The Republican journal., 1875-05-27
Capture of the Margaretta at Ma
chias, May, TITS.

Revolution, although the people living in
the territory now known as the State OF
Name were separated from the more
| thlckly settled colonies of Massachusetts,
they We're nevertheless keenlv alive to
the Importance of the stirring events that
were occurring, and were animated by
the same spirit OF patriotism that led the
sturdy colonists of Massachusetts Bay to
measure arms with the British at Concord
and Bunker Hill. Certainly no more dar-
ing feat was achieved during the revolu-
ton than the capture of the British war
schooner Margaretta. in May, 1715, by the
brave fishermen OF Machas, which Coop
en-, IN his Naval History, calls 1.-THE Lex
lngton OF the seas" tor, he says, like
that celebrated conflict, it was Il rising of
the people against a regular force; was
characterized by u long chase, bloody
struggle and a triumph. 1t was also the
NfSt blow struck on the water, after the
war Of the American Revolution had act
ually commenced
The people Of Machias propose to cele-
brate the centennial of this gallant deed
on the 18th Of June next, and u brief ac-
count Of the affair cannot fail to be of in
terest, especially rs it has never received
tlllt III HiStUf les Oh llltl period
that it most certainly merits
The news Of the fight at Lexington and
Concord reached Machias the last days Of
April, l71j, and naturally created the most
intense excitement. The settlers were sub
stantially Il unit in their sympathy for the
patriot cause, and, not dreaming that an
occasion would speedily come Tor them
also 10 show their devotion to freedom
with arms, determined at once to erect a
liberty tree in front of the town house as
an expression of their abhorrcnce Of the
acts Of the British government. 70 give
dignity and force to their proceedings, a
public meeting was called the next day,
at which it was voted to comply with the
proclamation Of the Provincial Congress
Of Massachusetts, authorizing and requir-
ing preparations for u conflict with the
mother country; a Committee Of Safety
was appointed, and it was unanimously
voted to erect Il liberty pole 50 strongly
did the hardy settlers feel in the matter
that before sunset the pole was standing
in the selected place.
Early in May, the Margarttta Cor MAR
granetto," us Narney gives it in his His
tory Of Maine), u British armed schooner,
mounting four tour-pounders and sixteen
swivcls, commanded 10y Captain Moore,
Il brave young lrishman, came to Machias
for the purpose of conveying some lumber
vessels to She British authorities al Boston.
Upon coming on shore, the first thing that
attracted the attention of the British officer
was the liberty pole, and he demanded to
know by whom it was erected On being
informed that it was done by vote of the
town, he ordered it to be taken down. the
alternative being that he would open fire
upon the village. The Committee OF Safety
called another town meeting, to he held
the next day, which was Saturday, at the
same time sending messengers to the few
surrounding villages to urge the people
to rally. At the meeting it WAS unan-
mOusly voted not to accede to the demands
of the British commander, but he was in
duced to postpone the destruction Of the
village until the following Monday, at
which time it was decided IL hold still
another meeting.
The next day being Sunday, Captain
Moore came ON shore and attended rcli-
gious services at the church. In the course
of the sermon, happening to glance out OF
the window. which overlooked the river.
he saw Il company OF armed men crossing
the river on the lo9s. He lcaped through
the window to the ground and fled to his
vessel. II was apparently y lucky escape
tor hlm tor the men he saw We're the peo-
pie OF the surrounding towns who had
come to aid in the defence OF Machias,
while nearly every man in the church was
armed, the Intention being to seize Moore
and then capture his vessel. As soon as
he reached the Margarelta She was hauled
down the river, Il few shots being eX-
changed without injury to any one
During the remainder of the day and
evening the patriotic people came pour
inc in to swell the ranks Of the little force
of Americans, and tie next morning they
We're divided into two companies one un-
der the command of Colonel Foster, and
the other under Jeremiah O'i5rien one of
six brothers who played 4 prominent part
in the subsequent proceedings. During
the day Fosters company took q small
coaster and O'Brien's the wood sloop Lib
crty. and proceeded in search of the Mar
garetta. The coaster became becalmed,
but the Liberty sailed into the bay, where
the British vessel was discovered The
Liberty ran alongside for the purpose of
boarding, but was received with dis
charge OF swivel guns, musket- and hand
grenades, by which several of the settlers
were killed The vessels swung apart
leaving John O'Brien, one of the brothers,
on board the Margaretta. having been the
only one of the crew who had reached
the enemy's deck. Seven OF the British
instantly fired at him, but not Il bullet
touched him. They then charged upon
him with their bayonets, but before they
could reach him he had leaped overheard
and was swimming t0r his vessel When
he reached the deck the Liberty was again
put in motion, and in a few moments the
vessels struck together Instantly the pa
triotS, some with dubbed muskets and
others with pitchfork,, poured into the
Margaretta in the face Of a furious fire.
The conflict was brief Captain Moore
fell in the early part of the action, and
the officer in command soon gave up to
his impctuous assailants, The British lost
ten killed and about the same number
wounded. The American loss was four
killed and eight OF nine wounded
The vlctors Immediately returned with
their prize to Machas where the whole
population turned out and gave them Il
rousing greeting. The Committee Of Safe
ty at once sent John O'Brien to the Pro-
vlncial Congress, then in session at Water
town, Mass, with dispatches relating the
affair, and that body passed a vote of
thanks TO the persons engaged in the
fight.
The Machias patriots We're not permit
ied' however, to rest upon their Iaurels
lhe news of the loss OF the Nargaretta
created great excitement at Halifax, and
TWO schooners, the Diligence and Iapna-
qulsh, was fitted out to re-take the Mar
garetta and wipe out the disgrace of her
capture. The Americans did not wait to
receive them at Machias, but Foster and
. Brlen started down the river with their
vessels to meet the invaders The hostile
vessels We're discovered III the bay, and
the Americans bore down and boarded
them, the British surrendering without q
blow
This second disaster reused the rage of
the British at Halifax to the highest pitch,
and formidable expedition was fitted out
to punish the daring fishermen OF Machias
49,