[WAR OF 1812]. Six and One-Fourth Page Manuscript “Copy of Oration delivered on board the Nassau Prison Ship July 4th 1814 by an American Prisoner.” [Chatham, England, July 4, 1814]. Manuscript of an oration on 3 ¼ leaves. Three leaves approximately 220 x 182 mm; the ¼ sheet is approximately 55 x 184 mm. All leaves are plain white paper (toned, worn, creased, soiled, torn, small leaf has burn marks to one margin). Written in a practiced hand, this patriotic speech must have stirred the blood of the speaker’s fellow prisoners. “My fellow Prisoners and beloved Countrymen. We are assembled to commemorate the ever memorable 4th of July 1776. When our Forefathers inspired with the love of Liberty, dared to divest themselves of the shackles of the Tyranny and Oppression. On that important Day those stripes were hoisted on the Tree of Liberty as a signal of their Unity and of their determination to fight under them. Until America numbered among the Nations of the Globe as one of them, A free and Independent Nation, They determined to spare neither blood nor Treasure until they had accomplished, full accomplished the Grand Object of their Intentions. An Object, my Countrymen ,which if our Fathers were prompted by Heaven to undertake and Inspired to pursue by all the force that Honor, Justice and Patriotism could infuse. Their Armies were then in the field with Washington in their front opposed to the hostile foe. A Washington whose upright conduct and Valorous Deeds you have often heard related and the Memory of whom should be held sacred in the heart of every true born Son of America.”
Later, the writer relates passages about the War of 1812: “And now my friends since its more than probably that your once happy Country will be involved in War and deluged in once more. Yes my friends that Country which is the Guardian of all that you esteem near and dear has to struggle again for her Liberty. The British War Faction are rushing upon her with their Fleets and armies thinking perhaps to crush her in a Moment. Strange Infatuation. They have forgotten Bunker Hill. They have forgotten Saratoga and Little York. They have forgotten when the Immortal Washington pursued them across the Jerseys with the Veterans under the very Muzzles of their Ships cannon where they fled for protection. They have forgotten that the Sons of America have as good blood in their veins and Limbs as strong and Nervous as they. Strange Infatuation…” This oration is somewhat famous, as its delivery was recorded by a young man (most likely Amos Babcock) in his Journal of a Young Man of Massachusetts (Boston, 1816). Babcock relates the oration in full. This oration saw print in 1815 as “An Oration on Board the Nassau Prison Ship at Chatham, England on the Fourth of July, 1814”. That printed version and this manuscript version have enough differences to believe that this manuscript was copied directly from a prisoner aboard the Nassau.