Sustained honor: The Age of Liberty Established
CHAPTER XX.
CONCLUSION.
Though the United States of America had sustained their honor in the warof 1812, the fight was never fought to a finish, nor were the results assatisfactory as might have been hoped.
Had peace been made a little later, America might have obtained muchbetter terms. The war had been waged under great difficulties by theAmericans, who were not wholly united, and lacked money, men, arms,ships and experience, yet, under all these great difficulties, theUnited States came out of the war with the respect of the world, such asit had never before enjoyed. It became formidable to Europe as a greatand vigorous power, with which it was not safe to trifle.
This was still more apparent, when the government declared war on thedey of Algiers, one of the pirate princes of North Africa, who, forhundreds of years, had made war on the commerce of all nations almostwith impunity. Having violated their treaty, President Madison sent anaval force to the Mediterranean, which, on June 17th and 19th,captured two Algerian vessels-of-war and threatened Algiers. The deymade peace and gave liberty to all prisoners without ransom, and fullsatisfaction for damages to commerce.
The people of the new republic, learning by experience, in the year1816, began improving their coast defences and increasing their navy.Commerce and manufacturers were encouraged. In the autumn of 1816, JamesMonroe was elected president of the United States. On December 11,1816,Indiana was admitted to the Union as a State.
With Monroe's administration, a new era dawned for America. The failureof the French revolution, and, finally, the failure of NapoleonBonaparte and the re-establishment of the old monarchy in France, as theresult first of the excesses of the French republic, and then of themilitary interference of Bonaparte with the existing state of things inEurope, had an important influence in modifying the politics of theRepublican party in the United States; so they came, partially inJefferson's administration and completely by the close of Madison's, tofollow the wise and vigorous policy pursued by Washington and theFederal party; while the general government and the institutions of thecountry became deeply imbued with the regard to popular rights, andattention to the interests and will of the people that formed theleading idea of Jefferson and the original Democratic, or, as it wasthen called, Republican party.
The leading events of Monroe's two administrations were the attentiongiven to internal improvements, among which may be mentioned the Eriecanal in New York, the encouragement of manufactures, the acquisition ofFlorida by treaty, the Seminole war, the Missouri compromise, December14th, 1819, the Monroe Doctrine, promulgated in 1822, and the visit ofGeneral Lafayette to the United States, in August, 1824.
But little explanation of these events is necessary. In December, 1817,Mississippi was admitted into the Union, and Alabama became a territory.On March 2, 1819, Arkansas was organized into a territory, and onDecember 14, Alabama was admitted to the Union. In this year commencedthe earnest and acrimonious discussion between the North and South inregard to the extension of slavery. Both Maine and Missouri soughtadmission as States. Maine was admitted, March 15th, 1820, and, after atwo years' wild debate, it was thought the whole question of slavery wassettled by the Missouri Compromise, February 27, 1821. This compromisewas the adoption of a provision in the bill for the admission ofMissouri, that in all territory south of thirty-six degrees and thirtyminutes north latitude (the southern boundary of the State of Missouri)slavery might exist; but it was prohibited in the region north of thatline. A member of congress from Georgia prophetically said in the courseof the debate:
"A fire has been kindled, which all the waters of the ocean cannot putout, and which only seas of blood can extinguish." Had the MissouriCompromise been kept inviolate to the present day, slavery might stillhave existed below thirty-six degrees and thirty minutes north latitude.
The commerce of the United States was greatly injured by swarms ofprivateers under Spanish-American flags, who had degenerated intopirates, and so became outlaws, subject to chastisement by any nation.
They infested the West Indian seas and the northern coast of SouthAmerica. Against these pirates and to protect American commerce, theUnited States sent Commodore Perry, with two ships of war, in the springof 1819. Perry died of yellow fever soon after his arrival in southernwaters. In June, 1822, Captain Allen, of the United States schooner_Alligator_, successfully fought a band of pirates in the West Indies,captured one of their schooners, and recaptured five American vessels;but Captain Allen was subsequently killed in an encounter with the boldbuccaneers. The next year Commodore Porter, with a larger force,entered the pirate infested waters and almost completely destroyed thebuccaneers. It was the policy of the government of the United States tofavor the revolt of the Spanish-American provinces, whose flag thesepirates had dishonored, as a means for preventing the establishment, inthe future, of monarchical powers on the American continent. The latterpolicy was avowed by the president, and has never been lost sight of byour government, and is known in history as the "Monroe Doctrine."Accordingly, on the recommendation of the president, congress, early in1822, resolved by a unanimous vote to recognize the independence of fiveof the revolted colonies, and appropriated $100,000 to defray theexpenses of envoys to the seat of government of each, whom the presidentsoon afterward appointed.
The year 1824 was marked by the visit of Washington's and America's bestfriend General Lafayette. As every boy has read of the visit of thisgood man, only a brief mention of so important an event is necessary. Hearrived at New York August 15, 1824, and never did visitor receive sowarm welcome by any nation.
"Many interesting incidents occurred during Lafayette's tour through thecountry. A touching one was related to the writer, many years ago, byGeorge Washington Parke Custis, the adopted son of General Washington.In October, 1824, Lafayette visited Mount Vernon and the tomb ofWashington. He was conveyed to the shore from the steamboat in a barge,accompanied by his son (who had lived at Mount Vernon with Custis whenthey were boys), secretary John C. Calhoun, and Mr. Custis. At theshore, he was received by Lawrence Lewis, a nephew of Washington, andthe family of Judge Bushrod Washington, who was absent on officialbusiness. He was conducted to the mansion where, forty years before, hetook his last leave of the patriot, whom he most sincerely loved as afather. Then the company proceeded to the tomb of Washington (the oldone on the brow of the hill), when Mr. Custis, after a brief speech,presented the general with a gold ring containing a lock of Washington'shair. Lafayette received it with emotion, and, after thanking the donor,he affectionately embraced him and the other gentlemen present. Then hefervently pressed his lips to the door of the vault. It was opened andthere were displayed the coffins of Washington and his wife, decoratedwith flowers. The general descended the steps, kissed the leadencaskets, while tears suffused his cheeks, and then reverently retired."[Footnote: Lossing's "Our Country," Vol. V., p. 1327.]
Shortly after peace was declared, Fernando's regiment was mustered outof the service, and he and Sukey went to their homes in Ohio. Both haddone their share toward preserving the honor of their country and wishedto retire to private life. A great change had come over Sukey. The textquoted by Fernando on the morning when they found Captain Snipes deadamong the rocks seemed ever to ring in his ear.
"Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord." He proceeded to acareful study of the sentence, and from that became a student of theBible. A few days after their return, he said:
"Fernando, what I did during the war was right, but was not done in theright spirit. I shot from revenge. I killed because I hated the Britishofficers. I seemed to feel the stinging cuts of the cat on my back. Thatflogging made a devil of me. I hated the sight of a redcoat. It's allgone now--not that my revenge is satiated, but because I am changed. Anew light has been opened up to my mind, and I can see it was nodisgrace to be flogged for freedom. It was the ignorance of my enemiesthat I should have pitied instead of condemned."
Fernando suspected the bent of Sukey's mind long before he made theannounc
ement that he intended to enter the ministry. Back to theMaryland Academy at Baltimore went Sukey. He entered the theologicaldepartment, and four years later began a long and successfulministerial career.
Major Stevens had not forgotten his promise to pay the Maryland villagea visit. If he had been disposed to forget his promise, which he wasnot, he would have been reminded of it by a letter which he receivedshortly after he returned home. The envelope was small, and thesuperscription was written in a neat feminine hand. Small as theenvelope was, the letter contained much, for it was closely written andevery page filled from top to bottom. There were other letters andpetitions from the grateful citizens asking him to be present at thebarbecue and Fourth of July celebration at the town of Mariana. None ofthese letters or invitations had stronger effect to induce him to take ajourney to Maryland, than the closely penned missive did, though it wasonly a friendly letter.
Fernando set out the first of June. Peace again reigned over the fairland, and the country was all ablaze with glory. The ploughboy's whistlewas heard in every field in harmony with the lark. The journey by mailcoach was a pleasant one, for, being in no great haste, he traveled byeasy stages, stopping over frequently to rest. He saw on every handevidence of awakening interest and prosperity. New houses were building;new towns were laid out; new fields were inviting the ploughman; thebusy hum of industry everywhere filled the heart of the patriot, and hemore than once exclaimed:
"What a great country is ours!"
He arrived at Baltimore at the close of a delightful day, and alightedin front of the principal tavern. Some one, rushing across the street,pushed pedestrians right and left and howled in a voice loud enough tobe heard three blocks away:
"Tear and ages! Clear the track!--that's himself--divil a one else!"
This exclamation came from Terrence Malone, who, bareheaded and in shirtsleeves, was rushing through the throng of people on the street inreckless disregard of high hats and crinoline. Women screamed and onehysterical creature tried to faint, but was restrained by the fear thather elegant costume might be soiled.
"Call the watchman! Take that fellow and lock him up! knock him down!Who is the wretch?"
These are only a part of the imprecations heaped on the devoted head ofTerrence Malone, who, regardless of everything and everybody, burst hisway through the crowd and reached Fernando's side.
"O, murther! O; holy mother! O, Moses! Is it yersilf safe afther all?"
The poor fellow could say no more, but burst into tears, for a moretender heart never beat in any breast. Terrence had just arrived an hourbefore in Baltimore, having come from a long cruise in which he broughtfour prizes, for the privateers were slow to learn that the war wasover. He had put up at a rival house across the street and just removedhis coat for a bath, when, looking out of the window, he recognized hisold friend alighting from the stage coach.
All former arrangements were cancelled and Fernando and Terrence thatevening occupied the same room. There was much to talk about. Terrencetold him that Mr. Hugh St. Mark the "illigant" gunner had served in thelast cruise on his vessel, and he never seemed to tire of talking abouthim. He was a "gintleman," from the sole of his foot to the crown of hishead. Mr. St. Mark was on the ship in the harbor, and next day cameashore. He greeted the major with his kind quiet smile. Fernando learnedthat neither had been to Mariana since the bombardment and destructionof the _Xenophon_. He prevailed on them to accompany him, and next dayin a swift yacht they sailed out of the harbor and down the coast. Thescenery revived many recollections of Fernando's early experience. Theypassed the point where he had fought his duel, and he could not repressa smile at the ludicrous termination of what had so nearly proved aserious affair. Terrence did most of the talking, for Fernando was busywith his own reflections. He was asking himself if it might be possiblethat he would be just in time to witness the nuptials of Matson andMorgianna. He had never freed himself from the thought that she lovedthe lieutenant. Her regard for himself was gratitude not love. He wouldnot allow himself to believe that she entertained a more tendersentiment.
When they arrived at Mariana the people congregated in a great crowd onthe beach, and the local martial band, consisting of three drums and afife, played "Yankee Doodle." while Fernando and his friends wereescorted to the tavern. Here a local orator, who had been three times anunsuccessful candidate for a seat in the halls of the legislature, madea short speech. This had scarcely terminated in three rousing cheers,when a carriage from Captain Lane's house came rattling down the street.The captain was in the vehicle.
"Why are you cheering? Who has arrived?" he demanded.
"Major Stevens, who saved Mariana, when the British were about to takeit," the orator answered.
"Where is he?"
"In the tavern."
"But he is not going to stay there!" thundered the old sailor, rollingout of his carriage and rushing on the piazza. "I have made room in myown house for him, and, by the trident of Neptune! he shall comewith me."
Fernando, hearing the voice of his old friend, came out to grasp hishand; and Captain Lane, pointing to his carriage, swore he had come totake him bag and baggage to his house. Fernando explained that he hadtwo friends; but the captain did not care if he had a dozen, and in lesstime than the whole matter could be told the three travellers foundthemselves in the vehicle whirling up the avenue of trees, many of whichstill bore the marks of shells and cannon shot.
The greeting between Fernando and Morgianna was warm, but formal.Terrence impulsively grasped the little hand of the "maid o' the beach,"as he called her, and paid her some pretty compliment, which caused herto blush, enhancing her beauty a hundred fold.
She was formally introduced to Mr. St. Mark, the gunner whose skill hadsaved them. She had seen the quiet man at a distance during the siege,but had never talked with him.
"Say, Fernando, do yez mark how Misther St. Mark stares at MissMorgianna?" asked Terrence that evening. "Bad luck to his ill manners,if he wasn't so ould, I'd think he was in love with her."
Fernando made no response. Captain Lane, during the evening, engagedSt. Mark in a discussion about General Jackson, who was undergoing atrial by the civil courts of New Orleans for the violation of the civillaws in saving the city. Captain Lane was loud in his condemnation ofthe Peace faction, which, not satisfied with having thrown everypossible obstacle in the way of the administration in the prosecution ofthe war, was now ridiculing the manner in which it had terminated.
Fernando and Morgianna, during the course of the evening, foundthemselves alone, and he ventured to ask:
"Is Lieutenant Matson in America?"
"I think not," she answered, in a careless way that astonished him. Hefixed his eyes on the floor for a moment, and then ventured to say:
"Pardon me, Miss Lane, but as your friend I am interested in youraffairs;--when is it to come off?"
"When is what to come off?" she asked in real surprise.
"Your marriage with Lieutenant Matson."
She gazed at him a moment in astonishment, and then her old nativemischievousness got control, and she laughed outright. His veryearnestness gave the affair an air of ludicrousness.
"I am in earnest, Miss Lane," said Fernando, seriously.
"So I perceive," and she still laughed provokingly.
"May I ask if you have not been engaged all along to Lieutenant Matson?"
"No."
"When was it broken off?"
"It never was made."
Fernando turned his face away to hide his confusion and said half aloud:
"Have I been a fool all along? If it was not the lieutenant, then who inthe name of reason was it?" The roguish creature seemed really to enjoythis discomfiture. Fernando's cheek had never blanched in battle, but inthe presence of this little maiden he was a coward. After severalefforts in which he found the old malady of something rising in histhroat returning, he said:
"But, Morgianna, was he not your lover?"
"No, he was father's friend; b
ut I could never love him, though Itreated him respectfully." She was serious now.
"Then, Morgianna, who was it?" he asked impulsively. She was silent. Hewaited but a second or two and went on. "Some one surely stood in theway of our--my happiness. I had hoped that you did not despise me. Iscarce dared to think you loved me, but it was some one,--who stoodin my way?"
Her cheek grew crimson as the rich blood mounted to neck and face, andin a voice scarce audible she answered:
"No one!"
"Morgianna!" he whispered, "dare I hope--dare I for one minute--" he hadrisen to his feet and was standing at her side with wildly beatingheart. She made no answer, but her long drooping lashes almost concealedher eyes, as she gazed on the floor.
He advanced a step nearer, bent over and took one little trembling handin his own. She did not attempt to withdraw it this time, and, gentlyslipping his disengaged arm about her waist, he murmured:
"Morgianna!"
Still she was silent. He went on:
"You know how I have loved you all these years;--you must have known howI have suffered and braved dangers untold. I sought--defied death,because I deemed you lost. I spared the man I thought my rival, becauseI believed you loved him. Though a young man, there are gray hairs in myhead, for it has been a living death since that night, Morgianna. Whyhave you----"
"Oh, don't, don't!" she plead, tears starting to her beautiful eyes."Don't speak that way--forgive me."
"Morgianna!" cried Fernando, "Morgianna!"
"Call me that; aye call me that always," exclaimed the captain's littledaughter; "never speak coldly to me, never be distant, never againreprove me for the follies I have long repented, or I shall die,Fernando."
"I reprove you!" said Fernando.
"Yes, for every kind and honest word you uttered went to my heart. Foryou who have borne so much from me--for you, who owe your suffering tomy caprice--for you to be so kind--so noble to me--oh, Fernando!"
He could say nothing, not a syllable. There was an odd sort of eloquencein his arm, which had crept further round her waist, and their lips met.
The barbecue and celebration was next day. Fernando was present, but alittle absent-minded. When called on for a speech, his ideas wereconfused, and he was about to break down, when a voice behind himwhispered:
"Ye're makin' a divil's own mess of it, Fernando, lave it to me."
He took Terrence at his word, and announced that his Irish friend, oneof the defenders of Mariana, would now address them, and gave way to theorator. Terrence did the subject justice. With the rich brogue ofIreland rolling from his tongue, he avowed himself an American. Hedeclared that he was a better American than many present, as he was anAmerican from choice, and they by necessity. Terrence was an orator, andwith his ready wit, soon had the audience roaring and wild withenthusiasm.
Fernando did not hear much of the speech, for he and Morgianna hadstolen away to the rocky promontory to listen to the sad sea waves,while they built air castles for the future.
Next day, Mr. St. Mark expressed a wish to see Captain Lane in private.The request was granted, and when they were alone in the apartment ofthe old sea-captain, St. Mark said:
"Pardon me, Captain Lane; but I wish to speak to you on family matters,which may seem not to concern me."
"Heave ahead, shipmate, for I have no family secrets."
"Will you tell me the maiden name of your wife?"
"I never had a wife."
This announcement brought St. Mark to his feet, and his usually placidfeatures exhibited the wildest excitement. "Never married! But yourdaughter--"
"Only daughter by adoption, shipmate. She is no blood relation to me,though I love her as dearly as any father could."
"But her father--her mother?"
"I don't know who either of them are, I can only suspect."
"Don't you know their names?"
"I never did."
"This is remarkable!" and the features of the usually quiet man betrayedthe greatest excitement. "Where did you find her and when?"
"I found her at sea when she was a baby, too young to speak or rememberanything of herself."
"Captain Lane, do you mind telling me all about the finding of her?"
The captain did not, and proceeded to tell him the story of Morgianna,which the reader already knows. St. Mark had regained his composure atthe conclusion of the story and, in a calm, clear voice, said:
"Captain, I may have the sequel to your story. I am a native of Vermontand, at the age of twenty-two, married Bertha Rigdon of Boston, whosebrother Alfred, like myself, was a sea captain. We were both young,ardent lovers of liberty, and thoroughly imbued with the ideas of ThomasJefferson in regard to the French Revolution. When our governmentrefused to take up the quarrel with France, we determined to espouse hercause ourselves. Both our fathers had died prisoners on board the old_Jersey_ prison ship, and we felt that our lives should be devoted toavenging them. This resolution was wicked, and perhaps the punishmentwhich followed we deserved.
"We each commanded a vessel which began a warfare on English commerce,defying all their embargo acts and neutrality laws. We were soondeclared outlaws and prices set on our heads. Not only Great Britain,but Spain, Prussia and Austria declared us pirates, and our owngovernment dared not shelter us.
"My wife, with our infant child, accompanied me on my last voyage. I wassailing in company with her brother, Captain Alf Rigdon, when we werechased by some British cruisers off Rio in June, 1796, and Alf's brigbeing the swiftest sailer, I sent my wife and child aboard his vessel,with a large sum of money to have them conveyed to the United States andcared for until we could return.
"I parted from the ship and after a three days' chase was overhauled bythe British cruisers and captured. I was forced to join her navy to savemy life, and served Great Britain until I deserted during the siege ofMariana. I have never heard of my brother-in-law, my wife orchild since."
Captain Lane prided himself on being able to control his feelings underall circumstances; but it required no little effort for him to do sonow. After a few moments, he asked:
"What was the name of your brother-in-law's ship?"
"_Morgianna_!"
Captain Lane did not start, for he expected this.
"Was he a free mason?"
"Yes, sir."
"Can you describe how he looked then?"
"He was about thirty-five years of age, a little above middle height,with a broad forehead, over which fine brown hair fell in carelessfolds; he wore his beard and mustache long, the beard extending in apoint two or three inches below the throat. His eyes were brown, largeand full of expression while in conversation. He was brave, noble, andall that goes to make up a grand man."
"And your wife, can you describe her?"
"She was an exact counterpart of your daughter."
Captain Lane rose and with considerable emotion grasped the hand of St.Mark, and said:
"My daughter is your daughter."
Then came the serious task of breaking the intelligence to Morgianna.
It was done deliberately and quietly, without any sensational scene. Yether joy at discovering her father increased her happiness almost tooverflowing. "I am more blest than most girls," she declared. "I havetwo fathers, and while I will learn to love my new father, I will notforget to love my old father."
The marriage of Fernando and Morgianna was celebrated the followingautumn at the new church which had been erected over the Ashes of theformer one. Both of Morgianna's fathers were present; but to her realfather was consigned the honor of giving away the bride.
Terrence and Sukey were present. The Irishman declared the matter mighthave been consummated long ago if they had only left it to him.
The wedding day was made a public holiday in the village. Never in allits existence was the little hamlet so gay. Bands played, choruses sang,and the old cannon, still left at the tumble-down fort, fired a salute,while American flags waved from every house. The local orator, who stil
lentertained hopes of the legislature, delivered a stirring address.
Job, who heard of the happy event, came all the way from Baltimore toshake the hand of "Massa Stevens" and wish him much joy.
"I iz all right now, massa," he declared. "I iz found my own sure enoughmassa agin, an' I'm goin' back to work for him all de time. No moregoin' to sea fer me; I iz no Britisher."
Fernando and his father-in-law, soon after his marriage, engaged inmanufacturing enterprises in New England, with Captain Lane as thesilent partner and moneyed man of the enterprise. Home industries havingbeen fostered by the war, American manufactures promised abright future.
Sukey was for many years a prominent minister of the Gospel in Ohio.Terrence studied law and became a leading member of thePhiladelphia bar.
Mariana is now no more. Time and disaster have swept it from thepeninsula, and to-day it remains only in the memory of the oldestinhabitants. The Stevens family, though subjected to many disasters, hasgrown, and become a part of the history of the country. The humble partplayed by Fernando in sustaining the honor of his country has never beenrecorded by the general historian; but it lingers in the memory of thegrateful posterity of many of the heroic men and women who lived in thetrying days of the early history of the Great Republic of the New World.
THE END.