in the enterprise, and for that purpose proposed to raise 1839.] CAPTVKB OP r.0LMdUUn7. ^0 three hundred men, and to furnish the Province sloop. The only diffi- culty which they met with, was the want of funds to pay the expense ; but this was soon removed by issuing bills of credit — an expedient that was frequently adopted — though at this time contrary to the royal in- structions. Proclamation was soon made by Gov. Shirley, for raising the neces- sary forces, and means were taken for equipping the small fleet, then owned by the Province, for the purpose of convoying the troo|xs. The- Governor also sent to Commodore Warren, commanding the British fleet at the West Indies, requesting his aid. The enlistments were soon filled up, and the next important step' vras the appointment of a commander-in-chief. This was attended with some difficulty, as they were raw soldiers, taken from all the New England Provinces, and feeling, in some degree, a jealousy of each' others influence. The choice at length fell upoB William Pepperell, of Kiitery, then a Colonel of the malitia, and a merchant of good rep- utation, known extensively, both in Massachusetts and New Hamp- shire. A more judicious appointment could not have been made, for^ though a merchant, yet he possessed much of the military character and spirit so common in that day, and was well fitted to command a militia of his own countrymen, composed almost exclusively of agriculturists and mechanics. After he had been nominated to this office, and previous to its being confirmed by the General Court, Shirley, perhaps for the purpose of pay- ing Gov. Wentworth, of New Hampshire, an empty compliment, and perhaps enlisting him more heartily in the cause, addressed him a letter in which he says, " it would have been an infinite satisfaction to me, and done great honor to the expedition, if your limbs would have per- mitted you to take the chief command ;" undoubtedly supposing that the governor's gout would render such a proposition safe. But in this he was mistaken. Wentworth flung away his crutches and oflTered his services, and Shirley had the mortification, not only to make him a lame apology, but to tell him that any change in the command would hazard the expedition. Before accepting the appointment, Pepperell consulted the famous George Whitlfield, who was then travelling through New England, upon its expediency. Whitfield told him " he did not think the scheme very promising — that the eyes of all would be upon him — that if it should not succeed, the widows and orphans of the slain would re- proach him — and if it should succeed, many would regard him with envy, and endeavor to eclipse his glory — that he ought, therefore, to go 40 CAPTURE OF LouisnuRn. [June, with a single eye, and then he would find his strength proportioned to his necessity." After some hesitation, he gave a motto for the flag, which was Nil despcrandum Christo duce, thereby giving the expedi- tion the air of a crusade. It is said that a large number of the fol- lowers of Whittfield enlisted, and as a proof of the religious feeling by which they were actuated, one of them, a clergymen, carried upon his shoulder a hatchet for the purpose of destroying the images in the French churches. Within eight weeks the provincial forces were raised, and the entire preparations for the expedition were made. The whole number of troops was about 4,300, of which Massachusetts raised 3,250, Connec- ticut 500, and New Hampshire and Rhode Island 300 each. None of the other provinces engaged in the enterprize, though New York lent ten eight-pound cannon, and Pennsylvania and New Jersey made con- tributions to defray the expenses. The naval force, and it was all, that New England could then furnish, consisted of only twelve ships, the largest of which was the Massachusetts Frigate which carried twenty guns. Of these Captain Edward Tyng, of Falmouth, was appointed Admiral. Captain Tyng had acquired great reputation by his having taken a French privateer the preceding year, for which exploit the mer- chants of Boston presented him with a silver cup weighing one hundred ounces, and bearing this inscription : "To Edward Tyng, Esq. commander of the smack. Prince of Orange, as an acknowledgment of his good service done the trade by taking the first French privateer on the coast the 24th of June, 1744 ; this plate is presented by several merchants of Boston, in New Eng- land." Some of these armed ships sailed as early as the middle of March, for the puipose of cruising before Louisburg, and seizing any of the enemy's ships that should attempt to enter that port. The rest of the fleet and the Massachusetts troops embarked on the 25th of March, at Nantucket — at that time the place where all such expeditions were fit- ted out. The original plan of the expedition, as communicated by Shirley to Wentworth, and as appears from the instructions given to general Pep- erell, do no great honor to the military skill, or the practical good sense of so enterprising a man. Its success was made to depend on things, that, if we reckon the possibility of chances, could never happen. For instance, the whole fleet, after sailing six hundred miles, was to appear before Louisburg at eight o'clock in the evening, and should land two miles below the town, which, it was supposed, would take till midnight ; 1839.] CAPTURE OP LOUISDURG. 41 four hours more were allowed for arranging the respective troops, and in preparations for scaling the walls and making an attack on the city, which was to be made as early as four o'clock, or the plan of surprise would be defeated. In this plan no calculation is made for adverse winds, which would disperse the fleet — for storms — for fogs— ice, or other impediments, but all were to arrive at a fixed hour — meet with no accident — go in unob- served, and to do the whole work in the darkness of the night. This was the plan of the bold projector, and had it been feasible, nothing could have been easier than victory. Perhaps it was no more absurd than various other plans that were then proposed. One was by a cler- gyman, who, to prevent disasters from subterraneous mines, proposed that two men should go in the night near the walls of Louisburg — that one should strike the ground with a beetle while the other should lay his ear to it for the purpose of discovering whether it was hollow, and if any places were suspected, to work them. Another made a model of what he called a flying bridge, which was to be constructed of light materials, so that twenty men could carry it on their shoulders, and erect it against any part of the wall. He sup- posed that the whole army could pass over it in twenty minutes, and that in this way they could get into the midst of the city before they were discovered. Another proposed to go over the walls by ladders, and agreeable to his plan a large number was made and carried in the expedition ; but as ill luck would have it, they were made about ten feet too short. Among other preparations, and as a proof of the strong hopes of success which all entertained, one of the officers provided himself with a dress which he intended to wear when the command of the town was given to him. The fleet, after a prosperous voyage of eleven days, arrived at Conso. It was impossible to enter Chopporouge bay, where they intended to land, on account of the ice. This continued to obstruct them for three weeks. On the day of tiicir sailing from Nantucket, Gov. Shirly re- ceived an answer from Commodore Warren, declining to aid in the ex- pedition, as it was an afl'air of the Province. This he wisely kept a secret for a time. The New Hampshire troops arrived at Conso four days earlier than those from Massachusetts, and those from Connecticut about twenty days later. Wliilethey were impatiently waiting here for the ice to be removed, to the great joy of the w hole army Commodore Warren ar- rived from the West Indies with his fleet. Just after his answer to VOL. M. — 17 42r CAPTURE SF LOflSBURG, [•'^Ulie, Shirley declining aid, he received instructions from the ntiinistry to re- pair to Boston, uiid consult with Gov. Shirley for his Majesty's general serrice in America, and already knowing hi3 designs, and the impor- tance of immediate action, he sailed directly for Conso instead of first going to Bo'^ton. Such unexpected aid inspired the army with courage, and made them even more sanguine of success. The ice being removed, the whole army sailed for Louisburg on the 29th of April, a distance of sixty miles, whert* they intended to arrive in the evening, wishing so far to carry into effect the original plan of surprise. But the wind dying away, they did not arrive before the town until the fullowing morning at eight o'clock. This was the first notice thai the inhabitants'of Lou- isburg had of the intended invasion. They had discovered the crui- sers a number of days before, but supjjosed them to be privateers. This seems almost incredible, when we consider that the expedition had been publicly known in the colonies for three months, and that the army and fleet had been in sight of St. Peters, a town in Cape Breton, for three weeks. It is a fact that shows clearly how great a change has taken place within ninety years in the transmission of news^ and in our intercourse with ihe Canadian provinces. An alarm was immediately given frodi the tovt-n by the ringing of bells, and the discharge of cannon. A detachment of one hundred and fifty men was sent directly to prevent their landing. They were soon repulsed by the brave New Englanders, who made all possible dispatch in getting on shore, and landing their military stores. They landed at a place four or five miles below the city, and on the foliovying night the intrepid Vaughn, at the head of about four hundred soldiers, marched through the woods round ihe hills to the northeast part of the harbor, and burned the ware houses, containing a large quantity of naval stores, and slaved a great number of casks of wine and brandy. The wine carried the smoke from these burning buildings directly to the grand or royal battery, which was about a mile distant; and the garrison there, supposing that the whole army would soon be upoR them, spiked their cannon, threw their powder into a well, took down their flag, and fled. The next morning, Vaughn on his return in company with thirteen men, not knowing what was done, crept to the top of a hill which over- looked the gr.iud battery, for the purpose of learning something of its situation and strength. He was surprised to see that the flag was gone and that no smoke issued from the chimnies of the barracks. He- 5839.] CAPTURF. OF LOUl-BURO. 43 hired one of his party, a Cape Cod Indian, with a bottle of brandy, which he had in liis pocket, though his biographer tells us he never drank spirituous liquors, to creep into the fort and open the gate. — When this was done, and he had taken possession, he wrote Gen. Pep- perill in these words: " May it please your honor to be informed that by th;! grace of Goil, and the courage of thirteen men, I entered the royal battery about nine o'clock, an! am wailing f)r a reinforcement and a 9ag. " It was thought proper, however, to provide a substitute for a flag ht once, and accordingly one of the soldiers with a red ci>at in his teeth, mounted the flag stalf, and nailed it upon the top. The French soon discovered their mistake, and sent one hundred men in haste to retake the battery. Vaughn with his small band, and amidst the fire from the city, alone u[)on the open beach, resiled their landing for some time till he was reinforced, when the Fieuch retired and left the English in the undisputed possession of the battery. The acquisition of this battery afforded the New Englanders great advantage in their subsequent operations against the city. It not only deprived the Frenoli, of a strong hold, but afforded their enemies a place of security, and put into tlieir jjossession a number of large can- non, of which they were much in need, and which did great service during the siege. They found here twenty-eiirht forty-two pound can- non, beside a large number of balls, shells, and other munitions of war. It was from this plaoe that they made the most effectual attacks upon the island battery and the town. On the 7th of May a flag of truce was sent to the town with a summons to surrender, to which the com- tnander in-chief returned that, he had no answer to make but by the mouth of the cannon. After this it was determined to pursue the siege with greater vigor. The harbor was blockaded by the fleet, which was under the entire command of Com. Warren, and which had been firrther reinforced by the arrival of souje ships of war from England. The fleet had now become formidable, and were able to keep from the city all aid from abroad. It was still thought unsafe to enter the harbir on account of the strong fortress of the enemy on the island at its mouth. Under cover of the fog and in the night, other batteries were built by the New Englanders, very near the entrance to the town, wliich was sup- plied by cannon, which they dragged across a deep moruss, betbre sup- posed to be impassable. These cannon were put on sledges, and with straps over their shoulders, the men with incredible labor, sinking all (he time in the mud, got them over. 44 CAPTURE OF LOVISBURG. [JunC, The 15(h of June being the anniversary of his majesty's accession to the throne, it was thought by the loyal troops that no higher mark of respect cohUI be shown their king than a new and more vigorous at- tack upon the town. Accordingly it was ordered to have a general discharge of cannon from all the batteries at 12 o'clock. This was done, and the fire continue 1 during the whole day, which resulted in the demolition of a part of the wall of the town, and the destruction of a portion of the island battery. This satisfied the French commander that he could not sustain the siege much longer. The next morning Duchomhon, sent a truce, requesting a suspension of hostilties, till he had time to consider the terms of capitulation. This was granted, and three days after, the 17th of June, just 30 years previous to the battle of Bunker Hill, this strong fortress, with its garrison of 2000 men were surrendered, and to the English was given undisputed possession. It is a well known fact, that many of those who fought here so valiantly for their country were found contending for the same cause at the battle of Bunker Hill. A service of thirty years had not damped their spirits or abated their ardor. Things had changed — a whole generation had passed away— yet they were spared, and feeling as they did, the same patriotic zeal, which burned in their bosoms while before the walls of Louisburg, it was their peculiar privilege to awain rally round the standard of their country at the opening of the Revolution, and to signify their' devotion to that cause by pouring out their blood. The whole loss of the enemy durmg the siege was about three hun-: dred; while that of the English did not e.xceed one hundred killed by the enemy, and thirty died of sickness. The surrender was proba- bly hastened by the exaggerated account which the French had receiv- ed of the strength of the English, and by the capture of the Vigilant, a Frenh ship of 64' guns a few days before ; which by depriving them of all hope of relief from abroad, threw dismay into the whole garrison. Thus after a siege of forty-nine days, this strong fortress, by the aid of the skilful and courageous Warren, fell into the hands of the New Eng- landers. Everything seemed to conspire for their success. The weather was unusually mild and pleasant — the army was free from sick- ness supplies came regularly at hand, their naval forces were unex- pectedly increased, and on all sides fortune was propitious. When they had entered the town and examined its walls, its batteries and for- tifications, none failed to express his surprise, at their success ^ind to feel in some degree alarmed at their rashness. One of the officers de- clared " that if the French had not giving up Louisburg they might 1839.] cAPTunE OF locisuuro. 45 have attempted to storm it with the same prospect of success, that the devils might have stormed heaven. " The siege was undoubtedly carried on in rather an irregular manner. Douglas compares it to a Cambridge commencement, with what degreo of truth it is now difficult to tell — though in its noise, bustle and frolics it might have borne some resemblance to that holiday, as it was once observed. Belknap tells us " that during the siege, some might bo found on duly at the trenches; others were racing, wrestling, and pitch- ing quoits, or running after shot from the enemy's guns, which were sent back to the city. Many of the enemy's balls were stopped by the soldiers before they had gone their distance. During the siege no less than 9000 cannon balls and six hundred shells were flung into the city ; a fact that proves that the sports in which they were engaged were not altogether idle, but such as became American soldiers, and such as will ever delight brave men, contending for the safety of their own firesides, and their country's political existence. No sooner was the surrender made, than a feeling of jealously be- canje apparent between Pepperill and Warren. It became a grave question to whom the key of the city should be delivered. Warren in- timated, if he did not claim superiority on account of his holding his commission from the English Government; while that of Pepperell was from the Province — a superiority, that was afterwards for the like reason frequently claimed by the British officers, and as often resisted by the Americans. Pepperell on the other hand was aware that the expedition originated in the colonies, and was carried on at their ex- pense, and that to them the honor was principally due, and therefore Jike a faithful servant he was determined to sustain their honor by taking command of the city. He accordingly wrote to Duchomhon, that he should send a colonel to take possession. This was before the terms of capitulation had been signed, and no doubt earlier than he had a right to give such notice, if he had complied strictly with the rules of war. This brought a reply from Warren, in which he tells Pepperill that he had taken an improper step, " and that he was sorry to find by his letter a kind of jealousy which he thought he could never conceive of him. This affair, however, passed off without any difficulty, and the key was delivered to Pepperill, who afterwards brought it to Boston. After the surrender a messenger was immediately dispatched to Bos- ton, informing the people of the glorious result. In the mean time General Pepperill thought proper to celebrate it by a public dinner given to the land and naval officers. All attended and with joyful and 46 CAPTURE OF LouisBUKG. [June, thankf .1 henrts pariook of llie bi)Uiifies set before them. Previous to sitting down to the table — it being understood that the Rev. Samuel Moody, of York — Chaplain to Pepperili's regiment, would be called upon to crave a blessing — much anxiety was expressed, lest be should disgust the guests by a long and prolix performance, for which he was notorious; and it was even suggested to some of the friends of the rev- erend gentleman, that he should be informed that brevity would be acceptable. But they fearing his irritable^ temper kept silent. The time came, and all were happily disa[)pointed — for the chaplain, in- stead of following his usual course, performed his service in the most laconic manner, by saying with a feeling heart, in substance, that we had so many things to thank God for, that time would be infinitely too short to do it — we must, therefore leave it for the work of eternity. The news of this victory arrived at Boston on the third of July. The effects which it produced are well described in a letter from Doctor Chaney to Gen. Pepperill, dated the following day. He says the •* peo- ple of Boston, before sunrise, wereas thick about the streets as on an election day, and a pleasing joy visibly sat on the countenance of every man you met with. " "We had last night," he continues, '' the finest illumination I ever beheld with my eyes. I believe there was not a house in the town, in no by-way, lane or alley, but joy might be seen throuo;h its windows. The night was also made joyful by bonfires, fire-woiks and all other ex- ternal tokens of rejoicing. Besides this, an entertainment was given {o the peiiple — a thing not unusual in that day on occasions of public rejoicing. " Not long since 1 saw a bill paid by the State to the town of Boston for celebrating the reduction of Q,aebec by the English in 17.59, and I mention it as showing the peculiaritie? of the times, which consisted of charges for a large number of tar barrels, and other combustible materials, that composed a great bonfire on Beacon hill. — Among these charges, was one item — " for 2S gallons of rum for the people. " The celebration of the victory at Louisburg being one of an extraordinary character, the people were regaled with wine, which was placed on the common, in open vessels, where every one could hel p himself, and drown his own sorrows in potent libations, drank for his country's honor. The 18ih of July was observed throughout the Commonwealth as a day of thanksgiving for this event; and if we may credit the accounts of the times, it was universally observed in a manner becoming a peo- ple who saw in it the hand of an overruling Providence. Dr. Prince preached a sermon on that occasion at the "Old South," which wa« 1S39.] CAPIUIIE OF LOUISUURG. 47 printed, and is one of tie best accounts of the entcrprize now extant. It exhibits more freely than any other, the religious feeling of those en- gaged in it. When they embarked, he tells us, their language to their friends, whom they were about leaving, was " pray for us, and we will fiorht for you. " After narrating the most remarkable events in the en- terprise, he closes his discourse in this somewhat extravagant lan- guage: "Let us rejoice not only in our own salvation — the salvation of all [our colonies, and some of the mo-st important branches of the British trade, but let our joy rise higher, that hereby ;i groat support of anti-christian power is taken away, and the visible kingdom of Christ enlarged. JVlethinks when the southern gates of Louisburg were opened, and t)ur army with their banners were marching in — the gates were lifted up and the king of glory went in with them. " Nor was this victory less acceptable to a great majority of the people of England. National pride as well as paternal sympathy prompted it. A gentleman, residing in England, wroie to his friend in Boston, under date July 17th, as follows: ' I hope the news of Cape Breton's being taKen will prove true. Mr. Kilby has represented your govern- ment in so favorable a light to the Court, that instead of beholding you with jealousy and contempt, as they once did ; it is almost as much as any man's character is worth to be an enemy to the present establish- lishment. You are now styled as the glorious New England men, who have not only releived and saved his Majesty's Government at Annapolis Royal, but have recoved out of the enemy's hands one of their strongest fortressess, and a place of the utmost consequence to the trade of the kingdom, as well as protection to the Northern Eng- lish colonies. The journals on both sides of the water were filled with compliments to the New Englanders. Their enterprise and skill were lauded, not only from the pulpit and in private circles, but from public associa- tions and institutions. Their bravery was the inspiring theme of all the poets of the day, who celebrated their virtues in a thousand patri- otic and national songs. Their enterprise gave new vigor to tlie war : on the oi.e hand by encouraging Great Britain, in connexion with the colonies, to attempt the entire conquest of Canada, and on the other, by inducing France to make more formidable preparations for defence. Notwithstanding this expression of joy among the people of England, yet the course pursued by thai Government, subsequently, did not do justice to the claims of New England. A policy began to be developed which eventually led to the Revolution, and which would have hast- ened that glorious peiiod thirty years, had the colonies been able to 48 CAPTURE OF LonisBURO. » [Jufie, enforce their just claims. To some, the truth of this remark may be doubled, yet I think the history of the country proves conclusively, that the wrongs redressed in the Revolution had origin at a long period an- terior to the date of the " Stamp Act. '' They are seen in the re- strictions on our trade — in the suppression of our manufactures — in the declaration that the making of a hat or a pick-axe iri the colonies was a nuisance, and in the wish too often expressed in high places, to perpetuate French power in North America to keep the colonies in dependence on the mother country. It soon became apparent that every exertion was making to as- cribe all the glory of this victory to the fleet. Whether this was de- signed, as an excuse for not indemnifying the colonies for the expense, or arose from an unwillingness to acknowledge their services, or from an ignorance of ihem, it is difiicult to tell. The latter is the most chari- table construction ; and if we can judge from the deplorable ignorance of tiie real condition of the colonies, which existed at a subsequent period in England, this would appear the most probable. Their at- tempts were highly resisted in New England, and every means was taken to counteract them. Gov. Shirley, at the request of the General Court, repaired to Louisburg, and prepared an accurate account of the siege, which by their order was published. An agent was sent to England to represent their claims to that Government, and to obtain an indemnity. The feeling which existed in Massachusetts when it was reported what claims Warren made, will appear by an extract from a let- ter from Dr. Chauncey to Gen. Pepperill. He says, "it is highly resented by every New Englandman in Boston, that Mr. Warren shi)uld pretend to assume the Government of I.ouisburg. Your best friends wish that you had insisted on the pre-eminence due to you and the troops under your command, so as never to have given up the capitulation if it had not been conceeded to." Then follows his opinion of the right of an English naval officer over the fleet of the colonies. '' If the High Admiral of England," he continues, "had been there he would not have had the least right to command any where, but on his own ships " — a sentiment that was then universal in New England, and shows clearly what relation they supposed they sustained to the mother country. The efforts of Massachusetts in vindication of the honor of her troops were in some degree successful. General Pepperill received from the king the honor of knighthood. Parliament after the expiration of four years voted an indemnity to Massachusetts and New Hampshire uf ieSOOjOOO sterling. This was paid in silver and copper. Of the 1839.] CAPTUKI': OF LOtHSnURG. ^41) silver, there were 215 chests, and 100 of coppor, all of which made twenty-seven cart loads. It afforded great relief to the Province, which had become completely exhausted, and was th^Ml delngnd with a loose depreciated paper currency. This rcmunerrttion, however ac- ceptable it proved, was not what the Provinces had a ri^jlit to expect. It fell far below the actual expense, which is said to have been about .£500,000 sterling, and was not more than one third of what the Eng- lish government actually received from the French taken at Louisburgh, a part of which came to those who were the real authors of the expedi- tion, and by whose bravery and skill, it proved successful. It came too, after a long solicitation, and in the form rather of a bounty than a payment of a jast debt — and not until the Provinces had had the morti- fication of seeing the fruits of this victory exchanged for the purchase of a place in Europe, and the only conquest in the whole, nor of any value, giving up to secure to the English Government her German pos- sessions. It came not till the interest of New England had been most shamefully disregarded ; and their old enemies had been permitted to get possession of Louisburgh again to prey upon their commerce and again to excite the savages to hostility. For all her sacrifices — for all her noble exertions in the cause of the British nation, this was the only remuneration New England received. Not an officer of the army, excepting the commander, received any mark of distinction from that government. Their only reward, and the best that a patriot can receive, was a conciousness of having done service to their country, and of having acquired renewed strength in the conflict for her defence. For nine years. New England had been engaged in the wars of Great Britain with Spain and France, daring which time she had lost in her various expeditions to Canada, Cape Breton, Carthagena, and the West Indies, seven thousand of her bravest sons ; she had contributed her wealth — loaded herself with an immense debt, and spared no sacrifices to promote the success and glory of the British arms. Yet, notwithstanding all this — notwithstand- ing her repeated remonstrances, she was left at the close of the war deprived of a territory, which she had by her own exertions twice con- quered, surrounded by the same enemies that she had once vanquish- ed, and exposed to a renewal of the same conflicts and trials through which she had so gloriously and trumphantly passed. In whatever view we regard the expedition to Louisburgh, whether as the work of a brave and patriotic people, or as constituting a new- era in the policy of the mother country towards the colonies, it is full of interest. The chief honor of it belongs to Massachusetts, and it . VOL. TI — IS /^ OO CAPTURE OF LOUISBURO. [JuHB, will ever form one of the brightest pages in her history- It was con- ceived and carried through with a spirit worthy the descendants of the Pilgrims — worthy a people whose whole existence has been one constant struggle for the mainienance of their rights, and worthy the ancestors of those who gave independence to this country. It was the work of a people whose loyalty to their King had never been shaken ; whose devotion to their country was their highest pos- session. It has lost none of its brilliancy by the lapse of nearly a cen- tury — the rapid succession of remarkable exploits which have since adorned our history — which have consecrated other grounds, and raised us from colonial vassalage to national independence. While we value this independence and respect those by whom it was achieved : while we feel a veneration for the fields where it was maintained, and the men, who fell in its defence, we shall never forget to render due honor to the Province Militia, who battered down the walls of Louis- burgh and drove the enemy from his strongest fortress. TO A BIRD. O first and sweetest of spring's early birds, Whose rapturous vvarblings quiver from yon spraVy What thoughts of joy, beyond all reach of words Gush with the voice that tunes thy fiery lay ! Hark, how the blissful language seems to say All happy tidings of new-spring flowers, Of nursing sunbeams niix'd with kindly showers And balmier airs to soothe the gladsome day, And all is glorious hope of summer nigh, — The hill-side broider'd seems with fresher charms. The breeze that quickens and the beam that warms Float with thy voice athwart the tranced sky ; — Sing on, glad prophet, woods and fields again And human hearts rejoicing hail thy strain. /l. Gy LuAvvf 1839.] ,51 ORATION Delivered uefoue the Philodemic Society of Georgetown Col- lege, ON the 63d Anniversary of American Independence, by Oliver A. Luckett, of Georgia. Gentlemen and Fellow-Students: Justice to my own feelings, independent of other considerations, would prompt me to express to you my deep sense of the honor your partiality has conferred. To dis- charge, however, in a satisfactory manner, the duty which has been imposed, is a task fraught with many and serious difiiculties. Others, who have preceded me in this honorable station have gleaned every thing which could please or instruct, l^hey have left no point untouched, no question unargued, no principle unexamined. Strengthened, however, by the consciousness that the welfare of your association has ever been with me a leading consideration, and cheered on by the approving looks of those who have honored us with their company, I proceed with pleasure and confidence to the performance of the task which your kind- ness has assigned me. The occasion which has assembled us here is one sanctified by cus- tom. It is the birth-day of Freedom. Tnroughout every portion of our wide, extended land, the watch-fires of patriotism have been rekin- dled. The recollection of scenes long since acted — of deeds long since performed, and of hardships long since endured, has gathered to- gether a miglity family of freemen, who, animated by a remembrance of the past, look forward with pleasure to the future. Such, Fellow- Students, was the manifestation of a people's gratitude years ago, such it is now, and such will it be, as long as that people shall reverence and respect the memories of their departed benefactors. The American Revolution, the result of which was the liberty of an entire nation, had its origin in principles co-eval with the free exercise of our natural and unquestionable rights. The spirit of religious persecution which had obtained a permanent footing in the mother country, lead to the accom- plishment of a bold and hazardous design. The position was assumed, that whenever the obstinacy ot Government comes in collision with opinions reached by the slow, but certain process of reflection, and most especially, when such obstinacy clashes with religious opinions, which it is calculated to subvert, it becomes the oppressed to throw aside considerations, which under different circumstances, might induce them to pursue a line of conduct j^wrc/y pacific, and adopt such measures, as in their judgment, may tend more directly to reach the object, which 153 RATION. [June, tliey have in view. Such were the grounds taken with determination, and maintained with success, by our Pilgrim Fathers. Basing the justice of the step which was about to be adopted, upon the assump- tion that all civil governments are detrimental and injurious, which af- ford assistance to one portion of the governed by witlidrawing it from another, they carried into execution a project, grand in itself, and bene- ficial to society. The ocean with its waves rolling mountain high, pre- sented no terrors to them, — the furious tempests laden with death and y the lessons ofexpf^rience, the fnuh will most as- suredly rf^sl i]pf)n our own heads. The lime was, when every cili- Z'ti of Greece was happy in the consciousness that he had a country lo which he misfht address himself for protection, from which he niioht claim assistance as a matter of rij^rlit, and for the defence of which he would have toiled and died. Bui that time has gone. The d;iv of Grecian glory has passed by. Her poets have long since ceased to sing their strains of heroism and love. Her orators are mute and silent. With Demosthenes, as with the sons of Thebes, the glorv of his country fell to rise tio more, and the stranger who now visits her desolate ruins, is forced to shed the tear of sympathy and comniisseration. As long as she was united, foreign and do- mestic foes were harmless; but no sooner did division and sectional jealousy creep in, than she became a prey to commotions, which shat- tered to atoms the fabric of her greatness and her glory. The gold of the wiley Macedonian hastened the catastrophe, and bribery be- came as common in the declining state of the Republic, as justice had been universal in its brightest days of prosperity. It was in vain that eloquence raised its solemn voice, it was in vain that the shades of the immortal dead were invoked, it was in vain that the patriotism of the heroes of Marathon and Salamis was held up to incite the citi- zen to a performance of his duty. The warning language of pre- caution was lost upon the ignoble descendents of Aristides ; cor- ruption and vice had seized upon the bowels of the state; avarice and luxury had made inroads fearful and astounding ; the fate of re- publican Greece was sealed. She is now only known, as when she existed — the cradle of she arts and sciences, for like the country* whence she drew the origin of her fame and renown, she has been blotted from the catalogue of great nations. Athens, where a Socra- tes and a Plato reasoned on immortality, has been crushed, her spe- cimens of genius and talent have fallen beneath the ravages of the bar- barian ; her monuments of splendour have been broken down, and like the Babylon of old, her temples will become the hiding places of reptiles and the den of wolves. And where is Rome, the imperial city of the Csesars ? Where are her heroes and her patriots ? where her temples and her fanes 1 where her poets and her orators ? Unarmed by the influence of gold, her citizens bowed with ari oriental devotion at the shrine of avarice, and • Egypt. 1839. J ORATiow. IC;^ bartered away, for perishable lucre, their privileges as men. The sturdy spirit of Roman liberty became extinguished : and with the immortal Cicero, it may be said, the freedom of his cf)uiitry was bu- ried. Her triumphal arches have fallen. The exploits of her Africani and Cincinnati have been forgotten ; and the famous sentiment, " Sum civis Romanus" has lost its magic influence and importance. The introduction of luxury nnd corruption from the Kast, wrought tiiis wonderful change ;t and the mistress of the world fell, disgraced and degraded, under the weight of her own crimes, vice, and iniquity. Let us pause and consiiler. What has happmed at one period,^ will, under similar circumstances, happen again. If Greece and Rome, of ancient, and Venice, of modern date, were brought to ignominious ends through the influence of faction and corruption, may not we, whose institutions are but their's remoddelled, be subjected to the same fate; and may not our Government be reduced to the sime calamities ? This is a question which every citizen should propose to himself, for at a season like the present, when our horizon is obscured by lowering clouds, consequences of a dark and inauspicious character are greatly to be apprehended. That many and aggravated evils are stalking fortli barefaced in the land, corrupting the fountains of justice, and over- leaping the barriers of the law, cannot be questioned. Our own expe- rience would convince us of the fact. Some check must then be inter- posed. True wisdom dictates — patriotism demands it; and, believe me, no better could be devised than that which public opinion, based upon the grounds of harmony and reconciliation, can establish ; for, as our government is a popular one, its success depends entirely uponr the actions of the people, Wi?e decrees should be enacted — just laws should be passed — vice should be hooted down — virtue and edu- cation should be promoted ; and the highest ambition of every Ameri- can should be, not how his own private ends might be reached with the greatest emolument to himself, but how his country might be served — • how her institutions might be protected, and how the example and pre- cepts of our forefathers might be followed and practised in the spirit of true fidelity. As to our present condition, almost every prospect, in a national point of view, is cheering. The resources of our lands are inexhaustable — the spirit of our citizens i-? unconquerable — enter- prise has annihilated space, and the most distant portions of the Union have been brought within a few days journey of each other ■f See T^'tlrr's ruiTorsal Ristnry- 1C4 oK.VTiox. [June, What was said of Classic Greece by the sweetest poet that ever sung, may with propriety be applied to Republican America— yes, "She'll be a watchword to the earth, When man would do a deed of worth ; He'll point to her and turn to tread So sanctioned, on the tyrant's head ; He'll look to her, and then rush on, Where life is lost and freedom won.'* There is one question, however, and but one, which can change the whole nature of things, and sever the bond by which the several members of our confederacy are united. That question is the abolition of slavery in the Southern States. The terrors of the tariff have passed away — the days of nullification have gone by, and no other cause of excite- ment exists but that which hns been mentioned. A single glance at facts will convince us as to the nature of the point in dispute. Long before the Revolution broke out, domestic slavery had acquired a per- manent footing in the British Colonies of North America. It had been introduced by foreigners; the crintie of its existence, therefore, (if it be crime) cannot be chargeable to our ancestors. The slave popula- tion increased, and the utility and necessity of the institution were clearly perceived and admitted by all, when our Constitution was adop- ted. The framers of that celebrated instrument, seeing the difficul- ties which would arise from any action on their part, wisely determined to leave the question of emancipation with the Stales wheie slavery existed. This, they presumed, was the best possible step whjch could be takfn, inasmuch as the property owned by citizens of the Slates could only i)e subjected to the jurisdiction of State legislation. Had a different line of conduct been pursued, there would have been estab- lished instantaneously, a point involving the powers of the General Government as head, and of the several States as members. This was plainly perceived by our wise and sagacious ancestors, and was pru- dently guarded against by them. When our Government went into practical operation, many of the States known at present as non-slave- holding, were slave-holding Stales. The decision of the question of nboliiion was one which rested with themselves. They have decided as best suited their inclination and policy, nor can they accuse others of having dictated to them while in the act of making that decision. It seems, however, that the golden maxim is to be disregarded in these days of genuine patriotism, A certain section of this Union is now to be dictated to — Congress is to be petitioned — inflammatory appeals are to be made, and for what? That the flame of civil discord may <•/ '^. (O. ■&, 'a $i. ^ • 'V^ . ^V V. I :: t^.0^ ^^ ^^ ^ %A^ .^^^^. ^^ 0^ ^^ ^ (-4* "-^v^O^ ^ .^'\ o V .<.