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April 8th
Off Madeira, Funchall in sight, captured the British brig Britannia from Teneriffe to London, a frigate at the same time in chase to windward, hull up. The frigate continued in chase of us 5 hours, when we lost sight of her, leaving the brig sufficient time to get off.
From the journal of the Chasseur, excerpted in Baltimore American, June 2, 1814. Maryland Historical Society.
April 6th Very beautiful day. I intend setting off this evening for Hagers Town to bring my Sons Home to spend the Easter Vacation – Planted a Willow & some ever greens on East end of the House –
From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, April 6, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.
5th – Rain’d all last Night, clear’d up at 9 A.M. mild, Wind N.W. ~ Went to Town return’d to Dinner & found W. Lux – R. Patterson, Amos A & Cumberland Williams call’d in the evg.
From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, April 5, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.
On April 4, 1814, Commodore Joshua Barney wrote from Baltimore to Secretary of the Navy William Jones with a sense of satisfaction. After numerous requests for additional sailors for the Chesapeake Flotilla, Barney was “extremely happy” to hear from Jones that the Flotilla would soon receive most of the crew from the USS Ontario which had been trapped in the Baltimore harbor by the British blockade (and the lackluster recruitment efforts of Captain Robert T. Spence). Barney’s letter reads as follows:
Baltimore April 4th 1814
Sir,
I had the honor of receiving your letter of the 29th and shall be extremely happy in having the number of my men increased. The two Barges from Washington arrived this day, I had sent the Look-out boat to meet them with 30 additional hands for their assistance, four of the new barges from the Eastern-shore are here, and Col. Spencer the builder, will be here, (if the Weather permits,) with four more this week. The Armament for them is nearly ready, but I have been most cruelly disappointed in the delivery of the Guns (light 18 pounders) by Mr. Dorsey. He has trifled with us from the first, with promises from day to day, and it was but four days ago I was able to get from him the Guns; in fact, no dependence can be put, on his word. I believe Mr. Beatty has much reason to complain. I have heard that Capt. Spence has received orders to transfer some men to the flotilla, (say 18) but I have not seen him.
I have just heard from Mr. Frazier. He complains that men cannot be procured on the Eastern-shore for that both parties discourage enlistments, each wishing to keep the men, for the next Elections, as they are so equally divided, that the loss of a few Votes would throw the balance into the hands of the other party, I have given Assurances that all the Demos. shall be there on the 1st of October next to Vote, which I hope will have some effect.
It would appear we have about 30 men to come over, which I shall order here next week; We were doing very well in procuring men, until the news of raising the Embargo arrived, but I fear that will put a total stop to it, everything that can sail fast, will now be fitted out, and the Cupidity of our Merchants is such, that they care not, how much the City is threatened so that they can get a vessel to sea—
I am Sir with respect your Obt. Servt
Joshua Barney
Source: The Blog of 1812, April 4, 2014.
4th – Weather still cloudy Wind S.E. – Paid Negro, Joshua $12 on accot. of Chestnut Rails maul’d at Fortune, who says has mauld 1963 – price 75 cents per 100. Went to Town, return’d to Dinner – Commenc’d raining at 2 O’Clock, and continued all the evening with some Thunder & Lightening –
From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, April 4, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.
Ap. 4th
Made the Western Islands.
From the journal of the Privateer Armed Schooner Lawrence, April 4, 1814. Maryland Historical Magazine, Volume 3, Number 2, June 1908, p. 171-176.