News of the US: Week One of September 1813
September 1: From New London, then embargoed by four British ships — “On Sunday morning early, 14 American prisoners, including two boys belonging to Lyme and some blacks were landed from the Orpheus without being paroled. It is said the Torpedo from New-York, was chased on Tuesday of last week nine miles, by several British boats, but by frequent diving escaped. The prisoners who were landed on Sunday, say, that guard boats were kept continually rowing round the ship during the night.”–Richmond Enquirer, September 10, 1813
September 1: From Camp Seneca — “We are making every preparation to strike our tents, and march (or sail) shortly for Malden. Col. Levar, a Canadian Frenchman arrived here two days ago, from the river Raisin, and states that the Queen Charlotte has been for some time under repair from the shots put through her at Erie.”–Gettysburg Adams Centinel, September 22, 1813
September 1: From Attakapas, Louisiana — “There is nothing new in this quarter–except the Creek Indians having declared War against the U. States. They have collected to the number of 1000 around the town of Mobile, and demanded a surrendder of the town. I understand the Chactaws, in part, are about to join the Creeks.”–New York Herald, October 16, 1813
September 2: From Baltimore — “TO THE PUBLIC. WILLIAM JONES, (who is Secretary of the Navy) having been guilty of a flagrant breach of trust towards me, and having declined giving me that satisfaction which I have a right to demand, I declare him to the world an unprincipled Villain and a base Coward. LEMUEL TAYLOR.”–Boston Weekly Messenger, September 17, 1813
September 2: From New York – “We stop the press to announce the arrival of the steam boat from Albany—she brings accounts of General Wilkinson arrived at Fort George on the 2d instant, where he was received with the greatest demonstrations of joy. The British squadron under the command of com. Yeo, were at anchor off Fort George, and commodore Chauncey with his fleet was at the mouth of the Niagara River—“—United States’ Gazette, September 15, 1813
September 2: From the Boston Palladium — “Messrs. Printers–The object of Jefferson and his Satillites in the destruction of American Commerce is now nearly completed, at least that part of it over which the flag of the United States waved. The few vessels that remain to us are hauled up, a prey to the weather and the worms, and the wretched portion that is permitted to enter and depart our harbors bear the colors of other nations.”–New York Commercial Advertiser,September 2, 1813
September 3: From Norfolk — “Last evening the enemy remained at anchor, having made no movement since the preceding report. From an intelligent gentleman who came up in the evening, we learn that the whole force . . . amounts to THIRTY-SIX SAIL. viz. five 74’s, 11 frigates two transports, nine brigs and 10 schooners, the two admirals lay below the rest of the squadron. Two frigates went to sea yesterday morning.”–Maryland Gazette, September 9, 1813
September 3: From New York — “Arrived at quarantine this forenoon the Cartel United States schr. La Geria, Townsend, in 54 days from Rio Janeiro, with 30 American prisoners, and 24 passengers. . . . The U. S. frigate Essex, capt. Porter, was cruising off Valparaiso on the 6th March.”–New York Herald, September 3, 1813
September 3: From Raleigh — “Colonel Pasteur’s privateer the Snap Dragon, Captain Burns, has been very successful in her late cruise, having captured off Halifax two ships and five brigs with cargoes worth half a million. She lately arrived at Beaufort, so completely filled with English bale goods, that the captain and crew, during her voyage home, were compelled to sleep on deck.”–National Intelligencer, September 9, 1813
September 4: From “a gentleman of respectability from Natchitoches” [La.] — The republican army was defeated by the royal general Arrendondo, near St. Antonio, and their broken remains had arrived at Nacogdoches. Hopes are entertained that our people will let the Mexicans settle their own affairs, for our Osages or Sac’s would make as good republicans as the Creoles of the Spanish Provinces.”–Missouri Gazette, October 9, 1813
September 4: From Cincinnati — “During the present week, about 4000 Kentucky Volunteers have passed thro’ this town on thir way to the north western army. The are commanded by the venerable hero of the Kings Moutain (Governor Shelby) are in high spirits, and are anxious to meet the enemies of their country.”–Plattsburgh Republican, October 2, 1813
September 4: From Lieutenant Downs, of the Essex Junior, from Valparaiso — “You no doubt, have heard of the arrival of the Essex in the Pacific Ocean. We have been cruising on the coast of Peru, and have captured eight ships, whalemen . . . . I shall sail from this, in the course of two or three days. Destination not known; as I sail with sealed orders. When you will again hear from me it is impossible for me to say.”–American Daily Advertier, December 16, 1813
September 4: From Cooperstown — “The report of the loss of the Floating Battery, lately built at Oswego, is confirmed. It was sunk in a gale in an attempt to take it to Sackett’s Harbor.”–Commercial Advertiser, September 11, 1813
September 5: From Portland, Maine — “On Friday last the U. S. brig Enterprize, William Burrows commander, left this port on a cruise, and, yesterday afternoon fell in with H. B. M. brig Boxer, J. Blyth commander . . . .The loss on board the Enterprize is her brave and lamented commander and two men killed, and seven wounded; and on board the Boxer the commander killed and between forty and fifty officers and men killed and wounded.”–National Intelligencer,September 14, 1813
September 5: From New York — “The City-Inspector reports the death of 49 persons in this city from the 28th of August to the 4th of September, of the following diseases–Burned 1, cholera morbus 1, consumption 3, convulsions 2, dysentery 6, fever 1, bilious fever 1, remittent fever 1, typhus fever 4, infantile flux 9, hives or croup 1, old age 4, palsy 1, pleurisy 1, sprue 2, still born 2, teething 5, whooping cough 1, worms 1.”–New York Herald, September 11, 1813
September 5: From St. Louis via Frankfort, Kentucky — “The acting governor of this state has received dispatches from Gov. Howard, dated at St. Louis the 5th ult. iin which he states that it is probable the hostile Creek Iindians would attempt to form a junction with the northern Indiains; and invites the governor to send him some aid.”–Pendleton (S. C.) Messenger, November 6, 1813
September 6: From Richmond — “We have seen this morning, a private letter from Norfolk, dated on Saturday, which states that an attack from the enemy was generally expected there . . . With the aid of an excellent glass, he counted very distinctly 5 seventy fours, two of them flag ships, 15 frigates, 8 gun brigs, 5 tenders, and a number of barges, at anchor above the Light House, and extending completely across the channel–He represents the troops at Norfolk to be full of animation at the prospect before them.”–Raleigh Register, September 10, 1813
September 6: From Urbanna, Ohio — “We are informed that the Kentucky troops, under the command of Gov. Shelby, passed through Urbana on the 6th, and are expected to have reached head quarters some time last week. Their force is variously represented, from 6 to 7000 strong, exclusive of Col. Johnson’s mounted regiment which had previously passed on.”–Knoxville Gazette, September 27, 1813
September 7: From the Montpelier [Vt.] Watchman — Who profits by the War? Those who declared it; and who hold commissions in the army, with a swarm of collectors, army contractors, &c. &c. Who pays the Taxes? The mechanic, the farmer, and the poor industrious laborer, who toils all day and at evening pays a tax upon the salt and other necessaries for his family, to supply the President’s palace, and support the extravagance of useless officers.”–Salem Gazette, September 7, 1813
September 7: From Mobile, from Judge Toulmin — “The dreadful catastrophe which we have been some time anticipating has at length taken place. The Indians have broken in upon us in numbers and fury unexampled. Our settlement is overrun, and our country, I fear, is on the eve of being depopulated.”–New York Spectator, October 16, 1813
September 7: From New York — “The following was endorsed upon the way bill of the Eastern Mail Stage that arrived this morning: ‘Stamford, (Conn.) Sept. 7, half past 9 p.m. Three British armed ships are in the Sound off this place. A frigate at anchor near Captain’s Islands. They have taken a few coasters–one supposed to be a New-Haven Packet from New-York. A. DAVENPORT, Post-Master.'”– New York Herald, September 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.