American Aurora
Page 84
Now for the “WIDOW’S” first essay. She begins her career with an enumeration of the benefits which the French sans culottes have conferred on the world. After reciting their praise-worthy efforts to restore the Rights of Man, she comes to their efforts, no less praise-worthy, for restoring the Rights of Woman.
EXTRACTS
From Mother Bache’s Paper of November 1st.
“One of the first acts of the Roman legislature [under French rule] was the prohibition of the use of the … horrible practice of castration …”
M[rs]. Bache’s Comments
“Before the revolution, this shocking practice was carried on to such an extent that the barber’s sign boards in the streets of Rome were inscribed with … Here boys are CASTRATED with wonderful dexterity!! Thus we see how the vile Jacobins abolish without mercy the ancient customs of ancient States …”
There’s “delicacy”! There’s “female modesty”! Is the American reader willing that foreigners look upon this as a specimen of the language of republican women? If he be, I can have no manner of objection to it.—
The compassion of this “lady” is of a curious kind. She can hear of murders and massacres in France … and yet, behold, how tender-hearted she becomes toward the poor little Italian boys! with what maternal zeal, with what courageous resentment, with what savage fury, she falls upon the remorseless barbers! …
N.B. I learn with pleasure that this woman is neither of English nor American birth.
THURSDAY, MAY 2, 1799
GENERAL * AURORA * ADVERTISER
During the late wonderful expedition, a body of our federal infantry … exhibited … military sagacity and valor … [W]hen one of the wagons was attacked, a sentinel gave the alarm; the drums beat to arms … The enemy was seen at the rear of the baggage in great force; the corps of heroes … marched up in Hessian time to the point of action; two horrid weapons were discovered protruding their muzzles from behind the wagon; a platoon was ordered to fire; a hefty groan was heard, and a violent concussion of the earth … Be it remembered, these were regular troops that killed the bull !
Today, in Massachusetts, publisher Thomas Adams of Boston’s Independent Chronicle sells the nation’s second-largest Republican newspaper to his Federalist landlord, Bostonian James White. Thomas Adams sacrificed his health for the Chronicle’s republicanism, and his federal sedition trial is but a month away. Now that Thomas Adams’ paper has been bought up for prostitution,1804 Thomas Adams will himself die within a week.1805
FRIDAY, MAY 3, 1799
GENERAL * AURORA * ADVERTISER
LIBERTY POLES !!! …
Is it possible … the erection of a pole, decorated with the classical and long established emblem of Liberty, the LIBERTY CAP, can possibly be … incompatible with the good order of society ? No, the enemies of the Liberty Cap are only to be found in that class of beings who maintain monarchy to be the ne plus ultra of human excellence, and a republic a non-entity … I hope the citizens of America will never, through improper deference to those in power, concede the wholesome practice of erecting Liberty Poles, and whenever one shall fall by the ax of aristocracy, may ten thousand be reared in its stead. These are the undisguised sentiments
AN OLD FASHIONED REPUBLICAN.
Tonight, in the Porcupine’s Gazette, Peter Porcupine writes:
MOTHER BACHE.
A correspondent observes that the fury of this citizen against the Italian Barbers appears very natural, when we recollect the loss [of cohabitation] she had recently experienced.
MONDAY, MAY 6, 1799
GENERAL * AURORA * ADVERTISER
When SCHNYDER the printer in Reading was dragged out of his house by captain Montgomery’s brave troop, and punished like a felon, complaint was made to GENERAL MACPHERSON … The General listened to the complaint … and did nothing ! …
Let the people look at the case of SCHNYDER—it is a serious [one] and truly alarming—every individual obnoxious to a troop may be treated in the same manner and, in the ebbs and flows of party, no man can say that his turn may not come to be tied up to a post and whipped at the discretion of a banditti—If the laws are no longer to protect the citizen, let it be publicly announced that each citizen may arm himself and prepare for his defence.
TUESDAY, MAY 7, 1799
GENERAL * AURORA * ADVERTISER
TO THE REV. ASHBEL GREEN …
To you it appears [in your April 25th Fast Day sermon] that our sins and sufferings are “principally to be attributed to an enthusiastic attachment in multitudes of the people to the revolution and cause of France” and that this has brought down on us “the judgment of God” and sent into “our land the pestilence in a manner that never was known before.” …
You ought to have known that the pestilence has been a frequent visitor to these states. That so long ago as 1699, as 1702, and so late as 1736, this city was previously afflicted by the pestilence. The French revolution had not then commenced, nor even our own revolution which is becoming equally odious with that of the French in the eyes of your party …
GUATIMOZIN
Tonight, in the Porcupine’s Gazette, Peter Porcupine writes:
[A] statute of [Vermont], authorizing the selectmen of each town to take possession of all church lands … [was] adjudged … unconstitutional …
(Mother Bache, give us your pious opinion on this.—You dare not. You … must not allow that the Federal Government is the guardian of the people’s rights …)
N.B. Not a word about the poor dear little Italian boys.
FRIDAY, MAY 10, 1799
GENERAL * AURORA * ADVERTISER
GENERAL MACPHERSON AND THE
LANCASTER COUNTY TROOP
The General has taken “an affectionate adieu” of the Lancaster County troop … The General publicly thanks Capt. Montgomery and his troop for dragging an unaccused and an unconvicted citizen from his dwelling, tearing his cloaths from his back, and whipping him in a public market place !! … After such an avowal, it would not be surprising if every citizen of Philadelphia, who was obnoxious to Macpherson’s Blues, should in turn be dragged out of his house and treated as Mr. Schnyder was …
Tonight, in the Porcupine’s Gazette:
FRIES.
The trial of this man closed last night about six o’clock when the jury retired, and the court adjourned. At ten o’clock, the Court met again, and the jury came in with their verdict—GUILTY.
MONDAY, MAY 13, 1799
GENERAL * AURORA * ADVERTISER
ST. TAMMANY.
The Anniversary of the American tutelary Saint, falling on Saturday, the brotherhood of St. Tammany held their customary festival at the Wigwam, near the upper Ferry … After partaking of the feast … the following [16] toasts were given, accompanied by music and the discharge of cannon … 4. The Grand Sachem of one of our councils, Thomas Jefferson … one gun … 6. Our departed brother Benjamin Franklin Bache—Patriotic and good, great and virtuous—may the glorious inheritance of a well spent life animate every brother to an imitation of his example … 9. Our brother Thomas M’Kean—may his enemies be punished for their abuse and persecution of him by beholding him the next Chief of the tribe of Pennsylvania—2 guns … 16. The Great old Sachem of the tribe of Pennsylvania, Benjamin Franklin, who directed the thunder and humbled the oppressor of the thirteen tribes, one gun.
It is a good time to toast Benny Bache and his grandfather. It is the anniversary (to the week) of the Macpherson’s Blues attack on the office of the Aurora.
TUESDAY, MAY 14, 1799
GENERAL * AURORA * ADVERTISER
[Concerning the late expedition of the Federal troops to Northampton, t]he fact concerning the living of a certain troop at free quarters is well known …
[T]he brutal proceeding [of the Federal troops] at Lancaster … deserves particular notice …
Sedition poles are what were called in 1776 Liberty poles. These lovers of order … the Lancaster troops, on their march to join t
he generals, took upon themselves to cut down some of those poles. In what manner were they justified in the attempt?
Not by any law—No law forbids the erection of liberty poles … In trespassing upon the ground where the pole was erected, they acted illegally …
Today, Thomas Jefferson writes his friend Archibald Stuart:
The cause of republicanism, triumphing in Europe, can never fail to do so here in the long run. Our citizens may be deceived for a while & have been deceived; but as long as the presses can be protected, we may trust to them for light …1806
Tonight, in the Porcupine’s Gazette:
THE TRUE CHRISTIAN HERO
In Brown’s paper a few days back, I saw a communication defending the Sermon of … Doctor Green against the attacks of Mother Bache and her gang … But I had one particular objection, … that the Philadelphia Gazette had been chosen as a vehicle for the defence …
Brown’s is the only paper in which I saw an eulogium on the Constitution merely because it admitted JEWS to the Magistracy. In fact, I am sure Brown’s paper had done more mischief than Bache’s in this way, because it has been read with a less suspicious eye …
Tonight, in the Gazette of the United States:
TO THE EDITOR OF THE AURORA …
On the return of the troops who performed the expedition to Northampton, we observed that, during their absence, several publications had appeared in the Aurora under the form of “extracts of letters” whereby the most unfounded imputations were attempted to be fixed on the troops themselves and on their commander. In one of these extracts it is alleged that “a number of the troops who derived their authority from the Federal government lived at free quarters on the people.” … These slanders were so notoriously false …
MACPHERSON’S BLUES
BATTALION ORDERS
The Artillery, Grenadiers, and Infantry are ordered to parade at the Menage in Chestnut-street on Thursday the 16th inst. precisely at 4 o’clock completely equipped for the purpose of going through their firings … By order of the Commandant JOHN M’CAULEY
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 1799
GENERAL * AURORA * ADVERTISER
If the ruffian who assaulted the late editor of the Aurora received a confidential charge to a minister at a foreign court, Montgomery, the chosen commander of a select corps of volunteers who dragged Mr. Schnyder to the whipping post where he was scourged, merits the high consideration of our executive. Perhaps he will succeed Macpherson who, for the merit of overlooking the offence in the ruffian, will be promoted …
At a time when standing armies seem to be rising on the depression of the militia, we ought to be watchful and jealous of our rights … Let us … take the constitution in one hand and the sword in the other … [L]ethargy and blind implicit faith … will, if not corrected, produce Montgomerys and Schnyders in every part of the Union …. !!
Today, about noon, officers from the Macpherson’s Blues and other units of the new federal army pay a visit to the Philadelphia Aurora.1807 Peter Miercken, an organizer of the infamous Federalist dinners at Cameron’s Tavern in Southwark a year ago,1808 takes the lead. From the testimony of witnesses (including my own):
JOHN MASSEY … A meeting was held at Hardy’s, composed generally of the officers of the five troops of cavalry that had been on duty in Northampton county. Some publications, said to be written by some one on the expedition, had been published in the Aurora, which attributed irregularities to the troops.—It was agreed by the meeting to go in a body to demand of Mr. Duane to designate the troop to have acted irregularly… 1809
BERNARD M’MAHON … [S]ometime before 12 o’clock, eight or ten persons called at the front office, or accounting office, and asked for Mr. Duane; they asked where he was, and as I did not know, I told them so. They went away as I supposed, but in a few moments afterwards, I heard something of a noise and saw a few people running in the street towards Franklin court; and it struck me it was those people, and I accordingly went to the printing office … 1810
FROM MY TESTIMONY: They planted centinels above and below the stairs, at the entrance of the court towards the street; they chose that hour of the day when the market is cleared and the butchers at dinner.1811
ROBERT OLIPHANT … Mr. Duane was busily employed in writing; the appearance of the officers did not appear to have any effect on him, for he continued writing and speaking while questioned … Duane told them he could not at that time, with propriety, make known what they required; he alleged several reasons, among others that … he did not want to prejudice the prisoners to be tried … Mr. Miercken then rushed forward and seized Duane by the shirt collar …1812
BERNARD M’MAHON … [I] went to the printing office, and was making my way up as fast as practicable, when I found those and some-other gentlemen dragging Mr. Duane downstairs … I was forced down with the crowd and saw Mr. Duane knocked down before I could well recover my position on my legs … He was struck down so often, and so severely, that I thought his life in danger … I saw the big man they call Peter Miercken knock him down … After he knocked him down the first time, they formed a ring around him while he was lying senseless on the ground, and when he recovered and sprung upon his legs, they knocked him down again, repeatedly … From their violence and cruelty, I had no reason to expect any other effect than his being beaten to death … 1813
FROM MY OWN TESTIMONY: I knew nothing of boxing, and Miercken had studied under Mendoza … [T]he first recollection I had on recovering sense was some of the gang lashing at me as I lay, with a cowskin or some instrument of that kind … My whole body, head, and limbs were beaten, bruised, and lacerated—both my temples were swelled … my head, back, breast, and thighs were black and blue …1814
THOMAS BRADLEY … Duane hallooed out murder, but to no effect … [T]hey beat him most unmercifully up and down the court—he was covered with blood, his clothes torn off, and so cruelly treated that I thought they would have certainly killed him … I saw Duane’s son make his way through the ring in the early part, after his father had been knocked down a few times—he made his way to his father—I felt exceedingly concerned at the sight of the boy, he was crying, and pushing his way between the legs of the assailants—his father was lying on the ground, and he threw himself on his father’s body to protect him from the blows—I saw the boy receive a violent blow from one of them, and some of the others were so cowardly as to kick the boy.1815
WILLIAM JOHN DUANE (my son) … I saw Miercken, with some others, hold my father by the neck and dragging him along down the stairs. I attempted to force my way after him, but they apparently stationed persons over us, they would not let me move … [A] great bustle took place below in the passage; and some of the persons who had been stationed above then went down; I slipped downstairs with them; 6 or 8 of them only remained in the office to prevent the workmen from interfering or going down—Two or three had been posted at the office door; some went to the press and obliged the workmen to quit work … When I got below, I endeavored to get forward in search of my father, whom I found prostrate on the ground lying on his face. One of them stopped me, and asked why I rushed forward so? I told him I wished to get to my father. He said it was a great pity he was my father, for he was a damned rascal. I reached him where he was and found he was alive. A kind of ring had been formed round him, which kept constantly agitating, and one person in the ring struck me in the head and knocked me down. I fell at the west side of the alley. I don’t know how or who took me up.1816
MY OWN ACCOUNT: Nearly strangled on the way downstairs, the editor by his struggles extricated his throat from the hands of the two ruffians … while the general exclamation of the friends of order and regular government were “Knock him down”—“Drag him to the market-house and flog him”—“Kick the rascal”—“Knock him down Miercken.” … [T]he editor finding there was nothing to be done but to die hard—or fight it out—made as much use of his hands as one man could do, attacked by above ten different persons nearly
all of whom were nearly ten years younger and some of them double the weight of the editor. This extraordinary conflict continued above half an hour, during which the editor was knocked down above twelve times … one lifted him up, while the other knocked him down—and this repeatedly. After recovering a few moments from this violence, the editor was called upon for the author repeatedly, and he was so obstinate as not to be beaten out of his honor or integrity … An immense crowd had gathered … [T]he Editor, while making a blow at the bully of the gang, Miercken, was knocked down from behind … In this state of insensibility, the heroes walked round the body, like mourners at a funeral, and while the editor lay senseless, beat him over the head, the face, and sides with the whip. Each of the heroic commanders declaring that the blows were inflicted for their several troops … [T]he people who stood around looking with dumb astonishment, were heard to murmur loud … Among other of the exploits of the heroes was the knocking down of a son of the Editor who had flown to his father’s defence … 1817
Tonight, the Gazette of the United States reports the attack on me:
This morning about 12 o’clock, the Officers of the first and second Troop of Volunteer Cavalry, and the officers of the first, second, and third City Troops, called upon the Editor of the Aurora to know … what Troop was meant in yesterday’s Aurora as living in “free quarters” on the late expedition to Northampton.—The editor answered that he would not designate the troop at present … He was then told he must … The Editor then said he would fight any man with Pistols; on which it was generally observed, don’t fight him with Pistols—whip the rascal … [T]he Editor was forced downstairs. When, in the courtyard, the Editor was asked repeatedly to give up the author, which he absolutely refused to do, and was then whipped as he deserved. He was asked how did you come by your information? He answered it was anonymous; after which he again and repeatedly refused to give up the author, and was again whipped.