The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-09-20
WAY BACK IN 1914.
a PERIOD OF THE SECOND WAR WITH
ENGLAND RECALLED.

Some Queer History from an English
Newspaper-A British Chuckle Over
the Fact That the People of Nantucket
Welcomed the Royal Navy.
A copy Of The Courier, London journal
OF the date Thursday, Sept. 30, 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 large'7 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 fight of Mr..
Madison and his ministers to some un-
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 Englanders that they appreciated
the pecuniary advantages of helping their
country's enemies during the war Of 1872
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 / wrote you on the Goth 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; lieutenant came on shore with sixteen
men In barge. with some kind of mission 10
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 ut
about 10 O'Clock. In about an hour they re-
turned with Captain Newton and several Of
his officers; tho captain went up into the hall
OF the upper Office, where about l50 inhabitants
were assembled and delivered to the modera-
tor OF the meeting paper containing sundry
proposals. Previous to his arrival, however, q
letter was read In the hall, which was brought
by the Nimrod from Commodore Hotham,
dated yesterday, off Gardner's island, on board
his majesty's ship Superb This letter stated
that the vice admiral (Cochrane) had received
the communications of the magistrates of Nam
tucket requesting relief, and representing the
Inhabitants to be in 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. Allgovernment 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
on their fishery" Il presume he means the
whale fishery; they may export as well as i'm
port such articles as will not pay a duty to
goyernment-ol and candles, presume, pay
no duty. Should any Of his majesty's vessels
arrive here they are allowed to take whatever
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 Gardner's bay tomorrow, If
possible, to conclude the treaty.
This evening at 9 o'clock the inhabitants
met In the open street near the town house.
that building being too small for their accom-.
mediation. Tho proposals Of the British COM
modore being read they passed the following
resolutions mem. con-: l. We will not bear
arms against his Brittanic majesty during the
present war. 2. We will deliver up all public
property on tho island. 3. We will not oppose
any British vessels which may arrive here for
provisions, etc, such as may be spared without
distressing the inhabitants-paying for the
same. This vote was originally expressed
thus, by recommendation of q Democrat, 1--WE
will supply the British vessels of war with
such provisions as they may demand" which
being opposed by Federalist, was modified as
1t now stands.) 4. A committee Of four Of the
selectmen and magistrates shall proceed
forthwith TO the British commodore to ratify
the agreement. g. This committee shall con-
sist of Joseph Chace, Genus Coffin, Josia Bar
ker and Aaron Mitchell 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 q word is
mentioned relative 10 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 adver-
sity. 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 may separate from the rest and seek
their safety In negotiation with our COM
mander. Baltimore is reported to have made
proposals; Nantucket, q 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 force Of l,5U and
suffering their capital IN 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 1t must be on condition
that America has not a foot Of land on the
waters Of st. Lawrence. Our Canada frontier
must he secured by an extension of territory;
the Americans must have no settlement on the
lakes, for II they have good harbors on the