Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1892-08-11
WAY BACK IN 1914
A PERIOD OF THE SECOND WAR WITH
ENGLAND RECALLED.


A copy of The Courier, London journal
of the date Thursday, Sept. 90, 1914, re-
Gently found its way into the New York
World Office. The Courier was four page
paper, and cost thirteen cents. The num-
Der in question is largely filed with news
of the conflict with the United States of
America. The capture and destruction of
the city of Washington are reported, which
achievement is spoken of as Justly mer-
tied British vengeance" The flight of Mr..
Madison and his ministers to some I'M
known hiding place, they having probably
thrown themselves on the mercy of the alb
origines, forms the subject of the only ed
itorial in the paper.
1t is always an agreeable task to remind
the New Euglanders that they appreciated
the pecuniary advantages of helping their
country's enemies during the war of 1912.
This letter from the English paper, tell
ing how the people of Nantucket had
agreed to supply the British ships with
provisions and to abstain from hostilities
against them, serves the purpose very
well:
Since l wrote you on the 10th the whole
island has been in an uproar- The British brig
Nimrod. Captain Newton, came up and an
chored just outside the bar yesterday after
noon; n lieutenant came on shore with sixteen
men in a barge, with some kind of mission to
the selectmen; they tarried till near dark and
returned We knew nothing of the nature of
this proceeding till this forenoon. The select
men and two or three of the principal inhabit-
ants went down in two boats with flags at
about 10 O'clock In about an hour they re-
turned with Captain Newton and several of
his officers; the captain went up into the hall
of the upper office, where about $50 inhabitants
were assembled and delivered to the modera-
tor of the meeting a paper containing sundry
proposals. Previous to his arrival, however, a
letter was read in the hall, which was brought
by the Nimrod from Commodore Hotham.
dated yesterday, off Gardeners island, on board
his majestys ship Superb. This letter stated
that the vice admiral (Cochrane) had received
the communications of the magistrates of Nan
tucket requesting relief, and representing the
inhabitants to be in a state of starvation, and
that he had sent the Nimrod to inquire into
the truth of the statement.
The paper handed by the captain contained
proposals to this effect, viz: The inhabitants
of the island shall declare themselves neutral,
and continue so during the war. They will be
allowed to import from the continent fuel and
provisions in a small and limited number of
vessels. which are to be licensed by the British
commodore. All government property, If any,
shall be given up or destroyed, such as artillery
arms, ammunition, etc. There is none here)
The inhabitants will not be allowed to carry
their fishery" Il presume he means the
whale fishery: they may export as well as i'm
port such articles will not pay duty to
government-oil and candles, presume, pay
no duty. Should any of his majesty's vessels
provisions and supplies they may want, not
distressing the inhabitants therefor, paying
for the same. A deputation of the magistrates
or selectmen are to proceed hence to the
commodore in Gardeners bay tomorrow, if
possible. TO conclude the treaty.
This evening at o'clock the inhabitants
met in the open street near the town house,
that building being too small for their accom-
mediation. The proposals of the British COM
modore being read they passed the following
resolutions men, con-: l. We will not bear
arms against his Brittanic majesty during the
present war. .. We will deliver up all public
property the island. 3. We will not oppose
any British vessels which may arrive here for
provisions. etc, such as may be spared without
distressing the Misunderstanding for the
same. CThis vote was originally expressed
thus, by recommendation of a Democrat, I'VE
will supply the British vessels of war with
such provisions as they may demand" which
being opposed by a Federalist. was modified
il now stands.) 4. A committee of four of the
selectmen and magistrates shall proceed
forthwith to the British commodore to ratify
the agreement. D. This committee shall con-
sist of Joseph Chace, Genus Coffin, Josia Bar
ker and Aaron Mitchell 1.-TWO Democrats and
two Federalists).
The following is the editorial article
which speaks of the flight of Mr.. Madison
and also makes some valuable and disin-
terested suggestions as to the course the
Americans should pursue:
The place to which Mr. Madison and his min
listers have fed has not been accurately ascer-
tanned. We have Boston papers to the I'd inst
and New York to the LIST, but not word is
mentioned relative to them. One would have
supposed, unless their fortitude has totally
forsaken them, that they would have issued
some proclamation, calling upon the people to
arm and not to give way to dependence. But
no-insolent and boasting in prosperity. they
seem to be mean and panic struck in advcr-
sty. They remain In their hiding places, and
each state and city is left to its own guidance.
The consequence may be that some of the
states separate from the rest and seek
their safety in negotiation with our COM
mander. Baltimore is reported to have made
proposals; Nantucket, small island belong
ing to the state of Massachusetts,, had, even
before our success at Washington, made over
lures to Sir Alexander Cochrane, which had
been accepted, and she is to remain neutral
during the war. The whole state of Massachu-
sets would be glad to have the same benefit
conferred on it.
In the midst of this severe calamity this in
delible disgrace to the American arms, an
army of 5000 flying before a force of 500 and
suffering their capital tn be taken and de-
stroyed without resistance, one party recon-
mends immediate peace and the other an in
slant change of men and measures Peace
they may make. but it must be condition
that America has not foot of land on the
waters of st. Lawrence. Our Canada frontier
must be secured by extension of territory;
the Americans must have no settlement on the
lakes, for if they have good harbors the
lakes, well fortified and supported by a set
tied country, they will never want for ships at
the breaking out of any war. But 1t Is not the
harbors on the lakes alone which are essential
to- the security of the Canadas. On the Ameri-
can bank of the St. Lawrence, between Sack
ett's liarbor and st. Regis, there hun
dred positions. which by being fortified, will,
whenever the country becomes sufficiently set
tied. insure ready communication into the
heart OF Canada.
All idea OF renewing the treaties of 1888 or
1921 would be the height OF impolicy, and the
Americans must distinctly and explicitly ADAM
don their new tangled principles of the law of
and free goods.
With respect to a change in the government
OF the United States, it is impossible, we think,