06 January, 2006
On the following morning early, my father was not idle but went with several other devoted citizens to General Chassé with an endeavour to bring about some arrangement which might preserve the city from further destruction. (Extracted Dutch paper omitted) In the Journal de Commerce d’Anvers15 No 263 4th November 1830 gives the following (Translated):
“To the Editor: I make it my duty to acquaint you with the names of those respectable persons who have had the courage to go as a deputation to the Citadel during and after the bombardment of our town to bring about a cessation of the incendiary fire which has entailed such incalculable losses.
Messrs De Hochpied Larpent12, British Consul,
A. Ellerman, Hanoverian Consul,
De Vris Veringlin, Vice Consul, Two Sicilys,
Jer Casseris, Merchant
Dubois Rentier
De Commisle, Conservateur des Hypotheques.
You will oblige by mentioning the names of these brave citizens in your next number (German letter omitted)
It is pretty clear from the above, as well as the testimony of other documents, that my father and father-in-law were principally instrumental in saving the city from further destruction by opening negotiations which terminated in a conditional armistice concluded on the 28th October in the morning, between the belligerent parties. The horrible condition of the town, after this sad disaster, is fully described in the von Antwerpen above alluded to. Commerce was completely suspended. On the 10th November my father was named member of the Committee appointed by the Merchants of the place to see what could be done to raise the trade from the prostration and inactivity into which it had been thrown by these calamitous times.
The Journal de Commerce d’Anvers No 268 says (translated) “Mr Ellerman has been named a member of the Committee appointed to watch the commercial interests of the place. (German extract omitted)
It omits to mention how much my father did towards bringing relief to the poor (see letters to Lord George Stewart above quoted).
When some little order was restored after the bombardment, merchants began to turn their attention again to trade but difficulties were thrown in the way of the arrival of the vessels by the Dutch and the desire to see these come up from Flushing,13 loaded with cargoes, originally intended for Antwerp, not frustrated. Here again my father’s solicitude for the interests of the place was awakened. I extract from the Journal de Commerce the following passage which throws light upon the importance of my father’s endeavours at this critical period.
No 286: 1st December 1830 (Translated):
“The lively solicitude of Mr Ellerman does not relax for a moment. That worthy merchant waited today upon General Chassé by whom he was well received for the purpose of enquiring into the cause of the delay imposed upon the ships at Flessingue13, now awaiting permission to ascend the Escaut14 (i.e. the river Schelde).
Replies from M. Chassé from M. Koopman were to the effect that they had not yet been instructed in the matter by their Government and that they were so far ignorant of the motives of the detention of the vessels at Flessingue. These replies have determined Mr Ellerman on repairing immediately to Flessingue. Commandant Koopman has placed a vessel at his disposal. Too much praise cannot be accorded to Mr Ellerman’s zealous endeavours to smooth the obstacles by which our commercial affairs are so sadly embarrassed and his generosity in providing for the wants of the indigent classes.
By his philanthropic exertions a new subscription list is about to open for the benefit of the unfortunate sufferers, but instead of food and fuel given in preceding occasions, which encouraged an illegal bar by unscrupulous persons, work will be provided for those who are able to work. The police officers are charged with the executive portion of this system in their respective sections. Everything will be done to forward Mr Ellerman’s benevolent designs.” ¶ 12:18 pm
“To the Editor: I make it my duty to acquaint you with the names of those respectable persons who have had the courage to go as a deputation to the Citadel during and after the bombardment of our town to bring about a cessation of the incendiary fire which has entailed such incalculable losses.
Messrs De Hochpied Larpent12, British Consul,
A. Ellerman, Hanoverian Consul,
De Vris Veringlin, Vice Consul, Two Sicilys,
Jer Casseris, Merchant
Dubois Rentier
De Commisle, Conservateur des Hypotheques.
You will oblige by mentioning the names of these brave citizens in your next number (German letter omitted)
It is pretty clear from the above, as well as the testimony of other documents, that my father and father-in-law were principally instrumental in saving the city from further destruction by opening negotiations which terminated in a conditional armistice concluded on the 28th October in the morning, between the belligerent parties. The horrible condition of the town, after this sad disaster, is fully described in the von Antwerpen above alluded to. Commerce was completely suspended. On the 10th November my father was named member of the Committee appointed by the Merchants of the place to see what could be done to raise the trade from the prostration and inactivity into which it had been thrown by these calamitous times.
The Journal de Commerce d’Anvers No 268 says (translated) “Mr Ellerman has been named a member of the Committee appointed to watch the commercial interests of the place. (German extract omitted)
It omits to mention how much my father did towards bringing relief to the poor (see letters to Lord George Stewart above quoted).
When some little order was restored after the bombardment, merchants began to turn their attention again to trade but difficulties were thrown in the way of the arrival of the vessels by the Dutch and the desire to see these come up from Flushing,13 loaded with cargoes, originally intended for Antwerp, not frustrated. Here again my father’s solicitude for the interests of the place was awakened. I extract from the Journal de Commerce the following passage which throws light upon the importance of my father’s endeavours at this critical period.
No 286: 1st December 1830 (Translated):
“The lively solicitude of Mr Ellerman does not relax for a moment. That worthy merchant waited today upon General Chassé by whom he was well received for the purpose of enquiring into the cause of the delay imposed upon the ships at Flessingue13, now awaiting permission to ascend the Escaut14 (i.e. the river Schelde).
Replies from M. Chassé from M. Koopman were to the effect that they had not yet been instructed in the matter by their Government and that they were so far ignorant of the motives of the detention of the vessels at Flessingue. These replies have determined Mr Ellerman on repairing immediately to Flessingue. Commandant Koopman has placed a vessel at his disposal. Too much praise cannot be accorded to Mr Ellerman’s zealous endeavours to smooth the obstacles by which our commercial affairs are so sadly embarrassed and his generosity in providing for the wants of the indigent classes.
By his philanthropic exertions a new subscription list is about to open for the benefit of the unfortunate sufferers, but instead of food and fuel given in preceding occasions, which encouraged an illegal bar by unscrupulous persons, work will be provided for those who are able to work. The police officers are charged with the executive portion of this system in their respective sections. Everything will be done to forward Mr Ellerman’s benevolent designs.” ¶ 12:18 pm
