of ministers of religion), which is referred to in the beginning of this contribution.

Mr. Gibson was so well pleased with his production, that he requested Mr. Smith, the editor, to republish it, taking care to retain all the typographical errors of the original. This was truly characteristic of the man. He possessed such individuality and egotism and yet such open honesty that he wished to appear just as he was, with all his own faults about him, and not tricked out in the borrowed though better garments of another. Accordingly in the Star of March 6th, 1804, the article reappears, word for word as before, but with this as a portion of the preface:

I am happy to inform the public that the proposition meets with general approbation; and that some gentlemen whom I had accommodated with money on loan, have informed me that I shall receive their money in all the spring. With this sum, and some other funds which I can raise from sales of my grain now on hand, the bank will open on or before July next, or as soon as I can obtain plates and a mill for the institution.

Let the reader observe the archaism of calling the bank note press a Mill, and how like a jibe it reads in this day of excessive paper money. It were well if we should take to heart the lesson imparted in this word "Mill," and ward against the dangers that are now threatening us, from that great money Mill in the Treasury department, which may be made to give us too large a yield of paper meal for the smaller grist of gold, or other wealth that is in the national hopper.

It is hardly necessary to say, Jacob Gibson's Bank never went into operation. Our farmers, mechanics, and country merchants, however, soon had bank accommodation from the branch bank at Easton of the Farmers' Bank of Maryland; but emancipation was deferred for 60 years, and then it came without the moderate average compensation to the master of 120 dollars for each of his slaves, and without that higher and better compensation that flows from a sense of having performed voluntarily, and without compulsion an act of justice and humanity.

JACOB GIBSON'S PRANK

"And there was mounting in hot haste: the steed,
The mustering squadron, and the clattering car
Went pouring forward with impetuous speed,

And swiftly forming in the ranks of war;

While thronged the citizens with terror dumb,

Or whispering, with white lips, the foe! they come! they come!
—Byron.

It is proposed in this paper to present an amusing and instructive episode of the war of 1812, the scene of which was laid in this county of Talbot. It was not altogether ludicrous, for it has its serious aspect, and as will be shown in the sequel, it came near to having a very tragic termination. It will be found instructive, inasmuch as it will serve as an illustration of the state of society here, and of the public sentiment of the time to which it refers. As to the antiquarian no object, which has come down from a former age, however trifling is without its interest and value, so to the annalist, or student of local history no incident of the past, however simple, is without its worth or significance.

The story that is to be told is of one of the most remarkable men this county has produced, whether we regard his undeniable merits or his equally undeniable faults of character and conduct. Oral tradition and written record have transmitted so much concerning this worthy that there are ample materials for the formation of a proper estimate of one who was as stalwart in mind as in body, and who was as rugged in his virtues as in his manners. In a study of his character it is impossible not to be reminded of the half mythical heroes of antiquity—he was so strong and so full of lusty life, and yet so simple and so natural. Hereafter a complete account may be given of this notable man, who for a generation kept himself more prominently in the public view, than any one of his day in this county. Mr. Gibson resided at Marengo, in Miles River neck, opposite St. Michaels—a plantation named by him soon after the great victory of Bonaparte, of whom he was a most ardent admirer. He had other farms and plantations in the county, including the one made up of Sharp's or Claiborne's island. All of these he tilled, by means of overseers and his slaves. He was as enthusiastic a farmer as he was a zealous partisan, and he carried into agriculture the same force

of character as that he bore into politics. His plantation of Sharp's island being distant from the main, in visiting it during the war, he was liable to capture by the enemy's fleet if he should venture into the bay; so it was his custom to cross from his farm at Marengo to St. Michaels, and then take a boat in Broad Creek for his island farm, thus diminishing his dangers, and shortening his voyage.

For some time after the declaration of war between the United States and Great Britain, the last mentioned country was content to blockade the coast and harbors of the former along the Altantic, and without attempting any permanent lodgment, to harass the enemy by marauding expeditions along the shores, wherever boats could penetrate. These expeditions regarded from a military point of view were of no benefit to the invading party, but were so far serviceable to the invaded that they were most influential in uniting the people of this county who had been much divided in sentiment as to the policy of the war, in their opposition to the enemy. The British forces acquired some plunder, but much more reproach and detestation. The Americans lost some property but they obtained a greater determination to resist. In the early part of the year 1813, Admiral Warren, who was in chief command of the British fleet on the coast, arriving in the Chesapeake, ranked near Admiral Cockburn, who had been in command of the naval forces in the bay, and who had acquired already an infamous name, subsequently made more infamous by the outrages committed at Hampton and elsewhere in Virginia and Maryland. In April of this year Admiral Warren with a strong fleet sailing up the Chesapeake, or on about the 12th of the month took possession of Sharp's Island, and made a prisoner of Mr. Gibson, who had just come over from the mainland to look over his property with a view to its removal from the reach of the British. Finding himself as well as his island and the property upon it in the possession of the enemy, he asked of Admiral Warren that protection should be given to whatever was not required for the use of the fleet, so that there might be no wanton destruction. This protection was granted, and further, permission was given to Mr. Gibson, who was very quickly released, to remove certain property from the island, for which the fleet had no use, but the removal of any live stock was interdicted. Admiral Warren made use of but a small part of the stock, for which Mr. Gibson received a partial compensation in money and orders upon the British treasury. The value of the stock seized was estimated at 255 dollars. This money Mr. Gibson refused to accept as belonging to himself, and on the 24th of April he addressed a letter to the Hon.

James Monroe, Secretary of State, for the United States, and to his Excellency, Levin Winder, the Governor of Maryland, detailing the circumstances of its being in his hands, and requesting instruction as to its disposition. This letter, as well as the orders of Admiral Warren, to which reference is made in the letter, are here inserted as interesting historical documents. They are copied from a curious hand-bill entitled "Federal Treason and Democratic Gratitude now in the hands of the

compiler of this paper, and dated May 10th, 1813.

Jacob Gibson's communication to James Monroe, Esq., Secretary of State of the United States, and Levin Winder, Esq., Governor of the state of Maryland.

Balti ore, 24 h Apr

l, 1813. am s Monr

e, Esq., S cret ry of tate.

Sir: On the 9th inst., I was in this city, and on the arrival of the news of the affair in the Rappahannock, I was much alarmed at the exposed situation of the property in and bordering on our bay, and immediately proceeded to remove my grain, stock and slaves from Sharp's Island. I reached my place of residence on the 10th, and crossed to my island on the 11th. On the morning of the 12th I was made prisoner while in the act of removing my property. My stock, consisting of cattle, sheep and hogs, was interdicted and forbid removal, by order of Sir John B. Warren. I was detained on the island until the 17th, when I returned to my family. The enemy took from the island 4 sheep from 100, 12 cattle from 57, and 28 hogs out of 50, sixteen of which were small pigs. I was treated by all the officers, but particularly by the Admiral, with marked politeness and delicacy. The purser of the Admiral's ship left on the island $54 in specie, and informed me he should leave bills on his government for the balance of the stock taken. I protested against any agency in a transaction with the enemies of my country that might contribute to their aid, but they forced a deposit for the stock they had taken, amounting to about $225. Considering that I have no control over the money or bills thus left, until the pleasure of the government is communicated as to its disposal. The exposed situation of my island, being nearly four miles from the main, entirely excludes it from defensive measures. I asked from the Admiral a protection for my property there, which he instantly granted to prevent further depredations, otherwise my growing crops might be sacrificed; as you will find by the enclosed document (it being a copy from the original left on the island). He also permitted me to transport the remnant of my last crop to the county where I resided as per document No. 2. I have now remaining on the island upwards of 90 sheep, 44 cattle and 22 hogs, which if the government thinks advisable, will please to order off by the proper authority; but I am fearful such an event might, after what has taken place, aggravate the destruction of

my buildings, slaves, crops, &c. However, I solicit no indulgence if the government consider the common cause will be advanced by the

measure.

The enemy has, I believe, by this time left Sharp's Island, and taken possession of Poplar Island, where I believe they intend making a rendezvous.1

*

I shall remain here until you do me the honor to answer this letter; and as my absence from my family and concerns is attended with great inconvenience, may I hope to hear from you by the earliest mail—and I have the honor to be your obedient servant, Jacob Gibson. Address to the Post Office, Baltimore.

number 1

By the Right Honorable Sir John Borlase Warren, Bart., K. B. Admiral of the Blue, and Commander in Chief of His Majesty's ships and vessels employed and to be employed on the American and West Indian Station, &c., &c.

Whereas his Majesty's squadron under my command, having occasion for refreshments, and Sharp's Island, in the bay, producing live stock, I have directed the said stock shall not be removed. Whatever cattle any of the officers, of his majesty's ships, under my orders, may take, as well as any other stock, is to be paid for by regular bills or cash, and no depredation or injury is to be committed on the houses and farms, servants or slaves, upon the above mentioned island. Given under my hand, and on board his majesty's ship St. Domingo, off Sharp's Island in the Chesapeake, April 12th, 1813.

John Borlase Warren.

To the respective captains and commanders of his majesty's ships and vessels.

By command of the Admiral,

Thomas Fox, Pro Secretary.

number 2.

By the Right Honorable Sir John Borlase Warren, Bart., K. B. Admiral of the Blue and Commander in Chief of His Majesty's ships and vessels employed, and to be employed, on the American and West Indian Station, &c., &c.

The captains and commanders of his majesty's ships and vessels are hereby required and directed to permit the vessels bearing this pass,

1 This vacuum in the publication is a necessary omission (here) from my letters to the governments. It relates to matters unconnected with this business. However, the friends to my country may see it at the printing office—none else have a a right, and are forbid. [The "friends to my country" were the Democrats of course: those that are "forbid" were the Federalists, whom Mr. G. regarded as even worse than British enemies.]