Washington Navy Yard
Workmen Celebrate Independence Day
July 4th 1818
Furnished by : John G. Sharp

This Daily National Intelligencer article recounts, the July 4, 1818, gathering of Washington Navy Yard workmen to celebrate the nation's birthday. Many of these Yard workmen mentioned were just beginning to recover from the great conflagration of the Navy Yard of 24 August 1814. John Davis of Abel,1 WNY Master Blacksmith and Plumber was elected to lead their gathering in the traditional toasts. The Yard workers sense of celebration and enthusiasm was made more fervent by Yard's recent recovery from the effects of the British invasion of Washington DC and the burning of their workplace. Many of these employees had suffered severe economic loss such as the destruction of their tools and equipment and nearly all WNY mechanics and laborers were thrown out of work for a year as the Yard was slowly rebuilt. Lemuel Townsend WNY Master Shipwright like John Davis was a popular his name is listed on the Pay Roll for July 1811 http://www.genealogytrails.com/washdc/wny1811.html

Transcription: This article was transcribed from the original July 8th 1818 edition of the Daily National Intelligencer at the Library of Congress. This transcription retains the original spelling, punctuation etc where possible I have identified individuals mentioned in the various toasts. John G. Sharp         14 July 2008

Daily National Intelligencer
Washington DC                   July 8, 1818
A number of the workmen of the Navy Yard at this city assembled at the Mechanics Spring, opposite the Yard on the Eastern Branch, to celebrate the late anniversary of independence, and after appointing John Davis, of Abel, President, and Lemuel Townsend Vice President, they partook of an excellent Barbecue, and the following Toasts were drank with utmost hilarity: 1. The day we celebrate-Centuries hence may unborn millions feel the sentiments with which we commemorate it. 2. The memory of the patriots and sages who, on this day 1778, signed the declaration of independence. 3. The Congress of the United States- Fewer words and more deeds, would be more acceptable to their constituents. 4. The President of the United States- The man of the people; long may he continue to be the people's man. 5. The Heads of Departments-may their heads and hearts be devoted to the best interests of their county. 6. The Army of the United States-The sword of the Nation; may it never aspire to be its master. 7. The Navy of the United States- Destined to protect and enforce the liberties of the seas. 8. General Jackson2 - May we never want leaders possessing a like energy and devotion to the interests of his country. 9. McIntosh - the brave American chief of the wood; may his valor and his modesty be emulated by all who like him appear in arms in defense of American rights. 3 10. The mechanics engaged in ship building throughout the U. States - Unrivalled throughout the world; may their native genius be fostered by a generous encouragement. 11. Public Officers-May they never forget that that they are but the clay in the hands of the potter; employed, not for their private benefit alone, but for public service. 12. The liberty of the press - Unshackled by restraints; may those who wish to enslave it meet and feel its scourge of scorpions. 13. South America4 - We sincerely wish her independence established on principles of equal liberty and toleration. 14. The fate of Arbuthnot and Ambristlie5 to all foreign emissary and domestic traitors. 15. The city of Washington - Rising like the Phoenix from her ashes. 16. Agriculture, commerce and manufactures - Sisters of a birth, supported by, and supporting each other; may the interests of one never be deserted by the others. 17. The rising states of the West - The strong holds of republicanism; may there hardy yeomanry never lose their due weight in the councils of the nation. 18. Legitimacy - May all the fools, tools and sycophants, interested in its support, remain on the other side Atlantic of the Atlantic. 19. Independence - May that proud spirit which marks our nation never be betrayed by any American in his private capacity. 20. The fair companions of our homes.
VOLUNTEERS
All the companies6 assembled to celebrate this festival - May harmony reign among them, and all distinctions be drowned in that of Americans.         The freedom and frequency of elections - The palladium of our country Through them the voice of freemen heard and, though sometimes we may be misled by prejudice, yet the voice of reason will sooner or later be heard.
Source: Daily National Intelligencer    08 July 1818;    Issue 1713;    column A

End Notes 1 John Davis of Abel ( 1774-1853) For a biography of John Davis of Abel see http://www.genealogytrails.com/washdc/bio_davis_j.html John Davis had been impressed ( forcibly recruited) in 1797 by the British Navy , this experience and the recent War of 1812 combined with the Arbuthnot and Ambrister affair may account for some of the strong flavor of bellicosity in these July 4th toasts. 2 General Andrew Jackson In 1818 (1767 -1845}, received the command against the Seminole Indians of Georgia. His conduct in following them up into the Spanish territory of Florida, in seizing Pensacola, and in arresting and executing two British subjects, Alexander Arbuthnot and Robert Ambrister, gave rise to much hostile comment in the cabinet and in Congress; but the negotiations for the purchase of Florida put an end to the diplomatic difficulty. Many of the WNY mechanics and laborers were strong supporter of Andrew Jackson. 3 William McIntosh (1775 - April 30, 1825), also known as "White Warrior," was the son of Captain William McIntosh, a member of a prominent Savannah, Georgia family sent into the Creek Nation to recruit them to fight for the British during the Revolutionary War (Captain McIntosh's mother was a sister of Lachlan McGillivray of the Clan MacGillivray Chiefs Lineage). His mother, a Creek named Senoya (also spelled Senoia), was a member of the Wind Clan. Raised as a Creek, he never knew his Tory father. Because among the Creeks, descent was determined through one's mother; the fact that his father was white was of little importance to other Creeks. In the Muskogean mindset (and the mindset of related groups), McIntosh's father was not as important as eldest brother of his mother, who was seen as the more prominant relative (aside from the mother). McIntosh was a cousin of William Weatherford (who eventually sided with the Upper Creeks) and Georgia Governor George M. Troup. 4 South America, "Wars of Liberation" were fought in most of the former Spanish colonies of South America from 1814 -1824. On April 5, 1818, General Jose Martin patriotic defeated Spanish Royalist forces at Maipo Chile. News of these events was widely followed in the United States. 5 The Arbuthnot and Ambrister incident occurred in 1818 during the First Seminole War when American General Andrew Jackson invaded Spanish Florida and captured and executed two British subjects charged with aiding Seminole and Creek Indians against the United States. Jackson's actions triggered short-lived protests from the British and Spanish governments and an investigation by the United States Congress. Congressional reports found fault with Jackson's handling of the trial and execution of Alexander Arbuthnot and Robert C. Ambrister, but Congress chose not to censure the popular general. 6 Volunteers This reference appears to refer to the Navy Yard Rifle Company ( later Stull's Rifle Company) of the District of Columbia Militia

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