Threescore years: an autobiography, containing incidents of voyages and travels, including six years in a man-of-war. Details of the war between the United States and the Algerine government, bombardment of Algiers by Lord Exmouth, and its subjugation by the French. Also, two years in California, a visit to the Crimea during the bombardment and captive of Sebastopol, journey through Asia, Syria, Palestine and Egypt

Front matter

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Preface

I am aware that a preface is seldom read, unless it is very brief. I wish however to say a few words to the reader before he commences reading the narrative, which is, that I have used my own style, endeavoring to write, just as I should talk, if telling a story. In some cases, I have suppressed names, as the parties are now living, and probably would not like to see themselves in print. It is possible that I may in some instances have been mistaken in dates, but this I do r « conceive to be of much importance so long as the subject is correct. And not to crowd too much matter in this volume, I have avoided descriptions of countries, as much as could be done without abruptness, excepting only where it appeared to be indispensable.

I have quoted much, relative to Mr. Fulton, which appeared to me to belong to the narrative, and which I think will interest the reader. 1 have also made other quotations, which appeared to me to be applicable to the place where they are inserted. Chapter 15, consists entirely of matters relative to the capture of the U. S. frigate, Essex ; as I consider it to have been the most sanguinary battle that occurred during the late war with England. At the commencement of the chapter, I have given my reasons for its insertion, which may be a sufficient apology for the digression. The bombardment of Algiers, by Lord Exmouth, is also a subject which must interest the world, and though obliged to condense it, the subject has not suffered by the contraction.

It is indispensable that a book writer should be well acquainted with the language in which he writes, — also his subject.

The responsibility, or success of this volume, I throw upon those of my friends who have urged me to write it, as the following extract will show.

11 1 don't know of anything that would give me more pleasure, than to

read the narrative of your life. Mr. J d observed to me after you left

Washington, that if you would give him your manuscript, he would publish it immediately. 1 hope you will collect your journals and pencilings, and let us have them in the shape of a book."

VI

Extract from the reply : — " You caused me to smile when you spoke about writing the history of my life. You know book writers, in order to be successful, must be popular. If the President of the United States was to write his autobiography, every body would read it, on account of the author. But when a man in the ordinary walks of life attempts it, his book must run the risk of anything more than an ordinary reception. Another objection, my style probably would not suit the sentimental reader. There would not be flourish enough about it, no beautiful display of emotions on leaving my native shore, no romantic description of the broad expanse of ocean ; no detail of catching a dolphin with a vivid admiration of his dying hues ; no capturing a Mother Cary's Chicken with a pinhook ; (the bird's name you would be sure to have in Latin,) then the dreadful effect it had on the minds of the superstitious sailor, who esteem the death of a Mother Cary's Chicken ominous of some fearful catastrophe ; nor any paroxysm of delight on beholding Albion for the first time j besides a catalogue of first impressions, which always looks to me to be very flat."

Throughout the narrative I have not been personal, except only where individuality required it. Perhaps I should apologize to the reader for the abbreviated words, which in conversation would rank under the category of profane, and hesitated some time before I felt willing to insert them in their present form ; but upon conclusion, felt that as I have aimed at the verbatim in all colloquies and conversations ; the reader would pass lightly over in this narrative what would on any other occasion have been considered an error.

The story of a smuggler I give just as I had it on my journal, as I have also done with everything of which I was not an eyewitness. I may have omitted quotation marks where they properly belonged, which I hope may be excused as an oversight.

Egotism in an autobiography is unavoidable, and if on the whole, the style meets the approbation of the reader, then the highest wishes and expectations have been realized by the author.

S. F. H.

Chapter I

Birthplace. — First act of mischief. — Punishment. — Object for relating it. — Narrow escape from drowning. — Slight reference to New York sixty years ago. — Description of my first school and my first whipping.

— Removal to Worcester, Roxbury and Boston. — Remarks on Boston in 1798. — My father enters into partnership. — Is defrauded. — Return to New York at the solicitation of my maternal grandfather. — Come back to Boston for education. — Enter school. — Comparison between then and now, respecting school advantages. — Cruelty of the masters, and description of the punishment. — Unpleasant affair. — Leave school.

— Had been much injured by keeping bad company. — Quarrel between boys of different grades. — Frequent fights, not condition that makes the man. — Folly of personal resentment. — Narrow escape from injury.

— Good counsel from a good boy. — Forsake my bad companions, and lead a different life. — Punishment of offenders by public whipping. — A lesson for me.

It may be immaterial to the reader, where, and when I was born, but in order to make a beginning, my birthplace was New York City, July 16, 1793. The first act of my life, of which I have a distinct recollection, was voluntarily taking up a stone, and breaking an earthern vessel belonging to an old lady, residing in the same house with myself. I was then about three years of age. Now what could have induced me to commit this mischievous trespass on the old lady's property I cannot tell, excepting only that I wanted to see if 1 could hit it, at a certain distance ; in which, unfortunately for me, I succeeded, for on complaint of Mrs. Morrell, my father took me across his knee, and the concussion of his brawny hand made me resolve never to break another " old lady's jug." I name this trifling incident, to illustrate the truth of what is sometimes called, innate sin, or an inherent disposition or propensity in children, to do wrong. All who have brought up families are well acquainted with this matter, and see the necessity of watching the incipient developments of their children, and to check everything that is wrong, following the precept of the Bible, " Train up a child in the way he should go."

Many who have suffered an ignominious death upon the scaffold, while standing with the halter about their necks, have declared to the gazing crowd, that had their parents discharged their duty, in correcting them for the first lie, or the first petty theft, they in all probability would have been saved from this untimely end. And so with the other sex. How many there are, now leading lives of infamy and disgrace, who attribute their downfall to errors in early education.

The next event of my early life which is indelibly fixed on my mind, is the sensation of drowning, when about four years old. I went with some boys to see a dead animal thrown into the river ; and in my eagerness to view the launch, fell overboard, and as the distance from the top of the wharf to the water rendered it impossible for any one to reach me, I remained in the water until rescued by means, the particulars of which I never knew.

It so happened that, notwithstanding the river is always running rapidly, either one way or the other, the place where I fell was a short eddy, just around the corner of the wharf. Had I been out only a few feet further, the tide would have swept me away, and of course, that would have been the last of me. I remember to this day as though it were but yesterday, while struggling under water trying to get up as I thought, the recollection of playing on the wharf, the swallowing a large quantity of salt water, and a perfect knowledge that I was drowning. I was taken from the water, resuscitated, and carried home, but knew nothing more until consciousness returned. How many times since have I regretted being taken from the river. Had I have drowned, how much anguish would have been averted. But this is all wrong, since our lives belong to God. He takes thorn when and how he pleases. Every man was born for something, known only to Him who created us ; and as for trouble, that man or woman is a coward who expects to get

Still question'd me the story of my life

From year to year ; the battles, sieges, fortunes,

That I had passed.

I ran it through, even from my boyish davs,

To the very moment that I was bade to tell it ;

Wherein I spoke of most disastrous changes,

Of moving accidents, by flood and field,

Of being taken by the insolent foe

And held a. prisoner of my redemption thence,

And with it all my travel's history,

"Wherein of countries vast, and deserts wild,

Rough quarries, rocks, and hills, whose heads touch heaven,

It was my hint to speak.

Shaxspeahe.

through life without it in some shape, Campbell, in his overland journey to India, refers to these beautiful lines :

" This world, what art thou ?

Thy school O misery ; our only lesson in it is, To learn to suffer ; and he who knows not that Was born for nothing."

New York, in those days, was a different looking city from what it is now. Then it was scarcely half as large, and, what were then fields and orchards, are now splendid squares and parks.

Around and in the vicinity of the Battery, was the court end of the city. John Jacob Astor was then a thrifty and enterprising merchant, living in very modest style ; and the few aged millionaires who now survive, and many who have long since gone to their final resting place, and whose vast property, if it had been kept together, would have amounted to an incredible sum ; many of these were then sellers of nuts and apples, waiters in kitchens, small retailing grocers, and some of the descendants of these thrifty men, are now grappling with abject poverty ; and often may be seen with bloated faces and tattered garments.

Yellow fever and small pox prevailed nearly every summer, although at some seasons very much mitigated. These sickly summers were generally succeeded by intensely cold winters, which was the cause of much suffering among the poor. The city depended on Connecticut sloops and other small vessels for fuel, and when the East and North Rivers were frozen, which they were sometimes for four or five weeks, wood then became both dear and scarce. Coal as fuel was scarcely known ; anthracite, or any other than imported coal, had not yet been discovered, so that the poor were for many days, and in the most inclement part of winter, without a particle of fire. It was on one of these occasions that the corporation ordered a long row of wooden buildings, which stood on the Battery, to be torn down and distributed among the most destitute.

These buildings had been formerly used as barracks in the Revolutionary War, and it may be said that for once they kept up a brisk fire. Another incident occurred when I was about five years of age, which has also made a lasting impression on my mind, and from which, I have in subsequent life drawn many useful illustrations. I was put to school to an old man, who taught us in an old dilapidated garret. The old fellow wore a large white wig, an old-fashioned coat with "buttons down before," greasy breeches, and large shoe buckles ; he kept a good sized stick which might have answered well for an illustration of perpetual motion. One day he undertook to flog me, but by various convolutions and twistings, I got off almost " unscathed." But, oh, for human weakness ; I was simple enough to tell him he didn't hurt me after all. "Aha !" said he, " didn't hurt, eh? then I'll try again," so suiting the action to the word, gave me a regular thrashing, which I guess hurt a little. However, the credit of making a man of me was not to devolve on him.

In the summer of 1798, we removed to Worcester, Mass., it being the birthplace of my father and of my paternal grandfather, it was then but a sparse village. Could some of my old relatives get out of their graves, and be placed in a populous street, they would be sadly puzzled to find their way back again.

In the autumn of the same year we came to Eoxbury. The same remarks apply to this city, as to New York and Worcester, it having also undergone a metamorphosis, and is now one of the prettiest little cities in Massachusetts. Here my father commenced his business, as a worker in ivory and tortoise shell. We remained one year in Eoxbury, and then removed to Boston. Shortly after our location in Boston, I came very near drowning again. 1 had gone in to bathe near the house, and before I was aware, got beyond my depth, and would have drowned had not a man accidentally come near the water-side and pulled me out.

And but a few days after this, an Irish boy with whom I had a short time previous disagreed with in play, came behind me with a large, sharp stone, and struck me with such force as to deprive me of my senses. His name was McNiel, and whenever I come across this name I always feel the wound in my head. But " I guess I paid him off."

My father established his factory at the south part of the town, then called Washington street.

At that time, and for some years after, w r hat is now called Washington street was then the Main street, and from the old Fortification, which was near the mansion of the late J. D. Williams, Esq., on the neck, down to a little north of State street, it was divided into Washington, Orange, Newbury and Marlborough streets, and below that, to the market, Cornhill, and Dock Square.

Boston, since 1798, has undergone a remarkable change, both in beauty and convenience. There is hardly a portion of it, of any magnitude, that has not been extensively improved. Then, where Charles street now is, was a gravelly beach extending from the bottom of the Common to Cambridge bridge. This beach was overlooked by a steep hill, called " Mount Whoredom," on the summit of which was a powder house, and around that vicinity, and on the northern slope, there was a collection of negroes, and characters of the worst grade.

In 1805 and 1806, the top of this hill was dug away, and removed by a railway, to build Charles street. Philanthropic and enterprising capitalists then commenced the purgation of this filthy place, by erecting handsome brick dwellings, and laying out regular and convenient streets. And it is now one of the most beautiful portions of our city. Then, from Fort Hill to Long Wharf, was little else than a beach ; no India, or Central wharves until several years after ; but 'tis not my intention to enter upon the history of Boston, therefore I have merely alluded to a few among the many valuable improvements that our city has undergone.

My father's business succeeded well, and would, no doubt, have continued well, had he not unfortunately formed a connection with two unprincipled villains who nearly ruined him. These two scoundrels, one named Eichards, and the other Eobbins, proposed a partnership, pretending to have a knowledge of the business. They were also to furnish a certain amount of capital, which, it afterwards appeared, they did not possess. After being together about a year, by which time they had acquired a considerable knowledge of the business, they persuaded my father to take a lot of manufactured articles to New York, and establish a branch there ; and himself to manage it, while they carried on the concern in Boston. This all appeared so plausible, and my father, not suspecting treachery, readily consented, and a quantity of goods were packed up, and as there was no other mode of conveyance between Boston and New York than the mail stage, and Hingham packets, my father chose to go by land to Connecticut, with the intention of selling the goods he had with him, and also of obtaining customers in the towns through which he might pass. He had been absent only a few days, when these cloven-footed villains came out with their scheme, which was to rob my father. My mother was not aware of what they were doing until it was too late to prevent it. They had collected the most valuable part of the stock, and what cash they could get hold of, and then went off. Before they went, however, my mother, understanding what they were about, demanded an explanation. The reply was, that the partnership was broken up, and that my father had his portion of the property with him. All this she knew to be false, and before she could obtain assistance from any one, they were off, and I believe we never heard of them afterwards. They no doubt met their deserts, as all such villains are sure to do. My father was apprised of the whole affair, by letter, immediately, but did not get the letter until some weeks after they had gone off. It was sad news for him, but taking the whole matter into consideration, as the prospect for business was good in New York, and as they had taken all, and probably there were some demands against the concern, he arranged matters so that it was not necessary for him to return to Boston. In the following spring he sent for his family. We put our household stuff on board a Hingham packet, which plied between Boston and New York, and sailed on the 20th of May, 1801, and arrived there in eleven days, all well, and were soon comfortably located. After being in New York about eleven months, my maternal grandfather sent for me to return to Boston for the benefit of my education, as the New York schools were very much inferior to those of Boston.

My parents being willing, I returned to my grandfather's family, and was put to school. At that time there were separate* schoolhouses for each department of scholarship, so that the attendance was half the day to each, during the summer months, both for boys and girls, the latter not attending school during the winter; and then the four classes were divided into two parts, the first and third made one, the second and fourth the other. The reading and grammar schools that I attended were the old Bingham, at the head of Nassau street, under charge of Dr. Asa Bullard, and the other was at the head of West street, and commanded by Rufus Webb, Esq.

I often look back at my school days, and compare the advantages of that time with those of the present day. Then, the books of the first class consisted of the American Preceptor, a small edition of a dictionary, a very diminutive grammar, called young ladies' accidents, and a little paper geographical catechism, containing about twenty-five pages. The contents of the latter I can repeat at the present time, nearly word for word.

We afterwards had an abridged history of England, and a new grammer by Peter Cochran, but notwithstanding the apparent scarcity of school books at this period, some of the most active and intelligent merchants of Boston, New York, New Orleans, and in most of the seaports of the United States, had no other school education than what they received at the Boston public school.

There are also those who are now enjoying, and those who have filled high and responsible positions, and one of the most popular of our modern poets, (whose poetic talents are known throughout Europe,) who were classmates with me, and I believe never attended any other school.

Then there were not half so many attractions to lure the youthful mind as at the present time ; the reading was more of an instructive character, than much that falls into the hands of young persons now. Although it is certain, that

B the numerous associations, composed entirely of young men, such as Lyceums, Public Libraries, Scientific Lectures, and a host of moral and intellectual institutions, cannot fail of producing men of superior attainments.

My comparison was only intended to show that close application to anything, no matter what the difficulties or deficiencies may be, will, with few exceptions, come out successfully. At the early time of which I am speaking of my own education, the discipline and punishments were severe, and in some cases cruel, but visited only on those who were delinquent in their studies, or unruly in their conduct. Mr. Haskell, who was usher, when I first joined the school, was removed and made the principal of another.

He was succeeded by a tall, raw boned, sallow looking, New Hampshire man, named Peter Cochran, author of the new grammar. His very appearance struck a terror into those who were to be under his charge, of which, unfortunately, I was one. On his first appearance and after the school had been called to order, he took a position near his desk, and when all was silent, and every eye fixed on him, he gave a glance round with his fierce, snaky eyes and commenced his inaugural. "Boys, if you are attentive to your studies it will be well, but if not, I shall be very severe with you, be seated." He provided himself with a hugh rattan full four feet long ; he then measured off two lines upon the floor, parallel with the wainscoting, one about two feet, and the other about thirty inches, this was intended as an inquisitorial punishment for those who were inattentive to their studies.

The application was as follows : the delinquent, if a tall boy, was made to stand with his right foot on the thirty inch line having the wall on his right, he then raises his right arm, and with open hand falls against the wall, thus form-» ing an acute angle 4 , his body the hypothenuse, the floor a base, and the wall a perpendicular ; in this painful position he must stand during the pleasure of the inquisitor. A sharp lookout was kept, that he did not reduce the length of the base, if lie did, he had a rap on the legs with the big rattan. The two-feet-line, was for smaller boys ; I had the painful pleasure of forming this trigonometrical figure several times, but much rather preferred the incipient demonstration of two parallel lines, that is, if my body was to form any part of a geometrical figure. Another mode of punishment, as a sort of change, was to hold out a whole, or half brick, at arms length, during the pleasure of this modern Nero — this, I also tried and should prefer carrying the brick in my hat, than having to hold it in this most painful manner. The career of this fellow was short. His cruelties were disallowed by the head master, and he was discharged. I afterwards heard of a Cochran that was sentenced to the State Prison, in Maine. 1 wonder if it was this fellow ? He was succeeded by another tall, gauntlooking creature, who was truly the mathematical demonstration of a straight line " length without breadth." He was from New Hampshire also, and it might well be said that he stepped into Cochran's shoes. He had the same rattan, but was not allowed to continue Cochran's tortures. He was noway backward with his rattan, as my head and shoulders could well testify. He seemed to take a peculiar pleasure in flogging me : whether he thought there was a balance due me from Cochran, and the account had been transferred to him for settlement, I cannot say ; for hardly a day passed that 1 did not get a rap and not for negligence either, for I always had my lesson and was as far ahead as any boy in the class.

One day, one of the largest boys in the lower division, for some misdemeanor was severely punished, he watched his opportunity and ran out of school. He soon returned with his father, a stout, red-faced man, armed with a large cane, And when Pierce and his father had entered the door "where is the fellow ?" cried old Pierce, then walking up to Bradley with his cane uplifted, the latter, pale as ashes, stood still. Immediately I sprung out of my seat, the other boys following ; we formed a dense ring around him, thus warding off old Pierce.

The head master now interfered, when the old man and his son retired peaceably from the school. After this a|Fair I observed a marked change in Bradley towards me, very much in my favor ; he never struck me again, and once he deigned to greet me with a smile.

Notwithstanding the severity of our treatment I continued to improve and was placed in the first class under charge of Dr. Bullard. Soon after my promotion to the first class, Bradley was dismissed, and was succeeded by Mr. Shaw (the present Judge Shaw) and so different was his conduct^ that there was not a boy but loved him. He was mild, amiable, and energetic, and very seldom resorted to punishment. I became a medal scholar and progressed in my studies. But an unpleasant affair occurred which caused me to leave school nearly a year before the usual time. The particulars are briefly, as follows :

A boy of a highly respectable family, and one of my classmates, wishing to have some fun, put a dead rat in the master's desk, unseen by any one. After the school had commenced, the master lifted the lid to get his rattan, and, as soon as he saw the rat he fixed his eye on me ; and I was immediately called out and ordered to remove it. I could not avoid laughing, while I assured him I knew nothing about it. He grew furious ; took me by the collar and drew me towards the desk, and ordered me again to take the rat out ; he was in a violent passion. I however took the tongs from the fireplace, and held the rat up by the tail, which caused the boys to laugh ; threw it out of the window and was going to my seat, when he clenched me again by the back of the neck and commenced whaling me with his rattan. I felt that I was unjustly whipped, and would not stand it. So I clenched him, and sung out " murder" at the top of my voice. The whole school was now in an uproar, I had him fast by the legs ; he was unable to strike me again, so we scrabbled together a few minutes, when I let go my hold. He was so exhausted that he fairly panted for breath. The boy° for whose crime I was receiving the punishment, had not magnanimity enough to rise and own the deed ; but calmly looked on and saw me receive his punishment.

•Since dead, and for many years held a responsible situation under the St afe Government,

At the closing of the school as I was going from my seat, Bullard ordered me to stop, and he then forbade me entering the school-room again. I just replied, that he need not he troubled about that, for I never intended to come again, neither did I wish ever to have anything more to do with him, adding : you have whipped me for the act of another, who was too cowardly to own it, and I think I can point him out. But remember Sir, that this affair remains between you and I to be adjusted at another time. As 1 was passing down the centre aisle of the school-room, the usher met me, saying, " I wish you to remain a few minutes after the school has retired," and requested me to step into his desk. Accordingly, after all had gone out, he very affectionately expressed his regret at what had happened. I assured him of my innocence of the affair, which he fully believed, shook me by the hand and wished me well. I went immediately home and acquainted the family with what had occurred, showed them the scars upon my legs made by the rattan. All seemed much affected on account of my undeserved punishment, and also much indignation towards the boy who was the cause of it. I continued my studies at home and probably lost nothing by leaving school. I regretted this affair very much, and felt it more sensibly than I should have done had it occurred a few months previous, as the following story will show. Unfortunately for me on my return from New York, I became associated with several very bad boys, although they belonged to respectable families, and were smart, intelligent lads, yet their habits were very bad ; using much profane language, and were very fond of boxing, and on some occasions absenting themselves from school. All these bad habits I imbibed and became one of them. My language at times was awfully profane, and I was frequently engaged in a fight ; sometimes I got well whipped and then again have flogged boys much larger than myself. Our gang, as we were called, were notorious for all kinds of mischief, not of thieving, however, or of doing any one an injury, but of playing tricks on boys, and of doing many things for sport that could be called by no other name than mischief. We often got into difficulties, some of which were of a serious character.