The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1846-06-02


the 18th of January, Scott and Governor
Marcy stood on the American shore op-
posite that point watching events. The
smoke of the approaching boat could be
seen in the distance, and the purpose of
the British was perfectly evident in all
their movements. The batteries on our
side were promptly put in position. The
matches were lighted. All was ready to
return the British fire. There was cri-
sis!
The day before this, when it was sup
posed the Navy Island people were COM
ing up the same channel III other craft,
and before it was known that the Barcelo-
ma had accepted his offered engagement,
Scott wrote on his knee, and despatched
by an aid-de-camp, the following note:
To THE CoMMANDING OFFICER OF THE
ARMED BRIIIsH VESSELS IN THE NIAGARA.
"Head Quarters, Eastern Division U. ]
S. Army, two miles below Black
Rock, January 18th, 1888.
"Sir-With his Excellency the Gov
ernor of New York, who has troops at
hand, we are here to enforce the neutrali-
ty of the United States, and to protect
our own soil or waters from violation.-
The proper civil officers are also present
to arrest, if practicable, the leaders of the
expedition on foot against Upper Cana
da.
"Under these circumstances, it gives
me pain TO perceive the armed vessels,
mentioned, anchored in our waters, with
the probable intention to fire upon that ex
pediton moving in the same waters.
''Unless the expedition should first at
tack-in which case we shall interfere
we shall be obliged to consider discharge
of shot or shell from or into our waters,
from the armed schooners OF her majes-
ty, as an act seriously compromising the
neutrality of the two nations. | hope,
therefore, that no such unpleasant Incl
dent may occnr.
81 have the honor to remain, &c. &C.,
"WINFIELD SCoTT."
The same intimation was repeated and
explained the next morning, January 10th
to captain of the British army, who had
occasion TO wait upon Scott on other busi-
ness, and who Immediately returned. 1t
was Just then that the Barcelona moved up
the current of the Niagara. The cannon
on either shore were pointed, the match
es lighted, and thousands stood in sus-
pensc. On the jutting pier of Black
Rock, in view af all, stood the tall form
of Scott, in full uniform, watching the ap-
preaching boat On SCOTS note and his
personal assurances, alone depended the
question Of PEACE or WAR. Happily, these
assurances had their just effect. The
Barcelona passed along. The British
did not fire. The matches were extinguish-
ed; the two nations, guided by wise coun-
sells, resumed their usual way; and wars
wild alarms were hushed into the WINS
pers of peace.
Small place as this incident may oc-
cupy in history, it was critical moment
in the affairs of nations. Had one Brit
ish gun been fired, and much more had
the Barcelona been destroyed, no author
ty or influence would have restrained
our excited population. We should pro-
badly have had an unprecedented war,
one OF those calamities which nations
have to endure for their sins, and which
is without the consoling and self-support-
ing consciousness of great moral right.
1t would have been war from incident, and
not a national controversy.