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27th May – Thunder with a few light Showers this morning, but afterwards clear’d up very fine, Wind N.W. Mr. Gale & Mr. Holliday breakfasted with us – Went to Town return’d to Dinner – Took Mrs. T. to see Mr. Browns family at Springfield. Mr. Henry Williams sent out a Colt to Pasture ~

From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, May 27, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.

Admiral Cochrane: “Situations where Landings can be made to do them the greatest injury and facilitate the Escape of their Negroes”

Beyond Baltimore, War of 1812, , ,
Sir Alexander Forrester Inglis Cochrane, courtesy .
Sir Alexander Forrester Inglis Cochrane, courtesy .

On May 27, 1814, Vice Admiral Alexander Cochrane wrote to Rear Admiral George Cockburn, describing the need to pay for intelligence and ensure that British attacks could be directed to “do them the greatest injury and facilitate the Escape of their Negroes.”

Private and Confidential

Asia 27 May 1814 Bermuda

My dear Sir,

As I daily look for the arrival of the Marines and it being probable from the lateness of the Season that nothing equal to what was intended can take place, the Troops being required for the Defence of Canada, I must therefore confine myself to minor objects, attainable by a force not exceeding 1,500 Men.

I have therefore to beg that you will endeavor to procure the most correct information possible of the Force and position of the Enemy within the Chesapeake and to the Southward with the Situations where Landings can be made to do them the greatest injury and facilitate the Escape of their Negroes— such information can be only come at by paying for it—you have therefore authority to do so.

It is of material consequence to know exactly their military force at the different Stations, as it may be necessary to make distant and partial attacks to draw off their force from the point of real attack. You will therefore see what consequence it is to obtain the best information on those heads which may be difficult unless you can find some enterprising characters who run all risks for money, with which you may assure them of being well remunerated if their intelligence is found correct.

Adieu my dear sir, ever most sincerely Yrs
A Cochrane—

This letter is cross-posted from the Blog of 1812 courtesy the Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum.

26 – Hot day Therm. 85 – Wind S. W. Went to Town & from thence up the Falls Turnpike to see Mr. Prentiss Merino Sheep sold, the Rams brot on an average $55 – the Ewes each with a Lamb from $120 to $192, I did not think them very fine ~ Paid Joshua in full for mauling Rails & cutting Wood as under~
1640 Rails @ 75 cts $12.30
21 /2 cord Wood @ 50 $10.75
$23.05

Mrs. T. & [Miss] Merony drank Tea at Mr. Nicols, who with Mr. Littleton Gale walk’d Home with them.

From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, May 26, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.

25 – Fine warm day – Wind S.W. Thunder Storm last night & Rain ~ Went to Town return’d to dinner. Mrs. T. & Miss Meroney din’d with S./ Chase, Miss Betsey Chase & F. Bowly call’d in the evening for a few minutes ~ Rented Fromentines Field to P. Griffin for $150 until 1st October next ~ Commenc’d Planting Potatoes near the Gate on S.W. side of House ~

From the journal of Captain Henry Thompson, May 25, 1814. Courtesy the Friends of Clifton.