News of the US: Week One of June 1813
June 1: Paul Cuffee’s petition to the “president Senate and House of Representatives” asking “the patronage of the government of the United States, in affording aid in the execution of a plan, which he cherishes a hope may ultimately prove beneficial to his brethren of the African race within their native climate,” dated “Westport, 6th month, 1813.– New York Herald, January 19 1814
June 1: From Kentucky — “Colonel R. M. Johnson has been directed by gov. Shelby to proceed to fort Meigs with all speed.–He has issued his orders accordingly; and his regiment was to rendezvous at Newport on the 22d inst. there to receive their arms, &c. His force will consist of 1500 mounted men, and probably reach general Harrison by the first June.”–Niles’ Weekly Register, May 29, 1813
June 1: From Newport –“Arrived this day, schr. L’Orient, from New York with flour and corn, bound to Providence. She left New London last evening, and the capt informs, that a brig, prize to the privateer Anaconda, laden with brandy, casks, &c. arrived at N. London yesterday morning. The prizemaster informed that the U. S. frigate Essex with the Anaconda in co. was cruizing off the coast of Brazil.”
June 1: From Boston — Defeat of the U. S. Chesapeake by H. B. M. Shannon. “At 16 minutes past 6, the ships separated, the Chesapeake on the starboard tack. The English flag was then hoisted on board her, over the American!”–National Intelligencer, June 8, 1813
June 2: From New London — “Yesterday commodore Decatur & squadron attempted to put to sea, but were prevented by the appearance of 2 sail of the line . . . The enemy pursued and drove them into our harbor, where they now lie at anchor opposite the town.”–Maryland Gazette, June 10, 1813
June 2: From the Boston Daily Advertiser — “Yesterday about half past 10 o’clock A. M. a British frigate made her appearance off Broad Sound, hove to off the Brewsters, and showed her colors. The Chesapeake, Captain Lawrence, which had dropped down on Sunday, immediately weighed anchor and made sail in chase.”–Democratic Press, June 5, 1813
June 2: From Baltimore — “The schooner which was fired at on Monday last from Fort M’Henry, by the Marine Artillerists, now lays at Smith’s Dock, and it is to be regretted that she could not be inspected by the incendiaries who have infested our Bay for some time back–they would see what they have to expect when they attack other than defenceless villages.–She is literally riddled.”–Baltimore Patriot, June 2, 1813
June 3: From Whitehill, Vermont — “About 600 of Col Clark’s regiment, viz. the 11th regiment United States troops from Burlington, left here this morning for Sacket’s Harbor, in fine health and spirits . . . they are what are called the green Mountain Boys, from the north part of Vermont and New-Hampshire, all Yankees; their appearance would do credit to any country–I never have seen their equal in any part of Europe.”–Democratic Press, June 10, 1813
June 3: From Baltimore, from a conversation with Admiral Cockburn — “He further says he does not intend to destroy the private property (unless when first attacked) if he did, he says he could every day destroy gentlemen’s houses and villages convenient to the rivers, &c. and Annapolis any hour he chose.”–American Daily Advertiser, June 5, 1813
June 3: From Charleston — “On Tuesday last arrived in this city, from New-Orleans, the Rev. Samuel J. Mills, Missionary from New-England. . . . On account of the disturbances near the coast, he was obliged to take a circuit of nearly 300 miles through the wilderness, exposed to numerous dangers and severe privations. He is now on his return to New-England, with much interesting information for the Missionary Societies, and much experience of the Divine goodness.”–American Daily Advertiser, June 12, 1813
June 4: From Plattsburgh, loss of the Growler & Eagle — “they unfortunately ran so far into the narrow channel that they found it difficult to return, and the Eagle . . . became unmanageable and at last went down; the Growler unwilling to abandon her, continued fighting by her side, until after she went down and then was compelled to yield to superior force.”–Ballston Spa Independent American, June 15, 1813
June 4: From Raleigh — “We are credibly informed that a few nights since, the Hogs of the city of Raleigh, held a caucus for the purpose of sympathizing on their present proscribed condition, and of desiring some effectual mode of redress. A Solemn Old Boar, was called to the chair, and a Sow acted as secretary. . . . Resolved, “That we consider the present Anti-Hog Law as ‘unjust, unnecessary and inexpedient’–and our base confinement without a fair hearing as unconstitutional & a breach of the inestiable privilege of trial by jury.”–Carolina Star, June 4, 1813
June 5: From Frankfort, Kentucky — “Mr. Thomas Gill, a young gentleman belonging to capt. Dudley’s company of Volunteers from this place, (the same mentioned in capt. D’s letter as being wounded, and supposed to be killed) arrived in this place on Thursday last. He was taken by the Indians and carried to Malden, where he was purchased by col. Elliot for a silver half moon and some whiskey.”–Knoxville Gazette, June 21, 1813
June 5: From St. Louis — “Arrived here a few days ago from the Mandan Villages (Upper Missouri) Mr. M. Lisa, acting partner of the Missouri Fur Company. From M. L. we learn that the Arigaras, Chyans, Grosventre, Crows and Aropahays are or may be considered at war with the Americans. The British N. Western Company having a number of trading houses within a short distance of the Missouri are enabled to embroil our people with the savages who are constantly ordered to cut them off.”–National Intelligencer, July 8, 1813
June 5: From Boston — “After the engagement between the Chesapeake and Shannon a written challenge from commodore Brooke was received at the Navy-Yard through the Salem post office. Com. Brooke states his force at 24 guns on a broadside, and one light shifting gun. Capt. Lawrence had received only verbal defiance when he sailed–the written one having been delayed in the conveyance.”–Carlisle Gazette, June 11, 1813
June 6: From Fort George — “The British general (Vincent) anticipated the blow and attacked our troops at 2 o’clock in the morning of the 6th. Chandler and Winder, and the deputy quarter master general Vandeventer, were made prisoners early in the action. . . . The enemy were beaten and routed, leaving two hundred and fifty behind him–but according to our northern tactics we disdained to press a beaten enemy. We gave him time to collect and fight once more.”–National Intelligencer, June 17, 1813
June 6: From Salem — “The privateer Grand Turk, Breed, from a cruise, via Portland, arrived at Salem on Sunday. We are informed the same day, off Cape Ann, she was boarded from a fishing boat, (the Skipper of which said his name was Eppes Woodbury) which offered to supply them with fresh meat &c. (under the impression she was a British brig of war)–and they would bring fresh meat, newspapers, &c. daily . . . . Capt. Breed, in consequence of Woodbury’s information, gave him a glass of grog, containing some tartar emetic and presented him with a bottle of gin, containing jalap, &c–American Daily Advertiser, June 12, 1813
June 6: From New-York — “We learn by a passenger in the stage from N. London, that the Com. of the 74 off that port, had sent in word, if Com. Decatur’s squadron was not delivered up, he would attack the town. We learn by a packet which left N. London on Friday morning, that com. Decatur had landed some of his guns, which had been so disposed of as to be most useful in annoying the expected attack from the enemy.”–Vermont Mirror, June 16, 1813
June 7: From Alexandria — “The Celebration of the Russian Victories took place on Saturday last at Georgetown, agreeable to previous arrangement–An oration, which is spoken of by those who heard it, as being elegant and appropriate, was delivered by G. W P. Custis, Esq. in the Presbyterian Church, in the presence of a large and respectable audience of ladies and gentlemen, after which, those disposed to dine returned to Mr. Crawford’s, and about half past four o’clock about 250 persons sat down to dinner.”–New York Gazette, June 10, 1813
June 7: From Fort Wayne — “Colonel Johnson [of the Kentucky Volunteers] arrived at the fort about the same time, with his command of mounted infantry, he immediately ordered a detachment to saddle their horses and pursue the savages. They accordingly followed them about ten miles that evening, but night coming on were forced to return without having seen one enemy and consequently without the wished revenge.”–Aurora, July 10, 1813
June 7: From Fort Erie — “The Steam-Boat which arrived yesterday brings intelligence that Fort Erie had surrendered to the troops of the United States.”–Carlisle Gazette, June 11, 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.