Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1818-10-06
DIED,

UH6t--dl Vi LyoflS afIIis.
DIED,
Ia Machias, on Saturday the 5th Sept.
Colonel JEREMIAH O'BaIEN, Collector
Of the port oil Machias, aged ~ years.
He was Reyolutio~ary Patriot.
Our Revolutionary Heroes are descend
ing to the tomb in quick succession. Few
of those who bore conspicuous part in
those " times which tried mems souls" are
surviving. In few years none will be
left to relate to us their
'.Battles, sieges, fortunes,
" Most disastrous chances;
:" OF moving accidents by food and field
"Of hair-breadth 'scapes i the imminent
deadly breach"
Soon they will all have left the theatre,
on which they acquired their fame, pro
cured for posterily the inestimabIe bless
ings Of good government, and be entered
on the untried being" where due reward
shall await them.
Among the patriots who served their
country with faihfulness and vigour, Col.
0'Brien shoRe conspicuous. The deep
interest which he always took, in whatever
concerned the well-being of his country,
during the revolutionary contest, as well
as in every succeeding period of its con-
Germs, entities his memory to the love and
| veneration of his countrymen. His I'M
daunted bravery and resolution; his gene
rosity and benevolence; his gentleman-like
department; and his ardent love of coun
TRY, while they secured him the warm es-
teen and friendship Of those with whom
he associated, and to whom he was per.
senally known, rendered his character Pc
cularly interesting to his countrymen at
large.
twas Col O'Brien, who, if not the first,
was one of the first that dared to encoun-
ter the overwhelming naval power of Eng
land, at the commencement OF the revolu
ton. He it was, who was among the first
to teach his countrymen that the cause Of
Independence must be supported at all
hazards; that the same bravery and reso-
luton, which inspired an attempt to throw
off the yoke of foreign power, we're ne
cessary to insure a permanency In the
measure, and establish the liberties of his
country. 1t was he who taught his coun-
Itrymen, by his example, to meet the ene-
my on the element where they boosted the
most power; and pointed out to them the
path which led them to the acquisition OF
an imperishable name. Although Colonel
)'Brien could not boast OF victories as
| spleudid as those of Hull Decatur,
cambridge; of Jones, Porter, Perry or
M'Donnough, he could boast OF making
the proud flag of England yield, for the
| first time, to American bravery and the
cause of independence.
4 We have it not 10 our power to detail
all the services Col, O'Brien has rendered
TO bis country. We have but few facts
10 our possession. The following is all
extract from a small pamphlet lately pub
lished, ON our 7" Naval History" 1t gives
a few incidents of his. first essay in the
cause of liberty. His succeeding actions
were many aud serviceable.
"Soon after the battle of Lexington, a
British tender, with two sloops under her
convoy, arrived at Machias. Their OBJ
iect was to obtain supply of ship-timber.
This, the patriotic inhabitants of this place
refused them. Upon this the commander
of the tender anchored opposite the towo,
aud threatened TO burn it down, if his de-
mands were not instantly complied with.
Capt. O'Brien Immediately headed par
ty of Americans, who took possession OF
one of the British sloops, within gun-shol
of the tender. They then ordered the
tender to strike, which she refused, when
they commenced so brisk fire upon her
that she was forced to cut her cables, and
with the other sloop proceed to sea. Capt.
O'Brien pursued with 80 men, on board
The captured sloop--aud succeeded in
getting possession of the tender, by board
ing. The loss, OH both sides, was about
| twenty men killed and wounded. The
| British tender mounted A guns and Ia
swivels. Her crew consisted of SO men.
| Her captain was killed in the action With
the guns OF the tender, and Others ne had
purchased, Captain O'Brien fitted out
privateer, mounting 8 carriage guns aud
10 swivels, having on board crew OF AZ
men. He proceeded on cruise. OF this
the Governor of Halifax was soon inform
ed, who Immediately ordered out two
armed schoouers TO capture him. Each
of these schooners had on board upwards
of 40 men. Capt. O'Brien meeting them
10 the Bay of Funday, captured one Of
them by boarding, before the other could
come alongside to her assistance. The
! other also was taken by him. Both were