ClassEjJia 
 
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 N\^V^n 
 
NAUllATIVE. '^^'' 
 
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 BESPJSCT/.Vft T/rE COXDVCT OF TflJB 
 
 
 I ROM THEIR FIR8T LANDING ON SPESUTIA U 
 
 TILL TU£IR PBOCRBSS TO U^VRE DB GR.i jf^i 
 
 NW^n-H EVFV "*TEm\I. CIltCUVatAKCK RBLATIVB T»i 
 \ lUr .^ rOHHKC r TKSTIMONY Of RKSPSCT4EI.! 
 
 CHAK&CTEJAB, WHO PASSED TRROUOtt ALL 
 TBR TRYIMO SCSMSS. 
 
 ^ogcmcr wiin mc names oi 3uiicvcrs> W<1 the ftljiu^Uui. vi 
 p^ ''" "-ippoied to be lost by eachandmdaal 
 
 Includvig also 
 
 :ir-i;i. v JBIT TO THE RLK AN1> $Asr.Ji» »*a3. 'sx « ' *« " ^ 
 
 /? r . i t T , , ^., . ; /r£ DE ail AC > 
 
 PRINTED BY P.M^^'T?n 
 
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 '<^lwiJhya»%wihlalM4,f tWrpiyiii loflaavada Qraee. ««ik,^ 
 
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 r cii ikr aaaMa cf die adilNN^aad 4a ■waat rfa m paf ty Mp- 
 
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 f.rtfrv\f^. v>i e»rtriaf fciimliilaadlW«rrtt». 
 
 r nnup MouAB. 
 
 «lMk«r Ika Oteriit of MarfttTT^ 
 
 -♦♦ «^ 
 
FROM lite purc&i motives of rrgard, boa^ 
 J. long^ ac(|uaintancc with you from your jrouth op^ 
 your fathers iniunate and companion, and experienc-^ 
 ing many happy days of social iniercourtc in You^^ 
 family. Recognizing your early scnrice in ilie «vo» 
 iuiionar}' war; and that you pMted ibrough mao; 
 tryinj^ scenes in thai evaiiful period ; Happy t6 find 
 you still in the land of the living* and that a gweioitt ; 
 Pro\ idence hat t ragthnwd your day, in a world of ^ 
 cisitudc, to prosperit)* and honors. Happy in the e 
 teem of your fellow^itizcna, oUMord bj deeda « t 
 public utility, as their general and comnunder in ohieC ' 
 io the disiria where 1 reside, aad which hat mumtkf 
 suflTerrd great dcvasutiont from a cniel and relcotkit 
 enemy ; the following aheeu are reapectfuUy presemcd. 4 
 It is a tale of u-oe, produced under suftflogs. which 
 generous minds are ever ahvc to i you wiM, thertfore* 
 be pleased to receive *it as an oSsrfKg of dttioicrciftiiit 
 esteem, and thereby confer the higbdC r eiP i tnfU oo 
 on the fecbk efforts of one, who is wilfiif to render 
 good ia the ctuse of truth aod humtuity. 
 
 Your feUow>clttara> 
 Tua \v 
 
 ffr.rfurrf, June, Aih, 181^. 
 
NARRATIVE 
 
 RBSPECT/.Ve THE COXDVCT OF THE 
 
 ^tm$^, 
 
 I HAVE been iiving ui Havre de Grace for move than iweiv© 
 monthB past- For the first six months I resided at Mr. Mansfield**^ 
 tavern- Aft«r tlus, from mere accident, being at the waters of the ■ 
 Abingdon Springy, I took up my abode on my return with Mrs. 
 Sears, the Columbian inn, where I resided till the day of the at- 
 tack by the British on Hattre de Grace, the ever memorable 
 third of May, and wa& among the last that went out of the town 
 amidst the dangers of death from the implements of warfare in 
 every direction. It was my intention to have staid In town in 
 hope of being instrumental to do good. ^ I mentioned this to Mrs. 
 Sears, previous to the attack, and ^vas among several, who advised 
 her to continue with her property, ai the most probable means to 
 save it. But the shot and the shells reaching the house from the 
 boats, there appeared no place ^jafety but going into the eellar, 
 and there certain death wounHave, ensued from the general 
 ruin, as it so turned out. I slept soundly the night previousi and 
 never heard a circumstance of th^ event, till two officers came in 
 the room where 1 lodged to call their comrades. They instantly 
 j^pt up and departed. I went to the window next to the water, 
 hoisted it, and saw |(ie of the barges firing. I dressed myself and 
 placed all my clothing and papers under the bed, supposing I 
 might return, but when I got down stairs «nd passing out at the 
 back yard, tho door \vas open, a full voUey of cannister shot ap- 
 peared to fall in every direction, ^i then ^went into Mrs. Se^^ 
 kitchen.yard, and her liule son Edward, Pegged me to wait^for bis 
 Mamma, who was drcfskig. I requested him to expedite hep a 
 
( & ) 
 
 • 
 
 •axrc in much danger ; but scarcely hari I pronounced these words,, 
 thas another volley was poured forth. I then found myself under 
 the inpcrious necessity to pass on to the stal^le, supposing 
 moresccurity, and finding that Mrs. Sears was under l\\t 
 pnrrtectiop of one of the young Dr- Sappiogton's, as I supposed i»im 
 to be, I continued the course of the river to Mr. Mansfield's ta- 
 Tcrn, and passed direct fronrv thence to the heights, a little above 
 the farm of Mr. Diitton, brother to Mrs. Scars. The large shot and 
 shells or rockets from their ivhfzzwg frequently passed beyond 
 inc ; on this height I took my station, and saw the first of the con- 
 flagration. It commenced at the house of a Mr. Tucker, an Eng- 
 lishman by Ijirth, and an ingenious mechanic by trade. I am in- 
 clined to think he lost nearly his all, and a great part of his valua- 
 ble tools, by profession a carpenter, but ingenious in most things 
 he undertook. Cc;tainly his loss must be great, and cannot be 
 computed less than g 1200. The next house in the list of sufferings 
 vas Mrs. Phillips, the mansion it is true, belonged to Mr. Jay, but 
 the entire of her furniture, new and elbgant, was all consumed 
 with all her wearing apparel, and some property belonging to her 
 brother, an officer in the service of the United Siatcs,a lieutenant on 
 
 board of the frigate Essex. 
 
 It appears that the brother had deposited an elegant fiold watch 
 
 with a considerable sum of money in his sister's hands lor safe- 
 keeping, and in case of his not rctiirning, tiien, as a legacy to his 
 inf«nt niece, daughter and only child of Mrs. Phillips. Hei loss 
 altogether could not be less than JS3000. The enemy next pro- 
 ceeded to the ferry houses or tavA'tte, and destroyed the stables and 
 buildings attached. The ferry boat on Mr. Manfield's hide tliey 
 took ofl', but touched qothing on the opposite shore. From what 
 rause this happened I do not undertake to say, as it is generally 
 supjwJ^ed they were acquaintcil with all situations. The loss ge- 
 nerally as well they as individually must be vcr^ great, not les to 
 the proprietors, Mr. Stokes and Mr. Ringold4, than gGOUO each 
 and at least near half as much to the tenants, Mrs. Sears and Mr. 
 Mansfield. The houses both were well kept in every respect, 
 and the traveller found every possiblfe advantage in the competi- 
 tion, for both, thereby endeavoured to please, and I verily beliive, 
 both were meritorious in their vocation. The next mansion con. 
 :uraed was the aged and gallant Capt. Denet Barnes, whose name 
 
^ 7 > 
 
 will be touiid among the little b«nd of Spartan heroes on this oc- 
 casion* His fisheries and stable lortunately were »pui ed, but the 
 Captain's lods altogether could not be less than gluuu. All the 
 conflagrations related, I saw with mine own eyes from the Iveights 
 where I stood, but for the particulars of oiher relations I must 
 depend upon the testiraoity of others ; men who were in the midst 
 ef the disasters, and on whose veracity the strictest confidence may 
 be relied. 
 
 Ididsecfromtheheights, the British drawn upcontiguous to the 
 Church, supposed to b« about 1 60 in number. I heard the drum 
 distinctly beat, and saw from the reflection of the sun, the glitter* 
 ing of their arms. From hence they discharged some Rockets, 
 and sent out small parties with prepared combustible to fire the 
 town. The first step was plunder without distinction, the next 
 oonflagration without delay. Some few characters had address 
 and pliability enough to save their houses, but none altogether 
 their property, even the accomplished Mrs. Boycc, with all her ad- 
 dress with the Amiral Cockburn, lost some of her elegant trifles 
 such as a new silk dress prepared for a journey. But she has great 
 tierit in being serviceable to others, and the protection of their 
 houses, and all those neat and substantial buildings belonging to 
 young Mr. Brown, who is worthy, and a friend to the destitote. 
 Before I left the heights, I saw several dwellings inflames but front 
 the smoke collected in the atmosphere could not distinctly discor- 
 er whose they were, several of the Runaways, had by this time 
 collected near where I stood with their Muskets complete, aliJ^ 
 some Horse who came from Annapolis after deserters. They were 
 early in flight, before I left Mrs. Scars where they had put ap. 
 About this time there was a report of the British having reache4 
 Mr. Pringlcs' scat, which afterwards 1 found to be truu. Thia 
 tumour created a retrograde movement in all present, but in 
 the wood passing to Col. Hughes' a halt was called. I pro- 
 ceeded on, conceiving myself of no use, and being destitute where 
 to put my head, I continued my route and got into the Host Road 
 about three qiiartcrs of a mile below Mr. Pringlch' residence. 
 Here I fell in wiih the stage Passengers who had escaped from 
 Mrs. Scars after the shot passed invo the house. They inibrraed 
 iv.e thcj; had lo«:t all thtj-ix I aija^e. ;vnd a Laidy from George Town 
 
( 8 ) 
 
 had suffLred considerable having a large stock of Millenary, The 
 Gentlemen told me they had come tram Col, Hughe's, where it 
 was deemed not prudent to tarry long. The road was filled with 
 the flying distressed, women and children, half dressed, in every 
 direction, not knowing whcro to go to or what to do, having been 
 stripped of their all. It is stated by Mr. Goldsborough who was at 
 Mr. Pringles' at this time, that Mr. Wm. Finkney Junr. on sco* 
 ing the advance of the British hoisted a flag, which had the desired 
 effect, for it was the means of saving this elegant mansion. Both 
 at Mr. Pringlcs' and Col Hughes', a number of respectable Ladies 
 of the Town, had fled out of the way of the flames, and as places of 
 greater security. In the hour ot distress the mind is glad to seek 
 any place that looks like safety and fortunately for all, they experi- 
 enced a personal asylum, tho' roost had been great sufferers in 
 the conflagration. I reached Bush a little before dinner time, ' 
 Ind as I had not tasted any thing that day, I was, from fatiguo 
 greatly exhausted. Here I again met some of the same Passen* 
 gers, and ader dining together, 1 proceeded on ; and reached 
 my ever hospitable and consoling friend. Major I. B. Howardi 
 whose charming villa is situated on the Fork of Gun Powder, com- 
 manding a most extensive view of the River and Ba)(, and even 
 the eastern side of the State. I was to the family the first Hv rold _ 
 of the dismal news, tho' the Bring in the morning was heard fru.n 
 this spot. The next day Capt Edward Howard, brother to the 
 major, went up tt) Havre dc Grace to collect more particular in- 
 iprmatioD. He returned the same evening, and represented many, 
 particulars, that happened aficr I left the neighbourhood, and that 
 affairs were not near so bad as first supposed to be- That a Mr. 
 Jarret and some others had gone in with a flag, and prevented a 
 continuance of the destruction. That Mrs. Scars' friends had 
 saved several of her beds, and others, some small part of the rcm- 
 tiant which had escaped pillage or conflagration. I continued 
 with Mr. Howai*d till Friday, when I proceeded on to Baltimore 
 in hope of meeting with sogie immediate employ that might re- 
 lieve me in my trying situation. I must for ever rccpgnite the 
 remembrance of this worthy family, who always appear feel- 
 ingly alive to my troubles ; here I am sure to find a welcome 
 reception in all vicissitudes. There is a friend that sticketh 
 
( 9 ) 
 
 cio&cr than a brother ; yea, than crery connection ; and this k» •< 
 that friend unto me. I reached the City the aaine cvejuug , lutd 
 left it on the 9th. day, I rcturoed to Havre de Grace. I called at' 
 my acquaintance IVIcssra. Kilpatrick and Burnside, and was aa^on- 
 ishcd to find the mutilated atAtc of their store, and heaixl of the 
 Avanton depredations made, tho' the buildings escaped the 
 after being set on fire. They were robbed and plundered in « 
 every direction and what the^cnemy did not take oft', they render- 
 od useless by every rile and cruel proccedure. In furniture, 
 goods and groceries the loss from fair calculation could not be . 
 less than S^OOO. Thus at one blow, two worthy young men have 
 experienced a reverse of fortune, to as to defeat all their fair hopi rj 
 and may eventaally change their stand and plan of butanoaf. The 
 destroying angel came as a thief in the night, with the bcaom of 
 destruction ; the ministers of vr rath had no pity for merit or tLe 
 afflictions of their fello\r>mcn, but lili* fiends, as they ^rer^, in- 
 discriminately involved all in one conimon state of ruin. I heard 
 the different tales of woe from many during the course of the 
 ^ day; none but what had tost something, aiKl very many had loa^ 
 their all ; so that the loss of the poor must be greater to them 
 than the loss of the rich; for they have no money to buy tnorcj 
 , no credit to obtain more, but the rich, in their losses, atill have 
 more; they will have friends ; they iMrill have credit. 
 
 Such is the fashion of this world ! I that night took up my 
 I lodging at John O'NeiPs who had gone to BaUimorc. I was kind- 
 }y i-cceived by his family, and I tarried a second night. Ihe third 
 day i procured a snug lodging at a neat little cottage at the foot of 
 the mountain about north west of the town, and about a mile from 
 the centre. Here I am engaged in putting on paper this narrative, 
 and have called on a Mf. J^n Boyd, an ElngUshman, who resides 
 in the last house nearest the water on*the bay side, and directly 
 oppo^tc to Spesutia Island. My motive for this visit was to pro* 
 cure the best information, as his situation gave him superior ad* 
 vantage in this direction. He says the first appearance ot \Ja» 
 British in foree, was about the 'iSth of April in the height of fish- 
 ing time, and as- there are several eonsidcrable* fisheries qn the 
 Jsland many hands were engaged there in ilvai business. Thai 
 
 >ntthe period stated, the IJritish were seen roming a sliofc in 
 B 
 
C 10 ) 
 
 two birgct, uid on their appioach, some of the fisheiinen toek lo 
 
 A bitteau ifishing to get out of their wtf rotind the Uland. Mr. 
 
 GalblM* daughter happened to be there, and the got into the boat 
 
 also to make her escape. The British in order to bring them to, 
 
 ^ fired at the boat. The men got « siiore and ran from the jroung 
 
 V womaiH who, it seems, was overtaken by the Brf^ish, greatly ter- 
 
 Hficd) as may reasonably be supposed. However, they behaved 
 
 % weiroB this occasion, and bid har not be alarmed, as no injury or 
 
 q insult should be offered to her. They enquired whoahe was, and 
 
 on her information, they immediately scot her to her fatlier. 
 
 Spesutia Island is the property oi Mr. Wm. Smith of Baltimore i 
 The Mr. Gallop's are his tenants, as is Mr. Gibson >vho lives oif the 
 main, contiguous to the Island, bat he employs a Mr. Sappington 
 at his manager. It appears that the British, after landing, placed 
 tentinela in aeveml directions and one strong guard at the narrows^ 
 the pass from the Island to dK main. They appeared very pcaco* 
 able and (rlendly with all. They laid injunctians on Mr Gallop 
 and Mr. Sappington that they must not go off the Island upon any 
 eonside ration, but that the^r and their property should be prutected 
 and they would pay for what was obtained. It seems the officers 
 dined with the tenants, some at one house and some at another, 
 and arnvted themselves with shooting and fishing. 1 understood 
 they pi'ocured some supplies in vegetables, poultry and roasting 
 p^^ for which they made corapens ition. it seems un their land- 
 ing on the Island, the elder son of Mr. GiUson came to Have* 
 4e-garcc and got pernussion from the commander, Col. Smith, to 
 go on the Island, alledging that his father had some business with 
 the aforesaid Mr. Sappington, his overseer. It appears that Mr^ 
 Gibson jun'r, was on the Island and had a conversation with Sap- | 
 pington. It also appears from statement, that Mr. Gibson had j 
 some cattle on the island, which fell into the hands of the British,, i 
 for which h* received compensation ; and that a considorable 
 qtiantity of cattle, sheep and some calves, Were taken down to the 
 water side, opposite to the island, with provender to feetl, for 
 which the OWNERS received ^xteen dollars a head for the cattle 
 |;cneral)yi and three dollart«hcad for the sheep. That on their 
 return from Havre, after their deeds of darkness and works ofj 
 hor^i they called at the island again, and made a general svcepj 
 
( 11 ) 
 
 of stock wherever they could- find it contiguooa, »nd g»vt WIU of 
 exchange for this last act of their kindness to the good pe«(»)« 
 bclo\f. It seemed not a little ancivil, and a want of irap»rtial»tjr, 
 to shew such a contrast of behaviour in the same neighbourhood. 
 To rob, pilfer, steal, and purloin the fatherlcat and wido#, th« 
 aged aiul infirm, in one direction; artd to pajr tot what th*y 
 obtained, and protect the inhabitants, in another. Th# war^ «rf 
 Providence are dark and mysterious, but pcrhapt the above rWdlo 
 may find a clue on the principlea of self-lore, and cheT 'W«Dt of 
 « AMon PATRi^" As the old saying is, to give the old dne hia dti#» 
 they shewed no disposition to disturb the fisheries in at»jr dif»cti9*.% ;? 
 
 Their first hostile visit from the island was up the Blkjf Tbiy 
 proceeded in force to French town, which fell, like Havre^e- 
 Grace, an easy prey. They there destroyed, as liaa been attted 
 in the public prints, two valuable boats and two ware>houiea» 
 with a considerable; -quantity of goods, amounting to several ihousr 
 and dollars. A Mr. Henderson- was a principal sufferer. Al Mri. 
 Pennington's they placed a g^ard, and she was secured. From 
 some cause, some say they mistook the way, they did not reach 
 Elkton, or they might have met with considerable resistance : 
 Thci^ policy appears to avoid all strong holds, aild only to go 
 where there is the least risk of loosing life or limb, and where 
 there is the greatest prospect of plunder, and doing the moat mit* 
 eSeif among the defenceless and exposed inhabitants. On their 
 return from the Elk, it seems that a gun f\x>m the battery in 
 Havre-de-grace was fired ; the fleet was. then about ten miles 
 distance, but a British brig immediately answered it ; which they 
 conceived as a challengcy as they afterwards declared on their 
 bnding in Havre-de-grace. Mr. Boyd further infornns me, thai 
 he was the y.ery first man who discovered the approach of the 
 British, and gave the alarm to our sentinels, who were stationed J 
 near to his house. He says just at the dawn of day, he discovered* 
 four boats lying on their oars ofll" the meuth of the river. That as 
 ^soon as day was advancing the boats got under ^v^y and proceeded 
 a little upwards towards the battery, but soon returned nearly t<i 
 their former stution. That the whole of the boats then appeared 
 about sixteen in number, and made their landing at the Point, the 
 fbur first boats continuing up the river, and kept \\\* Jin incc»sankfire 
 
( 13 ) 
 
 T.-ith large cannon, shells, rockets, and musquctry ; and the battcvy 
 fired several guns at the barges, but, as he thinks, without effect. 
 It soon, however, was silenced, and Mr. Webster, who loit his life, 
 was on the retreat from the battery. Mr. Boyd pointed the spot 
 to me, nigh unto Lucy*s house, a woman of colour, where he fell. 
 His death was occasioned from the effects of a rocketi which was 
 afterwards taken up and is now to be seen in town^ as one of their 
 curious inventions of destruction. I am no# brought to the tes- 
 ' timony of persons immediately in the actioDi and though small ih 
 number, were great in spirit and enterprise. Mr Goldsborough 
 was th.e man who fired the first, Bec6nd and third gun, but dis- 
 covering, the British adTancing, and that it was folly to contend 
 without adequate force, and not being able to rally the militia, 
 made gooJ his retreat and hastened to his family to protect them 
 and his property as fal* as he could. The enemy however set fire 
 three times to Mrs. Rodger's house, where he resided, but it 
 fortunately each time was extinguished, though they defaced and 
 mutilated much valuable furniture, broku the windows and doors, 
 and stole valuable clothing belonging to the l<adies and Mr. and 
 Mi*s. Goldsboroagh, who for personal safety had retreated to Mr. 
 Pringlc's with young Mr. Puickney, but the gentlemen returned 
 with the British officer to town, and by this means saved what was 
 saved. While I am giving, this detail it seems tlie gallant 
 O'Neill, in spite of death and danger, was left alone at his gun id, 
 the battery, and was considerably uruised on his thigh h^ the re> 
 coiling of the gun, for want of aid. He now thought it time to 
 attempt a retreat, and limped off as well as he coAld, for running 
 Avas out of the question with hira, he was so crippled by this acci- 
 dent, that he could not run, if so disposed. He, in this maimed 
 condition, reached the nail factory, and from this strong hold, the 
 little Spartan band made a noble resistance. The names are 
 John O'Neh,, Bknne t Barnes, Chris tophkr Levy, and his'son 
 William, and John M'Kinney. They fired many rounds of 
 musketry, and must have done some injury. A British officer , 
 had taken a horse from Mr. Js. Wood of this town, but the horse ^ 
 was returned agaio. Here our chosen few found it necessary to 
 retreat as they could, and John O'Ncil wus taken prisoner by the 
 Mian on horaeback* He had two muskets when made cantive. 
 
( >8 ) 
 
 one >ir««1oftded, and he could tuvve easily have bhot the officer op 
 horse back, but a file of British marines were tery near» drawn 
 up by the Church. . The elder, Mr. Levy, was taken about thb 
 time, as was also Capt. Barnes, and one or two men. Joltfi 
 O'Neil, Christopher Ltv)-, James Sears, eldest son of Mrs. Sears, 
 Capt- Whitefoot, and £nsig;n Hare were also made prisoners, a> 
 was one Whitloe an aged citizcji. Most of the Prisoners they r«> 
 leased while on shore, but Joha O'Neil, Christopher Levy, and 
 Jamea Sears they carried on board the fieet, and their situatiop 
 was very distressing, the first night being exposed to rain in the 
 forecastle of the vessel. The next day they fared better, (ind were 
 taken before the admiral for exanunation Much pains were taken 
 to find -out O'Neill, and his release may be greatly attributed to 
 thf humottr and conduct of Mr. Levy, wh9 so far got the better of 
 the officers and the crew, that his quecxncss and frankness had 
 great influence in behalf of O'Neill, who was now.brought sensibly 
 to feel for others, his wife and children- But fortunately be is 
 preserved for his adopted country, and thanks are doe to honest 
 •Id Levy for his manly exertions in his favour. . The Levy's are 
 hatters in this town, hard working, honest, industrious men, they 
 save<^ their house, it is true, but then they were robbed of all thcit 
 clothing, and in hats and fur, not less tlkan g300- 
 
 John 0«Neill'a loss was about 0130, and his house was three 
 Kmes set on fire, but was as often extinguished by a faithful, reso- 
 lute young negro girl, belonging to Miss Polly M'Caskoy. The 
 girl's conduct on this day, in many respects, deserves lasting coa- 
 sideration. Het Mistress keeps a neat little shop in Havre de 
 I Grace, and has lately erected a comfortable small stone building: 
 I while in bed, an eighteen pounUei* passed tlirongh the wall where 
 she lay- I saw the aperture and the ball ; also she shewed m» 
 one of twelve pound, which was picked up on the premises. She 
 in other respects received little or no damage. She lives in the 
 Jear of Mrs. Boyces, is a relative, and worthy of her foituaate es* 
 cspe. Mr. Stokes was coLsidcrable looser beside his tetry houa^ 
 and stables ; the house where he resided Wiis burnt. ^ was 
 Mtuated immediately adjoining the upper battery. The property 
 ^belonged to Aquila Hall, but then the tenant lost considerable iix 
 
C »♦ ) 
 
 this direction, but it could not be less tban SlOOO. The familf 
 manstoB where his raothcr resided was also burnt, and I un«ler> 
 stand a considerable quantity of furniture and other vahiabte artU 
 eles lost not lesa than B 1 500. A brick house belonging to the 
 family, nearly opposite to Mrs. Rodgers', was also burnt, it must 
 be worth 4 or %S00. Mr. Pringle's spacious ware house, immc* 
 diately on the water, was also burnt, containing a quantity of flour, 
 the loss nunt be betwci^n 4 and 05000. The house Where 
 Ricbuxi Barnes lived, belonging to Mr. Jay, was also burnt, it 
 inust be worth S300. The family, m common witli others, 
 were pilfered of most of their effects. Mr Warehtra, sadler, 
 had his house and effects destroyed. He could not hate lost less 
 than SI 500. Mr. M'Laughlin, though his house was nvcd, yet 
 he was a great looser, and stripped almost of evCry thing ; kis 
 loss could not be less than jfiSOO. In short, wherever thft evil 
 genius directed the steps of the enemy, either conflagration, rob« 
 bery, waste and devastation were the consequence, and marked 
 their steps. The midnight incendiary and assassin are terrible 
 instruments in the hands of the evil one, but the furious manner 
 in which the enemy acted towards almost all ranks oi citiavns, 
 sparing the property of neither age nor sex, rendered them 
 more like savages from the woods, than like civilized men, and 
 especially to the ostensible « bulwarks of our holy religion," 
 which teaches them better things, and to exercise humanity, 
 even to the worst of enemies. " Bone of my bone and flesh of n^y 
 f!esh," but so it is, that it often happens that a man's worst foes 
 are those of his own family or consanguinity. Wo certainly.are 
 r\\e ofspring of Britons, but " cui banoT''' 
 
 After the deeds of destruction were over, and the enemy had 
 rendered himself conHpicuous on the rolls of infamy, he proceeded 
 np the river and within one mile of Stafford mills, burnt a ware 
 house belonging to Mr. John Stump. 
 
 It was said to contain 500 barrels of f!our so that the 1<^9 
 can not be s\ipposed less than 4 or 5000 Dots, they returqj|d 
 down the river without opposition or without doing any more iiu#» 
 chief, most of the cnft had been previously scuttled, and unless! 
 Ihcy had wantonly assailed the defenceless inhabitants along the 
 shores, they h%d little left to destroy. * Ort their return they forced 
 
( «« ) 
 
 along with them a Mb of Mr. Wood to pilot them to Cd. Hughes^ 
 furnace, oaUc<i Principio works, on the occil side. Ihe 
 barges could como witliin Italf a miU of the furnace. It seems 
 thejr landed and soon destroyed the works, spiked and mutilated 
 the cannon, burnt the bridge and a mill on their return, for which h 
 seems, they shewed some compunction, but it was too late, the deed 
 *\vhM donty and the fire could not be consumed. The enemy now 
 glutted with plunder, conflagration, and pilfer and making as I before 
 observed a general sweep of stock about Spesutia, they, to ^e no 
 small joy of the iahabitants of Havre de Grace, at least) proceeded 
 dowiKthe bay. The people at Jdppa were muck alarmed about the 
 nulls, and at the great falls of Gun Powder, as also at Ridgley's 
 w*rks. But it seems the demoa of destruction was laid, and they 
 all went far down the bay, as stated, from the fears of a french 
 fleet. The guilty are haunted from causeless iear, and there is no 
 peace says my God, for the wicked. They are like the troubled 
 waters, and totter and quake at every rumour, tl*lle or false. The 
 loss of the furnace must at this juncture be a great disadvantage to 
 the United States as well as to the proprietor, tho' it is said, as is 
 uitual in such contracts, the government had made a considerable 
 advance, and it is more just that the many should experience a 
 loss than an individual be totally ruined. I dont say this will be 
 the case with the venerable Col. I am only sorry for my countrys' 
 sake, that he is at present derived of the means of furnishing 
 what was a terror to our enemies, his pre>eminent " long toms", 
 the best expounders of cannon law with the pious conservators of 
 the genuine orthodox faith.-— *'Thb BvLWAHKSof our Rbi.igiom'*. 
 Mr. Kilpatrick states in his note handed in tome,that *< after the 
 '' enemy landed at Mrs. Sears' wharf« the firing from the baiget 
 " having ceased, a Capt- Lawrence who had landed with some xf\ti» 
 '♦ rines in the lower part of the town, walked down to the wharf, 
 '^ ordering at the same time three of the citizens before him Uc 
 ''then asked where the mayor of the town was, and being inform- 
 *'■ ed there was none, he then enquired for the chief majistratc, 
 i* and asked if we were prepared to ransom the town. One of tb^ 
 '' citizens enquired of lum what sum would he demand ? I{c 
 " answered about S20000. He was told no such sum could be 
 • raised ; then he replied, why didyourmiliti*fire onus; if that bad 
 
( 16 ) 
 
 ^ notbcCB d«ii«, uid on our approach you h«dhun|( out a fttg you 
 ** would hare been ti^ated better. Uc was then asked what was 
 *' their intention in coming, ahd what was to be done had the mlli. 
 *' tia not fired i After some hesitation he observed, about one half 
 ** of the sum asked would hara been taken, and then instantly 
 " turning up from the boats, attend* that in three quarter* of ail 
 ** hour )'our yillage shall be in flames. Tou shall now feel the ef- 
 *<f<*cniofwar. The aforesaid Capt Lawrence than went into the ta« 
 " vern of Mrs. Sears, and with two or three more brought out' a • 
 " bundle, or box of dry goods which was taken a few paces in 
 " front of the hou!te, at the same time, another ofitcer, (name «n> 
 «' known) with two other men brought out a second box of goods. 
 " Capt Lawrence then turned round to him and said, Sir, I hare 
 « a guard and must proceed to business, we will attend to this, 
 •^ pointing to the goods, to night. He then walked down town and 
 "went into one of the stores, (Saml. Hoggs & Co.) the door* 
 " of which had bAn previously brokm open, and a few of the men 
 « wen* in the act of taking off some clothing. Othe»'s had opened 
 ** a desk in search of money, but it was reserved for the redoubta* 
 «< blc Capt Lawrence to be the first who entered on the shameful 
 "act of pilfering the goods. He it was who first began to tako 
 "down knives, forks he. 8cc. Sec. saying ha' the very things w© 
 « want: then turning round said to afresh set of THiEVES,-^-boys! 
 here is fine plunder' ' 
 
 " Admiral Cockbum, by way of justifying the late destruction, 
 « at this place, stated, to some gentlemen that he should not have 
 ** burnt or pillaged the place had not a party of our people fired 
 * on one of his officers who was on horseback and carrying a flag 
 "for the purpose of requesting the inhabitants and others tore* 
 " turn into the town. This is utterly false, the officei* in ques- 
 ** tinn was theii in pursuit of those men in arms who had retreated 
 "in the rear of the church. The flag he carried was z drawn 
 " iword^ and a short distance in the rear was a file of nrarines, 
 " though not sufficiently near our people as to fire with any cef- 
 « tainty. The officer called on the three men will you surrender? • 
 " he was answered no; and immediately they fired and wounded 
 " him in the hand" 
 
 Thisnarritive is -written in the style of Episode, tho' not regu- 
 
f 
 
 ( IT > 
 
 lar in its arrangement, yet strictly true as far as truth can bt %%• 
 ccrtained, as to matters of Tact. I here recognize the burnhig of 
 the place where the arms and powder was deposited. It was for- 
 merly a neat and pleasant dwelling, the residence of Gabriel Chris- 
 tie, one of the first settlers in this town, and I believe one of the 
 first houses built. It had greatly gone to ruin. About five and 
 twenty stand of arms were taken and destroyed, with what powder 
 and ball remained in the magazine. The ware house belonging 
 to this estate and near to Mrs. Uuyces on the water, was not de- 
 stroyed, through the influence of that Lady with the Admiral. 
 The British on their way down, paid Sassafras River a visit. De- 
 stroyed and burnt most of the best houses in those antlent villages. 
 The Messrs. Aliens, who kept the Packets were considerable 
 losers. The same fate attended them at attended Havre, and 
 some few families were selected out as works of their vengeance, 
 as was the case of Mr. Joshua Ward, who lived on his farm a- 
 bove the town, and I verily believe ',his only crime was, that he 
 was a Democrat and a true American, liia loss I understand 
 was very great not less than gSOOO. From my heart I feel for 
 him, he \vas a worth]^ benevolent man, with his amiable family 
 who merit the highest attention of their friends and the public in 
 general. It is asserted that Col. Veazy and his little spartan band 
 behaved very gallant bn the occasion, and resisted the enemy to the 
 last, with considerable effect. Give us but brave and skilful officers, 
 properly to lead on, and toarrange, and the men will generally figh^ 
 The family of Commodore Rodgers experienced a Considerable 
 loss also in the burning of the corner brick house, where Alex- 
 ander Rodgers formerly kept store. In this building was depos- 
 ited some new furniture belonging to Mr. Goldborough, who was 
 married to one of the young ladies, which was entirely consumed. 
 The loss to this family could not be less than 22000. Mr. George 
 Bartol between the two ferry's had his house and store entirely 
 consumed with the loss of groceries and goods to no small a- 
 mount, the grand total may be estimated at g2000. Mr*. Miers 
 who also keeps a small grocery, sulFercd much pillage, and in 
 clothing. Old Mr. Levy tells a humourous apecdotc, that whilt 
 on board thri Frigate, he discovered a f(rea,t strapping ftllow, 
 wh* was supposed to be the steward, with old Mr?. Mien wrap-. 
 
 ^ ^ 
 
 •. 
 
pciLon.-— I rood monilnf^ accosts Levy to liint, ^fr». Landlady, c^r\ 
 \o\x oblige nic with ^fiint this morning ? The fellow did not seem 
 lo lilic the joke at fust, till Levy expluined — and assured him, 
 that was the very urapprr belonging to his good old landlady on 
 shore, who had sold him many a pint. The steward got in great 
 good humour, and told the old catfC hardened., as they called Levy, 
 on bourd, that he would cheerfully oblige him if ho could spare it; 
 But he furnished Levy witii what i» very congenial to his feel- 
 ings— a strong grog. 
 
 In fine there was not man, woman or child, black or white, but 
 what lost something in the general pillage. Some there alL 
 There might be some pilfering by i«/f rwa/ Enemies, taking ad- 
 vantage oftl»c season; but the blacks in general behavecTwelL 
 Some exerted themselves grca'ly to save property. None de- 
 serted to the enemy. They kno\», degraded as tlvcir state may be 
 in many instances, it might be worse by joining the Enemy. 
 Danmores' treatment to them in the revolutionary war is an aw- 
 liJ lesson. He seduced tliousands of thojc unfortunate beings to 
 join his- standard, under the pretence of Freedom, and then sent 
 and sold them m the West Indies, to ten fold worse task masters 
 and tyrants. May the Iplacks at this critical period consult their 
 own best interests, be faithful to their employers or masters, and 
 in case of conflagration be the Jrst to extinguish, and the last to 
 plunder. 
 
 • Respecting the state of war in general. Peace \% far preferable, 
 if it can be obtained upon honorable teruis If war is ever jusiifi- 
 blc, it must be in the cause of humanity, and certainly our sea- 
 men's rights is that cause. That admitted, we will not con- 
 tinue the war. We have more territory now than we know what 
 to do with. A little farm well cultivated, is preferable to hundreds 
 of acres in the wild wilderness. But such is the nature of man, 
 tliat when he ought to be most haj^py, he is the least so. Possca- 
 sion is the goal of felicity to all sublunary objects. To occupy, is 
 to bcome only miserable, and as soon as we obtain, the heart sick- 
 ens and we begin to paut after nevj aquirements. The great peo- 
 ple at Washington are not more happy than we at IIavrc»de-gracc. 
 We Have had our day of trial, theirs may be yet to come. Happi- 
 licsa dots not consist in splendid levees' and great equipage wi'l 
 
( 19 ) 
 
 / 
 
 chew, bm in the consciousness of having discharged our duiy &s 
 rational beings; and then, and then only, fullows th%t i>vac^ ol 
 mind, which exceeds all other tlcgrces of felicity. Happiness i» 
 seated in the mind, and not in external objects. This the states* 
 man and the courtier find, after all the mighty bustle of words or 
 subtile intrigue- Ceitainhr America is great m resources^ and 
 may become great in war ; but intended by Providence the asy- 
 lum for the poor and the oppressed of ail sections of the globe. 
 Washington, like another Ju^hua, vras botii a soldier ai\d a sautt* 
 a soldier, equally brave and successful ; a saintt distinguished by 
 the testimony of God himsclft I wish we now could betM^d his ' 
 like There are certainly mai\y great and good men in the states ; 
 and, pcrha|)s, in embno, many Washingtons- lie una a ciioacn 
 vessel. He carried us through a long and trying war, raised us to 
 peace and Independence, and his last great legacy aiul hlesiting wiu 
 vnion. But O '. how sadly are we divided, even in a state of var» 
 when all ought to be united. Can wu expect with this spirit lo 
 con(}uer I Our little navy) it is iruC} hare wioui^ht woiukvs in the 
 mignty deep, and many of our gallant soldiers died valiantTy in iKe 
 field : but our loss is pre eminently great in the fiiU of the gaJbuit 
 Pike, a man of high pi-omise and valotvous deeds. The djnaaty 
 of America roust be improved, (jcnius and intellect gem iii 
 every soil. We must siiect ment, without respect to minor CMi- 
 siderations, wherever it {urcscnfi. It appears to have began to 
 decline in the latter days of the illustrious Washington ; circum- 
 scribed, ihrough party spirit, in the time of the Ycnerable JcSkr> 
 son ; and paralized by fac tion, with his amiable saccessor, Maili- 
 5on. All may be lost, nnlcss -ni harmonise and properly organize. 
 The |xa.cc makers, when arrived in Europe, may not be adequate 
 to the state of the world ; and then what is to become of ns, as • 
 people, without union ! Are we to suffer in all places, like uoto 
 Havre.<lc-grace and other towns ? To be burnt up and pillaged 
 wiihoui efficient mean» • « I do speak thai which I know, and 
 testify that which I have seen." 
 
 Apostrophe ceruinly is a great relief to the mind, in the doU 
 detail of uari aiion, and cannot be displeasing to the reader, aa it af- 
 fords^m that variety which is evx:r pleasing to all. It appears, 
 that after the prisoivera wwc ^ent on board the sjiips of war, a flag 
 
( =0 ) 
 
 Ujc next day proceeded down the bay. It was composed of Mr. 
 Jarrct and Mr. Button, accompanied by Miss O'Neill and Miss 
 Oliver, from George Town, who had lost considerable property. 
 The flag was received with much attention, and every refresh- 
 ment and comfort offered by the officers. The principal object 
 was to obtain a release of the prisoners. Night coming on, they 
 continued on board till the next day. Mr. Jarrct was accommo^la. 
 ted with a decent birth to lodge in, and Mr. White, master carpen- 
 ter, gave up his room to the females ; wherfe also lodged for pru- 
 dential motives, Mr. O'Neill, the father of Miss O'Neill, who was 
 prisoner, and Mr. Dutton. The door was protected with sufficient 
 security- Fortunately the mission proved propitious ; the prisoners 
 obtained release, and Miss Oliver some part of her effects, thoHgh 
 she was still considerable loser by the untoward circumstance of 
 being at Ilavre-de-Grace at this unfortunate period. Suspicions 
 aris«, from circumstances, that the British must have been inform- 
 ed of the situation of Havre-de-Gi*ace^ previous to the attack, and 
 of certain characters. They enquired fcr several by name ; for 
 Mr. Jay, Tucker, and where O'NcH's house was. A Mr. King, 
 who came from Baltimore to fish, as Mr. O'Neil since informs 
 me, imprnilently said he would shew them, and also the place of 
 deposit for the arms and ammunition. Desides this, they went in- 
 to the house of a poor woman, who was sick in bed. They ordered 
 her up, but she alledged she could not rise, and produced an infant, 
 which indicated anew birth, they took hold of the four comers of 
 the bed and carried her to another house, saying, this house wf 
 give you, but the other you left, we are determined to burn, which 
 they actually did. This information I have from several credible 
 witnesses. 
 
 Among other conflagrations, the enemy burnt what was called, 
 «' The Company's buildings," a row of houses iuhabited princii>ally 
 by poor people; loss estimated at gl200. They set fire to Mrs, 
 Biirk's dwelling, a small tavern adapted to poor travellers, and pil- 
 laged considerably, the house was saved. Also t(J Mr. Goldsbo- 
 rough's newly purchased house they set fire, but it was extin- 
 guished by himself. They mutilated tho fiont wall by a cannon 
 ball, and did other mischief. They fired the house of Mr.*lDunnj 
 coach-maker, but it was fortunately put ^t, this they pillaged, and 
 
«v 
 
 Ul ) 
 
 bore ofT an elegant new carriage, intended for Mr. John 3tum^ 
 They said they took it as a present to the lady of adnniral Warren^ 
 Stolen goods could not be acceptable to any person of character, 
 thcrefoM, a mere plea fur robbery. Mr. Foreman, coach-maker, 
 escaped condagraiion, though he was much pillaged. Mr. Dut> 
 ton. the post-master, I am glad to find was little or no sufferer ; 
 his sister, Mra> Sears, however, lost sufficient for all the family. 
 Mr. Wm Cole's mansion was fired, but extinguished. Friend 
 Cole stuck to thent, and swoi e they should not burn ht« house'; 
 but they purloined and pillaged. The Chuuch where they drew' 
 up their main body did not escape devastation. Truly may it be 
 said, *' My house is a house of prayer, but ye have made it a den of 
 xHEivEs.*' They burst the duors, broke the windows and sash, 
 entered and beat the drum. One would supposed, in many ac- 
 counts they would have sho^wn some respect to this building, aa it 
 was called after their own name generally, « The English Church," 
 It contained occasiouly, perhaps, some of their friends ; and es- 
 pecially as they are held to be " the Bulwarkt of our Holy JRelU 
 ^00.'' But it seems all sense of shame was lost, and every spark 
 of grace was removed. Plunder and devastation was the order qf 
 the day^ aud like faitful militants, they were determined not to de« 
 part from order, at least in doing evil ! The damage done to the 
 Church is estimated at 280. The amount of dwelling houses burnt 
 in Havre-de-Grace, is upon calculation found to be twentt.— Al- 
 so ONE warehouse and twenty out-houses, including stables. 
 The whole amount in property lost in every direction,- estimated 
 by tlic commiite at gSOOOO. The chief of my information is de- 
 rived from this source, and my statement generally will be found to 
 be correct, as I write upon the best authority that could be obtained, 
 ^nd have subcribed no material relation to doubt or conjecture, or 
 heartay testimony. The commander in cheif of the Brigade 
 w hich forms the Regiments of Cecil and Harford being in town 
 on military business, 1 avail myself of his invitation,- to obtain cor- 
 rect information of the disasters in Cecil and Kent i aofd though I 
 have already slightly touched on those subjcctH yet a more cor- 
 rect and fuller representation is thought seasonable at this time, 
 and is incorporated in this narration. I must be affected at the 
 ruins of Frederick and George Town. In this last phce, my Fa- 
 
C 25 ) 
 
 ther once lived. Ilorc it was I received a smattering in llic cic* 
 Bients of literature, previous to my going to England in the year 
 1760 My latl)cr's seat is two miles up the river, still possessed 
 by my relations ; but all the old stock, except myself, are gone. I 
 often think of the words of Kli'iah, ui^eMhe juniper tree, ** I only 
 am left alone, Lord! let me die, for I am iK>t better than my fa- 
 thers" My shadow has been preserved Icng&r than any of them, 
 but I have, years ago, found with tlic wx%t man, « that man walketh 
 in a vain shadow, and disquieteth h'mself in vain— or who can 
 tell what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life, 
 which he hero spendeth as a shadow." I must be doing all the little 
 good I can in my short and uncertain stay, before I am called to enter 
 on the great journey of eternity ' — A time for ever beginning, only 
 to begin, bm never drawing to an end ! awful mystciHous thought ' 
 mighty imagination^' and mu«t test the courage of us all? *' But 
 man goeth to his long hotne, and mourners go about the street -^ 
 or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broiien^ 
 or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wliecl broken at 
 the cistern. Then shall the dust rett^rn to the earth as it was : 
 and the spirit shall return to God, who gave Itt and tlie hoary bead 
 shall receive a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of right- 
 coasness." My life, from my youth up, has been marvellously 
 mixed with virissitudv. In my latter days, my heart has been fil- 
 led with sori-ow and disquietude. My children, once my only 
 comfort, are all gone and left me ; some from necessity, others 
 from the persuasion of others. I was like unto Job, till the cruel 
 spoiler stepped in and towrd taret ; and all too, because of tho 
 manunon of unrighteousness : but I bow and kiss the i-od with 
 i>\ihmission; knowini;^ iliat a rightcoui (lod will bring to light the 
 hidden things of darkn(s$^9X\^ fin;dly render too// their just rcmu* 
 ucration of reward, whether it be ^oorf or whether it be evil. 
 
 Mn. Maxskield's statfmkkt who is coLLEiTon or iHB 
 Port ojt Havre df. Chack. 
 
 Shortly after the Hritish had taken possession of this place, 
 oil Monday the 3id of May last and I had rejumed down town, 
 i was standing iji my duor with my son — when a Mr.Jarvk 
 
( 33 ) 
 
 (?oitriait Painter) came iillo my front porch; after a little convep* 
 sation as to thi« extraordinary conduct, the evening before, -we alt 
 three occasionally used my spy glass viewing the enemy, as they 
 came up the river, they keeping up a continual firing on the town, 
 3 or 3 of the barges made into land at Mrs. Sears' wharf. Imme- 
 diately upon their landing, they man'd a 24 pounder and launched 
 it on board of a ferry boat, then lying at the wharf, and moved it off 
 which in a very short time began to sink— >about this time, Mr. Jar- 
 vis went down upon the end of the wharf, and stood alone : whetlv- 
 er he haiPd, or waved a Handkerchief to them, I camiot say ; — b\it. 
 Immediately two or three barges moved up towards my wharf, up- 
 on which, I observed to my son, that we would gt) down. When 
 ■ one of the barges struck the wharf, one of the men whom I took 
 to be « Midshipman jumped on the wharf, and ran to my large 
 ferry boat, and cried out tlierc is nothing in her, upon Which he 
 cast the boat off; and was joined by some more of the party— 4 
 then observed an engjiah ofRcer, mounted on horseback accom* 
 ! panied by several on foot^— coming up thro' the town to my 
 house, upon which I immediately returned up to the house and 
 got there before the enemy. Instantly u()on this an officer 
 whose name I found was Lieut Wett/alty and the men which 
 accompanied him arriving, he directed my house to be set oHf 
 fire. A Mr. King a citizen of Baltimore, and who was fishing in 
 this plaee, and who came with them, interceeded with^ me t© 
 save the property generally, but very soon found all Intercession 
 for the house was needless ; he swearing it should be burnt. Wc 
 then turned our attention to saving the moveable pmperty, which 
 was very considerable, and td me was my alL His reply was 
 " all should be burnt ; and the whole town laid in ashes." Mr. King- 
 ^ continued his intercessions — and we jointly beged for one home 
 to secure what furniture wc could. During that time fVea^/airs . 
 feply was, after repeating the word one hour! swore by his ma- 
 ilor, I should not have ^v minuteay and gave his order to his 
 I Aood Ilounda, inatautly^to fire tlie houses, which they soon did by 
 ^breaking open the bar door, and destroying bottles contaiuing 
 I liquor, throwing the coMentson the floor, and then setting Se^ 
 the window curtains, (which were calico,) an^ thereby comi 
 Bleating to the lifjuor on the Heor, which, in a very s^ 
 
C 34 ) 
 
 set that part of the house in a blaxe— by this time a number of 
 their men had collected, and vrere plundering and canning ofl", 
 breaking and destroying every thing before them. After Pepcated 
 Soliciutitons on the part of Mr King and myself, the famous «>«/- 
 fall permitted mc to save what I could from the a)Ulevouring 
 flames ; saying, what I could save should not be taken or destroy- 
 ed ; upon whij:h, Mr. King, my son, and myself made use of every 
 exertion to save what wc could. My own attention was immc 
 diately turned to saving my beds and bedding. I immediately ran 
 up stairs, and threw out of the windows all the beds with the 
 cloaths belonging to them, to the amount of about twenty, which 
 were on the second floor. I then turned my attention to tablet, 
 cljairs, and looking>glasses, and succeeded in securing a considera- 
 ble number, but when these very humane British^ « the Bulwark of 
 eur Holy Religion," found that the fire had taken effect and de- 
 stroyed all within, they then turned their attention towards eom- 
 pleaiing their work by taking away and destroying what little I 
 had saved. They carried off my beds and furniture ; broke open 
 Qiy trunks and desks; ript the beds and threw the feathe rs to 
 the air, and carried oif the ticks ; and with their swords cut my 
 chairs and desks to pieces. 
 
 I was then advised by some of my friends to apply to some offi- 
 cers, and atate to them, that the officer Wet'fall had promised 
 that nothing which I could save should be disturbed, probably I 
 might recover some articles. Upon which, I made an application, 
 U)d received an order to go to the barges and take out what was 
 mine. Upon which, Mr M'Kinney and myself, went on board 
 a barge, and obtained some few ailicles, among which was a look- 
 ing glass, tlie property of my mother^ but received sug|) abuse 
 and threats, that I concluded it most prudent to return. I then i 
 applied to jiduvrtil Cockburrty who most undeniably was there in 
 person, nothwithstanding the many assertions to the contrary ; 
 made by persons tenacious of British honor and glory ; and who 
 came to have the pleasure of feasting his cfcs, on the flames of 
 JUaWei-de-Gruce. lie gave mc further permission to get from the 
 barges what I could find ; but the order^as given in such a way, 
 was not able to get but^ very few articles. Among which 
 cr glass the property of my niBtlier, and a few be(l%' 
 
( 35 ) 
 
 cloatht— for whiltt I w&s ia the »ct of searching for 'my goo<lj), 
 and claiming those I knew, an of&cer of marines threatened to run 
 me thr.ugh with his sword for contradicting him respecting my 
 own goods. The foregoing I declare to be correct, as to the gen- 
 eral ouilines of their conduct, which came under my eye. The 
 many ]X\flt minutia I caimot recollect. 
 
 R. MANSFIELD. 
 H^yre do Grace, June 1st. 1813. 
 I 
 
 «^ To deal out destruction plentifully the enemy fired from cigb* 
 teen pouhd balls down to two pounders. They had canister, Ian- 
 grag^i chain and grape-shot, ahelU and rockets, and two imple* 
 tnenta of their Allies' warfare, (Tomaluivka) were found, tho' no 
 ' Mta^^s in dress, it is true, were discovered, but something a little 
 Uke it in conduct. A Mrs. Moore wife of \Vm. Moore who 
 "^tnds at the Ferry,totd me that they stripped from her shouldcra 
 <« large silk shawl, took her childrens clothing and an infants 
 clouts and belly bands — Her linen prepared for the wash, but no 
 matter, it was plunder; and swill of any sort suits swine of thi) 
 order. Mr. M'Kinney lost a house where resided a Mr. Har- 
 wood, who lost his all in the conflagration. M' Kinney's loss is 
 estimated at SSOO, and his eldest son John, lost his watch and a- 
 bout i^?6. Mr. O'Brian, Schoolniaster, had his house fi)*ed, but 
 it waa extinguiahed. They abused his school room, but he es- 
 caped plunder. 
 
 »* * Thefitlowing ttatemtnt ia from the underaigned. ^ 
 
 » We deem it a duty, we owe Mr. Goldsborough as he was the on- 
 Jf officer at the Fort during the action, to state, that Mr. Goldsbo* 
 trough never deserted his post till resistance, with the few men be- 
 I came useless, and that even after, Mr. G. was seen by us attempi- 
 jng to rally the militia^ and endeavouring to get them to stand. 
 
 k 
 
 Signrd, 
 
 JOHN 0,NEIL. 
 HaTtc de Grace, WM. LEVY. 
 
 JMij/m, I8I3. JOHN P. WHITAK£R. 
 
 ^ ' (ft 
 
C 36 ) 
 
 JV. B. The cartel which came up to Havre dc Grace a few dajib 
 previous to the attack, with prisoners on parole was not fired on, 
 as has been falsftly circulated. Oa their approach to the battery 
 Lieut. Goldsborough, ordered the sentry to 6rc a musket in the 
 air, to let the vessel know, that the place was in a state of war^ 
 and to bring the vessel to, which she complied with. But not the 
 smallest intention of injury was intended or offered. 
 
 For the honour of humanity, notwithstanding; the rapacious 
 disposition of the enemy generally, there appeared a few individ- 
 uals who evidenced some principle and liberality. One, at Miss 
 M'Caskey's, expressed great nobleiicss. It seems this lady had 
 received the admirals promise of safety, but^ome ruffians rushed i 
 in, notwithstanding, to plunder ; and the soidici alluded to ex- 
 claimed come out boys! for shame ! and d on t plunder this pool* 
 woman, she has, I tcU you, the admirals' protection; jou shall not 
 do it ; from which they desisted and cante out. Turning round, lie 
 said~>'< I am an englishman it is true, this is a dark dny, and 1 am 
 sorry for what is doing!" — another instance — when Mr. Kilpat- { 
 rick was going off, from his store, with his small trunk of cloth- 
 ing) by permission of the officer; he was stopj>ed and abused by 
 several; when one honest heart exclaimed— '^ let him go on ' 
 pcacably — poor fellow 5 I dare say that is all, they have left him." 
 The enemy were plundering his store at the same time- I wish 
 more instances of this kind would present themselves. It is a 
 nobleness of character that does honour to man, friend or foe. If 
 meritorious in the private, it can not be less so in the o^cer, but 
 so tempting is the object of gain, that we, too frequently forego V 
 every other consideration to obtain it, and thcrfore justly it is said, 'l 
 that money, or the immediate love of possession is the root of all ^ 
 evil.' The meum and tuum^ the in» and the outa are the focut of ' 
 this worlds great stir, and the bane and the bar to every thing 
 tkat is praise worthy, patriotic, and virtuous among the childroo 
 of nturtalitv t , * 
 
 On returning to my lodging, and passing by Mr. Comelius 
 M'Caskey's, the old man requested I would walk mto his house, 
 when he began to relate his sorrowful tuk, and shewed me 
 much wanton proofs of destruction. He is poor, it is true, but 
 then, his sufferings were equal, in effect, amd renderod mere so 
 
( 37 ) 
 
 tha» to the wealthy. The enemy stripped him almost of every 
 ♦hing that was portable. His clothing and bedding, broke tables 
 and glasses, and mutilated, what they did not take away; bore o(T 
 two guns, many of his tools, and all his wife*s clothing. They left 
 him not a knife or a fork, and he plead hard for one old knife, 
 which after breaking the handle, ttiey threw it at him ; which so 
 exasperated the old man, that he jumped to his hatchet and was 
 determined to kill the fellow, but he seized the old man and bore of 
 the weapon. There is a spirit in man, at times, above the fears 
 of death and every consideration ; andthiswas the state of this poor 
 old man, driven to destraction by this ferocious banditti. They 
 abused and maltreated M'Caskcy beyond credibility ; and to shew 
 their contempt, broke a parcel of eggs, and smeared over 
 the room. — Also Mr. Kilpatrick, while they weit plundering his 
 •tore, calling him " Yankee Rascal;" h% had spirit enough how- 
 ever in the midst of his enemies, to tell them that lie gloried in 
 the name of" Yankee" and that, the' they were taking his all, yet, 
 while he could raise a five penny bit, half of it should go to the 
 support of so just a war ; and that the day of retaliation might 
 yet arrive i Here, they ordered him out, when he asked for his 
 small trunk of clothing as here tofore mentioned, and the treat- 
 ment he experienced on this occasion. 
 
 It \s a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of ferocious men. 
 David, when he bad the three things offered him, for sinning a> 
 gainst his God, viz. Seven years of famine, three months to flee 
 before his enemies, qr three days pestilence, replied to the Seer 
 Dan, let us not fall into the hands of man, but in the hand of the 
 Lord, for his mercies are great .' and he built an altar where the 
 pestilence was staid? may the inhabitants of Havre de, Grace pro- 
 fit by this example, and open their sanctuary for the everlastinf 
 gospel to be freely preached 
 
 Having reached my destiued place of appointment, I proceeded 
 to Fredeiick Town, and met with Captain John Allen, who vtjs so 
 obliging as to furnish me with the following particulars relative to 
 the distressing scenes in this quarter. 
 
 « On the sixth of May, between seven and eight o'clock. A- M. 
 4he British made their appearance at this place, and soon after 
 ^con^raenced the attack. When they landed and marched into the 
 
to^m, ihe admiral met me in my brothcr*s house yard, and exclaim- 
 ed— Who the damnation are tho»e that have kept such a damned 
 firing upon me, are they regulars ? No sir; they are the militia. 
 Where are they gone ? I d«nt know sir. Where arc all the m^n 
 of your town ? Moving out sir. The admiral then said, | 
 sent you word, that if you would not fire upon me, I would not 
 ' destroy any property Looking round to a black, he uttered^ 
 you are the person 1 sent word by. The b<^ denied it. It appear* 
 to have been another negro. He then observed, Had you not 
 fired, and I had taken any thing away, I would have paid for the 
 same ; bnt now, damn you, I will pay you in your own coin. Go 
 on, my boys, knock down, burn, and destroy. Accordingly they 
 commenced the destruction of the town. The first house they set 
 on fire was the carriage house, stable, and my carriage also was 
 burnt ; next my dwelling house, the kitchen, and all the furniture 
 of both. The inside works of the clock they took on board the 
 barge. Then my meat house, small granary, boat and fish houses, 
 containmg fifty barrels of salt-Bsh ; all my bac«n, und one year's 
 provision. Also the dwellmg of my sister, and her furniture j 
 and the clothing of us both, in every respect, but what we hi^d uq. 
 My fiimily Uible and the life of Washington were taken away. 
 Then the store was robbed of about Si 200, in groceries ; the heads 
 of the li(iuor casks stove in, and mixed with molasses ; a large 
 granary, belonging to the packet business of John and James Al- 
 leq, containing upwards ol one hundred barrels of sugar, sundry 
 casks ol naiis and boxes, from ten to fifteen barrels of peai4ash, 
 four or five bales ul' hups, sundry bolts of linen, four or five trunks 
 of dry goods, two large cabks of tobacco, two suits of sails, and 
 sundry other articles, not recollected. Mrs. James Allen, who 
 had just lain in, was nearly, with her Infant, being burnt ; but 
 finally saved, throu^^h the entreaties of Mrs. M'Donough, her mo- 
 ther. The admiral's first declaration was. damn ye, move her 
 out, but was softened by the entreaties of the parent. He then 
 bid his men to spare her life, but destroy all the adjoining -build- 
 inj^s ; >yhich they did, and plundering all the meat and other arti- 
 rlts, wet^nng apparel, and what ever could be found. The adqai* 
 ral, riding up again, addressing himself to his officers, replies, 
 I thi.iU tais looks pretty well, this will doj the town being gen- 
 
( 29 ) 
 
 cnJly on fire! Then looking round to me, said. How do you like 
 the war now ? I replied, sir, 1 Ijavt: not been ihc auivocate for 
 war, but admit that I was, it i« not reasonable to suppose that I 
 ahould like it now since all my property is destroyed ; und 
 which wa» got by mkny long years of hard labour, by the bay and 
 coasting trade; and then requested him only to spare me the 
 atorc, to try to get a living by, till it should pkasc Providence t* 
 bring peace about between the two nations ; he observed, damn 
 you, get me so much poultry ol such dekcripiion. I observed, sir, 
 I have them not. His answer was given with a damn, cant you 
 get them ? and I answered in the negative. But immediately af- 
 terwards, the house ww set in flames. The commanding offi- 
 cer then asked for a crust of bread, I told him I would go and see. 
 I got four or five biscuits and two small slices of cheese. He took 
 part with another officer. I then thought I might ask a favour, 
 which was, pray sir, discharge my brother you have a prisoner in 
 the karge, before you leave the waters of Sassafras river, that we 
 may be left together to try to get another small living, till peace it 
 restored. He is the only support of his little family; we are now 
 made poor indeed ! and if uken away his family must come to 
 want: only grant me this, anO aliall feel a small relief in mind. 
 Immediately I saw an officer ride down to the barge where my 
 brother was on board, and then saw a man jump overboard to his 
 waste, take my brother on his back, and land him on the beach. 
 He immediately returned. The commanding officer, observed 
 to him, damn you, it is not for your sake 1 discharge you, 
 but for your family. To which, Mr. James Allen replied, air, I 
 am obliged to you for that. It ia here worthy of observation, when 
 the commander first saw Mr. James Allen, he .isked, sir, wlio are 
 you? to which he replied, a man sir, damn you; says the admi- 
 ral, did you suppose I took you for a woman : and instantly hi» 
 orders weie : Take that fellow on board ; the guard seizing him 
 by the breast, carried him off. Total loss of the Messrs. AUenSj 
 gSOOO." 
 
 Mr. Greenwood's house was the next burnt, lost most of his gro» 
 ceriea and was much abased; total loss. £2000. The next Mr. 
 Richard Bamaby, his house was not burnt, but shamefully abused 
 and plundered) and he was set to catch chickens for the admiral/ 
 
< ^ ) 
 
 John Barntby's two hoases, both dwellings, burnt, no plunder, exr 
 cept in the one Mr. Wamtly lived in. Mrs. Ann Moore botb 
 burnt and plundered Mr. Chandler's ware.house burnt and plun- 
 dered ; he was also set to catch chickens, which was the means of 
 saving; his house. Betsy M^Clannon's house burat. Joseph Jar- 
 vis's house burnt. James Mitchcl's house burnt, and some of his 
 property destroyed. Barny O^Neil's burnt and plundered. Moses 
 Wilson's bouse burnt, coloured man. Perry Vollow's house plun> 
 ^cred, of S30, in cash, tools, «nd all his clothing, man of colour. 
 Foui- schooners burnt, three belonging to poor men in Dorset 
 county, the U^gc one, New England built, owner not kaowt. 
 
 After the destructior of Frederick, the enemy went over t* 
 George Town, and burnt the fotlowing buildings- Philip Hasin'a 
 tmjdl !•«; house, containing some trifling property. Next Mis Ana 
 Pierces* burnt. Mr. Bagweirs thoe-roakei s shop, tools, and stock 
 burnt. Francis O'NciJ's dwelling house burnt. Negro Stop's 
 house burnt. Robert Elliot's house burnt. Mary Henry's store- 
 house do. M rs. Mary Everet's carriage house do. Widow Per* 
 cies' house plundered and furniture destroyed. Wm. Ireland's 
 house burnt. Widow Down's, coloured woman, house burnt. Wi- 
 • dow Susan'WiUon's house burn^ Jacob Road, coloured man, 
 bouse burnt. Tarern house, Mr. Hasleton's, burnt, muI part of 
 hi* liirntture. Mr. Dun Levy's house, where Col. Spencer for- 
 merly resided, burnt, with loss of furniture. Arthur Nicholsons's, 
 taylor, house do. Widow Isabella Freeman's house do. The 
 store house, belonging to Mr. Jackson, and also his dwelling house 
 and granary burnt. Wm. Abbot's house do, Wm. Knight's 
 house do. Most of the inhabitants had previously left Georg« 
 Town and iBoved off their .furniture. Total loss estimated $t 
 th^so towns, amount to S374S0. 
 
 Jt is here worthy of remark, that they so far descended in petty 
 pilfering as to rob the black ferry noan Fjudav, of his all and his 
 pig, which lived with hira in his hut- They took from the ears of 
 Mrs. Williamson, who lives aa the mill, her earings. In going up 
 the river, the enemy stop'd at Turner's creek, in Sassafras, and 
 forced ofl'a Mr, Staveiy as their pilot. On their return, contigu* 
 •ub to this spot, they stopod and plundered Mr. Mock's— his wife 
 of leveial gowns, and other articles. 
 
( 3» ) 
 
 It Appears that the British went bo farther into the counurv oy 
 
 the Kent-side than Mr> James Pearce's, about a shurt haUjiulc 
 
 down the river where they did no danlage except pilfering^ little, 
 
 and bore off some spoons. They were apprehensive of the dra- 
 
 l^oons, as called by them, which occasioned their retreat, and they 
 
 aoon after this got on board their boats. I undersiand they did 
 
 not come to George Town with more than 4 boats, the principal 
 
 number being leitonlhe Cecil shore. This might have proceed* 
 
 ed from the small resistence in Kent. It is true, a considerable 
 
 force was collected ; but having no cannon, and badly armed with 
 
 musketry, and not within reach of the enemy, at the point where 
 
 the enemy passed, and where a small breast work was thrown up, 
 
 no opposition from them was afterwards made ; <so that the hasty 
 
 departure of the enemy was through fear of the horse ; some of 
 
 whom were seen at a distance, by the invaders. The militia, as 
 
 Dr, Maxwell informed me, retired towards hti house. The fol> 
 
 lowing is the statement of a gentleman who was in the battle, and 
 
 whose veracity can be relied on. 
 
 " After they had conflagrated most of the houses in Federick 
 Town, several parties proceeded up the main road leading to Cecil 
 cross roads to satiate their thirst fo** destruction upon the defence* 
 less inhabitants of the neighbouring farm houset— The first house 
 they came to was Mr. Muses Cannons, they did not burn it but that 
 was all, every panicle of his furniture y^nt tdkca away or destroyed, 
 and not a door or window left standing. 
 
 The fiirm house occupied by Mr. J. Robinson which they sup- 
 posed, belonged to Mr. Joshua Ward, but the property of one of 
 the same name, equally as distant as Mr. W*s house they visited. 
 • and after doing a great deal of mischief haid resolved not to bum 
 it, but some of the men discovering a hat with an Eagle attached 
 to it swore the house must belong to a damn'd Democrat, and burn 
 it> they would, which was quickly executed. 
 
 ,A party went to Mr. Joshua Wards house who the admiral 
 said he was vyy anxious to apprehend (and ordera were giveu 
 fcr the destroying of his house) saying they would have him if 
 in the houae dead or a live, calling him a dam\l Democratic ras- 
 cal ( they searched every comer and doa ?t diligciitly, but not find- 
 hkg h'mt placed several parcds of gun powder in the bouse which 
 
( M ) 
 
 vr^% quickly destroyetil, after taking off* and breaking up the fum* 
 ture, no part of which had been remoTod, all the clothing belong*- 
 ing to Mr. Ward, and a large family, dcprited of all except what 
 they had on. Mr. Ward's house must be at least one m3e from 
 the village of Federick Town. 
 
 At Mr. P. Ward's house which must be a tnile snd half frooai 
 Frederick Town they behaved with great rudeness ; giving; Mr. 
 W. and his wife much abusive language, and waa with difAcultf 
 prevailed on to spare his house ; and was taking away hit baeony 
 but getting the alarm of the approach of some militia induced them 
 to relinquish the greater part of the meat and eacape to their boats^ 
 
 FURTHER PARTICULARS. 
 
 ' I SEND yon a statement that I think can be relied on> of th« 
 unfortunate affair which took place at Frederick Town on tli» 
 morning of the 6th inst. between a small party of militia, of about 
 80 men, under the command of Col. T, W. Veaaej, and a British 
 force, under the command of Admiral Cockbum, of 15 large 
 barges, and 3 smaller boats, which at a low estimate, must have 
 amounted to at, least 500 dmo* The alarm had been given on the 
 5th, by the enemy concentrating their squadron off the mouth of ' 
 the Sassafras, after the depredations they had committed on the. 
 peaceable inhabitants of Havre-de-Gracc, 8cc. It was pi-esume<l 
 their intention was also to destroy Frederick Town. Exertiooa 
 
 ' were made to collect the militia, but'in spite of every .effort, not 
 more than the above small number could be collected) and not* 
 more than one third of them prooerly armed with muskets, or am> 
 munition ; the residue having only their common fowling pieces^ ^ 
 A small breastwork was thrown up, upon which was mounted one 
 6 pounder, with only two rounds of cartridge. The men were un** 
 der arms by 4o'cWk in the morning. At about 40 minutes af\er 
 5, the signal was made four miles down ilie river, that the ei^emy 
 was approaching ; by 6 they could be seen but did ^t get within 
 reach of the 6 pounder until near 7. It was then fired, but witbout\« 
 effect, and was not made use of afterwards. The enemy sllll ap^ 
 praoching gave thnee cbctra, which was returned by the militia, 
 and directly after* « volley from tbeir am«U vva%, Tl|t fire wm 
 
 '^ 
 
( 33 ; 
 
 immediately- rctnrned by the enemy, by a general diacharge df 
 grape, cannister, slugs, rockets, and musketry, which made such 
 a terrible noise, that one half of the men shamefully ran, and could 
 not be rallied again, whether it was from thrcir political aversion to 
 the present war, their dislike of sheddini^ blood, or actually thro' 
 fear, I cannot determine ; U||gp it was, that not m^e than one 
 half of the orignial number remained, to contend again&t the whole 
 force of the enemy This gallant little band resisted for near half an 
 hour, in spite of the incessant ftie of the enemy, until they were in 
 danger of being surrounded, when they retreated in safety with tlie 
 loss of but one man wouiulcd — The enemy threw several rockets 
 in the village, and reduced the whcle place to ashes, except two or 
 
 * three houses, saved by the entreaties of the women. Not satisfied 
 with this destruction, they extended their ravages to the neigh- 
 bearing farp\-houses, several of which were burned quite down. 
 Mr. Joshua Ward's hi^se was consumed with all his furniture and 
 wearing Bpptarcl, belonging to himself and a large family. They 
 went toMr. P Ward's, treated him and his family with great rude- 
 ness, threatened to burn his house down, but they did not accom- 
 plish it though they broke open his smoke house, and were car- 
 rying off his hams and best bacon, when some person gave the 
 alarm that the militia were coming, which induced them to relin- 
 quish nearly all the meat, and escape to their boats. Col Veaty 
 deserves much pi-aise for the brave exertions he made, to encour- 
 age and support bis little band, and Admiral Cockburn acknowl- 
 edged it was tha only opposition ht had met with, and said they 
 behared more like regulars, than militia men. The loss of the 
 enemy cajinot be exactly knovm. They acknowledge to have had 
 four wounded, one of them a principal officer, badly. By the re- 
 ports of aereral persons, who were detained for some time, on 
 board of their bar^eit, they must have had ten or fifteen killed and 
 wound^ as many bodies were seen wrapped up in blankets and 
 sail cloth, in the bottom of their boats. W« have infori^ation ^ 
 four men who deserted from them, that several of their barges 
 carrid S4lb carronades- Chain shot, and pieces of iron of various 
 
 • shapes, have bftei) picked up, as well as seveAiMK>ckets, and a great 
 deal of other kinds of shot. They say they hid expended all their 
 ammunition to two or three toanda. 
 
 E 
 
( « ) 
 
 George To#n, on the other side of the rfver, has expericBced 
 the same fate, but three or four houses escaped the ccnflagraiion. 
 
 A*. B- Just before the action con^mcnced, tv)o negro men were 
 sent up to Col. Vcazcy, by Admiral Cockburn, with a verbal mes- 
 sage : That if the militia would not fire on him, he would not 
 burn any thing but the store-houses and the vessels. Some peo- 
 ple have said, that Admiral Cockburn complained much of Col. 
 Vcazcy firing upon Wnjlag of truce. Can such a messBge, sent by 
 txao negrocH be constituted a flag of truce ? or can the noble Ad- 
 miral inoagine the people of Sassafras were so ignorant as not to 
 discriminate his flag attached to the stern of his barge, which was 
 in the centre and rear of a formidable armed force^ from a flag of 
 truce i 
 
 A LIST op THOSS WHO RESISTED AT THE ENEMIES LANDlMO. 
 
 Samuel Wroth.* 
 D. F. Heath. 
 Moses Cannon. 
 Nicholas Franks. 
 John W. Etherington. 
 Joshua Ward. 
 Dormer Oakes.' 
 John Etuerinoton. 
 John V. Price. 
 Elias Sbe. 
 John T. Veazy. 
 Davio Paget. 
 Tylus Robinson- 
 
 H. filDDLK. 
 
 James Parlrt. 
 Jamba ^^ayton. 
 1%^ l2by, (Segt.) 
 John Hsndeksoni (Lieut.) 
 
 Jamrs Allen, Capt. 
 John Duify,* 
 Samuel P. Pennington. 
 11- E. Coalman, (Segt- mate') 
 Samuel Dixon. 
 William Roberts.. 
 Francis Roch. 
 William Macket. 
 George Stanly. 
 William Ford. 
 James Council. 
 Jos. Greenwood. 
 Joshua Hovinotom. 
 Joseph Davis, (of Morris.) 
 Joseph EtherinotoIi. 
 Edward Lister. 
 ————— Rbtkolds. 
 
 • Was wounded 'u^jjl^ neck, but akice recovered. 
 
( 35 ) 
 
 From all that has been collected in this narrative, and which 
 appear to be the material documents of well authenticated tcsii- 
 njony, the conduct of the British has, in general, been shamefnl 
 and derogatory to the character of a great nation. The nvean arts 
 and little tricks practised must be observed with dcstcatation, and 
 their wanton abuse in the destruction of property, and the base 
 treatment to many citizens, cannot be justified by any. It appears 
 from the history of nations, on their declension, lost to principle 
 and noble deeds that they finally disregard all morality, and are en- 
 tirely governed by power, and this sort of lust in devastation. It 
 was so with the antient Romans and Carthagenians, and almost all 
 other nations in their down-fall, who have departed fi-om national 
 honour and the rules of civilized men. They become as ferocious 
 as the savages of the wilderness, wholly devoid of all kind of prin* 
 ciple as well as humanity. From a thirst of gain, and enriching 
 themselves, they pay iu> respect to persons or property, but con- 
 ceiving all alike, fair game, they sweep all alike before them i 
 whenever the strong arm of force, enables them to do it. It is 
 unfortunate fur the sutVerers in this general mode of destruction ; 
 but such a conduct must finally operate against the enemy, as k 
 renders them more odious, and consequently, unites every where 
 the oppressed citizens. It must ever be the case, and though dis- 
 tressful in the extreme, for the present, such a mode of warfare 
 operates %s a stimulant to the oppressed, but in the end to the 
 final destruction and extermination of the invaders. The world 
 for ages past has been kept in wars by this nation, I mean the 
 British, and this entirely owing to her superior marine force. 
 This strpng arm leads her to unjustifiable entcrprize and con- 
 quest. It was the case in India and elsewhere, and will for ever 
 be the case while she possesses this power,' and its consequent, 
 tftc lust of aggrandizement. The immoderate tiiirst of gain leads 
 to every thing that is base, as well among nations as individuals. 
 This eppetite for possession when once it has obtained the ascen- 
 dency over the mindi has no bounds, and goes on from one vile 
 pursuit to ai^other, till every thing else i» absorbed in the desire 
 of acquisition. Maa becomes infuriated, and goes forth with the 
 lyorst of passions against his fellow-man, .and plunders all before 
 ^im) without any remorse of conscience. But t^e d%y of rp- 
 
C 36 ) 
 
 tribution will come, when nations will see their folly, and I'cel thp 
 just eflectb of all their eril doings, by the ultimate decrees of a 
 righteous God ; for as erery crime carries along with it, its owu 
 chastisement, so in the end, must it ensue with guilty nations. 
 We ivc in awful times, when something more is to be effected 
 than the fall of empires. Doubtless, the issue will be favouraMo 
 to man, but the intermediate sufferings »rc great iinleed ' It i« 
 the time of deep affliction to a guilty world, but not without a just 
 cause in the eyes of an impartial and sovereign Ruler. His ways 
 are not as ours, but his going foith is manifest in every quarter. 
 We are commanded to resist evil, and to do what we can to sto]* 
 the progress of the destroyer. This only can be done, but arising 
 in the majesty ttf our strength and union, and with divine approba- 
 tion, we HMiy yet be happy, as well as every where victorious. It 
 is our duty, as well as our interest, to bring the war to an honour* 
 able conclusion, as soon as possible; and this oniy can i>e dune by 
 UNION. It is impossible for the short ken of mortals to look into 
 the ways and plant of an alwise Providence, but as far as it is law- 
 ful to anticipate, we have every cause to hope, that wc shall not 
 be given over as • prey to the teeth of o«r enemies ; that, notwith- 
 standing we may expect many sharp conflicts, and hard suflerings, 
 ■\vc finally shall come off victorious ; believing, that so fine a land 
 must have been reserved aa a resting place for the afflicted of every 
 clime, as a place where liberi*y and lioht may safely dwell, 
 from the distractions and strife of the old world ; and where, nei- 
 ther PRIESTS and KiNos will be permitted again to keep m bondage 
 either the mind or ti»c bodies of their fellow men ; but where, all 
 will be so free, aa to act as rational agents, in the pursuit of hap- 
 piness, and adore the groiit Creator in that way which be has point- 
 ed out, *» when he shall be king over all" the earth, and that, as 
 there is but one lordso shall his name also be one," and known 
 and declared as such to tbk generations to come. 
 
 We sinQerciy pray for a consummation of the promises made by 
 the great creator to bis intelligent beings ; that these may be the 
 last suffsrini^s that may occur, and that, the blessed period may 
 arrive, if not in our day, to our childrens children at least, that wars 
 raay be no more; and the govemmenl of the wolrd be under the 
 
( 3r > 
 
 direction of srsncE, TRUtH and RicHTorsnESS, «n4 the king/^ 
 Uom of the re.ieem^r set up, in every heart; and all the world, e* 
 very where, be RAprrv)d free / 
 
 But while we are recording these i&omentooa truths— what 
 shall we think t>f nativi born citieens, calling ihemseWes Aqrteri- 
 cans, fay everjrrile Stratagem, aiding' and abetting this wanton and 
 refrntless enemy, and at the same time reviliDg their own govern- 
 ment ? Do yoa want proof? Hear their open conversation, and 
 read through thew' Gazeitct their public Declarations. The re» 
 lation of a Mrs. Sullivan wih prove a " true biUi" and the testi- 
 mony of Christopher Levy, of what he heard and saw, while a 
 Prisoner, on board the fleet, will confirm it. The converaatioo «f 
 the British Doctor with Robert Holliday, when be fell, will ooQ> 
 firm also,— that wc hav^ 4/ue» passing in our country ; and the 
 open wish of a gcntlfman, at a public tables— ^' that he hoped to 
 have the filetuuA of seeing the British fleet off Havre de Grace** 
 previous to its Arrival, is abundantly confirmative, — that we have 
 traitors wUhm^ and especially, when the British landed on the 
 »ame tidcy and paid the tamt gentleman a friendly visit, and re- 
 freshment being introduced—the Briush Oflicers' toast was dam- 
 nation TO MADISON .'—Amen/ immediately responses the clerk 
 our amiable gentleman : — ** O Tempora .' O Mores .' O Shame 
 where is thy blush / O Hemp .' when wilt thou exalt tl^ wor- 
 thies / 
 
 Being an eye witness to many scenes of sorrow and tales of 
 woe, I certainly am competent, upon the best testimony, to be the 
 bearer of these melancholy truths, and 1 ahall deem all my trou- 
 ble of little consideration, provided, I may be the organ of doing 
 good. It appears but reasonable, that <* watf* and Mean*** shouldf 
 be devised for the remuneration of the anfferers. They are our 
 Brethren ; wheresoever dispersed, or howsoever distressed. They 
 belong to the great family of the.RefKiblic. It is our duty then to 
 be ready to alleviate their distresses ; and as the great council 
 of the nation is now sitting, doubtless, they will not, pass over in 
 silence so weighty concerns. I humbly conceive, it is of national 
 consideration. Every Citizen, I am persuaded will generously 
 eorao forth. It will not exceed twenty-five cents to each taxable, 
 
t 38 } 
 
 k> remunerate the m>hale lotset, in every qoinet. PhiUathiophy 
 oJ'.s upoD u« to do it. Policy calls upon us to do it, and our holy 
 religion calls U|ion a« in the moat preaaing manner to do it. ** I 
 vas aick and in .prison, and ye Tiaited me ; naked and yr cloth< 
 ed me, hungry and a thirat, and ye gave mm meat aiMi drink.— 'In 
 as much then as ye hare doni it to the Itatt^ ye have novm it vn« 
 to MC! aayathe Redeemer of the worM! I/t vrouM he wperfln* 
 oiift in me to add more t 
 
 THE EKD.