Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-06-22

lent in him, his grandsire had followed
the banner OF Sarsfeld and he himself
was forced TO fly his native land for dar'
ing TO uphold the cause of his namc and
race. He was a sturdy rebel, and one
OF the first in Maine 10 take up arms
against the government. When The
news from Lexington arrived it created
great excitement in Machias. Groups oil
men were gathered at every corner, dis.
cussing the stirring news, and talking in
whispers OF the dread events of which
they had just heard. Conspicuous among
the lest were the O'Briens; n large crowd
was collected around them; they had re-
manned silent while the topic which en-
crossed their thoughts was exciledly dis.
cussed by their companions. AT length
when the excitement had somewhat
abated, the elder OF the brothers, Jere-
miah, drawing himself up. and gazing
upon the eager and excited faces around
him said:
SPEECH OF O'BRlEN.
"Men OF Machias: We cannot accom-.
plish anything by talk. Oar brothers in
Massachusetts are lighting; their princi-
pes are ours, and it is our duty to stand
by them. move that We erect
liberty pole in front of the Town House,
call atown meeting, appoint Committee
of Safety. who shall have supervision OF
all the affairs relative 10 heproclamation
lately received from tho Provincial Con.
gress. What say you men ?'
AYE, ayei Agreed agreed" was
the animated response that came from
every man in the crowd.
A town meeting was held and Com
mittee OF Safety Immediately appointed.
O'B.ien and few oi the more active
spmiiS, rs soon as the meeting adjourned
set about erecting q liberty pole. They
soon procured one-the lallest they could
find in the iores,-and, amid the dis
charge Of nuskclS aud the cheers Of the
hundreds assembled, the pole was raised
in front of the Town House. The pco-
pie gathered around it, and after o shor;
address from OBren. pledged them.
selves 10 resist to the death the arrogant
eucroachments OF England, and, ii need
be, spill their blood in defense of the
colonies.
They soon afterwards dispersed aud
retired to their homes. firmly aud anxi.
ously awaiting the course OF events.
\ tew days after the meeting, an arm
ed schooner. the Msrgaret,a. arrived in
the bay. Her captain, observing the
liberty. pole. came ashore to inquire what
i, meant. The first man he met rs he
came in front OF the symbol OF liberty
was John O'Brien.
by whose authority was This pole
erected here p demanded the English
captain. addressing O'Brien.
That pole. sir. answered the fearless
Irishmau. ''was erected by the people oil
Machias. and and my five brothers help.
ed to place it there
"Well, sit ;" rrioined the officer, "de-
spite the people of Machias, you and
your five brothers, that pole must come
down, ~
Those words are very easily spoken.
my friend" answered O'Brien, "but you
will lind it difficult 10 enforce them"
al shall try, however" said the cap
lian. as lie turned to re. enter the boat.
And be defeated" said 0'Brien. as he
looked upon the crowd that had now
collected around him.
Tbs, evening meeting was held. and
the inhabitants. instead OF complying
with the demand OF the English captain
formed The bold plan OF capturing both
himself and his vessel. Tue news from
Lexington and Concord reached MachIas
on Saturday, the 9Th of May. l775. The
courier who brought the news was en-
Joined to keep silent respecting It, as an
armed schooner lay in the harbor, and
they had resolved TO capture her. his
they intended to DO by stratagem. The
next day was Sunday, and 1t was hoped
that the officers OF the schooner might be
seized while in church. But the scheme
tailed. The captain, seeing band oil
men rushing with precipitation towards
the church, leaped through window,
and he and his officers escaped on board
the schooner, whose guns were soon
poin,ed towards the village. A few
shot were fired to intimidate the inhabi-
tapts, aud alter while. the Margaretta,
fearing danger, weighed anchor and
dropped about Il league below the town.
The rebels followed her on land. and. as
she cas-, auchor. fired upon her from u
high bank, and summoned her 10 surren
der. The captain. not knowing hat hos
,i,i,ies had commenced. was not desirous
OF coming TO an engagement, again
wcighed anchor. and put out into the
hay where their shots could not reach
him. The rebels were chagrined at the
failure of their enterprise. and sullenly
and with gloomy brows. they retired tc
rest that night. Maurice O'Brien and hi'
six sons held a meeting in their owr
house on the night of the 10Th OF May
and seeing that they had failed to SEIZE