Part 4
Finding no prospect of obtaining permission to land the rum, I concluded to proceed elswhere for a Market for my Cargo, and was advised to try the Island of Geurnsey--& therefore applied to the custom House, to clear the ship, which was readily complied with; the collector, observed to me when about taking leave, Cap^{t.} Cobb, I must confess, I think your usage has been something rough here; and I shou’d not blame you, if you was to help yourself a little, in the way of smuggling.--no Sir said I, but wou’d you not be one of the first to make a prize of me therefor--oh said he, I shou’d have to do my duty--well Sir, said I, when you _Catch’em_ you _Hab’em_ God blesse you said he, & thus we parted, and the next morn” I sail’d; matters were, however, so arrainged, that between the cove of Cork, & the Scilly Islands, that I hove overboard Eight hogheads of N. E. rum, and a pilot boat sheer’d along side, and hove on board a small bag, which I found contained 264 English guineas--and although I saw them pick up, & hoist on board the 8 hhds of rum, _I was satisfied_.
[Sidenote: A Hurried Departure]
I then proceeded for my Port of distination, Geurnsey, an Island in the channel of England, which had always been a free port, & a resort for Smugglars.--I anchord in the roads about the suns setting, & having a letter of introduction, from a friend in Cork, to a merchant there; altho” the hour was an improper one, _the dusk of Eve_”, to deliver a letter of introduction I took my boat & went on shore, being an entire stranger, I had to make enquiries--but finally, in about an hour, I found the Gen^{m.} to whom the letter was addressed,--he rec^{d.} me with politeness, and read the letter--I apologised for calling upon him, at so unseasonable an hour; he promptly replied, it is fortunate for you, that you have thus done.--I am now Sir compelled to act a part, which not only appears _uncivil_, but almost to an insult. Viz, that you return immediately on board your ship, and leave this port. He then, in a few words, told me that, the British parlement, had recently, passed revenue laws, that affected that Island; & that, two English cutters, had that day arrived, to inforce the laws; & that I shou’d certainly have trouble, with my cargo, if I was not off, before sun rise, the next morning.--I accordingly bid the gentleman good bye, repaird to my boat, which was waiting for me at the wharf, went on board the ship, & immediately got underway and at sun rise, the next morn, I was out of sight of the Island of Geurnsay up channell, on my way for the City of Hamburg.
Thus ended my deficulties of that voyage--I arrived safe in Hamburg, found a good Market for my cargo, loaded my ship, & returned to Boston, having made a good voyage to all concern’d.
My employers were so well pleased with the trade, I had opened in Hamburg; that they planned another voyage immediately, and tho^{t.} they you’d hardly afford me time to visit my family at the cape. However, by promis’s of a short stay, I came to Brewster; saw my family, and returned to Boston to fit out the ship, for another Voyage in which, it was concluded, that it wou’d be for the Interest of the Voyage, that on my arrival in H--^{g} I should land my Cargo, load the ship with a return cargo, & send her home by my Mate, & remain in Hamburg myself thro” the Winter, to sell the cargo then landed, and prepare another for the ship, on her return to me in the spring.--under the foregoing arrangement, I saild for Hamburg a 2^{d} time; arrived their after a common passage, landed my Cargo, loaded the ship, with Russia & Germain goods, and sent her for Boston, under the comman^{d} of my mate, David Nickerson.
She sailed, the last of September, and by the middle of Nov^{r}, we were compleatly bound in fetters of _Frost_, and, in that high Lattitude, we had only about 7. hours day light in 24. but there was no lack of _amusements_, to please the eye, tast, or mind, & I injoyed myself very well, untill the last of Dec^{r.} when I received a letter, which came overland, by way of Holland, from one of my employers, in which it was stated in a, Postcrip, _Your wife has been very Sick, but, I beleive, she_ _is better_. This unwellcome intiligence; the uncouth manner, in which it was conveyed to me; and the great uncertainty of hearing any thing more, untill the ship returned to me; put my mind into a perplexing state of anxiety, which bid defiance to all injoyment of life.
[Sidenote: Anxiety and Illness]
Within a few days, as I entered the coffee room, of the Hotel, one morning, the servant said to me; there is an american Newspaper, which arrived last evening, by way of London,--I took up the paper, and first thing that attracted my notice, was my _Brothers death_--Thus the mind, already bowed down with anxiety; was obliged to receive this _heartrending_ addition to its already overcharged burden, but, our heavenly Father, lays no more upon his children, than, He knows, they can bear.--for in addition to my afflixtions then, I was attacted with the _brain_ fever, and with such severity, that for 8 days, I was unconcious of either pleasure, or pain.--but I was, finally, permitted to recover, with the loss, only, of my full head of black hair; but I got over that deficuty _pritty_ well, by substituting a Wig, and have been obliged to wear one ever since, to keep my head warm.--but notwithstanding all, I was supported thro” the winter, my business, by the help of merchants, Brokers &c, went on well; and when the ship arrived; about the 20^{th} of May, I was ready prepared for her; and the news she bro^{t.} me, from my family, was a cordial to my lasserated feelings.
As soon, as the Cargo which the ship bro^{t.} out, cou’d be sold; the arrangements made, during the winter, were such, that we were soon ready for returning to Boston,--I reach’d home in Aug^{t.}, having been absent somthing over 14 months, found Mrs C. very feeble, but convallessent.
I made one more voyage to Hamburg, in the Monsoon, & when I return’d she was sold; which gave me an oppertunity of spending a few weeks at home, with my beloved family.
But, it was not long, before I received a letter from M^{r.} J. Tidd, who was one of my former owners in the Monsoon, requesting me to come to Boston fourthwith, as there was a new Brig for sale, which he had an idea of purchasing, and wished for my opinion &c &c.--I accordingly went to Boston, & the Brig, Sally & Mary, was purchased, and another Hamburg voyage was plann’d fourthwith.
M^{r.} Tidd, had put on board a valuable cargo; on his own account & risk, and ordered me for Hamburg; and I accordingly proceeded for the river Elbe; it being in the summer season, I took the more direct passage; of north about, so called, viz. between the Okney & Shetland Islands, into the North sea, at the S E part of which, the river Elbe comminces; Hamburg is 110 miles above--I had heretofore, always obtained a Pilot, before I reach’d the entrance of the river--but now, none appeared, and I saw, at anchor, in the mouth of the river, one large ship, & 2 or 3 smaller vessells--it struck me, at once, that the Elbe, was blockaded, but I had no alternative but to proceed on & know, I accordingly, run on, untill within about a mile of the largest ship, when I came to an anchor.--she immediately sent her boat on board, for me & my papers,--I found the commander, a _haughty_, _crabbed_, self _willed_, Scotchman.
[Sidenote: The Blockade]
He insisted upon it, that I knew of the blockade; and that I intended a breach of it; of course, I was a good prize, & he shou’d send me to England, very well! I had to submitt to his superior force; and I was accordingly ordere’d for Yarmouth in England.
On my arrival there, my papers were sent to London, to the Kings advocate for adjudication; but they were return^{d.} in 6 days, & I was pronounced clear, to proceed to any port that was not blockad^{d} and I put to sea the next morning.
As I cou’d not go to Hamburg, I concluded, that Copenhagen, would be, the next _best_ market for my Cargo, and I accordingly, steered my course for that port.--On my arrival there, I was advised, by a freindly, Danish Merchant, to proceed to _Lubec_, one of the, _Hans Towns_, of Germany, about 100 miles South of Copenhagen, on the great Belt, so called, from which place, an inland canal, communicated with Hamburg, where my Cargo cou’d readily be sent, in defiance of the Blockade; and as my Cargo, was perticularly selected for the Hamburg Market, this was a very important object with me.
I consequently proceeded for Lubec where I arrived in about 48 hours., and was told; that I displayed the first American flag; ever wafted over their City.--on approaching the Town, an entire stranger, I recolected, that, on my last voyage to Hamburg--a M^{r.} Smidth, of the Firm, of Smidth & Plessing, of Lubec, had made a shipment of 100 peices of Duck by me, which I had sold, & made returns to them.
I was now glad to enquire them out, and avail myself of their services in selling my cargo, & purchaseing another on my return &c &c.--I very readily found them; and received from them all those kind attentions, to me, and my business; so greatfull to a Stranger. A great part of my cargo, went thro” the canel to Hamburg, and also, much of my return cargo, came in the same way,--but I found a good Market; got quick dispatch, and returned to Boston with an excellent voyage.
After discharging my cargo, in Boston, I visited my dear family, at the cape; where I found an aditional pledge of affection, in a little black-eye’d daughter, which we call’d Mary P, then 69 days old--it being in the night, & no light in the house, I hawl’d her out of Bed, and held her up to the window to look at her by moonlight.
[Sidenote: Orders in Council]
I was not permitted to remain, but a short time, in the enjoyment of the family circle; before I receiv’d a letter, saying, that another voyage was planned, & I must come forward. I accordingly, went on to Boston, & found they had began loading the Brig, for a voyage to Malaga.--the loading was soon compleated, and all necessary preperations made; and I saild for the Medeterenaen., on the 15^{th.} of Dec^{r.} 1807, & arrived at Malaga, Jan^{y} 11^{th.} 1808. On my arrival, I was informed that the _celebrated British orders in council_ went into fource, _there_; the 10^{th.} In^{t}, the day before I arrived.--those orders, forbid american vessells, taken a return cargo from any ports in Europe, under the penalty of being a prize, in any English port.--in consequence of this, we knew, that _wines, & fruit_, wou’d rapidly advance in price, in America; which made a return cargo, very desirable.
The _American Consul_, with whoom I advised, thought, if I got quick dispatch there wou’d be but little risk in my taking a return cargo; that he wou’d obligate himself, to dispatch me in 10 days with a full cargo of wine & fruit--and I finally concluded to take the risk.
[Sidenote: Detained at Gibraltar]
I accordingly proceeded in discharging my cargo, & in receiving on board wine & fruit in return, & in 8 days was ready to sail--in order to succeed in escaping an investigation, & probably, a capture, by the English, I tho^{t} to wait for a strong easterly wind, and to improve the night, to make a run through the _Gut of Gibraltar_, where lay the greatest danger of capture, or detention,--I accordingly waited the first Easterly wind & left Melaga, calculating to reach the rock of Gibralter, about Dark, the same Eve”, which I did, but unfortunally as I approach’d it, the wind died away, & by time I had pass’d it, it was nearly calm--knowing that if it remained so thro the night, that daylight would expose me to Fort & their cruizers, & that I should surely be exposed to examination, & detention, I thought it advisable, to proceed to Anchorage with what wind I had--and I immediately haw[l]ed into the Bay, for the neutrial ground, but the wind being a head, I had to make a tack under the Spanish shore, & while standing over for the rock, was boarded by the boat of an English Fregate, under the command of a midshipman, who took charge of me, under pretence that I was bound into Algaziras--after we had come to anchor, altho 12 ^{o}Clock at night, he insisted upon taken me on board the Frigate with my papers--well I was conducted on board & before an officer, who questioned me, I told him the truth, that I was from Malago, bound to Boston, that I had come in there to evail myself of a clearence from a British port, & a convoy thro the gut--well ‘said he, a convoy will sail, the day after to morrow, & ordered the officer to carry me on board my vessell again immediately. I went on shore the next morn” & call^{d.} upon the American consel, to whom, I made know my true situation--he told me, he thought there was but little chance for me, as I was compleatly under the _Orders in Council_.--I left the consul & in the street, fell in with an old acquaintan[ce], to him also, I told my greivance--he advised me, as a last resort, & as my situation was not generally known, to endevour to effect a clerance by bribery; & he gave other advice & information upon that subject.
I accordingly went on board, got my papers, put a couple of ounces of spanish gold into my pocket, & went on shore & directly to the office, on the Key; I found only the _Principall_ in the office--I told him, I commanded an American vessell was from Malaga, bound to Boston, and had put in there, to obtain a clearance, & a convoy thro the Gut--well ‘said he, as you say, you have a cargo on board, there are some serious questions to ask, previous to your obtaining a clearance.--I know, I know Sir, but do not be too perticular, give me a clearance, & at the same time, I laid on the counter before him, _two ounce peices of gold_--well’ but said he, if I give you a clearance you have another office to git signed at, well ‘said I, if you will give it, there will be more deficulty--& as I spoke a gentleman came into the office, to whom the first observed--this Captain was about going up to your office with his clearance, will you be so kind as to save him the trouble by signing it here, oh yes, said he cheerfully, accordinly, in a few minuits my clearance was compleated, the fees of both offices paid, & I was in the street, making a streight wake towards the American consuls--when I entered his office, he, with a long face said, I am glad to see you, but greatly regret your situation--I took my clearance from my pocket, & held it before his eyes--_Good God_ said he, how did you git that--said I--ask me no questions, & I will tell you no lies--
[Sidenote: Escapes from the Convoy]
The Signal Gun was fired, at sun-rise, the next morn” for the convoy to weigh, & I was one of this first to move--for I was full of fear, that some incident might _yet_ subject me to the _fatal_ investigation, I was therefore desirous to git out of their reach; a large English merchant ship, showing a teir of guns, streched over for the Barbary coast, & I followed her, under easy sail; _our convoy_, a gun Brig, was not then under-way and in watching her motion, I discovered a boat after us, full of men, roughing,[4] & sailing--I immediately felt jelious, _they are after me_, I ordered sail immediately put on, & in a very short time, the boat _give up_ & put back for Gibranter--I then felt antious fearing the convoy might have orders to bring me back; but I heard nothing more, parted from the convoy off cape _Trafelgar_, & proceeded home.
I have mention’d a boat that was after me--sometime after I arrived home, I fell in with a Cap^{t} Mills, whom I left in Malaga, in a Brig belonging to Boston, & persueing the plan I had done, he saild from Malaga the day after me, was taken into Gibrater the night before I left--seeing me underweigh, without reflection, he observed there is Cobb, why is he allowed to go--the boat was immediately dispatch’d after me--but, by my vigilence in making sail, in season, & being favoued with a good stiff breeze I was enable’d to keep clear of them.--
I was favoured with a good passage, and arrived safe in Boston, a subject of the most intent speculation; how it was managed to clear out, a _cargo of Spanish goods_, from Gibralter, under the _British orders in Council_.--But, I had made a good voyage for all concerned, & return’d to my family.
I remained but a short time with my family, when I received a letter from Mess^{r} Bixby, Vallintine & co, requesting that I would go on to New York, & take charge of a Ship, belonging to them, called the W^{m.} Tell, for a voyage to Europe--accordingly, I went to Boston, and after receiving instructions from my Owners, I took the stage for N. York and took charge of Ship, & fitted her, with all posible dispatch for sea--I then proceeded to Alexandria in Virginia, where I loaded the ship with Flour, and went for Cadiz, in Spain, where I sold my Cargo, Ballasted the ship with stones, and returned to Norfolk in Virginia--where I found letters from my Owners with provisions, from Boston, for another voyage, and orders to go up to Alexandria & load--but, as a part of my crew wished their discharge and others were to be shipped to supply their places, a few days detention was unavoidable--
[Sidenote: Mr. Madison’s Embargo]
While this process was in opperation, a most violent _storm_ came on, & as I had discharg’d the most of the crew, I was on board the Ship, assisting in secureing the ship to the Wharf, when M^{r.} Fisk, the Merchant with whoom I advised, came down the wharf & told me, that he had just received a _dispatch_ from M^{r.} Randolph, in Congress, saying to him, _what you do, must be done quickly_ for the embargo will be upon you, on Sunday at 10 A M.--it was now Fryday P. M, & a violent storm, well,” said M^{r.} F, what can we do Cobb, why said I, if we can hold the ship to the wharf, while it blows so hard, I shall be glad--We can, however, see, where we can git the cargo, & if it is fair to morrow much may be done--In fact much must be accomplish’d in order to effect our object _viz. to cheat the Embargo_. We had about 100 Tons of stone Ballast on board, which must be landed, upward of 3000 bbls of Flour, to take in and stow away, provisions, wood & water to take on board, a crew to ship, to clear at the custom H. and, to git the ship to sea, before the embargo gits possession--and all this must be done, between Saturday morn” at day light, & sunday morn at 10 ^{[o:]}Clock, in the month of Dec^{r.}--We found, upon enquiry, that, we cou’d have our supply of Flour from a block of stores, direct along side of the Ship, & by giving ⅜^{th} of a dollar extra, we had liberty, if stopped by the embargo, to return it--
Saturday morning, was fine weather I had given instructions to the mates, to have purchases up, at each hatchway, the ship having three--to discharge ballast, at the main hatchway, & to receive Flour forward, & abaft, with two gangs of Stevidore in the hold--at about Sunrise, I went up to _lazy corner_, so call’d, & pressed every Negro into my service, that came upon the stand, & sent them on board the ship, untill I thought there were as many, as could work.
I then visited the Sailors boarding houses, where I shipped my crew, paid the advane to their landlords, & took their obligations to see each sailor on board, at sun-rise the next morning.--It had now got to be about 12 ^{o}Clock & the ship must be cleared at the Custom house at, or before, one--I accordingly prepared a Manifest & went to the Custom house to clear the Ship--M^{r.} Taylor, the collector, knowing my situation, with the ship; _said_ why Cobb, what is the use of clearing the ship, you cannot git away, the embargo will be here at 10 to morrow morning, & even if you git your ship below, I shall have boats out that will stop you, before you can git 3 leagus to sea. Said I, “_M^{r} Taylor_, will you be so kind as to clear my Ship--Oh yes’ said he, I cannot refuse, (untill the embargo arrives; & accordingly the ship was cleared & I returned on board, & found all things going on well.--finally--to shorten the Story--at 9 that evning, we had on board 3050 Barrels of Flour, our long boat on board in the chocks, water, wood, & provision on board & stowed, a pilot engage, & all in readiness for Sea.
[Sidenote: A Feat of Loading]
The tide wou’d serve at 8 ^{[o:]}Clock on sunday morn, & we could not go before, & at 10 the embargo was expected--well, “the morn” arrived, the sailors were bro^{t.} on board by their Landlords, the pilot came on board, & at 8 ^{o}Clock we started with a fair wind, down a crooked nerrow river, but the wind dying, our progress was Slow, & when we entered Hampton roads, it had got to be after 11 ^{o.}Clock, and nealy calm--feeling anxious, I kept a sharp look out a stern, & with my glass, I saw about 12, a boat comeing down, under the full opperation of sails & oars--well,’ said I, to the mate, I fear, we are gone--but very soon I saw, to appearance, a fresh breeze coming off from the South shore, I saw that the boat, had already taken it--I then ordered all the light sails set, ready to receive the breeze.--when it reached us, the boat was so near, that with my glass I trace the features of the men--but in 10 munuites after I took it the boat give up the chace & turn’d back, and I went to sea without further molestation.--
By the pilot, I wrote my Owners, informing them of my running away from the Embargo, & then proceeded on for Cadiz, & carraied to that port the first news of the Embargo.
Flour was selling, on my arrival at $16.00 but in consequence of the Embargo, & the war then rageing in that vicinity, the flour holders had a meeting, & agreed to raise the price of Flour to $20.00.--& finally, altho” I waited some time I obtained that price for my Cargo.--
Soon after my arrival, I rec^{d.} a letter, by a vessell under Sweedish colours, adviseing me to bring home money, providing there was liberty to export it; & finding, upon enquiry, that was the case, I immediately took out a license from the custom house, to export $72,000, having funds here, of last voyage,--but before I got ready to sail I heard of the repeal of the orders in Council, & allso, of the _Milan_ & _Berlin_ decrees, & beleiving this would have a favourable effect, to America, in our Exchanges, & finding I cou’d buy British government Bills, at a great discount, I concluded to give up my Licinse, & remitt my money to England,--(I mention this circomstance to shew, how fortunate it was--as I was captured, on my return, if the Monney had been on board, we shou’d have lost it.--The day before I sailed I dine’d in a large party, at the american consul, & it being mention’d that I was to sail the next day, I was congratulated, by a British officer, upon the safety of our Flagg.--well” I tho^{t.} the same, when at the same time, the _War_ between England & America was then rageing.
[Sidenote: Spoken off the Grand Banks]