News of November, 1815
November 1: From Milledgeville, Georgia — “We learn from a gentleman who passed through the Creek Nation last week, that the Commissioners are now engaged in running the Indian boundary line, and was informed by Colonel Hawkins, (who had so far recovered his health as to attend with the other Commissioners,) that they would finish in about six weeks.”– November 21, 1815
November 2: From Captain Lewis Warrington, of the U. S. Peacock, of his captures in the Pacific — “From the different captures, we obtained about fifteen thousand dollars in specie, and gold to the amount of four or five thousand dollars more. We have on board ten chests of opium. The first prize was loaded with pepper, and a few bales of coarse goods for the Malay market; some of which (as we had no room to stow them away) we distributed amongst the crew, as they were much in want of thin clothes.”–Baltimore Patriot, November 8, 1815
November 3: From South America via Salem — “The True-Blooded Yankee (formerly an American privateer) was fitting out at St. Salvador under the Patriot flag, to cruise against the Spanish Royalists.”–Salem Gazette, November 3, 1815
November 4: From Augusta, from Major General Gaines — “I am happy to have it in my power to say that the Indians above the line have recently given no cause of apprehension to the commissioners; nor does it appear that the Seminoles have left their towns. Still I am of opinion that until the prospect of opposition shall entirely subside, the detachments of militia must be held in readiness to assemble.”–Richmond Enquirer, December 23, 1815
November 4: From Washington — “The new building on Capitol Hill, preparing for the accommodation of Congress, is in such forwardness, that it is expected to be finished early in November.”–Providence Patriot, November 4, 1815
November 6: From Cincinnati — “SHEEP.–Large flocks of this valuable animal, are continually passing through this town, for the rapidly settling country to the west and north-west of us. It is stated in a paper printed at Buffalo, N. Y. that within two days, more than twenty families had passed through that place, to settle in this state.”–Richmond Enquirer, November 23, 1815
November 7: From Edenton, N.C. — “On Friday last, was commemorated in this county, a Squirrel Hunt, for a ‘barbacue and trimmings,’ by 12 gentlemen of the town and 12 of the country, when they produced on the day following, 974 Squirrels, shot in one day–the gentlemen of the country killing double the quantity of those of the town. . . . This hunt exceeds the Martin Squirrel Hunt, by about 107.”–Rhode Island American, November 17, 1815
November 8: From New Orleans — “We learn by a gentleman from New-Orleans, that a Steam-Boat has been successfully employed in towing vessels from the Belize up to the city, during the prevalence of the calm and head winds this season. Ships of large burthen, he informs us, are carried up by the boat at the rate of two miles an hour against the current.”–Connecticut Gazette,November 8, 1815
November 9: From Newport, by the arrival of the U. S. brig Flambeaux from the Mediterranean–“The frigates United States and Constellation, and sloops Ontario and Erie, were left in the Mediterranean, for the protection of our commerce.”–Salem Gazette, November 14, 1815
November 9: From the London Courier — “America by a new fangled law, perfectly at variance with the law of nations, assumes to herself the right of converting by a short summary process, the subjects of other powers into American citizens, and of withdrawing them from their allegiance to their own government.”–National Advocate , December 29, 1815
November 10: From Washington — “As a new species of public stock issued by the government of the United States, has made its appearance in our market, perhaps it may be useful briefly to notice it:–For the payment of this stock all the public lands in the Mississippi territory, amounting to more than fifty millions of acres are pledged by the act of congress of March 31,1813. By the same act this stock is made receivable by the U. States in payment for said lands.”–Aurora, November 10, 1815
November 11: From Boston — “The weather for the last six weeks has been unusually fine; and the God of the Harvest has been graciously pleased to bless our country with a super abundance for man and beast.”–New York Gazette, November 11, 1815
November 12: From New York — “With great pleasure we announce the arrival at Sandy Hook, of the U. S. frigate Guerriere, Com. Decatur, from the Mediterranean, with part of the squadron under his command, amongst which is the U. S. sloop of war Enterprize.–Baltimore Patriot,November 14, 1815
November 12: From Salem — “Arrived brig Saucy-Jack, Nathaniel Osgood, master, 83 days from Archangel, with iron, bristles, & manufactures to Pickering Dodge.”- November 15, 1815
November 13: From New Orleans — “By the schr. President, from Boquilla de Piedras, arrived Don Jose Manuel Herrera, with his suite. This gentleman, we are informed, is appointed minister plenipotentiary from the Mexican republic to the U.S. . . . Gen. Toledo, confirmed in his appointment of general in chief of the Mexican forces in the internal provinces, escorted the minister to this place.”–Richmond Enquirer, December 27, 1815
November 14: From Nantucket — “Twenty-five sail of Ships have left Nantucket on the Southern Whale Fishery since the war. They are navigated by twenty-one men each. . . . The produce of their labor is in high demand, and, literally speaking, with every fish they draw out of the sea, they draw up a piece of silver.”–Daily National Intelligencer, November 14, 1815
November 15: From Natchez — “The fine new Steam-Boat AEtna passed this place upwards, a few days ago, only three days from Orleans, (about 300 miles,) on her passage to Louisville, laden with foreign merchandize. This is the first vessel of this particular description that has passed this place upward. The facility with which she overpowers the current of this great river, is auspicious to the western country.”–Connecticut Mirror, December 18, 1815
November 17: From New York — “Since this day week, there have arrived at this port fifty-fivesail of vessels from foreign ports, mostly ships, with valuable cargoes . . .. The rapid increase of the commerce of this City, is far beyond the expectations of its most sanguine friends; and if we are not much mistaken, New York alone will pay nearly half the revenue of the United States.”–New York Gazette, November 17, 1815
November 18: From St. Louis — “Col. Nicholas and his regt. are hutted for the winter, a little below the rapids of the Mississippi, on the Illinois side.–The officers were surprised to meet with such immense bodies of rich land on both sides of the river, particularly that designed for the soldiers. It is said that the Pottowatomies claim the Illinois lands and intend preventing the surveyors laying it off. They have no right whatever to the soil: they are mere interlopers, as the Peorians are the rightful owners.”–Pittsburgh Gazette, December 9, 1815
November 18: From the London Courier– “The last American official paper stated, that desertions from our troops in Canada had taken place, and that we had in several instances seized the deserters upon the American territory. It is a duty on our part to press upon the American government a stipulation for the surrender of deserters.”–Washington (Ky.) Union, January 26, 1816
November 18: From Washington — “Major-General Andrew Jackson, arrived in Georgetown on Thursday evening, and yesterday visited the President and other public officers. He is expected to remove his quarters into the city, so soon as he procures convenient apartments.”–New York Gazette, November 21, 1815
November 20: From Boston — “The following melancholy event happened in this town on Tuesday evening t o interrupt the festivity and gaity of a ballroom. A young lady, apparently in perfect health, while carrying down a dance, fell upon the floor, was taken up, nearly lifeless, and in a few minutes expired. This event is supposed to have been occasioned by the tightness of her dress. It cannot fail of inspiring a salutary caution against the excess of too prevalent a fashion [the wearing of Corsets tight.] Nor can it fail of being an impressive memento to the young and gay, how near may be the hours of amusement to the moment of dissolution.”–Carlisle Gazette,December 20, 1815
November 21: From Washington, letter to Maj. Gen. A. Jackson –“Agreeable to the enclosed Resolve of the ‘Thespian Benevolent Society,’ I have the honor of inviting you and your suite to attend the performance at the Theatre in this city, on Thursday evening next.
This humble mark of respect is only valuable and interesting, as being paid to the American patriot and hero–who in the battle at New Orleans covered himself with deathless renown and shed immortal lustre on the military reputation of his country.”–National Intelligencer, November 23, 1815
November 23: From Nashville — “We have learned from a source which admits of no doubt on the subject, that the commissioners had nearly finished running the boundary line in the Creek nation, agreeably to the treaty made by gen. Jackson, without any interruption, and that before this time, it has been completed, and the commissioners are on their way home.”–Pittsburgh Mercury, December 16, 1815
November 23: From Savannah — Two thousand six hundred and twenty nine bales of cotton arrived, by water, yesterday evening from Augusta, in this harbor; the value of which, allowing 26 1/2 cents (which is the current price to-day) to the pound, and averaging 270 pounds to the bale, amounts to one hundred and eighty eight thousand one hundred and four dollars and ninety five cents.”–Yankee, December 15, 1815
November 24: From a U.S. sailor at Gibraltar, via Washington — “You have no idea of the respect which the American character has gained by our late wars.–The Spaniards especially, think we are devils incarnate:–as we beat the English, who beat the French, who beat them whom nobody ever beat before–and the Algerines whom the devil himself could not beat.”–Washington (Ky.) Union, December 8, 1815
November 25: From Providence — “A little trick repeated.–On surrendering the fort of Niagara to the Americans, the British cut away the haulyards and steps, and greased the flag staff, to prevent the immediate display of the American flag on it. The flagstaff on the battery in this city was treated in the same manner on the evacuation in 1783.”–Providence Patriot, November 25, 1815
November 25: From New York — “The anniversary of the evacuation of New York by the British troops on the 25th November, 1783, was celebrated in that city on Saturday last, by the usual military displays, national salutes, &c. On this occasion Gen. Morton’s brigade of militia was reviewed by Gen. Brown.”–Providence Patriot, December 2, 1815
November 28: From Chillicothe –“At a meeting of a few Females, at the house of Mr. Martin, in this town, the subject of the depravity of the human family having been taken into view, and especially that part of mankind who are in indigent circumstances, resolved themselves into a committee, in order to establish a Society of Females, for the purpose of relieving those of their fellow creatures who actually need assistance . . . .”–Scioto Supporter, November 28, 1815
November 28: From New Haven — “On Thursday last the Pews in the new brick Church erected for the United Society in this city, were put up at public sale, and went off very readily at very high prices. The whole number of Pews is 182; 89 of which were reserved as the property of the Society.–The sale of the remainder produced the aggregate sum of thirty-three thousand eight hundred and seventy-five dollars; which, after paying the expense of the building, will leave a handsome surplus to the funds of the Society.”–National Intelligencer, December 4, 1815
November 28: From Savannah — “Messrs. Samuel and Charles Howard are now building a Steam-Boat, for the purpose of towing vessels to and from Tybee, or boats from hence to Augusta and from that place hither.”–Richmond Enquirer, December 5, 1815
November 29: From the London Morning Chronicle — “The Floridas are ceded–or they are to be ceded (as our fears should whisper us,) to Great Britain–for what purpose? it is not concealed–they are to be occupied as a military position, as ‘a future bridle upon the United States.'”–Richmond Enquirer, November 29, 1815
About the Author
Mary Bowden is a researcher working at the Texas Collections Deposit Library at the University of Texas. A little-known but invaluable treasure of U.S. history and the history of American journalism is archived in the collection of bound United States’ Newspapers at the University of Texas at Austin. The collection began more than a century ago and has been stored in recent years in the Texas Collections Deposit Library on the campus of the University of Texas. The sizeable archive is currently in the early stages of being digitized before being moved to a more climate-controlled environment at the J.J. Pickle Research Campus of the University, on the north side of Austin.