The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-05
Engagement Between Maine Fishermen and
the British Navy.
Daring Exploits Of Jere. O'Brien
and His Brother John.
Erection of the Machias Liberty Pole and the
Capture of the Margaretta.
PREPARATIONS AND PROGRAMME

have had Concord, Lexington and Mecklenburg,
and the next In order are those or Machias,
Bunker Hill, and the grand windup az Pnadel-
phia year hence. or all these just mentioned
the one least renowned throughout the country Is
10 take place here in Macnlas, on the coast or
Maine, on Saturday June T. IL Will be an affair
OF no insignificant magnitude, and the circun-
stance which IL commentaries Is more OF national
than Of local Importance. The first genuine naval
battle OF the Revolution was fought here result
ing in the capture OF the British slUop-of-war
Margaretta, together VITA several other smaller
crait and OF course the whole engagement was an
American victory from beginning to end.
THE STORY or THE BATTLE
possesses all the thrilling features OF romance
and probably tue best account that has been
handed down to posterity is that furnished by
Illsley in his Forest and Shore" and from which
make liberal extracts, without, however, intend
ing to vouch for their historic accuracy. These
extracts contain undoubtedly exaggerated nara
tives OF the actual occurrences, but we leave
II TO our readers TO separate the facts from
the web OF romance IN which they are
enmeshed. 1t SHOULD be stated at the out
set that the people OF Macnias were first
stirred up by receiving the news OF the battles or
Concord and Lexington. On an evening In the
latter part OF April, l775, number OF persons
were collected In small tavern mere in Machias.
ceiyed the proclamation OF the Provincial Con-
gress or MASSACHUSETTS, authorizing ana requiring
preparations and efforts 10 he made incident to a
state or hostility. The people or Macnias had,
from the FIRST been strenuously opposed TO the
usurpalion OF the British government, ana the
sole topic OF conversation, whenever q few met
together, was this exciting subject. On the even
ing In question a much larger number than usual
had assembled 10 talk tho stirring news re-
Gently received from Boston. Conspicuous among
the rest were two young men, brothers, by the
nams OF 0'Brien, sons or Morris OiBrien, who
came to this country from Cork IN Ireland.
Seated around the ample fireplace, enjoying their
pipes and cans,
THE ALL-EyGRossISG TOPIC OF TIE HOUR
was canvassed by one and ALL At last the elder
OF the brothers, jeremiah o'Brlen, spoke QUIT
II move" said o'Bren, when the agitation
which the news had excited had subsided, shat
tomorrow We raise liberty pole IN front OF the
Town House."
Agreed Agreedln was the animated response
nom every quarter. "Aud that Committee of
Safety be appointed" he added, "who shall have
supervision OF all the affairs relative to the proc
lamation lately received from the Provincial Con-
gress."
''You viii pardon me, gentlemen, for Interior
ing, as am not an inhabltant OF the placer re-
marked gentleman present by the name OF
Jones. who belonged to Boston, but who had
store IN Machas and exercised In consequence
considerable influence. awhile / cordially ap-
prove the spirit manifested in the present occa-
sion, yet permit mo 10 suggest II 1t would not be
more advisable to
CALI TOWN MEETING
to act on the propositions that have been made
TINS evening. To give weight to acts OF this char
acter tney should be legally sanctioned, aud from
what know OF the people or Machlas doubt not
they VIII unanimously coincide with your views.n
This seasonaole proposition won the assent OF
all; for It Is noted fact that the men OF the Rev
oiution were a law and order loving people, ana
all the acts which preceded that great movement
were in conformity to previous authorized vote.
Accordingly, the next day public meeting was
called at which IL was voted 10 comply fully with
the acquisitions OF tine proclamation OF the Pro-
vlncIal Congress. Committee or Safety was
forthwith appointed; and as q symbol OF their
resolutionsit was by reclamation voted that
A LIBRgTYPoLE
should be Immediately erected. On the adjourn
ment OF the meeting the oBrien's and number
OF more active spirits set about the work. Sc
Letting the iallest tree they could nnd they
stripped It OF Its branches leaving TUT OF YER
durc at the top. In the meantime deep hole
had been Dug IN whoa 10 plant IL, and long be-
fore sunset, amid the shouts OF tho assembled In
pole was set aud secured. This work accom-
pisaed, the people gathered around it and
soemnIy pledged themselves to resist the opposi-
ton Of the mother country, ana. II occasion
called, 10 sacrifice their property and shed their
hearts blood IN defence OF the colony After this
exciting scene they gradually dispersed. firmly
but anxiously awaiting the course OF events.
THE NEWS FROM CONCORD AND LEXINGTON CON
FIRMED.
related in this chapter two merchant vessels in
British employ arrived from Boston for the pur-
pose OF obtaining picke:s ana plank, TO be used
BY the English in defence OF that city BY this
arrival confirmation was recelved'of the bat:le at
Lexington, and the people OF Macnas were made
ACQUAINTED with tine actual state OF Affairs In that
quarter, regarding which there had existed q
great degree OF uncertainty aud anxiety.
"wHo ERECTED THAT LIBERTY POLE ~
Tue merchant vessels were conveyed by a Brit
in armed schooner named the Margaretta,
m1untlng four four.pounders and sixteen swIvels.
Sm was commanded by spirited young Irish
mar by the name or Moore, who, Notwithstanding
his comng in the character or an enemy, by his
eaIlantry and gentIcmanly conduct won largely
the eitesm OF the inhabitants. Immediate on
his arrival, observing the liberty pole, Captain
Moore landed, and demanded OF q group who had
collected around the landing place, who had
erected 1t.
That pole, sir,r answered John 0'Brien, "was
erectedby the unanimous approval OF the people
OF Machias.u
"Well, sir" rcIoined the onicor, with or with
out their approval It Is my duty to declare 1t muss
cone down.
Must come down ~ repeated o'Brfen, with
some warmth. "Those words are very easily
sroEen, my friend. You Will 1nd apprehend,
that Il ii easier 10 MIKE than IA VIII be to enforce
auemdnd OF this Rlnd.u
As Tue Young onicer turned to rc.enter the boat
ne was accUstei by Mr. Jones. the merchant gl-
luied 70 wno prevailed upon hin 70 suspend his
determination until tue people couiu assemble ~
town meeting. When, perhaps, the town would
agree to remove the Objectionable object. Dur.
ing tnls conversation the group around dispersed,
wth tnc understanding that tbe Committee OF
Saely would meet that afternoon ana consult
ablut THIS new aud exciting ~ to OF things. At
ancarly hour IN the afternoon the committee
md. DelLR composed or such men a. the