Quote Archives

Jan. 22nd
At half past 11 A.M. lat. 31, 48, long. 70, 20, discovered a sail from mast head, distant about 15 miles; made all sail in chase, it blowing fresh and squally. – At 5 P.M. the chase hoisted the American ensign at the main peak; at the same time made her out to be a foretopsail schooner – shewed our American ensign and continued under a press of sail to chase, coming up very fast, the chase at this time being distant about two and a half miles.  At half past 9, lost sight of her in a squall, when about to fire a chase gun.

From the journal of the Chasseur, excerpted in Baltimore American, June 2, 1814. Maryland Historical Society.

On January 19, 1814, Captain William Wade and the Chasseur  sailed from Port Deposit and escaped the British blockade of the Chesapeake Bay:

At half past meridian got under way from Point Look Out, and stood down the bay.  Left the U.S. frigate Adams at anchor.  At 3 P.M. discovered three sail standing up the bay by the wind—immediately beat to quarters and cleared ship for action.  At 20 m. past 3, spoke the headmost, which proved to be a schooner from Norfolk for Baltimore—received from her information of the number and situation of the enemy below; hove too until dark.  Off New Point, he heard the report of a gun; we supposed it to be the Admiral’s 8 o’clock gun; passed one 74 and two brigs at anchor. – At 10 P.M. discovered two large ships at anchor in the Middle Channel—supposed them to be frigates; hauled our wind and run close in with Cape Henry; finding we were not perceived, made sail and went to sea.

From the journal of the Chasseur, excerpted in Baltimore American, June 2nd, 1814, Maryland Historical Society.

Captain William Wade left Baltimore on January 15 and found little success as a privateer in the first several months of 1814. When Thomas Boyle (still making his way back to Baltimore after a bruising battle with the Hibernia) took over as commander in July, the Chasseur embarked on a remarkable cruise to the British Isles, capturing an astonishing number of prizes,  and earning the nickname the “Pride of Baltimore” from the Niles Weekly Register.

Special thanks to Baltimore Heritage volunteer Dennis Lilly and the Maryland Historical Society for helping us share excerpts from the ship’s log from now through April. Continue to follow along for more updates on William Wade, Thomas Boyle and the Chasseur in the months ahead!

18 –  Altho yesterday was a beautiful and clear day, this morning presents a most violent Snow Storm which has partially continued all day  – Went to Town & drove a Mule in my Gig.  din’d with Mr. Jo. Sterrett, Jas. Sanderson in company from Alexandria – Hung up our Bacon to Smoak

From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, January 18, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.

17th  – Mild & Clear day – the Roads are bad, in consequence of the Thaw –  Went to Town & return’d to Dine with Mr. Nicols, who had a pleasant party  My hands busy trimming Orchard at Furley – Bot Cow & Calf $35

From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, January 17, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.

In May 1818, an assessment of Thompson’s property noted that he held 10 enslaved people—likely including the “hands” who worked to trim the orchard at Furley Hall on January 17.

Source: National Register of Historic Places, Clifton Park, Baltimore, (Independent City), Maryland, National Register # 07000941 – see Section 8, 3, citing Baltimore County Commission on Tax.

On January 16, 1814, Charles Carroll of Carrollton wrote to his son-in-law Robert Goodloe Harper. His letter rejected Baltimore’s burgeoning optimism for a quick end to the war with England:

“Till Bonaparte is defeated so as to be forced to relinquish all his conquests and to make peace, or what would be more desirable till death rids the world of the tyrant, I am persuaded no peace will take place between this country and England.”

Carroll retired from public life in 1801—a public life that included signing the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and nearly 20 years in the Maryland State Senate. Retirement did little to slow Carroll’s correspondence. He spent the winter of 1813-1814, living at Doughoregan near Ellicott City and wrote often to Harper worrying over the mismanagement of his farm near Annapolis and the events of the war.

Source: Rowland, Kate Mason. 1898. The Life of Charles Carroll of Carrollton, 1737-1832: With His Correspondence and Public Papers. G.P. Putnam’s Sons.