The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1902-10-04

On Oct. 5, 1878, Jeremiah O'Brien,
distinguished patriot of the Amer
lean Revolution, died at Machias, Me-,
the scene of his most famous achieve
ment. That was the daring capture Of
the English armed vessel. the Narga-
retta, and two conveys, fy band of
patriots under the leadership of Jere-
miah O'Brien, who was born in county
Cork, Ireland, about the year 1740.
Fiye brothers Of this hero were mem
bers Of this party. says the Irish
World.
Although the situation of Maclrias
and the neigLbOring settlements was
almost completely isolated from the
principal towns, and no mails OF reg
ular conveyances reached them, still
the news Of the operations of the Brit
ish at Concord and Lexington, on April
10, 1875, soon arrived there and they
were we'll informed of the prepara-
tions Of the patriots to resist these
usurpations at whatever cost, and no
doubt discussions had taken place and
resolutions had been made to stand by
their friends through the colonies to
the last, and the opportunity to show
their bravery was soon to arrive.
Capt. Ichabcd Jones, who had for
several years been interested in the
trade Of Machias, was at Boston with
his two sloops, and was desirous of
returning there with his family and
household furniture, and also his GUS
tomary supplies to trade for return
cargo Admiral Graves. then in COM
mand of the English fleet, was in want
of lumber for the use of his troops,
and an arrangement was soon made
that Jones should return with cargo
Of lumber.
In order to protect Jones and insure
his return with the lumber the admir-
al decided to send with him the armed
schooner Margaretta. of about 100
tons, carrying forty men. The two
sloops-the Unity, commanded by
JONES' and the Polly, commanded by
Capt. Horton, also the cutter, COM
manded by Lieut.. Moore arrived at
Nachias on June 2.
AS the people had agreed to the
non-intercourse pledge against trading
with persons actino by Or with the
enemy, some difficulty occurred in OBJ
tanning liberty for Jones to sell his
cargo and purchase the lumber; but at
meeting held for the purpose the
matter was discussed, and finally a
vote was passed that he could sell
and purchase as he had formerly done,
the probability being that the supplies
were very much needed, and they
could not refuse them.
But while this business was going
on some of the most ardent of the
patriots were dissatisfied with the ar
rangement and agreed that Jones
ought not to be permitted to carry
the cargoes Of lumber to aid the Brit
ish army then occupying Boston.
If they had looked at the matter
from a selfish standpoint 10 people
ever had more to fear from COM
mencing hostilities with the English
than themselves, and no community
could be more exposed to retaliation
and less hopeful of aid i'm their day
Of peril. Their only method Of COM
munication with their friends for help
in men and supplies was by sea. and
this could effectively be cut off by
the enemy, and they be isolated from
the world.
To most men any opposition to such
a power would seem foolhardy in the
extreme; but so did not reason the
brave men of Machias. Previous to
this time the citizens had erected Il
liberty pole The captain of the Mar
gal'etta ordered it to be taken down,
but at public meeting it was voted
with great spirit that the liberty pole
should stand.
On Sunday, June II, the patriots
proceeded to capture the Margaretta'
and then secure the two sloops; as the