From the Otsego Herald
for Saturday, Aug. 8, 1812
Compiled, with comments
by HUGH C. MacDOUGALL
Weather: Utica 1812 Almanack: Some want of rain in some places.
Vote on War Declaration
YEAS.
New Hampshire, 3; Massachusetts, 6; Rhode Island, None; Vermont, 3; Connecticut, None; New York, 3; New Jersey, 2; Pennsylvania, 16; Delaware, None; Maryland, 6; Virginia, 14; North-Carolina, 6; South-Carolina, 8; Georgia, 3; Kentucky, 5; Tennessee, 3; Ohio, 1.
NAYS.
New Hampshire, 2; Massachusetts, 8; Rhode Island, 2; Vermont, 1; Connecticut, 7; New York, 11; New Jersey, 4; Pennsylvania, 2; Delaware 1; Maryland, 3; Virginia, 5; North Carolina, 3; South Carolina, None; Georgia, None; Kentucky, None; Tennessee, None; Ohio, None.
Yeas: 79; Nays 49. Majority for War 30.
Suicide
On Monday last week, a Squaw, called DIMMIS, of the Stockbridge tribe of Indians, an itinerant, but resident a short time in this Village, having been taught that the whites, when disappointed in their choice of a sweetheart, sometimes hung themselves, or ended their life by some other mortal mean, and having taken a fancy that she was “crossed in love,” procured two ounces of opium, took nearly the whole, sufficient to have killed twenty persons, about 12 o’clock A.M. and after about an hour of intense suffering, she fell into a torpid state, which continued about two hours, when she expired — “Sic transit gloria Squawi”
About twelve she was dancing — about four hours later, she was a corpse.
---- “Whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer”
“The pangs of love despis’d”
---- “Or by opposing end them.”
Her squawship chose the latter, and became “forgetful, Forever forgetful of the world” and love.
COMMENT: One would like to know more details of this case. The Stockbridge Indians are another name for the Mohican tribe of Eastern New York, who currently live in Wisconsin, but are — alas — best known from the title of James Fenimore Cooper’s novel “The Last of the Mohicans.” (1826).
Gov. Hull in Canada
By WILLIAM HULL, BRIGADIER GENERAL AND COMMANDER OF THE NORTHWESTERN ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES.
A PROCLAMATION.
Inhabitants of Canada!
After 30 years of peace and prosperity, the United States have been driven to arms. The injuries and aggressions of Great Britain have once more left them no alternative but manly resistance, or unconditional submission.
The army under my command, has invaded your country, and the standard of the UNION waves over the territory of CANADA. To the peaceable unoffending inhabitants, it brings neither danger nor difficulty. I come to find enemies, not to make them. I come to protect, not to injure you ....
The United States are sufficiently powerful to afford you every security, consistent with their rights, and your expectations. I tender you the invaluable blessings of Civil, Political and Religious Liberty, and their necessary result, individual and general prosperity — that liberty which gave decision to our councils and energy to our conduct in our struggle for independence, and which conducted us safely and triumphantly through the stormy period of the revolution ...
Remain in your homes -- pursue your peaceful and customary avocations -- raise not your hands against your brethren. Many of your fathers fought for the freedom and independence we now enjoy. Being children, therefore, of the same family with us, and heirs to the same heritage, the arrival of an army of friends must be hailed by you with a cordial welcome. You will be emancipated from tyranny and oppression, and restored to the dignified station of freemen.....
If the barbarous and savage policy of Great Britain be pursued, and the savages are let loose to murder our citizens, and butcher our women and children, this war will be a war of extermination. The first stroke of the tomahawk, the first attempt with the scalping knife, will be the signal for one indiscriminate scene of desolation. No white man found fighting by the side of an Indian, will be taken prisoner! Instant destruction will be his lot....
The UNITED STATES offer you Peace, Liberty & Security. Your choice lies between these and War, Slavery, and Destruction. Choose then, but choose wisely; and may HE who knows the justice of our cause, and who holds in his hands the fate of Nations, guide you to a result the most compatible with your rights and interest, your Peace and prosperity.
W. HULL.... SANDWICH, July 12, 1812.
COMMENT: General Hull, American commander at Detroit, had crossed the river and attacked the town of Sandwich in what is now Upper Ontario. His victory was very temporary, many Canadians ignored his calls to join him, and it was followed by a disastrous defeat when British General Sir Isaac Brock captured Detroit without firing a shot.
Absurdity!
Some folk who piteously lament the horrors of war, declare that they would have been contented had it been waged against both England and France. As if the horrors of war would have been lessened by having two enemies instead of one....
The idea that we must know how to fight before we go to war, is much like that of the old woman who charged her son never to go into the water till he had learned to swim! — From the Trenton True American.
Otsego Herald
August 9, 2012
Gov. Hull in Canada
- Otsego Herald
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- Maryland port attacked Havre de Grace, May 3. "This morning, a little after the break of day, a British armed force, under cover of armed vessels which anchored in front of this town ... landed below a small breast work which had been roughly thrown up, and in which were one 9 and two 4 pounders, manned by 50 militia.
- Canadian capital captured Dear Sir, I have just returned from Fort Niagara, where I saw a Captain of the United States' navy. He is just from little York, the capital of Upper Canada, and gives the following account, which is confirmed in official dispatches from Gen. Dearborn to Gen. Lewis ...
- 'Dubious' about weather, Hawkeyes 'suitable' nickname Unfortunately, it seems to us that this spring has, thus far, been anything but spring like. In fact, we are still more than happy to stay bundled up in our polar fleece.
- Public schools created The Common School Act of 1812 marked the start of New York's public school system. Much of the credit for this was due to the radical Otsego County politician Jedediah Peck (1747-1821). To quote the NY Education Department:
- River Raisin Massacre Those whose feelings have been harrowed by the narration of the murder of the wounded, by the allied forces the day after the defeat of gen. [Jamed] Winchester at Frenchtown, will duly esteem the callous wretch (calling himself an American, and, perhaps, unfortunately, born in the United States) that could insert such an article as the annexed, in his paper.
- Please pay up Bristol Gazette, March 20, 1813. On the 19th inst. arrived at Holmes' Hole, the United States sloop of war HORNET, of 16 guns, Captain [James] Lawrence, from a cruise. Off Surinam fell in with His Britannic Majesty's brig PEACOCK, Captain [William] Peake, of 19 guns, which he sunk after 15 minutes close action. The following from the log-book, was handed us, which diffused a general joy amongst the friends of "FREE TRADE & SAILORS RIGHTS."
- Trust Nobody! Died in this village on Thursday last, Mrs. SUSAN GRAVES, consort of Mr. RECOMPENCE GRAVES, aged 49 years.
- Ship Sunk in China Died, in Cherry-Valley on the 13th inst. [March] Mr. CHRISTOPHER ALLEN, aged 27, of the prevailing epidemic.
- A cave tomb in Tennessee Died, in this town on the 2d inst. [March] of the prevailing epidemic, Mr. JACOB PRICE, aged 47 years.
- 'Shocking Barbarity' Died, yesterday in this village, between the hours of three and four P.M., Mrs. ELIZABETH R. GOODSELL, consort of Mr. Peter Goodsell, of this place, aged 41. It is but justice to say, that the deceased was possessed of all those amiable qualities of the heart, which truly adorn the female character, and which had peculiarly endeared her to her family and acquaintances.
- More Otsego Herald Headlines
