commander-in-chief--the parting with the officers of the army, the
companions of his toils and triumph. The affecting interview took
place on the 4th of December. "At noon, the principal officers of the
army assembled at Francis's tavern; soon after which, their beloved
commander entered the room. His emotions were too strong to be
concealed. Filling a glass, he turned to them, and said: 'With a heart
full of love and gratitude, I now take leave of you; I most devoutly
wish that your latter days may be as prosperous and happy, as your
former ones have been glorious and honorable.' Having drunk, he added:
'I cannot come to each of you to take my leave, but shall be obliged
if each of you will come and take me by the hand.' General Knox, being
nearest, turned to him. Washington, incapable of utterance, grasped
his hand, and embraced him. In the same affectionate manner, he took
leave of each succeeding officer. The tear of manly sensibility was in
every eye; and not a word was articulated to interrupt the dignified
silence and the tenderness of the scene. Leaving the room, he passed
through the corps of light infantry, and walked to Whitehall, where a
barge waited to convey him to Powles' Hook. The whole company followed
in mute and solemn procession, with dejected countenances, testifying
feelings of delicious melancholy, which no language can describe.
Having entered the barge, he turned to the company, and, waving his
hat, bade them a silent adieu. They paid him the same affectionate
compliment; and after the barge had left them, returned in the same
solemn manner to the place where they had assembled."
[Illustration: Washington taking leave of his Officers, and embarking
at Whitehall.]
13. WASHINGTON RESIGNS HIS COMMISSION.
And there was still one further duty obligatory upon Washington--one
act more, and his earthly glory was consummated--to give back the
commission which for eight years he had held, and which, had he been
actuated by the ambition of Alexander, Cæsar, or Napoleon, he might
have employed to ascend a throne. To the fulfillment of this last and
highest duty he now addressed himself. Leaving New York, he repaired
to Annapolis, in Maryland, where congress was in session, and, on the
20th of December, informed that body of his intention, and requested a
day to be assigned for the performance of the duty.
"To give the more dignity to the act, they determined that it should
be offered at a public audience on the following Tuesday at twelve
o'clock.
"When the hour arrived for performing a ceremony so well calculated to
recall the various interesting scenes which had passed, since the
commission now to be returned was granted, the gallery was crowded
with spectators, and several persons of distinction were admitted on
the floor of congress. The members remained seated and covered. The
spectators were standing and uncovered. The general was introduced by
the secretary, and conducted to a chair. After a short pause, the
president informed him that 'The United States, in congress assembled,
were prepared to receive his communications.' With native dignity,
improved by the solemnity of the occasion, the general rose, and
delivered the following address:
"'_Mr. President_: The great events on which my resignation depended,
having at length taken place, I have now the honor of offering my
sincere congratulations to congress, and of presenting myself before
them, to surrender into their hands the trust committed to me, and to
claim the indulgence of retiring from the service of my country.
"'Happy in the confirmation of our independence and sovereignty, and
pleased with the opportunity afforded the United States of becoming a
respectable nation, I resign with satisfaction the appointment I
accepted with diffidence; a diffidence in my abilities to accomplish
so arduous a task, which, however, was superseded by a confidence in
the rectitude of our cause, the support of the supreme power of the
union, and the patronage of Heaven.
"'The successful termination of the war, has verified the most
sanguine expectations; and my gratitude for the interposition of
Providence, and the assistance I have received from my countrymen,
increases with every review of the momentous contest.
"'While I repeat my obligations to the army in general, I should do
injustice to my own feelings not to acknowledge, in this place, the
peculiar services and distinguished merits of the gentlemen who have
been attached to my person during the war. It was impossible that the
choice of confidential officers to compose my family, should have been
more fortunate. Permit me, sir, to recommend, in particular, those who
have continued in the service to the present moment, as worthy of the
favorable notice and patronage of congress.
"'I consider it an indispensable duty to close this last act of my
official life, by commending the interests of our dearest country to
the protection of Almighty God, and those who have the superintendence
of them to his holy keeping.
"'Having now finished the work assigned me, I retire from the great
theatre of action, and, bidding an affectionate farewell to this
august body, under whose orders I have so long acted, I here offer my
commission, and take my leave of all the employments of public life.'"
Here, advancing to the chair, he delivered his commission to the
president, who in turn addressed him, and in conclusion said:
"We join you in commending the interests of our dearest country to the
protection of Almighty God, beseeching him to dispose the hearts and
minds of its citizens to improve the opportunity afforded them of
becoming a happy and respectable nation. And for you, we address to him
our earnest prayers, that a life so beloved may be fostered with all his
care; that your days may be happy as they have been illustrious; and
that he will finally give you that reward which this world cannot give."
The great act was now accomplished: Washington retired, greater,
nobler in the estimation of his countrymen than ever; and followed by
their love, esteem, and admiration, he once more took up his abode in
the quiet and peaceful shades of Mount Vernon, happier in the
consciousness of a disinterested patriotism, than if, as the reward of
his toils, he had attained the proudest diadem on earth.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: NAVAL OPERATIONS.]
XIV. NAVAL OPERATIONS.
STATE of Naval Affairs of the Colonies at the commencement of the
Revolution--First Naval Engagement--Measures adopted by Congress
to provide a Naval Armament--Naval Officers appointed--Vessels
built--Flag adopted--Success of American
Privateering--Distinguished Naval Officers--General character of
Naval Commanders--Particular Engagements--Randolph and
Yarmouth--Raleigh and Druid--Submarine Warfare--Le Bon Homme
Richard and Serapis--Trumbull and Watt--Alliance, Atalanta, and
Trepassey--Congress and Savage.
Having given some account of the military land operations, during the
Revolutionary struggle, it belongs to this place to speak of the
operations of the American marine, during the same period.
The colonies were poorly prepared, in respect to the organization of
an army, or the supply of munitions of war, at the commencement of the
contest. The preparations for the struggle on the ocean were, as might
be believed, still more limited. But few, even of the maritime
colonies, had turned their attention to a naval force as among the
means of defence. Indeed, although the storm had for some years been
gathering, and, to men of forecast, the day of open rupture was
likely to arrive, yet, at length, it broke upon the country suddenly.
Besides, maritime preparations for such a contest long beforehand
would have been difficult, if not impossible. Every measure having
such an object in view would have been regarded with jealousy, and
have brought down the wrath of the mother-country at a still earlier
period than it came. Moreover, the colonies had no general congress
till 1774, and when first convened, and until hostilities had actually
commenced, the object of that body was rather to obtain a redress of
grievances, and thus prevent war, than by strong and threatening
measures, to hasten an event which all regarded as a general calamity.
In addition to these considerations, in view of the magnitude and
power of the British navy, it was not probably seriously contemplated,
in case of hostilities, that the scene of successful action could be
on the ocean, but only on the land.
No sooner, however, had the struggle actually commenced, than many of
the brave and enterprising commercial and sea-faring men, began to
look with wishful eyes towards an element which promised, if not honor
in competing with the navy of Great Britain, at least wealth by
cruising against her commerce. At this early period, the seamen of the
the colonies were at home on the deep. They were then, as now, bold,
hardy, and adventurous; and had orders of capture been issued at an
earlier day, it is probable that the commerce of England would have
suffered a signal interruption and loss.
While the limits of this work forbid a _minute_ history of the rise,
progress, and success of the American navy, provincial and
continental, during the Revolutionary contest, such notices are
subjoined in relation thereto, as will give the reader an impression
of the efforts and prowess of the Americans, in despite of the
obstacles against which they had to contend.
The news of the battle of Lexington reached Machias, in Maine, on
Saturday, the 9th of May, 1775, and there, as well as in other parts
of the country, roused the indignation of the inhabitants. At this
time, there was lying in that port a British armed schooner, called
the _Margaretta_, convoy to two sloops which were loading with lumber
in behalf of his majesty's government. Immediately a plan was devised
to seize the officers of the schooner, while in church the next day.
The scheme, however, failed; Captain Moore and his officers being
enabled to escape through the windows of the church, and effecting
their retreat to the schooner. Immediately she was got under way, and,
dropping down the river, cast anchor in the bay.
The next morning possession was taken of one of the sloops, and with a
volunteer corps of thirty men on board, sail was made upon her, in
quest of the fugitive schooner.
[Illustration: First Naval Engagement of the Revolution.]
At this time, Captain Moore was ignorant of the commencement of
hostilities, and wishing therefore to avoid a collision, weighed
anchor on the appearance of the sloop, and stood out to sea. Chase was
given, and the sloop being the better sailer, at length came up with
the schooner. The latter was armed with four light guns, and fourteen
swivels. With these a fire was opened, and a man killed on board the
sloop. The latter returned the fire from a wall piece, which, besides
clearing the quarter-deck, killed the helmsman of the schooner. A
further short conflict ensued, when, by the broaching to of the
schooner, the vessels came in contact; upon which, the Americans
boarded her, and took her into port. Twenty men on both sides were
killed and wounded. Among the former was Captain Moore. Such was the
_first naval engagement in the war of the Revolution_. It was wholly a
private adventure--an enterprise on the part of a party banded
together in a moment of excitement, and successful with fearful
chances against them, only through their superior bravery.
Before the subject of a naval armament was entertained by congress,
three of the colonies--Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and
Connecticut--had provided each two vessels, fitted, armed, and
equipped, without the orders or advice of congress. The precise time
when these vessels were ordered by these colonies cannot, perhaps, be
satisfactorily fixed at this distant period.
Mr. Austin, in his life of the late vice-president Gerry, accords to
that gentleman the honor of having first made the proposal in the
provincial assembly of Massachusetts for appointing a committee to
prepare a law to encourage the fitting out of armed vessels, and to
establish a court for the trial and condemnation of prizes. "The law
reported by this committee," remarks the biographer, "was passed by
the provincial congress November 10th, 1775, and is the first actual
avowal of offensive hostility against the mother-country, which is to
be found in the annals of the Revolution. It is not the less worthy of
consideration as the first effort to establish an American naval
armament."
It is certain, however, that previous to the above action of the
Massachusetts provincial assembly, but in no respect derogating from
her honor, congress had had the subject of armed vessels before them,
and had adopted resolutions ordering vessels of a certain description
to be provided.
The following extracts from the journal of congress for 1775, exhibit
the first action of that body on the subject of a navy: Friday,
September 22, 1775, congress appointed a committee to take into
consideration the state of the trade of America. Thursday, October 5,
1775, Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed, to prepare a
plan for intercepting two vessels which are on their way to Canada,
laden with arms and powder; and that the committee proceed on this
business immediately.
[Illustration: Silas Deane.]
Pursuant to this resolve, the committee, consisting of Silas Deane,
John Langdon, and John Adams, reported that a letter be sent to
General Washington, advising him of the sailing of two brigs from
England to Quebec, with military stores; and authorizing him to
request of the council of Massachusetts any two armed vessels in their
service, and dispatch the same to intercept said brigs and cargoes.
Also, that the governors of Rhode Island and Connecticut be requested
to dispatch, the former one or both of the armed vessels belonging to
that colony, and the latter the largest vessel in the service of the
colony of Connecticut, on the same enterprise. This report was
accepted, and the resolution was adopted.
The preceding measures in respect to a naval movement, were soon
followed by others on a more enlarged scale, and looking still further
into the future. Several vessels were ordered, by sundry resolves, to
be fitted out at the expense of congress--and among them was one able
to carry fourteen guns, one twenty, and a third not to exceed
thirty-six guns. In November, privateering was authorized, and rules
adopted for the navy. In the following month, a resolve was adopted
for the building of thirteen ships--five of thirty-two guns, five of
twenty-eight, and three of twenty-four.
Thus it appears that in 1775, congress authorized a regular marine,
consisting of seventeen cruisers, varying in force from ten to
thirty-six guns. These vessels were to be built in the four colonies
of New England, in New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. The following
is a list of their names and respective rates, as well as of the
colony where each was to be built, viz:
WASHINGTON, 32 guns Pennsylvania.
RALEIGH, 32 ---- New Hampshire.
HANCOCK, 32 ---- Massachusetts.
RANDOLPH, 32 ---- Pennsylvania.
WARREN, 32 ---- Rhode Island.
MARYLAND, 28 ---- Virginia.
TRUMBULL, 28 ---- Connecticut
EFFINGHAM, 28 ---- Pennsylvania.
CONGRESS, 28 ---- New York.
PROVIDENCE, 28 ---- Rhode Island.
BOSTON, 24 ---- Massachusetts.
MONTGOMERY, 24 ---- New York.
DELAWARE, 24 ---- Pennsylvania.
Such was the commencement of the American navy.
Ezekiel Hopkins was placed at the head of the navy, with the title of
"commander-in-chief," thus giving him, in respect to the navy, a rank
corresponding to the rank of Washington in the army. Among the seamen,
his usual appellation was "commodore;" but not unfrequently he was
styled "admiral." His pay was one hundred and twenty-five dollars
a-month. Other officers for the navy were appointed from time to time,
as the exigencies of the service required. Originally, congress left
the rank of the several officers to be regulated by those who were
actually in command; but this gave rise to discontent and dispute;
whereupon, in 1776, congress decided the rank of the several captains.
They ranked as follows:
1. James Nicholson,
2. John Manly,
3. Hector McNiel,
4. Dudley Saltonstall,
5. Nicholas Biddle,
6. Thomas Thompson,
7. John Barry,
8. Thomas Read,
9. Thomas Grennall,
10. Charles Alexander,
11. Lambert Wickes,
12. Abraham Whipple,
13. John B. Hopkins,
14. John Hodge,
15. William Hallock,
16. Hoysted Hacker,
17. Isaiah Robinson,
18. John Paul Jones,
19. James Josiah,
20. Elisha Hinman,
21. Joseph Olney,
22. James Robinson,
23. John Young,
24. Elisha Warner.
The arrangement of rank of inferior officers was assigned to the
marine committee.
Commodore Hopkins continued to act as commander-in-chief till January
2d, 1777, when, by a vote of congress, he was dismissed from the
service, for not performing the duties on which he had been sent with
a fleet to the South. From this date, Captain Nicholson became the
senior officer of the navy, though only with the rank of captain.
The foregoing general view of the proceedings of congress in relation
to the provision and equipment of a naval armament for the
Revolutionary contest, must suffice. Had their various resolutions
been fully carried into effect, more important results might have been
expected from this source of opposition to Great Britain. But the want
of funds, but much more the want of materials for the final equipment
of vessels which had been launched--such as guns, anchors, rigging,
&c.--in some instances retarded, and in others prevented the
completion of vessels which had been ordered, and which the exigencies
of the country so much required.
By the act of October, 1775, thirteen frigates were ordered to be
built. Of these, the Raleigh was laid down in New Hampshire, and in
sixty days was launched. But the want of materials for equipment for
some time delayed her completion.
The Hancock and Boston were built in Massachusetts, and entered the
service.
The Warren and Providence were constructed in Rhode Island, but were
the most indifferent of the thirteen.
The Congress and Montgomery, ordered to be built in New York, never
reached the mouth of the Hudson, being obliged to be burned in 1777,
to prevent their falling into the hands of the British.
The Maryland, constructed in Virginia, was completed, and took her
place in the service.
The Randolph, the Washington, the Delaware, and the Effingham were
allotted to Pennsylvania. The first of these was launched in 1776, and
sailed on her first cruise early in 1777. The Delaware was equipped,
but is supposed to have fallen into the hands of the British at the
time they took possession of Philadelphia. The Washington and the
Effingham were burned by the British in 1778.
"Thus, of the thirteen vessels from which so much was expected, but
six got to sea at all in the service in which they were built. To
these were added, in the course of the war, a few other frigates, some
permanently and some only for single cruises. Of the former class,
were the Deane, (Hague,) Alliance, Confederacy, and Queen of France.
It is believed that these four ships, added to the thirteen ordered by
the law of 1775, and the Alfred and Columbus, will comprise all the
frigate-built vessels that properly belonged to the marine of the
country during the war of the Revolution. The French vessels that
composed most of the squadron of Paul Jones were lent for the
occasion, and we hear no more of the Pallas after the cruise had
ended. She reverted to her original owners."
During the progress of the war, quite a number of sloops of war and
other vessels were employed by congress, and some by the commissioners
in France. But a complete catalogue of these, it is now impossible to
give.
At the commencement of the Revolution, the flag used on board of some
ships, bore a device, representing a pine-tree with a rattle-snake
coiled at the root, and ready to strike, with the appropriate motto,
"_Don't tread on me._" Some privateers showed flags with devices upon
them after the fancy of their captains or owners; others adopted the
arms of the colony from which they sailed, or by whose authority they
cruised. In 1777, congress adopted the present national colors.
Many of the officers of the navy were high-spirited and intelligent
men. Not a few of the commanders of privateers--and the ocean soon
swarmed with them--were distinguished for their nautical skill, and
were possessed of as noble and generous impulses as ever actuated the
human bosom. None at the present day can adequately realize the
obstacles which, at that early period, were to be overcome. Vessels of
war were not in existence; even vessels originally adapted for
cruising were not numerous. Besides, not only was the government poor,
but the fortunes of individuals bore no comparison to some at the
present day. And, moreover, the principal theatre of the war was
designed from the beginning to be on the land. But the maritime spirit
was by no means to be restrained. A writer somewhere remarks, that the
conflict between Great Britain and her oppressed and despised colonies
had not continued a twelvemonth, when the coasts of the former country
were harassed and agitated by the audacity and enterprise of the
American cruisers. Insurance in England rose to an unprecedented
height. Ship-owners were afraid to trust their vessels abroad; and few
indeed did venture, unless they were protected by a convoy. England
was made to feel, few and ill-equipped as were the American vessels,
compared with her numerous and well-furnished navy, that a nation
thoroughly imbued with the love of maritime adventure, was not to be
despised, though she were distant and poor.
It is remarked by Mr. Hinton that, "in the course of three years, the
Americans had taken more than double the number of their own guns from
the enemy, besides a great number of merchantmen of value. More than
eight hundred guns had been taken from the enemy during this time by the
marine which congress had fitted out; while that of Massachusetts and of
the other states were equally successful. The vessels taken by the
public and private armed vessels, from the battle of Lexington to the
17th of March, 1776, when the British evacuated Boston, amounted to
thirty-four, of considerable size and value, with excellent cargoes. The
tonnage of these captured vessels amounted to three thousand six hundred
and forty-five tons. In 1776, the British vessels captured by the
private armed vessels alone, amounted to the great number of three
hundred and forty-two, of which forty-four were rëtaken, eighteen
released, and five burned. In the following year, 1777, the success of
our privateers was still greater. Vessels were captured to the amount of
four hundred and twenty-one. The success continued without any great
diminution until 1780. At this time, the British merchants made so
strong an appeal to their government, that they provided a convoy for
every fleet of merchant vessels to every part of the globe. Out of the
fleet sailing from England to the West Indies, consisting of two hundred
in number, in the year 1777, one hundred and thirty-seven were taken by
our privateers; and from a fleet from Ireland to the West Indies of
sixty sail, thirty-five were taken. Taking the years 1775, 6, 7, 8, and
9, say for the first year, thirty-four; second, three hundred and
forty-two; third, four hundred and twenty-one; and for the fourth, which
has not been accurately given, I believe, in any work, say, and this
within bounds, two hundred; and, for the fifth, the same, two hundred;
and allowing but one hundred for the balance of the time during the war,
will make twelve hundred and ninety-seven, without including those
taken by public vessels from 1776 to the close of the war; and this
latter number, if it could be precisely given, would add greatly to the
list of captures."