News of the US: Week Two of July 1813
July 8: From Th. P. Capel, Captain, His M. ship La Hogue — “I have warned the fishing oat Sally, of Barnstable, to return immediately to her own coast–and in consequence of the depredations committed by the Young Teazer, and other American privateers, upon the British fishing and coasting vessels belonging to Nova Scotia–but more particularly from the inhuman and savage proceedings of causing the American schr. Eagle to be blown up, after having been taken possession of by H. M. ship Ramilies–an act not to be justified on the most barbarous principles of warfare–I have directed his B. M. cruizers on this coast, to destroy every description of American vessels they may fall in with, flags of truce only excepted.”–Salem Gazette, July 13, 1813
July 8: From the London Star — “The American envoys have arrived at Copenhagen, to excite new animosities against Great-Britain and the cause of Europe. We cannot flatter ourselves with any prospect of peace from them, since they have commenced their diplomatic tour by a visit to Copenhagen.”–National Intelligencer, September 23, 1813
July 9: From the Albany Argus — “We understand that considerable alarm has been excited at Burlington, in consequence of information that the British meditate an attack on that place with a force of 600 men–We have good assurance, that the enemy has not a flotilla on Lake Champlain to convey half that number of men; and further, that he lately had but a very small regular force in the lower province above Quebec.”–Centinel of Freedom, July 13, 1813
July 9: From Boston — “CONGRESS Has now been in session for six weeks, and nothing has been done. It is perhaps right to preserve a due consistency between the civil and military departments of the government.”–Boston Weekly Messenger, July 9, 1813
July 9: In the House of Representatives – “Mr. Bradley (of Vermont) after a number of prefatory remarks, offered for consideration the following resolution: Resolved, That a committee be appointed to inquire into the causes which have led to the multiplied failures of the arms of the United States on our Western and North Western frontier, and that the committee be authorized to send for persons and papers.”—United States’ Gazette, July 17, 1813
July 10: From Hampton, Va. — “I was at Fort Field (capt. Cooper’s seat) on Wednesday last, and every thing is taken away or destroyed–to give you an idea of their littleness they actually made a fire under my plough and burnt the stock up. My dear friend, I am sorry to say that this country is nearly ruined. You among others will feel the loss materially, 5 of your negroes have joined them, and I have no doubt but nine-tenths of them will abscond unless the enemy can be driven from the Point.”–New York Spectator, July 24, 1813
James Lucas Yeo
July 10: From Montreal — “Sir James Yeo, went to Sacket’s Harbor in disguise, examined the disposition of the forces there, and particularly the situation of the Gen. Pike–he then came back to Kingston and selected a few choice men, with whom he proceeded with an intention to cut out or destroy the Gen. Pike. He landed on Horse-Island, and on calling over the crew, found two of his men missing . . . . he abandoned his object and returned.”–Plattsburgh Republican, July 16, 1813
July 10: From Hartford — His Excellency Governor Smith left this city on Thursday last, where he had been occupied in ordering a detachment of militia to relieve the troops at New–London, and by other official duties; and that the service might be as light as possible upon our militia, the detachment is spread over a large portion of the State.”–New York Gazette, July 15, 1813
July 11: From Canandaigua — “I have received a letter from Buffalo, dated on Sunday evening, which informs, that on that morning (the 11th inst.) a British force of 250 regulars, crossed the Niagara River, and landed below Black Rock, and moved up towards that place, when they were discovered by our men (about 200 militia) who at once fled in different directions. The enemy . . . took a quantity of flour, salt, &c (said to be 400 barrels) and four field pieces, 8 pounders.” New York Spectator, July 21, 1813
July 11: From Natchitochez — “We learn by letters from N. Orleans that there exists in that city and in the Island of Barataria, a corps of about 600 men, composed principally of mulattoes, for years past exercised in every species of robbery and violence, who are in a state of readiness to depart for the coast of Texas, to reinforce the governor and protector, as he stiles himself, of that state.”–New York Spectator, Augus 21, 1813
July 12: “The third U. S. regiment, under the command of col. Constant, left New Orleans, in barges, on the 12th of July, for the purpose of joining the North Western Army.”–Scioto Supporter, September 1, 1813
July 12: From Charleston — “Dr. Robertson, who was sent out by our government on a mission to South America nearly twelve months ago, left town this morning for the City of Washington. He states that the Mexican Republicans have been victorious in all their late engagements, that they have succeeded in revolutionizing several provinces besides Texas, and are now only about 300 miles from Mexico [City] . . . .”–Boston Patriot, July 24, 1813
July 13: From Bennington — “Twelve thousand Americans have been killed, wounded, taken prisoners, or died in nauseous camps, since the commencement of this war; and for what? The ostensible reason is, the British take their runaways from our merchant vessels; but the real cause is, Our Master said, we must fight his battles.””–New York Herald, July 21, 1813
July 13 — From Pig Point and Hampton (Virginia) — Deserters “consist of one lieutenant, one sergeant, one corporal and twenty-three privates–Frenchmen; three Germans and one Irishman. Eleven of these Frenchmen were taken prisoners–but, as there is a cartel between France and the United States for a mutual exchange of prisoners under certain circumstances, and as the two Frenchmen, who were taken in May last by the militia of Hampton, had been released by the marshal, the same indulgence was extended to these eleven, at the instance of a French gentleman in this city.”–Green Mountain Farmer, July 13, 1813
July 13: From Chillicothe — “We learn from Cleveland, that the boats building there for the purpose of transporting our troops across the lake, were in a state of great forwardness. On the 3d instant, (the date of our last advices) 60 boats, calculated to carry 40 men each, were in readiness; and it was believed that our flotilla would be ready to sail on or about the 15th inst.”–Baltimore Patriot, July 28, 1813
July 14: Encounter between a Swedish brig and HBM La Hogue, Capt. Capel — “Capt. Capel took on board the La Hogue all the crew, . . . and threatening alternately to burn her or send her into Halifax–and being in high spirits, about 4 o’clock P. M. he graciously condescended to order the worst vessel he had in possession along side– on board which he thrust the prisoners, and ordered them to make the best of their way home. . . The writer of this article has been several times before captured by some of his Britannic Majesty’s cruisers, but never before received so much low and vulgar abuse as from the HON. T. R. CAPEL, who he must say, he thinks a great disgrace to the British name and nation, and he trusts, a proper representation of his vile conduct will be made known to the Admiralty of Great Britain, who in honor of their Country will undoubtedly, give this Honorable Captain–leave to stay at home.” –Boston Gazette, July 26, 1813 [The Nautical Magazine, vol. 19, 1850, lists “Adml. the Hon. Sir T. R. Capel, K. C. B.]
July 14: From Fort Stoddart – “We do not know whether the mail will proceed through the Creek nation this week. . . . Some of the disaffected Creeks went down to Pensacola with pack-horses, a week or two ago, for supplies of ammunition. The constituted authorities of the Creek nation sent warriors to intercept them. What has been the result I have not learnt.”—United States’ Gazette, August 25, 181
July 14: From Frankfort, Kentucky — “The number of troops which continue to pass is incredible. Yesterday so much infantry and cavalry arrived as to crowd all the city and villages. Our garrison consists of two regiments of infantry of the line, and of numerous detachments.”–Centinel of Freedom, September 14, 1813
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About the Author
Mary Bowden is a researcher working at the Texas Collections Deposit Library at the University of Texas. A little-known but invaluable treasure of U.S. history and the history of American journalism is archived in the collection of bound United States’ Newspapers at the University of Texas at Austin. The collection began more than a century ago and has been stored in recent years in the Texas Collections Deposit Library on the campus of the University of Texas. The sizeable archive is currently in the early stages of being digitized before being moved to a more climate-controlled environment at the J.J. Pickle Research Campus of the University, on the north side of Austin.