The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1895-10-10
THE STRUGGLE FOR IN
DEPENDENCE.
BY GEORGE G. MONROE.

al years before the affair at Boston
winch were even more daring IN their
nature and which were as decided
steps toward independence.
In 1869 the British slOop-of war
Liberty was stationed at Narragansett
Bay for the purpose of enforcing the
revenue laws. As these laws were
considered unjust by the people along
that coast they looked upon the Lib
erty with no favorable eyes; and their
dislike Of her was doubly intensified
by the unnecessary harshness with
" Nhich the captain discharged his duty
and MS in5olence TO the commanders
Of all vessels which he investigated.
y lille cruising at the mouth Of the
bay on the 18th Of July. Captain Reid,
OF the Liberty, sighted two vessels
bound out to sea under full sail. In
staatly giving chase the fleet British
vessel soon overhauled the merchant
men, and signalled them to stop. They
complied and a boat from the man-of
war put off to examine their papers.
Nothing wrong was found, but for
some unexpected reason Captain Reid
ordered them to follow him and took
them back to Newport, which harbor
they had just left. They were anchor
ed under the guns Of the British
vessel. and held there without Cap
tain Reid Offering any explanation
whatever to the officers of the mer-
chanmen.
After submitting to this wanton de
tention for two days Captain Pack
wood, OF one of the vessels, went OF
boatd the Liberty in an endeavor to
get some satisfactory information con
ceruing the cause Of his vessel being
held, and also to recover some wear
ing apparel taken from the cabin OF
his vessel at the time she was over
hauled.
Captain Reid was on shore at the
time and when Captain Packwood pre-
ferred his request for his property he
was ridiculed. This greatly exasper
aLea the bluf seaman and he gave
vent to his wrath III strong language
HIS words offended the British and a
be eft the Liberty several shots wert
fired at hIm, none taking effect.
News of this assault excited the
greatest indignation in Newport
Public meetings were held and repar
alton demanded The authorities
Of the town sent a messenger TO Cap
tain Reid requiring him to give up
the man or men who fired the shots
No satisfaction was obtained so the
people determined to teach Captain
Reid in particular and the British in
general lesson.
u ord was quietly sent about town
| to assemble armed at the waters edge
al uightfal. Those who We're reinstIgat
ing the move provided a number OF
boats and when. shortly after dark, q
| large crowd had assembled. enough
men were selected to fill them, Then
the plan Of attack was explained and
willingly agreed to. Everything be
iug ready the men bent to the oars
and the boats gIided swiftly TOWARD
the sloop-of war As they drew neal
the lookout aboard the Liberty hailed
Boat, ahoy..
No answer was given. Instead, the
men put more energy into their strokes
ana the boats darted forward more
rapidly.
Boat, ahoy, Answer, OF Ill fire"
Then perceiving the other boats fol
| lowing the lookout gave the alarm
Uususpicious of danger in a suppos
ulIy friendly harbor, the watch was
nearly al below, and before they coul6
reaCh the deck it was swarming witt
the colonists who prevented then
from coming up. Seeing reslstanc,
was useless the crew Of the Liberty
surrendered.
Giving a hearty cheer the victor
ous citizens cut the sloop's cable ant
allowed her to drift ashore. Mex
ILer masts were cut away and, feelins
sure of their prey. the cr9w was pu
ashore and liberated. Then the cap
tors took the vessels boats ashore
dragging them through the streets 0
| the town. and burned them at th
waters edge.
IS may be imagined, this bold de
lance of British authority created
great sensation. Every effort wa
| made TO discover the perpetrators
buf in vain. The identity of the dies
,roFers Of the Liberty was 50 well con
| cealed that not even to this day ls til
name Of a single participator IN tn
enterprise known. But after TIN
event more cons. deraGon and justic
was shown the seamen OF Newport.
Three years later, in the waters Q
Rhode Island. occurred another out
break which ogelahadowed the CAP
ture ana destruction of the Liberty
( 4 yesse!-of war was stationed on tn
coast IL enforce the revenue laws. Az
cOmpanying her was a swift llttl
is,5ap called the Gaspee, carryln
eight guns and manned by twenty
seven men. She was commanded b.
Lieutenant Dudingston. and he, b
his ofliciousness and ofensiveness ha
made himself greatly disiked by tn
Americans. Not a boat, no matte
Ihow well known by the British, coul
pass between Providence and Newpol
without beng stopped and searched
On the 17td OF june. l1i2, Prov
dence packet, that piled to New Iorl
named the Hannah and commando
by Captain Liuzee, passed into IL
.rlv. She was ordered to come to /
Iu.lingston. but Captain Linzee, ha'
mp 4 favorable breeze and belieyin
La could not be overtaken. refused
comply. The Gaspee at once mac
sail after her, and the chase continue
for twenty five miles. The Gasp,
: was overhauI4ng the Hannah, wht
Captain Linzee, approaching sho
: that he was familiar with, which b
boat could pass over, but which W
too shallow for the pursuing war VI
sci. led tie way over it and when &
; Gaspee came up she stuck on the b
hard and fast. The Hannah gleefl
II kept on her course and sailed IL
: Providence in triumph.
* Captain Linzee Immediately hl