LIBRARY OF CONGRESS DDDDSSntE? f\> o »♦ • "^ A> '^ A^ A NEW AMERICAN sJIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY^ OR, *. REMEMBRANCER OF THE DEPARTED HEROES & STATESMEN AMERICA. CONFINED EXCLUSIVBLV TO THOSE /Wrt fi»»«rr^Ax.i^i!irr tutsmsEXVES IN EITHER CA- PACITY, IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR WHICH OBTAINED THE INDEPENDENCE OF THEIR COUNTRY. COMPILED PROM THE BEST PUBLICATIONS. BY THOMAS J. ROGERS. '^ The deeds of long descended ancestors, " Are but by grace of imputation ours," EASTON, PENN : PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY T, J. ROGERS, 1813. District op Pennsylvanta, to wit. Be it remembered. That on the twenty^ *^ fourth day of March, in the thirty-sixth year of the Independence of the United Stales of Ame- rica, A D, 1812, Thomas j. Rogers, of the said District, hath deposited in ihis uffioe the title of a Book, the right wht reof he claims as proprietor, in the words following, to wit : '* A Nevi American Biographical Dictionary ,- or, Reinem,' brancer, of the departed Heroes and Statesmen of ATne- rica. Confined exclusively to those ivho signalized them' selves in either capacity in the Revolutionary War, ivhich obtained the Independence oj" their country. Co'inpiledfro'm, the hfst fiuhlications^ By Thomas y. Rogers. *' The dccUo uf io7ig dpsr.ended ancestors, ** Are but by grace of i-nvc^- --*:... — --'* In conformity to the Act of the Congress of the United Slates, intituled, '* An act for the encouragement of learn- ing, by securing the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies during the times therein mentioned." And also to the act entitled, " An act supplementary to an act, entitled, «' An act for the en- couragement of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and propiietors of such copies during the times therein mentioned,'* and extemling the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engr.aving, and etching historical and other prints." D. CALDWELL. Clerk of the district of Pennsylvania.. V^ // PREFACE; In the following work the editor has giveu as complete and satisfactory a sketch, as could be obtained, of the lives and characters of those heroes and statesmen, now deceased, who act- ed a conspicuous part, or who signalized them- selves in the great and memorable contest that gave freedom to America. The present work is intended to perpetuate as well the laames as the achievements of those who fougb* «»"'^ '^I'^d for tlie liberty and independ- ence of our country, and by whose prudence, fidelity, and heroic conduct, the United States have become a great, free, and powerful na- tion. In all ages and in all nations, Biogra- phy has been much esteemed ; for to all clas- ses of citizens, the grave and the gay, the let- tered and the unlearned, it is the most amus- ing and instructive kind of history. To be ac- quainted with the lives and characters of our most eminent and distinguished citizens, and particularly those patriots, who nobly came forward and contended for American liberty, is no doubt the wish and desire of the great portion of the American people. Hence every citizen must feel a lively interest in the Bio« graphy and memoirs of those departed wor- thies who contributed, in a great degree, to rescue us from a state of bondage and oppres sion^ to that of freedom and happiness. *^ PBEFACE. Amci'ica has had her full proportion of genius. In every art and in every science, she can point, with pleasure, to some of her sons conspicuous among the nations of the earth ; and however pleasing and instructive it might he to detail the lives of all those, the editor has noticed only such departed worthies who signalized themselves, either in the cahinet or the field, during the revolutionary war with Great Bri- tain, Here may the youth, wlio wish to act a distinguished part in the cabinet, endeavor to imitate Franklin, Hancock, Adams and Hen- ry. Here may the soldier, whose only ambi- tion is patriotism and glory, be animated to acquire the laurels, gained by Washington, Greene, Montgomery, Gatoo, Khua, Wnynd and Warren. And here may the seaman dwell with delight and satisfaction, on the heroic actions of Biddle, Preble, Jones, Barry, and Manly. In a word, here may the sons of America trace the lineaments of their fathers' glory, and by their example learn to imitate their deeds. The editor has considered it unnecessary to give credit, in the body of the work, to those authors from whom he has selected. He, liowcver, considers it his duty to m(.Mition, that he has been much indebted to Allen's, Har- die's, Elliot's, and Kingston's biographical dic- tionaries. The Port Folio, now published in Philadelphia, the American Museum, and, ia a particular manner, to Lee's memoirs of the war in the southern department of the United States, for many, very many of the charac- ters, who compose the present work. In a i PUEFACE. Y few instances ho has collected biography and anecdotes of eminent men, that have never be- fore appeared, except in the ephemeral publi- cations of the day. No work of the kind has hitherto been pub- lished, and the editor has been particularly careful to select, with the strictest impartia- lity, a sketch of the lives and characters of those departed heroes and statesmen, without respect to country or station, who signalized themselves, in either capacity, in the revolu- tionary war, which obtained the independence of our country. There are many, no doubt, who highly distinguVJied themselves, whose names have not been memioned, through ne- gleo-t o£ their frionfls, flotwitlisianding repeat- ed solicitations from the editor. However, it is presumed, that if a second editiojv should appear they will not be again neglected. The editor submits the work, such as it is^ to the public. If his industry and applica^on will have a tendency to contribute towards Jlie amusement or instruction of the rising gene- ration, he will not regret the time and labor which he bestowed in compiling it. 'EdBtoih *^tay if 1813. A NEW AMERICAN BIOGRAPHICAL DIOTIONAllY ADAMS, Samuel, late governor of IMassii- fsliii«»tta> eminent iov liis piety, aiid one oi* ilic most distinguished heroes of the American re- Yohition, Avas descended from ancestors highly rcspectahle, and horn in Boston on the 17th of Septemher 1722. Having received the rudi- siients of a liheral education at the grannnar- school under the care of a Mr. Lovell, he \s"do admitted a student of the university of Har- vard in the year 1736. Here he made consi- derable proficiency in classical learning, logic, and in natural philosophy ; but^ as he Avas de- signed for the ministry, a proTession to >vhich he seems to have heen much inclined^ his stu- dies were particularly directed to systematic divinity. He received the degree of A. E. in 1740, and that of A. M. in 1743. Early distinguished by talents as a ^vriter, his first attempts Avere proofs of his filial piety. By his efforts he iireserved the estate of his A I ADAMS. fuilicr, wiiicli liail been attaclicc! on aecoimi of an engagement in the land bank bubble. He became apolitical writer during tlie administra- tion of Sbirley, to which he Avas opposed, as he thouglit the union of so much civil and mili- tary power in one man Avas dangerous. His in- genuity, wit, and profound argument are spo- ken of with the highest respect by those whto were contemporary Avith him. At tliis early period he laid tlie foundation of public confi- dence and esteem. >yhy Mr. Adams did not assume tlie clerical character so congenial to his views and habits docs not appear ; but for many years he Avas un- certain Avhat line of life to pursue. lie only en- gaged in a petty kind of trafficking ; his busi- ness AVaS small, his situation humble, and he seemed to Avalk in tlie vales and descents of life, rather than to be formed for conspicuous stations or very active scenes. The same po- litical cast of mind then appeared, Avhich influ- enced his conduct afterwards. As Ave liave said his employment Avas hum- ble, it may be proper to mention that his first oCice in the town Avas that of tax gatherer ; which the opposite party in politicks often al- luded to, and in their controversies would style liim Samuel the PuhJican, While the British } egiments Avere in toAvn, the tories enjoyed a kind of triumph, and invented every mode of b^irlesquing the popular leaders : but Avhere the people tax themselves the office of collec- tor is respectable ; it Avas at that time given to gentlemen Avho had seen better days, and needed some pecuntary assistance, having me- ADAMS. riled the esteem and confidence of tlieii* lellow townsmen. Mr. Adams was ill qualified to fill an ofiice which required such constant atten- tion to pecuniary matters ,• and, his soul being; bent on politicks, he passed morclinie in talk- ing against Great Britain than in collecting the sums due to the town. He grew embarrassed in his eireumstances, and was assisted, not only by private friends, but by luanj others who knew him only as a spirited partisan in ilm cause of liberty. From this time, the whigs were determined to support him to the utmost of their power. — He had been ahvays on their side, was firm and sagacious, one of the best writers in the newspapers, ready upon every question, but es- pecially conversant with all matters which re- lated to the dispute betv/een Great Britain and the colonies. When the stamp act was the subject of con- versation, of public resentment, and succeeding tumults, Mr. Adams was one of those impor- tant characters, who appeared to oppose it in every step. He did not think it amiss to puU down the ofllce, though he disapproved of the riotous proceedings whicli the* same lawless men were guilty of afterwards ; for every suc- ceeding night witnessed the rage of an infatua- ted populace, and no man in any ofiiec what ever was safe in his habitation. If a man had any pique against his neighbor, it was only to call him a few hard names, and his property would certainly be destroyed, his house pulled down, and his life be in jeopardy. The autho- rity of the town put an end to this savasre cou duct by oalling out the niilitia; and soon aCtei the news of the repeal of the stamp act quieted the mhids of all classes of people. The taxes upon tea, oil aud colours^ were still more odious to the Americans than the stamp act; especially to tlie inhabitants of Boston, where the board of commissioners was esta- blished. The people looked to Mr. Adams as one of the champions of liberty, who must stand forth against every claim of Great Britain, and deny the right ©f the parent state to lay a tax f nor" where they disappointed. He was so stre- nuous in his exertions to make the people sen- sible of their charter privileges, that he ob- tained the appellation of the patriot Samuel Mams. Mr. Adams was a member of the general court from the town of Boston ; and as he had frequently delivered his sentiments in the pub- lic papers, and being a ready penman was often employed on committees to make reports, ad- dresses, &c. and to vindicate iha acts of the legislature. He assisted in writing most of the letters, wliich were sent to the secretary of state. One letter addressed to the earl of Hillsborough Avas entirely his. His draught was accepted by the liousc of representatives, and, without any alteration, sent to thatnoblc- mnn, who was supposed to be most inimical to the colonies of all the king's servants; and whose name was never mentioned in MaBsachu - setts without reproach. In 1765, he was elected a member of the ge- neral assemldy of Massachusetts, in the place, »f Oxcnbridge Thacher, Esq. deceased. lU. ADAMb. 5 waa soon chosen clerk, aiitl lie giadually ac- quired influence in the legislature. This was an eventful time. But Mr. Adams possessed a courage >vhich no dangers could shake. He Avas undismayed by the prospect, Avhicli struck terror into the hearts of many. He ^vas a mem- ber of the legislature near ten years, and he Avas the soul whieli animated it to the most important resolutions. No man did so much. He pressed his measures with ardor ; yet he was prudent ; he kncAV how to bend the pas- sions of others to his purpose. In the year 1769, the governor removed the general court to Cambridge. The members considered it as an infringement of their rights. Mr. Adams was on tJie committee to draw up their remonstrances, which wore warm and ur- gent. For several years the governor thus- obeyed his instructions, to keep the assembly out of Boston. There were some altercations among the representatives, whether they would ]iroceed or not to business ; and when it was determined to go on, there was a spirited pro- test, h\ which our politician took a very con- spicuous pas't. During these sessions at Cam- bridge, a diflbrence of opinion arose, upon some scco-ndary matters, between Adanis and Han- cock, wlilcli cooled their friendslkip, and was succeeded by an antipathy, that had an eifeet upon I he minds of the people, many of whom took a warm interest in this personal animosi- ty, thoiigii (hey agreed in political sentiments ; and acted together in the great affairs wliith arrested the attention of all the whigs. Ti & lirst iinprcssior.s were unfavorable to Mr, A- A. tl & ABAMS. dams; for many of tlie liigh whigs tliouglit liim austere and rigid in his notions, that he was opinionated, and that his object was as much to mortify Hutchinson, and gratify his resentment against the tories, as to serve the cause of freedom. Hancock was the idol of the populace : his spirit was generous, he en- Joyed an affluence of wealth, which he was ready to bestow on all public occasions : he was affable, condescending, and very engaging in his manners. Mr. Adams preferred to be Hiought a Cato rather than a Luciillus, His friends were lessened in number, but they were the sternest republicans ; and those, perhaps, who first dared to view our independence as near. They called themselves the most con- sistent whigs. Others called them the rest- less spirits of their party, who wished not to have grievances redressed, but to sail upon troubled Avaves, as their own political impor- tance depended upon the tumult of the people. They mixed in public assemblies ; used a coar- ser style of speaking in the streets ; and cal- culated upon the future scenes which would open for the emancipation of the country. — The period soon arrived : The battle of Lex- ington gave the moderate party a zeal which blazed, and evei^^ man became a patriot. A- dams and Hancock were proscribed soon after by Gage's proclamation. This was all they wanted to raise their reputation to the highest pitch. Before they could have known this, they had reason to be satisfted with the tri- umpli of the whigs, and must have been fully persuaded they were safe in any paft of the ADAMS. -r country. These gentlemen were in Lexington tl)e very niglit the British troops left Boston, nod it ^vas generally supposed that part of the errand was to take them. They received such Intelligence as to he on their guard. A friend of Mr. Adams spread a report that he spake witli pleasure on the occurrences of the 19th of April. "It is a fine day," said he, walking in the Held after the day dawned. *• Vei^ pleasant," answered one of his companions, supposing him to be contemplating the beau- ties of the sky. " I mean," he replied, " thts day is a glorious day for America." So fear- less was he of consequences, so intrepid in the midst of danger, so eager to look forward to the lustre of events tliat would succeed the gloom which then involved the minds of the people. Mr* Adams had been a member of the continental congress the preceding year. — In this situation he rendered the most impor- tant services to his country. His eloquence was well adapted to the times in which he lived. The energy of his language corresponded with the firmness and vigor of his mind. His heart glowed with the feelings of a patriot, and his eloquence was simple, majestic and persuasive. He was one of the most efficient members of Congress. He possessed keen penetration, un- shaken fortitude, and permanent decision. Mr. Adams was chosen secretary of the state of Massachusetts in the year 1774, while the general court were at Cambridge. The busi- ness was performed by a deputy until the year that his seat was vacated in Congress. He wa's never afterwards a candidate for any office & ADAMS. out Ox Massachusetts government. While he sat ii> Congress the declaration of Independence Avas made, which he urged ^vith the utmost zeal. Also the articles of the old confedera- tion to which he was always much attached. — It was a favourite expression, which he often gave as a toast in public companies and pri- vate circles : " The states united, and the states separate,*' In 1776, he united with Franklin, J. Adams, Hancock, Jefferson, and a host of worthies, in declaring the United States no longer an apen- dagc to a monarchy, but free and independent, From being secretary of the commonwealth of Massacliusetts, Mr. Adams was chosen a member of the senate of tlic state after the government was formed in the year 1780, and was placed at the head of that respectable branch of the legislature. He had been one of the m.embers of the convention which form- ed the government, was a principal leader in the debates, and eminently useful, from his knowledge and experience, in Hie committee which imide the first draught ; as well as In the great body which shaped it in its present form ; and styled it the Constitution of Gorcrn- mcni for the stale of MassachiiseUs, The ad- dress of the convention to the people was com- posed by him, snd another gentlemen who has since filled several o!!ices of honor and trui^t in the commonwealth. During the time of his influence in the Se- nate, there was an insurrection, which threa- tened the overthrow of the government. Who- ever recollects the popular phrcnsy, will givo ADAMS. 9 tlue credit to the wise, spirited and energetic measures which were then urged, and carried into effect. The most direful consequences were prevented, the tumult was soon quelled, and the people as soon convinced of their de- lusion. In this dark scene of adversity, when even a. civil war had commenced, no man was more firm and intrepid than Mr. Adams. It was his constant declaration, that repuhUcs could exist only hy a due suhmission to the laws : that the laws ought to he put in force against all opposition, and that a government could he supported hy the exertions of a free, virtuous and enlightened people. He was a member of the convention for ex- amining the constitution of the United States. He made objections to several of its provisions, but his principal objection was to that article, which rendered the several states amenable to the courts of the nation. He thought this re- duced them to mere corporations; that the so- vereignty of each would be dissolved; and that a consolidated government, supported by an army, would be the consequence. The consti- tution Avas afterwards altered in this point, and in most other respects according to his wishes. In 1789, he was chosen licutenar.t governor, and was continued in this office till 1794, when lie was elected governor, as successor to Mr. Hancock. He was annually replaced in the chair of the first magistrate of Massachusetts till 1797, when his age and infirmities induced him to retire from public life. The leading traits in the character of Mr. Adams, were an unco'^querable love of liberty, 10 ADA31S. integrity, firmness and decision. Some acts of Lis adniioistration, as chief magistiate, ^ere ^ensured, lhou;;h all allowed his motives wen- pure. A division in political sentiments at that time existed, and it Las since increased. AVhen he differed from the majority he acted with great independence. At the close of (he wai he opposed peace with Gi^eat Britain, unU- ^ the ^'ortlieni States rctairjrd theh* full p!i>i- leges in the flsheiitb. In i7b7, he advi^cil thr execution of the condign punishment, to which the leaders of the rehellion, in 1780, liad been sentenced. He was opposed to the treaty with Great Britain, made by Mr. Jay in iryi, and he put his election to hazard by avowinjj; his dislike of it. He was censured for his conduct ; but be undoubtedly had a right to express his opinion, and his situation made it his duty to point out to the people what be conceived to be the causes of danger. Mr. Adams was a man of incorruptible in- tegrity, xlttempts were probably made by thr British to bribe him. Gov. Hutchinson, in an- swer to the inquiry, why Mr. Adams was no'. taken oft' from his opposition by an ofiic<% writes to a friend in England, " Such is t!ic obstinacy and inflexible disposition of the man, that he never can be conciliated by any oilicc or gift whatever.'* lie was poor. While occupied abroad in th«} most important and responsible i;n))lic duties, the partner of his cai'cri supported t'lc fan:iJv at home by her industry. Though his rcsoiir- ees were very small, yet such was the economy and dignity of his hcutie, that (!iose, wlio cas'i- ADAMS. 11 uUv visited him, found nothing mean, or nnbe- coniing liis station. His countn', to whose in- terest he had devoted his life, permitted him to remain poor ; but there were not wanting; a lew friends who showed him their regard. In this Iionorahle poverty he eontinued to a \cr\ lute period of Ijis life; and had not a decent {•oni!>etency fallen into his hands hv the very km, » » iifnicting event of tlie deatli of an only son, he must have depended for subsistence upon tlie kindness of his friends, or the charity of the public. ' To a majestic countenance and dignified man- ners there was added a suavity of temper, which toaciliated the affection of his acquaintance. — Some, who disapproved of his political conduct, loved and revered him as a neighbor and friend. lie could readily relax from severer cares and ^.(udies, to enjoy the pleasures of private con- versation. Tjjougli somewhat reserved among •strangers, yet wHh his friends lie was cheerful and companionable : a lover of chaste wit. aiid remarkably fond of anecdote. He faithfully discharged the duties arising from the rela- tions of social life. His house was tie seat of domestic peace, regularity and metJiod. 3!r. Adams was a christian. His mind wa< aarly imbued with piety, as well as cultivated by science. He early approached the table of the lyord Jesus, and the purity of his life wit- nessed the sincerity of his profession. On the Christian sabbath he constantly Avent to the temple, and the morning and evening devotions in his family, proved that his religion attended him in his seasons of retirement from the world. 12 ADAMS. The last production of Ids pen was in favor of Christian truth. He died in the faith of the gospel. He was a sage and a patriot. The indepen- dence of the United States of America is, per- haps, to be attributed as much to his exertions, as to the exertions of any one man. Though he v/as called to struggle with adversity, he was never discouraged. He was consistent and firm under the cruel neglect of a friciid and the malignant rancour of an enemy ; com- forting himself in the darkest seasons with re- flections upon the Avisdom and goodness of God. His writings only exist in the perishable co- lumns of a newspaper or pamphlet. In his more advanced years, in the year 1790, a few letters passed between him and Mr. John A- dams, then vice president of the United States, in which the principles of government are dis- cussed, and there seems to have been some dif- ference of sentiment between those eminent pa- triots and statesmen, Avho liad toiled together through the revolution. This correspondence was published in 1800. An oration, which Mr. Adams delivered at the state-house, in Phila- delphia, August 1, 1776, was published. The object is to support American independence, the declaration of whicli by Congress had been made a short time before. He opposes kingly government and hereditary succession with warmth and energy. The last six years of his life he passed in retirement. At no time did party spirit rage Avith more violence ; but he could only mingle his voice witli the friends who visited him. — ALLI^\ 13 Spiiic moi tifications every cne must meet witli. In public life great men are not Avithout their cares : in the evening of their (lavs ^vhen they seek for rest, every Avant of attention in their old acquaintance is a thorn in their pillow. — Many of the old friends ol* governor Adams who liad gone hand in hand with him during the re- volution now forsook him, though he yet rc- ccivcd the respect, attentions and carresses of those, Vt ho thought him not more venerable for age, than he was for his attachment to repub- lican principles. lie died October 2ad, 1803, in the S2nd year of his age, and in the full belief cf those reli- gious principles in which he had been educated, iind w liich he Vv'as free to defend ; for the last effort of his pen was a letter in defence of Christianity, against the attacks of Mr. Paine. ALLEN, Ethan, a brigadier general in the war with Great Britain, was born in Salisbury, Connecticut. While he was young, his parents emigrated to Vermont. At the commeiieemeiit of tiie disturbances in this territoiy, about the year 1770, he took a most active jjart in favor of the green mountain boys, as tlie settlers \vere then called, in opposition to the goveiii- -^lent of New York. An act cf outlawry against him was passed by that state, and 500 .guineas were offered for his apprehension ; but his ]rar- ty was too numerous and faithful to j triiiil Liiki to be disturbed by any apprehensions for Lis safety ; in all the struggles of the day he v, as successful ; and he not only proved a valuable friend to those, Avhose cause he had esjiousLd, but he was humane and generous towards thcs^e B li ALLEN. ^vith \vhoin lie Latl to contcnil. AVhen called to take the iield, lie showed himself an ahle leader and an intrepid soldier. The news of the battle of Lexington deter- mined colonel Allen to engage on tlie side of his country, and inspired him with the desire of demonstrating his attachment to liberty by some bold exploit. While his mind was in this state a plan for taking Ticonderoga and Crown Point by surprise, which was formed by seve- ral gentlemen in Connecticut, was communica- tci\ to him, and he readily engaged in the pro- ject. Receiving directions from the general assembly of Connecticut to raise the green mountain boys, and conduct the enterprise, he collected 230 of the hardy settlers, and pro- ceeded to Castleton. Here he Avas unexpec- tedly joined by col. Arnold, who Isad been com- missioned by the Massachusetts' committee to raise 400 men and eifect the same object, which was now about to be accomplished. As he had not raised the men, he was admitted to act as an assistant to colonel Allen. '^rhey reached the lake opposite Ticonderoga on iha evening of the 9th of May, 1775. ' With the utmost difficulty boats were ijroeured, and 83 men AVer 8 landed near the garrison. The approach of day rendering it dangerous to Avait for the rear, it Avas determined immediately to pro- ceed. The commander in chief noAV addres- sed his men, representing that they had been for a number of years a scourge to arbitrary poAver, and famed for their valor, and concluded Avith saying, " I now propose to advance before you, and in person conduct you through the Avicket ALLEN. 15 gate, tiiid you tliat >nll go v. Uli luc voliuitarily in tills desperate attempt, iioizeyouriireloeks," At the head of the centre ilie lie marched in- stantly to the gate, >vhero a sentry snapped his gun at him and retreated throngli the covered way ; he pressed forward into the fort, and formed his men on the parade in such a man- ner as to face two opposite harraeks. Three Imzzas awaked the garrison. A sentry, who asked quarter, pointed out the apartments of the commanding officer ; and Allen, with a drawn sword over the head of captain De la Place, wlio was undressed, demanded the sur- render of the fort. ** By what authority do you demand it ?" inquired the astonished com- mander. " I demand it," said Allen "in the name of the great Jehovah and of the conti- nental Congress." Tlie summons could not be disoheyed, and the fort m iih its very valua- ble stores and 40 prisoners was immediately surrendered. Crown Point was taken the same day* and the capture of a sloop of w ar soon af- terv/ards made Allen and liis hrave party com- plete masters of lake Champlain. In the fall of 1775, he was sent twice into Canada to observe tlic dispositions of the peo- ple, and attacli them, if possible, to the Ameri- can cause. During this last tour col. Brown met him, and proposed an attack on Montreal, in concert. The proposal Avas eagerly embra- ced, and col. Allen Avith 110 men, i^ar 80 of Avhom Avere Canadians, crossed the river in the night of Sept. 24. In the morning he Avaited Avith impatience for the signal from colonel BroAvn^ Avho agreed to co-operate Avith him ; ±6 ALLEX. t)iit lie waited in vain. lie matle a resolute (lefenee ai^ainst an attack of 500 men, and it was not till his own party was reduced hy de- sertions to the number ot" 31, and lie had re- treated near a mile, that he surrendered. A moment afterwards a furious savage rushed towards him, and presented his firelock with the intent of killing him. It was only by ma- kin.^^ use of the body of the ofiieer, to whom he had given his sword, as a shield, that he escaped destruction. He was now kept for some time in irons and treated with great cruelty. He was sent to England as a prisoner, being assured that the halter would be the reward of his rebellion when he arrived there. After his arrival about the middle of December, he was lodged for a short time in Pendennis castle, near Falmouth. On the 8 til of Jtmimry^ 1776, he was put on board a frigt^te and by a circuitous route car- ried to Halifax. Here he remained conlined in the jail from June to October, when lie was removed to P%ew York. During the passage to this place, eapt. Burke, a daring prisoner^ proposed to kill the British captain and seize the frigate; Imt colonel Allen refused to en- ffage in the plot, and was probably the means of preserving tlie life of captain Smith, who liad treated him very politely. He was kept at New York, about a year and a half, some- times imprisoned and sometimes permitted to f>e on parole, "While here, he had an oppor- tunity to observe the inhuman manner, in which the American prisoners were treated. In one of the churches, in which they v.erc ALLEN. 17 crowded, he saw seven lying dead at one time, and others biting pieces of chips from hunger. He calculated, that of the prisoners taken at liOng-Island and fort AVashington, near 2000 perished by hunger and cold, or in consequence of diseases occasioned by the impurity of their prisons. Colonel Allen %vas exchanged for colonel Campbell, May G, 1778, and after havhig re- paired to head quarters, and offered his servi- ces to General Washington in case his health should be restored, he returned to Yermont.— His arrival on the evening of the last of May gave his frieiuls great joy, and it ^Yas announ- ced by the discharge of cannon. As an expres- sion of cojifidence in his patriotism and milita- ry talents he was very soon appointed to the command of tlic stale militia. It does not ap- pear lioweyer, that his intrepidity was ever a- gain brought to the test, thougli his patriotism was tried l)y an unsuceessful attempt of the British to bribe him to attempt a union of Ver- mont with Canada. He died suddenly at his estate in Colchester, February 13, 1789. General Allen possessed strong powers of mind, but they never felt the influence of edu- cation. Though he was brave, humane and generous ; yet, his conduct does not seem to Isavc been much influenced by considerations respecting that holy and merciful Being, whose character and whose commands are disclosed to us in the scriptures. His notions, with re- gard to religion, were such, as to prove, that those, who rather coniide in their own wisdom than seek instruction from heaven, may em- 18 ALLEN. brace absurdities whicb would disgrace the un- derstanding of a child. He believed with Py- thagoras, that man, after death, would trans- migrate into beasts, birds, fishes, reptiles, he. and often informed his friends, that he himself expected to live again in the form of a large white horse. Besides a number of pamphlets in the con- troversy with New York, he published, in '79, a narrative of his observations during his cap- tivity, which lias been lately reprinted ,• a vin- dication of the opposition of the inhabitants of Yermont to the government of New York, and their right to form an independent state, 1779 ; and Alien's Theology or the Oracles of Rea- son, 1786. This last Vi^ork was intended to ri- dicule the doctrine of Moses and the prophets. ALLEN, Ebeisezee, was one of the first soldiers of the revolution. He was in tlie par- ty that went against Ticonderoga. AYith for- ty men he v/ent upon the hill Defiance, and carried the fortress without loss of a man. — He also distinguished himself in the battle of Bennington ; taking advantage of a breastwork of rocks, lie contended witli the front of the enemy, till he caused a temporary retreat. — He was among those who exerted themselves in making Vermont a separate state, and lived to see not only the wilderness subdued, where he first ploughed the ground, but the places filled with inliabitants. The account of his death is mentioned in the newspapers of the year 1805. ALLEN, Moses, minister of Midway, Geor- gia, and a distinguished friend of his country. was born in Northampton, Massachusetts^ Sept. li, 1748. He was educated at the college in New Jersey, where he was graduated in 1776, and was licensed by the presbytery of New Brunswick Feb. 1, 1774, and recommended by them as an ingenious, prudent, pious man. In March fallowing he preached first at Christ's church parish, about 20 miles from Charles- ton, in South Carolina. Here he w as ordained March 16, 1775, by the Rev. Mr. Zubly, Mr. Edmonds and William Tcnnent. He preached his farewell sermon in this place June 8, 1776, and was soon after\vards established at Mid- way, to which place he had been earnestly so- licited to remove. The British army from Florida under Ge- neral Prevost dispersed his society in 1778, and burned the meeting house, almost every dwel- ling house, and the crops of rice then in stacks. In December, when Savannah was reduced by the Britisli troops, he was taken prisoner. — The continental officers Avere sent to Sunbury on parole, but Mr. Allen, who was chaplain to the Georgia brigade, was denied that privilege. His warm exhortations from the pulpit, and liis animated exertions in the field exposed him to the particular resentment of the British. — They sent him on board the prison ships. Wea- ried with a confinement of a number of weeks in a loathsome place, and seeing no prospect of relief, he determined to attempt the reco- very of his liberty by throwing himself in the river, and swimming to an adjacent point ; but he was drowned in the attempt on the evening of February 8, 1779, in the 31st year of his 20 ALLEN. age. His body was washed on a neighboring island, and was found by some of his friends. They requested of the captain of a British vessel some boards to make a coffin, but could not procure them. Mr. Allen, notwithstanding his clerical func- tion, appeared among the foremost in the day of battle, and on all occasions sought the post of danger as the post of honor. The friends of independence admired him for his popular talents, his courage, and his many virtTOs. — The enemies of independence could accuse him of nothing more, Ihaa a vigorous exertion of all his powers in defending what he eouscien- tiously believed to be tiie rights of his injured country. Tiiough a brave imm. he was also a chi'is- tian. The following letter, addressed to the trustees of Midway in 1777, will somewhat ex- liibit his character : '* You have the enemy on your borders ; you are in more imminent dan- ger, and therefore stand in greater need of the preached word to comfort God's chosen people and to awaken sinners from their state of se- curity. I shall not leave this people [of Christ's church parish] in so distressed a situation as you appear to me to be in. They can have frequent occasional supplies, and there is a prospect of their being soon supplied with a settled minister. Mr. Tennent's being at the northward and IMr. Zubly at so great a dis- tance, I am rather unhappy in not having ad- visers in so important a matter. But the con- siderations now offered have engaged me to ac- cept of your call, I shall endeavour to be ^\ itli ALEXANOEK. 21 r.ou the fourth Sunday in June. I heg your prayers for myself and family, that vie may al- ways know our duty, and industriously perform U, May God bless you and your constituents. May Christ redeem and save you. May the Holy Spirit sanctify and comfort you ; and may all at last meet at the right hand of our dear Redeemer, spotless and unhlameahle in the righteousness of Christ." ALEXANDER, William, commonly called Lord Sterling, a major general in the American army, Avas a native of the city of New York, but spent a considerable part of his life in New Jersey. He was considered by many as the rightful heir to the title and estate of an earl- dom in Scotland, of which country his father was a native; and although, when he went to North Britain in pursuit of this inheritance, he failed of obtaining an acknowledgment of his claim by government; yet, among his friends and acquaintances ho received by courtesy the title of lord Sterling. He discovered an early fondness for the study of mathematics and astronomy, and attained great eminence in these sciences. In the battle on Long-Island, August 27, 1776, he was taken prisoner, after having se- cured to a large part of the detacliment an opportunity to escape by a bold attack with four hundred men upon a corps under lord Cornwallis. In the battle of Germantown his division and the brigades of Generals Nash and Maxwell formed the corps de reserve. At the battle of Monmouth he commanded the left jving of the American Army. IMarshall in his '2^ ARNOLD. life of Washington says, '< Lord Steriiii!^-, ^vlio commanded the left wing, brought up a de- tachment of artillery commanded by lieutenant colonel Carrington, with some field jneces, which played with considerable effect upon the enemy, who had passed the morass, and were pressing on to the charge. These pieces, with the aid of several parties of infantry detached for the purpose, effectually put a stop to their advance. The American artillery were drawn up in the open field, and maintained their ground with admirable firmness, under a hea- vy and persevering fire from the British field artillery." His attachment to Washington was proved in the latter part of 1777, by trans- mitting to him an account of the disaffection of Gen. Conway to the commander in chief. — In the letter he said, •* Such wicked duplicity of conduct I shall always thinlv it my duty to detect." He died at Albany. January 15, 1783, aged 57 years. He was a brave, discerning, and in- trepid officer. ARNOLD, Benedict, a major general in the American army, and infamous for deserting the cause of his country, was early chosen cap- tain of a volunteer company in New Haven, Connecticut, where he lived. After hearing of the battle of Lexington he immediately march- ed with his company for the American head- quarters, and reached Cambridge April 29, 1775. He immediately waited on the Massachu- setts committee of safety and informed them of the defenceless state of Ticondcroga. The ARNOLD. 2a coirimittce appointed him a colonel, and com- missioned him to raise four hundred men, and to take that fortress. He proceeded directly to Vermont, and when he arrived at Castleton was attended hy one servant only. Here he joined colonel Allen, and on May 10th the for- tress was taken. In the fall of 1775 he was sent hy the com- mander in chief to penetrate throiigli the wil- derness of the district of Maine into Canada. On the 16th of Scpteml)er he commenced his march with about one thousand men, consisting of New England infantry, some volunteers, a company of artillery, and three companies of riflemen. One division v,as obliged to return, or it would have perished by luingcr. After sustaining almost incredible hardships he in six weeks arrived at Point Le^i, opposite to Que- bec. The appearance of an army, emerging from the Aviklerness, threw the city into the greatest cojisternation. In this moment of sur- prise Arnold might probably have become nias- tcr of the })]ace, but the small crafts and boats in the river were removed out of his reach. It seems tbat liis approach was not altoge- ther unexpected. He had imprudently, a ruim- ber of days before, sent forward a letter to a friend by an Indian, who betrayed Jiim. A de- lay of several days on account of the dilficulty of passing the river was inevitable, and the critical moment was lost. On the 14th of November he crossed the St. Lawrence in the night ; and, ascending the precipice, which Wolfe had climbed before him, formed his small corps on the height near the 24 ARNOLD. memorable j»lains cf ALraLarn. With ouly about seven hundred men, one third of Avhose muskets had been rendered useless in the march througli the ^vilderncss, success could not be expected. After parading some days on tlic lieightsnear the town, and sending tvro flags to summon the inhabitants, he retired to Voint aux Trembles, twenty miles above Quebec, and there waited the arrival cf Montgomery, vho joined him on the first of December. Tiie ci- ty was immediately besieged, but the best mea- sures had been taken for its defence. On the morning of the last day of the year an assault v>'as made on the one side of the city by Montgo- mery, Avho was killed. At the same time col- onel Arnold, at the head of p.bout three hun- dred and fifty men, made a desperate attack on the opposite side. Advancing with the utmost intrepidity along the St. Charles through a narrow path, exposed to an incessant fire cf p;vapc shot and r^uisketry, as he approached the first barrier he received a musket ball in the leg, which shattered the bone ; and he was carried off to the camp. Thougli the attack v^as unsuccessful, the blockade of Quebec was continued till ^Jay 1776, when the army, which was in no condition to risk an as- sault, vras removed to a more defensible posi- tion. Arnold was compelled to relinquish one post after another, till the 18th of June, when lie quitted Canada. After this period he exhi- bited great bravery in the command of the A- merican fleet on lake Champlain. In August 1777 he relieved fort Schuyler un- der tlic command of colonel Gansevoort, which ARNOLD. 25 was invested by colonel St. Leger with an ar- my of from fifteen to eighteen hundred men. — In tlie battle near Stillwater, September the nineteenth, he conducted himself with his usual intrepidity, being engaged, incessantly, for four hours. In the aetion of October the se- venth, after tlie British had been driven into the lines, Arnold i)ressed forward and under a, tremendous fire assaulted the works through- out their whole extent from right to left. The intrenchnients were at length forced, and with a few men he actually entered tiic works ; hut his horse being killed, and he himself badJy -wounded in the leg, he found it necessary to withdraw, and as it was now almost dark, to desist from the attack. Being rendered unfit for active service iu consequence of his wound', after the recovery of PJiiladelphia he was appointed to the com- mand of the American garrison. When lie en- tered the city, he made the house of governor X'cnn, the best house in the city, his licad quar- ters. This he furnished in a very costly man- ner, and lived far beyond his income. He had wasted the plunder, which he had seized at Montreal in his retreat from Canada ; and at Philadelphia he was deteimined to make new acquisitions. He laid his hands on every thing in the city, which could be considered as the property of those, who were unfriendly to the cause of his country. He was charged with oppression, extortion, and enormous cliarges upon the public in his accounts, and with ap- jdying the public money and property to his own private use. Such was his conduct, that € 30 ARNOJLl). lie di'oM upon liiniscirihe odium of tlic iiihalii- laiits not onl,v ol* the niiy, but ol* tlie province in general, lie >vas engaged in trading specu- lations and had shares in several privateers^ but >vas unsuccessrul. From the judgment oi' the commissioners, ■\vho had been appointed to inspect his accounts, and Avho had rejected above hall' the amount of his demands, he appealed to congress ; and the;y' appointed a committee ol* their own body to examine and settle the business. The com- mittee conlirmed the report ol* the commission- ers, and thought they had alIo\ved him more, than he had any right to expect or demand. — Xl\ these disappointments he became irritated and he gave luli scope to his resentment. His invectives against congress >vere not less vio- lent, than tliose, which he had before thrown out against the commissioners, lie was, how- ever, soon obliged to abide the judgment of a court martial upon the charges, exhibited a- gainst him by the executive ■ f IVnnsylvania, and he was subjected to the mortillcation of re- ceiving a reprimand from AVashington. His trial connnenced in June IT 78, but such were the delays occasioned by the movements of the army, that it was not concluded nntil the i^6th of January 1779. The sentence of a repri- mand » as a])proved by congress, and was soon afterwards cai'ried into execution. Such was the humiliation, to which general Arnold was reduced in consequence of yielding to the temptations of pritle and vanity, and in- dulging himself in the pleasures of a sumptu- ous table and expensive equipage. ARNOLD. 27 From this time probably liis proud spirited revolted from the cause ot America, lie iurn-

vas conveyed to her husband at New York,, and his clothes and baggage, for which he had written, were transmitted to him. During the exertions, which were made to res- cue Andre from the destruction, which threa- tened liim, Arnold had the hardihood to inter- pose» He appealed to the humanity of the commander in chief, and then sought to inti- midate him by stating the situation of many of the principal characters of South Carolina, who had forfeited their lives, but had hitherto been spared through the clemency of the British general. This clemency, he said, could no longer in justice be extended to them, should major Andre suffer. Arnold was made a brigadier general in the British service ; which rank he preserved throughout tlie war. Yet he must have been held in contempt and detestation by the gene- g2 ARNOLB. rous and honorable. It was impossible for men of this description, even Avhen acting with him, to forget that he was a traitor, first the slave of his rage, then purchased with gold, and fi- nally secured by the blood of one of the most accomplished officers in the British army. — One would suppose, that his mind could not have been much at ease ; but he had proceed- ed so far in vice, that perhaps his reflections gave him but little trouble. " I am mistaken,*' says Washington in a private letter, " if at this time Arnold is undergoing the torments of a mental hell. He wants feeling. From some traits of his character, which have lately come to my knowledge, he seems to have been so hacknied in crime, so lost to all sense of honor and shame, that while his faculties still enable him to continue his sordid pursuits, there will be no time for remorse." Arnold found it necessary to make some ex- ertions to secure the attachment of his new friends. With the hope of alluring many of the discontented to his standard, he published an address to the inliabitants of America, in which he endeavoured to justify his conduct. — He had encountered the dangers of the field, he said from apprehension, that tlie rights ot his country were in danger. He had acquiesc- ed in the declaration of independence, thougli he thought it precipitate. But tlie rejection of the overtures, made by Great Britain in 1778, and tlie French alliance, had opened his eyes to the ambitious views of those, who would sacrifice the happiness of their country to their own aggrandizement, and had made him a con- ARNOLD. 3^ iirmed loyalist. He artfully mingled asser- tions, that the principal members of congress held the people in sovereign contempt. This was followed in about a fortnight by a proclamation, addressed " to the officers and soldiers of the continental army, who have the real interest of their country at heart, and who are determined to be no longer the tools and dupes of congress or of France." To induce the American officers and soldiers to desert the cause, whicli tliey had embraced, he repre- sented that the corps of cavalry and infantry, which he was authorized to raise, would be upon the same footing with the other troops in the British service ; that he should with plea- sure advance those, whose valor he had witnes- sed ; and that the private men, who joined him should receive a bounty of three guineas each, besides payment at the full value for horses, arms, and accoutrements. His object was the peace, liberty, and safety of America. <* You are promised liberty,'^ he exclaims, ^^but is there an individual in the enjoyment of it sav- ing your oppressors ? Who among you dare speak or write what he thinks against the ty- ranny, which has robbed you of your property, imprisons your persons, drags you to the field of battle, and is daily deluging your country with your blood ? <« What,'' he exclaims a- gain, " is America noAV but a land of widows, orphans and beggars ? As to you, avIio have been soldiers in the continental army, can you at this day want evidence, that the funds of your country are exhausted, or tliat the man- agers have applied them to their private uses ? 54 ARNOLD. In either ease you surely can no longer conti- nue in their service with honor or advantage. Yet you have hitherto heen tlieir supporters in that cruelty, which with equal indifference to yours as well as to the labor and blood of others, is devouring a country, that from the moment you quit their colors will be redeem- ed from their tyranny." These proclamations did not produce the ef- fect designed, and in all the hardships, suffer- ings and irritations of the war, Arnold remains the solitary instance of an American officer, who abandoned the side iirst embraced in the contest, and turned his sword upon his former companions in arms. He was soon dispatched by sir Henry Clin- ton to make a diversion in Virginia. With about seventeen hundred men he arrived in the Chesapeake in January 1781, and being sup- ported by such a naval force, as was suited to the nature of the service, he committed exten- sive ravages on the rivers and along the un- protected coasts. It is said, that while on this expedition Arnold enquired of an American captain, whom he Isad taken prisoner, what the Americans would do with him, if he should fall into their hands. The captain at first de- clined giving him an ansAver ; but upon being repeatedly urged to it, he said, ** why, sir, if ** I must answer your question, you nmst ex- ^^ cuse my telling yon the plain truth : if my •^ countrymen should catch you, I believe theij ^' would prst cut off ihat lame leg, which was " wounded in the cause of freedom and rirtue^ " and hurij it with the honors of war, and af- ARNOLD. 35 " ievwards hang the remainder of your hody in « gibbets/' The reader will recollect that the captain alluded to the wound Arnold received in one of his legs at the attack upon Quebec in 1776. After his return from Virginia, he Avas ap- pointed to conduct an expedition, the object of V hich was the tow n of New London, in his na- tive country. The troops employed therein, w ere landed in two detachments, one on each side of tlic harbor. The one commanded by lieutenant colonel Eyre and the other by Ar- nold. He took Fort Trumbull without much opposition. Fort Griswold was furiously at- tacked by lieutenant colonel Eyre. The gar- rison defended themselves with great resolu- tion, but after a severe conflict of forty mi- nutes, the fort was carried by the enemy. The Americans had not more than six or seven men killed, when the British carried the lines, but a severe execution took jdace afterwards, though resistance had ceased. An officer of the conquering troops enquired on his entering the fort, who commanded. Colonel Ledyard, presenting his sword, answered, " I did, but you do now ;" and was immediately run through the body and killed. Between 30 and 40 were wounded and about 40 were carried off prisoners. On the part of the British 48 were killed and 145 wounded. About 15 ves- sels loaded with the effects of the inhabitants, retreated up the river, and four others remain- ed in the harbor unhurt ; but all excepting these were burned by the communication of ftre from the burning stores. Sixty dwelling 56 BAKRY. houses and eiglity four stores were reduced to ashes. The loss which the Americans sustain- ed by the destruction of naval stores, of provi- Bions, and merchandize, was immense. Gene- ral Arnold having completed the object of the expedition, returned in eight days to New York. From the conclusion of the war till his death general Arnold resided chiefly in England. — He died in Gloucester place, London, June 14, 1801. His character presents little to be com- mended. His daring courage may indeed ex- cite admiration ; but it was a courage without reflection and without principle. lie fought bravely for his country and lie bled in her cause ; but his country owed him no returns of gratitude, for his subsequent conduct prov- ed, that he had no honest regard to her inter- ests, but was governed b^^ selfih considerations. His progress from self indulgence to treason was easy and rapid. He was vain and luxu- rious, and to gratify his giddy desires he must resort to meanness, dishonesty, and extortion. These vices brought with them disgrace ; and the contempt, into which he fell, awakened a spirit of revenge, and left him to the unre- strained influence of his cupidity and passion. Thus from the high fame, to which his brave- ry had elevated him, he descended into infamy. Thus too he furnished new evidence of the in- fatuation of the human mind in attaching such value to the reputation of a soldier, which may be obtained while the heart is unsound and every moral sentiment is entirely depraved. BARRY, John, first commodore in the American navy, died at Philadelphia in Septem- bdi' ISO:'. He espoused mth ardor tlie cause of liberty early in ITToj ami >vith boldness of enterprise supported the interests of his eoiin- try during the ^var. He was a patriot of in- tegrity and unquestionable bravery. His na- val achievements a few years before his deatli reflect honor on his memory. The carnage of war did not harden his heart into cruelty. He had the art of commanding without supercili- ous haughtiness, or wanton severity. Another trait in his character was a punctilious obser- vance of the duties of religion. BAYAllD, John, a friend to his country, and an eminent christian, was born August 11, 1738, on Bohemia manor in Cecil county, Ma- ryland. His father died without a will, and being the eldest son he became entitled, by the laws of Maryland, to the whole real estate. Sucli however was his affection for his twin brother, younger than himself, that no sooner had he reached the age of manhood, than lie conveyed to him half tlie estate. After re- ceiving an academical education under the re- verend Dr. Finley, he was put into the compt- ing house of Mr. John llhea, a merchant of Philadelphia. It was here, tliat the seeds of grace began first to take root, and to give promise of those fruits of righteousness, which afterwards abounded. He early became a com- municant of the presbyterian church under the charge of Mr. Gilbert Tennent. Some years after his marriage he was chosen a ruling el- der, and he filled this place with zeal and re- putation. SS BARTLETT, At the commencement of the rcvolutionarv Tvai' lie took a decided part in favor of lii^ country. At tiie head of the second battalion of the Philadelphia militia he marched to tlie assistance of "Washington and was present at tlie battle of Trenton. lie was a member of the council of safety, and for many years speaker of the legislature. In ir? r, when there was a report that colonel Bayard's house had been destroyed by the British army, and that his servant, who had beeii entrusted with his personal property, had gone off with it to tlie enemy, Mr. William Bell, who had served his apprenticeship with colonel Bayard, and accu- mulated several thousand pounds, insisted that liis patron should receive one half of his estate. This generous ofter was not accepted, as the report was without foundation. Reiterated fiMictions induced a deep depression of mind, and for some time he was no longer relieved by the avocations of business. In 1785 how- ever he was appointed a member of the old congress, then sitting in New York, but in the following year he was left out of the delega- tion. In 1788 he removed to New Brunswick, Avhere he was mayor of the city, judge of the court of common pleas, and a ruling elder of ihe church. Here he died January 7, 1807, in the 69th year of his age. BARTLETT, Josiah, governor of New Hampshire, was born at Amesbury, in the county of Essex, Massachusetts, 21st Novem- ber 1729. His ancestors, came from the south of England, and fixed at Newbury. The ru-- diments of his educaticm he received at- Ames- burj, at the town school ; and having a thirst for knowledge he applied himself to hooks in various languages, in which he was assisted by a neighboring clergyman, the reverend Mr, Webster, of Salisbury, an excellent scholar as well as judicious divine. Mr. Bartlett had the benefit of his library and conversation, while he studied physic with a gentleman, who was u practitioner in his native town. At the age of 21, he began the praeiico of physic in Kings- ton, and very soon became very eminent in the line of his profession. In lT6i, a litW was opened for the useful display of his skill. TLv- cynanche maligna became very prevalent in ma- ny towns of New Hampshire, and was a fatal disease among children. The method of treat- ing it was as a highly philogistic complaint : but he was lead froai his own reason and obser- vations to manage it differently. He made use of the Fcr avian harl:, hs an antidote and pre- ventative, and his practice was successful. This afterwards become general among phy- sicians. In 1765, Br. Bartlett was chosen a member .vest passage into the south seas, and to make such astronomical olj,- servations as might prove serviceable to navi- gation. Two vessels, the Race Horse and Carcase, were fitted out for the expedition, the com- mand of which was given to the honorable cap- tain Phipps, afterwards lord Mulgravc. The peculiar dangers to which such an undertaking was exposed, induced the government to take extraordinary precautions in fitting out, and preparing the vessels, and selecting the crews, and a positive order was issued that no boys should be received on board. To the bold and enterprising spirit of young Biddle such an expedition liad great attractions. Extremely anxious to join it, he endeavored to procure captain Sterling's permission for that purpose, but he was unwilling to part with hini> and would not consent to let liiin go. The temptation was, however, irresistible. lie re- solved to go, and laying aside his uniform, he entered on board the Ciircase before the inast. "When he first went on board, Jie was observed by a seaman who had known him before and was very much attached to him. The honest fellow thinking that he must have been degraded and turned before the mast in disgrace, was greatly affected at seeing him, but he was equally sur- prised and pleased when he learned the true ela- yvave, an incident oeeurred, which marked his personal intrepidity. Hearing that two deser- ters from his vessel were at Lewistown in pri- son, an officer was sent on shore for them, hut he returned with information tliat the two men., with some others, had armed themselves, har- ricadoed the door, and swore they would not he taken, tliat the militia of the town had been sent for, but were afraid to open the door, the prisoners threatening to shoot the first man who entered. Captain Biddie immediately w ent to the prison, accompanied by a midshipmafjj and calling to one of the deserters whose name* was Green, a stout resolute fellow, ordered him to open the door, he replied that he would not, and if he attempted to enter, he would shoot liim. lie then ordered the door to be forced, and entering singly with a ]ugtol in each hand, he called to Green, v/lio wtis prepared to fire, and said, <* Now Green, if you do not take good aim, you are a dead man." Daunted by his manner, their resolution lailed, and tlie mi- litia coming in, secured them. They after- wards declared to the officer who furnishes this account, that it was captain Biddle's look and manner which had awed them into submission, for that they had determined to kill him as soon as lie came into the i*oora. Writing from the Capes to his brother, the. late judge Biddie, he says, I know not what may be our fate : be it however what it may, you may rest assured I will never cause a blush in the cheeks of my friends or countrymen. 'Soon after they sailcik the small-pori, broke cut BIDDLE. 47 Hail raged v>iih great violence in the fleetou the lockers, refusing the repeated solicitations of his officers to accept their births. On their arriiai at New Providence it surrendered witliout opposition. The crew of the Andrew Doria, from their crowded si- tuation, became sick, and before she left Pro- vidence, there Avere not men enough capablo of doing duty to man the boats ; captain Bid- die visited them every day, and ordered every necessary refreshment, but ihej continued sickly until they arrived at New London. After refitting at New London, captain Bid- die received orders to proceed off the Banks of Newfoundland, in order to intercept the transports and storeships bound to Boston. Before h« reached the Banks, he captured two ships from Scotland, with four hundred highland troops on board, destined for Bostoiu At this time the Andrew Doria had not one hundred men. Lieutenant Josiah, a brave and excellent officer >vas Tsvt *^n toard one of the 4S BIDBLK. prizes, with all the Highland offieers, and or dered to make the iirSt port. Unfortunately about ten days afterwards he was taken by the Cerberus frigate, and on pretence of his bcin|i: an Englishman, he was ordered to do duty, and extremely ill used. Captain Biddle hearing of the ill treatment of lieutenant Josiah, wrote to the admiral at New^-York, that however disa- greeable it was to him, he would treat a young man of family, believed to be a son of lord Cras- ton, who was then his prisoner, in the same manner they treated lieutenant Josiali. He also applied to his own government in be.- half of this injured officer, and by the proceed- ings of congress on the 7th of August, 1770, it appears, ** That a letter from captain Nicholas Biddle to the Marine commiitec, was laid be- fore congress and read, Y/hcreupon, llesoh^ed. That general Washington be directed to pro- pose an exchange of lieutenant Josiah for a lieutenant of the navy of Great Britain : That the general remonstrate to lord Howe on the cruel treatment lieutenant Josiah has met with, of which the congress have received undoubted information." Lieutenant Josiah was exchang- ed after an imprisonment often months. After the capture of the chips with the Highlanders such was captain Biddle' s activity and success in taking prizes, that when he arrived in the Delaware he had but five of the crew with which he sailed from New London, the rest having been distributed among the captured vessels, and their places supplied by men who had entered from the prizes. He had a great BIDDLE. i9 numbci' of pnSoners, so that for soule days bc- I'oi'c he got ill he never left the deck. While he was thus indefatigably engaged in weakening the enemy's power, and advancing his country's interest, he was disinterested and generous in all that related to his private ad- vantage. The brave and worthy opponent whom the chance of war had thrown in his power, found in him a patron and friend, who on more than one occasion vvas known to rc^ store to the vanquished the fruits of victory. In the latter end of tlie year 1776, captaiii Kiddle was appointed to the command of the Uandolph, a frigate of tliirty-two guns, "^^ilh his usual activity he employed every exeitlon to get her ready for sea. The dilliculty of procuring American seamen at that tirac obiig- ed him, in order to man his ship, to take a num- ber of IJritlsh seamen, who were prisoners of Mar, and who had requested leave to c.iter. The Randolph sailed from Philadelphia in February 1777. Soon after she got to sea her lower raasts were discovered to be unsound, and in a heavy gale of wind all her masts went hy the hoard. SVhilc they were hearing array I'or Charleston, the English sailors, with some others of the crew formed a design to take the ship. When all was ready they gave three cheers on the gun-deck. By the decided and resolute conduct of captain Biddle and iiis olli- qers, the ringleaders were seized and punisiied, and the rest submitted without further resis- tance. After refitting at Charleston, as spee- dily as possible, he sailed on a cruise, and three days after he left the Bar, he fell in with four E Bb B1£>BLE, sail of vessels, bound from Jamaica to Loiido2i> One of tlicm called the True Briton mounted twenty guns. The commander of her who had frequently expressed to his passengers his hopes of falling in with the Randolph, as soon as he perceived her, made all the sail he could from her, hut finding he could not escape, he hove to, and kept up a constant fire, until the Randolph had bore down upon him and was preparing for a broadside, when he hauled down his colors. By her superior sailing the Randolph was ena- bled to capture the rest of the vessels, and in one week from the time he sailed from Charles- ton, captain Biddle returned there with his pri- zes, which proved to be very valuable. Encouraged by his spirit and success, the state of South Carolina made exertions for fitting out an expedition under his command. His name and the personal attachment to him urged for- ward a crowd of volunteers to serve with hint, and in a short time the sliip General Moultrie, the brigs Fair America, and Polly, and the No- tre Dame were prepared for sea. A detach- ment of fifty men from tlie first regiment of South Carolina Continental infantry was order- ed to act as marines on board the Randolph. The regiment was then commanded by colonel, now general Charles Cotesworth Pinckncy, who, with his own officers and soldiers would liave done honor to any service. Such, says our informant, himself a gallant officer of that regiment, was the attachment which the hono- rable and amiable deportment of captain Bid- die had impressed during his stay at Charles- ton, and such the confidence inspired by his BIDBLE. 51 professlonai eoiiduet and valor, Uiat a general emulation pervaded the corps to liave the ho- nor of serving under his coininaiul. The tour of duty, after a generous competition among the oiSeers, was decided to captain Joor, and lieu- tenants Grey and Simmons, whose gallant con- duet, and that of their brave detachment, did justice to the high character of the regiment. As soon as the Randolph was refitted and a new mainmast obtained in place of one which had been struck with lightening, she dropt doAvn to Rebellion Roads Avith her little squad- ron. Their intention was to attack the Carys- fort frigate, the Perseus twenty-four gun ship, the Hinchinbrook of sixteen guns, and a priva- teer which had been cruizing off the Bar, and had much annoyed the trade. They were de- tained a considerable time in Rebellion Roads, after they were ready to sail, by contrary winds and vrant of Avater on the Bar for the Randolph. As soon as they got over tlie Bar, they stood to the eastward, in expectation of falling in with the British cruizers. The next day they retook a dismasted ship from New England ; as she had no cargo on board they took out her crew, six light guns and some stores, and set her on lire. Finding that the British ships had left the coast, they proceeded to the West In- dies, and cruised to the eastAvard, and nearly in the latitude of Barbadoes for some days, during Avhich time they boarded a number of French and Dutch sliips, and took an English schooner from Ncav York bound to Grenada, Avliich had mistaken the Randolph for a Bri- tish frigate, and wns taken possession of bof#re the mistake Avas cKscovered. On the night of the 7th of March, 1778, tlic fatal accident occurred, Avhicli terminated the life of this excellent oiFicer. For some days previously, he had expected an attack. Cap- tain Blake, a brave officer, who commanded u detachment of the second South Carolina re- giment, serving as marines on board the Ge- neral Moultrie, and to whom we are indebted fdr several of the ensuing particulars, dined on board the Randolph two days before the engage- ment. At dinner captain Biddle said, *^ We have been cruizing here for sometime, and have spoken a number of vessels who will no doubt give information of us, and I should not be sur- prised if my old ship should be out after us. As to any thing that carries her guns upon one deck, I think myself a match for her. About three P. M. of the 7th of March, a signal was made from the Randolph for a sail to wind- ^viard, in consequence of Avhich the squadron hauled upon a wind, in order to speak her. It was four o'clock before she could be distinctly seen, when she was discovered to be a ship, though as slie neared and came before the wind, she had the appearance of a large sloop with only a square sail set. About seven o'clock, the Randolpli being to windward hove to, the Moultrie being about one hundred and fifty yards astern, and rather to leward, also hove to. About eight o'clock, tlie British ship fired a shot just ahead of the Moultrie, ami hail- ed her, the answer was the Polly of New York, upon which gh.c immediately hauled her xmi^^ BIDBLE. 53 and hailed the Randolph. She was then for the first time discovered to be a two decker. After several questions asked and answered, as she was ranging up along side the Randolph, and had got on her weather quarter, lieutenant Barnes of that ship called out, *• This is the Randolph," and she immediately hoisted her colors and gave the enemy a broadside. Short- ly after the action commenced, captain Biddle received a Avound in the thigh and fell. This occasioned some confusion, as it was at first thought that he was killed. He soon howe\*8i* ordered a chair to be brought, said that he was only slightly wounded, and being earned for- ward encouraged the crew. The stern of the enemy's ship being clear of the Randolph, the captain of the Moultrie gave orders to fire, but the enemy having shot a head, so as to bring the Randolph between them, the last broadside of the Moultrie w ent into the Randolph, and it was thought by one of the men saved who was stationed on the quarter deck near captain Bid- die, that he was Avoundcd by a shot from the Moultrie. The fire from tlie Randolph was constant and well directed. She fired nearly three broadsides to the enemy's one, and she appeared wliile the battle lasted to be in a con- tinual blase. In about twenty minutes after the action began, and while the surgeon was examining captain Biddle's wound on the quar- ter deck, the Randolph blew up. The enemy's vessel was the British ship Yar- Mioutli of sixty -four guns, commanded by cap- tain Vincent. So closely were they engaged, that captain IMorgan of the Fair American, US S* BIDDLE. and all his crew thought that it was the ene- my's :ship that had hlown up. He stood for thp Yarmouth, and had a trumpet in his hand to hail and inquire how captain Biddle was, when he discovered his mistake. Owing to the disa- bled condition of the Yarmouth the pthcr ves- sels escaped. The cause of the explosion was never ascer- tained, but it] is remarkable that just before he sailed, after the clerk had copied the sig- nals and orders for the armed vessels that ac- companied him, he wrote at the foot of them, ^*In case of coming to action in the night be very careful of your magazines." llic num- ber of persons on board the Randolph was three hundred and fifteen, who all perished, except four men, who were tossed about for four days on a piece of the wreck before they were discovered and taken up. From the in- formation of two of these men, who v/ere af- terwards in Philadelphia, and of some indivi- duals in the other vessels of the squadron, we have been enabled to state some particulars of this unfortunate event in addition to the ac- counts given of it by Dr. Ramsay in his His- tory of tlie American Revolution, and in his history of the revolution of South Carolina* In the former work, the historian thus con- cludes his account of the action : " Captain Biddle who perished on board the Randolph was universally lamented. He was in the prime of life, and had excited high expecta- tions of future usefulness to his country, as a hoUl and skilful naval officer. BLAN1». ^$ Thus prematurely fell at tlic age of twenty- seven, as gallant an officer as any country ever boasted of. In the short career winch Provi- dence allowed to him, he displayed all those qualities which constitute a great soldier. Brave to excess, and consummately skilled in his profession, no danger nor unexpected event could shake his firmness, or disturb his pre- sence of mind. An exact and rigid disciplina- riauj he tempered his authority with so mucli humanity and affability, that his orders were always executed with cheerfulness and alacri- ty. Perhaps no oflicer ever understood better the art of commanding the affections as well as the respect of those who served under him : if that can be called an art which Avas rather the natural effect of the benevolence and mag- nanimity of his character. BLAND, TiiEODORic, a worthy patriot and statesman, was a natiyc of Virginia, and des- cended from an ancient and respectable family in that state. He was bred to the science of physic, but upon the commencement of the American war he quitted the practice, and took an active part in the cause of his country. He soon rose to tlie rank of colonel, and had tlie command of a regiment of di »*goons. While in the army he frequently signalized himself by brilliant actions. In 1779 he was appointed to the command of the convention troops at Albemarle barracks, in Virginia, and conti- nued in that situation till some time in 1780, when he was elected to a seat in congress. — He continued in that body tlirec years, the time, allowed by the confederation. After the 56 BOWBOIN. expiration of this term lie again returned to Virginia, and was chosen a member of the state legislature He opposed the adoption of the constitution, believing it to be repugnant to the interests of his country, and Avas in the minority, that voted against its ratification. — But when it was at length adopted, he sub- mitted to the voice of the majority. He was chosen to represent the district, in which he lived, in the first congress under the constitu- tion. He died at Hew York, June 1, 1790, while attending a session of congress, in the forty ninth year of his age. He was honest, open, candid ; and his con- duct was such in his intercourse with mankind as to secure universal respect. Though a le- gislator, he was not destitute of a genius for poetry. BOWDOIN, James, governor of Massachu- setts, was born in Boston, 1727, and was the son of William Bowdoin, an eminent merchant. His father was a native of France, and after the revocation of the edict of Nantes, he fled among the persecuted protestants of that coun- try first to Ireland, and afterwards to New England in 1688. He landed at Falmouth, now Portland, in Caseo bay, and after conti- nuing there about two years removed to Bos- ton in 1690. It is remarkable, that the dav after his removal, all the inhabitants of Caseo bay were cut ofi* by the Indians. Mr. Bowdoin was graduated at Harvard College in 1745. He very soon became a dis- tinguished character among the citizens of Boston; was chosen a representative to the BowiyaiN. hy general court, 1756 ; and from tliis year con- tinued in public life till the year 176(^, Avhen he was negatived by governor Bernard, on ac- count of his being the most leading whig at the council board. He was, the next year, sent representative from Boston; chosen a coun- sellor ; and accepted by Mr. Hutchinson, be- cause he thought his influence less prejudicial •< in the house of representatives, than at the council board." He was one of the committee that drew tlie answer to the governor's speech- es, where he asserted and endeavoured to prove, by strong arguments, the right of Great Bri- tain to tax America. For this he had the bo- or of being negatived by governor Gage, in 1774, who declared that " he had express or- ders from his majesty to set aside from that board, the honorable Mr. Bowdoin, Mr. Dex- ter, and Mr. Winthrop." During this memorable year, delegates were chosen to meet at Philadelphia, which was the first congress of the United States. Mr. Bow- doin was the first member of the Massachusetts delegation. He was prevented from attending his duty by his ill state of health. Mr. Han- cock was afterwards chosen in his place. In 1775, when the town of Boston was blockaded, Mr. Bowdoin was moderator of the meeting, when the inhabitants agreed to give up their arms to general Gage, on condition of their be- ing permitted to leave the place with their property, and without disturbance. In this business he conducted with great prudence and firmness, and was one of the first who went out -of Boston after the agreement. It is well bS BOWDOIN. known Iioav shamefully the pi'omises of the British commanders were violated. Mr. Bow- doin took his place as chief of the Massachu- setts council at Watertown, and was one of the fifteen, who by the charter were to act in the room of the governor, when the office was vacated. In 1778 — 80, the convention for es- tablishing a state government for Massachu- setts met at Cambridge, and afterwards at Boston. Of this body, Mr. Bowdoin, was Pre- sident. In the year 1785, after the resigna- tion of Hancock, he was chosen governor of Massachusetts, and was re-elected the follow- ing year. In this office liis wisdom, firmness, and inflexible integrity were conspicuous. — With imiform ability and patriotism he advo- cated the cause of his country, and his v»^ritings and exertions during the revolutionary war w^ere eminently useful. VVhea the constitu- tion of the United States was planned, and the Massachusetts convention mot to consider whether it should be adopted, Mr. Bowdoin was at the h^jad of the Boston delegation, all of whom voted in favour of it. lie made a very handsome speech upon the occasion, which may be read in the volume of tlieir debates From this time, he changed the tumult of pub- lic scenes, for domestic peace, and the satis- factions of study. He always had been a student. He was an excellept scholar at college, and afterwards pursued philosophical studies, having left his mercantile business, that he might enjoy otimn cum dignitate. His letters to Hr. Franklin have been published. When the Americaj?. BOWI>OIN. 5^ academ;^ of arts and sciences was instituted, he was appointed the first president, and con- tributed several papers which were printed ia the first volume of their transactions. He also pronounced an oration, " upon the benefits of philosophy," which was printed in a pam- phlet, and also in the volume, with the pro- ceedings of the society. His literary reputa- tion was not confined to his own country. He was a member of several foreign societies for the promotion of agriculture, arts and com- merce. He was also fellow of the royal soci- ety, London. He received a diploma of doctor of laws from several universities of Europe, and from Philadelphia, as well as his Alma Mater at Cambridge. It was a great acquisi- tion to this seminary, to have him connected with tljeir government. As a member of the articular care of a verv rcspccta- Me and worthy clergyman, a few miles from that city, from Mhom he received the rudi- ments of an education, uliich Avas afterwards improved to the greatest advantage, and under the tuition of this excellent preceptor he ic- inained, >vith little interruption, until he Avas lit to enter college. It \vas at this time thai his father had formed a plan of keeping him at home, and of hringing him up in the insu- rance ofiice, Avhicli he then conducted ; hut so strong was the love of learning implanted in the young mind of his son, that neilher persua- sion, nor offers of a pecuniary advantage, could ]irevail with him to abandon the hopes of a li- beral education, and lie voluntarily oifered to resign every expectation of the former from liis father to obtain the advantages of the latter, by a regular course of studies. Ac- cordingly in tiie spring of 17C9, he was sent 10 Princeton, and entered the college of Nas- sau Hall, then under the direction of the late learned and pious Dr. John Witherspoon, where he continued Avith great benefit to him- self till the fall of 177x2, when he received the honors of the college by a degree of bachelor of arts, and in 1775 that of A. M. During liis residence at this seminary, he was greatly beloved by his fellow students, while he con- firmed the expectations of his friends and the faculty of the college, by giving repeated evi- ^lence of genius and taste, and at the public commencement had one of the liighest honors i)f the class conferred upon him* 6:2 BHADIOIil). He continued at Princeton till the year fol lowing, (luring which time an opportunity was afforded him of attending Dr. Wither spoon's excellent lectures on theology, and, from this useful teacher he received much information •and general knowledge; after Avhicli he re- turned to the scenes of his youth, and spent se- veral months under the instruction of his first revcFcnd preceptor, who strove to prepare him for future usefulness by his piety, experience, and knowledge of the world. Thus fitted for active life, after consulting his own inclinations, and the advice of his friends, he fixed on t!ie study of the law, which he commenced under the late honorable Kdward Shipped, esq. then one of the council of the supreme court of Pennsylvania, and late chief justice of that state, where he prosecuted his studies with his usual diligence and uuNvearied application. In tiie Spring of 1776 he was called upon, by the peculiar circumstances of the times, to exert himself in defence of the dearest rights of human nature, and to join the standard of his country, in opposition to the oppressive ex- actions of Britain. When the militia were called out to form the flying camp, he was chascn major of brigade to general Roberdcau, and on the expiration of his term accepted a company in colonel Hampton's regular troops, where he was soon promoted to the station of deputy paymaster general, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel, in which office he continued ^bout two years, till his want of health, being of a delicate constitution, obliged him to resign BRADFORl^. 6^ his camiiiissioii and return liome; lie now reconiinciiced tlie study of the law, and in 177S> was admitted to the bar of the supreme court of Pennsylvania, wheie his rising cliarsicter soon introduced him into an unusual share of husine;;s ; and, in Auj^ust 1780, only one year after he was licensed, by the recommendations of the bar, and the particular attentit)n of his late excellency Joseph liced, esq. then presi- dent of the state, he was appointed attorney general of the state of Pennsylvania. In 178i he married the daughter of Elias Boudinot of New Jersey, counsellor at law, with whom he lived till his death in the exer- cise of every domestic virtue that could adorn human nature. On the reformation of the courts of justice under the new constitution of Pennsylvania, he was solicited to accept the honorable office of one of the judges of the su- preme court, which, with much hesitation, he accepted, and was commissioned by his exceL lency governor Mifflin, August 22, 1791. His indefatigable industry, unshaken inte- grity, and correct judgment, enabled him to give general satisfaction in tliis office, as well to the suitors as at the bar. Here he had de-' termined to spend a considerable part of his life ; but, on the attorney general of the Uni- ted States being promoted to the office of se- cretary of state, Mr. Bradford Avas urged, by various public considerations, to yield to the pressure of the occasion, and accept of that of- iiee. He acccrdingly resigned his judge's com- mission and was appointed attorney general of the United States ou the 2^th df^y of JaniiarT, 6i^ BRADEORB. i79%. This office lie held till his death, wheji he was found ^t his post, in the midst of great usefulness, possessing, in a high degree, the ^nfidenee of the country. Mr. Bradford's temper was mild and amia- ble ; his manners were genteel, unassuming, modest, and conciliating. As a public speak- er, his eloquence was soft, persuasive, nervous and convincing. He understood mankind wel]> and knew how to place his arguments and bis reasonings in the most striking point of light. His language was pure, sententious, and pleag- ing ; and he so managed most of his forensic disputes, as scarcely ever to displease his op- ponents ; while he gave the utmost satisfaction to liis clients. His close application to the law, and the litigation of the bar, did' not prevent him altogether from indulging now and then his fondness for poetry ; his taste and talents for which Mere above the common standard, and several pieces of his composition have been published. In 1793 he published <^an inquiry hov/ far the punishment of death is ne- cessary in Pennsylvania." This was written at the request of his excellency governor Mif- flin, and intended for the us(5 of the legislature, in the nature of a report ; they having the sub- ject at large under their consideration. This performance justly gained him great credit, nnd its happy effects are manifes^ted wherever it has been read with attention, especially in tlie reformation of the penal codes of several states in the Union, where the interests of hu- manity have, at last, prevailed over ancient and inveterate prejudices. BRADtORrji---BROC>K§. 65 He (lied on tlie 23d day of August, 1795, in the 40th year of his age, and was, according to his express desire, huried hy the side of his parents in the hurial ground, helonging to the second Presbyterian church in Philadelphia. BRADFORD, WiixiAM, an eminent prin- ter and friend of his country, died at Phila- delphia, September 25, 1791, in the seventy third year of his age. In the war with Great Britain he early espoused the cause of his coun- try, and WHS colonel of a regiment. He was many years editor of the Pennsylvania journal, and being a printer, as were his ancestors foi* three generations, like them he devoted hi-i press to the interests of liberty. BROOKS, Eleazae, a brigadier general in the late war, was born in Concord, Massachu- setts, in 1726. Without the advantages of edu- cstion he acquired a valuable fund of know- ledge. It was his practice in early life to read the most approved books, and then to converse with the most intelligent men respecting them. In 177 i he was chosen a representative to the general court and continued twenty seven years in public life, being successively a representa- tive, a member of the senate, and of the council. He took a decided part in the American revo- lution. At the head of a regiment he was en- gai^ed in the battle at White Plains in 1776, and in the secbnd action near Still Water, Oc- tober 7, 1777, and distinguished himself ly his cool determined bravery. From the year 1801 he secluded himself in the tranquil scenes of domestic life. He died at Lincoln, Massachu- setts, November 9, 1806, aged eighty years* 1'2 66 BROWN. General Brooks possessed an uneominonly strong and penetrating mind, and bis jndgmeirt as a statesman was treated witli respect. He was diligent and industrious, slow in concert- ing, but' expeditious in j»erforming bis plans. He was a firm believer in the doctrines of Christianity, and in his advanced years accept- ed the office of deacon in the church at Lin- coln. This office he ranked above all others, which he had sustained during life. BROWN, Andrew, editor of the Philadel- phia Gazette, was born in Ireland about the year 17i<4. lie came to America in 1773 as a soldier in a British regiment ; but be quitted the service and settled in Massachusetts. He cur gaged in the American cause at the commence- ment of the war, and displayed great courage m the battles of Lexington and Bunker's hilL He was also a useful officer in the northern army under general Gates. At the close of the war he established an academy for young ladies in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on a very liberal and extensive plan. He afterwards removed to Philadelphia, where he pursued the same ob- ject ; but as his employment did not well accord with a very irritable temper, he relinquished it. He now established the Federal gazette, the first number of which was published Octo- ber 1, 178S. The present government of the United States had not then commenced, and his jmper was the channel, through which some Qjt the most intelligent friends of the consti- tution addressed the public. He pursued his task with indefatigable industry ; but difficul- ties pressed upon him, and he seemed to have little prospect of deriving much pecuniary ad- vantage from bis paper, before tbe city was visited witb tbe yellow fever in 1793. As be remained in Pbiladelpbia during tlie ravages of tbe pestilence, and continued bis gazette, wben tbe otlier daily papers Avere suspended^ be derived from tbis circumstance an increase of patronage, wbicb at lengtb rewarded bis la- bors. His exertions were not relaxed tbrough bis success ; but, cbanging tbe name of bis paper to that of tbe Pbiladelpbia Gazette, and resolving, that it sboubl not be devoted exclusively to any political sect, but should be open to discussions from every side, be made it a correct vebicle of important intelligence. — Tbe profits of bis establisbment were now great, and be was in tbe midst of prosperity, wben it pleased God to overwhelm bim with ruin. His bouse took fire by means of his of- fice, wbicb was in one part of it, January 27, 1797, and in an unsuccessful attempt to rescue bis family from tbe Hamcs, be was so much burned that be survived but a few days. His wife and three chihlren were tbe next day com- mitted to a common grave, and tbe next Sa- turday, February 4, 1797, bis spirit followed them into another Avorld. BROWN, Moses, a brave officer fn tbe navy of tbe United States, died in December, 1803, aged sixty two years. During tbe last forty eight years of bis life be followed tlie profession of a mariner. In tbe revolutionary war bis reputation gained bim tbe command of several of tbe largest private armed ships from New England, in these stations he was zea- lous, braie, and successful. He was engagecT in several severe battles with the enemy, and distinguished himself particularly in one with a ship of superior force. When the small A^ merican navy was establishing, a number of years after the Avar, the merchants of Newbu- ryport built a ship by subscription for the go- vernment, and obtained the command of her for captain Brown. His advanced age had not impaired his skill, nor deprived him of his zeal and activity. AVhile he commanded the Mer- rimac he was as enterprising and successful as formerly; and he followed till his death his accustomed avocation. BRYAN, George, a judge of the supreme court of Pennsylvania, was a native of Dublin^ in Ireland, and was the eldest son of an ancient and respectable family. He came to this coun- try in early life, and lived forty years in Phila- delphia. At first he engaged extensively in commercial business ; but it pleased the wise Disposer of events to defeat his plans, and re- duce him to a state of comparative poverty. — He afterwards lived more in accordance with ancient simplicity. He was an active and in- telligent man. Previously to the revolution he was introduced into public employments. — He was a delegate to the congress, which met in 1775, for the purpose of petitioning and remonstrating against the arbitary mcasures^ of Great Britain. In the war, which followed, he took an open and active part. After tho declaration of independence, he was vice pre-sK dent of the supreme executive council of Penn- sylvania, and on the death of president Whar- BUYAN. .^B ion, ill May 177 8, he was i)laced at the head of the goTcrnmcnt. When his office, by the limitation of the constitution, expired in the autumn of 1779, he was elected a member of the legislature. Here, amidst the tumult of war and invasion, when every one was tremb- ling for himself, his mind was occupied by the claims of humanity and charity. He at this time planned and completed an act for the gradual abolition of slavery, which is an imperishable monument to his memory. He thus furnished evidence, that in opposing the exactions of a foreign power he was opposing tyranny, and \yas really attached to the cause of liberty. — After this period he was appointed a judge of the supreme court, in which station he conti- nued during the remainder of his life. In 1784^ he was elected one of the council of censors, and was one of its principal members till his death, which took place at Philadelphia, Jan- uary 28, 1791. Besides the offices already mentioned, judge Bryan filled a variety of public, literary, and charitable employments. Formed for a close application to study, animated with an ardent thirst for knowledge, and blessed with a me- mory of wonderful tenacity, and a clear, pene- trating, and decisive judgment, lie availed him- self of the labors and acquisitions of others, and brought honor to the stations, which he occupied. 'Jo his other attainments he added the virtues of the christian. He was distin- guished by his benevolence and sympathy with the distressed, by an unaffected humility and Diodtsty> by his readiness to forgive injnric?. 70 BtJTLElT. and by the inflexible integrity of Lis conduct. He was superior to the frowns and blandish ments of the world. Thus eminently qualified for the various public offices, in Mhich he was placed, he was faithful and humble in dis- charging their duties, and he filled theui with ilignity and reputation in the worst of times, and in the midst of a torrent of unmerited ob- loquy and opposition. Such was his disinter- estedness, and his zeal for the good of others, that his own interest seemed to be overlooked. In the administration of justice he was impar- tial and incorruptible. He was an ornament to the profession of Christianity, which he^ made, the delight of his connexions, and a public blessing to the state. By his death re- ligion lost an amiable example,, and science a steady friend. BUTLER, Richard, a brave officer during the war of the American revolution, sustained the office of colonel at the close of the struggle with Great Britain. On more than one occasion he had distinguished himself in a remarkable manner. In the battle with the Indians neav the Miamis villages, November 4, 1791, which terminated in the defeat of St. Clair, he com- manded the right wing of the army, with the rank of general. In this engagement he wa.v killed. BUTLER, Thomas, a brave officer during the war Avith Great Britain, was a brother oi* the preceding. Three other brothers fought in the service of their country. In the year 1776 he was a student at law with tl\c eminent; judge Wilson qf Philadelphia ; but early hi BUTLEH, yi that year lie ^quitted liis Btudies, and joined the army as a subaltern. He soon obtained the command of a company, in yliicb ^iratte he continued till the close of the revolutionary contest. He was in almost every action, that was fought in the middle states during the war. At the battle of Brandy wine, September 11, 1777, he received the thanks of Washington on the field of battle, through his aid de camp, general Hamilton, for his intrepid conduct in rallying a detachment of retreating troops, and giving tiie enemy a severe fire. At the battle of Monmouth, June 28, 1778, he receiv- ed the thanks of general Wayne for defending a defile in the face of a heavy fire from the enemy, while colonel Richard Butler's regi- ment made good their retreat. At the close of tlie war he retired into pri- vate life as a farmer, and continued in the en- joyment of ruEal and domestic happiness till the year 1791, wiicn he again took the field to meet a savage foe, that menaced our western frontier. He commanded a battalion in the disastrous battle of November 4, in which his brother fell. Orders were given by general St. Clair to charge with the bayonet, and ma- jor Butler, though his leg had been broken by a ball, yet on horse back led his battalion to the charge. It was with difficulty, that his surviving brother, captain Edward Butler, re- moved him from the field. In 1792 he was continued on the establishment as a major, and in 179i, he was promoted to the rank of lieu- tenant colonel commandant of the fourth sub- Jegion. He commanded in this year fort Fay- 72 CASWELL. ettc at Pittsliurgli, anil prevented tlic deluded insurgents from taking it more by his name^ than by his forces, for he liad Init few troops. In 1797 he was named by president Washing- ton as the offiesr best ealculated to command in the state of Tennessee, when it was necessa- ry to dispossess some citizens, who had impru- dently settled on the Indian lands. Accord- ingly in May he marched with his regiment from the Miami on the Ohio, and by that jjru- dence and good sense, which marked his cha- racter tlirough life, he in a short time remov- ed all difficulties. While in Tennessee lie made several treaties with the Indians. In 1802, at the reduction of the army, he was con- tinued as colonel of a regiment on the peace establishment. The close of his life was embittered by trou- ble. In 1803 he Avas arrested by the command- ing general at fort Adams, on the Mississippi, and sent to Maryland, where he was tried by a court martial, and acquitted of all the charges, except that of wearing his hair. lie was then ordered to New Orleans, where he arrived to take the command of the troops October 20. — He was again arrested the next month, but the court did not meet till July of next year, and their decision is not known. Colonel But- ler died September 7, 1805, aged fifty one years. CASWELL, TJicnARD, governor of North Carolina, received an education suitable for the ))ar, and was uniformly distinguished as a 1 riend to the rights of mankiud. He possessed ,ij sensibility, wliieh impelled him to relieve the CASW-EIX. rS distress, ^viiich he witnessed. Whenever op- pressed indigence ealk-d fur his professional assistance, he afforded it without the hope of any other reward, than tike consciousness of having exerted himself to promote the happi- ness of a fellow man. Warmly attached to the liberties of his country, he was appointed a member of the imt congress in 1771, and he early took arms in resistance to the arbitrary claims of Great Britain. He was at the head of a regiment in 1776, when it became necessary to oppose a body of loyalists, composed of a number of the ignorant and disorderly inhabitants of the fron- tiers, styling themselves regulators, and of emi- grants from the highlands of Scotland. This party of about fifteen hundred men was collect- ed in the middle of February under general ]M'Donald. He v/as pursued by general Moore, and on the twenty seventh, he found himself under the necessity ef engaging colonel Cas- well, who was intrenched with about a thou- sand minute men and militia, directly in his front, at a place called Moore's creek-bridge. This was about sixteen miles distant, from Wilmington, where M'Donald hoped to join general Clinton. But he was defeated and taken prisoner by Caswell, with the loss of se- venty men in killed and wounded, and liftcen hundred excellent rifles. This victory was of eminent service to the American cause in North Carolina. Mr. Caswell was president of the conven- tion, which formed the constitution of North Carolina, in December 1776, under which coii- G stitiiUoii he ^vas governor from April 1777 to the year 1780, and from 1785 to 1787. At the time of his death he was president of the se- nate, and for a niimher of years lie had held the commission of major genei'al. lie died at Fayetteville, November 20, 17 89. In his character the public arid domestic virtues v/ere miited. Ever honored v/ith some marks of the approbation of his fellow citizens, lie watched with unremitted attention over the welfare of the community, and anxiously en- deavoured also to promote the felicity of its members in their separate interests. While the complacency of his disposition and his equal temper peculiarly endeared him to his friends, they commanded respect even from his ene- mies. CHAMPE, John, was a native of Yirginia, and during our revolutionary war, a scrjeant- majoi' in a legion of cavalry. After the detec- tion of Arnold's treason, and the capture of major Andre, the commander in chief received frequent intellij^ence that many American oHi- eers, and one brigadier-general, liigh in his con- fidence, were implicated in the guilt of (hat con- spiracy. He consulted with major Lee on tlie subject, submitted to his inspection the papers detailing this alarming intelligence, and desir- ed his opinion on the subject. Major Lee en- deavored to calm his apprehensions, and repre- sented this, as an artifjce which the British general had adopted to weaken the confidence of the commander in chief in his subordinate officers, and to sow the seeds of discord in the Vmerican camp. Washington observed, tUat CHAMPE. 70 ihc same ikouglit liftd occurred to Vnw ; but as these remarks applied witli equal force to Ar- nold before his desertion, he was dctcrmsiied on probing this matter to tljc bottom. He pro- ceeded to say, that what he had then to com- municate was a aubject of high delicacy, and entire confidence. He Avished major Lee to recoiiimend some bold and enterprising indi- Tidual from tlie legion he commanded, v/ho should proceed on that very night to the ene- my's camp, in the character of a deserter. He was to make himself known to one or two of Washington's confidential agents in New York, obtain, through tlieir means, the most authentic evidence of tlie innocence or guilt of the American officers suspected, and transmit the result to major Lee. Another part of his project was to seize the traitor and to bring lura alive to the American camp ; but the or- ders were positive not to put him to death, and to suffer him to escape, if lie could not be takerr hy any other means. His public punishment was all that Washington desired. He flatter- ed himself that by Arnold's arrest he would be enabled to unravel this conspiracy, and swvt the life of the uvfortunate Jlndre. When ma- jor Lee sounded Champe on this business, the heroic serjeant replied, that if any means could be devised by which he could testify his devo- tion to his country, and his attachment to his commander in cliief, compatible with honor, he would cheerfully endure any personal risk : but his soul abhorred the thoughts of desertion. Major Lee with much difficulty succeeded in convincing him, that in no other way could he ?t> ^HAMPE. render so important a service to Iiis coiiiiiry^ and he was at last i)revailed upon to undertake this hazardous service. After being furnished with his instructions, which lie liastily took down in a character, or rarther cipher of his ov/n, (for he was not permitted to carry writ- ten orders,) his difficulty was to pass the Ame- rican lines. The major was unable to promise h\m any protection, as this would seem to coun- tenance the plot, and to favor the desertion of others, and the enemy might moreover, obtain intelligence by that means, discover and defeat his object, and he himself suffer the ignomi- nious death of a spy. The serjeant at length departed, and about half an hour afterwards, the colonel was informed that one of the pa- trolcs had fallen in with a dragoon, who being 4jhalleaged put spurs to his horse, and escaped. JLee made light of the intelligence, and scout- ed the idea that a dragoon belonging to his Ic- j^ion should desert. It was probably, he said, a countryman, who was alarmed at the chal- lenge, and iniglit easily in the night time be mistaken for one of Jiis men. Orders were at length given, to examine the squadron. This command was promptly obeyed, and produced a eonlirmation of the first intelligence, with die further tidings that this individual was no otherthan tlic serjeant major ; as neither him- liclf, his baggage, or his horse were to be found. hec now made lighter than ever of the report ; ouhirged on the former services of the serjeant, and his known and tried fidelity. lie said thai he had probably folIoMcd tlie pernicious exam- ple set \>Y liis superior officers, who, in dcii^ CHAMPE. 77 ance af their orders, peremptory as they were., oceasjonally quitted the camp, and were never suspected of desertion. All these pretexts having been exhausted, written orders were at length issued, in the usual form, " Pursue as far as you can serjeant Champe, suspected of desertion ; bring him alive that he may suf- fer in the presence of the army ; but kill him if he resists, or escapes after being taken." Before the pursuing party set out, major Lee directed tlie commanding officer to be chang- ed, which allowed a little more time to the fu- gitive. Pursuit was at length made, and con- tinued with such eagerness, that Champe escaped at the distanee only of three or four hundred yards. The British galleys were ly- ing below Powlc's hook ; Champe called to them for protection, and leaving his horse and baggage, plunged into the river sword in hand. One of the galleys despatched a boat to his as- sistance, and iired on his pursuers, by which means Champe gained the shore without injury. Washington was highly pleased with the i-e- sult of this adventure. The eagerness of the pursuit he thought would be decisive evidence to the British commander, that this v/as a real, and not a feigned desertion. Champe was im- mediately brought before sir Henry Clinton, and questioned by him on a variety of subjects, and amongst the rest, if any ^Rrdericaii ojficers were suspected of desertioji, and who those ojfi- cers were. The serjeant was forwarned on this point, and gave such answers as would more effectually mislead. After this examination he G-2 7.8 CHAMPE. >vas consigned to the care of general Arnold, and by iiiin retained in his former rank. Wash- ington hoped and believed, that the trial of An- dre would occupy much time, and enable Cliam pe to accomplish his designs. That gallant offi- cer disdaining all subterfuge, completely foiled this hope, by broadly confessing the nature of his connection with Arnold. The commander in chief offered to exchange Andre for Arnold, a proposal sir Henry Clinton, for obvious mo- tives, declined. Had this gallant officer pro- tracted his trial, and the plot proved success- iul, the life of Andre would have been saved, not by the intrigues of sir Henry Clinton, but of Washington in his favor. The honest and precipitate intrepidity of the British officer, defeated this benevolent project, and no alter- native remained but a speedy death. The Ser- jeant, unfortunate as he was in this, was more successful in obtaining evidence the most full and satisfactory, that the suspicions resting on several American officers were foul calumnies, and a forgery of the enemy. He now deter- mined on making one bold attempt for the sei- zure of Arnold. Having been allowed, at all times, free access to Arnold, marked all liis habits and movements, he awaited only a fa- vorable opportunity for the execution of his project. He had ascertained that Arnold usu- ally retired to rest about twelve, and that pre- vious to this, he spent some time in a private garden, adjoining his quarters. He was there to jiave been seized, bound, and gagged, and under the pretext that he was a soldier in a state cf intoxication, to have been conveved CHAMPE. 79 through bye paths, and iiususpeeted places, to a boat lying in readiness, in the river Hudson* Champe engaged two confederates, and major !Lcc, who co-operated in tlie plan, received timely intelligence of the night fixed on for its execution. At the appointed time, that officer, attended by a small party well mounted, laid in wait on the other side of the Hudson with two spare horses, one for Champe, and the other for Arnold. The return of daylight an- nounced the discomfiture of the plan, and Lee and his party returned to the camp with me- lancholy forebodings, that the life of the gal- lant Serjeant had been sacrificed to his zeal in the service of his country. Consoling however was the intelligence shortly after received from the confederates, that on the night preceding the one fixed on for Arnold's arrest, that offi- cer had shifted his quarters. It appeared that he was employed to superintend the embarka- tion of certain troops, composed chiefly of Ame- rican deserters, and it was apprehended, that unless they were removed from tlieir barracks, which were adjacent to the shore, many might seize that opportunity to escape. This attempt was never afterwards renewed. On the junc- tion of Arnold with lord Cornw allis, in Yirgi- nia, the serjeant found means to elude the vi- gilance of the British lines, and to reach in safety the army of general Greene. Having been furnished by that officer with the means of escaping to Washiugton's camp, he arrived there to the astonishment and joy of his old canfi^dcrates in arms. 80 CHirrENDEN. When Washington assumed the command of the army under president Adams, he caused strict inquiry to be made for the man who had so honorably distinguished himself, intending to honor such tried fidelity with military pro- motion, and heard, to his great sorrow, that he had died but a short time before, in the state of Kentucky. These facts are taken and condensed from the interesting manuscript of major general Lee. CHITTENBEN, Thomas, first governor of Vermont, was born at East Guilford, Connec- ticut in 1730. He received a common school education, which at that period contributed but little to the improvement of the mind. By a regular advance he passed through the seve- ral grades in the militia to the command of a regiment. He many years represented the town, in which he lived, in the general assem- bly, and thus acquired that koov/ledge of pub- lic business, which afterwards rendered him eminently useful in Termont. In the controversy v/ith New York, he was a faithful adviser and a strong supporter of the feeble settlers. During the war of the Ameri- can revolution, while Warner, Allen, and many others were in the field, he was assiduously en- gaged in the council at home, where he ren- dered essential service to his country. He was a member of the convention, which on tlie 16th of January, 1777, declared Termont an inde- pendent state, and was appointed one of the committee to communicate to coii,a;ress the pro- ceedings of the inhabitants, and to solicit for their district an admission into the union of CHITTEKBEN. 81 the Aiiicrican states. When the powers of governnieiit were assumed by this state, and a constitution was established in 1778, the eyes of tlie freemen were immediately fixed on Mr. Chittenden as their iirst magistrate. He was accordingly elected to tJiat arduous and diffi- cult office, and continued in it, one year only excepted, until his death. From the year 1780 till the conclusion of the war, during a period, in which the situation of Vermont was peculi- arly perplexing, he displayed a consummate policy. The state was not acknowledged by the congress, and they were contending on the one hand for independence, and on the other hand they were threatened by the British forces from Canada. A little management was necessary to promote the interests of this dis- trict. A correspondence was opened with the enemy, who were flattered for several years with the belief, that the people of Term out were about to subject themselves to the king of England ; and thus a meditated invasion of the territory was averted, and the prisoners were restored. At the same time, the possi- bility that Vermont would desert the cause of America was held up to congress, and by this means probably the settlers w ere not required to submit to the claims of Hew York. Such was the politic course, which governor Chit- tenden thought it necessary to pursue. He enjoyed very good health until about a year before his death. In (Jctober 1796, he jook an affecting leave of liis compatriots in the general assembly, imploring the benedic- tion of heaven cm ihciv. and their constituents. $2 CLINTON. He dietl August Si> 1797, aged sixty sevcu rears. Governor Chittenden, tiiougli an illiterate man, possessed great talents. His discernment was keen, and no person knew better liow to ef&ct great designs, than himself. Though his open frankness was sometinies abused, yet when secrecy was required in order to accom- plish his purposes, no misplaced confidence made tJiem liable to be defeated. His negociations during th^j war were master strokes of policy. He possessed a peculiar talent in reconciling the jarring interests ainong the people. The important services, which he rendered to his country, and especially to Yermont, make his name worthy of honorable remembrance. He lived to see astonishing changes in the district, which was almost a wilderness, when he first removed to it Instead of his little band of associates, lie could enumerate a hundred thou- sand persons, whose interests were entrusted to his care. He saw them rising superior to oppression, braving the horrors of a foreign war, and finally obtaining a recognition of their independence, and an admission into the Uni- ted States of Amejiea. CLINTON, Geoege, late Yice President of the United States, descended from a worthy and respectable family in the county of Oi-ange. and state of New York. His father was a judge and commanded a regiment. In early youth he v/as put to the law, and long before he became a man he rallied undei- the standard of his country, and assisted Am- herst in the reduction of Montreal. In this CLINTON. 83 campaign, he nobly distinguished himself in a conflict on the northern waters, where with four gun boats, after a severe engagement, he captured a French brig of 18 guns. War being ended, he returned again to his favorite pursuit, the science of the law, and placed himself under the tuition of Justice Smith, where he became a student with Go- verneur Morris. He had scarcely commenced as a practi- tioner, when in 1765, the storm appeared to gather round liis native land, and the tyrannic disposition of the mother country was mani- fested. Foreseeing the evil at hand, with a mind glowing with patriotism, correct and quick as lightning in its perceptions ; and like time, steady and fixed to the achievement of its object, he abandoned the advantages of the profession to which he had been educated, and became a member of the Colonial Legislature ; where he ever displayed a love of liberty, an inflexible attachment to the rights of his country, and tbat undaunted firmness and in- tegrity, without which tJiis nation never would have been free ; and which has ever formed the most brilliant, but though by no means the most useful trait of his character. In this si- tuation he remained, contending against the doctrines of British supremacy; and, with great strength of argument, and force of popu- larity, supporting the rights of America till the crisis arrived, when in 1775, he was return- ed a member of the patriotic Congress, who laid the foundation of our independence. — While in that venerable body, which is never S4b CLINTOX. to be iorgotten, and can never l)c sufficiently admired, it may be said of liim Avith truth* that " he strengthened the feeUe Inices and the hands that hung down,^' In 1776, he ^vas appointed Brigadier Gene- ral of the troops of his native state, and in the same year received from Congress an jippoint- ment of the same rank, in the national service. ^vhieh he held during the war. In 1777, he was appointed by Congress to command the posts of the highlands, a most important and arduous duty. The design of the enemy was to separate New England from the rest of the union, and by preventing tiie succor of the east, to lay waste the middle and the southern country. Had this plan been carried into eifect, American liberty would probably have expired in its cradle. It was then that tliis vast and comprclicn- sive genius viewed in its true light the magni- tude of tlie evil contemplated; and he roused to a degree of energy unknown and unexpected. It was then that llurgoyne Avas, with the best appointed army, ever seen in America, attempt- ing to force his way to Albany, and Howe was ^ 85 veu. H6 determineil at all hazards to save the country. With this view, when Howe at- tempted to ascend the river, Clinton from eve^ ry height and angle assailed him. Howe, dri- ven hj madness and a temper of revenge, in- considerately landed and marched into the country, and immortalized his name hy hurtl- ing Kingston and other villages. The hardy sons of tlie north assembled under the immor- tal Gates — the junction was prevented — Bur- goyne and his army were taken, America was TREE. We shall now submit to public perusal, the following account of his civil character and -employment: From the capture of Burgoyne for eighteen years in succession, he remained the governor of New York ; elected to that important sta- tion by a generous and wise people, who knew how to appreciate his wisdom and virtue, and their own blessings. During this period he was President of the convention of that state, which ratified the national constitution : whereas in all other situations, he undeviat- ingly manifested an ardent attachment to civil liberty. For the benefit of posterity, it may be well to descend to a few strong characteristics of his administration of the state government. A riot as violent and extensive in in^oportion as that of Lord George Gordon, in London, broke out in New York. The untarnished hero mingled with the mob to prevent excess, and allay the passions of the multitude. Ten- der of the lives of a misguided populace, for 1£ 86 CLINTON. two clays he submitted himself to this all lifl- portant service, and prevented the subversion of private as well as public rights, and the des- truction of private property. Perceiving that the passions of the people w ere not to be allay- ed, the tenderness of a father yielded to the duties of a magistrate, and those who by his remonstrances he could not soften, by his ener- gy and power, he instantly subdued. In 1786, a rebellion that threatened a revo- lution broke out in Massachusetts — the rebels were discomfited, and in large bodies fled to Ircbanon, in New York ; a place distant 150 miles from the city, which was then the seat of government, and where then was governor Clinton. Of this event he was informed. Not foreseeing the evil, the legislature (which was then in session) had not provided for the emer- gency, and the executive Avas without power ; but so great was the confidence of the legisla- ture, and so powerful his energy, that in less Ihan three days he appeared on the spot witli two regiments of troops, and a competent court of Justice, and all proper and neccssai^ cha- racters attendant ; and in less than twelve hours the rebel army was dispersed, the faulty magistrates dismissed, and the ciTenders brought to punishment. When he assumed the reins of government in New York, the state was infested vviih many wealthy and potent tories. Few (if not he alone) were brave enough to assume the res- ponsibility : the state had but a spare and meagre population on the North River, with some trifling settlements on the Moliawk, It CLINTON. 87 ranked below mediocrity, Avliile it may now Justly rank among the lirst states in the union. In this situation lie undertook to discharge the duties of the executive, and it may justly, in a great measure, be attributed to the bold perse- vering, liberal, and digiiified policy of this en- lightened and able statesman, that New York has risen to so much importance. To him it was owing, that in the revolution the tory party did not prevail in New York. It was his noble and dignified policy that furnished the hardy yeomanry of the east, not only with farms on a ten years credit, but a money capital to bring them to a state of cul- tivation. An act which docs equal justice to his head and to his heart. It was he who devised the plans of finance which have placed the citizens fjeyond the calls of the tax gatherer ; and furnished for them an actual fund of near four millions. lie may justly be called the fatl*cr of that people. It was he who after having strove, in obe- dience to the law of this state, to unite Ver- mont with New Y'ork, generously controuled his resentment, and effected her admission as a state into the union. After a life of his labor and of usefulness faintly portrayed ; worn with fatigues of duty, with disease which then afflicted him, and with those calamities which are too commonly inci- dent to life ; having led his state to eminent, if not unrivalled importance and prosperity, he retired from public life with a mind resolved ns)t to mingle imnccessarily with governnientaL B8 CLI^iTON. concerns, and to taste those sweets Avliieh result from reflecting on a life well spent. From this state he was roused by a sense of duty, when the struggle came between the po- litical parties of the nation. He had suifered too much for liberty and freedom of opinioriy to see them expire Avithout any effort on his part. He loved retirement ; but he loved his country more. Those called federalists, contended for rules and maxims of civil government, believed by the republicans (among whom was governor Clinton) to be dangerous to civil liberty. It was impossible for the great father of New York to remain an idle spectator of these contests — the republican party wanted his aid — ^his country which had always been dearer to him than any thing else, demanded his services, and he listened to her voice. It was the wish of the republicans to place him by the side of Jefferson ; aM accordingly a deT|;)utation was sent to him at N^.yf York. He highly prized the honors of his coutjtry ; but believing that in an humble station he could then render her more important services than in one elevated with that dignity and love of country which had governed all his actions, he generously declined the offer. The republican candiates were selected. It w as known that they could not succeed without the aid of the state of New York, and without success to the republican ticket in the city — ■ and that ticket could not succeed without the name and influence of George Clinton. Of course, the elevation of Thomas Jefferson^i CrLINTON. 89 which every republican so ardently desired, eould not take place, unless the patriot Clin- ton, vilio had refused the Vice Presidency, ^vould accept of the station of a representa- tive in the state legislature. Again the patriot did not hesitate — he sa- crificed his domestic quiet to the sense of duty^ ami the wishes of his country. He became a member of the legislature — with him were carried the other members of the ticket j and TJiomas Jefferson Avas made President. In 1801, he was again elected governor, and completed the reformation of politics in his native state. In 180i<, the people having lost tlieir confidence in colonel Burr, the vice-pre- sident — to produce unanimity and restore har- mony to the republic, governor Clinton was elected vice president, by the same number of votes that elevated Mr. .Tefferson to the presi- dency : in Avhicli station he discharged its du- ties with unremitted attention and universal satisfaction. A dangerous schism took place among the ])cople of New York in the spring of 1807, as in their gubernatorial election, and governor Clinton's name was brought into the contest. He was then attending a sick daugliter at Washington. He spoke to the people of New York — they recollected the voice of their be- loved chief, and the murmur of discontent was silenced. Of all'the revolutionary heroes and 'worthies to him alone was entrusted the government of a state and a command in the regular army. — Nature gave him a clear and strong mind, whicjfe m2 90 CLINTON. had be6n highly cultivated. He was wise from experience, and age had not impaired his intel- lect. He died what he had always been, an ardent friend to liberty, attached to the rights of the American people in their various classi- fications — devoted only to his CDuntry's good, invariable and inflexible* This distinguished patriot, statesman and sage, fell at his post, like the great and good Chatham, in the city of Washington, on the twentieth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and twelve ; after an illness of about four weeks continuance. He descended to the grave full of years and full of honors. The future historian, when party shall be stripped of her passions and her prejudices, will delight to honor the memory of George Clinton, who in the service of his country both in the field and in the cabinet, during the course of a long, active and virtuous life, ranked second only to the illustrious and immortal Washington. One of the last acts of his life, was the rejec- tion, by his vote as Presicent of the Senate of the United states, of the late Bank of the Unit-^ ed States. The Senate was equally divided on the question, and he gave the casting vote against the renewal. In order that tlie public may have an oppor- tunity of judging of the motives which actuated him on this important subject, the editor of the present work thinks it proper to give those rc- inarks which he delivered immediately prccea- ing his vote. He ohierved — CLINTON. QX *f Gentlemen, *' As the object on which I am called upon to decide, has excited general sensibility, I must solicit the indulgence of the senate, whilst I briefly state the reasons which in- fluence my judgment. " Permit me to inform you that the question to be decided does not depend simply upon the rights of Congress to establish under the modi- fication, a Bank ; but upon their power to es- tablish a national bank, as contemplated by this bill ,• in other words, can they create a body politic and corporate, not constituting a part of the government, nor otherwise respon- sible to it,, but by forfeiture of charter, and bestow on the members, privileges, immunities and exemptions, not recognized by the laws of the states, nor enjoyed by the citizens gene- rally ? It cannot be doubted but that Congress may pass all necessary and proper laws for car- rymg into execution the powers specifically granted to the government, or to any depart- ment or oflSice thereof, but in doing so the means must be suited and subordinate to the end. The power to create corporations is not expressly granted. It is a high attribute of sovereignty, and in its nature not accessorial or derivative by implication, but primary and independent. <* I cannot believe that this interpretation of the constitution will, in any degree, defeat the purposes for which it was formed ; on the con- trary, it does appear to me, that the opposite exposition has an inevitable tendency to con- solidation, and afibrds just and serious cause 9^ CLXNTON. of alarm. In the course of a long life, I have found that government is not to he strengthen- ed hy an assumption of douhtful powers, hut hy a wise and energetic execution of those which are incontestihle. The former never fails to produce suspicion and distrust, whilst the latter inspires respect and confidence. " If, however, after a fair experiment, the power vested in the government, shall he foimd incompetent to the attainment of the ohject, for which it was instituted, the constitution happily furnishes the means for remedying the evil hy amendment ; and I have no douht, that in such an event, on an appeal to the patrio- tism and good sense of the community, it will be wisely applied. <• I will not trespass upon the patience of tlie senate, any longer than to say from the best examination I have been able to give thvhere greater scholars, and much more profound tlieologians, listened to hear him, to whom, however, he would give up an opinion, when they thought it not correct. If in any thing he was obstinate in his own sentiments, it was upon the politics of the day. His eulogist handsomely describes this part of his chai'acter, so that no one can object to his becoming a politician. ** He well knew that tyranny opposes itself to religious as well as civil liiferty ; and being among the first who perceived the injustice and ruinous tendency of the British court, which at length obliged the Americans to defend their rights with the sword, this reverend patriot was among thd first who took an early and decided part in the politicks of his country." He was, however, a political v/riter earlier in life than any threatening of British thraU dom. In the year 175 i, he wrote the Crisis^ a pamphlet against the cvcise act, which our general court contemplated. He certainly was at all all times a leading character among the American whigs. And from the time of the stamp act to the revolutionary Mar, some of the bdst political i)ieees in the Boston Ga- zette were the effusions of his pen. The let- ters from governor Hutchinson to Whately, which were printed in Boston, were sent to Dr. Cooper; whether by Dr. Franklin or Mr. Temple is not ascertained. They were put into his hands to read, to communicate to cer- tain friends, but under a strict injunction not to have thcn[i published. They were published COOPER. 19^ iiy a gentleman to whom they >¥ere communi- cated upon his promise of returning them " un- copied." The Doctor was not to blame, and was much grieved at the consequences of the publication, whicli were a duel between Mr. Whately and Mr. Temple, and loss ©f Ihe office of postmaster-general to Dr. FraRklin.— Mr. Temple was never satisfied with the apo- logy of Dr. Cooper for what he thought a breach of confidence. In the spring of 1775, Dr. Cooper, with other patriots, was lampooned by the British officers in an oration pronounced in Boston. He af- terwards met with insults, and it was happy for him that he left the town before Lexington battle, as he was very obnoxious to the autho- rity then in Boston. He was a warm friend to the independence of his country, 1776 ; and i joined heartily in promoting the alliance with France. Tlie great friendship subsisting between him, Dr. Franklin and IMr. Adams, was one means of his being known in France ; and tlie gentlemen coming from that kingdom were generally recommended to him by those ambassadors. When the fleets of his most Christian Majesty adorned our harbors, he was always the confidential friend of the gentlemen who commanded ; and many officers and sub- jects of that august monarch were received by him with great cordiality that was pleasing, and highly endeared him to them. He enjoyed his vigor of mind, his activity, and his cheerfulness till he was seized with his last illness ; this was an apoplectic turn, which continued only a few days. He expired December 23;, 1783. \ 96 t;USHIKG. CUSHING, Thomas, 1.. L. D. lieutcn&nt^ governor of the commonwealth of Massachu- setts, was horn in the year 1725, and comple- ted his academical education, at the university of Camhridge, in his native state. While he was very young, the town of Boston called him to fill some of its most respectable offices, and delegated him as its representative to the general court. In this situation, his pa- triotism, his abilities, and his faculty in dis- patching business, led the house of Assembly to chose him their speaker, a place which had for many years been filled by his father with great reputation. While he was in the chair, the contest with Great Britain ripened to a conclusion, and the station he held not only called out his exertions in the service of his country, but rendered him known, wherever the cause of America was patronized, and in- ileed throughout the European world. Of the two first continental congresses, which laid a foundation for the independence and happiness of this country, he was a judicious and an active member. On his return to his own state, he was chosen a member of the council, which then constituted its supreme executive. He was also appointed judge of the courts of com- mon pleas, and of probate in the county of Suf- folk, which stations he held until the adoption of the present constitution, when he was called to the office of lieutenant-governor, in which he continued until his death. Under arbitrary, or monarchical govern- ments, a man's being appointed to, or continued In an ofllce, is no certain evidence of his being q-u'aliiled for it ; but in governments, free like ours, the appointment of a person for a long course of years together, to guard the inter- ests of the people, and to transact their im- portant affairs, is the most incontestible i)roof of his abilities and integrity. Tliis observation Avas verified in Mr. Cushiug. He thoroughly understood the interest of h4s country, and meant invariably to pnrsiie thcm>. Vej-y fo^ men knew better than he, how to predict the consequences of the public conduct— to balanee contending parties— to remove difficulties — and to unite separate and divided interests. — Ilis life was a state of constant exertion in thti service of his country ; its happiness was deaf to liim in health ,* it lay near his heart in his last moments ; and, v.hile he expressed a sa- tisfaction in having honestly and uprightly, iu eTy his pleasant temper, his moderation, his conversing with men of different parties, though he sometimes was lashed by their strokes for want of firmness, he obtained more influence than either, except Mr. Hancock. — The reason of his being known so much in the mother country was, that his name was signed to all the public papers, as speaker of the holRe. Hence he was sometimes exposed iff I y> BARKE. flic sarcasms of the ministerial ^viitcrs. la Ihc pamphlet of Dr. Johnson, called, " Taxa- tion no Tyranny," one object of the Americans is said to be, ** to adorn the brows of Mr. C g with a diadem." lie had a rank among the patriots, as a sincere friend to the public good, and he was also a friend to religion, which he manifested by a constant attendance upon ail pious institutions. Mr. Gushing had a iirm constitution, but was subject to the gout. It was this disorder, which deprived his country of his abilities, jat a time, when an important change w as agita- ting in her political fabric. On the 19th of February, 1788, he was attacked by the gout in his breast, and, on the 28th of the same month, he died in the 63d year of his age, liaving had the satisfaction to sec the new fe- deral constitution ratified, by the coftYcntion of Massachusetts, a few days before his death. DARKE, William, a brave officer during the American war, was born in Philadelphia county in 1736, and when a boy accompanied liis parents to Yirginia. In the nineteenth year of his age he joined the army under ge- neral Braddock, and shared in the dangers of his defeat in 1755. In the beginning of the war with Great Britain lie accepted a cap- tain's commission, and served with great repu- tation till the close of the war, at which time he, held the rank of major. In 1791 he receiv- ed from congress the command of a regiment in the army under general St. Clair, and bore a distinguished part in the unfortunate battle with tlie Indians on tl^c fourth of Novcn^bcr DATIDSOIV. 91^ iu the same year. In this battle .]ie lost a fa- vorite son, and narrowly escaped with bis ovrn life. In his retirement during his remaining years ho enjoyed tlie confidence of the state, >vhich had adopted him, and was honored wiih tlie rank oF mujor 4!,encral of the iviilitia. IIo died at liis seat, in Jefferson county, November 26, 1801, in the sixty sixth year of his age. DAVIDSON, WiLXiAM, lieutenant colonel commandant in the North Carolina line, and brigadier general in the militia of that state, was the youngest son of George Davidson, who rqmoved with his family from Lancaster coun- ty, in Pennsylvania, in the year 1750, to Rowaii county, in North Carolina. William was born in the year 1746, and was educated in a plain country manner at an aca- demy in Charlotte, the county town of MeeU- Icnhurg, whicli adjoins Rowan. Like most of the enterprising yoirth of Ame- rica, Davidson repaired to the standard of his eountry on the commencement of our war, and was appointed a major in one of the first regi- ments formed by the government of North Car rolina. In this character he marched with the Nordi Carolina line under Brigadier general Nash to the main army in New Jersey, where he serv- ed un !er the commander in chief, until the North Carolina liite was detached in November, 1779, to reinforce the southern army, com- manded by major general Lincoln. Previous to this event, Major Davidson was promoted to the command of a regiment with the rftnK of lieuteannt colo\jel commandant. 100 DAVIDSOjK. As lie passed through North Carolina, Da- yidson obtained permission to visit his family, from which he had been absent nearly three years. The delay produced by this visit saved him from captivity, as he found Charleston so closely invested when he aridved in its neigh- borhood, as to prevent his rejunction with his i;egiment. Soon after the surrender of general Lincoln and his army, the loyalists of North Carolina, not doubting the complete success of the royal forces, began to embody themselves for the purpose of contributing their active aid in the field to the subsequent operations of the Bri- tish general. Tliey were numerous in the western parts of the state, and especially in the Highland settlement abaut Cross creek.^ — liieutenant colonel Davidson put himself at th& head of some of our militia, called out to quell the expected insurrection. He proceeded with vigor in the execution of his trust ; and in an engagement with a party of loyalists near Cal- 3on's mill, he was severely wounded ; the ball entered the umbilical region and passed through his body near the kidneys. This confined him for eight weeks ; when recovering he instantly took the field, having been recently appointed brigadier general by the government of North Carolina, in the place of brigadier general Ku- therford, taken at the battle of Camden. He exerted himself in conjunction with general Sumner and colonel Davie, to interrupt the l^rogrcss of lord Cornwallis in his advance to- wards SaUsbiiry, and throughout that eventfui DAVmSON. 101 period, gave unceasing cvidenees of liis zeal and firmness in upholding his falling country. , After t/ic victory ohtained by Morgan at tlie Cowpens, Davidson was among the uiost active of his countrymen in assembling the militia of his district, to enable general Greene, who liad joined the light corps under Morgan, to stop the progress of the advancing enemy, and was detached by general Greene on the night of the last day of January to guard the very ford selected by lord Cornwallis for his passage of tlie Cutawba river on the next morning. — Davidson possessed himself of the post in the nigfit at the liead of three hundred men ; and having placed a picquet near the shore, sta- tioned iiis corps at some small distance from the ford. General Henry I^ee, from whose << memoirs of the war in the Southern department of tlic United States," we copy the presant sketch of General Davidson, gives the foUowing account of the rencontre : "A disposition was immediately made to dislodge Davidson, which the British general, O'llara, with the guards elfected. Lieutenant Colonel Hall led with the light company, fol- lowed by tlic grenadiers. The current was rapid, the stream waist deep, and five hundred yards in width. The soldiers crossed in pla- toons, supporting each other's steps. When lieutenant colonel Hall reached the middle of the river, he Avas descried by the American centinels, whose challenge and fire brought Davidson's corps into array. Deserted by his guide, Hall passed directly across, not kio^Y'- ^2 1052 DAVIDSON. ing the iandjng place, wbieli lay below hiin.^— This deviatioii from the common course ren- dered it necessary for Davidson to incline to the right ; but thiis manoeuvre, although promptly performed, was not cffticted until the light infantry had gained the shore. A fierce conflict ensued, which was weir support- ed by Davidson and his inferior force. The militia at length yielded, and Davidson, while mounting his horse to direct the retreat, was killed. The corps dispersed, and sought safety in the woods. Our loss was small, excepting general Davidson, an active, zealous and influ- ential officer. The British lieutenant colonel IlaH was also killed, with three of the light infan-try, and thirty six werc wounded. Lord Cornwallis's horse was shot under him and feli as soon as he got upon the shore. Leslec's horses were carried down the stream, and with difficulty saved ; and O'Hara's tumbled over with him in the water." The loss of brigadier general Davidson would have always been felt in any stage of the war. It was particularly deterimental in its effect at this period, as he was the chief instrument re- lied upon by general Greene for the assemblage of the militia ; an event all important at this crisis, and anxiously desired by the American general. The ball passed through his breast, and he instantly fell dead. This promising soldier was thus lost to his country in the meridian of life, and at a mo- meut when his services would have been highly beneficial to her. He was a man of popular- manners, pleasing address, active and indefiati- BAY^rON. 105 gal>le. Enamored viiih the profession of arms, and devoted to the great cause for ^\hieh he fonglit, his future usefulness may he inferred from his former conduct. The congress of the United States, in grati- tude for his services, and in commemoration of their sense of his worth, passed the following resolution directing the erection of a monu- ment to his memory. Resolved, That the governor and council of the state of North Carolina be desired to erect a monument, at the expense of the United States, not exceeding the value of five hundred ilollars, to the memory of the late brigadier general Davidson, who commanded the militia of the district of Salisbury, in the state of Xorth Carolina, and was killed on the first day of February last, fighting gallantly in the de- fence of the liberty and independence of these states. DAYTON, Elias, a brave friend of his country, died at Philadelphia in July 1S07, in the seventy first year of his age. At the com- mencement of the American revolution, though in the enjoyment of every domestic blessing, he took an active part, and never quitted the tented iiehl till the consummation of indepen- dence. He was open, generous, and sincere ; ardent in his friendship ; scrupulously uprights in manners easy, unassuming^, and pleasant ; prompt and diffusive in Ms charities ; and also a warm supporter of the gospel. At the time of his death he held the office of major geiiie- ral% m DEANE. DEANE, Silas, minister of the Vmied States to the court of France, was a native of Groton, Connecticut, and was graduated at Yale college in 1758. He was a member of the first congress, which met in 1774'. In 1776 he was deputed to France as a political and commercial agent, and he arrived at Paris in June with instructions to sound the disposition of the cabinet on the controversy with Great Britain, and to endeavour to obtain supplies of military stores. In September it was agreed to appoint ministers to negociate treaties with foreign powers, and Dr. Franklin and Mr. Jef- ferson were elected to join Mr. Dcane in France. But Mr. Jefferson declining the ap- pointment, Mr. Arthur Lee, then in London, was chosen in his place. It is remarkable, that the delegates of Connecticut did not vote for Mr. Deane. In December the three com- missioners met at Paris. Though Mr. Deanc assisted in negociating the treaty with his most christian majesty, yet he had very little to re- commend him to the high station, in which he w as placed. He was instructed to engage not exceeding four engineers, and he Avas most pro- fuse in his promise of offices of rank to induce French gentlemen to come to America. Con- gress being embarrassed by his contracts, was under the necessity of recalling him November 21, 1777, and Mr. John Adams was appointeVind" sor, Connecticut, April 29, 1745, and was gra- duated at the college in New Jersey in ±766, He soon afterwards oommeneed the practice of the law, in wliich profession he attained an acknowledged eminence. His perceptions w ere unusually rapid, his reasoning clear and con- clusive, and his eloquence almost irresistible. In the year 1777 he was chosen a delegate to the continental congress. He found himself in a new sphere ; but his extraordinary powers did not fail him, and he met the exigencies of the times without shrinking. In 1780 he wns elected into the council of his native state, and he continued a member of that body till 178i, when he was appointed a judge of the superior court. In 1787 he was elected a member of the convention, which framed the federal constitu- tion. In an assembly, illustrious for talents, erudition, and patriotism, he held a distin- guished place. His exertions essentially aided in the production of an instrument, which, un- der the divine blessing, has been the main pil - lar of American prosperity and glory. He was immediately afterwards a member of the state convention, and contributed his efforts towards procuring the ratification of that in- strument. When the federal government was j organized in 1789, he was chosen a member of I the senate. This elevated station, which he 'filled with his accustomed dignity, he occupied jtill in March 1796, he was nominated by pre- j sident Washington chief justice of the supreme leourt of the United States. Though his atten- I K ! lio ELLSMORTH. lion liail been for many years abstracted from the study of the law, yet he presided in that higli court with the greatest reputation. The diligence, with which he discharged his official duties, could be equalled only by his inexhausti- ble patience. His charges to the jury were I'ich not only in legal principles but in moral sentiments, expressed in a simple, concise style, and delivered in a manner, which gave them a tenfold energy and impression. Towards the close of the year 1799, he was appointed by president Adams envoy extraordinary to France for the purpose of accommodating existing dif- ilculties, and settling a treaty with that nation. With much reluctance he accepted the appoint- OQient. In conjunction with governor Davie and Mr. Murray, his associates, he negociated a treaty, which, though it did not answer the just claims and expectations of the American public, Avas undoubtedly the best, that could be procured. Having accomplished the business of his embassy, he repaired to England for the benefit of the mineral waters, as his health had suffered much in his vo^^age to Europe. Con- vinced that his infirmities must incapacitate liim for the future discharge of his duties on the bench, he transmitted a resignation of his office of chief justice at the close of the year 1800. On his return to Connecticut, his fel- low citizens, desirous of still enjoying the be- nefit of his extraordinary talents, elected him into the council ; and in May 1807 he was ap- pointed chief justice of the state. This office, iiowever, he declined from apprehension that lie could not long survive under the pressure of EUSTAOE. Ill hi:> distressing maladies, and of domestic afflic- tions. He died November 26, 1807 in the six- ty third year of his age. Ml". Ellsworth was admired as an accom-i plished advocate, an upright legislator, an able and impartial judge, a wise and incorruptible ambassador, and an ardent, uniform, and inde- fiatigable patriot, who devoted every faculty, every literary acquisition, and almost every hour of his life to his country's good. He moved for more than tliirty years in a most conspicuous sphere, unassailed by the shafts of slander. His integrity was not only unim- peached but unsusi)ected. In his debates in legislative bodies, lie was sometimes ardcut, but his ardor illuminated the subject. His purposes he pursued with firmness, indepen- dence, and intrepidity. In private life he was a model of social and personal virtue. He was just in his dealings, frank in his communica- tions, kind and obliging in his deportmenfr easy of access to all, beloved and respected by his neighbors and acquaintance. Amid the va- ried honors, accumulated upon him by his country, he was unassuming and humble. His dress, his equipage, and mode of living were regulated by a principle of republican econo- my ; but for the promotion of useful and bene- volent designs he communicated with readiness and liberality. The purity and excellence of his character are rare in any station, and in the higher walks of life are almost unknown. EUSTACE, John SkTey, a brave officer in the American war, entered into the service of his Gountry not long after the commencement 112 FRAKKLIN. of the revolaticn, and continued one of her '^^ tive defenders till the conclusion of the contest. He served for some time as an aid-de-camp td general Lee, and afterwards as an aid-de-camp to general Greene. When the 'vvar was ended^ lie retired to Georgia, and was there admitted tf) the bar as an advocate. In that state he received the appointment of adjutant general. In the year 1794-, as he was fond of a military life, he went to France, and there received the appointment of a brigadier general, and was afterwards promoted and made a major gene- ral. In that rapacity he served the French iiation for some time. He commanded in 1797 a division of tlie French army in Flanders. — In 1800 he returned again to his native coun- try and took up his residence in Orange county, JVcw York^ where he led a retired, studious life, till his death. He devoted to literature all the time, whi when he had forgotten the expressions of the author, to endeavor to restore it to its original form. By this means he was taught his errors, and perceived the necessity of being more fully acquainted with the synonymous words of the language. He was much assisted also in ac- quiring a facility and variety of expression by writing poetry o- At this early period the perusal of Shafts- bury and Collins made liim completely a scep^ tic, and he was fond oT disputing upon the sub- ject of religion. This circumstance caused him to be regarded by pious men with abhor- rence, and on this account as well as on account of the ill treatment, which he received from his brother, he determined to leave Boston. — His departure was facilitated by the possesfi.ion of Ills indenture, which his brother had given K.2 Hi BllAISKUiNr. him about the year 1723, not from friendships hut because the general court had prohibited him from publishing the New England Courant, and in order that it might be conducted under the name of Benjamin Franklin. He private- ly went on board a sloop, and soon arrived at New York. Finding no employment here, he pursued his way to Philadelphia, and entered the city without a friend and with only a dollar in his pocket. Purchasing some rolls at a ba- ker's shop, he put one under each arm, and eating a third walked through several streets ill search af a lodging. There were at this time tv/o printers in Philadelphia, Mr. Andrew Bradford, and Mr, Keimer, by the latter of whom he was employed. Sir William Keiths the gavernor, having been informed, that Franklin was a young man of promising ta- lents, invited him to his house and treated him in the most friendly manner. He advis- ed him to enter into business for himself, and> to aeeompli&h this object, to make a visit to London in order tliat he might purchase the necessary articles for a printing office. Re- ceiving the promise of assistance, Franklin prepared himself for the voyage, and on ap- plying for letters of recommendation previous- ly to sailing he was told, that they would be sent on board. When the letter bag was oj)en- cd, tlicre was no packet for Franklin ; and he now discovered, that the governor was one oC those men, who lx)ve to oblige every body, and who substitute the most liberal professions and oifers in the place of active, substantial kind- ness, Arriving in London in 1734, lie ijras, FKANKLIN. 115 obliged to seek employment as a journeyman printer. He lived so economically, that he sav- ed a great part of his wages. Instead of drink* ing six pints of beer in a day, like some of Ms fellow laborers, he drank only water, and he persuaded some of them to renounce the ex- travagance of eating bread and cheese for "breakfast and to procure a cheap soup. As his principles at this time were very loose, his zeal to enlighten the world induced him to puh- tish his dissertation on liberty and necessity, in whicli he contended, that virtue and vice Averc nothing more than vain distinctions. This work procured him the acquaintance of Mandevillo and others of the licentious class. He returned to Philadelphia in October ±726 as a clerk to Mr. Henham, a merchant, but the death of that gentleman in the following year induced him to return to Mr. Keimer iu the capacity of foreman in his office. He was very useful to his employer, for he gave him assistance as a letter founder. He engraved various ornaments, and made printer's ink. He soon began biisuiess in partnership with Mr. Meredith, but in 1729 he dissolved the connexion with him. Having purchased of Keimer a paper, which had been conducted in a wretched manner, he now conducted it in a style, which attracted much attention. At this time, though destitute of those religious prin- ciples, which give stability and elevation to virtue, he yet had discernment enough to be convinced, that truth, probity, and sincerity would ]iromote his interest and be useful to Mm in tlie world, and he resolved to respect. 116 FRANKLIN. them in his conduct. The expenses of his es- tahlishment in business, notwithstanding his industry and economy brought him in a short time into embarrassments, from which he was relieved by the generous assistance of William Coleman and Robert Grace. In addition to his other employments he now opened a small stationer's shop. But the claims of business did not extinguish his taste for literature and science. He formed a club, which he called the junto, composed of the most intelligent of his acquaintance. Questions of morality, poli- tics, or philosophy were discussed every Fri- day evening, and the institution was continued almost forty years. As books were frequently quoted in the club, and as the members had brought their books together for mutual ad- vantage, he was led to form the plan of a pub- lic library, which was carried into effect in 1731, and became the foundation of that noble institution, the present library company of Phi- ladelphia. In 1732 he began to publish poor Richard's almanac, which Avas enriched with maxims of frugality, temperance, industry, and integrity. So great was its reputation, that he sold ten thousand annually, and it was conti- nueil by him about twenty five years. The maxims were collected in the last almanac in the form of an address, called the way to wealth, which has appeared in various publi- cations. In 1736 he was appointed clerk of the general assembly of Pennsylvania, and in 1737 postmaster of Philadelphia. The fnst fire company was formed by him in 173^. When the frontiers of Peniisylvania were en- FRANKLIN. ±±7 tkiiigered iii 174i and an ineifectiial attempt was made to procure a militia law, he propo- sed a voluntary association for the defence of the province, and in a short time obtained ten thousand names. In 1747 he was chosen a member of the assembly, and continued in this station ten years. In all important discussions his presence was considered as indispensable. He seldom spoke, and never exhibited any ora- tory ; but by a single observation he sometimes determined the fate of a question. In the long controversies with the proprietaries or their governors, he took the most active part, and displayed a firm spirit of liberty. He was now eagaged for a number of years in a course of electrical experiments, of which he published an account. His great discovery was the indentity of the electric fluid and light- ning. This discovery he made in the summer of 17^2. To the upright stick of a kite he at- tached an iron point ; the string was of hemp, excepting the part, which he held in his hand, which was of silk; and a key was fastened where the hempen string terminated. With this apparatus, on the approach of a thunder storm, he raised his kite. A cloud passed over it, and no signs of electricity appearing, he began to despair : but observing the loose fibres of his string to move suddenly toward an erect position, he presented his knuckle to the key, and received a strong spark. The success of this experiment completely established his theo- ry. The practical use of this discovery in se- curing houses from lightning by pointed eon- 4tietors is well known iu America and Europe. 118 FRANKLIK. In 1753 he was appointed deputy postmaster general of the British colonies, and in the same year the academy of Philadelphia, projected hy him, was established. In 1754< he was one of the commissioners, who attended ihe congress at Albany to devise the best means of defend- ing the country against the French. He drew up a plan of union for defence and general go- vernment, which was adopted by the congress. It was however rejected by the board of trade in England, because it gave too much power to the representatives of the people ; and it was rejected by the assemblies of the colonies, be- cause it gave too much power to the president general. After the defeat of Braddoek he w as appointed colonel of a regiment, and he rei)air- ed to the frontiers, and built a fort. Higher employments, however, at length called him from his country, which he was destined to serve more effectually as its agent in England, Avhither he was sent in 1757. The stamp act, by which the British minister wish- ed to familiarize the Americans to pay taxes to the mother counti'y, revived that love of li- berty which had led their forefathers to a coun- try, at that time a desert ; and the colonies formed a congress, the first idea of which had been communicated to them by Franklin, at the conferences at Albany in 1754. The war that was just terminated, and the exertions made by them to support it, had given them a conviction of their strength ; they opposed this measure, and the minister gave way, but he reserved the means of renewing the attempt. Once cauticHied, however, they remained ou FRANKLIN. 119 liieir guard ; liberty cherished by their alarms^ took deeper root ; and the rapid circulation of ideas by means of newspapers, for the intro- duction of which tliey were indebted to the printer of Philadelphia, united tijem tog;etJier to resist every fresh enterprise. In the year 1766, this printer, called to the bar of the house of commons, underwent that famous in- terrogatory, which placed the name of Frank- lin as high in polities, as it was in natural philosophy. From that time he defended the cause of America with a firmness and modera- tion becoming a great man, pointing out to the ministry all the errors they committed, and the consequences they would produce, till the period when the tax on tea meeting the same opposition as the stamp act had done* England blindly fancied licrscif capable of sub- jecting, by force, 3,000,000 of men determined to be free, at a distance of 1000 leagues. In 1766 he visited Holland, Germany and France, and he became acquainted with most of the literary characters of Europe. He returned tp America in 1775 and the day after liis arri- val was elected a member of congress. He was sent to the camp before Boston to confirm the army in their decisive measures, and to Canada to persuade tlie citizens to join in the common cause. In this mission however he was not successful. He was in 1776 appointed a committee with John Adams and Edward Rutlcdge to inquire into the powers, with which lord Howe was invested in regard to the adjustment of our differences with Great Britain. When his lordship expressed his coii- UO F^ANKLm. eern at being obliged to distress those, whoni he so much regarded. Dr. Franklin a&siued him that the Americans out of recipro^ftal re- gard, would endeavor to lessen, as much as possible, the pain, "which he might feel on their account, by taking the utmost care of themselves. In the discussion of the great question of independence, he was decidedly in favor of the measure. He was in the same year chosen president of the convention, which met in Philadelphia to form a new constitu- tion for Pennsylvania. The single legislature and the plural executive seem to have been his favDrite principles. In the latter end of the year 1776 he was sent to France to assist in nego- tiation with Mr. Arthur Lee and Silas Deane. He had much influence in forming the treaty of alliance and commerce, which was signed February C, 1778, and he afterwards complet- ed a treaty of amity and commerce with Swe- den. In conjunction with Mr. Adams, Mr. Jay, and Mr. Laurens, he signed the provi- J sional articles of peace November 30, 1782, and the definitive treaty September 30, 1783. While he was in France he was appointed one ©f the commissioners to examine Mesmer's animal magnetism in 178i. Being desirous of returning to his native country he requested, that an ambassador might be appointed in his place, and on the arrival of his successor, Mr. Jefferson, he immediately sailed for Philadel- phia, where he arrived in September 1785. — He was received with universal applause, and was soon appointed president of the supreme executive council. In 1787 lie was a dclefrate F^RANK'LIN. 4 21 - tlic gjL-and convention, wliich fonncd the con- stitution of the United States. In this conven- tion he had differed in some points from t]je majority ; but ^vhen the articles ^verc ulti- mately decreed, he said to his colleagues, ** We ought to have hut one opinion ; the good of our countrij requires that the resolution should he Mnanimous ;'^ and he signed. He died April 17, 1790. As an author, he never wrote a v/ork of any length. His political works consist of letters or short tracts ; but all of them, even those of humor, bear the marks of Ills observing genius and mild philosopljy. He Avrote many for that ranJv of people who have no opportunity for study, and whom it is yet I of so much consequence to instruct ; and he I was well skilled in reducing useful truths to I maxims easily retained, and sometimes to pro- verbs, or little tales, the simple and natural I graces of which acquire a new value when as- j sociatcd with the nanie of tlicir author. The most voluminous of his works is tlic history \ of his own life, AVhicb he commenced for his son, and whicb reaches no farther than 1757. He speaks of himself as he would have done of another person, delineating his thoughts, his actions, and even his errors and faults ; he describes the unfolding of his genius and ta- lents with the simplicity of a great man, who knows how to do justice to himself, and with the testimony of a clear conscience void of re- proach. In short, the whole life of Franklin, bis meditations and his labors, have all been directed to public utility ; but the grand object ^hat he had always in view, did not sluit his 42^ FRAISKLIN. lieart against private friendship ; he loved hi^ lainily, and liis friends, and Avas extremely he • iieficent. In society he was sententious, hut not fluent ; a listener rather than a talker ; iin informing rather than a pleasing companion: impatient of interruption, he often mentioned the custom of the Indians, who always remain silent some time hefore they give an answer to a question, which they have heard attentively ; unlike some of the politest societies in Europe, where a sentence can scarcely he finished with- out interruption. In the midst of his greatest occupations for the lihcrty of his country, he had some physical experiment always near him in his closet ^ and the sciences, which he had rather discovered than studied, afforded him a continual source of pleasure. He made various hequests and donations to cities, puhlic hodifs^s and individuals ; and requested that the IblloVing epitaph, which he composed for him- self some years ago, might he inscribed on Xm tombstone : ** The body of BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, PRINTER, (Like the covering of an old book. Its contents torn out, And stript of its lettering and gilding,) Lies here food for Avorms ,' Vet the work itself shall not he lost, hut will. (as he believed,) Appear once more in a new and more Beautiful edition, corrected and amended by THE AUTHOR." The latest and most correct edition of his works has been lately pubiislicd by William Biianc of Philadelphia. It is entitled " The works of Benjamin Franklin^, in philosophy, politics and morals, eoiitaiiirarr, bersidcs all the writings published in former collections, his diplomatic correspondence as minister of the United States at the court of Versailles ; a Tariety of literary articles, and epistolary cor- respondence, never before published, with me- moirs and anecdotes of his life ; 5 vols. 8 vo. GADSDEN, Christopher, lieutenant go- vernor of South Carolina, and a distinguished friend of his country, was born about the year 1724-. So high was his repufalion in the colo- ny, in which he lived, that he was appointed one of the delegates to the congress, which met at Ncav York in October 1765, to petition against the stamp act. He was also chosen a member of the congress, which met in 1774, and on his return early in 1776 received the thanks of the provincial assembly for his ser- vices. He was among the first, who openly advocated republican principles, and wished Id make his country independent of the monar- chial government of Great Britain. " The de- cisive genius," says Ramsay, " of Christopher Gadsden in the south and John Adams in the north at a much earlier day might have desired a complete separation of America from Great Britain; but till the year 1776, the rejection of the second petition of congress, and the ap- pearance of Paine's pamphlet. Common Sense, a reconciliation of the mother country was the unanimous wish of almost every other Amer?= 12i GADSDEN: ctin.*' During the siege of Chailcston in 17^0 he remained >?ithin the lines with five of the council, Avhilc governor Rulledge, Avith the other three, left the city at the earnest request af general Lincoln. Several months after the capitulation he was taken out of his bed on the twenty seventh of August, and witli moat of the eivil and military officers transported in a guard ship to St. Augustine. Tliis was done hy the order of lord Corn^ya^is, and it was in yiolation of the rights of prisoners on parole. Guards were left at tlieir houses, and the pri- vate papers of some of them were examined,- A parole was offered at St. Augustine; but such was the indignation of lieutenant gover- nor Gadsden at tlie ungenerous treatment^ which he had received, that he refused to accept it, and bore a close confinement in the eastic for forty two weeks with the greatest jfertitude. In 178^, when it became necessary, by the rotation established, to choose a new governor, he was elected to this office; but he declined it in a short speech to the following effect. "I have served you in a variety of stations for thirty years, and I would now feheerfuliy make one of a forlorn hope in ao iissault on the lines of Charleston, if it was probable, that Avith the la*« of my life you would be reinstated in the possession of your capital. AVhat 1 can do for my country I am willing to do. My sentiments of the Ameri- can cause from the stamp act downwards have never changed. I am still of opinion, that it is the cause of liberty and of human nature. — The present times require the vigor and aeli GABSDEN. iZB yity of the prime of life ; but I feel the increas- ing infirmities of old age to such a degree, that I am conscious I cannot serve you to advan- tage. I therefore beg for your sakes and fot' the sake of the public, that you would indulge me ^vith the liberty of declining the arduous trust." He continued, however, his exertions for the good of his country both in the assem- bly and council, and notwithstanding the inju- ries he had suffered and the immense loss of his property, he zealously opposed the law for confiscating the estates of the adherents to the British government, and contended that sound policy required to forgive and forget. The Editor will here give an extract from an oration delivered at the city of Washington On iliG fourth of July, 1812, by Itichard Rush^ Esq. where he refers to the patriotism of the venerable Gadsden. He said, ** By one of the surviving patriots of our re- volution I have been told, that in the congress of 1774, among other arguments used to pre* vent a war, and separation from Great Britain, the danger of having our towns battered down and burnt was zealously urged. The venera- ble Christopher Gadsden, of South Qarolina, rose and replied to it in these memorable words : " Our sea-port towns, Mr. President, are composed of brick and wood. If ihey are destroyed, we have clay and timber enough to rebuild them. But, if the liberties of our coun- try are destroyed, where shall we find the mate- j rials to replace them ?" Behold in this an ex- ample of virtuous sentiment fit to be imitated." He died Septamber, 1805, aged eighty one years, X2 %26 GATES. GATES, IIoKATiA, Avas a nridve cf Eng- Jand, ^iul v«as bcrn ia seventeen Iiuiidred and twenty-eight. Of the place el* I\is hirth, the condition of his family, tlie incident and pros- pects of his YOut]i, and his education ^ve are Hot able to comnmnicate any particuhirs. — There is reason to believe that he entered the army pretty early, and began his career as an rtusign or lieutenant ; yet, we are told, that he obtained by merit merely, the rank of major, and was aid-de-camp to the British officer, who commanded at the capture of Martinicu^ At the conclusion of the war in seventeen hurt- drcd and forty-eight, he was stationed some- time at Halifax in Nova Scotia. At that pe- riod, if the date of his birth be accurate, his age did not exceed twenty years. lie continued in the army, and, probably, in some American garrison during the ensuing seven years of peace. A new war then broke out in Germany, and Nortli America, and Mr. Gates, in quality of captain of foot, attracts our notice in the earliest and most conspicuous scene of that war. lie was in the army which accompanied the unfortunate Braddock in the expedition against Fort de Quesnc, and, toge- ther with the illustrious Washington, was among the few'^fficers, who, on that occasion, escaped with lite. He did not escape, how- ever, without a Tery dangerous wound, Avhich, for a time shut him out from the bloody and perilous scenes of that long and diversified contest. He remained in America to the peace of seventeen hundred and sixty three, and then returned to his native country with a full- aATES. 127 earned reputation, for activity, enterprise ami courage. At the opening of the American war wc lind him settled on a farm in Virginia. At ^vhat time he laid down the military life, and returned to spend the rest of his days in the new world, ^ve are not informed, but his con duct evinced so perfect an attachment to his I new country, and his military reputation was so high, that he was immediately appointed I by congress adjutant general, with the rank of ! brigadier-general, in the new army. General j Washington was well acquainted with his mc- ( rits in his military character, and warmly re- j commended him to congress on this occasion. 1 They had been fellow- soldiers and sufferers i under Braddock. i From this period, he took a very active part I in most of the transactions of the war, and his I abilities and good fortune placed him in a I rank inferior only to Washington, and above I any other general. He accompanied the com- j mander in chief to Massachusetts, in July, I seventeen hundred and seventy five, and was employed, for sometime, in a subordinate, but highly useful capacity. I The most vulnerable part of the new states, ' lay in the north. The large territory still in j the hands of the British government, in that j quarter, whose frontier was well provided with ' fortresses and garrisons, enabled them to an- j noy or invade the revolteu provinces, on this side, with peculiar advantages. The congress had, therefore, turned an anxious eye towards Canada at the opening of the contest. Being ±28 GATES. ileeply aware of the danger wliicli hovered over them, on this side, they made strenuous exer- tions to raise up new enemies in Canada hy their emissaries and manifestoes, and to gain possession of the strong and important forts upon tlie laks and rivers of that frontier by force or by surprise. Their arguments and agents were not likely to meet with any success among a people purely French, and whose only gsievanee was their separation from their mother country. — Their enterprises against the posts upon the lakes w^ere more successful. Crownpoint, Ti- condcroga, St. John's and Montreal were con- quered by celerity and valor, and a formal in- vasion of Canada attempted, even in the first year of the war, and when a British army was in possession of the principal colonial towns. — This enterprise was unsuccessful. The British were soon qualified, by reinforcements, to act offensively, and to advance against the frontier forts recently acquired by the colonial army. Furtljcr operations were suspended on that side till a formidable army might be transport- ed^ from Europe, adequate not only to defence but invasion. It was a remarkable proof of the confidence reposed in Gates by the new government, that, on the retreat of their forces from Canada, the chief command in this quarter was conferred upon him. This apppointmeut took place in June seventeen hundred and seventy six, and the new general was found no wise deficient in the courage and vigilance, rendered peculiarly GATES. l^y iitii3essai7 by a declining and unprosperous cause. It was unfortunate that the rivalship, and (slashing pretentions of the American officers should add to tlic natural difficulties of their situation. General Schuyler, a most useful and meritorious officer, had hitherto superin- tended the forts, and garrisons within the li- mits usually assigned to New York. As there was now no American troops in Canada, gene- ral Gates's cosnmand either superseded that of Schuyler, or was quite nugatory. Thence arose bickering and contention. Schuyler, whose merits and services were very great, and gene- rally acknowledged, was degraded by the new appointment to a subordiatc station, when he deemed himself rather entitled to additional dignities. He made vehement complaints to congress, and prepared, unless his injuries were properly redressed, to relinquish the service altogether : an alternative by which the com- mon cause would have suffiired very heavily. Congress were unwilling to cancel their com- mission to Gates, and at the same time were fully sensible of the loss they should incur by the resignation of Schuyler. They labored, therefore, with mucli pains to reconcile their adverse pretensions, and by leaving the two officers with jurisdictions in some degree in- dependent of each other, they succeeded im- perfectly, in satisfying both. Great credit is due to both these eminent persons, and, espe- cially, candor requires us to say, to general Schuyler, for asqiiiescing in terms, by whicli 130 GATES. their country continued to be benefited by tlieir serYJees. From projects of conquests in C.inadu, the American government bad been compelled to give tlieir whole attention to schemes of de- fence. The communications between Canada and the maritime and Hudson country >va« chiefly maintained by a chain of lakes and ri- Tcrs. The intermediate land was overspread with forest and marsh, and nearly impractica- ble to the ponderous accompaniments, in artil- lery, ammunition and baggage, of a modern army. The command of the lakes and rivers, therefore, was absolutely necessary, and quite sufficient to repel an invasion. This could only be obtained or held by means of a naval arma- ment, and to provide and equip this was the pe- culiar province of Schuyler, while Gates was called upon to co-operate in this service to the utmost of his power. The British commenced the naval prepara- tions on their side with great alacrity and suc- cess. But the Americans had every obstacle but the want of zeal, to encounter in preparing for defence. General Gates co-operated cordi- ally with Schuyler, but there was a miserable and irreparable deficiency in cannon, in the ma- terials of ship building, and even in the necessa- ry workmen. The country had been hitherto a desert. Colonization in its natural progress, had not approached these solitary shores. No~ thing but the exigencies of the former war with France had occasioned this region to be traversed or inhabited. A few forts, Avith sui table garrisons, were all that could be found in GATES. lii ii> aiitl that abundmiee of workmen, vessels, and j)reparetl timber v/lifch a »ell planted country would have spontaneously furnished, was un- known. Schuyler, indeed, was not destitute of a naval armament, but it was insufficient to cope M'ith the greater preparations of ihe enc-» jny. With all the exertions of the two com- iaanders, they were merely able to equip about fifteen vessels, half of which were little better than boats, and the largest carried only twelve small guns very ill supplied with ammunition, The wisdom and discernment of general Gates were shown by the recommendation of the in- trepid, and as yet unsuspected Arnold, to the command of this little armament. The first operations of the campaign consisted in a con- test between these vessels under Arnold, and a much superior force under Carleton, in which the land forces had no concern. On the land side, the great drama opened very inauspieiously. The American comman- der instead of waiting at Crownpoint, for the assault of the enemy, abandoned that place, before he was summoned to do so by an hos- tile army, Tiie Americans had a more for- midable enemy to encoimter, in the small-pox than in British soldiers. This and other sick- nesses made such havoc among them, not only during the expedition to Canada, but after their reJreat to Crownpoint, that general Gates thought it eligible to evacuate that fortress of his own accord, and concentrate his army at Tieonderoga. For this purpose he was even obliged to countermand th? advance of large reinforcements. Suck volunlaty retreats arc always cxli^nie Xy perilous to the reputation of a general. The- congress had entertained hopes of advancing and of conquering by means of this army. This re- treat surrendered to the British without an ef- fort, the whole important navigation of Lake Champlain. General Washington, after a full statement of the motives of the measure warm- ly disapproved of it ; all the field officers in like manner, loudly condemned it. The comman- der had only to plead the opinion of a council of officers, his own superior opportunity of knowing the actual state of his affairs, and ancient proofs of his patriotisRi and military skill. Whatever sentence has been passed on the wisdom of this measure, we have never heard that any imputation rested on the fideli- ty of the general. Gates and Schuyler with eight thousand men well prov^isioncd, determined to defend Ticonderoga to the last extremity. All the efforts of Arnold served only to delay without being ?J)le to prevent the approach of Carle- ton with a formidable army to this post, and all parties naturally expected to witness a long, obstinate, and bloody siege. Some causes, not "wcU understood, though the lateness of the sea- son must be doubtless numbered among them, induced Carleton to disappoint these expecta- tions, by leaving the fortress unmolested, and retiring in search of winter quarters into Ca- nada. In a mere wilderness, where all the wa- ters are frozen for five or six months in^thc year, this was absolutely necessary. This re- treat enabled general Gates to march soutii- GATES. U^ ^vanl a considerable detachment ofhisarmy to assist general Washington in his operations in the middle colonies. The ensuing year was passed in a great va- riety of movements and skirmishes in the low- er districts of New York, Pennsylvania and Jersey, between the principal commanders. — In the ordinary records of the time, we meet with no splendid or conspicuous part perform- ed by the subject of this narrative, though there is sufficient i^ason to believe that his services in that motley warfare were active, strenuous and useful. Wc may suspect that the evacuation of Crownpoint did not operate on the public feelings to his advantage, in a new scene, especially as Schuyler his great competitor, condemned that expedient. That general continued on the northern waters, an- xiously employed in preparing against a for- midable invasion of the enemy, designed to take place on the next summer, while the gar- risons, in the absence of Gates, were superin- tended by general Wayne. We need not dwell on the difficuUies under which the new states laboured in the forming of an army sufficient to resist the shock of the veterans of Britain. They issued decrees, di- rected levies, organized regiments, and ascer- tained numbers, pay and equipments. All this was easy, but the deficiency of the public funds, on the one side, and of public spirit on the other, rendered these solemn arrangements quite nugatory. The absolute uncertainty whether in the next campaign, the British would attempt to penetrate to New York by the lakes and tlie river Hudson, or by a coast- ing voyage from the mouth of the St. Law- pence, with the greater probability that atten- ded the latter scheme contributed to dissipate and enfeeble the exertions, which the states, with fixed views, and a traced path before them, would have been qualified to make. There is some obscurity in tliis period of the life of general Gates. In the spring of seven- teen hundred and seventy-seven, he was ap- pointed with Schuyler, from a subordinate, to the chief command on the northern frontier. — In May of the same year, he was superseded by Schuyler, nor was it, until after Burgoyne with his well appointed legions had reached Ticonderoga, that he resumed the command. This place, commanded by Sinclair, was eva- cuated without a siege, on the fifth of July. — The retreating army under Sinclair, was hotly pursued, overtaken, and defeated. Fort Ann and Skeensborough w ere occupied by the ene- my, and all attempts to check his further pro- gress appeared wholly desperate. At this crisis a small delay in the advance of Burgoyne from Skeensborough, rendered necessary by the natural diflicultics of the country, was diligently employed by general Schuyler. That meritorious olRcer contrived ito raise the most formidable impediments to the further progress of Burgoyne, by breaking ^own the bridges, obstructing the navigation of Wood-creek, -choking up the roads, or ra- ther pathways through the forest, by felled trees, and by driving off all the cattle of the neighboring country. These obstructions were so formidable that Biir^oyne did not arrive at Fort Edward on the upper branches of the Hudson, till twenty-five days after his pause at Skeensborough. Here, a painful, unsea- sonable, and dangerous pause, was again ne- cessary, in order to procure provisions from the posts in the rear, and to collect the boatf$ and other vessels necessary for the navigation of the Hudson. The progress of Burgoync was arrested at the very point where it should seem all obsta- cles, of any moment, were fully surmounted* He had reached the Hudson, by a most painful and laborious march through the forest, and a detachment of his army under St. Leger, who had been directed to approach the Hudson by another road, had nearly effected this purpose. St. Leger had gained a battle, and was no"w Jbesieging fort Schuyler, the surrender of which was necessary to the further co-operation of the British generals, and was confidently an- ticipated. The tide of events, however, no^y suddenly took a new direction. Fort Schuyler refused to surrender, and the assaults of the besiegers made very liUle im- pression on the works. The Indians, who composed a large part of St. Leger's army, be- gan to display their usual fickleness and treachery, and after many efforts made by the British general to detain them, finally resolved to withdraw. This created an absolute neces- sity for raising the siege, which was done with, great precipitation, and with the loss of all their camp equipage and stores. 136 GATES. On the other side, the strenuous exertions ^f Schuyler had deprived Burgoync of all those resources which the neighhoring country might have afforded him. At^er a fortnight's lahor he had heen ahic to collect only twelve hoatsi, and livo day's provisions for his army. An at- tempt to obtain possession of a depository of ju'o visions at Bennington, had failed, and two detachments, sent on that service had been defeated. The militia of the eastern and lower country were rapidly collecting, and threaten* ed to raise obstacles still more formidable than those of nature. Schuyler was extremely unfortunate. A pe- culiar malignity seemed to cleave to his fate. With zeal, enterprise, and diligence, surpass- ing that of most others engaged in the service, he was doomed to labour under the suspicion of negligence or treachery. As Gates had suflcred in the public opinion, by the evacua- tion of Crownpoint, Scliuyler and St. Clair had incurred still greater odium by their hasty light from Ticonderoga. This odium, even when removed from the minds of the rulers of the state, was not to be banished from the feel- ings of the people, and made it necessary to as- sign the management of this war to other hands. Gates was appointed to succeed Schuy- ler, and arrived at the scene of action on the twenty-iirst of August. It was fortunate for general Gates that the retreat from Ticonderoga had been conducted under other auspices than his, and that he took the command when the indefatigable but unrequited labors of Schuyler, and the coura^ ©ATES. U7 «f Starke and his mountaineers had already insured the ultimate defeat of Burgoyne. The Yery obstinacy of Burgoyne, who, notwithstand- ing is unfavorable prospects, would not think of saving his army by a timely retreat, was highly propitious to the new American com- mander. After collecting thirty days' provision, Bur- goyne passed the Hudson and encamped at Sa- ratoga. Gates, with numbers already equal, and continually augmenting, began to advance towards him with a resolution to oppose his progress at the risk of a battle. He encamped at Stillwater, and Burgoyne hastened forward to open the way with his sword. On the se- venteenth of September the two armies were within four miles of each other. Two days after, skirmishes between advanced parties terminated in an engagement almost generaf, in which the utmost efforts of the British merely enabled them to maintain the footing of the preceding day. Burgoyne, unassisted by the British forces under Clinton at New York, found himself un- able to pursue his march down the river, and in the hope of this assistance, was content to re- main in his camp, and stand on the defensive. His army was likewise diminished by the de- sertion of the Indians and the Canadian mili- tia, to less than one half of its original num- ber. Gates fmding his forces largely increas- ing, being plentifully supplied witli provisions* arid knowing that Burgoyne had only a limited store, whicli was rapidly lessening, and could not be recruited, was not without hopes thai 13& GATES. victory would come, in time, even without r liattle. His troops were so nuaierou^, and his Ibrtilied position so strong, that he Avas able to take measures for preventing the retreat of the enemy, by occupying the strong posts in his rear. Accordingly nineteen days passed without any further operations, a delay as rui- nous to one party, as it was advantageous ta the other. At the end of this period, the Bri- tish general found his prospects of assistance as remote as ever, and the consumption of his stores so alarming, that retreat or victory be- came unavoidable alternatives. On the eighth of October, a warm action ensued, in which the British were every where repulsed, and apart of their lines occupied by rtieir enemies. Burgoyne's loss was very con- siderable in killed, wounded and prisoners, while the favourable situation of Gates's army made its losses in the battle of no moment.—. Burgoyne retired in the night to a stronger camp, but the measures immediately taken by Gates, to cut off his retreat, compelled him without delay to regain his former camp at Saratoga. There he arrived with little mo- lestation from his adversary. Ilis provisions being now reduced to the supply of a few days, the transport of artillery and baggage towards Canada being rendered impracticable by the judicious measures of his adversary, the Bri- tish general resolved upon a rapid retreat, merely with what the soldiers could carry on their backs. On a careful scrutiny, however, it was found tfiat they were deprived even of this resource^, as the passes through which theiji route lay, were so strongly guarded, that nothing hut ar- tillery could clear them. In this desperate situation a parley took place, and on the six- teenth of October the whole army surrender- ed to Gates. The prize obtained consisted of more than ^ye thousand prisoners, some fine artillery, seven thousand muskets, clothing for 7000 men, with a great quantity of tents, and other military stores. All the frontier fortres- ses were immediately abandoned to the victors^ It is not easy to overrate the importance of this success. It may be considered as decid- ing the war of the revolution, as from that pe- riod the British cause began rapidly to decline. The capture of Cornwallis was hardly of equal importance to that of Burgoyne, and was in it- self an event of much less splendor, and pro- ductive of less exultation. How far the misfortunes of Burgoyne were owing to accidents beyond human control, and how far they are asqribed to the individual conduct and courage of the American com- mander, would be a useless and invidious in- quiry. Reasoning on the ordinary ground, his merits were exceedingly great, and tins event entitled him to a high rank among the delive- rers of his country. The memory of all former misfortunes were effaced by the magnitude of this victory, and the government and people vied with each other in expressing their admi- ration of the conqueriag general. Besides the thanks of congress, the general received from the president a gold medal as a memorial of th^ir gratitu(}c. Every war abounds with eases of priyate siit^ ferjng and distress, very few of which become public, though sympathy and curiosity are l^owerfully excited by narratives of that kind ; and the feelings of a whole nation are remark- ably swayed by them» The ei^pedition of Burgoyne was adorned by the romantic and aftecting tales of M'Crea, and Lady Harriet Ackland. The latter is of no further conse- quence in this narration, than as it reflects gi'cat credit on the politeness and humanity of general Gates» Major Aekland, the hu!>- band of this lady, was wounded and made pri- soner in one of the battles preceding the sur- render, and his wife, in going to the lM)stile camp ta attend her husband,, met with a re- ception which proved that lT)ng converse with military scenes, had left the virtues of huma^ nity wholly unimpaired ia his bosom. We do not feel ourselves authorized ta enter minutely into certain mysterious transactions which followed these great events, and which exhibited the melancholy prospect, not of skir- mishes and battles^ with the common enemy, but of a war of jealousy, suspicion and re- crimination, between the chief commanders of the American forces. We hardly dare venture to touch upon leading facts, and to draAv any positive conclusioiis from them at this late pe- riod, and witliout that knowledge which a per- sonal acquaintance Avith the parties only can confer, would be pi*e sumptuous and absurd. The first step to these misunderstandings, which has gained historical notice appears to be an unsxiccessfiil applicatioa tp Gates bv GATES. 141 Washington, for a detachment of his troops., after the course of events had clearly estah- lishcd the superiority of the northern army, exclusive of this detachment, over the enemy. After the capture of Burgoyne, it was ex- tremely difficult either by persuasion or re- monstrances, to induce general Gates, wh© was in quarters at Albany, to believe that the dangers of the southern army warranted him in parting with any of his forces. This reluc- tance, however, was finally overcome by the address and perseverance of colonel Hamilton ; htut the previous delays were supposed by some to contribute to the success of the British arms in Jersey, and on the Delaware. It is propel? to observe, however, that these delays partljr arose from the mutinous spirit of the troops intended to be draughted from the north. The exigencies of the American troops, in the rigorous winter of 1777, for provisions, led to a very singular contest between the civil and military power, in which the former recom- mended violence and cruelty, and the latter was the advocate of mildness and justice. Congress commanded the wants of the army to be supplied by a species of military execu- tion. The general was insurmountably averse to any mode but fair purchase. The comman-t der, since the acquisition of the colonial me- ti'opolis, by Howe, refused to adopt offensive measures. A strong party in congress, and a large one among the people, highly disapprov- ed of his forbearance. The brilliant exploits of Gates, in the north, naturally presented him ^'s a suitable succes^oc to the commander in 142 CiATEa chief. Thus far we may venture to go, but we are n<»t justified in assigning the degree of influence which personal animosity or ambition possessed over the feelings or conduct of gene- ral Gates on this occasion : how far the pro- ject of exalting him to the chief command originated with, or was promoted by himself; and if this were in any degree the case, how far upright or questionable means were em- ployed for this end, we decide not. The re- gard due to the reputation of both those illus- trious men, requires a nearer and nicer scruti- ny to qualify any one for a judge in this case.,, than is possible for any one now living to make. "We hardly need to add that no change was ef- fected, and that henceforward the popularity of Washington continued to increase. It is well known that success does not always prove the wisdom of military jilans, nor their failure always evidence their folly. Had Wash- ington on that occasion been superseded bv CiatcB — had Philadelphia been stormed, and Cornwallis and his army made prisoners — we should have escaped the miseries of three or four year's war. The promotion of Gates would have been universally applauded, and his glory in a great measure have supplanted -that of Washington. Yet this event might have flowed from an unforeseen and momenta- ry accident. Offensive measures at that sea- son might not have deserved success. To all those who reason justly from the experience of the past, they might appear rash and inex- pedient. Yet as a large party in congress and ^mong the people, disapproved of Washing- (&ATES. lis toii*s forbearance, his successor ^vould have appeared Vj owe his success to his superior Talor and conduct. Fortunately, however, perhaps, Oates was denied an opportunity of trying his own plans. For the same accident v/hieh sometimes gives success to a rash mea- sure, quite as often frustrates a prudent one ^ and failure would have been as readily admit- ted by the people a sufficient proof of his te- Bierity as success of his foresight. Gates was placed at the head of the board of war, a post ©f trust and dignity scarcely inferior to that of commander in chief. His influence was imme- diately felt by the numerous class of the disaf- fected and suspected. Tliese had been treat- ed in the true spirit of revolutions, with super- fluous rigor and capricious cruelty. Gates's system Avas that of forbearance and lenity — of allowing largely for honest intentions and dif- ference of opinion. The benignity of his mea-^ sures were seconded by the urbanity of his per- sonal deportment— he was courteous and friend- ly even to the proscribed. The quakcrs of Pennsylvania were favora- bly disposed to Great Britain. This was a practical consequence of their conscientious aversion to war. How far their inclination and judgment, independent of religious mo^ tives, made them as a body favorable to tJiat cause, it is needless to say. Their conscien- tious plea obtained no indulgence from the ruling party, and they were involved without ceremony, in the charge of treason and rebel- lion. Their sufferings constitute no particu- lar stigma against the American revolution. ^^^ GATES. because jealousy, intolerance, and oppression, belong of necessity to all revolutions. Gates had always a particular kindness for llie quakers. He displayed on all occasions, almost ostentatiously, his reverence for the head of that sect. The iirst use he made of the power annexed to his present station, was to redress their complaints, and relieve their suiTerings. Gates was in a private station, residing en his farm in Virginia, in June, seventeen hun- dred and eighty. The low state of their af- fairg, in the southern districts induced con- gress, on the thirteenth of that month, to call him to the chief command in that quarter. — The state of affairs in Pennsylvania, Jersey, and New York, afforded sufficient employment for Washington, and Gates being the next in rank and reputation, was resorted to as the last refuge of his suffering country. The efforts of the British in the southern states had been very strenuous and successful. Charleston, the chief city, had been taken. — All the American detachments, collected with great difficulty, easily dissolved by their own fears, ill furnished with arms, and unqualified for war, by inexperience and want of discipline, were instantly overwhelmed and dispersed by the well equipped cavalry ofTarleton, and the veterans of Ra^don and Cornwallis. The American leaders were famous for their valor, perseverance and activity ; bat these qualities would not supply the place of guns, and of hands to manage them. At this crisis Gates took the command of that miserable remnant UATE'6. Ii5 which bore the name of the southern army, and which mustered about fifteen hundred men. A very numerous and formidable force existed in the promises of North Carolina and Virgi- nia. The paper armies of the new states al- ways made a noble appearance. All the mu- niments of war overflow ed the siiirts of these armies ; hut, alas ! the field was as desolate as the paper estimate was full. The promised army proved to be only one tenth of the stipu- lated number, and assembled at the scene oi* iietion long after the fixed time. The men were destitute of arms and ammunition, and, what was most to be regretted, were undisci- plined. Two modes of immediate action were pro^ jiOsed. One was to advance into the countivy possessed by the enemy, by a road somevt^hat erfect knowledge, in a case where any de- cision must be of the utmost consequence to the fame of a gi^eat man, dead. When the revolution was completed. Gates retired to his plantation in Virginia. We are unacquainted with the particulars of his do- mestic economy ; but have reason to irifer that it was eminently mild and liberal, sinoe seven years afterwards, when he took up Us final residence in New- York, he gave freeilom to his slavea. Instead of turning these miserable wretches to the highest profit, he made provi- sion for the old and infirm, while several of them testified their attachment to him by re- maining in his family. In the characteristic virtue of planters, hospitality. Gates had no competitor, and his reputation may wxll be supposed to put that virtue to a hard test. — He purchased, in the neighborhood of New- York, a spacious house, with valuable ground^ Jfer the life of himself and his wife> ami herc^ GATES. lal with few exceptions, he remaiiied for the rest •f his life. No Avontler that the military leaders in the iKiVolution should aspire to the enjoyment of its civil honors afterwards. The war was too short to create a race of mere soldiers. The merchants and lawyers who entered the army hecame merchants and lawyers again, and had lost none of their primitive qualifications for administering the civil government. Gates, however, was a singular example among the officers of high rank. His original profession was a soldier, and disahled him from acquiring the capacity suitahle to the mere magisrate and senator. During twenty-three years he was only for a short time in a public hody. Li the year 1800 he was elected to the New- York legislature in consequence of a critical balance of the parties in that state, and withdrew again into private life as soon as the purpose for which he was elected Avas gained. General Gates was a whig in England and a republican in America. His political (^>inions did not seperate him from many respectable citizens, whose views differed widely from his own. He had a handsome person, tending to corpu- lence in the middle of life ; remarkably courte- ous to all; and carrying good humor some- times beyond the nice limit of dignity. He is said to have received a classical education, and not to have entirely neglected that advantage in after life. To science, literature or erudi- tion, however, he made no pretensions ; hut gave indisputiible marks of a social) amiable 452 GIST-^GORDON. and benevolent disposition. He had two 'v^ivcs> the last of whom, who still survives him, he brought from Virginia. She has been much admired for her manners and conversation. — He died without posterity at his customary abode near New-York, on the tenth of April 1806, after having counted a long series of se- venty-eight years. GIST, MoRDECAT, a brigadier general in the American war, commanded one of the Ma- ryland brigades in the battle of Camden, Au- gust 16, 1780. He died in Charleston, South Carolina, in September, 1792. GORDON, WillijLm, d. d. minister of Rox- bury, Massachusetts, a historian of the Ame- rican war, w^as a native of Hitchin, Hertford- shire England, and had his academical educa- tion in London under Mr. Marry att. He was early settled as pastor of a large independent church at Ipswich, where he continued in good esteem many years. He removed from this si- tuation in consequence of some uneasines, oc- c.asioned by his reprehension of the conduct of one of his principal hearers in employing his workmen on public business on the Lord's day. After the death of Dr. David Jennings he was chosen to be his successor in the church at old gravel lane, Wapping, Here lie might have continued much respected, but in the year 1770 his partiality to America induced him ta force himself away, in order to settle in this country. After having preached about a year to the third church in Roxbury, he was or- dained its minister July 6, 1772. He took an active part in public measures during the war OREENf:. U3 with Great Britain, and was chosen chaplain to the provincial congress of Massachusetts'. While in this office he preached a fast sermon on Isaiah i. 26, which strongly expressed his political sentiments. In the beginning of the year 1776 he formed the design of writing a history of the great events, which had of late taken place in America, and which wonld yet f>e presented to the observation of mankind. Besides other sources of information, he had recourse to the records of congress, and to ihose of New England, and was indulged with the perusal of the papers of Washington^ Gates, Greene, Lincoln, and Otho Williams. After the conclusion of the war he returned to his native country in 1786, and in 1788 pub- lished the work, which had for a number of years occupied liis attention. He died at Ipswich October ±9, 1807, in the seventy eighth year of his age. GREENE, Christopher, lieutenant colo- nel commandant of one of the Rhode Island regiments in the service of congress during the revolutionary war, was born in the town of Warwick in the state of Rhode Island in the year 1737. His father, Philip Greene,, Esquire, was descended from Jonathan Greene, Esquire, one of the earliest settlers of Massa- chusetts bay. The latter gentleman emigrat- ed from England in the year 1637, and settled in Salenri, now a well improved opulent com- mercial town. Mr. Greene, soon after his ar- rival, purchased fiM)m the Indian Sachems Mi- ©antenomon and Socononea, a part of the town- ijhip of Warwick called Occupassatioxet^ which m Greene; property is still possessed by some of his dc* scendants. He left three sons, the progeBitors of a numerous and respectable race of men, successively distinguished as well by the high- est offices in the gift of their country, as by their talents, their usefulness and goodness. Philip Greene, the father of the lieutenant colonel, was a gentleman of the first respecta- bility in the state, beloved for his virtues, and admired for his honorable discharge of the duties of the various stations to which he was called, the last of Avhich placed him upon the bench as judge of the common pleas ia the county of Kent. A father so situated could not but cherish the intellectual powers of his progeny with the most careful attention. Christopher received all the advantages in the best line of education procurable in our country, which he took care to improve by the most assiduous application. He was particularly attached to the study of mathematics, in which he made great pro- ficiency, and thus laid up a stock of knowledge exactly suitable for that profession to which he was afterwards unexpectedly called. Exhibiting in early life his capacity and amiability, he was elected, by his native town when very young, to a seat in the colonial le- gislature, which he continued to fill by succes- sive elections until the commencement of the revolutionary war. At this period the legis- lature wisely established a military corps, styled, " Kentish guards," for the purpose of fitting the most select of her youth foi: mill- GREENE. n6 tary office. la this corps young Greene was chosen a lieutenant, and in May, 1775, he was appointed by tlic legislature a major in what was then called " an army of observations"-^ one brigade of one thousand six hundred effec- tives, under the orders of his near relation, brigadier Greene, afterwards so celebrated. From this situation he was called to the command of a company of infantry, in one of the regiments raised by the state for continen* ■tal service. The regiment to which he be- longed was attached to the army of Canada, conducted by general Montgomery, in the vi- cissitudes and difficuUies of which campaign captain Greene shared, evincing upon all oc- casions that unyielding intrepidity which mark- ed his military prowess in every after scene. In the attack upon Quebec, which terminated as well the campaign as the life of the re- nowned Montgomery, captain Greene belonged to the column which entered the lower town, and was made prisoner. Ilis elevated mind illy brooked the ills and irksomeness of captivity, though in the hands of the enlightened and humane Carleton ; and it has been uniformly asserted, that while a prisoner, Greene often declared that " he would never again be taken alive ;" a resolu- tion unhappily fulfilled. As soon as captain Greene was exchanged he repaired to his regiment, with which he continued without intermission, performing with exemplary propriety the various duties of his progressive stations, when he was promot- ed to the majority of ^'ivraum's regiment. In l^a GREENE. 1777 he succeeded to the command of the r.egi ment, and was selected by Washington to take charge of fort Mercer, (commonly called Red Bank) the safe keeping of which post, witli that of fort Mifflin, (Mud Island) was very properly deemed of primary importance. The noble manner in which colonel Greene sustained himself against superior force of ve- teran troops, led by an officer of high renown, has been related, as also the well earned rewards which followed his memorable defence. Con- summating his military fame by his atchievc- ments on that proud day, he could not be over- looked by his discriminating leader, when great occasions called for great exertions. — Greene was accordingly detached with his regi- ment with the troops placed under major Sulli- van, for the purpose of breaking up the ene- my's post on Rhode Island, soon after the arri- val of the French fleet under count d*Estaing, in the summer of 1778, vdiich well concerted enterprise was marred in the execution by some of those incidents whicli abound in war, and especially when the enterprise is complicated and entrusted to allied forces, and requiring naval co-operation. Returning to head-quar- ters, colonel Greene continued to serve under the commander in chief, whose confidence and esteem he had truly merited, and invariably enjoyed. In the spring of 1781, when general Wash- ington began to expect the promised naval aid from our best friend, the ill-fated Louis the XVI, he occasionally approached the enemy's ihics on tke side of York island. In one of these movements, colonel Greene, ^vith a sui- table force, was posted on the Croton river, in advance of the army. On the other side of this river lay a corps of refugees, (American citi- ^ens who had joined the Britisli army) under the command of colonel Delancey. These half citizens, half soldiers, were notorious for ra- pine and murder ; and to their vindictive con- duct may be justly ascribed most of the cruel- ties which stained the progress of our Avar, and which at length compelled Washington to of- der captain Asgill, of the British army, to be brought to head-quarters for the purpose of i^etaliating, by his execution, the murder of captain Huddy of New Jersey, perpetrated by a captain Lippineourt of the refugees. The commandant of these refugees, (Delancey was not present) having ascertained the position ef Greene's corps, wJiich the colonel had canton- ed in adjacent farm houses, probably with a view to the procurement of subsistence, took the resolution to strike it. This was accord- ingly done by a nocturnal move on the 13th of May. The enemy crossed the Croton before gress, the twenty-sixth of August, 1776. To- wards the close of tliat year, he was at the Trenton surprise *, and, at the beginning of th« next, was at the battle of Princeton, two enter- prises not more happily planned than judicious- ly and bravely executed, in both of which he highly distinguished himself, serving his novi- ciate under the American Fabius. At the battle of Germantown, he command- ed the left wing of the American army ; and his utmost endeavors were exerted to retrieve the fortune of that day, in which his conduct met with tho approbation of the commander in chief. GREENE. 161 In March, 1778, lie was appointed quarter- master-general, which office he accepted under a stipulation, that his rank in the army should not he affected by it, and that he should retain his right to command, in time of action, ac- cording to his rank and seniority. This he ex- ercised at the battle of Monmouth^ where he commanded the right wing of the army. About the middle of the same year, an at- tack being planned by the Americans, in con- junction with the French fleet, on the British garrison at Newport, llhode Island, general Sullivan was appointed to the command, under whom general Greene served. This attempt was unsuccessful ; the French fleet having sail- ed out of harbor, to engage lord Howe's fleet, they were dispersed by a storm : and the Ame- ricans were obliged to raise the siege of New- port, in doing which, general Greene display* ed a great degree of skill, in drawing off the army in safety. . After the hopes of the British generals, to execute some decisive stroke to the northward were frustrated, they turned their attention to the southern states, as less capable of defence, and more likely to reward the invaders with ample plunder. A grand expedition was, in consequence, planned at New -York, where the army embarked on the twenty-sixth of De- cember, 1779: they landed on the eleventh of February, 1780, within about thirty miles of Charleston, which, after a brave defence, was surrendered to sir Henry Clintrii, on the twelfth of May. 3 iS^ GBEEIVE, A series ofiU success followed this unfortu- Bate event. The American arms in South Carolina were in general unsuccessful; and the inhabitants were obliged to submit to the invaders, whose impolitic severity was ex- tremely ill calculated to answer any of the ob- jects for which the war had been commenced. Affairs were thus circumstanced, when gene- ral Washington appointed general Greene to the command of the American forces in the southern district. He arrived at Charlotte on the second day of December, 1780, accompani- ed by general Morgan, a brave officer, who had distinguished himself to the northward, in the expedition against Burgoyne. He found the Ibrees he was to command, reduced to a very amall number, by defeat and by desertion. The I'eturns were nine hundi*ed and seventy conti- Bentals, and one thousand and thirteen militia. Military stores, provisions, forage, and all things necessary, were, if possible, in a more reduced state than his army. His men were without pay, and almost without clothicg : and supplies of the latter were not to be had, but from a distance ef tw o hundred miles. In this perilous and embarrassed situation, he had to oppose a respectable and victorious army. For- tunately for him, the conduct of some of the friends of royalty obliged numbers, otherwise disposed to remain neuter, to take up arms in their own defence. This, and the prudent mea- sures the general took for removing the innu- merable difficulties and disadvantages he wa^ surrounded with, and for conciliating the af- fections of the inhabitants^ soon brought ta^ 6BEENE. 1^3 ^ther a considerabk force ; far inferior, ho^i^ ever, to that of the British, who deemed the country perfectly subjugated. After he had recruited his forces Vfith all the friends to the revolution that he could as- semble, he sent a considerable detachment, under general Morgan, to the v^estem extrem- ities of the state, to protect the well disposed inhabitants from the rav^^es of the tories. This force, which was the iirst that had for a considerable time appeared there, on the side of the Americans, inspi/ed the friends of liber*^^ ly with new courage, so that numbers of them trouded to the standard of general Morgan, who at length became so formidable, that lord Cornwallis thought proper to send colonel Tarleton to dislodge him from the station he had taken* This officer was at the head of a thousand regular troops, and had two field pie- ces. He came up, on the seventeenth of Ja- nuary, 1781, at a place called Cowpens,. with general Morgan, whose force was much infe- rior, and was composed of two thirds militia, and one third continentals. An engagement "was the immediate consequence. Morgan gained a complete victory over an officer, the rapidity and success of whose at- tacks, until that time,^ might have entitled him to make use of the decl-aration of Csesar, *^ veni, vidi, vici." Upwards of five hundred of the British laid down their arms, and were made prisoners ; a very considerrble number were killed. Eight hundred stands of arms, tvif,a field-piece S;, and thirty- five baggage-wag- f64 tSREENE. gons fell to the victors, who had only twelve kilkd and sixty wounded. 'Vhis brilliant success quite disconcerted the plan of operations formed by lord Cornwallis. Having entertained no idea of any enemy to op- pose in South Carolina, the conquest of which he deemed complete, he had made every pre- paration for carrying his arms to the north- ward, to gather the laurels which, he imagin- ed, awaited him. He now found himself oblig. ed to postpone this design. He marched with rapidity after general Morgan, in hopes not only to recover the prisoners, but to revenge Tarleton's losses. The American general, by a rapidity of movements, and the interference of providence, eluded his eiforts ; and genei«aj Greene effected a junction of the two divisions of his little army, on the 7th of FebruarY, Still was he so far inferior to lord Cornwallis> that he was obliged to retreat northward ; and, notwithstanding the vigilance and activity of his enemy, he brought his men in safety into Virginia. In Virginia, general Greene received some reinforcements, and had the promise of more ^ on which he returned again into North Caro- lina, where, on their arrival, he hoped to be able to act on the offensive. He encamped in the vicinity of lord Cornwallis's army. By a variety of the best concerted raano&uvres, he so judiciously supported the arrangement of his troops, by the secrecy and promptitude of his motions, that, during three weeks, while the enemy remained near him, he prevented them from taking any advantage of their superiority; GREEN£. 465 'AuH even cut off all opportunity of therr reeeiy- sng succors from the royalists. About the beginning of March, he effected a Jilnetion with a continental regiment, and two eansiderable bodies of Virginia and Carolina militia. He then determined on attacking the British commander without loss of time, ** be- ing persuaded," as he declared in his subse- quent dispatches, " that, if he was successful, it would prove ruinous to the enemy ; and if otherwise, that it would be but a partial evil to him." On the 14th, he arrived at Guilford court-house, tlie British then lying at twelve miles distance. His army consisted of about four thousand five hundred men, of whom near two thirds were North Carolina and Virginia militia. — - The British were about two thousand fain' hundred ; all regular troops, and the greater part inured to toil and service in their long ex- pedition under lord Cornwallis, who, on the morning of the 15th, being apprized of general Greene's intentions, marched to meet him. — The latter disposed his army in three lines; the militia of North Carolina were in front ; the second line was composed of those of Vir- ginia ; and the third, which was the flower of the army, was formed of continental troops, near fifteen hundred in number. Tliey w^ei*e flanked on both sides by cavalry and riflemen, and were posted on a rising ground, a mile and a half from Guilford court-house. The engagement commenced, at half an houv after one o'clock, by a brisk cannonade ; iiftev which, the British advaaced ia three eo- 166 GREENE. Inmns ; and attacked the first line, eomposeif as has heen observed, of North Carolina mili- tia. These, who, probably, had never been in action before, were panic struck at the ap- proach of the enemy ; and many of them ran away without firing a gun, ar being fired upon, and even before the British had come nearer than one hundred and forty yards to them. — Part of thera, however, fired : but they then followed the example of their comrades. Their oilicers made every possible effbrt to rally tliem ; but neither the advantages of their po- sition, nor any other consideration, could in- duce them to maintain their ground. Thts shameful cowardice had a great effect upon the issue of the battle. The next line, however, behaved much better. They fought with great bravery : and after they were thrown into dis- order, rallied, returned to the charge, and kept up a heavy fire for a long time; but were at length broken, and driven on the third line, when the engagement became general, very severe, and very bloody. At length, su- periority »f discipline carried the day from superiority of numbers. The conflict endured Tin hour and a half; and was terminated by general Greene's ordering a retreat, when he perceived, that the enemy were on tlie point of encircling his troops. This was a hard fought action. Lord Com- wallis stated his losses in killed, wounded, ^nd missing, at five hundred and thirty-two, among whom were several ofllcers of considerable rank. But this battle was, nevertheless, de- cisive in its consequences. Lord Cornwallis GREEME. m \tas, tlircc days after, obliged to make a re- trograde motion ; and to return to Wilmington, situated two hundred miles from the scene of action. He was even under the necessity of abandoning a considerable number of thoso who were most dangerously wounded. The loss of the Americans was about four hundred killed and wounded. However, this was not severely felt as the desertion of a considerable number of militia, who fled homewardsr* and came no more near the army. Some time after the battle of Guilford, ge- neral Greene determined to return to South Carolina, to endeavor to expel the British from that state. His first object was to at- tempt the reduction of Camden, where lord Rftwdon was posted, with about nine hundred men. The strength of this place, which was covered on the south and east side by a river and creek ; and to the westward and north- ward, by six redoubts; rendered it impracti- cable to carry it by storm, with the small army general Greene had, consisting of about seven hundred continentals. He therefore en- camped at about a mile fit)m the town, in or- der to prevent supplies from being brought in. and to take advantages of such favorable cir- cumstances as might occur. Lord Rawdon's situation was extremely deli- cate. Colonel A¥atson, whom he had some time before detached, for the protection of the eastern frontiers, and to whom he had, on in- telligence of general Greene's intentions, sent orders to return to Caraden, Avas so effectu^Jly 1^8 GREENE. -v^^atched by general Marian, tliat it was inij>a^,> sible for him to obey. His lordship's supplies >vere, moreover, very precarious ; and should: general Greene's reinforcements arrive, he might be so closely invested, as to be at length obliged to surrender. In this dilemma, the best expedient, that suggested itself, was a bold at- tack : for which purpose, he armed every per- son with him, capable of carrying a musket, not excepting his musicians and drummers.—* He sallied out on the twenty-iifth of April; and attacked general Greene in liis camp.— The defence was obstinate : and for some part of the engagement, the advantage appeared to be in lavor of America. Lieutenant colonel Waslilngton, who commanded the cavalry, liad •at one tim€ not less than two hundred Britisli prisoners. However, by the misconduct of one of the American regiments, victory was snatch- ed from general Greene, wlio ^vas compelled to retreat. He lost in the action about two hundred killed, wounded, and prisoners. Raw- don lost about two hundred and fifty eight. TJiere Avas a great similarity between the consequences of the affair at Guilford, and those of this action. In the former, lord Cornwallis was successful ; but was after- Avards obliged to retreat, two hundred miles from the scene of action, and for a time aban- doned the grand object of penetrating to the northward. In the latter, lord Rawdon had the honor of the field ; but Avas shortly after reduced to the neces^ty of abandoning his post, and leaving behind him a number of bick and Avoundcd. ^lifa« evacuation of Camden, witli the vigi- lance of general Greene, and the several offi- cers he employed, gave a new complexion to affairs in South Carolina, where Die British ascendancy declined more rapidly tlian it had been esstablished. The numerous forts, garri- soned by the enemy, fell, one after the other, into the hands of the Americans. Orange- burg, Motte, Watson, Georgetown, Granby^ ' and all the others, fort iKTinety-Six excepted, were surrendered ; and a very considerable number of prisoners of war, with military stores and artillery, were found in them. On the twenty-secottd of May, general Greene sat down before Ninety-Six, with the main part of his little army. The siege was carried on for a considerable time with great spirit ; and the place was defended with equal bravery. At length, the worlds were so far reduced, that a surrender must have been made in a few days, when a reinforcement of three regiments, from Europe, arrived at Charleston, which enabled lord Rawdon to proceed to relieve this important post. The superiority of the enemy's force reduced gene- ral Greene to the alternative of abandoning the siege altogether, or, previous to their ar- rival, of attempting the fort by storm. I'hc latter was more agreeable to his enterprising spirit : and an attack was made, on the morn- ' Ing of the 19th of June. He was repulsed, with the loss of one hundred and fifty men.— ^ He raised the siegCj and retreated ovet the .3'afluda. Dr. Ramsay, speaking of the state of affair** about this period, says, " truly distressing was the situation of the American army : when in the grasp of victory, to be obliged to Expose themselves to a hazardous assault, and after- wards to abandon a siege. When they were nearly masters of the whole country, to be compelled to retreat to its extremity ; and after subduing the greatest part of the force sent against them, to be under the necessity of en- countering still greater reinfoii'cements, when their remote situation precluded them from the hope of receiving a single »recruit. In this gloomy situation, there were not wanting per- sons who advised general Greene to leave the state, and retire with his remaining foi'ces to Virginia. To arguments and suggestions of this kind he nobly replied, «* I will recover the country,, or die in the attempt.'* This distin- guished officer, whose genius was most vigo- ri)us in those extremities, when feeble minds abandon themselves to despair, adopted the only resource, now?left him, of avoiding an en- gagement, until the British force stould be di- vided." Some skirmishes, of no great moment, took place between the detached parties of both ar- mies in July and August. September the 9 th, general Greene having assembled about two thousand men, proceeded to attack the British^ who, under the command of col. Stewart, were posted at Eutaw Springs. The Ameri- can force was drawn up in two lines ; the first, composed of Carolina militia, was commanded Jjy generals Marian and Pickens, and (jploncl GREENE. iri Be Malmetly. The second, tvLjcU consisteil^ of continental troops from North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland, was commanded by general Sumpter, lieutenant-colonel Campbell, and colonel Williams ; lietenant colonel Lee, with his legion, covered the right flank ; an(jl lieutenant-colonel Hendei-^on, with the state troops, covered the left. A corps de reserve was formeil of the cavalry, under lieutenant- colonel Washington, and tlie Delaware troops under capt. Kirkwood. As the Americans came forward to the attack, they fell in with some advanced parties of the enemy, at about two or three miles a-head of the main body. — These being closely pursued were driven back, and the action soon became general. — The militia were at length forced to give way, but were bravely supported by the second linew In the hottest part of the engagement, gene- ral Greene ordered the Maryland and Virgi- nia continentals to chai'ge with trailed arms. This decided the fate of the day. « Nothing,'' says Dr. Ramsay, ** could surpass the intrepi- dity of both officers and men on this occasion^. They rushed on in good order through a heavy cannonade, and a shower of musquctry, with such unshaken resolution, that they bore down all before them.*' The British were broken, closely pursued, and upwards of five hundred of them taken prisoners. They however made a fresh stand, in a favorable position, in impe- netrable shrubs and a picquetted garden. — Lieutenant colonel Washington, after having made every eifort to dislodge them, w as wound- ed and taken prisoner. Four six pounders' were brought fonvard to play upon tliein, But they fell into their haniTs ; and tlie endeavor* to drive them from their station being found impracticable, the Americans retired, leaving ^ strong picquet on the field of battle. Their, loss was about five kundred ; that of the Brr-. tish upwards of eleven hundred. General Greene was honored by congress •with a Britisli A||idard, and a gold medal, em- blematical of the engagement and success^ *'* for his wise, decisive, and magnanimous con- duet, in the action at Eutaw springs, in which, with a force infe»ior in number to that of the ent^my, he obt^ned a most signal victory.'^ In the evening of the succeeding day, colonel Stewart abandoned his post, and retreated to- wards Charleston, leaving behind upwards of seventy of his wounded, and a thousand stands of arms. He was pursued a considerable dis-- tance ; but in vain. The battle of Eutaw produced most signal oonsequences in favour of America. The Bri- tish, w ho had for such a length of time lorded it absolutely in South Carolina, w ere, shortly after that event, obliged to confine themselves in Charleston, whence they never ventured but to make predatory excursions, with bodies of •avalry, which in general met with a very warm and very unwelcome reception. During the relaxation that followed, a dan- gerous plot was formed, by some turbulent and mutinous persons in the army, to deliver up their brave general to the British. This trea- sonable design owed its rise to the hardships, wants^ and calamities of the soldiers, wha GREENE. 173 'were ill paid, ill clothed and ill fed. The con- spirators did not exceed twelve in number ; and a providential discovery defeated the project. The surrender of lord Cornwallis, whose en- terprising spirit had been by the British mi- nistry expected to repair the losses, and wipe away the disgrace, which had been incurred through the inactivity and indolence of other generals, having convinced them of the im- practicability of subjugating America, they discontinued offensive operations in every quar- ter. From the beginning of the year 1782, it was currently reported, that Charleston was speedily to be evacuated : it was officially an- nounced the seventh of August ; but it did cot take place until the seventeenth of Decemberr The happy period at length arrived, when, by the virtue and bravery of her sons, aided by the bounty of heaven, America compelled her invaders to recognise her independence. — Then her armies quitted the tented fields, and retired to cultivate the arts of peace and hap- piness. Amongst the rest, general Greene, re- visited his native country, where he proved himself as valuable a citizen^ as the Carolinas had witnessed him a gallant officer. Dissen- sions and jealousies had extended their destruc- tive influence among the Rhode Islanders, whose animosity had arisen to such a degree, as to threaten the most serious ill consequences:— general Greene exerted himself to restore bar-' mony and peace amongst them once more ; and was happily successful. In October, 1785, he sailed to Georgia, where he had a considerable estate, not far dis- P3 ±U GREENE. tant froln Savannah. Here he passed away liis time, occnpied in his domestic concerns, until the hour of his mortality approached. — Walking out one day in June, 1786, he was overpowered hy the extreme heat of the sun^, which hrought on a disorder that carried him off, a few days after, on the If th of the same- month. When the melancholy account of his death arrived at Savannah, the people were struck with the deepest sorrow. All husiness was suspended. The shops and itores throughout the town were shut ; and the shipping in the harhor had their colours half-masted. The hody was hrought to Savannah, and in- terred on the 20th. The funeral procession was attended by the Cincinnati, militia, &e. &e. Immediately after the interment of the •orpse, the members of the Cincinnati retired to the coffee-house in Savannah, and came to the following resolution : ** That as a token of the high respect and veneration in which this society hold the me- mory of their late illustrious brother, major- general Greene, deceased, George Washington Greene, his eldest son, be admitted a member ©f this society, to take his seat on his arriv- ing at the age of 18 years." General Greene left behind him a wife, and five children. On Tuesday the 12th of August, 7786, the United States, in congress assembled, came to the following resolution ; " That a monument be erected to the memo- ry of IS^athaniel Greene, Esq. at the seat of HALE. i75 the federal government, with the following in- seription : Sacred to the memory of NATHANIEL GREENE, Esq, Who departed this life, 'The nineteenth of June, mdcclxxxvi : Late MAJOR GENERAI. In the service of the United States, And commander of their army In the southern department. The United States, in congress assemhlejl. In honor of his Patriotism, valor, and ability. Have erected this monument/' HALE, Nathan, captain in colonel Knowi? ton's regiment of light infantry, wa^ a native of Connecticut. The following narrative exhibits a ease ana- logous to that of major Andre, and surely while Americans regret the fate of an enemy, the he- roic sufferings of their own countrymen should not be forgotten or unlamented. After the defeat the American arms sustain* ed from the British on Long Island, August 27, 1776, general Washington called a council of war, who determined upon an immediate re- treat to New York. The intention Avas pru- dently concealed from the army, who knew not whither they were going, but imagined it was to attaek tlie enemy. The field artillery, tents, baggage, and about 9000 men were con- veyed to the city of New York, over East river^ more than a mile wide, in less than thirteen hours, and without the knowledge of the Bri- tisb, though not six hundred yards distance; ire HALE. Providence in a remarkable manner favored the retreating army. The wind, wliich seem- ed to prevent tlie troops getting over at the appointed hour, afterwards shifted to their wishes; towards morning an extreme thick fog came on, which hovered over Long Island, and, hy concealing the Americans, enabled them to complete their retreat without inter- ruption, though the day had begun to daAvn gome time before it was finished. In about half an hour after the Island Avas finally aban- doned, the fog cleared off, and the British were seen taking possession of the American lines. Perhaps the fate of America was never sus- pended on a more brittle thread, than previ- ously to this memorable retreat. A spectacle is here presented of an army, destined for the defence of a great continent, driven to the nar- row borders of an island, with a victorious ar- my of double its number in front, with naviga- ble waters in its rear ; constantly liable to have its communication cut off by the enemy's navy, and every moment exposed to an attack. The presence of mind which animated the comman- der in chief in this critical situation, the pru- dence with which all the necessary measures were executed, redounded as much or more to his honor than the most brilliant victories. An army, to which America looked for safety, pre- served — a general, wlio was considered as an host himself, saved for the future necessity of his country ! Had not, however, the circum- stances of the night, of the wind and weather been favorable, the plan, however well concert- HALE. 177 cif, must have been defeated. To « good Pro- vidence, therefore, are the people of America indebted for the complete success of an enter- prise so important in its consequences. This retreat left the British in complete pos- session of Long Island. What could be their future operations remained uncertain. To obtain information of their situation, their strength and future movements was of high importance. For this purpose general Wash- ington applied to colonel Knowlton, who com- manded a regiment of light infantry, which fornicd the van of the American army, and desired him to adopt some mode of gaining the necessary information. Colonel Knowlton communicated this request to captain Nathan Hale, of Connecticut, who was then a captain in his regiment. This young officer, animated by a sense of duty, and considering that an opportunity pre- sented itself by which he might be useful to his country, at once offered himself a volun- teer for this hazardous service. He passed in disguise to Long Island, examined every part of the British army, and obtained the best pos- sible information respecting their situation and future operations. In his attempt to return he was apprehend- ed, carried before sir William Howe, and the proof of his object was so clear, that he frank- ly acknowledged who he was, and what were his views. Sir William Howe at once gave an order to the provost marshal to execute him the next morning. m HALE. This order was accordingly executed in a most unfeeling manner, and by as great a sa- vage as ever disgraced humanity. A clergy- man, whose attendance he desired was refused him ; a bible for a few moments devotion was not procured, although he requested it. Let- ters, which, on the morning of his execution, he wrote to his mother and other friends, were destroyed ; and this very extraordinary reason given by the provost marshal, « that the rebels should not know th«y had a man in their army: who could die with so much firmness." Unknown to all around him, without a sin- gle friend to offer him the least consolation, thus fell as amiable and as worthy a young man as America could boast, with this, as his dying observation — that " he only lamented that he had but one life to lose for his coun- try." Although the manner of tliis execution will ever be|abhorred by every friend to humanity and religion, yet there cannot be a question but that the sentence was conformable to the rules of war and the practice of nations in si- milar cases. It is, however, a justice due to the character of captain Hale to observe, that his motives for engaging in this service were entirely different from those which generally influence others in similar circumstances. Neither expectation of promotion, nor pecu- niary reward, induced him to this attempt. A. sense of duty, a hope that he might in this way be useful to his country, and an opinion %yhich he had adopted, that every kind of ser* iflAMlLTON. US Jiice iieeessai7 to the public good became hono- rable by being necessary ; were the great mo- tives which induced him to engage in an enter- prise l)y >Yhich his connexions lost a most ami-, able friend, and his country one of its most promising supporters. The fate of this unfortunate young man ex- cites the most interesting reflections. To see such a character, in the flower of youth, cheerfully treading in the most hazar- dous paths, influenced by the purest intentions, and only emulous to do good to his country, without the imputation of a crime, fall a vic- tim to policy, must have been wounding to the feelings even of his enemies. Should a comparison be drawn between ma- jor Andre and captain Hale, injustice wouhl be done to the latter should he not be placed on an equal ground with the former. While al- most every historian of the Jlmerican revolution has celebrated tlie virtues and lamented the fate of Andre, Hale has remained unnoticed, and it is scarcely known such a character nA]\nLTON, Alexander, first secretary of the treasury of the United States, Mas a na- tive of the island of St. Croix, and was born in 1757. His father was the younger son of an Knglish family, and his mother was an American. At the age of sixteen he accom- panied his mother to New York, and entered a student of Columbia college, in which he continued about three years. While a mem- ber of tliis institution the first buddings of his intellect gave presages of his future eminence. t$0 HAMILTON, The contest with Great Britain called fovih the first talents on each side, and his juvenile pen asserted the claims of the colonies against very respectahle 'writers. His papers exhibit- ed such evidence oi* intellect and Avisdom, that they >vere ascribed to ^Mr, Jay, and when the 4ruth was discovered, America saw with asto- nishment a lad of seventeen in the list of her tible advocates. At the age of eighteen he en- tered the American army as an officer of ar- tillery. The first sound of war awakened his martial spirit, and as a soldier he soon concili- ated the regard of his brethren in arms. It was not long befdre he attracted the notice of Washington, who in 1777 selected him as an aid with the rank of lieutenant colonel. His «ound understandings comprehensive views, ap- plication, and promptitude soon gained him the entire confidence of his patron. In such a school, it was impossible but that his genius should be nourished. By intercourse with Washington, by surveying his plans, observ- ing his consummate prudence, and by a mi- nute inspection of tlie springs of national operations he became fitted for command. Throughout the campaign, which terminated in the capture of lord Cornwallis, colonel Hamilton commanded a battalion of light in- fantry. At the siege of York in 1781, when the second parallel was opened, two redoubts, which fianked it and were advanced three hundred yards in front of the British works, very much annoyed the men in the trenches. It was resolved to possess them, and to pre- vent jealousies the attack of the one was cpitt- HAMILTON. 181 iuitteil to the Americans and of the other to the French. The detachment of the Ameri- cans was commanded hy the marquis de Ja Fayette, and colonel Hamilton, at his own earnest request, led the advanced <}orps, con- sisting of two battalions. Towards the close of the day on the fourteenth of October, the troops rushed to the charge Avithout firing a single gun. The works were a^ssaulled with irrcsistable impetuosity, and carried with bnt little loss. Eight of the enemy fell in the ac- tion ; but notwithstanding the irritation lately produced by the infamous slaughter in fort Griswold, not a man was killed who ceased to resist. Soon after the capture of Cornwallis, lia- niilton sheathed his sword, and being encum- bered with a family and destitute of funOs, at the age of twenty-five applied to the study of the law. In this profession he soon rose ta distinction. But his private pursuits could not detach him from regard to the public welfare. The violence which was meditated against tbc property and persons of all, who remained in the city during the war, called forth his gene- rous exertions, and by the aid ot governoi^ Clinton the faithless and revengeful scheme was defeated. In a few years a more impor- tant affair demanded his talents. AftcD wit- nessing the debility of the confederation lie was fully impressed with the necessity of an efficient general government, and he was ap» pointed in 1787 a member of the federal con- vention for New York. lie assisted in form- ing the constitution of our country. It did 4^2 HAMILTON, not indecil completely meet his wishes. He \\M afraid, that it did not contain sufficient ineang of strength for its own preservation, and that in Consequence Ave should share the fate oi' many other repuhlics and pass through anar- chy to despotism. He was in favor of a more permanent executive and senate. He wished i<>r a strong government, which would not he shaken hy the conflict of difi'erent interests through an extensive territory, and which should he adequate to all the forms of nation- al exigency. He was apprehensive, that the increased wealth and population of the states would lead to encroacliments on the union, and he anticipated the day, when the general go- vernment, unahle to support itself, would fall. These were his views and feelings, and he free- ly ex;jressed them. But the patriotism of Ha- milton was not of that kind, which yields eve- ry thing, because it cannot accomplish all, that it desires. Believing the constitution to he in- comparably superior to the old confederation, he exerted all his talents in its support, though it did not rise to his conception of a perfect system. By his pen in the papers signed Puh- lius, and by his voice in the convention of New York he contributed much to its adoption. When the government was organized in 1789, Washington placed him at the head of the trea- sury. In the new demands, which were now made upon his talents, the resources of his mind did not fail him. In his reports he pro- posed plans for funding the debt of the union and for assuming the debts of the respective states, for establishing a bank and mint, and HAMILTOX tsr, for procuring a revenue. He Avislied to re- deem the reputation of his country by satisfy- ing her creditors, and to combine with the go- \ vernment such a monied interest, as might fa- cilitate its operations. But while he opened sources of wealth to thousands by establishing public credi^vand thus restoring the public paper to its origirial vahie, he did not enricli him- self. He did not take advantage of his situa- tion, nor improve the opportunity he enjoyed for acquiring a fortune. Though accused of amassing wealth, ho did not vest a dollar in the public funds. He was exquisitely delicate in regard to his official character, being de- termined if possible to prevent the impeach- ment of his motives, and preserve his integri- ty and good name unimpaired. In the early stage of the administration a disagreement existed between Mr. Hamilton and the secretary of state, Mr. Jefferson, which increased till it issued in such open hostility, and introduced such confusion in the cabinet, that Washington found it necessary to address a letter to each, recommending for- bearance and moderation. Mr. Hamilton was apprehensive of danger from the encroachment of the states and wished to add new strength to the general government ; while Mr. Jeffer- son entertained little jealousy of the state so- vereignties, and was rather desirous of check- ing and limiting the exercise of the national authorities, particularly the power of the exe- cutive. Other points of difference existed, and a reconciliation could not be effected. In the beginning of 1793, after intelligence of the I8i HAIMILTON. rupture between France and Great Britaiir liad been received, Hamilton, as one of the cabinet of the president, supported the opi- nion, that the treaty with France was no lon- ,qer binding, and that a nation might absolve itself from the obligations of real treaties, Avhen such a change takes place in the inter- nal situation of the other contra^eting party, as renders the continuance of the connexion disadvantages or dangerous. He advised there- fore, that the expected French minister should not be received in an unqualified manner. The secretary of state on the other hand was^^ of opinion that the revolution in France had pro- duced no change in the relations between the two countries, and could not weaken the obli- gation of treaties ; and this opinion was em- braced by Washington. The advice of Ha- milton Avas ibllowed in regard to the insurrec-. tion in Pennsylvania in 179^ and such a de- tachment was sent out under bis own com- mand, that it was suppressed without effusion of blood. He remained but a short time af tcrwards in office. As his property had been Avastod in the public service, the care «f a ris- ing family made it his duty to retire, that by renewed exertions in his profession he might provide for their support. He aecordingly re- signed his office on the last of January 1795. When the provisional army Avas raised in 1798, in consequence of the injuries and de- mands of France, Washington suspended his acceptance of the command of it on the condition, that Hamilton should be his asso- ciate and the second in command. This ar » HAMILTON. 18^ i^angeinent was accordingly made. After the adjustment of our dispute with the Frencli re- public, and the discharge of the army, he re- turned again to his profession in the city of Kew York. In June 1804 colonel Burr, \ice president of the United States, addressed a letter to gene*^ ral Hamilton, requiring his acknowledgment or denial of the use of any expression deroga» tory to the honor of the former. This de- mand was deemed inadmissible, and a duel was the consequence. After the close of the q2 186 HAMILTON. »f which he had been guilty, was intimated to him, he assented with strong emotion^ and when the infinite merit of tlie Redeemer, as the propitiation for sin, the sole ground of our acceptance with God, was suggested, lie said with empliasis, <* I have a tender reliance on the mercy of the Almighty through tlie me- rits of the Lord Jesus Christ.'^ The reverend bishop Moore was afterwards sent for, and af- ter making suitable inquiries of the penitence and faith of general Hamilton, and receiving his assurance, that he would never again, if restored to health, be engaged in a similar transaction, but would employ all his influence in society to discountenance the barbarous cus- tom, administered to him the communion. Af- ter this his mind was composed. He expired about two o'clock on Thursday July 12, 1804, aged about forty seven years. General Hamilton possessed very uncommon powers of mind. To whatever subject he di- rected his attention, he was able to grasp it, and in whatever he engaged, in tliat he excell- ed. So stupendous were his talents and so pa- tient was his industry, that no investigation presented difficulties, which he could not con- quer. In the class of men of intellect he held the first rank. His eloquence was of the most interesting kind, and when new exertions were rexjuired, he rose in new strength, and touch- ing at his pleasure every string of pity or ter- ror, of indignation or grief, he bent the pas- sions of others to his purpose. At the bar he gained tin? fir»t eminence. hamilto:n. isr With regard to his political designs the most contradictory opinions were entertained. While one party believed his object to be the preseva- tion of the present constitution, the other par- ty imputed to him the intention of subverting it; his friends regarded him as an impartial statesman, while his enemies perceived in his conduct only hostility to France and attach- ment to her rival. Whatever may be the de- cision with regard to the correctness of his principles, his preference of his country's in- terest to his own cannot be questioned by those, who are acquainted with his character. He took no measure to secure a transient po- pularity, but, like every true friend of his country, was willing to rest his reputation upon the integrity of his conduct. So far was he from flattering the people, that he more than once dared to throw himself into the tor- rent, that he might present some obstruction to its course. He was an honest politician ; and his frankness has been commended even by those, who considered his political princi- ples as hostile to the American^jipnfederated republic. His views of the necessity of a firm general government rendered him a decided friend of the union of the American states. His feelings and language were indignant to- wards every thing, which pointed at its disso- lution. His hostility to every influence, which leaned towards the project, was stern and stea- dy, and in every shape it encountered his re- probation. No man, of those, who were not friendly to the late administration, possessed so wide and commanding an influence ; and he 188 HAMILTOK, seems not to have been ignorant of the elevat- ed height, on which he stood. In assigning the reasons for accepting the challenge of co- lonel Burr, while he seems to intimate his ap- prehensions, that the debility of the general goveinment would be followed by convulsions, he also alludes to the demand which might be made upon his military talents. His words are, ** the ability to be in future useful, whether in resisting mischief or effecting good, in those crisis of our public affairs, which seem likely to happen, would probably be inseparable frorn^ a conformity with public prejudice in this par^ ticular." With all his preeminence of talents, and amiable as he was in private life, general Ha- milton is yet a melancholy proof of the infiu^ cnce, which intercourse with a depraved world has in perverting the judgment. In principle he was opposed to duelling, his conscience was not hardened, and he was not indifferent to the happiness of his wife and children ; but na consideration was strong enough to prevent him from exposing his life in single combat. His own views of usefulness were followed in contrariety to the injunctions of his Maker and Judge. He had been for some time con- vinced of the truth of Christianity, and it was his intention, if his life had been spared, to have written a work upon its evidences. General Hamilton possessed many friends, and he was endeared to them, for he was gen- tle, tender, and benevolent. While he was great in the eyes of the world, familiaiity with him only increased the regard in ivhich ilAivfCOCK. 189 ke was held. In liis person lie was siball^ and short in stature. He married a daugliter of general Soliuyler, and left an afflicted widow and a number of children to mourn his loss. He published the letters of Phocion, which were in favor of the loyalists after the peace. The Federalist, a series of essays, which ap- peared in the public papers in the interval be- tween the publication and the adoption of the constitution of the United States, or soon after, and which was designed to elucidate and sup- port its principles, was written by him in con- junction with Mr. Jay and Mr. Madison. He wrote all the numbers, excepting numbers 2, 3, 4, 5, and 5i, which were written by Mr. Jay ; numbers 10, li and 37 to 48 inclusive by Mr. Madison; and numbers 18, 19 and 20, whieii he and Mr. Madison wrote conjointly. This work has been published in two volumes, and is held in the highest estimation. His re- ports while secretary of the treasury are very long, and display great powers of mind. HANCOCK, John, Governor of Massachu- setts, Avas the son of the Reverend John Han. cock of Braintree, and was born about the year 1737. He was graduated at Harvard college in 1754. On the death of his uncle, Thomas Hancock, Esquire, he received a very considerable fortune, and soon became an emi- nent merchant. He was for several years, selectman of the town ; and in 1766, he was chosen a member of the house of Representa- tives for Boston. He there blazed a whig of the first magnitude. Otis, Cusliing, and Sa- muel Adams;, were the other three, who reprc - 190 HANCOCK^ sentcd the capital, men of name in the revoiii tion of their country. Being fond of publi? notice, lie \va& flattcied by the approbation of the people, with their marks of confidence, and the distinction lie had in the general court. — He often gave his opinion when questions were before the house, and mingled in the debates, but possessed no great powers as a parliamen- tary speakcf. He never made a long speech, either in the style 6f declamatory eloquence, t)r the masterly reasoning of a great states- man. The political sagacity of Adams, the public spirit and patriotic zeal of Hancock, gave a lustre to the Boston seat. Perhaps there never was a time when the representa- tives of the capital had such an inllirence in the affairs of the province. There was a col- lision of sentiment amoog the leading whigs about the removal of the cnBcqueiiee of this political difference. These gcntleaieii had different vicAvs, though equally zealous in their opposition to the mother coun- try. Or else one looked further than the other. Mr. Hancock Avas not against a recon- ciliation, if Great Britain would repeal all her unjust acts, and pay due respect to the rights of the colonies. Adams did not wish the an- cient friendship should be renewed. From the time of the stamp act, he saw that hostilities would commence, and the American colonies hecome a nation by themselves. He wat de- sirous of being an actor in the most important scenes, and have his name handed down to posterity among the patriots, who were to Ibrm a new fera in the revolution of empires. The division of tliese two leading characters made ]>arties among the whigs, especially is the town of Boston. Mr. Hancock was the idol of the people. His generosity upon all public occasions, and kindness to individuals, were tlie theme of continual and loud applause. It was said that his Ireart was open as the day to acts of beneficence : that he sunk his for- tune in the cause of his eountry. This was the prevailing idea, and it gave a perfume to the sacrifice. What bounds could be given to the people's affection to a num, who preferred " their loving favor to great riches V He was certainly the most popular man in the community. Nor Avas his popularity ti transient thing. At future periods of our re- volution, when attempts Avere made to depre- ciate him ; when other characters were brought forAyard Avhose merit Avas conspicu-- ous ; and even when he was accused, isi the puhlications of the day, of wanting quaiii! ca- tions for administering the government, he still retained his influenec in the community. It is well known, that some of our greatest and wisest and hest men have solicited his concur- rence in their measures, from the full persua- sion that the popular voice was so much in his favor. In the year 1774, Mr. Ilaneoek was chosen to deliver the public oration in Boston on the 5th of March, to commemorate the massacre of 1770. It is a very handsome composition, and was very well delivered. During the course of this year his health declined. Svhen the general assembly of the province elected members of the lirst congress, he was so ilJ, as to be unable to attend public business. The ensuing winter was favorable to his health ; he recruited his spirits and activity. He was one of the provincial congress, and, for a time, their president. He was then elected a mem- ber of the general congress, that was to meet at Philadelphia in 1775. This year was the most remarkable of any ia the annals of the British nation. The revolutionary war com- menced, April 19. The battle of Lexington was succeeded by a proclamation from the go- vernor, declaring the country in a state of re- bellion, and proscribing Hancock and Adams, as ilie chief leaders, whose behaviour was too flagitious to be forgiven. This only served io give importance to their characters ; to iix them in the esteem and affection of their eoun- ;try. There were men in these states who eo^ HANCOCiK. 1^5 .\cted suck a mark of distinction ; many, who would have given all their wealth, und run any visk of consequences. In 1776, July 4th, his name appears as pre- sident of. the congress which declared the cc- Ionics independent of the crown of Great Bri- tain. The name of the president alone was? piihlished with the declaration, though every niemher signed it. It was a mark of respect due to Massachusetts, to have one of their memhers in the chair, which had heen filled with a member from South Carolina and Vir- ginia. Mr. Hancock had tliose talents which were calculated to make him appear to more advantage as chairman, than in the debates of a public body. He excelled as moderator of the Boston town meetings^ as president of the provincial congress, and state convention ; and, as Iread of the great council of our nation, he was much respected. He discovered a fine address, great impartiality, sufficient spirit to command attention, and preserve order. His voice and manner werc^ much in his favor, and his experience, in public business, gave hiin case and dignity. In 1779, Mr. Hancock resigned his place in aongress. He was chosen a member of the convention that formeil the constitution of Massachusetts. He was not one of the com- mittee to draw up the plan. Many were ear- nest to have him president ; but the in^yo- I'ity were for Mr. Bowdoin. He attended hia duty, however, very regularly, and sometimc« expressed his sentiments. He dissented from Ijiose, wlio would have given more power to ft tlie governor, and more energy io the consti^ tution. From 1780 to 1785, Mr. Hancock >vas annu- ally chosen governor of the comnioiiwealth of Massachusetts. lie declined being a candidate for the office the ensuing year, and >vas suc- ceeded by the honorable James Bowdoin, esq. During the administration of Mr. Bowdoin, there was an insurrection in the state, which Avas happily quelled. Every thing was done in the most judicious manner by the governor and the legislature, yet a part of the community appeared to be discontented with the adminis- tration, and, in the year 1787, Mr. Hancock was again placed in the chair. His conduct in the state convention during the discussion of it, gained him honor. The opposition to this excellent form of govern- ment was great. It was said that the majo- rity of the convention would be against the adoption ; and that the governor was witli the opposers. He was chosen president of the eoiBvention, but did not attend the debates till the latter weeks of the session. Certain amendments were proposed to remove the ob- jections of those, who thought some of the ar- ticles deprived the people of their rights. He introduced these amendments with great pro- priety, and voted for the adoption of the con- stitution. His name and influence doubtless tun cd many in favor of the federal govern- ment. The latter years of his administration were easy to him, on account of the public tranqui- lity. The federal government became the HANCOCK. 1^5 source of so much prosperity, that the people were easy and happy. The two patriots, Hancock and Adams, were reconciled. When lieutenant governor Cushing died, general Lincoln was chosen, as his successor. This gave great offence to Mr. Adams, and it was very disagreeable to the goYcrnor. They join- ed llieir strength to support the same measures, as well as renewed their friendship. The next year, Lincoln was left out of office, and Mr. Adams chosen lieutenant governor. This gentleman succeeded Mr. JJancock, as gover- nor of the commonwealth, after his death. The death of such a man was interesting to the people at large. The procession at his ftineral was very great. Dr. Thaeher preach- ed his funeral sermon the next sabbath. He was very friendly to the clergy of all denomi- nations, and did a great deal to promote the cause of learning as well as religion. The li- brary of Harvard College will give an exhibi- tion of his muniiicence 5 for the name of Han- cock, in golden letters, now adorns one of the alcoves of the library room, and is upon the re- cords of the university among her greatest be- nefactors. He died October 8, 1793. Mr. Hancock was promoted to every office which a man fond of public life could expect oi» desire. His manners were pleasing. He was polite, affable, easy and condescending ; and, what was greatly in his favor, did not appear lifted up with pride. Such an elevation to prosperous circumstances would make some men giddy, and cause others to despise theii' neiglibor, poorer than themselves. ■im HAHT. The editor will again refer to, and give anr extract from the oration of JRic/mrd JRusft> esq. delivered at the city of Washington, July ^, 1812. He said, "During the siege of Bos- ton, General Washington consulted Congress upon the propriety of bombai*ding the town. — Mr. Hancock was then President of Congress. After General Washington's letter ^vas read, a solemn silence ensued. This was broken by a member making a motion that the house should i*esolve itself into a committee of the whole, in order that Mr. Hancock might give his opi- nion upon the important subject, as he was so deeply interested from having all his estate in Boston. After he left the chair, he addressed the chairman of the committee of the whole in the following words : " It is true, sir> nearjy all the property I have in tlie world, is in houses and other real estate in the town of Boston ; but if the expulsion of the British army from it, and the liberties of our country I'cquire their being burnt to ashes, issue the orders for that jmrpose immediately.^^ HAiiT, (the reverend) Oliver, was born in Warminster township, Bucks county, Penn- sylvania, 5th July, 172;^. At an early period of his life he was deeply impressed with the importance of religion ; and, at the age of eighteen years he was received as a member of the Baptist church at Southampton. In 1746 he began to preach the gospel, and was onlained to the great work of the ministry. The same year he went to Charleston, South Carolina, where he continued as pastor of tlu; JJaptist church for upwards of thirty years. i HART. 19^^ Soon after the connmencement of the revolu- tion, during those times which tried men's souls, Mr. Hart's patriotism was so well known, that the council of safety of South Carolina, as a testimony of their confidence in his zeal and integrity, appointed Mr. Hart, with the honorable William Henry Drayton, and the reverend William Tennent, to visit he froiitiers of that state, in order to recon- "cilc, if possibh', a number of the inhabitants ■who were disaffected tOAvards a revolutionary form of j^ovcrnment : a business, which, though attended witJi great bodily fatigue and perso- nal danger, he executed with great propriety and fidelity. In the month of February, 1780, owing to his warm attachment to the Ameiican cause, it was thought advisoable, that he should leave Charleston, as the British troops were prepar- ing to lay siege to it. Hearing of its surreuH der, which happened on the 12th May follow^ ing, he Journeyed towards his native soil, and in the month of December of the same year, in consequence of the warmest solicitations, he undertook the pastoral charge of the church of Hopewell, New- Jersey, and there he conti- nued till 31st December, 1795, when he died, aged 72 years, 5 months and 26 days. Mr. Hart was the author of several sermons and other compositions on religious subjects, whicli have appeared in print, and do donor to his pen and his heart. A variety of his papers on different subjects, which he highly valued, and many of his best books, were, likewise, destroyed by the British army, when they R2 19* IfAWLEY. overran the sautheni states. He bad aha a eonsiderable turn for poetry, though such >vas his modesty^ that but few of his intimate friends knew he possessed this talent. HAWLKY, Joseph, distinguislied as a states-- man and patriot, was horn in Northampton, Massachusetts, and was graduated at Yale college in 1742. Soon after finisliing his col- legia! education he engaged in the study and the practice df the law in his native town. In this science he became a great proficient and was one of the most distinguished counsellors in the province. Among his ether studies he attained to such an eminence of knowledge in political history and the principles of free go- vernment, that during the disputes between Great Britain and the colonies he was regard- ed as one of the ablest advocates of American liberty. His integrity both in public and in private life was inflexible, and was not even questioned by his political opponents. He was repeatedly elected a member of the council, but refused in every instance to accept the of- fice, as he preferred a seat in the house of representatives, where his character for disin- terested patriotism and his bold and manly eloquence gave him an ascendency, which has seldom been equalled. He was first elected » member of the legislature in 1764. In the- latter part of 1776 major Hawley was afflicted with hypochondriacal disorders, to which he had been frequently subject in former periods of his life ; and after this declined public bu- ?siness. He died March 10, 17 &8, aged sixty foar veal's* HENRY. ±90 HENRY, Patrick, governor of Virginia, v.and a most eloquent orator, took an early am] decided part in support ot' tlie rights of liis country, against the tyranny of Great Britain. In the year 1765 he was a member of the as- sembly of Yipi^'inia, and he introduced some resolutions, which breathed a spirit of liberty> and which were accepted by a small majority on the twenty ninth of May. These were the first resolutions of any assembly occasioned by the stamp act. One of the resolutions declar- ed, that the general assembly had the exclu- sive right and power, to lay taxes and impo- sitions upon the inhabitants of the colony. — Such was the^ warmth, excited in the debate, that Mr. Henry, according to the relation of Mr. Stedman, after declaiming against the ar- bitrary measures of Great Britain, added, *• Csesar had his Brutus, Charles the first an Oliver Cromwell, and George the tliij'd ," when he was stopped from proceeding farther, and called to order. He was elected in 1774 one of the deputies from Virginia to the first congress, and was in this year one of the com- mittee, which drew up the petition to the king. In May 1775, after lord Dunmore had convey- ed on board a ship a part of the powder from the magazine of Williamsburg, Mr. Henry dis- tinguished himself by assembling the indepen*' dent companies of Hanover and king William counties, and directing them towards Williams- burg with the avowed design of obtaining pay- ment for the powder, or of compelling to its restitution. The object was effected, for the king's receiver geaeral gave a bill for the ya* ^ ^06 HENRY. lue of the property. The governor immediately^ fortified his palace, and issued a proclamation, charging those, \vho had procured the bill, with rebellious practices. This only occasioned a number of county meetings, which applauded the conduct of Mr. Henry, and expressed a de^ termhiation to protect hira. In August 1775, when a new choice of deputies to congress was made, he was not re-elected, for his services were now demanded more exclusively in his own state. After the departure of lord Dun- more he Avas chosen the first governor in June, 1776, and he held this office several succeed- ing years, bending all his exertions to promote the freedom and independence of his country. In the beginning of 1778 an anonymous letter was addressed to him with the design of alie- nating his affections from the commander in chief. He enclosed it to Washington both to evince his friendship and to put him on his guard. In another letter, written a few days afterwards, when he had heard of a plan to effect tJie removal of Washington, he says to him, " while you face the armed enemies of our liberty in the field, and, by the favor of God, have been kept unhurt, I trust your country will never harbor in her bosom the miscreant, who would ruin her best suppor- ter ; but when artp , unworthy honest men are used to defame and traduce you, I think it not amiss, but a duty to assure you of that esti- mation, in which the public hold you." In June 1778 he was a member, with other illustrious citizens of Virginia, of the conven- tion, which was appointed to consider the coa- I HENRY. jm s-titiition of the United Stales; aiul he exerted all the foree of his masterly eloquence, day /after day, to prevent its adoption. He con- tended that changes were dangerous to liher- ty ; that the old confederation had carried us through the war, and secured our indepen- dence, and needed only amendment ; that the proposed government was a consolidated go- vernment, in which the sovereignty of the states would be lost, and all pretensions to rights and privileges would he rendered inse* cure : that the want of a bill of rights was an essential defect ; that general warrants should have been prohibited; and that to adopt the constitution with a view to subsequent amend- ments was only submitting to tyranny in the hope of being liberaied from it at some future time. He therefore offered a resolution, con- taining a bill of rights and amendments for the greater security of liberty and property to be referred to the other states before the ra- tification of the proposed form of government. His resolution however was not accepted. The argument of Pendleton, Randolph, Madison, and Marshall prevailed against the eloquence of Henry, and the constitution was adopted, though liy a small majority. Mr. Henry's bill of rights and his amendments were then accepted, and directed to be transmitted to the several states. Some of these amendments have been ingrafted into the federal constitu- tion, on which account as well as on account of the lessons of experience, Mr. Henry in a few years lost in a degree his repugnance to it. After the resignation of Mr. Randolph in %0^ HENR¥. August 1795 he was nominated by presideirt. "Washington as secretary of state, but consr- derations of a private nature induced him to decline the honorable trust. In November 1796 he was again elected governor of Yir- ginia, and this office also he almost immedi- ately resigned. In the bcginmiig of the year 1799 he was appointed bj^ president Adams as an envoy to France with Messrs. Ellsworth and Murray. His letter in reply to the secreta- ry of state is dated in Charlotte county April the sixteenth, and in it he speaks of a severe indisposition, to which he was then subject, and of his advanced age and increasing debility. Governor Davie of North Carolina, was in consequence appointed in his place. He lived but a short time after ihh testimony ©f the respect, in which his talents and patriotism were held, for lie died at Red Hill in Char- lotte county, June 6, 1799. Mr. Henry was a man of eminent talents, of ardent attachment to liherty, and of most com- manding eloquence. The Virginians boast of him as an orator of nature. His general ap- pearance and manners were those of a plain farmer. In this character he always entered on the exordium of an oration. His unassum- ing looks and expressions of humility induced his hearers to listen to him with the same easy openness, with which they would converse with an honest neighbor After he had thus disarm- ed prejudice and pride, and opened a way to the heart, the inspiration of his eloquence, when little expected, would invest him with the au- thority of a prophets With a mind of gre^t IIEOTIY. m^ ]^Wcrs and a heart of keen sensibility, he would sometimes rise in the majesty of his genius, and •while he filled the audience with admiration, would, with almost irresistible influence, bear alo»5g the passions of others with him. In private life he was as amiable and virtuous as he was conspicuous in his public career.- — His principles of liberty and regard to Chris- tianity led him to deplore the practice of sla- very. On this subject, in a letter written in 1773, he enquires, ** is it not amazing, that at a time, when the rights of humanity are defined and understood with precision, in a country above all others fond of liberty; that in such an age and such a country we find men, pro^ fessing a religion, the most humane, mild, gen- tle, and generous, adopting a principle, as re- pugnant to humanity, as it is inconsistent Avith the bible, and destructive to liberty? Would any one believe, that I am master of slaves of my own purchase ? I am drawn along by the general inconvenience of being here without them. I will not — I cannot justify it. I be- lieve a time will come, when an opportunity will be oiiered to abolish this lamentable evil. Every thing we can do is to improve it, if it hap- pens in our day ; if not, let us transmit to our descendants, together with our slaves, a pity for their unhappy lot, and an abhorrence of sla- very.'' The following affectionate tribute to the me- mory of Henry, which appeared in the Virginia papers immediately after his death, though not a specimen of perfect taste, will yet further iDustrate his character by showing the esti- mi HOPKINSGX. mation^ ia Avhich he was held by those, \sha knew him. " Mourn, Virginia^ mourn ; your Henry is gone. Ye friends to liberty in every elime, drop a tear. No more will his soeial feelings spread delight through his happy house. No more will his edifying example dietate to his numerous offspring the sweet- ness of virtue, and the majesty of patriotism. No more will his sage ad vice, guided by zeal for the common happiness, impart light and utility to his caressing neighbors. No more will he illuminate the public councils with sentiments drawn from the cabinet of his own mind, ever directed to his country's good, and clothed in eloquence sublime, delightful, and commanding. Farewell, first rate patriot, farewell. As long as our rivers flow, or mountains stand, so long will your excellence and worth be the theme of our homage and endearment; and Virginia, bearing in mind her loss, will say to rising generations, imi- tate my Henry.*' HOPKINSON, Fkancis, Avas born in Penn- sylvania, in the year 1738. He possessed aa uncommon share of genius of a peculiar kind. He was well skilled in many practical and use- ful sciences, particularly in mathematics and natural philosophy ; and he had a general ac- quaintance with the principles of anatomy, chemistry and natural history. But his forte was humour and satire, in both of which, he was not surpassed by Lucian, Swift or Rabel- lais. These extraordinary powers were con- secrated to the advancement of the interests of patriotism, virtue and science. It mouKI fill JiUtiij;^ pages id mention his numerous publica- iioris during the late revolution, all of which are directed to these important objects. If« hej^aa in the year 1775, with a small tract, wl'iich he entitled «A Pretty History," in which he exposed the tyranny of Great Bri- tain, in America, by a most beautiful allegory, and he concluded his contributions to his coun- try, in this way, with the history of " Th« '3Cew Roof," a performance, wliich far wit, hu- mor and i^ood sense, must last as long as the cilizcris of America continue to aduiirc, an incut of the United States. , Newspaper scandal frequently, fir montLs toj^ethcr, disappeared or languished, after ths publication of several of his irresistible satires upon that disgraceful species of writing, lie gave a currency to a thought or a phrase, in these elTusioiiS from his pen, which never fail- ed to tear down the spirit of the times, and frt- qacnliy to turn the divided tides of party rage, into one gcncrul channel of ridicule and con- tCUipt. Sometimes he employed his formidable pow • crs of humor and satire in exposing the foJ - inali'iies of technical science. He entertained some ideas with respect to the mode of con- ducting education, which were singular. Ij^, j|iarticular, he often ridiculed in conversation^ Uie practice of teaching children the English language by means of grammar. He consi- ilered most of the years, which arc spent in learning the Greek and Latin languages us lost, and he hcdd several of the arts and seicn- s Z06 HOPlvIiXSON, kinson possessed uncommon talents for pleasing in company. His wit was not of that coarse kind, which was calculated to set the table in a roar. It was mild and elegant^ and infused cheerfulness and a species of deli- cate joy, rather than mirth, into the hearts of all, who heard it. His empire over the atten- tion and passions of his company was not pur- chased at the expense of innocence. A person who has passed many delightful hours in his company, declared, with pleasure, that he ne- ver once heard him use a profane expression, nor utter a word, which would have made a lady blush, or have clouded her countenance for a moment with a look of disapprobation. — It is this species of wit alone, that indicates a rich and powerful imagination, while that which is tinctured with profanKy, or indelica- cy, argues poverty of genius, inasmuch as they have both been very properly considered as the cheapest products of the mind. Mr. Hopkinson's character for abilities and patriotism procured him the confidence of his countrymen in the most trying exigencies of their aifairs. He represented the state of New Jersey, in the year 1776, and suUscribe^ the ever memorable declaration of American Independence. He held an appointment^fn the HowELi, mx iWn oiRce for several years, and afterwards succeeded George Ross, esquire, as judge of Uie admiralty for the state of rennsylvauia — In this station he continued til! tlie year 1790, v.hen J'.c Avas appointed judg;e i;i tlic district court in Pennsylvania, hy tiie illustrious Wash- ington, then President of the United States, and in each of these judicial offices he eon- ducted himself with the greatest ability and integrity. Itc was an active and useful member of three great parties, which at different times divided his native state. lie was a whig, a republican and a federalist, and lie liied to she the principles and the wish of each of these parties finally and universally successful. Al- though his labors had been rewarded with ma- ny harvests of well earned fame, yet his death io his country and Ids friends, was premature. He had been subject to frequent attacks of the gout in his head, but for some time before his ileatli, he had enjoyed a considerable respite from them. On the evening of May 8th, 1791, lie was somewhat indisposed, and passed a restless wh^hU lie rc^^ next morning at his usual hour and breakfasted y ith his family, but at 7 o'clock, he was seized with an apoplectic fit, of which he died about two hours after. IIOAVEIiL, RicuAKD, governor of New Jer- sey, was a native of BelaAvare, and liaving been admitted to the bar a short time before the late struggle between Great Britain and America commenced, he devoted his talents to the service of his country. His abilities as a soldier procured him the appointment of the ^n irCNTllVGDON. S' cond Jifej'sry regiment in 1776, vliicli station li^ occupied till the spring cf 1779, ^vllen in consequence of a new arrangement of tlic ar- my he resumed the profession oft'ie law. Ih 1788 be was appointed clerk of tlie supreme court, Viliieli cilice lie Leld till June 1793, when lie was chosen governor of the state. "^ro tliis place Le was eight \ears snccessively elected, lie died April 28, 1802, aged forty Woven years. lUt possessed a cultivated mind. iiml was benevolent in his life. HUNTINGDON, Samuel, gcvcrnor cf Connecticut, was born in Wndijam and des- cended from an ancient family. In his youth ]:c gave indications of an excellent understand- ing. V> ithont liic advantages cf a collegial education he acquired a competent knowledge of the law, and was early adndUcd to the bar; soon after which he settled in Norwich, and in II few years becaiiic eniinent in his profession. In 176i he Mas a representative Id the general sissemWy, and the following year was appointed king's attorney, M>tieh ofHce he filled with rc- ^mtation, until iiiore important services induc-^ cd him to relinquish U. iji 1774 he was made tvn assistant judge of the superior court, la 1775 he was elected iiito the council, and in tlie same year chosen a delegate to congress, la 1779 lie was president of that honorable kody, and was rcchosen tlic following year. After this year he resuiiied his seat in the eouncil cf Connecticut and on the bench. In 1783 he was again a member cf congress. In 1784 he was chosen lieutenant governor and appointed chief justice. He was placed in the IIUTClllNS, 5209 chair of the chief magistrate in 1786, and >vas annually reelected till his death. He died at Norwich January 8, 1796, in the sixty fourth! year of liis age. IIUTClllNS, Thomas, was born in Mon- mouth county, New Jersey. His parents dy- ing while he was young, an imconqucrahle dif* fidence and modesty would not permit him to apply for protection or employment to his re- lations, who Mere >ery respectable at New York, and would have been ready to assist him. He rather chose to seek some business ; and accordingly before he was sixteen, went to the western country, wliere he was soon appoint- ed an ensign, and paymaster-general to tlie forces there. After some time he became de- puty-engineer, and soon distinguished himself iit fort Pitt, the plan of which he laid out, and which was executed under his command, by or- der of general Bouquet, an account of whose transactions and campaigns was drawn up and published by him in Philadelphia in 1765. He afterwards lived a number of years in Louisiana, during which time 4he accurate ob- servations and remarks made on the country in general, rivers, harbors, &c. and the man- ners of the people, a*e sufficiently shown in the description, which he published of that country, a few years ago, and is the best ex- tant. After a variety of battles with the In- dians, while he was with the army in West Florida he rose, solely by merit, to a captain's commission, which he enjoyed a number of years, until his love for America obliged him to give it i\]). s2-. M^ JTCiCniNS* B^ing in Lciidoii \viiea t!;c wni' bi'o«e out, Ic staid there till 1778, when he publlsbcd his liiap and pamphlet explaining it. His zeal for the cause of the United Stales ijjadc Liiii re-, fuse a very proiltable emplovnient then offered to hiin, at the sar.ic time reqiiefcting leave to Sell his eommlssion, Avhieh v. as not i^ranted.— His ahidiniT steadily in Lis rcsoliition net to take up arms against his native eoiintiy, vas, probalily, the cause of the number of iikisfor- tuncs lie met "wilh, and the ill treatment lie Teceivcd from au obstinate and blindfold adiiii- nistration. For holding a supposed correspondence ^vith Dr. Franklin, then our ambassador at the court of France, be >vas thrown into a dungeon, bis papers seized, and be lost 12,000f. in one day. After lying six weeks in this horrid place, du- ring which time not one spai-k of light was ad- Biitted iiito his cell> and having undergone a long cxa:nina(ion before the lords Aanherst and Sandwich, and tlie rest of the execrable junto >vhieh ruled at that time with unlimKed sway, lie was lijerated ; and having resigned his com- missi*. n, lij passed over into France, where he »taid some time to recruit the dehilitaled state ©f liiy body. lie then sailed fiom L'Oiient to Charleston, wkere he joined tiic southern army under general Greene: but not long after this, the war closing, he was appointed geograplicr- general to the United States, Mhich employ- ment he held till his dciith, which happened at Pittsburg, the 20th of April. 1788. He was esteenicd and belov. d by all who h'dX the liappiiicss of knowing hiui. lie was lilYlXE. t^li tcsnarkable for his piety and cliarity, a coni- placeiicy oT temper, patience aod resignation itftder sielincss, and ai^ universal Lcnevoleiiee, wiiicli so cmiaeatly distiiigulslied him, that all join in deelarirjg Lim to have been ** an Israe- lite indeed, iii whons there was no penile." ir^^ INE, V/iLLiAM, a brave ofllcer in the Amerlean war, was u native of Ireland, and was educated for the medical profession, wliicli he reliiui'iishcd at the commencement of the revolution. He had an early command ia the army, and in the expedition to Canada in 1775 was conspicuous for his talents and bravery. In the operations in the middle states durin;^ the rera.iinder of the war he was consulted by the commander in chief, end was particularly vith the artillery, not he got over until three o'clock, and it\r" ^ i^ea^' f^ur before the line of riiarch could he laken up. As the distance to I'renton both by the river, and Pennington roads, is nearly tlie same, it ^vas supposed that each division cf the army v/ould reach its object about the same time, and therefore orders were given to attack at tlic first moiuent of arrival, and af- tor driving in tlic out guards, to press rapidly after them into the town, so as to prevent the iivain body of tlic enemy from forming. <• General "NYashington himself accompanied t'le upper division, ?ivA arrived at the out post on tliat road, preeiscly at eight o'clock. lie immediately drove it in, and in three minutes lieard the fire from the division which had ta- ken the river road. The picket guard kept up a fire from behind houses as they retreated, but the Americans followed them with such ardor and rapidity, that they could make no stand. Colonel Riiwle, a very gallant officer who commanded in Trenton, paraded his men, ' ill order to meet the assailants. In the very commencement of the action he was mortally wounded, and his troops, in apparent confusion, attempted to file off from the right, and gain the road to Princeton. Perceiving this, gene- ral Washington threw a detachment in their front, which intercepted them in the attempt, ;ind advanced rapidly on them. Finding them- selves surrounded, and tlieir artillery already seized, they laid down their arms end surren- dered prisoners pf wa?. 214^ IRVINE. << Unfortunately the quantit.v of ice had leu tiered it ijupracticable for general Irvine to execute that part of the plan >vhich had been allotted to him. AVith his utmost efforts he could not cross the river ,* in consequence of this circumstance the lower road towards Bor- dentown remained open. A part of tlie ene- my, about five hundred men, stationed in the lower end of Trenton, availed themselves of this circumstance, and crossing the bridge in the commencement of the action, marched d »wn the river to Bordentown. The &ame cause prevented general Cadwalader from nt- tacking the post at Burlington. With infinite difficulty he got over a part of his infantry ; but finding it absolutely impracticable to cross with the artillery, his infantry returned. '* Though this plan failed in so many of iis parts in consequence of the extreme severity of the night, the success which attended that part of it, which was to be executed by gene- ral Washington in person, was complete: and was followed by the happiest effects. About twenty of the enemy Avcre killed, and liine hundred and nine, including officers, laid down their arms, and surrendered themselves piiso» ners. Others were afterwards found conceal- ed in houses, so as to increase the number to about one thousand. Six field pieces, and a thousand stand of small arms, were also taken. On the part of tlie Americans, two privates were killed 5 two frozen to deaths and one of- ficer, and three or four ]uivates, wounded. "Had it been practicable for the divisions under generals Irvine and Cadwalader to have JONES. ^i^ crossed tiic liver, it Avas intended to Lave pro- ceeded from Trenton to the posts below, at and about BoidentoAvn ; to have entirely swept the enemy from the banks of the Delaware, am! to have maintained a position in the Jersey?.. But finding those parts of the plan to have en- tirely failed, and supposing the enemy to rc- maia ill force below, while a strong corps was posted at Princeton, it was thought t unadvisa- blc to hazard tJic loss of the very important advantage already gained, by attempting to in- crease it; and general Washington reerosscd the river with his prisoners and the military stores he had taken. Lieutenant colonel Bay- lor, his aid-de-caiiip who carried the intelli- gence of this success to congress, was pre- sented with a horse completely caparisoned for service, an^s recommended to be appointed to the command of a regiment of cavalry."*' After the war major general Irvine was a member of congress from Pennsylvania. Jle died at Philadelphia July 30, 180i, aged sixty tliree years, lie held for some time before liis death the ofSee of military intendant. He was also president of the Cincinnati of Penn- sylvania. Frank and sincere, he paid respect to none but to those, whom he deemed wor- thy, and tliose for whom he had no regard, he shunned in silence. JONES, Paul, one of the most enterpiis- hv^ and resolute mariners America had during the contest with Great Britain, was born in the month of June 17i8, in Scotland. lie came to America in the year 177 i and solici- ted from several oi* the leading whigs to be cnip^^}^*^ ^^ ^^^^ service of Congress. He aLo luailo several iinpoitaat comniunicatioiiS lu members of congress respctting Kngland> and in return received several sums of iiicn<"y. It Ayas then agreed tiiat Jones should go to Eu- rope for particular inlbrmation, and he set sail and arrived in England as captain Jones of Kcyy York. The English government not be- ing aware of the character that had arrived, lic was at liberty to go about the capital, and dwelt for a short time in Wapping, daily buy- ing maps, charts, sounding, and other artick:^ relating to the home navigation. At his re- turn he was strictly examhied by several sci- entific persons, respecting the coasts and iiar- bcrs of England, Ireland, and Scotland ; the result of which was, a very Haltering distinc- tion paid to him by the leaders of the Ameri- can oppositiiiu, and he was soon afier appcinl- ed to t!ic command of one of the privateers lit • ted out against England. Ills success greatly contributed to raise hsm in the opinion of the great men in Ametica ; who in a siiort time TV ere so tborouglily satisfied with his spirited conduct, that they imposed no sort of command on him, but left him to act consistent with his own ideas, on ail occasions. He proved a far gircater annoyance to ilritish traders in those parts than any other commander In the service of America. Paul Avas now employed to tit out the small squadron which Congress had jjlaced under commodore Hopkins, who had the comukand of all the armed vessels then belonging t«» America 5 and it is a well known facr, tliiCl JONES. 317 Jones hoisted with his own hands the first A merican flag ever displayed, on board the Al- fred. He was now appointed to the command of the ship ProYidence, and was ordered to escort some troops that were proceeding from Rhode island to New York, and wlio were destined to Join general Washington's camp. He also re- ceived instructions to escort a convoy of artil- lery and ammunition from Rhode Island to New York, for tiie defence of which it was destined. During the passages, he had two different engagements with the Cerberus fri- gate 5 tlie first for the protection of the vessels under his command, and the second for the preservation of a vessel from St. Domingo, la- den with naval stores for Congress. In the course of this service, he had many actions with ships of war under the command of lord Howe ; but on tliese, as on former occasions, he was enabled to preserve his convoy ; and at length arrived safe in the Delaware, x\ugi:st 1, 1776. On the eighth of August, the Presi- dent of Congress presented Paul Jones in per- son with the commission of captain in the ma- rine of tlie United States. This was the fu st granted by Congress after the declaration of independence. The orders of Congress had been given, for the construction of thirteen fri- gates ; but as none of them were yet ready, he proceeded to sea alone, on board the Provi- dence, a vessel of small force, as she cai-ried no more than seventy men, and twelve small cannon. AVIien in the neighborhood of Bermu- das, they fell in \yhh the Solcbay, and her con- T ^218 JONES. voy, from Charleston. She ^vas a thiriy gmi frigate, and formed part of the squadron under Admiral Parker. Captain Jones was of course desirous of avoiding an engagement with such superior force ^ but his officers and men insist- ed that it was the Jamaica fleet, and as it was necessary to command by means of persuasion at this epoch of the war, the result was a se- rious engagement during six hours, which, to- wars the dose, was carried on within pistol shot. A desperate manoeuvre was the sole re- source left him ; he attempted, succeeded, and was fortunate enough to disengage himself. A short time after this, he took several prizes, and sailed towards the coast of Nova Scotia, to destroy the whale and cod fisheries in that neighborhood. Near Sable Island, they fell in with the Milford frigate, carrying thirty-two guns, with which it was impossible to avoid an ©ngagement. A cannonade took place from ten o'clock in the morning until sun-set ; but the engagement was neither so close nor so hot as that with the Solebay, and Paul escaped, by passing through the flats, and entered a little harbour next day, where he destroyed the fish- jery and vessels. After this, he set sail for lie Madame, where he made two descents ; at the same time destroying the fisheries, and burn- ing all the vessels he could not carry with him. Having accomplished this service, he returned to Rhode Island, after an absence of seven weeks from the Delaware ; during which inter- val he had taken sixteen prizes, without includ- ing those destroyed. The Americans had de- t'ermioed on destroying the enemy's fisheries iit JONES. ^19 He Royal, and restoring to liberty more than three hundred American prisoners detained there in the coal mines. Three vessels were destined for tliis service, the Alfred, Hampden, and tlie Providence; hut tlie Hampden, com- inanded by Arnold, having received considera- ble damage in consequence of running on a rocky eould not accompany him. He, however, em- barked on board the Alfred, and taking the Providence by way of consort, he set sail, on the second of November, 1776. The first he made prize of was a vessel from Liverpool, and soon after the Mellish, a large armed vessel, having two British naval officers on board, anfl a captain belonging to the land service, with a company of soldiers. The ship was carrying ten tliousand complete suits of uniform to Ca- nada, for il\G army posted there under the or- sels he had captured, as the frigate continued in chace of him. Next day be was fortunate enough to escape, after a serious action, which was not terminated until dark, and even then- in consequence of a hard gale of wind. Having returned to Boston, December 1, 1776, the in- telligence of the uniforms he had taken, reani- mated the courage of the irniy under general Washington, which at that period happened to be almost destitute of clothing. Besides, this unexpected succour contributed not a little to the success of the aifair at Trenton aginst the Hessians, which took place immediately after his arrival. He now paid out of his own purse the wages due to the crev/s of the Alfred and the Providence, and lent the rest of his money to Coiigress. Jones was now ordered to take command of the Ranger, a vessel mounting eighteen guns. In 1777 he sailed for France, where he arrived JONES. 221 February 1778. He then sailed for the place of his birth, and then his father's residence, the coast of Scotland. It was his intention to take the Earl of Selkirk prisoner, and detain his lordship as a hostage. With this view, he landed with two officers and a fcAV picked men. In the course of their progress they fell in with several of his lordship's tenants, who, not sus- pecting they were enemies, informed them that lord Selkiik was in London, but that her lady- ship and several female friends were then at the Castle. Paul immediately proposed returning, but such mild conduct was not conformable to the wishes of his shipmates, who were inclined to burn, pillage, and destroy, every thing be- fore them. Thus circumstanced, he perceived it necessary to conciliate his people, and it ap- peared to him to be the best mode, to give or- ders to the two officers to repair to the Castle, station the men under arms without, and enter by themselves. They were instructed to de- mand the family plate, in the politest manner, i accept what was given, without asking ques-= tions, and then to return. In this order he was punctually obeyed ; the plate was delivered, and lady Selkirk observed to the officers, that she was extremely sensible of their moderation. Next day, April 23, 1778, he prepared to sail for Carrickfergus, to attack the Drake, a Bri- tish twenty gun ship; but the lieutanants were averse to this enterprise, and, by their exam- ple, most of tlic crew became mutinous, and it was their intention to have stood out to sea, and left him ashore at Whitehaven. In the mean while, tlic captain of the Drake receiving iu-^ T '^ 222 JONES. rornialion of their descent at AVIiitchaveii, pre^ pared to attack Jones. While every thing was getting ready, he sent a lieutenant and hoats crew to reconnoitre the Ranger ; Jones imme- diately masked all his guns, kept his men out of sight, and disguised the vessel in such a way as to resemhle a merchantman ; in consequence of which, the boat's crew were deceived and taken prisoners ; and the Ranger s people were so elated at tliis success, that they unanimously agreed to give her battle. The Drake, having fired a gun to recal her boat, weighed anchor and came out. The Ran- ger lay too till she came within pistol shoty when the action commenced, with much gal- lantry, on both sides. After a hard fought battle of sixty eight minutes, during which the captain and the first lieutenant of the Drake, nobly fell, the English flag was lowered, and Jones took possession of his prize. The Drake was greatly damaged in her masts, hull, and rigging, and lost about forty-two men in killed and wou!ided. He arrived with tlie Ranger aixl Drake at Brest on the 7th of ^f ay, after an ab- sence of twenty eight days, during which he liad taken upwards of two hundred prisoners. This expedition was of great detriment to Great Britain. At the time Jones had been obliged to per- mit his people to take lady Selkirk's plate, he determined to redeem it out of his own funds, the moment it should be sold, and restore it to the family. Accordingly, on his arrival at Brest, he insvtantly despatched a pathetic let- ter to her ladyship, in wliich he detailed the JOKES. 223 Biotives of his expedition, and tlie cruel neces- sity he was under, in consequence of the con- duct of the English in America, to inflict the punishment of retaliation. This was sent open to the government of England and its minis- ters ; and the court of St. James w as at length obliged to exchange those very Americans, whom they called traitors, piraies, and felons, against the prisoners of war, whom Paul had taken and carried to France. During the course of the war, he found it impossible to restore the plate belonging to the Selkirk family : he, however, purchased it at a great price, and at length found means io send it by land from POrient to Calais, by means of M. de Callonne, who transmitted him u very flattering letter on the occasion : in short, he at length received a very flattering letter from the earl of Selkirk, acknowledg- ing the receipt of tbe plate. Jones now took the command of a forty gun ship, called tlie Good Man Richard, and had attaclied to him Le Pallas, of tbirty two eight pounders, and a brig named Le Yengeance, of twelve three pounders ; to these was added Le Cerf, a cutter carrying eightee^i nine pounders, with the Alliance, a new frigate belonging to the United States, This little squadron, at length set sail from the road of Groays, on the l^th of August, 1F79; but they had no sooner proceeded to the north of tlie channel, when three of his vessels were separated fiiom him during the night. On the morning of the 23d of September, while he was cruising in the the latitude of Flambo- 22^ JONES, rough Head, where he hoped to he rejoined by the Alliance and Le Cerf, and also to fall in with the Baltic fleet, this convoy accordingly appeared, at a time when he had been abandon- ed by several of his consorts ; had lost two boats with their crews, who had run away on the coast of Ireland, and when a third, with eighteen men on board, w as in chase of a mer- chantman, to the windward, leaving him with only a scanty crew and a single lieutenant, with some inferior officers on board. It was about two o'clock in the afternoou that the Baltic fleet appeared in view ; he then hap- pened to have the wind of it, and was about two leagues distant from the const of England. — He learned from his prisoners, that the con- voy was escorted fey the Serapis, a new vessel, then carrying 44 guns, the lower battery car- rying eighteen pounders ; and the Countess of Scarborough, a new twenty-two gun ship. On Eriday, six sail was discovered about two leagues from shore, in a most shattered condi- tion. They were no sooner descried, than the armed vessels stood out to sea, while the trade ships took refuge under the cannon of Scarbo- rough-castle. As there was but little wind, he could not come up with the enemy before night. The moon did not rise until eight, and at the close of day the Serapis and Countess of Scarborough tacked and stood in for tlie for- tress. Paul was lucky enough to discover tliis manoeuvre by means of liis nij»ht-glass, and immediately altered his course six points, with a view of cutting oif the enemy ; which was no sooner perceived by the Pallas, than it was sup- JONES. 325 posed his crew had mutined, which induced her captain to hawl his wind, and stand out to sea; while the Alliance lay -to, to windward, at a very considerable distance ; and, thus de- serted, he was obliged to run all risks, and en- ter into action with the Richard only, to pre- vent the enemy's escape. He accordingly be- gan the engagement at seven o'clock at night, within pistol-shot of the Searapis, and sustain- ed the brunt of it for nearly a whole hour at that distance, exposed, not only to her fire, but also that of the Countess of Scarborough. I fn this unfortunate extremity, the Richard being ih imminct danger of going to the bot- 1 torn, and her guns being no longer in a condi- tion to return the enemy's ilre, he had re- course to a dangerous expedient, — to grapple j with the Serapis. This manoeuvre succeeded I admirably ; he fastened the Serapis with his own hands, to the Richard ; and the captain of the countess of Scarborough, from that mo- ment, ceased to fire upon him. That vessel being to windward at the moment Paul had grappled, instantly dropped her anchor, hop- ing by this to disengage himself from him ; but this did not answer her expectation. The enemy, however, possessed the advantage of their two batteries, besides the guns on their forecastle and quarter-deck ; while Paul's can- non were either burst or abandoned, excepting four pieces on the forecastle, which were also relinquished during some minutes. At that period, having no greater object to occupy his attention, Paul himself took his post ; a few sailors came to his assistance, and served the 32a JONES. two ^uns next to the enemy with surpwsing courage and address. A short time after this, he received sufficient help to he ahle to remove one of the forecastle guns from the opposite side ; so that they could only hring three to bear upon the enemy during the remainder of the action. It so happened at this period, that the main mast of the Serapis, which w as paint- ed yellow, appeared extremely distinct, so as to form an excellent mark; on this, he pointed one of his guns at it, taking care to ram home the shot. In the mean time, the two other pieces were admirably served against the Se- rapis, and swept its forecastle, by means of an oblique fire. The tops also seconded them bravely, by means of musquetry and swivels, and threw a multitude of grenades, so as greatly to annoy the enemy. By these means they were driven from their quarters, not- withstanding their superiority in point of men and artillery. The captain of the Serapis re- solved to strike; but an unlucky accident, occurred on board the Richard, prevented this. A bullet having destroyed one of the pumps the carpenter was seized with a panic, and told the gunner, and another petty officer, that the Richard was sinking. Some one ob- served at the same time, that both the com- modore and the lieutenant were killed; in consequence of which, the gunner, consider- ing himself as commanding officer, ran in- stantly to the quarter deck, in order to bawl down the American colours, but he soon found his mistake, on seeing Paul commanding at the guns* JONES. *3^I The captain of the Serapis, on hearing the I »^"""*^^' express his ^vishes to surrender, in. I ft*tantly addressed liimself to Jones, and ex- " claimed, ** Do you ask for quarter ? Do you tisk for quarter?" Paul Avas so occupied at this period, that he remained totally ignorant of ^vjiat had occurred on deck. He replied, however, " I do not dream of surrendering, but am determined to make you strike !*' On turning round, Paul perceived lieutenant Gruhb in tlie act of striking the colours, and seizing a pistol instantly shot him dead ! This is a fact well known, although Paul has passed it over iu silence in his writings. It has been observ- ed, that, when Jones commenced the action, the Pallas was at a great distance to wind- v.ard, while the Alliance lay-to in the same position. When the captain of the former per- ceived that the engagement took place, he spoke to his consort, but lost a great deal of time : and it was not until now that they came within gun shot t)f tiie countess of Scarbo- rough, and a kind of running fight took place between the latter and the Pallas. The Al- \ liance followed them, and, on passing the Com- modore, fired a broadside, which did more harm to them than to the Comanodore. The battle still continned with uncommon ardor between the Richard and the Serapis y whose rigging was burned, and her main mast cut away; while the heavier metal of the English drove in one of the sides of the Richard, and met with little resistance. In short, their helm was rendered useless; and the poop was only supported by an old and shattered piece of 228 JONES. limber, winch alone prevented it from giving way. After a short engagement, the countess of Scarborough surrendered to the Pallas. It was then that the captain of the latter asked the comraander of the Alliance, *• ^Yhether he would take charge of the prize, or sail and give succour to the commodore ?" On this the Al- liauce began to stand backwards and forwards under her top sails, until, having got to the windward, she came down, and discharged a second broadside against the fore part of the Serapis and the stern of the Richard. On this, the commodore begged for God's sake that they would cease firing, and send a few men on board of them ; but he tlisobeyed, and fired another broadside as he passed along. The idea that the Richard was sinking had taken such possession of the gunner and car- penter's minds, that they actually opened the scuttles, and made all the prisoners, to the number of a hundred, sally forth, in opposition to the commander's reiterated orders. This event might have proved fatal, had he not ta- ken advantage of their aiTright, to station them at the pumps, where they displayed surprising zeal, appearing actually to forget their capti- vity ; for there was nothing to prevent their going on the Serapis ,* or it was in their power to put an end to the engagement in an instant, by either killing Jones, or throwing him into the sea. As the Richard's three quarter- deck guns continued to play on the Serapis, jTaked her stern, and damaged her mast in such a manner, that it was only supported from falling by the yards of their o\^ti ship. JONES. 22^ \\lii\e the tops poured in a continual discharge ; the fire of the English began to deaden in such a manner as to bereave them of ail hope of ul-^ timate success. A circumstance, however, oc- <;urred, that contributed not a little to the vic- tory of the Richard : this was the extraordi- nary intrepidity and presence of mind of a Scoteh sailor, posted in the main-top. This brave fellow, of his own accord, seized a light- ed match, and a basket of hand-grenades, with which he advanced along the main yard, until he had arrived exactly above the Serapis's deck. As the flames of their parapets and shrouds, added to the light of the moon, cna- Wed liim to distinguish objects, the moment he perceived two or three persons assembled to- gether, he instantly discharged a hand-gre- nade among them. At length, the captain of the Serapis came upon the quarter-deck, lower- ed his flag, and asked for quarter, at the very moment his main-mast had fallen into the sea. He then came on board with his oflicers, and presented the commodore with his sword. — SViiile this was transacting, eight or ten raca belonging to the Richanl, seized on the Sera- pis's shallop, which had been at anchor dur- ing the engagement, and made off. It was ele- ven o'clock when the battle ended ; it had con- sequently lasted more than four hours. Dur- ing the last three hours of the engagement both the vessels were on fire ; by throwin^^ water on the flames, it was sometimes suppos- ed that they were quenched ; but they always broke forth anew, and at the close of the ac- tion were not wholly extinguished. I' i^O JONES. Next morning the weather was hazy, and not a single sail to be seen. They examinetl the Richard, to see if it were possible to carry her into any port ; and this proving wholly im- practicable, all the boats were employed in carrying the wounded on board the other ves- sels, i'his occupied much of their time ; and on the succeeding day the vessel sunk. On this occasion, the commodore could only save the signal flags; and he lost all his property, amounting to more than 25,000 livres. The commodore now assumed the command of the Serapis, on which he erected jury-masts ; but the sea was so tempestuous that it was ten days before they reached the Texel. No sooner Avas his arrival known, than forty-two vessels, forming different squadrons of frigates, were fiited out from the various ports of Great Bri- tain against him, and two of these were sta- tioned during three months at the mouths of the Texel and the Fly. On his arrival in America Congress passed an act, dated April 14, 1781, in which he was thanked, in the most flattering manner, ** for the zeal, the prudence, and the intrepidity, with wliich he sustained the honor of the Ame- rican flag ; for his bold and successful enter- prise, with a view to redeem from captivity the citizens if America, who had fallen into the hands of the English; andfor the eminent services by which he had added lustre to his own character and the arms of America." A committee of Congress was also of opinion, ** that he deserved a gold medal in remem- brance of his services.'' KALiJ. 33i After Great Britain liad recognized the so- vereignty and independence of the United States of America, Jones purchased a small estate in Kentucky, and after living in great splendor some time, died in the summer of 1801, aged fifty two years. KALB, Baron de, a major general in the American army, Avas a German by hirth ^ and from the best information obtainable, must have served during the war of 1775 in some of the inferior stations of the quarter master general's department, in thx; imperial army operating with that of his most cliristian ma- jesty ; it being well ascertained by his acquain- tances in our army that he was intimately vers- ed in the details of that department. Towards the close of that war, he must have been des- patched by the French court to North Ameri- ca, as he himself often mentioned his having traversed the then British provinces in a con- cealed character; the object of which tour can- not be doubted, as the baron never failed, when speaking of the existing war, to express his as- tonishment, how any government could have so blundered as to have effaced the ardent and deep aftection which, to his own knowledge, ex- isted on the part of the colonies to Great Bri- tain previous to the late rupture. A prefer- ence, equalled only by their antipathy to the French nation, which was so powerful as to induce the baron to consider it, as he called it, " instinctive." Just before the peace our incognitus, be- coming suspected, was ari'ested ; and for a few days lie was imprisoned. Oc an examination of :23^ XALB. his baggage and papers, nothing could hefoiin^ confirming the suspicion Avhich had induced hi* arrest, and he Avas discharged. Such discovery was not practicable ; as dur- ing this tour, the baron himself declared, that he relied entirely upon his memory, which was singularly strong ; never venturing to commit to paper the information of others or his own observations. On the restoration of peace the baron returned to Europe, and came once more to America in 1777 or 1778, recommended to^ congress with Iho rank of major general, and repaired to the main army, in Avhich he serv- ed at the head of the Maryland division very much respected. Possessing a stout frame, with excellent health, no cllicer was more able to encounter the toils of war. Moderate in mental powers, as in literary acquirements, he excelled chiefly in practical knowledge of men and things, gain- ed during a long life by close and accurate in- vestigation of ihe cause and effect of passing events. The business of espionage has been brought in France to a science, and a regular trained corps, judiciously organized, is ever in the ser- vice of the court. Of this body there is strong reason to believe that the baron was a mem- ber, and probably one of the chief confidants of that government in the United States. No man was better qualified for the undertaking. He was sober, drinking water only : abste- Hiious to excess ; living on bread, sometimes with beef soap, at other times with cold beef; industrious, it being his constant habit to risu KALB. 333 ftt five in the morning, light his candle, devote liimself to writing, which was never intermitt- ed during the day but when interrupted by his short meuls, or by attention to his official du- ty ; and jrolbundJy secret. No man surpassed this gentleman in simpli- city and condescension ; which gave to his de- portment a cast of amiability extremely ingra- ciating, exciting confidence and esteem. At the battle of Camden, in South Carolina, baron de Kalb Iiad a distinguished command. General Lee, from whose memoirs of the war in the southern department, we copy this sketch, speaking of the battle of Camden, says — *< ma- jor generiil baron de Kalb, charged with the I line of battle, took post on the right ; while ( the general in chief, (Gates,) superintending ' the whole, placed himself on the road between , the line and the reserve. The light of day dawned — the signal for battle. Instantly our centre opened its artillery, and the left of our I line, under Stevens, was ordered to advance. \ Stevens exhorting his soldiers to rely on the I bayonet, advanced with his accustomed intre- pidity. Lieutenant colonel Otho Williams, ad- jutant genei^l, preceded him with a band of volunteers, in order to invite the fire of the enemy before they were in reach of the mili- tia, that experience of its inefiieacy might en- courage the latter to their duty. The British geniM-al, closely watching our motions, disco- vered this movement on the left, and gave or- jders to Webster to lead into battle with the ipight. Our left was instantly overpowered by (the assault ; and the brave Stevens had to eu* I V 2' 2S^ KALB. dure the mortifying spectacle, exhibited by his flying brigade. AVithout exchanging more than one fire Avith the enemy, they threw away their arms; and sought that safety inflight, which generally can be obtained only by courageous resistance. The North Carolina brigade in- viting that on the right, followed the shame- ful example. Stevens, Caswell, and Gates, himself struggled to stop the fug-itives, and pally them for battle ; but every noble feeling of the heart was sunk in base solicitude to pre- serve life ; and having no cavalry to assist their exertions, the attempted reclamation failed en- tirely. The continental troops, with Dixon's regiment of North Carolinians, were left to oppose the enemy ; every corps of whose ar- my Avas acting with the most determined re- solution, De Kalb and Gist yet held the bat- tle on the right in suspense. Lieutenant colo- nel Howard, at the head of "William's regi- ment drove the corps in front out of line. Rawdon could not bring the brigade of Gist to recede : — bold was the pressure of the foe ; Arm as a rock the resistance of Gist. Now the Marylanders were gaining ground ; but the deplorable desertion of the militia having left Webster unemployed, he detached some light troops with Tarleton's cavalry in pur- suit, and opposed himself to the reserve, brought up by Smallwood to replace the fu- gitives. Here the battle was renewed with fierceness and obstinacy. The gallant Mary- landers, with Dixon's regiment, although greatly outnumbered, flrmly maintained the desperate conflict ; and de Kalb, now finding ICALB. 235 liis once exposed flank completely shielded, resorted to the bayonet. Dreadful was the charge ! In one point of the line the enemy >vere driven before us with the loss of many prisoners. But Avhile Sui all wood covered the flank of the second brigade, his left became exposed ; and Webster, never omitting to seize every advantage, turned the light infantry and twenty third regiment on his flank. Small- wood, however, sustained himself with undi- minished vigor ; but borne down at last by su- periority of force, the first brigade receded. Soon it returned to the line of battle ; again it gave ground, and again rallied. Meanwhile dc Kalb, with our ri -ht, preserved a conspi- cuous superiority. Lord Cornwallis, sensible of tli<* advantages gained, and aware of the difiiculty to which we were subjected by the shameful flight of oin* left, concentrated his force and made a decisive charge. Our brave troops were broken ; and his lordship, follow- ing up the blow, compelled the intrepid Mary- landers to abandon the unequal contest. To the woods and swamps, after performing their duty valiently, these gallant soldiers were con> pelled to fly. " Our loss was very heavy. More than a third of the continentals were killed and wound- ed ; and of the wounded one hundred and se- venty were made prisoners. " De Kalb, sustaining by liis splendid ex» ample tlie courageous eflx)rts of our inferior force, in his last resolute attempt to seize victory, received eleven wounds, and was made prisoner. His lingering life was rescued from ^S6 KALB. immediate death by the brave interposition of lieutenant-colonel du Buysson? one of his aid- de-camps 5 who, embracing the prostrate ge- neral, received into his own body the bayonets pointed at his Mend. The heroic veteran, though treated with every attention, survived but a few days. !Never were the last moments of a soldier better employed. He dictated a letter to general Smailwood, who succeeded to the command of his division, breathing in eve- ry word his sincere and ardent affection for his officers and soldiers ; expressing his admi- ration of their late noble, tho!igh unsuccessful stand ; reciting the eulogy wiiieh their bra- very liad extorted from the enemy ; together with the lively delight sucli testimony of their valor had excited in his own mind ; then hover- ing on the shadowy confines of life. Feeling the pressure of death, 4ie stretched out his quivering hand to his friend de Buysson, proud of his generous wounds, and breathed his last in benedictions on his fiiithful, brave division. "We lost, besides major general baron de Kalb, many excellent officers ; and among them lieu- tenant colonel Potterfield, whose promise of future greatness had endeared him to the whole army. Brigadier Rutherford of the Horth Carolina militia, and major Thomas^ Pjnckney,* of the south Carolina line, aid- de-camp to general Gates, were both wounded and taken. The British lost three hundred and twenty live, in killed and wounded. *Now a najor general in ihe aimy of the United States. killen: ^47 (In the 14tli of Oct^)bcp, 1780, Congress re- solved, that a monument shoukl be erected to his memory, in the town of Annapolis, in the state of Maryland, with the following inscrip- tion : Sacred to the memory of the BAllON DE KALB, Knight of the royal order of Military Merit, Brigadier of the armies of France, and MAJOR GENEKAl In the service of the United States of America. Having served with honor and reputation For three years. He gave a last and glorious proof of his at- tachment to the liberties of mankind. And the cause of America, In the action near Camhden, South Carolina, I On the 16th of August, 1780 ; Wliere, leading on the troops of the , Maryland and Delaware lines. Against superior numbers, V And animating them by his example^. K To deeds of valor, ^ He was pierced with many wounds. And on the nineteenth following expired. In the 48th year of his age. TUE CONGRESS Of the United States of America, In gratitude to his zeal, services and merit. Have erected this monument. KILLEN, W11.LIAM, chancellor of the state of Delaware, was a native of Ireland. Early in life, before he had attained the age of man- hood, he arrived in America possessed of a de- L 238 KILLEN. cent property, and having an excellent ediiea tion in the English language. After passing through a variety of scenes, incidental to strangers, he settled himself in tlie family of Samuel Dickinson, esquire, the father of John Dickinson, esquire, of Wilmington. There he devoted himself, most assiduously, to the ac- quisition of a competent knowledge of the Greek and Latin languages under the direction of Jacoh Orr, who was engaged in teaching the sons of Mr. Dickinson, and some other young gentlemen. The diligence and modesty of Mr. Killcn made him a favorite of the whole family, and particularly of his instructor. His unwearied attention was rewarded hy a rapid proficiency in his studies. Having thus become acquainted with the learned languages, and be- ing qualified to be useful to his adopted coun- try, his talents were soon called into action. — After holding the office of county-surveyor for some yet?rs, he commenced the study of the law. In the courts of Delaware his know- ledge, and especially his skill in surveying, and in various branches of the mathematics render- ed him an able assistant in suits for land, and in such trials the most eminent men of his day were always pleased to associate with him as their colleague. His practice soon became ex- tensive. His moderation, his modesty, and his punctuality in business, aided by his abili- ties, led him to wealth and to all the honors of his country. For many years before the re- volution he was selected by his fellow citizens to represent them in the assembly of Del a- ware. At the cQinmeneement of the contest KIRKWOOD. 259 with Great Britain, he took a decided and ac- tive part in favor of American liherty. Soon after the declaration of indeptvndence he was appointed chief justice of the supreme court of the state of Delaware, which office he held till he was promoted to that of chancellor in 1793. He resigned his seat in the court of chancery in 1801, and died at Dover Octoher 3, 1805, in the eighty fourth year of his age. In all the variety of public business, in which he was engaged, he exhibited the strictest integrity. As a legislator he was wise and attentive to the interests of his constituents, and as a judge he was learned, patient and impartial. The ' same uprightness, which marked his public I character, was also conspicuous in all the re- ( lations of private life. I KIRKWOOD, , was the senior cap- ! tain in the Delaware Regiment, commanded by I col. Vaughn. Captain Kirkwood highly dis- tinguished himself at the battle of Cambden, I in South Carolina. He passed through the \ "war with high reputation. After Great Bri- I tain gave up the contest, and recognised our in- dependence, captain Kirkwood retired as a cap- tain ; and when the army under General St. Clair was raised, to defend the West from the Indian enemy, this veteran resumed his sword as the eldest captain of the oldest regiment. In the decisive defeat on the fourth of No- vember, the gallant Kirkwood fell, bravely sus- taining his point of the action. It was the thirty third time he had risked his life for his country ; and he died as he lived, the brave, and meritorious Kirkwood. 2^t? KjS'OX. KNOX, IIexby, major general in the Amc- i'icjin army during the revolutionary >yar, wai^ born in Boston, July 25, 1750. His parents were of Scottish descent. Of the adventures or history of his early years, we have not heen able to obtain any particular account. It is ascertained, however, that in his education he had the advantages of those excellent schools, for which Boston has long been justly celebrat- ed. Before our revolutionary war, which af- forded an opportunity for the development of his patriotic feelings and military talents, he was engaged in a bookstore. By means of his early education and tliis honorable employ- ment, he acquired a taste for literary pursuits, which he retained through life. But if no bril- liant achievement marked the period of his youth, it was distinguished by a very honora- ble and estimable trait of character, an atten- tive and affectionate deportment to his widow- ed, aged mother. His filial solicitude ceased but with her life. In his greatest elevation, in his most pressing duties of a public natur^^ she was remembered and honored. Young Knox gave early proofs of his attach- ment to the cause of freedom and liis country. It will be recollected, that, in various parts of the state, volunteer companies were formed in 1774, with a view to awaken the martial spirit of the people, and as a soi't of preparation for the contest which was apprehended. Knox was an officer in a military corps of this denomina- tion ; and was distinguished by his activity and discipline. There is evidence of his giving un oo'mmon attention to militarv tactics at this KNOX. iu 4)ci'ioJ, especially to the branch of enginery and artillery, in which he afterwards so great** ly excelled. It is also to be recorded, in proof of his pre- dominant love of country and its liberties, that he had, before this time, become connected with a very respectable family, which adhered to the measures of the British ministry ; and had re- ceived great promises both of honor and profit, if he would follow the standard of his sovereign.- Even at this time, his talents were too great to be overlooked ; and it was wished, if possible, to prevent him from attaching himself to the cause of the provincials. lie was one of tliosc whose departure from Boston was interdicted by governor Gage, soon after the affair of Lex- ington. The object of Gage was probably not so much to keep these eminent characters as hostages, as to deprive the Americans of their talents and services. In June, however, he found means to make his way through the Bri- tish lines to the American army at Cambridge.- He was here received with joyful enthusiasm : for his knowledge of the military art, and his zeal for the liberties of the country were ad- mitted by all. The provincial congress, then convened at Watertown, immediately sent for him, and entrusted solely to him the erection of such fortresses as might be necessary to pre- vent a sudden attack from the enemy in Boston. The little army of militia collected in and about Cambri^Ige in the spring of 1775, soo?i after the battle of Lexington, was witliout or- der and discipline. All was insubordination ^nd confusion. General ^Vashington did not <2k% KNOX. arrive to take command of the tioops until aj^ tcr this period. In this state of things, Knox declined any particular commission ; though he readily directed his attention and exertions to the objects which congress requested. It was in the course of this season, and be- fore he had formally undertaken the command of the artillery, that Knox volunteered his ser- yiees to go to St. John's in the province of Ca- nada, and to bring thence to Cambridge all the heavy ordnance and military stores. This ha- zardous cnterprize he eifected in a manner which astonished all who knew the difficulty of the service. . Soon after his return from this fortunate ex- pedition, he took <3ommand of the mIioIc corps of the artillery of our army, and retained it until the close of the war. To him the coun- try was chiefly indebted for the organization of the artillery and ordnance department. He gave it both form and efficiency; and it was distinguished alike for its expertness of disci- pline and promptness of execution. At the battle of Monmouth, in Kew-Jerscy, in June, 1778, general Knox exhibited new proofs of his bravery and skill. Under his personal and immediate direction, the artil- lery gave great eft'ect to the success of that memorable day. It will be remembered, that the British troops were much more numerous than ours ; and that general Lee was charged with keeping back the battalion he commaml- cd from the field of battle. The situation of our army was most critical. General Wash- ington was personally engaged in rallying and KNOX. 243 dirccrting the troops in the most dangerous pc- silions. The affair terminated in favour of our gallant arnij ; and generals Knox and Wayne received the particular commendations of the commander in chief, the foliowing day, in the orders issued on the occasion. After mention- ing the good conduct and bravery of general Wayne, and thanking tlie gallant officers and men, who distinguished themselves, general Washington says, ^* lie can with pleasure in- form general Knox and the oflicers of the ar- tillery, that the enemy have done them the jus" tice to acknowledge that no artillery could be better served than ours." Lord Moira, who is, perhaps, the greatest general in England, at the present time, has, in a late publication, borne testimony to the military talents of general Knox. Nor, should the opinion of the marquis Chattleleaux be omitted. << As for general Knox," he say?, to praise his military talents only, would be to deprive him of half the culogium he merits. — A man of understanding, well informed, gay, sincere and honest, it is impossible to know,; without esteeming him, or to see, Mithout lov- ing him. Thus have the English, without in- tention, added to the ornament of the human species, by awakening talents where they least wished or expected." W^e are aware, that general Knox never had the chief command in distant ])arts of the coun* try, as had Gates, Sullivan, Greene, and Lin- coln. But having the particular inspection and command of the artillery, it was necessary he should continue with the main body of the %U KIICOX. troops where tlie eoiamander in ehief resideif . However, another reason may be assigned for this, highly honorable to general Knox ; and Avhich goes to show, that it was not for want of the conlidenee of Washington. "When gene- 1^1 Greene was offered the arduous command of the soutliern department, he repliec! to the commander in ehief, ** Knox is the man for this difficult undertaking; all obstacles vanish before him; his resources are infinite." — *• True," replied Washington, " and therefore I cannot part with him." No officer in the army, it is believed, more largely shared in the affection and confidence pf the illustrious Washington. In every ac- tion where he appeared, Knox was with him : at every council of war, he bore a part. In truth, he possessed talents and qualities, which could not fail to recommend him to a man of the discriminating mind of Washington. He was intelligent, brave, patriotic, humane, ho- norable. Washington soon became sensible of his merits, and bestowed on him his esteem, his friendship and confidence. On the resignation of major-general Benja- min Lincoln, Knox was appointed secretary of the war department by congress during the pe- riod of the confederation. And when the fede- ral government was organized in 1789, he was designated by president Washington for the same honorable and responsible office. In speaking of this appointment of general Knox, judge Marshall has been pleased thus to cha- racterise the man : « Throughout the contest of the reYoliition, this officer had continued at KNOX. au the head of the American artillery : and from being the colonel of a regiment had been pro- moted to the rank of a major-general. In this important station, he had preserved a high mi- litary character, and on the resignation of ge- neral Lincoln, had been appointed secretary of war. To his past services and to unquestiona- ble integrity, he was admitted to unite a sound understa»Kiing ; and the public judgment as well as that of the chief magistrate pronounc- ed him in all respects competent to the station he filled. The president was highly giatiiied in believing that hi^ public duty comported with his private inclinations in nominating ge- neral Knox to the office which had been con- ferred on him under tlie former government." This ofiiec he held for about five yenrs ; en« joying the confidence of the president, and es- teemed by all his colleagues in the administra- tion of the federal government. Of his talents^ his integrity, and his devotion to the interests and prosperity of his country, no one had ever any reason to doubt. la 179i, he retired from office to a private station, follo^yed by the es- teem and love of all who had been honored with his acquaintance. At this time, he removed with his family to Thomaston, on St. George's river, in the dis- trict of Maine, two hundred miles north east of Boston ; and there lie resided the greater part of the time, until Lis death, in October^ 1806. lie was possessed of extenive landed property in that part cf the country, whicii had formerly belonged to general Waldo, the maternal grandfather of Mrs. Knox. Near X2 246 KNOX. ilie head of the lide-^vaters of that, ou the site of an old fort, he erected a spacious mansion, evincive at once of the taste and liberality of the owner. His numerous guests were receiv- ed with a smile of complacency, and attended by the genius of hospitality. He was furnish- ed with a handsome collection of well chosen volumes in the different branches of literature and science ; with an exception, however, as it respects the ancient classics. His public spirit was displayed in numerous instances, by en- couraging schools, promoting the erection of a place of public religious worship, and by excit- ing an attention to agricultui^ among his neigh- bours. At the request of his fellow citizens, though unsolicited on his part, he filled a seat at the council-board of Massachusetts, during several years of his residence {it Thomaston ; and the degree of Doctor of Laws was conferred on Jiim by the president and trustees of Hart- mouth College. In the year 1798, when the repeated insults of the French directors made it necessary for our national rulers to manifest a resolution to defend our rights, general Knox was sgain se- lected with Washington and others, to protect the honor and liberties of our country. The amiable virtues of the citizen and the man were as conspicuous in the character of general Knox, as the niore brilliant and com- manding talents of the hero and statesman. — The afflicted and destitute were sure to share of his compassion and charity. <* His heart "Was made of tenderness ;" and he often disrc- KNOX. 9A7 garded his own wishes and convenience, in kind endeavours lo i)romote the interest and liappi- ness of his friends. The possession of extensive property and liigh office is too apt to er.j^ender pride and in- solence. But general Knox was entirely ex- empt, both in disposition a?id manners, from this common frailty. Mildness ever beamed in his countenance ; ^' on his tongue were the words of kindness," and equity and generosity always marked his intercourse with his fellow- men. The poor, he never oppressed : the more obscure citizen, we believe, could never complain of injustice at his hands. With all classes of people he dealt on the most fair and honorable principles ; and would sooner submit to a sacrifice of property himself than injure or defraud another. In his person, general Knox was above the common stature j of noble and commanding form ; of manners elegant, conciliating and dignified. To the amiable qualities and moral excel- lencies of general Knox, which have already- been enumerated, we may justly add his pre- vailing disposition to piety. With much of the ma?iiners of the gay world, and 0])poscd, as he was, to all superstition and bigotry, he might not appear to those ignoiant of his bet- ter feelings, to possess religious and devout affections. But to his friends it was abundantly evident, that he cherished exalted sentiments of devotion and piety to God. He was a firm believer in the natural and moral attribute* of ■ ^%8 LAURENS. the Deity, and in bis overruling and all perva- ding providence. General Knox, died at Thomastown, Octo- ber 25, 1806, aged fifty six years. His death was occasioned l>y his swallowing the bone of a chicken. LAURENS, HENRT, president of Congress, was a native of South Carolina, and took aa early part in opposing the arbitrary claims of Great Britain, at the commenceraent of the American Revolution. AVhcn the provincial congress of Carolina met in June 1775, he was appointed its president, in which capacity he drew up a form of association, to be signed by all the friends cf liberty, which indicated a most determined spirit. After the establish- ment of the temporary constitution in 1770, he was elected vice president. Being appoint* ed a memherofthe general congress, after J;he resignation of Hancock, he was appointed pre- sideitt of that illustrious assembly in Novem- ber 1777. In 1780 he was deputed to solicit a loan from Holland and to negociate a treaty with the United Netherlands. But on his pas- sage he WIS captured by a British vessel on the banks of Newfoundland. Ho threw his papers overboard, but they were recovered by a sailor. Being sent to England, he was com- mitted to the tower on the sixth of October as a state prisoner upon a charge of high treason. Here he was conlined more than a year and was treated with great severity, being denied for the most part all intercourse with his friends^ and forbidden the use cf pen, ink, and paper* His capture occasioned no small embarrass- Z.APRENS, 24^ ment to the ministry. They dared not con? demn him as a rehel through fear of retalia- tion, and they were unwilling to release him^ lest he should aecomplisli the ohject of his mission. The discoveries found in his papers led to a war with Great Britain and Holland, and Mr. Adams was appointed in his place to carry on the negotiation with the united pro- vinces. During his imprisonment, it was in- timated to Mr. Laurens, that it miglit he of advantage to him, if he could induce his son, then on a mission to France, to withdraw from that country. He replied, that "such was the filial regard of his son, that he knew he would not hesitate to forfeit his life for his la- ther ; hut that no consideration would induce colonel Laurens to relinquish his honor, even were it possible for any circumstance to pre- vail on his father to make the improper re- quest." At length, in December 1761, enfee- bled in health, and apparently sinking into the grave if continued in confinement, he sent a petition to the house of commons for release, stating that he had labored to preserve the friendship between Great Britain and the colo- nies, and had extended acts of kindness to British prisoners of war. At the close of the year he was accordingly released. He return^ cd to this country, and died in South Carolina, December 8, 1792, in the seventieth year of his age. He directed his son to burn his body on the third day, as the sole condition of inhe- riting an estate of sixty thousand pounds step- ^'ing. ^Ba LAURENS. LAURENS, John, a brave officer in tLc American war, was the son of the preceding, and was sent to England for his education. — He joined the army in the beginning of 1777, from which time he was foremost in danger. — He was present and distinguished himself in every action of the army under general Wash* ington, and was among the first, who entered the British lines at York Town. Early in 1781, while he held the rank of lieutenant colonel, he Avas selected as the most suitable person to depute on a special mission to France to solicit a loan of money and to procure mili- tary stores. He arrived in March and return- ed in August, having been so successful in the execution of his commission, that congress passed a vote of thanks for his services. Such was his dispatch, that in three days after he 3'epaired to Philadelphia, he finished his busi- ness with congress, and immediately afterward rejoined the American arniy. On the twenty seventh of August, 1782, in opposing a forag- ing party of the British, near Comlahee river, in South Carolina, he was mortally wounded, and he died at the age of twenty seven years. The following eulogium on the character of lieutenant colonel Laurens, we copy from Mar- shall's life of Washington : ** This gallant and aeeomplished young gen- tleman had entered at an early period of the war into the family of the commander in chief, and had always shared a large portion of his esteem and confidence. Brave to excess, he bought every occasion in addition to those fur- nished by his stalioa ia the army, to render LAtfRENS. 251 service to his country, and acquire that mili- tary fame m liicli he pursued with the ardour of a young soldier whose courage seems to have partaken of that romantic spirit which youth and enthusiasm produce in a fearless mind Nor was it in the camp alone he was fitted to shine. His education was liberal ,• and those who knew him state his manners to have heen engaging, and his temper affectionate. In a highly finished portrait of his character drawn by doctor Ramsay, he says, that, ** a dauntless bravery was the least of his virtues, and an excess of it his greatest foib!?." ^* Tlie confidential duties lo which he was called by general Washington, and the manner in which he performed them, speak in favor of his talints; and the important mission to France with which he was intrusted by con- gress, attests the high opinion his country had formed of him, no less than the satisfactory manner in which he executed that mission, justifies the favor with which he was viewed. Answering the letter of Greene which gare notice of his fate, general Washington said, «* the death of colonel liaurens, I consider as a very heavy misfortune, not only to the pub- lic at large, but particularly to his family, and to all his private friends and connections, to whom Ids amiable and useful character liad rendered him peculiarly dear.*' ^' No small addition to the regrets ot>casion- ed by the loss of this interesting young jnan, was derived from the reflection, that he fell unnecessarily in an unimportant skirmish, in the last Hionients of the war, when exposing %pz LEE. himself to the danger >vhich proved fatal to him, couhl no longer be useful to his country." His abilities ^Yerc exhibited in the legisla- ture and in the cabinet, as well as in the field. lie was zealous for the rights of humanity, and, living in a country of slaves, contended that personal liberty was the birth right of every human being, however diversified by country, color, or powers of mind. Hi« insinuating ad- dress won the hearts of all his acquaintance, while his sincerity and virtue secured their lasting esteem. LEJE, cnAiii.Es, a major general in the ser- vice of the United States, during the revolu- tionary war, was an Englishman by birth, and the youngest son of John Lee, a colonel in the British service. From his early youth he was ardent in the pursuit of knowledge ; and being an officer at eleven years of age, may be consi- dered as i.aving been born in the army. This circumstance deprived him of some regularity with respect to the mode of his education, yet his genius led him assiduously to cultivate tbc fields of science, and he acquired a competent knowledge in the languages of Greece and Rome ; while his fondness for travelling gave him als® an opportunity of attaining the Ita- lian, French, German and Spanish. Having laid a good foundation, tactics be- came his favourite study, and it seemed to be the height of his ambition to distinguish him- self in tlie profession of arms. AVe according- ly find him very early in America, command- ing a company of grenadiers, and lie was wound- liEE. 2^ cd at the battle of Ticonderogo, where getip- fal Abercrombie was defeated. When he returned to England, from Amcri* (»a, after the reduction of Montreal, he found a general peace was in contemplation* The cession of Canada to the French was talked of ; a circumstance which gave great uneasiness to the Americans. On this occasion he published a pamphlet, shewing the importance of Cana- da to Great Britain. In the year 1762, he bore a colonel's commission, and served under gene- ral Burgoyne, in Portugal, in Avhich service he acquitted himself with the greatest honor. Not long afterwards he entered into the Po- lish service. Though he was absent when th6 stamp act passed, he yet, by his ktters, zea- lously supported the cause of America. In the years 1771, 1772 and 1773 he travelled over all Europe, for he could not content him- self in a life of idlenes and inactivity. Dur- ing this excursion he was engaged with an ol- jficer in Italy in an affair of honor, and he kil- led his antagonist, escaping himself with the loss of two fingers. The destruction of the British East India Company's tea, at Boston, the 16th of Dceem- ber. Was a prelude to the calamities, which afterwards ensued. At this crisis, general iLee's mind was not unobservant or inactive ; he both by his conversation and bis pen, ani- mated the colonists to a great degree, and persuaded them to make a persevering resis- tance. During tliis winter, and the ensuing sum- in^'r^ he visited most places of eminence from Y 25i LEE. Tirginia to Boston, at which last place he ar-. rived on the first of August, 177 i. The most active political characters on the American theatre, received him every where with joy, considering his presence amongst them as a most propitious omen. General Gage had now issued his proclamation ; ,and though Lee was on half pay in the British service, it did not prevent him from expressing his senti- ments in terms of the most pointed severity against the ministry. In short, he blazed forth a whig of the first magnitude, and communi- cated a great portion of his spirit to all with whom he conversed. As he continued travel- ling from place to place, he became known to all, who distinguished themselves in this im- portant opposition ; his company and corres- pondence were eagerly courted, and many oc- casional political pieces, the production of his pen, were eagerly read and much admired. Li 1774 he was induced by the persuasion of his friend. General Gates, to purcliase a valuable tract of land, of two or three thou- sand acres, in Berkely county, Virginia, where general Gates was at that time settled. In May 1775 he went to Philadelphia, where Congress was then assembled. The battle of Lexington, and some other matters had ripen- ed the contest ; and Lee's active and enterpris- ing disposition was ready for the most ardu- ous purposes. He therefore accepted the com- mission of major general from Congress, and resigned thut which he held in the British sei - vice. LEE. 253 This lie did in a letter, which he transmitted to Lord Barringtou, then secretary at >var; in which he assured his lordship that though he had renounced his half pay, yet whenever it should please his majesty to call him forth to any honorable service against the enemies of his country, no man would obey the sum- mons, with more zeal and alacrity than him- self; but he, at the same time, expressed his ! disapprobation of the present measures, in the most direct terms, declaring them to be so << absolutely subversive of the rights and li- berties of every individual subject ; so destruc- ; tive to the whole empire at large, and ulti- mately so ruinous to liis majesty's own person, j dignity and family, that he thought himself , obliged, in conscience as a citizen, English- ( man and a soldier of a free state, to exert his I utmost to defeat them." I He accompanied Washington to the camp at I Cambridge, where he arrived July 2, 1775, j and was received with every mark of respect. I In the beginning of the following year he was I dispatched to New York to prevent the British from obtaining possession of the city and the j Hudson. This trust lie executed with great I wisdom and energy. He disarmed all suspiei- i ous persons on Long Island, and drew up a test ' to be offered to every one, whose attachment j to the American casue was doubted. His bold I measures carried terror wherever he appear* I ed. He seems to have been very fond of this I application of a test ; for in a letter to the pre- I sident of congress he informs him, that he had j taken the liberty at Newport to administer to H mimbcr of the tories a very strong oath, m^ article of which was, that they should take arms in defence of their country, if called iJpon by congress, and he recommends, that this measure should be adopted in reference to all the tories in America. Those fanatics, who might refuse to take it, he thought should be carriedinto the interior. Congress had now received the account of general Montgomery's unsuccessful expedition against Quebec. As the most flattering expec- tation had been entertained of the success of this officer, the event threw a gloom on Ame- rican affairs. To remedy this disaster, con- gress directed their attention to general Lee ; and resolved that he should forthwith repair to Canada, and take upon him the command of the army of the United Colonies in that province. To this he readily consented 5 but, whilst preparations were making for the im- portant undertaking, congress changed their determination, and appointed him to the com- mand of the southern department, in which he became very conspicuous, as a vigilant, brave, and active officer. His extensive cor- respondence, his address under every difficul- ty, and his unwearied attention to the duties of his station, all evinced his great military capacity, and extreme usefulness in the cause he had espoused. Every testimony of respect was paid him by the people of the northern colonies, and he experienced a similar treatment in his jour- ney to the southward. Great, in particular , was the joy on his arrival in South Carolina^ LEE. 2B7 where* his presence was seasonable and abso- lutely necessary, as sir Henry Clinton was ac* til ally preparing for an invasion of that pro- vince, He soon diffused an ardor amongst the military, attended with the mostsalntary con- sequences, and his diligence and activity at Charleston, previous to the attack on Sulli- van's island, which happened on the 28th June 1776, contributed in an eminent degree to the signal success which was there obtained by the American arms. In October by the direction of congress he repaired to the northern army. As he was marchiog from the Hudson through New Jer- sey, to form a junction with Washington in Pennsylvania, he quitted his camp in Morris county to reconnoitre. In this employment he went to the distance of three miles from the camp and entered a house for breakfast. — A British colonel became acquainted with his situation by intercepting a countryman, charg- ed with a letter from him, and was enabled to take him prisoner. He was instantly mounted on a horse without his cloak and hat, and car- ried safely to New York, , The Congress on hearing this news, wrote general Washington, desiring him to send a flag to general Howe, for the purpose of en- quiring in v/hat manner general Lee was treat- ed : and if he found that it was not agreeable to his rank, to send a remonstrance to gene- ral Howe, on the subject. This produced much inconvenience to both sides, and much calamity to individuals. A cartel had some time before been established for the exchange Y2 2^8 LEE. of prisoners between the generals Howe atitl Washington, which had hitherto heen carried into execution as far as circumstances would admit of; but as Lee was particularly obnox- ious to government, it was said, that general Howe was tied down by his instructions from parting with him on any terms, now that for- tune had placed him in his power. General Washington, not having at this time, any pri- soner of equal rank, proposed to exchange six iield officers for him, the number being intend- ed to balance that disparity, or if this was not accepted, he required that he should be treat- ed suitably to his station, according to the practice of civilized nations, till an opportu- nity offered for a direct and equal exchange* ^ro this, it was answered, that as Mr. Lee was a deserter from his majesty's service, he %as not to be considered as a prisoner of war; that he did not at all come within the conditions of the cartel and could receive no benefit from it. This brought on a fruitless discussion : in the mean time, however, general Lee was guarded with the vigilance of a state crimi- nal of the first consequence. This conduct not only suspended the operation of the cartel, but induced retaliation on the American side ; and colonel Campbell, who had hitherto been treated with great humanity by the people of Boston, Avas now thrown into a dungeon. These British officers, who were prisoners in the southern colonies, though not treated with equal rigor, were likewise abridged of their parole, it was, at the same time, declar- ed^ that their futi^re treatment should in every LEE. 2^9 degree, be regulated by tbat, wbich general Lee experienced, and that their persons should be answerable, in the utmost extent, lor any violence, that was offered to him. Thus mat- ters continued, till the capture of the British army under general Burgoyne, at Saratoga, October 17 th, 1777. A change of conduct then took place towards Lee ; he was allowed his parole in New York, dined with many prin- cipal officers and families, and a short time after was exchanged. The first military scene in which general Lee was engaged after his exchange, was at the battle of Monmouth, which was also his last. Being detached by the commander in chief to make an attack upon the rear of the enemy, general Washington was pressing forward to support him on the twenty eighth day of June, when to his astonishment he found him re- treating without having made a single effort to maintain his ground. Meeting him in these circumstauees, without any previous notice of his plans, Washington addressed him in terms of some warmtli. Lee, being ordered to check the enemy, conducted himself with his usual bravery, and when forced from the ground, on which he had been placed, brouglit off his troops in good order. But his haughty tem- per could not brook the indignity, which he believed to have been offered him on the field af battle, and he addressed a letter to Wash- ington requiring reparation for the injury. In consequence of Lee's conduct on tbis oc- casion, he was put under arrest, and tried by % court martial at Brunswick, the 4th of July 26a LEE. following. The charges exhibited against him were : 1st. For disobedience of orders in not at- tacking the enemy on the 28th of June, agreea- ble to repeated instructions. 2dly. For misbehaviour before the enemy on the same day, by making an unnecessary, disorderly and shameful retreat. Sdly. For disrespect to the commander in chief in two letters dated the 1st July, and the 28th June. The court met by several adjournments, till the 12th of August, when they found tlie un- fortunate general guilty of the several charges adduced against him, and sentenced him to be suspended from any commission in the armies of the United States for twelve months; and this sentence was afterwards confirmed by congress. lie now retired disgusted and disappointed to his estate in lierkely county, Virginia, where he remained living in a stile peculiar to himself, in a house more like a barn than a palace. Glass windows and plaistering would liavebeen luxurious extravagance, and his fur- niture consisted of a very few necessary arti- cles ; however, he had got a few select valua- ble authors, and these enabled him to pass away his time in this obscurity. In the au- tumn of 1782, he began to be Aveary with the sameness of his situation; and experiencing his unfitness for the management of country business, he came to a determination to sell his estate, and procure a little settlement near some sea- port town, where he might learu LEE. 2^1 what the workl was doing and enjoy the coii- rersation of mankind. He, therefore, left Berkley, and eame to Baltimore, where he stayed a week with some eld friends, and then took his leave for Phila- delphia, where he took lodgings at an inn, the sign of the Connestogoe waggon, in Market street. After being three or ibur days in the city, he was seized with a fever, which cut him off, after an illness of a few days, 2d Octo- ber, 7782. In his last struggle, he seemed to have lost his senses, and, it is said, that the last words he was heard to express were, " stand by me, my brave grenadiers." In his last illness he was attended by no one but Mr. Oswald, the printer, who had served as an officer under him. " The character of general Lee,'* says Dr. Gordon, *^ was full of absurdities and qualities of a most extraordinary nature. His under- standing was great, his memory capacious, and his fancy brilliant. His mind was stored with a variety of knowledge, which he collect- ed from books, conversation, and travels. He was a correct and elegant classical scholar, and both wrote and spoke his native language with propriety, force and beauty. From these circumstances he was, at times, a most agreea- ble and instructive companion. His temper was naturally sour and severe. He was sel- dom seen to laugh, and scarcely to smile. — I'he history of his life is little else than the history of disputes, quarrels and duels, in every^ part of the world. He was vindictive, avari- OrJous, immoral, impious and profane. ^6^ L.EE. « In bis principles, he >vas not only an infidel, but he was very hostile to every attribute of the Deity. His morals Avere exceedingly de- bauched. His manners Avere rude, i)artly from nature, and partly from affectation. His appe- tite was so whimsical, as to what he ate and drank, that he was at all times, and in most places, a most troublesome guest. He had been bred to arms from his youth, and served as lieutenant colonel amongst the British, as colonel amongst the Portuguese, and after- wards, as aid-de-camp to his Polish majesty, with the rank of major general." <^ He was extremely useful to the Ameri- cans in the beginning of the revolution, by in- spiring them with military ideas, and a con- tempt for British discipline and valor. It is difficult to say, whether the active and useful part he took in the contest, arose from perso- nal resentment against Great Britain, or from a regard to the liberties of America. It is cer- tain he reprobated the French alliance and re- Xniblican form of government, after he retir- ed from the American service. He was in the field, brave in the highest degree ; and with all his faults and oddities, was beloved by his offi- cers and soldiers. He was devoid of prudence, and used to call it a rascally virtue. His par- tiality to dogs was too remarkable not to be mentioned in his character. Two or three of these animals followed him generally where- vep he went. When congress confirmed the sentence of the court-martial, suspending him for twelve months, lie pointed to liis dog and exclaimed, <^ O that I were that animal, that I.EE. .2U 1 mi^ht not call man my brotlier." Two vir- tues he possessed in an eminent degree, viz. sincerity and veracity. He was never known to deceive or desert a friend ,* and he was a stranger to equivocation, even where his safety or character were at stake. LEE, RiCHAP.D, Hexry, president of con- gress, was a native of Virginia, and from his earliest youth devoted his talents to the ser- vice of his country. His public life was dis- tinguislied by some remarkable circumstances. He had the honor of originating the first re- sistance to British oppression in the time of tlie stamp act in 176. "7. He proposed in the Virginia house of burgesses in 1773 the for- mation of a committee of correspondence, whose object was to di^:sen)inate information, and to kindle the ilame of liberty throughout the continent. He was a member of the first congress, and it was he, who made and ably supported the declaration of independence Juno 7, 177G. After the adoption of tlie articles of the confederation he was under the necessity of withdrawing from congress, as no represen- tative was allowed to continue in congress mere than three years in any term of six years ; but be was re-elected in 178i and continued till 17S7. It was in November 1784, that he was chosen president of congress. When the con- stitution of the United States was submitted to the consideration of the public he contend- ed for the necessity of amendments previously to its adoption. After the government was organized, he was chosen one of the first sena- ':2p.^ LEE. tors from Virginia in 1789. This station he held (ill his resignation in ±792, Mr, Lee died at his seat at Chantilly in Westmoreland county, Virginia, June 22, 1794, in the sixty third year of his age. He supported through life the cliaraeter of a phi- losopher, a patriot, and a sage ; and he died, as he had lived. Messing his country. Tlic petition to the king, which was adopted by tlie congress in 1774, and was admirably well drawn up, has been generally attributed to his pen. LEE, Arthur, m. d. minister of the Unit- ed States to the court of Versailles, was a na- tive of Virginia and the brother of Richard Henry Lee. He was educated at the univer- sity of Edinburg, where he also pursued for some time the study of medicine. On his re- turn to this country he practised physic four or five years in Williamsburg. He then went to London and commenced the study of the law in the Temple. During his residence in Eng- land he kept his eye upon the measures of go- vernment, and rendered the most important services to his country by sending to America the earliest intelligence of the plans of the ministry. When the instructions to governor Bernard were sent over, he at the same time communicated information to the town of Bos- ton respecting the nature of them. He return- ed, it is believed, before 1769, for in that year he published the monitor's letters in vindica- tion of the colonial rights. In 1775 he was in London as the agent of Virginia, and he pre- sented in August the second petition of con^ LIViNfciSTON. M^ gress to the king. All Lis exertions were no^ directed to the good of his country. When Mr. Jefferson declined the appointment as a minister to France, Dr. Lee was appointed in }tis place, and he joined his colleagues, Dr. Franklin and Mr. Deane, at Paris in Decem- ber 1776. lie assisted in negociating the trea- ty v*ith France. In 1779 he and Mr. Adams, who had taken tlie place of Deane, were re- i-alled, and Dr. Franklin was appointed sole iiiinistcr to France. In 1784' he was appointed one of liic coni- jnissioners for holding a treaty Avith the In- dians of the six nations. He accordingly went to fort Schuyler and executed this trust in a manner which did him much honor. In Feb- ruary 1790 he was admitted a counsellor of the supreme court of the United States by a spe- cial order. After a sliort illness he died De- cember 14, 1792, at Urbanna in Middlesex county, yirginia. lie was a man of uniform patriotism, of a sound understanding, of great probity, of plain manners, and strong passions. During hh residence for a number of years ih England he was indefatigable in his exertions to promote the interests of his country. To the abilities of a statesman he united the ac- vas hurled with distinction. MARION, Francis, colonel in the regular service, and hrigadier in the militia oC South Carolina, was horn at his father's plantation in the vicinity of Georgetown in South Care- Una, in the year 1733. His ancestors were Huguenots, and fled from France to British America upon the revocation of the edict of Nantz. They settled on Cooper river near Charles- ton, from whence the father of general Ma- rion moved to the neighhorhood of George- town, where he resided during his life, occu- pied in the cultivation of liis plantation. He had five sons of whom Francis was the youngest ; who, with his hrothers, received only a common country education. As his three eldest sons arrived at the age of man- hood, tliey successively ohtalned a portion of their father's property, after which the old gentleman hecame emharrassed in his affairs, and was, in consequence, deprived of the means of extending similar aid to his two youngest sons. They had to depend upon their own ex- ertions for support and comfort. Francis, at the age of sixteen, entered on hoard a vessel hound to the West Indies, v/ith a determination to fit himself for a seafaring life. On his outward ]^assage the vessel was upset in a gale of wiiid, when the crew took to their hoat without water or piovisiops, it heing inipracticahle to save any of either. A dog ju!ttped into the hoat with the crew, and Twp.on his flesh eaten raw did the survivers of z2 370 MARION. these unfortunate men subsist for seven ar eight days j in which period several died of hunger. Among llie few who escaped was young 3Iarion. After reaching land, Marion relin- quished his original plan of life, and engaged in the labors of agriculture. In this occupa- tion he continued until 1759, when he became a soldier, and was appointed a lieutenant in a. company of volunteers, raised for an expedi- tion against the Cherokee Indians, commanded by captain William Moultrie, (since general Moultrie.) This expedition was conducted by governor Lyttleton : it was followed in a year or two afterwards by another invasion of the Cherokee country by colonel Grant, who served as major general in our war under sir Wil- liam Howe. In this last expedition lieutenant Marion also served, having been promoted to the rank of capta'n. As soon as the war broke out be- tween the colonies and mother country, Marion was called to the command of a company in the first corps raised by the state of South CarcIIua. He was soon afterwards promoted to a majority, and served in that rank under feolonel Moultrie in his intrepid defence offort Moultrie, against the combined attack of sir ilenry Clinton and sir H. Parker on the 2d of June, 1776, He was afterwards placed at tie head of a regiment as lieutenant colonel eom- mandan?, in which capacity he served during the sici^e of Charleston ; when having frac- tured his leg by some accident, he became in- capable of military du^y, and fortunately foj^ MARioisr: 271 liis country, escaped the captivity to ^vhieh the garrison was, in the sequel, forced to submit. Upon the fall of Charleston, inanv of the leading men of the state of South Carolina sought personal safety with their adherents, in the adjoining states. Delighted at the pre- sent prospect, these faithful and brave citi- zens hastened back to their country to share in the perils and toils of war. Among them were Francis Marion and Tho- mas Sumpter 5 both colonels in the South Ca- rolina line, and both promoted by governor Rutledge to the rank of brigadier general in the militia of the state. Marion was about forty-e ght years of age, small in stature, hard in visage, healthy, abstemious and taci- turn. Enthusiastically wedded to the cause of liberty, he deeply deplored the doleful con- dition of his beloved countiy. The common weal was his sole object ; nothing selfish, no- thing mercenary, soiled his ermin character. Fertile in stratagem, he struck unpereeived ; and retiring to those hidden ritreats, selected by himself, in the morasses of Ptdee and Black Hiver, he placed his corps cot only out of the reach of his foe, but often out of the discovery of his friends. A rigid disciplirsasian, he re- duced to practice the justice of his heart ; and during the difficult course of warfare, througii which he passed, calumny itself never charg- ed him with violating the rights of person,, property, or of humanity. Never avoiding danger, he never rashly souglit it ; and acting for all around him as !)c did for himself, he lisked the lives of his troops only wliea it wass ^»^ MARION. iiecessai7. Never elated >vitli prosferitj, ncir depressed by adversity, be preserved an ec]iia-» nimity Avhieli >yoii the adtuiration of his friend?, and exacted the respect of liis enemies. The country from Cambden to the sea-eoast be- tween the Pcdee and San tee rivers, was the theatre of his exertions, When Charleston fell into the enemy's hands, lieutenant colonel Marion abandoned his state, and took shelter in North Carolina. The mo- ment he recovered from the fracture of his leg, he engaged in preparing the means of annoy- ing the enemy then in the flood tide of pros- perity. With sixteen men only he crossed the^ Santee, and commenced that daring system of warfare which so much annoyed the British army. General Marion was in stature of the smal* lest size, thin as well as low. His visage was not pleasing, and his manners not captivating^ He was reserved and silent, entering into con- versation only when necessary,, and then with modesty and good sense. He possessed a strong mind, improved hy its own reflections and observations, not by books or travel. His dress was like his address,— plain, regarding comfort and decency only. In his meals he was abstemious, eating generally of one dish, and drinking water mostly. He was sedulous and constant in his atten- tion to the duties of his statson, to which every other consideration yielded. Even the charms of the fair, like the luxuries of the table and the allurements of wealth, seemed to be lost ijpon hira. MATHEWS— MERCER, 27. The procurement of subsistence for his tnenV tmd tlie contrivance of annoyance to his enc- my, engrossed his entire n^ind. He was vfrtu- oiis ail over ; never, even in manner, much less in reality, did he trench upon riglit. Beloved by his friends, and respected hy his enemies, be exhibited a luminous example of the bene- ijcial effects to be produced by an individual, who, with only small means at his command, possesses a virtuous heart, a strong head, and a mind devoted to the common good. After the war the general married, but had no issue. He died in February 1795, leaving behind him an indisputable title to the first rank among the patriots and soldiers of our revolution. MATHEWS, Thomas, was one af those who early embarked in the cause of his coun- try ill the revolutionary war, and continued a steady and determined supporter of American rights in every stage of the long, doiibiful, and arduous contest. He was afterwards speaker of the house of delegates of Virginia. In pub- lie life general Mathews was useful and intel- ligent, in privite life he was kind, affectionate, soci^^^'^' polite and benevolent. He died at iXorfolk, Yirginia, on the twentieth of April, i812. General Mathesvs was respected and esteemed by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. MERCER, Hugh, a brigadier general in t\\G late war, was a native of Bcotland, and af- ter his arrival in America, he served with Washington in the war agamst the French and Indians, wliich terminated in 17C3, and was greatly esteemed by him. He csigaged zeH- :27i JVIERCER. lously in support of the liberties of his adopt - ed country. In the battle near Princeton, Ja- nuary 3, 1777, he commanded the van of the Americans, composed principally of southern militia, and while gallantly exerting himself to rally them, received tliree wounds from a bayonet, of which he died, January nineteenth. It is said, that he was stabbed after he had surrendered. He was a valuable officer and his character in private life was amiable. — Provision was made by congress in 1793, for the education of his youngest son, Hugh Mer- cer. The following account of the battle of Princeton, is copied from Marshall's life of Washington : <* About sunrise on the third of January 1777,. the British fell in with the van of the Ameri- cans, commanded by general Mtrccr, and a yery sharp action ensued, wliich however was not of long duration. The militia of which the aiUtmceil party was prlzK%a|]y composed, soon gave way, and the few regulars attached to them were not strong enough to maintain their ground. General Mercer ^Yae niT.v.<.^]jy wounded while gallantly exerting himself to rally his broken troops, and the van was en- tirely routed. But the fortune of the day was soon changed. The main body of the army led by general Washington in person followed close in the rear, and attacked the enemy with great spirit. Persuaded that defeat would ir- retrievably ruiii tlie affairs of America, he ad- vanced in the very front of danger, and expos- ed himself to the hottest fuo of the enemy. MIFFLIN. ^7$ lie tvas so well supported by the same troops >vho had, a few days before, saved their coun- try at Trenton, tliat the British in turn were compelled to give way. Their line was bro- ken, and the two regiments separated rom each other. Colonel Mawliood who command- ed tliat in front, forced his way through a part of the American troops, and reached Maiden- head. The fifty-fifth regiment, which was in the rear, retreated, by the way of Hillsbo- rough, to Brunswick. The vicinity of the Bri- tish forces at Maidenhead secured colonel Mawhocd from being pursued, and general Washington pressed forward to Princeton. The regiment remaining in that place saved I itself without having sustained much loss, by j a precipitate retreat to Brunswick. I ** In tliis action more than one hundred of the I enemy were killed on the spot, and near three I hundred were taken prisoners. The loss of ( the Americans in killed was somewhat less,, 1 but in this number was included general Mer- \ cer, a very valuable oificcr from Virginia, who had served with tlie commander in chief in the war against tlie FrencJi and Indians which terminated in 1763, and was greatly es- teemed by him. Colonels Haslett and Potter, i two brave and excellent officers from Dela- >vare and Pennsylvania; captain ISeal of the artillery, captain Fleming, who on that day commanded the seventh Virginia regiment, and five other valuable officers were also iamong the slain." MIFFLIN, Thomas, a major general in tlie American army, and governor of Pennsyl- ^76 MIFFLIN. Yania, T>'as bora about the year 1744, of jift* rents who were qiiakers, and his education was entrusted to the care of the reverend Dr. Smith, with whom he was connected in habits of cordial intimacy and friendsliip for more than forty years. Active and zealous, he en- gaged early in opposition to the measures of the British parliament. He was a member of the first' congress in 1774. He took arms, and was among the first ofiicers commissioned on the organization of the continental army, be- ing appointed quarter master general in Au- gust 1765. For this offence he was read out of the society of quakcrs. In 1777 he was ve- ry useful in animating the militia, and enkind- ling the spirit, which seemed to have been damped. His sanguine disposition and his ac- tivity rendered him insensible to the value of that coolness aud caution, which wei-e essen- tial to the presei^vation of such an army, as was then under the command of general Washington. In 17S7 he was a member of the convention, which framed the constitution of tlie United States, and his name is affixed to that instrument. In October 1788 he slicceed- ed Franklin as president of the supreme exe- cutive council of Pennsylvania, in which sta- tion he continued till October 1790. In Sep- tember a constitution for tiiis state was form- ed by a convention, in wliich he presided, and he was chosen the first goveiMior. In 1794, during the insurrection in Pennsylvania, lie em- ployed, to the advantage of his country, the extraordinary powers of elocution, with whicli .ite was endowed. The imperfection of tlie mi- iVIOlSTGOMERY. 277 litia laws was compensated by his eloquence. He made a circuit through the lower counties, and at different places publicly addressed the militia on the crisis in the affairs of their country, and through his animating exhorta* tions the state furnished the quota required. He was succeeded in the office of governor by Mr. M'Kean at the close of the year 1799, and he died at Lancaster, January 20, 1800, m the fifty seventh year of his age. He was an active and zealous patriot, who had devot- ed much of his life to the public service. MONTGOMERY, Richard, a major ge- neral in the army of the United States, was born in the north of Ireland in the year 1737. He possessed an excellent genius, which was matured by a fine education. Entering the army of Great Britain, he successfully fought her battles with Wolfe, at Quebec, in 7759, and on the very spot, v/here he was doomed to fall, when fighting against her, under the ban- ners of freedom. After his leturn to England he quitted his regiment in 1772, though in a fair way to preferment. He had imbibed an attachment to America, viewing it as the ris- ipg seat of arts and freedom. After his arri- val in this country, he purchased an estate in New York, about a hundred miles from the city, and married a daughter of judge Livings- ton. He now considered himself as an Ame- rican. When the struggle with Great Britain commenced, as he was known to have an ar- lient attachment to liberty, and had expressed his readiness to draw his sword on the side of the colonies, the command of the continental A a 278 MONTGOMERY. forces in the northern department was entrust* ed to him and general Schuyler, in the fall or 1775. By the indisposition of Schuyler the chief command devolved upon him in Octoher. He reduced fort Chamblee, and on the third of November captured St. Johns. On the twelfth he took Montreal. In December he joined colonel Arnold and marched to Quebec. The city was beseiged, and on the last day of the year, it was determined to make an assault. The several divisions were accordingly put in motion in the midst of a lieavy fall of snow, which concealed them from the enemy. Mont- gomery advanced at the head of the New York troops along the St. Lawrence, and having assisted with his own hands in pulling up the pickets, which obstructed his approach to one of the barriers, that he was determined to force, he was pushing forwards, when one of the guns of the battery was discharged, and he was killed with his two aids. This was the only gun that was fired ; for the enemy had been struck with consternation, and all but one or two had fled. But this event probably prevented the capture of Quebec. When he fell, Montgomery was in a narrow passage, and his body rolled upon the ice, which form- ed by the side of the river. After it was found the next morning among the slain, it was buried by a few soldiers without any marks of distinction. He was thirty eighty years of age. He was a man of great military talents, whose measures were taken with judgment and (executed with vigor. Willi undisciplined troops, who were jealous of him in the extreme. MONTGOMERY. 27lf lie yet iii spired them with his own enthusiasm. He shared with them in all their hardships, and thus prevented their complaints. His in- dustry could not he wearied, nor his vigilance imposed upon, nor his courage intimidated.^^ Above the pride oi* opinion, when a measure was adopted by the majority, though contrary to his own judgment, he gave it his full sup- port. Tiie following particulars of the death of the brave and heroic Montgomery, which we se« lect from ** the campaign against Quehec, in the year 1775, by John Joseph Henry, esquire, late president of tUo second judicial district of Pennsylvania," will be found highly interest- ing : ** General Montgomery had marched at the l)recise time stipulated, and had arrived at his destined place of attack, nearly about the time we attacked the first barrier. He w as not one that would loiter. Colonel Campbell, of the New York troops, a large, good looking man, who was second in command of that party, and was deemed a veteran, accompa- nied the army to the assault ; his station was rearward, general Montgomery, with his aids, were at the poi'U of the column. - " It is impossible to give you a fair and complete idea, of the nature and situation, of the place solely with the pen — the pencil is required. As by the special permission of go- vernment, obtained by the good oiiices of cap- tain Prentis, in the summer following ; B yd, a few others and myself, reviewed t e » a .*ses df our disaster ^ it is therefore m my pow^r 330 MONTGOMERY. so far as my abilities will permit, to give yoiiV a tolerable notion of the spot. Cape Diamond, nearly resembles the great jutting rock, >vliicli is in the narrows at Hunter's fall, on the Sus- quehanna. The rock, at the latter place, shoots out as steeply as that at Quebec, but hy no mean, forms so great an angle, on the margin of the river; but is more craggy. — There is a stronger and more obvious differ- ence in the comparison. When you surmount the hill at St. Charles, or the St. Lawrence side, which, to the eye are equally high and steep, you find yourself on Abraham's Plains, and upon nn pvteneivc champaign coimtry. The birds-eye ^\e\v around Quebec, bears a striking conformity to the scites of Northum- berland and Pittsburg, in Pennsylvania ; but the former is on a more gigantic scale, and each of the latter w^ant the steepness and crag- gyness of the back ground, and a depth of livers. This detail, is to instruct you in the geographical situation of Quebec, and for the sole purpose of explaining the manner of gene- ral Montgomery's death, and the reasons of our failure. From Wolf's cove, there is a good beach, down to, and around " "Cape Dia- mond." The bulwarks of the city, came to the edge of the hill, above that place. Thence down the side of the precipice, slantingly to the brink of the river, there was a stockade of strong posts, fifteen or twenty feet high, knit together by a stout railing, at bottom and top with pins. This was no mean defence, anvhence he emigrated to Virginia in 1755. Like many of the greatest men of every country, his native condition was indigent, so much so as to render it necessary for young Morgan to enter into service as a laborer for daily wages. Soon after his arrival in Virginia he obtain- ed employment from farmer Roberts, near Charleston, in the county of Jefferson, (then Berkley.) Afterwards he w as engaged to drive a wagon for John Ashley, overseer for Na- thaniel Burrel, Esq. at his estate on the She- nandoah river, in Frederic county, near Ber- ry's ferry. When he left Ashley, Morgan had, by his care and industry, amassed enough cash to purchase a wagon and team ; which he did, and soon afterwards entered with it into the employment of Mr. John Ballantine, at his es- tablishment on Occoquan creek. At the ex- piration of his year Braddock's expedition was spoken of as an event certainly to take place in the course of the ensuing summer. Morgan reserved himself, wagon, &c. for this expedi- tion; when he joined the army, but in what character is not known. He received, during his military service, a severe wound in the face ; the scar of which was through life very visible. We do not un- derstand in what affair this happened ; biit it was from a rifle ov musket, aimed, as he said himself, by an Indian. The bullet entered the ■'MOHGAN. SSib^ back of his neck, and passed through his left cheek, knocking out all his hind teeth on th'At side. In the course of the campaign he was un- justly punished, hy being brought to the hai- hert, under a charge of contumely to a British officer, where he received five hundred lashes. The ofiiccr being afterwards convinced of his cruel error, made every amend in Iiis power to t]ie maltreated Morgan ; who, satisfied with the contrition evinced by the officer, magnani-^ ^mously forgave him. Nor did tlie recollection of this personal outrage operate in the least to the prejudice of the British officers in the late war. Many of them, as is well known, fell into the hands of Morgan, and invariably re eeived from him compassionate and kind treat ment. The general would often, among liis intimate friends, recur to this circumstance ; the nar rative whereof he generally concluded, by say ing, in a jocular way, that " King George was indebted to him one lash yet ; for the drum- mer miscounted one, and he knew well when he did it; so that he only received four hun- dred and ninety nine, when he promised him five hundred.'* In this period of life, from twenty to thirty years of age, Morgan was extremely dissipat- ed ; and spent much of his time in vulgar tip- pling and gambling houses. However, al- though habituated to the free use of ardent spirits, fie was never considered as a drunkard ; and though enamored with cards and dice, Itc was a cautioiis piaver, increasing rather thar. Bb ^m MORGAX. diminishing liis cash fund. This course ©I life subjected liim to many aftVays and fjirioiifi pugilistic combats, in which lie never failed to take a leading part. The theatre of these ex- ploits was Berrystown, a small village in the county of Frederic, commonly called Battle- town ; named, as is gencriilly supposed, from the fierce combats fought on its soil under the banners of Morgan. Whatever may have been the cause, it is certain that he spent much of his leisure at this place ; that he fought there many severe combats ; and that though often vanquished he never was known to omit seizing the first op- portunity which presented, after return of strength, of taking another bout with his con- queror ; and this he repeated from .time to time, until at length victory declared in his favor. Such was the innate invincibility of young Morgan — which never forsook him, when, by the strength of his unimproved genius, and the propitiousness of fortune, he mounted on an extended theatre of action ; as replete with difficulty as to him with glory. AVhen he re- rcturned from Braddock's expedition he reas- sumed his former employment, and drove his own wagon. In a few years his previous say- ings, added to the little he earned in the cam- paign, enabled him to purchase a small tract of land from a Mr. Blackburn, in the county of Frederic; on which, during our war, lie erected a handsome mansion house^ with suita- ble accompanying improvements, and called it Saratoga, in commemoration of the signal MORGAlSr. 29i Tietory obtained by general Gates, to >vhieh he liad himself prjneipally contributed. On this farm Morgan, h iving Uiarricd shortly after his return from his military tour, resided when the revolutionary war broke out. The smattering of experience gained during Braddock's expedition, pointed him out to the Jeading men of Frederic, as qualified to eom- inand the first company of riflemen, raised in that county in defence of our country. He speedily completed his con>pany, as all the finest youth of Frederic flocked to him ; among whom was lieutenant, afterwards colonel Heth, and many others, who in the course of the war became approved officers. With this compa- ny Morgan hastened to the American army en- camped before Boston, in 1774, and soon af- terwards was detached by the commander in chief under Arnold, in his memorable expedi- tion against Qucfiee. The bold and disastrous assault, planned and executed by the celebrated Montgomery against that city, gave opportunity for the display of heroism to individuals, and furnished cause of deep regret to the nation by the loss of the much beloved Montgomery. No officer more distinguished himself than did captain Moi'gan. Arnold commanded the column to which Mor- gan was attached, who became disabled by a ball through his leg early in the action, and was carried off to a place of safety. Our troops having lost tlieir leader, each corps pressed forward as the example of its officer invited. Morgan took the lead,, and Receded, by sergeant, afterwards lieutenajat ^92 MOIKiAy. colonel, Porterfield, who unfortunately fell at the battle of Cambden, when his life might have saved an army, mounted the first bav- rkr ', and rushing forward, passed the second barrier, lieutenant Heth and serjeant Porter- ileid only before him. In this point of the as- sault a group of noble spirits united in sur- mounting the obstacles opposed to our pro- gress ; among them was Greene and Thayer of Rhode Island, Hendricks of Pennsylvania^, and Humphreys of Yirginia f the two last of whom were killed* Yain was this blaze of glory. Montgome- ry's fall stopped the further advance of the principal column of attack ; and the seve- rity of the raging storm, the obstacles of na- ture and of art in our way, and the combined attack of the enemy's force, no longer divided by attention to the column of Montgomery, overpowered all resistance. Morgan (with most of the corps of Arnold) was taken ; and as heretofore mentioned, experienced a diffe- rent treatment from sir Guy Carleton than was at that period customary for British offi- cers to dispense to American prisoners. The kindness of Carleton, from motives of policy, applied more forcibly to the privates than to our officers, and produced a durable impres- sion. "While Morgan was in confinement at Que- bec the following anecdote, told by himself, manifests the high opinion entertained by the enemy of his military talents from his conduct in this assault. He was visited occasionally by a BritisU officer, to him uuknown^ but from MORGAN. 29S his uniform, lie appeared to belong to the navy? and to be an officer of distinction. During one af his visits, after eonveising upon many to- pics, ** he asked Morgan if he did not begin to be convinced that the resistance of America was visionary ? and he endeavored to impress him with the disastrous consequences which must infallibly ensue, if the idle attempt was persevered in, and very kindly, exhorted him to renounce the ill advised undertaking. He declared^ with seeming sincerity and candor, his admiration of Morgan's spirit and enter- prise, which he said was worthy of a better cause; and told him, if he would agree to Avithdraw from the American and join the British standard^ he Avas authorized to pro- mise him the commission, rank and emolu- ments of a colonel in the royal army." Mor- gan rejected the proposal Avith disdain ; and concluded his reply by observing, <« That he hoped he Avould never again insult him in his distressed and unfortunate situation by mak- ing him offers Avhich plainly implied that he thougut him a ra^jcal." The officer Avithdrew, and the offer Avas never repeated. As soon as our prisoners Avcre exchanged, Morgan hastened to the army ; and by the re- commendations of general Washington, was ap- pointed to the command of a regiment. In this station he acted under the commander in chief in 1777, Avhen a select rifle corps Avas formed out of the others in the army, and committed to his direction, seconded ]>y lieutenant colonel, Richard Butler of Pennsylvania, and major Morris of New Jersey, two officers of high ta^ EbS ji9^ MOKGAN." .ill lents, and specially qualiiietl for the enterpris- ing service to which they were assigned. Mor- gan and his riflemen were singularly useful to Washington ; but our loss of Ticonderoga, and the impetuous advance of Burgoyne, proclaim- ed so loudly the gloomy condition of our affairs in the north, that the general who thought only of the public good, deprived himself of Morgan and sent him to Gates, where he was persuad- ed his services were most required. The splendid part he acted on that occasion, and how much his exertions contributed to the glorious triumph achieved afterwards, are cir- cumstances generally known, notwithstanding his name is not mentioned by general Gates in his dispatches. , After tike return of Morgan to the main army j^ he continued actively employed by the comman- der in chief, and never failed to promote the good of the service by his sagacity, his vigi- lance, and his perseverance. In 1780 his health became much impaired, and he obtained leave of absence, when he returned to his family in Frederic, where he continued until after the fall of Charleston. "When general Gates was called to the chief command in the south, he visited Morgan, and urged the colonel to accompany him. Mc^rgan did not conceal his dissatisfaction at the treat- ment he had heretofore received, and proudly spoke of the important aid he had rendered to Mm, and the ungrateful return he had expe- rienced. Being some few weeks afterwards promoted by congress to the rank of brigadier general by brevet; with a view of detaching , MORGAN. ^95 him to the south, he repaired to the army of Crates, but did not reach Carolina in time to take a part in the battle of Cambden. He joined Gates at Hillsborough, and was sent under Smallwood to Salisbury with all the force fitted for service. Gates, as soon as he had prepared the residue of his army, follow- ed, and gave to Morgan, in his arrangements for the field, the command of the light troopso Greene now arrived as the successor of Gates, which was follov/ed by that distribution of his force which led to the battle of the Cowpens ; the influence of which was felt in every subse- quent step of the war in the Carolinas. The following account of the battle of the Cowpens we copy from <* Lee's Memoirs :" <^ Lieutenant colonel Tarleton was detached by lord Cornwallis in pursuit of Morgan, and he lost no time in approaching his enemy. Morgan was duly apprized of his advance* Tarleton passed through the ground on which Morgan had been encamped, a few hours after tlie latter had abandoned it ; and, leaving his baggage under a guard with orders to follow with convenient expedition, he pressed Torward throughout the night in pursuit of the retiring foe. After a severe march through a rugged country, he came in sight of his enemy about eight o'clock in the morning (January 17, 1781 ;) and having taken two of our videts, he learned that Morgan had halted at the Cow- pens, not far in front, and some distance from the Broad river. Presuming that Morgan "would not risk action unless driven to it, TadetoD determined, fatigued as his troops ^fi' MORGAN. "were, instantly to advance on his eneir*y, les^ he might throw his corps safe over the Broad Fiver. " Morgan having heen accustomed to iight and to conquer, did not relish the eager and inter- rupting pursuit of liis adversary ; and sat down at tlie Cowpens to give rest and refreshment to his harrassed troops, ^vith a resolution no lon- ger to avoid action, should his enemy persist ia pressing it. Being apprised at the dawn of day of Tarleton's advance, he instantly prepared for battle. This decision grew out of irritation of temper, which appears to have overruled the suggestions of his sound and discriminating, judgment. The ground about the Cowpens is covered with open wood, admitting tlie opera- tian of cavalry with facility, in which the ene- my trebled Morgan, His flanks had no rest- ing place, but were; exposed to be readily turn- ed ; and the Broad river ran parallel to his rear, forbidding the hope of a safe retreat in the event of disaster. Had Morgan crossed this river, and approached the mountain, he AVould have gained a position disadvantageous to cavalry, but conveniet for riflemen ; and would have secured a less dangercus retreat. But these cogent reasons, rendered more for- cible by his inferiority in numbers, could not prevail. Confiding in liis long tried fortune, conscious of his personal superiority in soldier- ship, and relying on the skill and courage of his troops, he adhered to his resolution. Er- roneous as was the decision to fight in thispo^ sition, when a better might have been easily gained, the disposition for battle was masterly.> MORGAN. 297 '^Two light parties of militia, under major M*Dowell of North Carolina, and major Cun- ningliam, of Georgia, were advanced in front, with orders to feel the enemy as he approach- ed^ and, preserving a desultory and well aimed ilre as they fell back to the front line, to range with it and renew the conflict. The main body of the militia composed this line, with general Pickens at its Iiead. At a suita- ble distance in the rear of the first line a se- cond was stationed, composed of the continen- tal infantry and two companies of Virginia mi- litia, under captains Triplett and Taite, com- manded by lieutenant colonel Howard. SYash- ington's cavalry, reinforced with a company of mounted militia armed with sabres, was held in reserve; convenient to support the infantry, and protect the horses of the rifle militia, which were tied agreeably to usage in the rear. On the verge of battle, Morgan avail- ed himself of the short and awful interim to exhort his troops. First addressing himself, with liis characteristic pith, to the line of mi- litia, he extolled the zeal and bravery so often displayed by them, when unsupported with the bayonet or sword ; and declared his confidence that they could not fail in maintaining their reputation, when supported by chosen bodies of horse and foot, and conducted by him self » Nor did he forget to glance at his unvarying fortune, and superior experience ; or to men- tion how often with his corps of riflemen, he had brought British troops, equal to those be- fore him, to submission. He described the deep 3!^gret he had already experienced in bein^ 208 MORGAN. obliged, from prudential considerations, to i>e- tire before an enemy al>vays in his power ; ex- horted the line to be firm and steady: to fire Avith good aim ; and if they would pour in but two volleys at killing distance, he would take upon himself to secure victory. To the conti- nentals, he was very brief, lie reminded tliem of the confidence he had always reposed in their skill and courage ; assured them that victory was certain if they acted well their part ; and desired them not to be discouraged by the sudden retreat of the militia, that being part of his plan and orders. Then taking post with this line, he waited in stern silence for the enemy. '* The British lieutenant colonel, urging for- ward, was at length gratified with the certain- ty of battle ; and, being prone to presume on victory, he hurried the formation of his troops. The light and legion infantry, with the seventh regiment^ composed the line of battle ; in the centre of which was posted the artillery, con- sisting of two grasshoppers ; and a tioop of dragoons was placed on each fiank. The bat- talion of the seventy-first regiment, under ma- jor M' Arthur, with the remainder of the ca- valry, formed the reserve. Tarleton placed himself with the line, having under him major New marsh, who commanded the seventh regi- ment, l^he disposition was not completed when he directed the line to advance, and the reserve to wait further orders. The American light parties quickly yielded, fell back, and ar- rayed with Pickens. The enemy, shouting, relished forward upon the front liue, which re^ MORGAN. S]9^9 tained Us station, and poured in a close fire ; but, continuing to advance witli the bayonet en our militia, they retired, and gained with haste the second line. Here, with part of the eorps, Pickens took post on Howard's right, and the rest fled to their horses — probably with orders to remove them to a further distance. Tarleton pushed forward, and was received by his adversary with unshaken firmness. The contest became obstinate, and each party, ani- mated by the example of its leader, nobly con- tended for victory. Our line maintained itself so firmly, as to oblige the enemy to order up his reserve. The advance of M' Arthur reani- mated the British line, which again moved forward ; and, outstretching our front, endan- gered Howard's right. This officer instantly took measures to defend his flanks by directing his right company to change its front ^ h^it, mistaking this order, the company fell back ; upon which the line began to retire, and gene- ral Morgan directed it to retreat to the caval- ry. This manoeuvre heing performed with precision, our flank became relieved, and the new position was assumed with promptitude. Considering this retrograde movement the precursor of flight, the British line rushed on with impetuosity and disorder; but as it drew near, Howard faced about, and gave it a close and murderous fire. Stunned by this unex- pected shock, the most advanced of the enemy recoiled in confusion. Howard seized the hap- py moment, and followed his advantage with the bayonet. This decisive step gave us the day. The reserve having been brought noar 300 MORGAN. the line, shared in the destruction of our fire. and presented no rallying point to the fugitives. A part of the enemy's cavalrj, having gained (jur rear, fell on that portion of the militia who had retired to their Iiorses. Washington struck at them with his dragoons, and drove them before him. Thus, by simultaneous ef- forts, the infantry and cavalry of the enemy were routed. Morgan pressed home his suc- cess, and the pursuit became vigorous and gc Reral. The British cavalry, having taken no part in the action, except the two troops at- tached to the line, were in force to cover the retreat. This, however, was not done. The zeal of lieutenant colonel Washington in pur- suit having carried him far before his squad- ron, Tarleton turned upon him with the troop of the seventeenth regiment of dragoons, se- conded by many of his officers. The American lieutenant colonel was first rescued from this critical contest by one of his Serjeants, and af- terwards by a fortunate shot from his bugler's pistol. This check concluded resistance on the part of the British officer, who drew off with the remains of his cavalry, colleeted his stragglers, and hastened to lord Cornwallis.— The baggage guard, learning the issue of the battle, moved instantly towards the British army. A part of the horse, who had shame- fully avoided action, and refused to charge when Tarleton wlieeled on the impetuous Washington, reached the camp of Cornwallis at Fisher's creek, about twenty-five miles from the Cowpcns, in the evening. The remainder .arrived with lieutenant colonel Tarleton on the MORGAN» 501 looming following. In this decisive battle \vc lost about seventy men, of wliom twelve only were killed. The British infantry, with the exception of the baggage guard, Avere nearly all killed or taken. One hundred, including ten officers were killed ; twenty-three officers Und five hundred privates were taken. The artillery, eight hundred muskets, two stan- dards, thirty-live baggage wagons, and oile hundred dragoon horses, fell into our possession. The victory of the Cowpens was to the south what that of Bennington had been to the north. General Morgan, whose former services had placed him high in public estimation, was now deservedly ranked among the most illustrious defenders of his country. Starke* fought an Inferior, Morgan a superior, foe. The former contended Tith a German corps ; the latter with the elite of the southern army, composed of British troops. Starke was nobly se- conded by colonel Warner and his continen tal reeiment; Morgan derived very great aid from Fickens and his militia, and was effectu- ally supported by Howard and Washington. — - The weight of the battle fell on Howard ; who sustained himself gloriously in trying circum- stances, and seized with decision the critical moment to complete with the bayonet the ad- vantage gained by his fire. Congress manifested their sense of tills im- portant victory by a resolve, approving the conduct of the principal officers, and ccmme- * The hero of Bennington, 'vho no^v resides in th's s^te of Vermont. r c SQ2 MORGAN. morative of their distinguished exertions. To sjeneral Morgan they presented a golden medal, to brigadier Piekons a sword, and to lieutenant colonels Howard and Washington a silver me- dal, and to eaptain Triplctt a sword. We would merely observe, that, in our opi- Bion, those honored by their country by such testimonials of national gratitude, would do well to deposit them in the archives of some public institution. The testimonial is theiM preserved, not liable to casualty, or to fall into the hands of some ignorant administrator or executor, who is insensible of its value, and would willingly exchange it for an eagle. If the pride of family is consulted, it would thus receive a tedfold gratilication ; the story of the illustrious action it commemorated be read by thousands, who would otherwise be ignorant of the fact. We would ask, what has now be- come of the medal granted to Morgan ? Greene was now appointed to the command of the south. After the battle of the Cowpens a controversy ensued between that general and Morgan, as to the route which the latter should observe in his retreat. He insisted on passing the mountains — a salutary precaution, if ap- plied to himself, but which was at the same time fatal to the operations of Greene. He informed the general that if that route was de- nied him, he would not be responsible for the consequences. Neither shall you, replied the restorer of the south ; I will assume them all on myself. Morgan continued in his command until the two divisions of the army united at .Guilford court-house, when neither persuasion* MORGAN. 303 entreaty, nor exciteiiicnt could induce him to remain in the service any longer. He retired, and devoted himself exclusively to the improve- ment of his farm and of his fortune. He remained here, in the hosom of retire- ment at Frederic, until he was summoned by president Washington to repress, by the force of the bayonet, the insurrection in the western counties of Pennsylvania. The executive of Virginia then detached Morgan to take the field, at the head of tlie militia of that state. Upon the retreat of the main body, Morgan remained in the bosom of the insurgents, until the ensuing spring, when he received orders from the president to withdraw. For the first time in his life, he now appears to have enter- tained ideas of political distinction. Baffled in his first attempt, he succeeded in his se- cond, and was elected a member of the house of representatives of the United States for the district of FredeHtfw Having served out the constitutional term, he declined another elec- tion. His health being much impaired, and his constitution gradually sinking, he remov- ed from Saratoga to the scene of his juvenile years, Berresville (Battletown) and from thence to Winchester, where he closed his long, la- borious and useful life* Brigadier Morgan was stout and active, six feet in height, strong, not too much encum- bered with flesh, and was exactly fitted for the toils and pomp of war. His mind was discri- minating and solid, but not comprehensive and combining. His manners plain and decorous, neither insinuating nor repulsive. His con 3QJL MORGAN. versation grave, sententious and considerate*, unadorned and uncaptivating. He reflected deeply, spoke little, and executed with keeiv perseverance whatever he undertook. H6 was indulgent in his military command, pre- ferring always the aflection of his troops, to that dread and awe which surround the rigid disciplinarian. No man ever lived who better loved this world, and no man more I'eluctantly quitted it. He was in the habit of expressing this feeling to his intimates without reserve, and used to say that he would agree to pass much of his life as a galley slave rather than exchange this world for that unknown. He was the re- verse of the great Washington in this respect^ whom he very much resembled in that happy mixture of caution and ardor which distin- guished the American hero. For the latter, when speaking upon the subject of death,^ W0ul4 oftea declare, that he >vouid not repass Lis life was it in his option. Yet no man, con- tradictory as it may appear, valued less his life than Morgan, when duty called him to meet his foe. Stopped neither by danger nor by difficulty, he rushed into the hottest of the battle, enamored with the glory which encir- cles victory. General Morgan, like thousands of mortals when nearly worn out by the hand of time, re-: sorted for mental comfort to the solace of re- ligion. He manifested great penitence for the follies of his early life ; this was followed by joining the presbyterian church in full com- muaiop; with wjiich he contiuuefl to his l^^st df»y^ MORRIS. BOB' MORRIS, Robert, superintendant of the finances of the United States, was a native of Manchester in England, and after his estah- lishment in this country hecame a very emi- nent merchant in Philadelphia. His enter- prise and credit have seldom been equalled. — In 1776 he was a member of congress from Pennsylvania, and his name is affixed to the declaration of independence. In the beginning of 1781 he was entrusted with the manage- ment of the finances, and the services, which in this station he rendered to his country were of incalculable value, being assisted by liis^ brother, Gouverneur Morris. He pledged himself personally and extensively for articles of the most absohitete necessity to the army. It was owing in a great degree to him, that the decisive operations of the campaign of 1781 were not impeded, or completely defeat- ed from the want of supplies. He proposed the plan of a national bank, the capital to be formed by individual subseription, and it was incorporated on the last day of 1781. The army depended principally upon Pennsylvania for flour, and he himself raised the whole sup- plies of this state on the engagement of being reimbursed by the taxes, which had been im- posed by law. In 1782 he had to struggle with the greatest difficulties, for with the most judicious and rigid economy, the public resour- ces failed, and against him were the com- plaints of unsatisfied claimants directed. He resigned his office after holding it about three years. He died at Philadelphia, May 8, 1806/ in the seventy second year of his age, €Q9^ ■ $06 MOTJI.TRIE. MOULTRIE, William, governor of South Carolina, and a major general in the Ameri- can war, \Yas devoted to the service of his country from an early period of his life. In the Cherokee war, in 1760, he was a volunteer with many of his respectable countrymen, un- der the command of governor Lyttletou* He was afterwards in another expedition under colonel Montgomery. He then commanded a company in a third expedition in 1761, which humbled the Cherokees, and brought them to terms of peace. He was among the foremost at the commencement of the late revolution to assert the liberties of his country, and brav- ed every danger to redress her wrongs. His jjianl}^ firmness, intrepid zeal, and cheerful ex- posure of every thing, which he possessed, ad- ded weight to his counsels, and induced others to join him. In the beginning of the war ha was colonel of the second regiment of South Carolina. His defence of Sullivan's island- with three hundred and forty four regulars and a few militia, and his repulse of the Brit- tish in their attack upon the fort, June 28, 1776, covered him with honor. In consequence of his good conduct he received the unanimous* thanks of congress, and in compliment to him. the fort was from that time called fort Moul- trie. In 1779 he gained u victory over the British in the battle near Beaufort. In 1780 lie was second in command in Charleston dur- ing the siege. After the city surrendered lie^ was sent to Philadelphia. In 1782 he return- ed with his countrymen and was repeatedly chosen governor of tjie state; till the infirnii MOTTLTRIE. mr tics of age induced liim to withdraw to the peaceful retreat of domestic life. He died at Charleston, September 27, 1805, in the sevens ty sixth year of his age. The glory of his lio- norable services was surpassed by his disinter- estedness and integrity. From the following correspondence, it will be found that an attempt was made on t]ie part of the British to bribe him, for he was thought by them to be more open to corruption, as he had suffered much in his private fortune. But it will be seen with what indignation he spurn- ed the offers of indemnification and prefer- ment. March 11,1781. << A sincere wish to promote w hat may be to your advantage, induces me now to write. The freedom with which we have often conversed, makes me hope you will not take amiss what I say. «My own principles respecting the com- mencement of this unfortu^iate war are well known to you ; of course ydu can also conceive that what I mention to you is of friendship. — You have now fought braVely in the cause of your country for many yeiirs, and in my opi- nion, fulfilled the duty an individual owes it ; You have had your share ofhardsliips and dif- ficulties : and if'the contest is^till to be coii- tinued, younger hands sliould now take the toil from you. You have now an opening of quitting that service with lionor and reputa- tion to yourself, by going to Jamaica with me. The world will readily attribute it to the known fricadsliip that has subsisted bctwcent^ 308 MOULTRIE. us, and by quitting tliis country for a sliori time, you would avoid any disagreeable con- versations, and might return at your leisure to take possession of your estates for yourself and family. The regiment I am going with, I am to command ; the only proof I can give you of my sincerity is, that I will quit that command to you with pleasure, and serve un^ der you I earnestly wish I could be the in- strument to eifect what I propose, as I think it would be a great means towards promoting that reconciliation we all wish. A thousand circumstances concur to make this a proper period for you to embrace ; our old acquain- tance, my having been formerly governor in this province, and the interest I have with the present commander. « I give you my honor that wliat I write is entirely unknown to the commander, or any one else, and so shall your answer be, if you favor me with one. **Your's sincerelv, ^* CHARLES MONTAGUE. " To brigadier general Charles Moultrie,^^ ANSWER. Haddrell's-Point, March 13, 1781. MY LORD — ^* I received your's this morningo I thank you for your wish to promote my advantage, but am much surprised at your proposition. I flattered myself I stood in a more favorable light with you. I shall write with the same freedom witli which we used to converse, and doubt not you will receive it with the sam.:> MOTJLTRIE. 309 oaiidor. I have often heard you express yOiir sentiments respecting this unfortunate war; when you thought the Americans injured ; hut am now astonished to find you take an active part against them ; though not fighting parti- cularly on the continent ; yet the seducing their soldiers away to enlist in the British service, is nearly similar. « My lord, you are pleased to compliment nie v/ith having fought hravely in my coun- try's cause, for many years, and, in your opi- nion, fulfilcd the duty every individual owes it : hut I differ widely with you in thinking that I have discharged my duty to my country, while it is deluged with blood and overrun by British troops, who exercise the most savage cruelties. When I entered into this contest, I did it with the most mature deliberation, with a determined resolution to risk, my life and for- tune in the cause. The hardships I have gone through I look upon with the tvreatest plea- sure and honor to myself. I shall continue to go on as I have begun, that my example may encourage the youths of America, to stand forth in defence of their rights and liberties. You call upon me now, and tell me I have a fair opening of quitting that service with ho- nor and reputation to myself, by going with you to Jamaica. Good God! is it possible that such an idea could arise in the breast of a man of honor ? I am sorry you should ima- gine I have so little regard to my own reputa- tion, as to listen to such dishonorable propo- sals* Would you wish to have that man ho» 310 MOULTRIE. nored with your friendship, play the traitor? Surely not. << You say, by quitting this country for a time I might avoid disagreeable conversations, and might return at my own leisure, and take possession of my estates for myself and family ; but you have forgot to tell me how I could get rid of the feelings of an injured honest heart, and where to hide myself from myseJf. Could I be guilty of so much baseness, I should hate myself and shun mankind. This would be a fatal exchange for the present situation, with an easy and approving conscience, of hav- ing done my duty, and conducted myself as a man of honor. *^ My lord, I am sorry to observe, that I feel your friendship much abated^ or you would not endeavor to prevail upon me to act so base a part. You earnestly wish you could bring it about, as you think it will be the iiieaiig oT bringing about that reconciliation we all wish for. I wi&h for a reconciliation as much as any man, but only upon honorable terms. — The repossessing my estates ; the offer of the command of four regiment, and the honor you propose of serving under me, are paltry consi- derations to the loss of my reputation. No, not the fee-simple of that valuable island of Jamaica, should induce me to part with my integrity. << My lord, as you have made one proposal, give me leave to make another, which will be more honorable to us both. As you have an interest with your commanders, I would have you propose the withdrawing the British troops MUHLENBERG. 311 from the continent of America, allo^ving inde- pendence and propose a peace. This being done I will use my interest with my comman- ders to accept the terms, and allow Great Bri- tain a free trade with America. ** My lord, I could make one more proposal ; but mj situation as a prisoner, circumscribes me within certain bounds. I must, therefore, conclude with allowing you the free liberty to make what use of this you may think proper. Think better of me. **^I am, my lord, your lordship's most humble servant. "\VM. MOULTRIE. ^< To lord Charles Montague,^^ MUHLENBERG, Peter, a brave and dis tinguished officer during the revolutionary war* Avas a native of Pennsylvania. In early life he yielded to the wishes of his venerable father, the patriach of the German Lutheran church in Pennsylvania, by becoming a minister of the Episcopal church, in which capacity he acted in an acceptable manner in Virginia, until the year 1776, when he became a member of the convention, and afterwards a colonel of a regi- ment of that state. In the year 1777, he w as appointed 'a brigadier general in the revolu- tionary army, in which capacity he acted until the termination of the war which gave liberty and independence to his country, at which time he was promoted to the rank of major gene- ral. General Muhlenberg was a particular favorite of the commander in chief, and he was one of those brave men in whose coolnesiSr decision of cliaraeter, and undaunted resola tion, he could ever rely. It has been asserted with some degree of confidence, that it was ge- neral Muhlenberg who commanded the Ameri- can storming party at Yorktown, the honor of which station has been attributed, by the dif- ferent histories of the American revolution, to another pesson. It is, however, a well known fact, that he acted a distinguished and brave part at the siege of York town. After the peace, general Muhlenberg was chosen by his fellow citizens of Pennsylvania, to fill in succession the various stations of Vice President of the supreme executive council of Pennsylvania, member of the House of Repre- sentatives, and senator of the United States ; and afterwards appointed by the president of the United States, supervisor of the excise in Pennsylvania, tind finally, collector of tlie pert of Philadelphia, which office he held at the time of liis death. In all the above military and political stations, general Muhlenberg acted faithfully to his country and honorably to himself. He was brave in the field, and firm in the cabinet. In private life he was strictly just ; in his domestic and social at- tachments, he was aflTectionate and sincere ; and in his intercourse with his fellow citizens, always amiable and unassuming. He died on the first day of October, 18Q7, in the sixty second year of his age, at his seat near Schuylkill, Montgomery county, Pennsyl- vania. NELSON, Thomas, governor of Virginia, V" - a distinguished patriot in the revolrition^ NISBET, 515 ad^ uniformly ardent in his attaciiment to li- berty. He was among tlie first of that glo- rious band of patriots, whose exertions dashed and defeated the machinations of British tyran- ny ; and gave to united America, freedom and independent empire. At a most important crisis, during the late struggle for American liberty, Avhen Virginia appeared to be dcsig- nated as the theatre of action for the contend- ing armies, he was selected by the unanimous sutfrage of the legislature to command the vir- tuous yeomanry of his country ; in which ho- norable employment, he remained to the end of the war. As a soldier, he was indefatiga- bly active, and cooly intrepid. Resolute and undejected in misfortunes, he towered above distress — and struggled with the manifold dif- iieulties, to which his situation exposed him, with constancy and courage. In tlie year 1781, when the force of the southern British army was directed to the im- mediate subjugation of that state, he was cal- led to the helm of government, and took the field at the head of his countrymen. The commander in chief, and the officers at the siege of York town, witnessed his merit and ^ittacliment to civil and religious liberty. lie died in February 1789. NISBET, Charles, d. d, first president of Dickinson college, Pennsylvania, was born in Scotland in 1737, and was. for many years mi- nister of Montrose. During the struggle be- tween Great Britain and her colonies, such was his attachment to liberty, that he dared to lift li]} his voice in favor of America. When Dick- Dd 51 i Oe^DEN— 0L>; EY, inson college was founded at Carlisle in 17^,S, he was chosen its principal, though he did not arrive in this country and enter upon the du- ties of this office till 1785. He died January 17,1804, in the sixty seventh year of his age. His imagination was lively and fertile, and his understanding equally acute and vigorous. He possessed a memory tenacious almost beyond belief, a solid judgment, and a correct taste. 'Bj unwearied study his mind was stored with general erudition and miscellaneous knowledge in a very uncommon degree. As the princi- pal of a college, as a minister of the gospel, as a true patriot, as a good man, he has not often been surpassed. OGDEN, Matthias, brigadier general m the army of the United States, took an early and a decided part in the late contest with Great Britain. He joined the army at Cam- bridge, and such was his zeal and resolution, that he accompanied ilrnold in penetrating through the wilderness to Canada. He was engaged in the attack upon Quebec and was carried wounded from the place of engage- ment. On his return from this expedition he was appointed to the command of a regiment, in which station he eontinued until the con^ elusion of the war. When peace took place he was honored by congress with a commission of brigadier general. He died at Elizabeth- town, New Jersey, March 31, 1791. He Mas distinguished for his liberality and philanthropy. OLNEY, Jeremih, commenced his milita- ry ca: eer at the earliest period of the defen- Being vilified in the public papers he in return published some severe strictures on the con- duct of the commissioners of the customs, and others of the ministerial party» A short time afterwards, on the evening of the fifth of Sep- tember 1769, he met Mr. John Robinson, one of the commissioners^ in a public room, and an affray followed, in which he was assaulted by a number of ruffians, who left him and a young gentleman, who interposed in 1>is defence, co- vered with wounds. The wounds were not mortal, but his usefulness was destroyed, for his reason was shaken from its throne, and the great man in ruins lived several years the grief of his friends. In an interval of reason he for- gave the men, who had done him an irreparable injury, and relinquished the sum of live thou^ saiid pounds sterling, which Mr. Robinson had D d 2. . SIS PAGE. been by a civil process adjudged to pay, on his' signing a humble acknowledgment. He lived to see but not fully to enjoy the independence of America, an event, towards which his efforts had greatly contributed. At length on the twenty third day of May 1783, as he was lean- ing on his cane at the door of Mr. Osgood's house in Andover, he was struck by a flash of lightning ; his soul was instantly liberated from its shatteried tenement, and sent into eternity. He has left a character that will never die, while the memory of the American revolution' remains ; whose foundation he laid with an en- ergy, and with those masterly abilities which but few possessed. PAGE, John, governor of Virginia, was a iirm patriot, a statesman, a philosopher, and a christain. From his youth he was a man of pure and unblemished life. From the first commencement of the American revolution to the last hour of his life, he exhibited a firm, inflexible, unremitting, and ardent attachment to his country, and he rendered her very im- portant services. He was one of the first re- presentatives from Virginia under the present' constitution of the United States. In 1800 he- was chosen one of the electors of pi^esident. In 1802 he was chosen governor of Virginia in the place, it is believed, of Mr. Monroe. He died at Richmond October 11, 1808, in the sixty fifth year of his age. His conduct was marked by uprightness in all the vicissitudes of life, iw the prosperous and calamitous tin.es, througli which he had passed, in seasons of gladness and of affliction. PAINE. SIO- PAINE, Thomas, author of Common Sense^ Tlic Crisis, Rights of Man, &c. &c. was born in England, 1737, and died at New-York, 1809, aged seventy two. The education and early life of Thomas Paine, differed in nothing from that of any other intelligent enterprising young me- chanic. As soon as he had acquired a know- ledge of his trade he left his native tow n lliet - ford, in Notinghamshire, and went to London, with na higher (apparent) ambition tlmn that of establishing himself in business as a master- stay maker. He next went to sea in a British privateer ; aftCF that he Avas an exciseman and^ a grocer. He emigrated to this country by the advice of Doctor Franklin, in the year 1775, and here his literary and political careercom- menced. The poj^islarity of his writings and bis eloquent speeches during the revolutionary war in this country, rendered him, in many in- stances, a useful auxiliary to the army. The great and most striking feature in the charac- ter of Thomas Paine, is that intellectual cour^ age, that bold decision, and unAvavering confi- dence in his own powers, which enable the pos- sessor coolly to mark out with the eye his des- tined course, and then to advance with firm and steady step careless of consequence, and fear- less of pu^'lic opinion. The circumstances of the world so unaccountably fiekle, so ready to change order into anarchy, and then anarchy into (lespotism, exceedingly favored the system^ ef Paine, particularly in Europe. Asto the im- pious folly which Paine pub]ished on the sub= ject of religion, let it silently pass into ih^ ^^fave with its wofully deluded. author.^. 3Z0 PENDLETON— PIERCE. PENDLETON, Edmund, a distinguished statesman of Virginia, was a member oi the iii'st congress in 177i, and was again appointed at the next choice, but in August 1775 he de- clined a tiiird election on account of his ill beaith. Jle v/as for many years one of the judges of the court of appeals of Virginia, and was its president at the time of his death. In 1787 he was appointed president of the conven- tion of Virginia, which met to consider the con- stitution of the United States, and he exerted his talents in favour of its adoption. After the government was organized he was in 17S9 ap- pointed by president Washington distrisct judge for Virginia, but he declined this office. He died at Richmond October 26, 1803, in the eighty third year of his age. PIERCE, John, Paymaster general during ilic revolutionary war, was a native of Connec- ticut. He was instructed in the learned lan° guages, and instituted in the rudiments of po* lite literature, at que of those grammer schools which are established by government, in every county town, in ihe state of Connecticut. He afterwards read law with an attorney, and was admitted to the practice, at the commencement i>f the late war. .But finding, from the turbu- lence of the times> that the prospect was unfa- vorable at the bar, and that his services might be useful with the army, he went as a clerk in a commissary-s store at the northward. — From thence he became an assistant in the pay office of the separate army, in tlie same liepartment. The junction of the three corpse, ^;;hich had served the year befoj^e separately,, PIERCE. S%± under tlic orders of general Washington, gene- ral Putnam and general Gates, at the AVhite Plains in 1778 ,* aml|the consequent resignation of colonel Trumbull, liis principal, left him in the character of a deputy to colonel Palfry, the paymaster general, at the head quarters of the main army. Tlie tide in human affairs at length brought ^|[r. Pierce to the moment, which was to prove the crisis of his fortunes. When colonel Pal- fry was appointed consul general to France^ several gentlemen of fair pretensions, were candidates for filling the first seat in the pay- ©flice, wliieli had thus heeome vacant. Kor will it easily be comprehended by those who are possessed of European ideas, respecting the disposal of ministerial appointments, how a young man, like Mr. Pierce, who had risen from a low station on the civil staff, without friends, should have been nominated to an of- iice of so much trust and importance. It was his lot to have conducted the whole business with the main army for some time before the vacancy took place ; and fortunately for him, the advantages to be derived from a manly un- derstanding, indefatigable application' and in- flexible honesty,, were known and appreciated. T'>e commander in cliief, impressed with an idea that Mr. Pierce would perform the duties with great fidelity and ability, interested him- self somewhat on the occasion. While the matter was yet depending before congress^ his excellency wrote recommendatory letters to some of his private correspondents, and had reasou to be perfectly satisfied with the result o 322 PIERCE. On the irtli of January, 1781, Mr. Pierce was elected pay-master general ; and, before the dissolution of the army, commissioner for settling their accounts. His conduct, in trans- acting the complicated business winch devolv- ed upon him, fully justified the confidence that had been reposed in him, by these appoint- ments. The trouble, in the former, >vas infi- nitely accumulated by the poverty of the mili- tary chest and the defect of regular payments. It is known that the want of money to dis- charge the arrears, left an unsettled account between the public and every individual, who belonged to the army. These accounts were liquidated, and certificates of the balances were signed in the hand writing of Mr. Pierce. This was a most arduous task, in the accom- plishment of which, innumerable perplexities and embarrasments must have occurred. No stronger testimony can be adduced of his clear- ness in stating the accounts, independence in rejecting improper claims, and candor in al- lowing such as had a title to admission, than the approbation of congress, the board of trea- sury, the officers and privates of the army. Mr. Pierce died at New York, in August, 1788. He was about fiye feet seven inches high, of a slender form, delicate constitution, thin visage, pale complexion, aquiline nose, and piercing eyes. The jostlings of an army quickly rubbed off the rough points of rusti- city : and the habits of society soon made his deportment appear not only unembarrassed and easy, but even, to a certain degree, engaging attd graceful. It was observable that our PREBLE. 3^3 young officers profited -by their opportunities in a wonderful manner : so that the captains, the subalterns of the military staif, at the close of the war, would not, perhaps, have suffered by a comparison with officers of a similar grade, in any service of Europe. Our republic never had a more faithful offi- cer in its service ; and the nation, which were as ably served, will find occasion to applaud its good fortune. His friends were witnesses to the sensibility of an undisguised soul, and approved the tenor of a private life Avithout a stain. His life will furnish a practical lesson of virtue rewarded, and a grateful incitement to our young countrymen, who may hereafter be engaged in public affairs, to persist in the career of patriotism. While one life after an- other, of those who have served their country, in various stations, during the revolntion, be- comes extinct ; it is a tender and melancholy duty for their surviving associates to drop a tear over their graves, and to draw such true, though unembellished likenesses, of the de- parted patriots, as may serve to keep their merits in remembrance, long after their pe- rishable part shall have been mingled with its congenial dust. PREBLE, Edward, commodore in the American navy, was born August 15, 1761, in Portland, Massachusetts. From early childhood he discovered a strong disposition for hazards and adventures, and a firm, resolute, and per- severing temper. In his youth he became a mariner on board a merchant vesseL S2t. .FliEBLE- In the year 1779 he became midshipman m the state ship Protector, twenty-six guns, com- manded by that brave olRccr, John Forstcr Williams, who has always spoken with empha- sis of the courage and good conduct of Mr. Preble, while in his ship. On the first cruise of the Protector, she en- gaged off New bundland, the letter of marque Admiral Duff, of 36 guns. It was a short but hard fought action. The vessels were con- stantly very near and much of the time along side, so that balls were thrown from one to the other by hand. The Duff struck, but taking fire about the same time, she in a few minutes blew up. Between thirty and forty of her peo- ple were saved and taken on board the Protec- tor, where a malignant fever soon spread and carried off two thirds of captain Williams's crew. He returned to an eastern port, and landing his prisoners and recruiting his men, sailed on a second cruise. Falling in with a British sloop of war and frigate, the Protector was captured. The principal officers were ta- ken to England^ but Preble, by the interest of a friend of his father, colonel William Tyng, obtained his release at New York and return- ed to his friends. He then entered as first lieutenant on board the sloop of war Winthrop, captain George Lit- tle, who had been captain Williams's second in command in the Protector, had scaled the walls of his prison at Plymouth, and with one other person escaping in a wherry to France, took passage thence to Boston. "PREBLE. ■ 3^ One of Mr. Preble's exploits, Avhile in this station, has been often mentioned as an instance of daring courage and cool intrepidity not less than of good fortune. He boarded and cut out an English armed brig of superior force to tlie Winthrop lying in Penobscot harbor, under cir- cumstances which justly gave the action great eclat. Little had taken the brig's tender, from whom he gained such information of the situa- tion of the brig, as made him resolve to attempt seizing on her by surprise. He run her along lide in the night, having prepared forty men to jump into her dressed in white frocks, to ena- ble them to distinguish friend from foe. Com- rng e!os8 upon her he was hailed by the enemy, who, a^ v/as said, supposed the AYintlirop must be her tender, and who cried out, "you will run aboard" — He answered, **I am coming aboard," and immediately Preble with four- teen men sprung into the brig. The motion of the vessel was so rapid that the rest of the forty destined for boarding missed their oppor* tunity. Little called to his lieutenant <^ will you not have more men ?" *« No," he answer- ed with great presence of mind and a loud voice, ^* we have more than we want; we stand in each other's way." Those of the enemy's crew who were on deck chieiiy leap- ed over the side, and others belov/ from the cabin window and swam to the shore, which was within pistol shot. Preble instantly en- tering the cabin found the ofiicers in bed or just rising : he assured them tliey were his prisoners and that resistance was vain, and if attempted/ would be fatal to them. Believing Ee ^m PREBLE. they were surprised and mastered by superii»r numbers they forbore any attempt to rescue the vessel and submitted. Tbe troops of tbc enemy marched down to the sbore, and com- menced a brisk tiring >Yith muskets, and the battery opened a cannonade, which, however, was too liigh to take effect. In the mean time tlie captors beat their prize out of the harbor, •exposed for a considerable space to volleys of musketry, and took her in triumph to Boston. Lieutenant Preble continued in tbe Win- throp till the peace of 1783. In 1801 he had the command of the frigate Essex, in which he performed a voyage to the East Indies, for tlie protection of our trade. In 1804, he was appointed commodore, with a squadron of seven sail, and he soon made his passage to the 3Iediterranean with the design of humbling the Tripolitan barbarians. He, with commodore Rodgers, (who commodore Preble succeeded) and captain Bainbridge, took such measures Avitli regard to the empe- ror of Morocco, as led to a peace. The com- modore in giving an account to his govern- ment of his proceedings, observed "In the whole of this business I have advised witli co- lonel Lear, Mr. Simpson, and commodore Rod- gers. I am confident we have all been actuated by the same motive the good of our country." Commodore Preble having nothing at pre- sent to fear from Morocco, directed his prin- cipal attention to Tripoli. He ordered the frigate Philadelphia, captain Bainbridge,* and * Who now commands the frigate Constitution, and who on the 29th December 1312, after an action of aii PBEBLE: ^7 ^le schooner Vixen, to the coast of Tripoli, and formerly declared tltjc blockade of that place, and sent notice of the fact to the res- pective neutral powers. On the 31st of Octo- ber, the Philadelphia frigate, after pursuing a Tripolitan corsair till she came to seven fa- thoms water, in beating* off, she ran on a rock, not laid down in any chart, about four and a half miles from the town. Every exertion to get her off proved ineffectual. Meanwhile she was attacked by numerous gun-boats, which she withstood for four hours, whilst the careening of the ship made the guns totally useless. A reinforcement coming off, and no possible means of resisting them appearing, the captain sub- mitted to the horrid necessity of striking to his barbarous enemy. They took possession of the ship, and made prisoners of the officers and men, in number three hundred, with robbery, Tiolence, and insult. In forty-eight hours, the wind blowing in shore, the Tripolitans were able to get off the frigate, and having raised her guns, towed her into the harbor of Tripo- li. The commodore apprehended the worst from this diminution of his force ; a war with Tunis, and perhaps with Algiers ; at least, a protraction of the present war. He now pro- cured a number of gun-boats from the king of hour and fifty-five minutes, captured and destroyed the British frigate Java, captain Lambert, of 49 gurs. On board the Constitution there were nine killed and twen- ty-five wounded, and on board "^he Java, sixty lulled and one hundred and one (another account says) one hun- dred and seventy wounded. Captain Lambert was mortally wounded, and died three days alter the actionV 328 l*ilEBLE Kaples, and proceeded to the attack of Tri- poli. February 3, 1804, lieutenant Stephen Deca- tur,* with seventy volunteers in the Intrepid, and accompanied by the Syren, sailed for Tri- poli, with a view to destroy, as they could not in any event expect to bring out, the frigate Philadelphia. On the 16th, the service was accomplished in the most gallant manner.^ — JLfieutenant Decatur entered the harbor of Tri- poli in the night ; and laying his vessel along side the frigate, boarded and carried her against all opposition. A large number of men were on board, of whom twenty or thirty were slain, and the remainder driven over the side, excepting one boat's crew, which escap- ed to the shore, and one person made prisoner. The assailants then set fire to her and left her. She was soon in a complete blaze, and was to- tally consumed. The frigate lay within half ^un shot of the castle and the principal batte- ry, with her guns mounted and loaded, and two corsairs, full of men, were riding very near. We had none killed, and only one wounded. * Now, captain Decatur, who commands the frigate United States, and who, on the 25th October, 1812, after an action of an hour and an half, captured and brought safe into port, the British frigate Macedo- nian, captain Garden, of 49 cariiage guns, (the odd gun shifting) two years old, and one of the largest class. On board the United, States there were five killed and seven wounded, and on board the Macedo* oi^n thirty-six killed and sixty-eight wounded. PREBLE. 329 !lProm tliis time till the bombardment of Tri- poli, the commodore was occupied in cruising, in keeping up the blockade of the Tripoline harbor, and in making preparations for an at- tack. He took the utmost pains to convey supplies and information to captain Bainbridge and his officers and men ; and after a time, by means of the good offices of sir Alexander Ball, succeeded. He tried several tim.es to ncgociate for a ransom and treaty^ but the demands of the regency were sometimes ridi- culously extravagant, and when lowest, beyond what he thought himself permitted to accord. The designs of warfare he liad entertained were checked by a solicitude for a release of his countrymen ; though he may by some per- sons, perhaps, be thought to^liave indulged too far his aversion to the payment of a considera- ble rajisom. He found himself able to make their situation as comfortable as the nature of it would admit ; and he believed that the in- iufliction of suffering and terror, when the time should come upon the enemy, would not produce, as it did not, any long continued ag- gravation of the evils of their condition, whilst it would essentially serve his country. Indeed aft' r the destruction of the Philadelphia, the bashaw at first affected, to avenge himself by a severer treatment of the captives ; but this was not long persisted in.^ It was supposed that in case of a formidable attack on the town, the worst that would happen to them wold be to be taken into the country for safe keeping. s e g: 330 PREBLE. The commodore having ohtained a loan from the king of Naples, of six gun-boats and two ?jomb vessels, completely fitted for service, on the 31st July he joined the detachment off Tripoli. His force consisted of the frigate Constitution, Brigs Argus, captain Hull,* Sy- ren and Scourge, and schooners Vixen, Nau- tilus and Enterprize. Six gun-boats of one brass twenty-six pounder each ; and two bom- bard ketches, each carrying a thirteen inch mortar ; the whole number of men one thou- sand and sixty. The enemy had on his castle and several bat- teries, one hundred and fifteen guns ; fifty -five ©f which were heavy battering brass cannon ; the others long eighteen and twelve pounders; nineteen gun-boats, with eacli a long brass eighteen or twenty-four pounder in the bow, and two howitzers abaft. He had two schoon- ers of eight guns each, a brig of ten, and two gallics, having each four guns. In addition to the ordinary Turkish garrison, stationed upon the fortifications, and the crews of the boats and armed vessels, computed at about three thousand, the bashaw had called into the de- fence of his city more than twenty thousand Arabs. These forces were arranged in the positions best adapted for repelling an attack, * Who, in the Constitution frigate, on the 19th of August, 1812, after all action of thirty minutes, cap- tured and destroyed the British frigate Guerriere, cap- tain Dacres, of 49 guns. On board the Constitution ihere were seven killed and seven wounded, and on board the Guerriere fifteen killed and sixty-four wounded. PREBLE. SSI and also for seizing the occasion of falling upon any detachment of the invading force, which could he drawn from the main hody. The weather prevented the squadron from approaching the enemy till the 28th, when after anchoring within 2 1-2 miles of his line of defence, the wind suddenly shifted and in° creased to a gale. They were compelled to weigh and gain an oiBng. On the first of Au- gust the gale suhsided, and the squadron on the third (the weather being pleasant and the wind at east,) at noon were within two or three miles of the batteries, which were all closely manned. The commodore observing that several of the enemy's boats had taken a station without the reef of rocks which cover the entrance of the harbor, about two miles from its bottom, resolved to take advantage of this circum- stance, and made signal for the squadron to come within speaking distance, when he com- municated to the several commanders his in- tention of attacking the shipping and batteries^ The gun and mortar boats were immediately manned and prepared to cast off. The gun boats in two divisions of three each — the first division under captain Somers on board No. 1, with lieutenant James Decatur in No. 2, and lieutenant Blake in No. 3. The second divi- sion under captain Decatur in No. 4, with lieu- tenant Bainbridge in No. 5, and lieutenant Trippe in No. 6. The two bombards were com- manded by lieutenant commandant Dent, and by Mr. Robinson, first lieutenant of the corn- moilorc's ship. At half past one o'clock the 332 PREBLlih squadron stood for the batteries ; at two cast off the gun boats ; at half past two signal fov the bombs and boats to advance and attack, and in fifteen minutes after, signal was given for general action. It was commenced by the bombs throwing shells into the town. In an instant the enemy's lines opened a tremendous fire from not less than two hundred guns, which was promptly returned by the wliolc squadron now within musket shot of the prin- cipal batteries. At this moment captain Decatur with his three gun boats, attacked the enemy's eastern division consisting of nine. He was soon in the centre of them, and the fire of grape, lan- grage and musketry, was changed to a deadly personal combat with the bayonet, spear, sabre and tomahawk. Captain Decatur grappled one of the enemy's boats and boarded with but fifteen men. lie parried the blows of five Turks, who fell upon him witli scimeters, so as to receive no injury, till a blow from the boat's captain, a powerful Turk, cleft his blade in two. He instantly closed with the Turk, but overpowered by muscular strength, he fell under him across the gimnel of the boat. In this position he drew a side pistol and killed his antagonist. Meantime his sergeant and a marine soldier, -seeing his danger,, flew to his relief and engaged and slew the other four as- sailants. By tliis time the other thirteen men had vanquished the residue of the crew, thirty- one in number, and the boat's colors were haul- ed down. Captain Decatur left this boat in charge of an officer, and immediately witli PREBLE. 333 lieutenant M'Donougli, and eight men beside himself, laid another boat on board, ^vhich he carried after a desperate and bloody encounter of a few minutes. The fierce desperation of the Arnout Turks, who value themselves on never yielding, made the slaughter of the ene- iny in these conflicts immense. The two pri- 'zas of captain Decatur Iiad thirty-three offi- cers and men killed, and twenty-seven made prisoners, nineteen of whom w ere severely wounded. Lieutenant Trlppe boarded one of the ene- my's large boats with only a midshipman, Mr. Jonathan Henley, and nine men. His boat falling off before any more could join him, he was left to conquer or perish with the fearful odds of eleven to thirty-six. In a few minutes,, however, though for a moment the victory seemed dubious, the enemy was subdued ; four- teen of them lost their lives and tweuty-two submitted to be prisoners ; seven of whom were badly wounded. Lieutenant Trippe re- ceived eleven sabre wounds, some of which were deep and dangerous. The blade of his sword also yielded. He closed with the ene- my ; both fell, but in the struggle, Trippe wrested the Turk's sword from him, and with it pierced his body. Mr. Henley in this ren- counter displayed a valor joined to a coolness that wouhl have honored a veteran^ Lieuten- ant Bainbridge had his lateen yard shot away, wliich baffled his utmost exertions to get along side the enemy's boats ; but his active and well directed fire within musket shot was very ef- fective. At one time he had in his ardour push- 33i PUEBLE. ed forward so that Lis boat grounded witliiii pistol shot of one of tlie enemy's formidable batteries, and where he was exposed to vol- leys of musketry. But by address and cour- age he extricated himself from this situation, and so ill directed was the enemy's fire, with- out receivin'g any injury. Captain Somers was not able to fetch far enough to windward to co-operate with Deca- tur. But he bore down upon the leeward di- vision of the enemy, and with his single boat within pistol shot attacked five full manned boats, defeated and drove them in a shattered condition and with the loss of many lives un- der shelter of the rocks. Lieutenant Decatur in No. 2, engaged with one of the enemy's largest boats, which struck after the loss of the greatest part of her merr. At the moment this brave young oificer was stepping on board his prize, he was shot througli the head by the Turkish captain, who by this means escaped, whilst the Americans were re- covering the body of their unfortunate com^ mander. The two bomb vessels kept their station, al- though often covered with the spray of the sea occasioned by the enemy's shot. They kept up a constant fire and threw a great num- ber of shells into the town. Five of the ene- my's gun boats and two gallies composing their centre division, stationed within the rocks, joined by the boats which had been driven in, and reinforced, twice attempted to row out and surround our gun boats, and prizes. They were so often foiled by the vigilaaee of the FREBLE. S^^ tieuiiiiodore, avIio gave signal to the brigs and schooners to cover them, which was properly attended to by these vessels, all of whieliwere gallantly conducted and annoyed the enemy ex- ceedingly. The fire of the Constitution had its ample share in this bombardment. It kept the eneujy's ilotilla in constant disorder and produced no inconsiderable eifect on shore. — The frigate was constantly in easy motion ; and always found where danger threatened to defeat the arrangements of the day. Several times she was within two cables' length of the roeks and three of the batteries, every one of which were successively silenced as often as her broadside could be brought to bear on them; but having no large vessels to secure these advantages, when circumstances com- pelled her to change her position, the silenced batteries were reanimated. AVe suffered most^ says the commodore, when wearing or tacking. It was then I most sensibly felt the want of another frigate. At half past four the wind inclining to the northward, and at the same time the enemy's ftotilla having retreated behind coverts which yfiielded them from our sliot, whilst our people were necessarily mnch exhausted by two hours and a half severe exertion, signal was given for the gun boats and bombs to retire from ac- tion ; and immediately after to the brigs and schooners to take the gun boats and their pri- zes in tow, which was handsomely executed, the whole covered by a heavy fire fiom the Constitution. In fifteen minutes the squadron was out ofcreach of the enemy's shot and the 336 PREBLE. commodore hauled off to give tow to the homb- ketches. The squadron were more than two hours within grape shot distance of the enemy's bat- leries, and under a constant fire. But the da- mage received was in no proiiortion to the ap- parent danger; or to the effect produced by the assailants. The frigate took a thirty-two pound shot in her mainmast, about thirty feet from the deck, her sails and rigging were con- siderably cut; one of her quarter deck guns was injured by a round shot which burst in pieces and shattered a mariner's arm, but not a man was killed on board of lier. The other vessels and boats suffered in their rigging and had sundry men wounded, but lost none except lieutenant Decatur, the brother of the captain Decatur, so conspicuous in this war. Several circumstances explain this impunity of our squadron. Where the engagement was close as with the boats the impetuosity of the attack as well as our more dexterous use of the wea- pons of destruction overpowered and appalled the enemy. The barbarians are unskilful gun- ners. The shower of grape shot annoyed and discomposed them rn the application of what little skill they possessed. The assailing party were so near as to be overshot by the batte- ries ; especially as the managers of the guns were so fearful of exposing their heads above the parapets as easily to oversight their object, t^Gvy different was the result of this conflict to the enemy. The American fire was not an empty peal, but a messenger of death in every direction. The three captured boats had one PREBLE. ^r liUiiilred and three men on board, forty-sevcR of whom were killed, twenty-six wounded, and thirty only fit for duty. Three other boats were suak with their entire erews, and the decks of their vessels in the harbor were swept of numbers. The effect on shore was not so great as in the shipping, but still such as to spread consternation. Several Turks were killed and wounded, and many guns of the forts dismounted, and the town was conside- rably damaged. The burning of the Philadelphia could not Hiil to make the bashaw and his people appre- hend something serious from the present com- mander. When the squadron was seen stand- ing in, however, he affected contempt, and sur- veying them from his palace, observed, " they will mark their distance for tacking ; they are a sort of Jews, who have no notion of fighting." The palace and terraces of the houses were co- vered with spectators to see the chastisement ihc bashaw's boats would give the squadron, if they approached too near. This exultation was very transient. The battle was scarcely joined, when no one was seen on shore, except on the batteries. Many of the inhabitants iled into the country, and the bashav/, it is said, retreated with his priest to his bomb proof r^om. An intelligent officer of the Philadel phia tlien in captivity, observes that ihQ Turks asked if those men that fought so, were Ame- ricans or infernals in cliristian shape sent to destroy the sons of the prophet. Tlic English, French and Spanish consuls, say they, have inld us that Uicv are a young nation, and go>* pf ' .53-S PREBLE. vthcip independence by means of France ; thiit they had a small navy and their oiHoers were inexperienced, and that they were merely u nation of merchants, and tiiat by taking their ships and men we should get great ransoms. — Instead of this, their Preble pays us a coin of shot, shells, and hard blows, and sent a Deca- tur in a dark night with a band of christian dogs, fierce and cruel as the tyger, who killed our brothers and burnt our ships before our eyes. On the 5tU August the commodore prevailed on a French privateer which had left Tripoli that morning, to return with fourteen wounded Tripolines, whose wounds had been carefully dressed, and whom the commodore sent with a letter to the bashaw's minister. These prison- ers, it is said, informed the prince that the Americans in battle were fiercer than lions, but. in the treatment of their captives were even more kind than the mussulman. The barbarian at first misunderstood the motive of sending these men, but afterwards professed to be pleased with the act, and said if he took Hjny wounded Americans, thiy should be like- wise returned ; but he would not restore any of the Philadelpiiia's crew. On the 7th the privateer returned with a letter from the French consul signifying that the bashaw had very much lowered his tone ; and would pi*o- bably treat on reasonable terms. But nothing definite or saisfactory being proposed by the enemy, and the terms intimated being higher than the commander was willing or felt autho- s'ised to make, he prepared for a second attack. PEEBLE. 33^ The bomb vessels under lieutenants Crane and Thorn were to take a station in a small bay west of the town, whence they could distress the town, without being much exposed them- selves ,* the gun boats were to be opposed to a seven gun battery, and the brigs and schooners to support them in case the enemy's flotilla should venture out. At half past two the as- sault was made. Within two hours six of the seven guns were silenced. Forty-eight shells and about five hundred round shot, twenty-four pounders, were thrown into the town and bat- teries, when between five and six P. M. the squadron retired from^ction. During the en- gagement, the enemy's gun boats and gallies manoeuvred to gain a position to cut off the retreat of ours ; but the larger vessels were so arranged as to defeat their design. In this rencounter, at about half past 3, one of the prize boats was blown up by a hot shot from the enemy's battery, which passed through her magazine. She had on board twenty-eight oificers, seamen and marines, ten of whom were killed and six wounded, among the former were Mr. James Caldwell, first lieutenant of the Siren, and Mr. J. Dorsey, midshipman. Mr. Spence, midshipman and eleven men Avere taken up unhurt. It was afterwards ascertained that the ene- my suffered less at this time than on the third. The commodore had for some time contem- plated sending a fire ship into the harbor to destroy the flotilla, and at the same time throw a quantity of shells into the town. Captain Somers volunteered in this service, and with 2m FKEBLE. the assistance of lieutenants Wadsworth ami Israel, fitted out the ketch Intrepid for this expedition. An hundred barrels of gun pow- der, and one hundred and fifty fixed shells were placed in the hold, with fuses and combusti- bles so applied as to fire them without endan- gering tlie retreat of the adventurers. On the evening of the fourth September, captain So- mers chose two fast rowing boats from the squadron, to bring off the people, having fired the vessel. His own boat was manned by four seamen from the Nautilus with lieutenant Wadsworth and six men from the Constitu- tion. At eight they parted from the squadron and stood into the harbour, convoyed by the Argus, Vixen, and Nautilus to within a sliort distance of the batteries. Having gained the inner harbour, and near at the point of desti- nation, she was boarded and carried by two gallies of one hundred men each. At this mo- ment, she exploded. The effect was awful. — Every battery wa« silenced and not a gun was iired afterwards during t- e night. Captain Somers is said to have declared to a friend that in case he should be boarded, as was apprehen- sive, he would not be captured. There is every reason to believe that on the enemy proving successful, the captain seized a quick match and touched a train which communicated in- stant fire to the mine ; by which he and his brave companions found with the enemy a com- mon death. Nothing occurred after this till the two squadrons joined on the ninth of September. — j^ere ended Mr. Preble's command, so honor- PKEBL^o 341 able to Limself, and in both its immediate and distant consequences important to his country. After the squadron joined the commodore ob- tained leave to return home, which he was the more willing to do, as it would give the com- mand of a frigate to captain Decatur. The officers joined hi an address to their late com- mander, containing the strongest expressions of attachment and respect. The congress of the United States voted the thi^nks of the na- tion and an emblematical medal, which were presented bj the piesident with empiiatic de- clarations of esteem aud admiration. When the consmodore returned he was re- ceived and treated every where with distin- guished attention. His countrymen showed that they were proud of his fame, and grateful for his services. From this time he was con- sulted and employed by the government in the management of their naval concerns. Peace was the next year made with Tripoli and tlie prisoners ransomed. He died on the 25th August, 1807, in the 46th year of his age^ The person, air and countenance of commo- dore Preble answered to his character. His features expressed strong passions along with manly and generous feelings. His attitude was erect, yet easy and natural ; his step firm, and his whole appearance and port were noble and commanding* He had been several years married, and left a wife and one child, a son, to feel his loss and inherit the precious legacy of his honorable- aame, ^f e... .. 34^ PRIOLEAU: PRIOLEAU, Samuel, ^Yas a native cf Charleston, South Carolina. In the contest for our independence, he took an early and an active part, from which he never shrunk during the whole course of that memorahle struggle ; encountering with his countrymen a full share of its dangers ; and sustaining its vicissitudes " throughout those scenes that tried men's souls." After the fall of Charles- ton, he was numbered by the British with that band of patriots, whose constancy they attempted to subdue by the torture of exile, persecution and imprisonment. At St. Au- gustine he patiently and manfully sustained, - Avith his compatriots, all the siifJerings and in- dignities heaped upon them by the enemy.; while his wife and family of young children, stripped of all their means, were banished from their home, and transported to Phila- delphia. Firm, amidst these storms of ad- versity, he disdained to purchase from the enemy the smallest immunity or mitigation for himself or family, by abating a single sentiment in favor of his country, or by ceas- ing to be a bold and exemplary advocate for her independence. After the revolution he repaired, by a course of unabating industry, the ravages it had ma^ie on his fortune ; and maintained to the end of life the character of an honest upright man. In his private rela- tions he was justly endeared for his affection, tenderness, indulgence, and beneficence,* the* impressions of which will bmg remain, after ^le lenient hand of time shall have assuaged; PULASKI. 345 the poignancy of grief for the loss of siieh a husband, father and friend. He died in Charleston, on the 23d Marchj 1813, in the seventy-first year of his age. PULASKI, (eoiir>t.) This gallant soldier was a native of Poland, whose disastrous his- tory is well known. Vainly struggling to re- store the lost independence of his country, he was forced to seek personal safety by its aban- donment. Piilaski, with a few men, in the yeai* 1771, carried off king Stanislaus from the mid-^ die of his eapitol, though surrounded by a nu^ merous body of guards, and a Russian army.— The king soon escaped and declared Pulaski aw outlaw. Hearing of the glorious struggle in which we were engaged, he hastened to the wilds of America, and associated himself with our perils and our fortune. Congress honared him with the commission of brigadier general) with a view, as was rumored, of placing him at the head of the American cavalry, the line of service in which he had been bred. But his ignorance of our language, and the distaste of our officers to foreign superiority, stifled this project. He was then authorised to raise a legionary coi^)s, appointing his own officers. Indefatigable and persevering, the count collected about twa hundred infantry and two hundred horse, made up of all sorts, chiefly of german deserters. His officers were gene- rally foreign, with some Americans. With this assemblage, the count took the field i and after serving some time in the norlhensr army, he was sent to the south, and fell at^ the battle of Savannah, He was sober, dili^ 34* PULASKI. gent and intrepid, gentlemanly in his man* ners, and amiable in iieart. He was very re- servtjd, and, when alone, betrayed strong evi- dence of deep melancholy. Those who knew him intimately, spoke highly of the sublimity of his virtue, and the constancy of his friend- ship. Commanding' this heterogeneous corps badly equijiped ami worse mounted, this brave Pole encountered diillicully and sought danger. Nor have I the smallest doubt if he had been conversant in our larsguage, and better ac- quainted with our customs and country, but that he would have become one of our most conspicuous and useful oiRcers. General Lee, to whom we are indebted for this sketcli, gives the following account in his memoirs, of the attack on Savannah, where it Avill be found the intrepid Pulaski snade a gal- lant effort to retrieve the fortune of the day. " On the ninth of Octolier, 1779, the allied troops under the cou^it d'Estaing and general Lincoln, moved to the assault. The serious stroke having been committed to two columns, one was led by d'Estaing and Lincoln united, the other by count Dillon ; the third column moved upon the enemy's centre and left, first to attract attention, and lastly to press any advantage which might be derived from the assault by our left. <« The troops acted well their parts and the issue hung for some time suspended. Dillon's column, mistaking its route in the darkness of the morning, failed in co-operation, ax! very much reduced the force of the attack ; while d'Estaing and Lincoln, concealed by the- PULASKI. ^B same darkness, drew with advantage near the enemy's lines undiscovered. Notwithstanding this loss of concert in assault hy the two co^ limns destined to carry the enemy, noble and determined was the advance. The front of the first was greatly thinned by the foe, sheK tered in his strong and safe defences, and aided by batteries operating not onlv in front but ia flank. ^* Regardless of the fatal fire from their co- vered enemy, this unappalled column, led bj Lincoln and d'Estaing, forced the abbatis and planted their standards on the parapet. AH was gone, could this lodgment have been sus- tained. Maitland's comprehensive eye saw the menacing blow; and his rigorous mind seized the means of warding it off. He drew from the disposable force, the grenadiers and ma- rines, nearest to the point gained. This unit- ed corps under lieutenant colonel Glazier as- sumed with joy the arduous task to recover the lost ground. With unimpaired strength it fell upon the worried head of the victo- rious column ; who,^ though piercing the ene- my in one point, had not spread atong the pa- rapet ; and the besieged bringing up superior force, victory was suppressed in its birth. — The triumphant standards were torn down ; and the gallant soldiers, who had gone so far towards the goal of conquest, Avere tumbled into the ditch and driven through the abbatis. About the time that Maitland was preparing this critical movement, count Pulaski, at the head of two hundred horse, threw himself upon the works to force his way into the ea^ S46 PUTNAM. my's rear. Receiving a mortal woimd, thh brave officer fell ; and his fate arrested the gallant effort wliicli might have changed the issue of the day. Repulsed in every point of attack, the allied generals drew off their troops. The retreat was effected in good or- der ; no attempt to convert it into rout being luads by the British general. Count d'Estaing, who, with general Lincoln, had courted dan- ger to give effect to the assault, was wound- ed. Captain Tawes, of the provincial troops, signalized himself by his intrepidity in defend- ing the redoubts committed to his charge, the leading points of our assault. He fell dead at the gate, with his sword plunged into the body of the third enemy, whom he had slain." Pulaski died two days after the action, and congress resolved that a monument should be erected to his memory. PUTNAM, IsRAEi., a major general in the army of the United States, was born at Salem, Massachusetts^ January 7, 1718. His mind was vigorous, but it was never cultivated by education. When he for the first time went to Boston, he was insulted for his rusticity by a boy of twice his size. After bearing his sar- casms until his good nature was exhausted, he attacked and vanquished tlie unmannerly fellow to the great diversion of a crowd of spectators. In running, leaping, and wrestling, he almost always bore away the ]mze. In 1739 he re- moved to Pomfret, in Connecticut, where he cultivated a considerable tract of land. He had however to encounter many difficulties, and among his troubles the depredations of. PUTNAM. 347 n'olTes upon liis slieepfold was not the least. — In one night seventy fine sheep and goats Were killed. A she wolf, who, with her annual wiielps had for several years infested the vici- nity, being considered as the principal cause of the havoc, Mr. Putnam entered into a combi- nation with a number of his neighbors to hunt alternately, till they should destroy her. At length the hounds drove her into her den, and a number of persons soon collected with guns, straw, fire and sulphur, to attack the common enemy. But the dogs were afraid to approach her, and the fumes of brimstone could not force Jier from the ca ern. It was now ten o'clock at night. Mr. Putnam proposed to his black servant to descend into the cave and slioi.t the wolf; but as the negro declined, he resolved to do it himself. Having divested himself of his coat and waistcoat, and having a long rope fastened round his legs, by which he might be |>ulled back at a concerted signal, he entered the cavern head foremost with a blazing torch, made of strips of birch bark, in his hand. He descended fifteen feet, passed along horizon- tally ten feet, and then began the gradual as- cent, which is sixteen feet in length. He slowly proceeded on his hands and knees in an abode, which was silent as the house of death. Cau- tiously glancing forwards, he discovered the glaring eyeballs of the wolf, who started at the sight of his torch, gnashed her teeth, and gave a sullen growl. He immediately kicked the rope, and was drawn out with a friendly cele- rity and violence, which not a little bruised him. Loading his gun with nine buck shot^ 34« WJTNAM. ' and carrying it in one hand, while he held the torch with the other, he descended a second time. As he approached tlie wolf, she howled, rolled her eyes, snapped her teeth, dropped her head between her legs, and was evidently on the point of springing at him. At this mo- ment he fired at her head, and soon found him- self drawn out of the cave. Having refreshed himself he again descended, and seizing the wolf by her ears kicked the rope, and his com- panions above with no small exultation drag- ged them both out together. During the French war he was appointed to command a company of the first troops, which were raised in Connecticut in 1755. He ren- dered much service to the army in the neigh- borhood of Crown point. In 1756, while near Ticonderoga, he was repeatedly in the most imminent danger. He escaped in an adventure of one night with twelve bullet holes in his blanket. In August he was sent out with se- vc^ral hundred men to watch the motions of the enemy. Being ambuscaded by a party of equal numbers, a general but irregular action took place. Putnam had discharged his fusee se- veral times, but at length it missed fire while its muzzle was presented to the breast of a sa- vage. The warrior with his lifted hatchet and a tremendous war-whoop compelled him to surrender, and then bound him to a tree. In the course of the action the parties changed their position, so as to bring this tree directly between them. The balls flew by him inces- santly ; many struck the tree, and some pass- ed through his elolhcs. The enemy now gain- # f:l possession of the ground, but being after- ivards driven from the field they cfiiTietl their prisoners with them. At night he was stripp. ed, and a fire was kindled to roast him alive ; but a French ofilcer saved him. The next day he arrived at Ticonderoga, and thence he was carried to Montreal. About the year 1759 he was exchanged througli the ingenuity of his fellow prisoner, colonel Schuyler. When peac^ took place he returned to his farm. He was ploughing in his field in 1775, when he heard the news of the battle of Lexington. He im- mediately unyoked his team, left his plough oa the spot, and without changing his clothes set off for Cambridge. He soon went back to Con- necticut, levied a regiment and repaired again to the camp. In a little time he was promot- ed to the rank of major general. In the battle of Bunker's hill he exhibited his usual interpi- dity. He directed the men to reserve their fire, till the enemy was very near, reminded -them of their skill, and told them to take good aim. They did so, and the execution was terrible. After the retreat he made a stand at Winter hill and drove back the ene- my under cover of their ships. When the army was organized by general Washington at Cambridge, Putnam was appointed to com- mand tlie reserve. In August 177(5, he was stationed at Brooklyn, on Long Island. After ilie defeat of our army on the twenty-seventh of that month, he went to New York and was very serviceable in the city and neighborhood. In October or November he was sent to Phila- ilclphia to fortify that city. In January 1777 5t>0 PUTNAM. lie Avas directed to take pos4 at Princeiou. ^vhere he continued until spring. At this place a sick prisoner, a captain, requested that a friend in tlie British army at Brunswick might he sent for to assist him in making his will. Putnam was perplexetl. He had hut iifty men under his command, and he did not wish to have his weakness known ; yet he was unwilling to deny the request. He however sent a flag of truce, and tlirected the oflieer to he brought in the night. In the evening lights were placed in all the college windows, and in every apartment of the vacant houses through- out the town. The officer on his return re- ported that general Putnam's army could not eonsist of less than four or five thousand men. Tn the spring he was appointed to the coju- mand of a separate army in the highlands of New York. One Palmer, a lieutenant in the lory new levies, was detected in the camp j go- vernor Tr} on reclaimed him as a British offi- cer, threatening venji^eance if he was not rc- •^tored. General Putnam wrote the following pithy reply ; <« Sir, Nathan Palmer, a lieutenant in your king's service, was taken in my camp as a spy ; he was tried as a spy ; he was condemned as a spy ^ and he shall he hanged as a spy. Israel Putxam." •'•' P. S. Afternoon. He i^ hanged." After the loss of fort Montgomery, the com- mander in chief determined to huild another fortification, and he directed Putnam to fix upon a spot. To him helongs the praise of ; having chosen West Point, The campaign ef QUINCY. 35% 1779, which was principally spent in strength- ening the works at this place, finished the mi- litary career of Putnam. A paralytic' affec- tion impaired the activity of his hody, and he passed the remainder of his days in retire- ment, retaining his relish for enjoyment, his love of pleasantry, his strength of memory^ and all the faculties of his mind. He died at Brookline, Connecticut, May 29, 1790, aged seventy-two years. QUINCY, JosiATi, a distinguished patriot, was graduated at Harvard college in 1763, and afterwards became an eminent counsellor at law^ in Boston. He distinguished himself in 1770 by his defence with Mr. John Adams of captain Preston, who commanded the Bri- tish troops at tlie Boston massacre, and who was brought to trial in October. He opposed with firmness and zeal the arbitrary proceed- ings and claims of the British parliament. In September 177* he sailed for England at the request of several of his fellow patriots to pro- mote the interests of America^ Some interest- ing extracts from his journal are preserved by Gordon. He set sail on his return the follow- ing year, but lie died en board the vessel on the very day of its arrival at cape Ann, April 24, 4775, aged thirty-one years. He fell a vic- tim to his zeal for his country's good. Learn- ed and eloquent as a lawyer, he was also an able political writer. He published observa- tions on the act of parliament, commonly called the Boston port bill, with thoughts on civil society and standing armies, 1774. This pamphlet evir.cea-a bold and decided spirit,-- -^ 353 RANDOLPH— REEB. The author was apprehensive that a terrihk struggle was about to take place, and lie had juade up his mind for it. He closes his tract \nth saying, " America has her Bruti and Cassii, her Hamhdens and Sidneys, patriots and heroes, Avho will form a band of brothers ^ men, who will have memories and feelings, courage and swords ; courage, that shall in- flame their ardent bosoms till their hands cloave to their swords, and their swords to their enemies' hearts. RANDOLPH, Peyton, first President of Congress, was a native of Virginia, of whlcl^ colony he was attorney general as early a* 1756. In this year he formed a company of a hundred gentlemen, who engaged as volunteers. against the Indians. He was afterwards speak- er of the house of burgesses. Being appointed one of the deputies to the first congress in the year 1774, he was on the fifth of September elected its president. He was also chosen pre- sident of the second congress May 10, 1775 ; but on the twenty fourth, as he was obliged to return to Virginia, Mr. Hancock was placed in the chair. Mr. Randolph afterwards took his seat again in congress. He died at Philadel- phia of an apoplectic stroke, October 22, 1775, aged fiity two years. REED, Joseph, President of the state of Pennsylvania, was graduated at the college of New Jersey in 1757. He was appointed in '74 one of the committee of correspondence of Philadelphia, and was afterwards president of the convention. Engaging with zeal in the cause of Iris country at the commeneement of •^llA \xri\T HEED. the war witlf Great Britain, lie repaired lotlic camp at Cambridge in July 1775, and was ap- pointed aid de cair.p of Washington. In the iblloM'ing year he was made adjutant general 5 . but under the disasters of 1776 liis firmness failed him, and he was on tlie point of relin- quishing tlie cause, which he iiad engaged to support. His piivaloletters were full ofgloom, and even censured tite commander in chief for want of decision. Tlie aUVsr of Trenton how- ever, and subsequent successes revived his for- titude and courage. His firmness afterwards on trying occasions and his incorruptible inte- grity threw a veil over his m.omcntary weak- ness. In May 1778', when he was a member of congress, the tliree commissioners from En- gland arrived in America. Governor John- stone, one of them, addressed private letters to Francis Dana, Robert Morris, and Mr. Reed, to secure their influence towards the restora- tion of harmony, giving to the two latter, inti- mations of honors and emoluments. But he addressed himself to men, who were firm in their attachment to Americao Mr. Reed had a yet severer trial, for as his former despond- ence was known, direct propositions were made to him in June by a lady, supposed to be Mrs„ Ferguson, wife of Dr, Adam Ferguson, secre- tary to the Commissioners, who assured him as from governor Johnstone, tliat ten thousand pounds serling, and the best office in tlie gift of the crown in America should be at his disposal, if he could effect a reunion of the two coun- tries. He replied, " That he was not worth pi^rckasing ; hut such as he was^ the king of 35* KITTENHOUSE. Great Britain was not rich enough to do itJ^- — In October 1778 he was chosen president of Pennsylvania, and he continued in this office till October 1781. He died March 5, 1785, in the forty-third year of his age. He published remarks on governor Johnstone's speech in Parliament, with authentic papers relative to fcis proposition, 6lc. 1779 ; and remarks on a publication in the independent gazeteer, with a short address to the people of Pennsylvania, MTTENHOUSE, David, x. i. d. f. r. s. an eminent philosopher, was descended from ancestors who emigrated from Holland, and was born in Germantown, Pennsylvania, April 8, 1732. The early part of his life was spent in agricultural employment ; and his plough, the fences, and even the stones of the field were marked with figures, which denoted a talent for mathematical studies. A delicate consti- tution rendering hjra unfit for the labors of husbandry, he devoted himself to the trade of a clock and mathematical instrument-maker. Jn these arts he was his own instructor. Dur- ing his residence with his father in the coun- try, he made himself master of Newton's Prin- cipia, which he read in the English transla- tion of Mr. Mott. Here also he became ac- quainted with fiuxions, of which sublime inven- tion he believed himself, for some time, the first author. He did not know for some years afterwards, that a contest had been carried on between Newton and Leibnitz, for the honor of that great discovery. At the age of twenty- three, without education, and without advan- tages^ he became the rival of the two grcatesib RITTEiSHOtJSE. SF5- jnathematicians of Europe. In liis j'etired sf- tuation, "while working at his trade, he planned and executed an orrery, by which he represen- ted the revolutions oftlie hcaVcnly bodies, more completely than ever before had Ijeen done. — This master-piece of mechanism was purehas- ed by the college of New-Jersey. A second "was made by hiniy after the same model, for the use of the college of PhiladelpJiia, where it has commanded, for many years, the admira< iion of the ingenious and learned. In 1770, he was induced by the urgent request of some friends, who knew his merit, to exchange his beloved retirement for a residence in Philadel- phia. In this city he continued Lis employ- ment for several years ; and his clocks had a high reputation, and his mathematical instru- ments were thought superior to those imported from Europe. His first communication to the Philosophical Society of Philadelphia, of which he was elected a member, w as a calculation of the transit of Venus, so it was to happen June 3, 1769. He was one of those appointed to observe it in the township of Norriton. This phenomenon had never been seen but twice be- fore by any inhabitant of our earth, and would never be seen again by any person then living. The day arrived, and there was no cloud in the horizon; the observers, in silent and trembling anxiety, waited for the predicted moment of observation ; it came, and in the instant of contact between the planet and sun, an emo- tion of joy so powerful was excited in the breast ©f Mr. Rittenhouse, that he fainted. On the* iJtli of November following, he observed th£g S50 kitteniiouse; transit of Mercury. An account of these ob- servations Nvas publislied in the transactions of tlie Society. In 1775, he was appointed one of the commissioners for settling; a territorial dispute betVicen Pennsylvasiia and Virginiaj and to his talents, moderation, and firmness was ascribed in a great degree its satisfactory adjustment, in 1785. He assisted in determin- ing the western limits of Pennsylvania in 1784. and the northern line of the same state in 1786, He was also called upon to assist in fixing the boundary line between Massachusetts and New York, in 1787. In his excursions through the T^iiderness he carrie(t with him his habits of inquiry and observation. Nothing in our moun- tains, "soils, rivers, and springs, escaped bis no- tice. But the only records of wlmt he col- lected are private letters, and the memoirs of his friends. In 1791, he was chosen president of the Philosophical Society, as successor to Dr. Franklin, and was annually re-elected, till his death. His unassuming dignity secured to him respect. Soon ofter he accipted the pre- sident's chair he made to the Society a dona- tion of tliree hundicd pounds. He held the oiTice of treasurer of Pennsylvania, by an an- nual and unanimous vote of tlie legislature, from 1777 to 1789. In this period he declined purchasing the smallest portion of the public debt of the state, lest his integrity should be impeached. In 1792, he accepted the oiRice of director of the mint of the United States, but his ill state of health induced him to resign it m 1795. When the solitude of his study was I'&ndcred less agreeable by his indisposition,- RITTENHOUSE. 3^7 iTiaii iii former years, he passed Lis evenings in reading or conversing \vith his wife and daughters. In his last illness, which was acute and short, he retained the usual patience and benevolence of his temper. He died June 26, 1796, in the sixty-fifth year of his age, in the full belief of the Christian religion, and in the anticipation of clearer discoveries of the per- fections of God, in the eternal world. He was a man of extensive knowledge. Being inti- mately acquainted with the French, German r«;nd Dutch languages, he derived from them the discoveries of foreign nations. His mind was the repository of all ages and countries. He did not enjoy indeed the advantages of a public education, but his mind was not shack- led by its forms, nor interrupted in its pursuit of greater objects by the claims of subjects mi- nute and trifling. In his political sentiments Ite was a republican ; he was taught by his fa- ther to admire an elective and representative government : he early predicted the immense increase of talents and knowledge which would he irifused into the American mind by our re- publican institutions ; and, he anticipated the blessed effects of our revolution, in sowing the seeds of a new order of things in other parts of the world. He believed political as well a^s moral evil to be intruders into the society man. In Ihe more limited circles of private life, he commanded esteem and affection.. His house and manner of living exhibited the taste of a philosopher, the simplicity of a republi- can, and the temper of a Christian. His re- sgai^hes into natural philosophy gave him just 358 HCTLEBGE. ideas of the Bivine pcrfcetions, for his miucf >vas not pre-oecupied in early life with the fie- lions of ancient poets, and the vices of the liea- then gods. But he did not confine himself to llie instructions of nature ^ he helieved the Christian Revelation. He observed as an ar- gument in favor of its truth, that the miracles of our Saviour differed from all pretended mi- racles in being entirely of a benevolent nature. The testimony of a man possessd of so exalted an understanding, outweighs the declarations of thousands. He died believing in a life to come^ and his body ^\as interred beneath his observatory house. He published an oration, delivered before the Philosophical Societyf 1775, the subject of which is, the history of astronomy ; and a few memoirs on mathemati- cal and astronomical subjects, in the first four volumes of the transactions of the Society, MUTLEDGE, John, governor of South Ca- rolina, took an early and distinguished part in support of the liberties of his country at the commencement of the late revolution. He was a member of the first congress in 177*. When the temporary constitution of South Carolina w as established in Mr^rch 1776, he was appoint- ed its president, and commander in chief of the colony. He continued in this station till the adoption of the new constitution in March 1778 to which he refused to give his assent. In 1779 he was chosen governor, w ith the authority in conjunction with the council to do whatever the public safety required. He soon took the field at the head of the militia. All the energies of the state were called fox^th. During; the siege SCxVMMEL. SS9 of Cliai'leston, at the request of general Lin- coln he left the cify, that the executive autho- rity might be preserved^ though the capital should fall. Having called a general assembly in January 1782, he addressed them in a speech in which he depicted the perfidy, rapine, and cruelty, which had sustained the British arms. An election of a new governor was then ren-^ dered necessary by the rotation established. Mr. Kutledge died January 23, 1800. He was a man of eminent talents, patriotism, decision and firmness. SCAMMEL, Alexander, Adjutant general of the American armies, and colonel of the fii-st regiment of ;^ew Hampshire. He commanded a chosen corps of light infantry, at the success- ful seige of York town, in Virginia, and while in the gallant performance of his duty, as field officer of the day, was unfortunately captured and afterwards wounded, of which wound lie died at Wiiliamsburg, Virginia, October 1781. He was an officer of uncommon merit, and of the most amiable manners ; and was sincerely regretted by all who had the pleasure of his acpuaintanee, and particularly by the officers of the American army. The following lines were written by colonel Humphreys, the day after the capitulation of lord Cornwallis, at York town, and placed on the tomb stone of colonel Scammel : " What tho* no angel glanc'd aside the ball, Nor allied arms pour'd vengeance for his fall ; Brave ScammeFs fame, to distant regions known, Shall last beyond this monumental stone. Which conqu'i'ing armies (from their toils return'd) .Reared to his glory, wliile his fate tliey moura'd^"" sap SCHAICK* ^CHAICK, GoNSEN Tax, a brigadiei' geif? rai in the army of the United States, duping the revolutionary Avar, distinguished himself by burning the Onondaga Indian settlements.— The folloAving account of the expedition we copy from Marshal's life of Washington : <• The settlements of the Onondagas, one of the nearest hostile tribes of the Six Nations, lying about ninety miles from fort Schuyler, were supposed to be within the reach of a de- tachment from the garrison of that place. A plan for surprising their towns having been formed by general Schuyler, and approved by the commander in eliief, colonel Van Schaick, assisted by lieutenant colonel Wiilet and major Cochran, marched from fort Schuyler on the iiiorning of the 19th of April, at the head of between five and six hundred men. Proceed- ing with great dispatch and secrecy, partly by land and partly hy water, colonel Van Schaick, on tiie third day of his march, reach- ed the place of destination. ** The utmost address was used in surround- ing as many of the settlements as possible at the same time ; but the alarm having been given on the first appearance of the Ameri- cans, and the towns being of considerable ex- tent, many of the Indians escaped in the woods. Twelve were killed, and thirty-four, inclu- ding one white man, were made prisoners. The houses and provisions were consumed by fire, and tlie horses and other stock were kil- led. About one hundred guns were broken or otherwise ruined; and the whole settlement was utterly dci>troyed. Having completely SCHUYLER. 361 effected the object of the expedition, the de- tachment returned to fort Sehiijler on the sixth day, ^vithout having lost a single man. For this handsome display of talents as a par- tisan officer, the thanks of congress were vo- ted to colonel Van Schaick and the officers and soldiers under his command. " The cruelties exercised on the Wyoming and other settlements attacked by the Indians in the course of the proceeding campaign, had given a great degree of importance to this expedition ; and a deep interest was felt in its success." General Van Schaick died at Albany in July 1789, aged fifty three years. SCHUYLER, PuiLiP, a major general in the revolutionary war, received this appoint- ment from Congress June 19, 1776. He was directed to proceed immediately from New- York to Ticonderoga, to secure the lakes, and to make preparations for entering Canada. — Being taken sick in September, the command devolved upon general Montgomery. On his recovery he devoted himself zealously to the management of the affairs in the northern de- partment. The superintendence of the Indian concerns claimed much o^ his attention. On the approach of Burgoyne in 1777, he made every exertion to obstruct his progress ; but the evacuation of Ticonderoga by St. Clair oc- casioning unreasonable jealousies in regard to Schuyler in New England, he was superceded by general Gates in August, and congress di- rected an inquiry to be made into bis conduct. It was a matter of extreme chagrin to him to n h 362 SCREYEN. be recalled at the moment, Avlien lie was aLout to take grouml and to face the enemy. He af- terwards, though not in the regular service, rendered important services to his country in the military transactions of New York. He was a member of the old congress, and when the present government of the United States commenced its operation in 1789, he was ap- pointed with Rufus King, a senator from his native state. In 1797, he was again appointed a senator in the place of Aaron Burr. He died at Albany, November IS, 180*, in the seventy third year of his age. Distinguished by strength of intellect and upright intentions, he w as wise in the contrivance and enterprising and perse- vering in the execution of plans of public utili- ty. In private life he was dignified, but cour- teous, a pleasing and instructive companion, af- fectionate in his domestic relations, and just in all his dealings. SCREYEN, — , a brigadier general in Georgia, during the late Avar, commanded the militia, when that state was invaded from East Florida in November 1778. While a party of llic enemy was marching from Sunbury towards Savannah he had repeated skirmishes with them at the head of a hundred militia. In an engagement at Midway, the place of his resi- dence, he was wounded by a musket ball, and fell from his horse. Several of the British im- mediately came up and upbraiding him with the manner in which a captain Moore had been kil- led, discharged their pieces at him. He died soon afterwards of his wounds. Few ofiieers had done more for their country, and few mcj> SMITH. sesr were more esteemed and beloved for their vir* tiies in private life. SMITH, Jonathan Bayard, was born in the year 1741. In early life, he discovered talents for literature, which were cultivated with great assiduity and care at the Jersey College at which place, in the course of four years, he v. as the pupil of three successive Presidents, viz. Mr. Eiirr, Mi\ Edwards, and Mr. Davies. His preeminence in classical learning, com - znanded the attention of the last of his pre- ceptors, who conferred upon him the honor of delivering the salutary oration at the com- mencement, in which he graduated as batche- lor of arts, in the year 1760. After he left college, he applied himself to mercantile pur- suits, in which he wbs industrious and suc- cessful. In the year 177i, he deserted the counting house, and yielded himself to the claims of his country, both in the cabinet and field. At the battle of Princeton, where he commanded a company of militia, he displayed the cool and determined courage of a veteran in arms. The state honored him during the w^ar, and after the peace with several appoint- ments the duties of which, he executed with correctness and integrity. The last civil of- fice which he filled was that of Assistant Judge in the Court of Common Pleas. In this sta- tion, he discovered talents and knowledge, seldom found in gentlemen not educated to the profession of the law. For many years he was a trustee of the col- lege of New Jersey and the university of Penn^ 564 SMITH. sylvania: in both of which situations, he was active, intelligent and useful. In short, he lived as if he considered himself public pro- perty : and, while private integritj, domestic and social kindness, genuine patriotism, true courage, the principles of the American revo- lution, and above all, a firm belief in the doc- trines of Christianity, and the uniform prac- tice of its just and benevolent principles: are estimable among men, and particularly in tlie United States, the name of Jonathan Bayard Smith, will be held in affectionate and grate- ful remembrance by his friends and countryo He died in Philadelphia 1812, and his fune- ral was attended by a large concourse of citi- zens, and particularly by the members of all the masonic lodges in the city. SMITH, Isaac, a judge of the Supreme court of New Jersey, was graduated at the col- lege in that state in 1755, and afterwards com- menced the practice of physic. From the be- ginning of the troubles with Great Britain he was distinguished for his patriotic services in the cause of his country. In 1776 he command- ed a regiment, and during the periods of gloom and dismay, he was firm and persevering. He associated valor with discretioli, the disciplined spirit of the soldier with the sagacity of the statesman. Soon after the termination of the struggle, he received his appointment as judge, and for eighteen years discharged the arduous duties of that station. After the present con- stitution of the United States was formed, he was a member of the house of representatives. Endowed with fine talents^ and having enjoyed STEUBEN— &ULLIVAN. 36^ a classical education, he united the character of a christian, scholar, soldier, and gentleman. He died August 29, 1807, in the sixty eighth year of his age, in hope of mercy through the Redeemer. STEUBEN, Freberick William, a major general in the American army,^ was a Prussian officer, who served many years in the armies of the great Frederick, was one of his aids, and had iicld the rank of lieutenant general. He arrived in New Hampshire from Marseilles in Novemher 1777, with strong recommendations to congress. He claimed no rank, and only re- quested permission to render as a v( what services he could to the America He was soon appointed to the office of ii general with the rank of major general estahlished a uniform system of man< and hy his skill and persevering industr ed during the continuance of the troops ley Forge, a most important improve] all ranks of the army. He was a volunteer m the action at Monmouth, and commanded in the trenches of York town on the day which concluded the struggle with Great Britain. — The Baron died at Steuhenville, New York, Novemher 28, 1794, aged sixty one yeais. He was an accomplished gentleman and a virtuous citizen ,• of extensive knowledge and sound judg- ment. SULLIVAN, John, a major general in the American army, was the eldest son of Mr. Sul- livan who came from Ireland, and settled iu Massachusetts. In 1775 congress appointed him a brigadier general, and in the following year^ 366 vSULLIVAN. it is believed, a major general. He superced- ed Arnold in the command of the army in Ca- nada, June 4, 1776, but was soon driven out of that province. Afterwards on the illness of Greene he took the command of his division on XiOng Island. In the battle of August the twen- ty seventh he was taken prisoner. In a few months, however, he was exchanged ; for when Lee was carried off, he took the command of his division in New Jersey. On the twenty se- cond of August 1777 he planned and executed an expedition against Staten Island, for which on enquiry into his conduct he received the ap- probation of the court. In September he was engaged in the battle of Brandywine, and on Ihe fourth of October in that of Germantown. In the winter he was detached to command the troops in Rhode Island. In August 1778 he laid seige to Newport, then in the hands of the British, with the fullest confidence of success ; hut being abandoned by the French fleet under D*Estai«g, who sailed to Boston, he was ob- liged to his unutterable chagrin, to raise the sei:^e. On the twenty ninth an action took place with the pursuing eneojiy, who were repulsed. On the thirtietli with great military skill, he passed over to the continent, without the loss of a single article, and without the slighest sus- picion on the part of the British of his move- ments. In the summer of 1779 he commanded an expedition against the six nations of Indians. , The following accoant of the expedition we oopy from Ramsay •: " For the permanent security of the^front'er inhabitants^ it was resolved in the vear 1779 te SULLIVAN. carry a decisive expedition into the country. A considerable body of coni troops was selected for this purpose, fi under the command of General SuUiva was joined by the American general with upwards of 1000 men. TJie latt( his way down the Susquehannah by a s Gontrivance. The stream of water river was too low to float his batttaii remedy this inconvenience, he raise great industry a dam across the mouth Lake Otsego, which is one of the sou the river Susquehannah. Tlie lake bei stantly supplied by springs soon rose height of the dam. General Clinton got his batt^aux ready, opened a through the dam for the water to flow raised the river so high that he was en embark all his troops and to float the to Tioga. By this exertion they soor Sullivan. The Indians on hearing of pedition projected against them act< iirmness. They collected their strengtu, luon. possession of proper ground, and fortified it with judgment. Gen. Sullivan attacked them in their works. They stood a cannonade for more than two hours but then gave way. This engagement proved decisive : After the trench- es were forced, the Indians fled without ma- king any attempt to rally. They Mere pur- sued for some miles but without effect. The consternation occasioned among them by this defeat was so great, that they gave up all ideas of farther resistance As the Americans ad° vancedintQ their settlements, the Indians re- 268 SULLIVAN. treated before tliem, m ithoiit throAving any ob- structions in their Avay. Gen. Sullivan pene- trated into the heart of the country inhabited by the Mohawks, and spread desolation every where. Many settlements in the form of towns were destroyed, besides detached habitatJQns. All their fields of corn, and of whatever was in a state of cultivation, underwent the same fate. Scarce any thing in the form of a house w as left standing, nor was an Indian to be seen*/ To the surprise of the Americans, they found the lands about the Indian towns well culti- vated, and their houses both large and com- jnodiaus. Orchards in whixih were several hun- dred fruit trees were cut down, and of them many appeared to have been planted for a long series of years. Their gardens, which were enriched with great quantities of useful vege* tables of different kinds, were laid waste. The Americans were so full of resentment against the Indians, for the many outrages they had suffered from tliem, and so bent on making the expedition decisive, that the officers and soldiers cheerfully agreed to remain till they had fully completed the destruction of the set- tlement. ** In about three months from his setting out,. Sullivan reached Easton in Pennsylvania, and- soon after rejoined the army." In the years 1786, 1787, and 1789, general Sullivan was president of New Hampshire, in which station by his vigorous exertions he quel- led the spirit of insurrection, which exhibited itself at the time of the troubles in Massachu- setts. He died January 33, 1795^ aged fifty four years.. THAYEK. 369 THAYER, Simeon, was born in Mendon. Massachusetts, 1738. When in his twenty seventh year, resistance to Great Britain be- came necessary, the determination of Thayer to take tlie fiekl was anticipated by the sponta* neous offer of the command of a company in colonel Hilclicork's regiment of Rhode Island, about to be detached to the American army before Boston. Thayer's merit soon attract- ed attention : and ^yhen Washington projected the arduous enterprise against Quebec, com- mitted to the direction of colonel Arnold for the purpose of co-operating with Montgomery', the choice spirits of his army were selecJed for the expedition. Thayer could not of course be overlooked : he marced under Arnold at the head of a company, exhibiting, through- out the operation, peculiar fitness in mind and body to meet danger and difficulty. The fall of Montgomery being soon followed by our re- pulse, Thayer was made prisoner, bravely struggling to carry the second barrier, and experienced in common with his comrades the beneficence extended by sir G. Carleton to the American prisoners,— so truly honorable to the heart and to the head of the British general. Captain Thayer rejoined his regi- ment as soon as he was exchanged, and went through the war, adding to his stock of mili- tary reputation whenever opportunity offered. He served generally under Washington, by whom he was highly respected. He was honored by the commander in chief for his conduct in the defence of Mud Island. It is but justice to add, that the assumption 570 THAYER. of the command in the desperate conilitiou: to which the island was reduced, was iji con- sequence of the voluntary request of major Thayer, displaying as much magnanimity as gallantry. It was known that the Island must soon fall: to defend it to the last moment, and then to save the garrison, w^s the hest wliicli could be done. Few presumed this practicable ; and fewer were disposed to undertiike the hazar- dous task. Now Thayer offered himself to brigadier Varnum, commanding our force in New Jersey, which was joyfully accepted ; and the gallant major as joyfully repaired to his post. In the battle of Monmouth the corps to which Thayer was attached was closely engag- ed ; in wiiicli contest he was wounded' by a cannon ball, which deprived i.im of the sight of the eye on the side it passed. Concluding his military life with the war, he returned to Providence ; carrying with him tlie esteem of his fellow soldiers, the gratitude of his country, the admiration of the witnesses of his exploits, and the immutable approbation of the commander in chief. Here he continued to deck the laurels he had acquired in the field of battle by his benevolence, his sincerity, his constancy in virtue, and his modesty in deport- ment. The legislature of Rhode Island honored him with the commission of major general in lier militia, which he held to his death. In 4796 general Thayer removed from Provi- dence to his farm in the township of Cumber THOMAS— WARD. 3^1 laiid, where he spent his last years iii the ex- elusive oceiipations of agriculture. Enjoying good health, with universal esteem, he closed his honorable life, after a short illness, at home, on the 21st day of October, 1800, in the sixty-third year of his age, leaving one son and one daughter. His remains were brought to Providence and interred in the north pres- byterian burying ground. His grave is distin- guished by a plain white marble slab ; emble- matic of his deportment through life, and spot- less as was his virtue. THOMAS, John, a major general in the American army, was an officer Avho acquired reputation in the French Avar Avhich ended Avith the peace of Paris in 1763. He Avas one of the best officers of our army in 1775, and commanded the division nearest the British lines in Roxbury. When Boston Avas evacuat- ed he Avas sent to Canada, to take the command of the troops Avhich Montgomery and Arnold led into that province. A more brave, beloved and distinguished character, did not go into the iield, nor Avas there a man that made a greater sacrifice of liis own ease, liealth and social en- joyments. He died of the small pox, June 30, 1776. WARD, Artemas, the first major general in the American army, Avas graduated at Har- vard college in 1743, and Avas afterwards a re- presentative in tiie legislature, a member of the council, and a justice of the court of common pleas for Worcester county, Massachusetts. — When the Avar commenced with Great Britain ho was appointed by congress first major gene- sr^ WARREN. yal June 17, 1775. After the arrival of Wash- ington in July, when disposition was made of the troops for the siege of Boston, the com- mand of the right wing of the army at Rox- bury was entrusted to general Ward. He re- signed his commission in April 1776, thougli he continued some time longer in command at tlie request of Washington. He afterwards de- voted himself to the duties of civil life. He was a member of congress both before and after the adoption of the present constitution. After a long decline, in which he exhibited tlie most exemplary patience, he died at Shrews- bury October 28, 1800, aged seventy-three years. He was a man of incorruptible integ- ri^^. So fixed and unyielding were the prin cijfies, which governed him, that his conscien- tiousness in lesser concerns was by some ascrib- ed to bigotry. WARREN, Joseph, a major general in the American army, was born in Roxbury in 1740^, and was graduated at Harvard college m 1759. Directing his attention to medical studies, he'' in a few years became one of the most eminent physicians in Boston, But he lived at a pe- riod, when greater objects claimed his atten- tion, than those, which related particularly to his profession. His country needed his efforts, and his zeal and courage would not permit him to slirink from any labors or dangers. His eloquence and his talents as a writer, were dis- played on^nany occasions from tlie year in which the stamp act was passed to the com- mencement of the w ar. He was a bold politi- cian. While many were wavering witJi regard WAEREN. 373 io tiio measures which shouhl he adopted, he contended that every kind ol* taxation, whether external or internal, was tyranny, and ought jmmediately to be resisted ; and he believed that America was able to withstand any force that could be sent against her. From the year 1768, he was a principal member of a secret 3neeting or caucus, in Boston, which had great influence on the concerns of the country.— With all his boldness, and decision> and zeal, he was circumspect and wise. In this assem- bly the plans of defence were matured. After thQ destruction of the tea, it was no longer kept a secret. He was twice chosen the public orator of the town, on the anniversary of the massacre, and his orations breathe the energy of a. great and daring mind. It was he, who on the evening before the battle of Lexington obtained information of the intended expedi- tion against Concord, and at ten o'clock at night dispatched an express to Messrs. Han- cock and Adams, who were at Lexington, to warn them of their danger. He himself on tlie next day, the memorable nineteenth of April, was very active. It is said in general Heath's memoirs, that a ball took off part of his ear- lock. In the confused state of the army, which soon assembled at Cambridge, he had vast influence in preserving order among the troops. After the departure of Hancock to congress, he was chosen president of the pro- vincial congress in his place. Four days pre- vious to the battle of Bunker's or Breed's hill, he received his commission of major general. When the intrenchments were made upon the I i S74 WARREN. fatal spot, to encourage the men >vjthin tlie lines, he >vent down from Cambridge and join- ed them as a volunteer on the eventful day of the battle, June 17th. Just as tlie retreat commenced, a ball struck him on the head, and he died in the trenches, aged thirty-five years. He was the first victim of rank that fell in the struggle with Great Britain. lu the spring of 1776, his bones were taken up and entombed in Boston, on which occasion, as he had been grandmaster of the free ma- sons in America, a brother mason and an elo- quent orator pronounced a funeral eulogy. The following account of the battle of Bun- ker's or Breed's Hill, we take from Ramsay's American Revolution : "A considerable height, by the name of Bunker's-Hili, just at the entrance of the Pe- ninsula of Charlestown, was so situated as to make the possession of it a matter of great consequence, to either of the contending par- ses. Orders were therefore issued by the pro- vincial commanders that a detachment of a thousand men should intrench upon this height. By some mistake Breed's Hill, high and large like the other, but situated nearer Boston, was marked out for the intrcnehments, instead of Bunker's hill. The provincials proceeded to Breed's hill and worked with so mucli diligence that between midiiiglit and the dawn of the morning, they liad thrown up a small redoubt about eight rods square. They kept such a profound silence, that they were not heard by the British, onboard their vessels, though very j].ear. These having derived their fjrst infor- i I WARHKN. ^7\f maiion of what was going on from the sight of the work near completion, began an incessant firing upon them. The provincials bore this with firmness, and though they were only young soldiers, continued to labor till they had thrown up a small breastwork, extending from the east side of the redoubt to the bottom of the hill. As this eminence overlooked Boston general Gage thought it necessary to drive the provincials from it. About noon, therefore, he detached major general Howe and brigadier general Pigot, wi 385 eoioncl Washington, whom I cannot but hope Providence has liitherto preserved in so signal a manner for some important service to his country/' For this purpose he was indeed preserved, and at tlie end of twenty years he began to render to his country more impor- tant services, than the minister of Jesus couhl have anticipated. From 1755 to 1758 he com- manded a regiment, which was raised for the protection of the frontiers. In July 1758 another expedition was under- taken against fort du Quesne, in which Wash* ington commanded the Virginia troops. By slow marches they were enabled, on the twen* ty-fifth of November, to reach fort du Quesne, of which peaceable possession was taken, as the enemy on the preceding night setting it on fire, had abandoned it and proceeded down the Ohio. The works in this place were repaired, and its name was changed to that of Fort Pitt. Colonel Washington now resigned his commis- sion. Soon after his resignation he was married to the widow of Mr. Custis, a young lady, to whom he had been for some time strongly at- tached, and who to a large fortune and a fine pers ai added those amiable accomplishments, which fiH^ with silent felicity the scenes of do- mestic life. His attention for several years was principally directed to the management of his estate, wliich had now become considera- ble. He had nine thousand acres under his own management. So great a part was culti- vated, that in one year he raised seven thou- sand bushels of wheat, and ten thousand of Tn- •Kk 586 WASHINGTON. dian corn. His slaves and other persons, em« ployed by him, amounted to near a thousand : and the wollen and linen cloth necessary for their use was chiefly manufactured on the es- tate. He was at tliis period a respectable member of the legislature of Virginia, in which he took a tle^ided part in opposition to the principle of taxation, asserted by the British parliament. He also acted as a judge of a county court. In 1774 he was elected a mem> her of the first congress, and was placed on all those committees, whose duty it was to make arraiigements for defence. In the following year, after the battle of Lexington, when it was determined by congress to resort to arms, colonel Washington was unanimously elected commander in chief of the army of the united colonies. All were satisfied as to his qualifi- cations, and the delegates from New England were particularly pleased with his election, as it would tend to unite the southern colonies cordially in the war. He accepted the appoint- ment with diflidence, und expressed his inten- tion of receiving no compensation for his ser- vices, and only a mere discharge of his expen- se*. He immediately repaired to Cambridge, hi the neighborhood of Boston, where he arriv- ed on tlie second of July. He formed the army into three divisions, in order the most effectu- iilly to enclose the enemy, entrusting tJie divi- sion at lloxbury to general Ward, the division on Prospect and Winter hills to general Lee, and commanding himself the centre at Cam- bridge. Here he had to struggle with great diffif uUies. with the want of ammunition, elotb WASHINGTON. 3^7 iiig and magazines^ defect of arms and disci- pline, and the evils of short enlistments ; but instead of yielding to despondence he bent the whole force of his mind to overcome them. — .. He soon made the alarming discovery, that there was only sufficient powder on hand to furnish the army with nine cartridges for each man. With the greatest caution to keep this fact a secret, the utmost exertions were em- ployed to procure a supply. A vessel, Avhich was dispatched to Africa, obtained in exchange for New England rum all the gunpowder in the British factories ; and in the beginning of winter captain Manly captured an ordnance brig, which furnished tlie American arm^^ with the precise articles, of which it was in the greatest want. In September general Wash- ington dispatched Arnold on an expedition against Quebec. In February 1776 he pro- posed to a council of his otBcers to cross the ice and attack the enemy in Boston, but they unanimously disapproved of the daring mea- sure. It was, however, soon resolved to take possession of the heights of Dorchester. This was done without discovery on the night of the fourth of March, and on the seventeenth the enemy found it necessary to evaenate the town. The recovery of Boston induced congress to pass a vote of thanks to general Washington and his brave ariuy. In the belief, that the efforts of the British would be directed towards the Hudson, he has- tened the army to New York, Avhere he him- self arrived on the fourteenth of April. He made every exertion to fortify the city, and at- 388 WASHINGTOJS, tention was paid to the forts in the highianfe WJiilc he met the most embarrassing difficul- ties, a j>lan was formed to assist the enemy in seizing his person, and some of his own guards engaged in the conspiracy ; but it was disco- vered, and some, who were concerned in if, were executed. In the beginning of July, ge- neral ilowe landed his troops at Staten Island. His brother, lord Howe, wlio commanded the fleet, soon arrived ; and as both were commis- sioners for restoring peace to the colonies, tlie latter addressed a letter, upon the subject, to <♦ George Washington, esquire ; but the gene- ral refused to receive it, as it did not acknow- ledge the public character, with which he was invested by congress, in which character only he could have any intercourse with his lord- ship. Another letter was sent to <* George Washington, &c. &c. &c.'' This for the same reason was iM^Jec ted. After the disastrous bat- tle of Brooklyn, on tlie twenty-seventh of Au- gust, in whieh Stirling and Sullivan were taken prisoners, and of which he was only a specta- tor, he withdrew the troops from Long Island, and in a few days he resolved to withdraw from New York. At Kipp's bay, about three miles from the city, some works had been thrown up to oppose the enemy; but on their ap- proach the American troops fled with precipi- tation. Washington rode towards the lineg, and made every exertion to prevent the dis- graceful flight. He drew his sword, and threa- tened to run the cowards through ; he cocked and snapped his pistols ; but it was all in vain. iSuch was the state ef his mind at this mo- WASHINGTON. ssr iiient, that he turned his horse towards the advancing enemy, apparently with the inten- tion of rushing upon death. His aids now seiz- ed the bridle of his horse and rescued him from destruction. New York was on the same day, September the Ijfteenth, evacuated. In October he retreated to the AVhite Plains, whereon the twenty-eighth a considerable ac- tion took place, in which the Americans were overpowered. After the loss of forts Washing- ton and Lee, he passed into New Jersey in No- vember, and was pursued by a triumphant and numerous army. His army did not amount to three thousand, and it was daily diminishing; his men as the winter commenced were bare- footed and almost naked, destitute of tents and of utensilsj with which to dress their scanty provisions ; and every circumstance tended to fill the mind with despondence. But general' Washington was undismayed and firm. He showed himself to his- enfeebled army with a serene and unembarrassed countenance, and they were inspired with the resolution of their commander. On the eighth of December he was obliged to cross the Delaware ; but he had the precaution to secure the boats for se- venty miles upon the river. Wliile the British were waiting for the ice to afford them a pas- sage, as his own army had been reinforced by several thousand men, he formed tlie resolution of carrying the cantonments of the enemy by surprise. On the night of the twenty-fifth of December, he crossed the river nine miles above IVenton, in a storm of snow mingled with hail and rain, with about two thousand Kk 2 590 WASHINGTON. and four lumdrcd men. Two otlier detach» mcnts were unable to effect a passage. In the morning precisely at eight o'clock he surpris- ed Trenton and took a thousand Hessians pri- soners, a thousand stand of arms, and six field pieces. Twenty of the enemy were killed. — Of the Americans two privates were killed^ and two frozen to death ; and one officer and three or four privates wounded. On the same day he recrossed the Delaware with the fruits of his enterprise ; but in two or three days passed again into New Jersey, and concentra- ted his forces, amounting to five thousand, at Trenton. On the approach of a superior ene- my under Cornwallis, January 2, 1777, he drew up his men behind Assunipinek creek. He expected an attack in the morning, which would probably result in a ruinous defeat. At this mo- ment when it was hazardous if not impractica- ble to return into Pennsylvania, he formed the resolution of getting into the rear of the enemy, and thus stop them in their progress towards Philadelphia. In the night he silently decamp- ed, taking a circuitous route through Allen's town to Princeton. A sudden change of the weather to severe cold rendered t:.e roads fa- vorable for his march. About sunrise his van met a British detachment on its way to join Cornwallis, and was defeated by it: but as he came up he exposed himself to every danger and gained a victory. With three hundred prisoners he then entered Princeton. Durin,^ thi« march many af his soldiers were witliout shoes, and their feet left the marks of blood upon the frozen ground. This hardship and WASHINGTON. their want of repose, induce;! him to lead his army to a place of security on the road to Morristown. Cornwaiiis in the morning broke up his camp and alarmed for his stores at Brunswick urged the pursuit. Thus the mili- tary genius of the American commander, un- der the blessing of divine Providence, rescued Philadelphia from the threatened danger, ob- liged the enemy, which had overspread New Jersey, to return to the neighborhood of New York, and revived the desponding spirit of his country. Having accomplished these objecst, he retired to Morristown, wliere he caused his whole array to be inoculated with the small pox, and thus was freed from the apprehension of a calamity, which might impede his opera- tions during the next campaign. Cn the last of May he removed his army to Middlebrook, about ten miles from Brunswick, where he fortified liimself very strongly. An ineffectual attempt was made by sir William Howe to draw him from his position by march- ing towards Philadelphia; but after Howe's return to New York, he moved towards the Hudson in order to defend the passes in the mountains, in the expectation that a junction with Burgoyne, who was then upon the lakes, wouhl be attempted. -After the British gene- ral sai.ed from Neiv York and entered the Chesapeake in August, general Washington marched immediately for the defence of Phi- ladelphia. On the eleventh of September he was defeated at Brandywine with the loss of nine liundred in killed and wounded. A few days afterward, as he was pursued; he turnctl 392 WASHINGTON. the enemy, determined upon another engage* ment; but a heavy rain so damaged tiie arms and ammunition, that he was under the abso- lute necessity of again retreating. Philadel- phia was entered by Cornwallis on the twenty sixth of September. On the fourth of Octo- her the American commander uiade a well planned attack upon the British camp at Ger- mantown ; but in consequence of the darkness of the morning, and the imperfect discipline of his troops, it terminated in the lossof i20Q men in killed, wounded and prisoners. In De- cember he went into winter quarters at Valley Forge, on the west side of the Schuylkill, be- twee-m twenty and thirty miles from Philadel- phia. Here his aririy was in the greatest dis- tress for want of provisions, and he was reduc- ed to the necessity of sending out parties to seize what they could lind. About the same time a combination, in Avhich some members of congress were engaged, was formed to re- move the commander in chief and to appoint in his place Gates, whose successes of late had given him a high reputation. But the name oi* Washington was too dear to the great body of Americans to admit of such a cljange. NoJwithstanding the discordant materials, of which his army was composed, there was some- thing in his character, which enabled him to attach both his officers and soldiers so strongly to him, that no distress could weaken their af- ffection, nor impair the veneration, in which he was generally held. Without this attach- ment to him the army must have been dissolv- ed. Genes^al Conway, who was concerned in, WASHINGTON. " 3^S this faction, being wounded in a duel with gen- eral Cadwallader, and thinking his wound mortal, wrote to general Washington, "you are, in my eyes the great and good man." On the first of February 177S there were about four thousand men in camp unfit for duty for want of clothes. Of these scarcely a man had a pair of shoes. The hospitals also were fil- led with the sick. At this time the enemy, if they had marched out of their winter quar- ters, would easily have dispersed J he Ameri- can army. The apprehension of the approach of a French fleet inducing the British to con- centrate their forces, when they evacuate ed Philadelphia on the scventconth of June and marched towards New York, general Washington followed them. Contrary to the advice of a council he engaged in the battle of Monmouth on the twenty eighth, the result of which made an impression favorable to the cause of America. He slept in his cloak on the field of battle, intending to renew the at- tack the next morning, but at midnight the British marched ofi'in such silence, as not to be discovered. Their loss in killed was about three hundred, and that of the Americans six- ty nine. As the campaign now closed in the middle states, the American army went into winter quarters in tlic neigliborhood of the highlands upon the Hudson. Thus after the vicissitudes of two years both armies were brought back to the poiiU, from wliich they set out. During the year 1779 general Washington remained in the neighborhood of New York, In January 17S0, in a winter 304 WASHINGTON. memorable for its severity, his utmost exer- tions were necessary to save the army from dissohition. The soldiers in general submitted with heroic patience to the want of provisions and clothes. At one time they eat every kind of horse food but hay. Their sufferings at length were so great, that in March two of the Connecticut regiments mutinied, but the mu- tiny was suppressed and the ringleaders secu- red. In September the treachery of Arnold was detected. In the winter of 1781, such were again the privations of the army, that a part of the Pennsylvania line revolted, and marched home. Such however was still their patriotism, that they delivered some British emissaries to general Wayne, who hanged them as spies. Committing the defence of the posts on the Hudson to general Heath, general Washington in August marched with count Ro- chambeau for the Chesapeake, to co-operate with the French fleet there. The siege of Yorktown commenced on the twenty-eighth of September, and on the nineteenth of Octobev he reduced Cornwallis to the necessity of sur- rendering with upwards of seven thousand men, to the combined armies of Ameiica and France. The day after the capitulation he ordered, that those, who were under arrest, should be par- doned, and that divine service in acknowledg- ment of the interposition of Providence should be performed in all the brigades and divisions. This event filled America with joy and was the means of terminating the war. Few events of importance took place in ±782, On the ^r^h November^ 1783, New York WASHINGTON. 595 was cvaeualed bv the British, and he entered it accompanied bj governor Clinton and many respectable citizens. On the nineteenth of April a cessation of hostilities was proclaimed. On the fourth of December, he took his iare< >vell of his brave comrades in arms. At noon tlie principal officers of the army assemhled at Frances' tavern, and their beloved commander soon entered the room. His emotions Aver« too strong to be concealed. Filling a glass with wine, he turned to them and said <* with a heart full of love and gratitude, I now take leave of you ; I most devoutly wish that your latter days may be as prosperous and happy as your former ones have been gloiious and ho- norable." Having drank, he added, ** I can- not come to each of you to take my leave, but shall be obliged to you if each of you will come and take me by the hand." General Knox, being nearest, turned to him. Incapa- ble of utterance, gen. Washington grasped his hand, and embi'aced him. In the most affec- tionate manner he took his leave of each suc- ceeding officer. In every eye was the tear of dignified sensibility, and not a word Avas ar- ticulated to interrupt tiie silence and the ten- derness of the scene. Ye men, who delight in blood, slaves of ambition ! When your work of carnage was iinished, could you thus part with your companions in crime ? Leaving the 1 oom general Washington passed through the corps of light infantry and walked to SVhite- hall, where a barge waited to carry him to Powles' Hook. The whole company followed in mute proees?ion with dejected eountenan 3,96 >VASHiNGTON. ces. When he entered the barge he turned to them, and waving his hat bade them a silent adieu, receiving from tliem the same last af- fectionate compliment. On the twenty-third of December he resigned his commission to congress, then assembled at Annapolis. He delivered a short address on the occasion, in v»hich he said, " I consider it an indispensable duty to close this last solemn act of my offi- cial life by commending the interests of our dearest country to the protection of Almighty God, and those Who have the superintendence of them to his holy keeping." He then retir- ed to Mount ¥ernon to enjoy again the plea- sures of domestic life. Here the expressions of the gratitude of his countrymen in affec- tionate addresses poured in upon him, and he received every testimony of respect and vene- ration. In 1787 he was persuaded to take a seat in the convention which form,ed the present con- stitution of the United States. In 1789 he was unanimously elected president of the Unit- ed States. In April he left Mount Vernon to proceed to New York, and to enter on the du- ties of his office. He every where received testimonies of respect and love. On the thir- tieth of April he arrived at New York, and he was inaugurated first president of the United States. At the close of his first term of four years, he prepared a valedictory address to the American people, anxious to return again to the scenes of domestic life ; but the earnest en- treaties of his friends and the peculiar situation of his country, induced him to be a candidate WASHrN"GTON> §97 ior a second election. At the expiration of his second term, he determined irrevocably to withdraw to the shades of private life. He published in September 1796 his farewell ad- dress to the people of the United States, which ought to be engraven upon the hearts of his countrymen. In the most earnest and affectionate manner he called upon them to cherish an immoveable attachment to the na- tional union, to watch for its preservation with jealous anxiety, to discountenance even the suggestion that it could in any event be aban- doned, and indignantly to frown upon the first dawning of every attempt to alienate any por- tion of our country from the rest. He then retired to Mount Vernon, giving to the world an example, most humiliating to its emperors and kings ; the example of a man, voluntarily disrobing himself of the higJiest aatJiority, and returning to private life with a character having upon it no stain of ambi- tion, of eovetousness, of profusion, of luxury, of oppression, or ©f injustice. It was now that the soldier, the statesman, and the patriot, hoped to repose himself after the toils of so many years. But lie had not been long in retirement before the outrages of France, induced our government to raise an army, of which, in July, 1798, he was appoint- ed coramandir in chief. Though he accepted the appointment, his services were not de- manded, and he himself did not believe that an invasion Avould take place. Pacific over- tures were soon made by the French directo- ry, but he did not live to see the restoration Ll 398 WASHINGTON. of peace. On Friday, December 13, ±79% "while attending to some improvements upon his estate, he was exposed to a light rain, which wetted his neck and hair. Unappre- hensive of danger, he passed the afternoon in his usual manner, but at night he was seized with an inflammatory affection of the wind- pipe. The disease commenced with a violent ague, accompanied with some pain and a sense of stricture in the throat, a cough, and a diffi- cult deglutition, which soon succeeded by fever and a quick and laborious respiration. About twelve or fourteen ounces of blood were taken from him. In the morning his family physi- cian, doctor Clark, was sent for ; but the ut- most exertions of medical skill were applied in vain. The appointed time of his death was near. Believing from the commencement of his complaint, that it would be mortal, a few hours before his departure, after repeated ef- forts to be understood, he succeeded in express- ing a desire that he might be permitted to die ^vithout being disquieted by unavailing attempts (o rescue him from his fate. After it became impossible to get any thing down his throat, he undressed himself and went to bed, there to die. To his friend and physician, who sat on his bed, and took his head in his lap, he said, with difficulty, *^ Doctor I am dying, and have been dying for a long time ; but I am not afraid to die." Respiration became more and more protracted and imperfect, until half past eleven on Saturday night, when, retaining the full possession of his intellect, he expired with- «out a struggle. Thus od the fowFteenth of D*^ WASHINGTON; ^Q^ <»<^mber, 1799, in tbe sixty-eighth year of big age, (lied the father of his country, " the man first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his fellow citizens." This event spread a gloom over the country, and the tears of America proclaimed the services and virtues of the hero and sage, and exhibited u people not insensible to his worth. General Washington was rather above the common stature; his frame was robust, and his constitution vigorous. His exterior creat- ed in the beholder the idea of strength united with manly gracefulness. His eyes were of a grey color, and his complexion light. His manners were rather reserved than free. His person and whole deportment exhibited an un- affected and indescribable dignity, unmingled with haughtiness, of which all who approach- ed him were sensible. The attachment of those who possessed his friendship was ardent, but always respectful. His temper was hu- mane, benevolent, and conciliatory ; but there was a quickness in his sensibility to any thing apparently offensive, which experience had taught him to watch and correct. He made no pretensions to vivacity or wit. Judgment rather than genius constituted the most pro- minent feature of his character. As a milita- ry man he was brave, enterprising and cau- tious. At the head of a multitude, whom it was sometimes impossible to reduce to proper discipline before the expiration of their time of service, and having to struggle almost continu- ally with the want of supplies, he yet was able to contend with an adversary superior In num- kOO wasiiIngtcSn. bers, well disciplined, and completely equippcdv and was tlie means of saving his country. The measure of his caution has by some been re- pr.'scnted as too abundant ; but he sometimes formed a plan, which his brave officers thought was too adventurous, and sometimes contrary to their advice he engaged in battle. If his name is not rendered illustrious by splendid achievements, it is not to be attributed to the want of military enterprise. He conducted the war with that consummate prudence and wisdom, which the situation of his country and the state of his army demanded. He also possessed a firmness of resolution, which neither dangers nor difficulties could shake. WASHINGTON, Wiliiam, lieutenant co- lonel commandant of a continental regiment of dragoons during the revolutionary war, was the eldest son of Baily Washington, Esq, of Stafford county, in the state of Virginia. First among the youth of Virginia who has- tened to the standard of his country, on the rupture between Great Britain and her colo- nies, he was appointed to the command of a company of infantry in the third regiment of the Virginia line, commanded by colonel, af- terwards brigadier general, Mercer. In no corps in our service was the substantial know- ledge of the profession of arms more likely to be acquired. Here young Washington learnt the rudiments of war. He fought with this gallant regiment at York Island, and on the retreat through New Jersey, sharing with distinguished ap- plause in tUat disastrous period, its difficulties, WASHINGTON, 401 its dangers, and its glory. When afterwards the commander in chief struck at colonel Kalle, stationed with a.hody of Hessians in Trenton, captain Washington was attached to the van of one of the assailing columns, and in that dar- ing and well executed enterprise, received a musket hall through his hand, bravely leading on his company against the arraying enemy. The commander in chief having experienced' the extreme difficulties to which he had been exposed during the preceding campaign, by his want of cavalry, was, shortly after this period, ia consequence of his suggestions to congress, authorised to raise three regiments of light dragoons. To the command of one of these he appointed lieutenant colonel Baylor one of his aid-de-camps. To this regiment captain Wash- ington was transferred with the rank of major, and returned to Virginia for the purpose of as- sisting in recruiting the regiment. As soon as the corps was completed, Baylor joined the main army; his regiment was, in 1778, surprised by a detachment of the Bri- tish, led by major general Gray, and suffered extremely. Washington fortunately escaped ; and in the course of the succeeding year, or early in 1780, he was detached with the re- mains of Bland's, Baylor's, and Moylan's regi- ments of horse, to the army of major general Lincoln, in South Carolina, where he was con- stantly employed with the light troops, and experienced, with some Hashes of fortune, two severe blows; first at Monk's Corner, where he commanded our horse, and last at Leneau's ^rry, when he was second to lieutenant colo- il12 4a^ WASHINGTON. iiel White, of Moylan's regiment. These re- peated disasters so reduced our cavalry, that White and Wasliington retired from the iiehl and repaired to the northern confines of North Carolina for the purpose of repairing their heavy losses. It was here that they applied to general Gates for the aid of his name and authority to expedite the restoration and equip- ilient of their regiments, that they might he ready to take the field underpins orders. This salutary and proper request was injudiciously disregarded ; from which omission very inju- f ious consequences seem to have resulted in the sequel. After the defeat of general Gates on the six- teenth of the following August, it will he reeoK iected that the American general retired to Ilillshorough, from whence he returned to Sa- lisbury. Lieutenant colonel Washington, with his ca- valry, now accompanied hijn, and formed a part of the light corps placed by Gates under the direction of brigadier Morgan. He resum-^ ed his accustomed active and vigorous service, and was highly useful in the execution of the trust confided to Morgan. During this period he carried, by an extra- ordinary stratagem, the post at Rudgley's which drew from lord Cornwallis the following letter to lieutenant colonel Tarleton. ^' Rudg- ley will not be made a brigadier. He surren- dered, without firing a shot, himself and one hundred and three rank and file, to the caviilry only. A deserter of Morgan's assures us that WASHINGTON. 403 the infantry never came within three miles of the house/' Greene now succeeded Gates, when brigadier Morgan, with the light cqrps, was detached to liang upon the enemy's left ilank, and to threa- ten Ninety- Six. The battle of the Cowpeiis ensued, in which Washington, at the licad of our horse, acquir- ed fresh laurels. He continued with the light corps, performing with courage and precision the duties assigned him until the junction of the two divisions of the American army at Guilford court-house. Soon after this event a more powerful body of horse and foot was selected by general Greene, and placed under colonel Williams, of which Washington and his cavalry were a constituent part. In the eventful and trying retreat which en- sued, lieutenant colonel Washington contribut- ed his full share to the maintenance of the measures of Williams, which terminated so propitiously to our arms, and so honorably to the light troops and their commander. After our repassage of the Dan, Washington and his horse were again placed in the van, and Avith Howard and Lee, led by Williams, played that arduous game of marches, count'^rmarches, and manoeuvres, which greatly contributed to baffle the skilful display of talents and enter- prise, exhibited by lord Cornwallis in his per- severing attempt to force Greene, at the head of an inferior army, to battle, or to cut him off from his approaching reinforcements and ap- proaching supplies. 4^4r WASHINGTON^. Colonel Washington acted a very distift* guished part in the battles of Guilford, Hob- kick's Hill and Eutaws; and throughout the arduous campaign of 1781 ; always at his post, decided, firm and brave, courting danger, and contemning difficulty. His eminent services were lost to the army from the battle Eutaws ; where, to its great regret, he was made priso- ner : nor did he afterwards take any part in ihe war, as from the period of his exchange nothing material occurred, the respective ar- mies being confined to minor operations, pro- duced by the prospect of peace. While a pri- soner in Charleston, Washington became ac- quainted with Miss Elliot, a young lady, in wltom concentred the untited attractions of respectable descent, opulence, polish and beau- ty. The gallant soldier soon became enamored with his amiable acquaintance, and afterwards married her. This happened in the spring of 1782 ; and he established himself in South Carolina at Sandy Hill, the ancestrial seat of his wife. Washington seems to have devoted his sub- sequent years to domestic duties, rarely break- ing in upon them by attention to public affairs ; and then only as a member of the state legis lature. He possessed a stout frame, being six feet in height, broad, strong, and corpulent. His oc- cupations and his amusements applied to the body, rather than to the mind ; to the cultiva- tion of which he did not bestow much time or application, nor was his education of the sort to excite such habits^ being only calculated to WAYNE, iOo fit a man for the common business of life. In temper he was good liumored, in disposition amiable, in heart upright, generous and friend- ly, in manners lively, innocent and agreea!)le. His military exploits announce his grade ftnd character in arms. Bold, collected and perse veri rig, he preferred the heat of action to the collection and sifting of intelligence, to the calculations and combinations of means and measures, and was better fitted for the field of battle than for the drudgery of camp and the watchfulness of preparation. Kind to his sol- diers, his system of discipline was rather lax, and sometimes subjected him to injurious con- sequences, when close to a sagacious and vigi- lant adversary. Lieutenant colonel Washington was selected by his illustrious relation when he accepted the command of the army during the presidency of Mr. Adams as one of his staff, with the rank of brigadier general, a decided proof of the high value attached by the best judge in Ame- rica to his military talents. Leading a life of honor, of benevolence and hospitality, in the bosom of his family and friends, during which, until its last two years, he enjoyed high health, this gallant soldier died, after a tedious indisposition, leaving a w idow, and a son and a daughter, the only issue of his marriage. WAYNE, Anthony, a major general in the American army, occupies a conspicuous station among the heroes and patriots of the Ameri- can revolution. lie was born in the year 1745, in Chester county, in the state, then colony of 4$6 WAYBfIS, Pennsylvania. His father, who was a respec- table farmer, was many years a representative for the eounty of Chester in the general assem- bly, before the revolution. His grandfather, who was distinguished for his attachment to the principles of liberty, bore a captain's commis- sion under king William at the battle of the Boyne. Anthony Wayne succeeded his father as a representative for the county of Chester, in the ye^r 1773 ; and from his first appearance in public life, disthiguished himself as a firm and decided patriot. He opposed with much ability the unjust demands of the mother country, and in connexion with some gentlemen of distin- guished talents, was of material service in pre- paring the way for the firm and decisive part which Pennsylvania took in the general contest. In 1775 lie was appointed to the command of a regiment, which his character enabled him to raise in a few^ weeks in his native county. In the same year he was detached under gene- ral Thompson into Canada. In the defeat which followed, in which general Thompson was made a prisoner, colonel Wayne, though wounded, displayed great gallantry and good conduct in collecting and bringing off, the scattered and broken bodies of troops. In the campaign of 1776 he served under general Gates at Ticonderoga, and was highly esteemed by that officer for both his bravery and skill as an engineer. At the close of that campaign he was created a brigadier general. At the battle of Brandywine he behaved with his usual bravery, and for a long time opposed the progress of the enemy at Chad's Ford. In this action the inferiority of the Americans in numbers, discipline, and arms, gave them little chance of success ; but the peculiar situation of the public mind was sup- posed to require a battle to be risked ; the ground was bravely disputed, and the action was not considered as decisive. The spirits of the troops were preserved by a belief that the loss of the enemy had equalled their own. — As it was the intention of the American com- mander in chief to hazard another action on the first favorable opportunity that should offer, general Wayne was detached with his division, to harrass the enemy by every means in his power. The British troops were en- camped at Tryduffin, and general Wayne was stationed about three miles in the rear of their left wing, near the Paoli tavern, and from the precautions he had taken, he considered him- self secure ; but about eleven o'clock, on the night of the 17th Septempcr, major genera! Gray, having driven in his pickets, suddenly attacked him witli fixed bayonets. Wayne, unable to withstand the superior number of liis assailants, was obliged to retreat^ but Ibrraed again at a small distance, having lost about one hundred and fifty killed and wound- ed. As blame was attached, by some of the t)ffiecrs of the army, to general Wayne, for allowing himself to he surprised in this man- ner, he demanded a court martial, which, after examining the necessary evidence de- clared that he had done every tiling to ])e ex- pected from an active, brave, and vigilant of- ft^jer : and acquitted him with honor. kOS WAYNE. Shortly after was fought the battle of GqiSt mantown, in which he greatly signalized him- self by his spirited manner of leading his men into action. In all councils of war, general Wayne was distinguished for supporting the most energetic and decisive measures. In the one previous to the battle of Monmouth, he and general Cad- walader were the only officers decidedly in fa- vor of attacking the British army. The Ame- rican officers are said to have been influenced by the opinions if the Europeaus. The Baron de Steuben, and generals Lee and Du Portail, Avhose military skill was in high estimation, had warmly opposed an engagement, as too hazardous. But general Washington, whose opinion was in favor of an engagement, made such disposition as would be most likely to lead to it. In that action, so honorable to the American arms, general Wayne was conspi- cuous in the ardor of his attack. General Washington, in his letter to congress, observes, *< Were 1 to conclude my account of this day's transactions without expressing my obligations to the officers of the army in general, I should do injustice to their merit, and violence to my own feelings. They seemed to vie with each other in manifesting their zeal and bravery,— The catalogue of those who distinguished them- selves is too long to admit of particularizing individuals. I cannot, however, forbear men- tioning brigadier general Wayne, whose good conduct and bravery, throughout the whole ac- tion deserves particular commendation." WAYNEj A09 iTTulj' 1799, die x\merican cojnmandcr ia tiliief having conceived a design of attacking ffi|kthe strong post of Stony Point, committed the W^charge of this enterprise to general Wayne, — The garrison was composed of six hundred men, » principally higlilanders, commanded by lieute- nant colonel Johnson. Stony Point is a consi- derable height, the base of which, on the one side, is washed by the Hudson river, and on the [ other is covered by a morass, over which there ' is but one crossing place. On the top of this hill was the fort; formidable batteries of hea- vy artillery were planted on it, in front of which, breast- works were advanced, and half way down, was a double row of abattis. The batteries commanded the beach and the cross- I ing place of the morass. Several vessels of ( Avar were also in ihe river, whose guns com- I mandcd the foot of the hill. At noon, on the l^ 15th of Jaly, general Wayne marched from ■| Bandy Beach a'ld arrived at eight o'clock in W- the evening within a mile and a half of the fort, where he made the necessary disposition for thii assault. After reconnoitering the situa- tion of the enemy, at half past eleven he led his troops with unloaded muskets and fixed bayonets, and without firing a single gun, com- pletely carried the fort and made the garrison, amountiug to five hundred and forty-three (the rest being killed) prisoners. In the at- tack, while at the head of Febiger*s regiment, general Wayne received a wound in the head with a musket-ball, which, in the heat of the conflict, supposing mortal, and anxious to ex- pire in the lap of glory, he called to his aids to M m iio WAYNE. carry him forward and let kiin die in the foft> The resistance on the part of the garrison was very spirited. Out of the forlorn hope of twenty men, commanded hy lieutenant Gibbon, whose business it >>as to remove the ahattib, seventeen were killed. For the brave, prudent and soldierlike conduct displayed in this at- chicvement, the Congress presented to general Wayne a gold medal emblematic of the action. In the campaign of 1781, in which lord 0)rnwallis, and a British army were obliged to surrender prisoners of war, he bore a con- spicuous part. His presence of mind never failed liim in the most critical situations. Of this he ^ave an emincut example on the James iliver. Having been deceived by some false information, into a belief that the British army had passed the river, leaving but the a^ear j^uard behind, he hastened to attack the latter before it should also have effected its passage; but on pushing through a morass and wood, in- stead of the rear guard, he found the whole British army drawn up close to him. His si- tuation did not admit of a moment's delibera- tion. Conceiving the boldest to be the safest measure, he immediately led his small detach- ment, not exceeiiing eight hundred men, to the charge, and after a short, but very smart and j.'lose firing, in which he lost one hundred and eighteen of his men, lie succeeded in bringing off the rest under cover of the wood. Lord Cornwallis, suspecting the attack to be a feint, in order to draw Iiim into an ambuscade, would }V)t ptrmit his troops to pursue. WAYNE. IWie cncitiy having made a considerable head in Georgia, Wayne was dispatched by general Washington to take the command of the forces in that state, and after some sanguinary en- gagements, succeeded in establishing security and order. For his services in that state the legislature presented him with a valuable farm. On the peace, which followed shortly after, he retired to private life; but in 1789 we find liim a member oC the Pennsylvania convention, and one of those in ikvor of the present fede- ral constitution of the United States. In the year 1792 he was appointed to succeed general St. Clair, who had resigned the com- mand of the army engaged against the Indians^ on our western frontier. He had to oppose an enemy of unceasing activity, abounding in stra- tagemiB, and flushed with recent victory. His troops were composed of new levies, who with difficulty could be brought to submit to the strictness of discipline, necessary to be pre- served in order to counteract the arts of their wily foe. The service was considered as ex- tremely dangerous, and the recruiting proceed- ed very slowly. Two gallant armies had been cut to pieces by these savages, who had des- troyed with fire and the tomahawk, the advanc- ed settlements of the whites. On his appoint- ment, it was supposed by many, that the mili- try ardor, for which he had ever been eminent- ly distinguished, would be very likely to lead him in action under unfavorable circumstances, when opposed by a foe, whose vigilance was unceasing, and whose rule it was, never to risk an action, without the greatest assurance of H2 WAYNE. success. But the appointment had been madl» by the man, who of all others was the best judge of the requisite qualities of a comman- der. General Wayne had been selected for this important situation by president Washing- ton, who entertained a distinguished regard for him ; and the result showed his opinion as ac- curate in this, as in all other instances of his glorious life. Wayne formed an encampment at Pittsburgh, and such exemplary discipline was introduced among the new troops, that on their advance into the Indian country, they ap- peared like veterans. He wished to come to a general engagement with the enemy, but aware of the serious consequences that would follow a defeat, the movements of the army were con- ducted with consummate prudence. Parties were constantly in advance, and as well to guard against a surprize, which had been fatal to tlie officers which preceded him, as to inure his troops to vigilance and toil, the station of every liight was fortiiied. Provisions were difficult to procure, and a rapid advance into the enemy's country, must have been followed by as rapid ^ retreat. He, properly, conceived that the security of the country and the favorable ter- mination of the war, depended more on main- taining the ground, in a slow advance, than by making a rapid incursion into their villages, which he might be obliged instantly to aban- don. At this time, the Six Nations had shown a disposition to hostilities, which the care of the President was scarcely able to prevent. — And on the south, it was with difficulty that the government of Georgia restrained the tur. WAYNE* MS Imlcnee of its savage neighbors. In Ibis situ- ation, a retreat of Ibe American troops, \\oul(l probably have been attended >vith the most fatal eonseqiienees to the country. The Indians had collected in great numbers, and it was necessary not only to rout them, but to occupy their country by a chain of posts, that should, for the future, check their predatory incursions. Pursuing this regular and syste- matic mode of advance, the autumn of 1793 found general Wayne with his army at a post in the wilderness, called Greensville, about six miles in advance of fort Jefferson, where he determined to encamp for the winter, in order to make the necessary arrangements for open- ing the campaign to efiect early in the follow- ing spring. After fortifying his camp, he took possession of the ground on which the Ameri- cans had been defeated in 1791, which he for- tified also, and called the work fort Recovery, This situation of the army, menacing the In- dian villages, effectually prevented any attack on the white settlements. The impossibility of procuring the necessary supplies prevented the march of the troops till the summer. On the eighth of August the army arrived at the junction of the rivers An Glaize and Miami of the Lakes, where they erected works for the protection of the stores. About thirty miles from this place, tie British had formed a post, in the vicinity of which the Indians had assembled their whole force. On the 15th the army again advanced do;vn the, Miami, and on the IStli arrived at the Ilapids. On the following day they erected some works, for the Mm 2 414 WAYNE. protection of the baggage. The situation of the enemy was reeonnoitered, and they ^A ere found posted in a thick wood, in the rear ol' Ihe British fort. On the twentieth the army advanced to the attack. The Miami covered the right flank, and on the left were the mounted volunteers, commanded by general T^j^dd. After marchiug about five miles, ma- jor Price, who led the advance, received so heavy a fire from the Indians, who were sta- (ioned behind trees, that he was compelled to fall back. The enemy had occupied a wood in front of the British fort, which, from the quantity of fallen timber, could not be enter- ed by the horse. The legion was immediate- ly ordered to adrance Avith trailed arms, and rouse them from tlieir covert ; the cavalry under captain Campbell, were directed to pass between the Indians and tlie river, while the volunteers, led by general Scott^ made a cir cuit to turn their flank. So rapid, however, was the charge of the legion, that before the rest of tlie army could get into action, the enemy were completely routed, and driven through the Avoods for more than two mile?;, and the troops halted within gun-shot of the British fort. All the Indians' houses and corn- fields were destroyed. In tliis decisive action, the whole loss of general Wayne's arnsy, in killed and wounded, amounted only to one hun- dred and seven men. As hostilities continued on the part of the Indians, their Mltole coun- try was laid waste, and forts established, which effectually prevented their return. WILIJAMS. oiB The success of this engagement destroyed the enemies' power; and in the ibllowing year general "Wayne concluded a deiinitivc treaty of peace >vith them. A life of peril and giory ^vns terminated in December, 1796. He had shielded liis coun- try from tlie niHrderoiis tomahawk of the sa- vage. He had established her boundaries He had forced her enemies to sue for her pro- tection. He beheld her triumphant, rich in arts, and potent in arms. What more could his pa- triotic spirit wish to see ? He died in a hut at Presque Isle, aged about fifty one years, and w as buried on the shore of Lake Erie. A few years since his bones were taken up by his son, Isaac Wayne, Esq. and entombed in his native county ; and by direction of the Pennsylvania State Society of the Cincinnati, an elegant monument of white marble, with suitable inscriptions thereon, has been erected to his memory. WILLIAMS, Otiio Hollaxd, a brigadier general in the American army, was born in the county of Prince George, in Maryland, in the year 1748. He was bred up in the elei'k's office of the county, a profession wliieh present- ed better prospects to a young man, than any other office then procurable under^tlie colonial government of Maryland. He was removed just before the war broke out, to the clerk's office in the county of Baltimore, of which he had the principal direction ; and the business of which he conducted with exemplary proprie- ty. Anxious to draw his sword in defence of his oppressed country, as scon as the last re- U6 WILLIAMS. sort became inevitable, Williams w^s appoint- cd lieutenant in tlic company of riflemen raised in the county of Frederic, commanded by cap- tain Price, and marched in 1775 to the Ame- rican camp before Boston. In 1776 a rifle rc- j^iment was formed, of which Stepcnson was appointed colonel, Rawlings lieutenant colonel,, and Williams major. Stepsicnson soon dyings the command of the regiment devolved upon Rawlings, who, with bis regiment, formed part of the garrison of Fort Washington, in the state of New York* when assailed by sir William Howe, pushing Washington over tlie North river. In this at- tach, tiie rifle regiment opposed the Hessian column, and ])ehaved to admiration, holding for a long time, victory in suspense, and se- verely crippling its adversary. The fort was novcrtheless carried by capitulation, and its garrison became prisoners of war. After the surrender of Burgoyne's army, colonel Wilkin- son,^* adjutant general to general Gates, who was personally attached to major Williams, procured his exchange for major Achland, wounded in the first action between the north- ern armies, and left on the ground, with many others, to the mercy of tlie American general. While in captivity, Williams became entitled to the command of a regiment, and as soon as lie was exchanged, he was placed at the head of the sixth Maryland. The Maryland and Delaware lines having been detached to South * Now major general James WilUir.son-. of the" present army ot the United States. WILLIAMS. 4ir Carolina, soon after the rediieiion of Charles- ton, colonel Williams accompanied the Baron De Kalb, and after general Gates took com- mand of the army, he Avas called to tlie impor- tant station of adjutant general to the same. He bore a distinguished part in the battle of the sixteenth of August, and shared with the- general in the bitter adversity of that disas- trous period. When Greene took command of the south- ern army, colonel Williams was retained in the station he then occupied, which he held to the end of the war, enjoying the uninterrupted confidence of his commander, and the esteem of his fellow soldiers. Throughout the important campaign which followed he acted a conspicuous part, aud greatly contributed by the honorable and in- telligent discharge of the duties of the station wh ch he held, to the successful issue of Greene's operations. At the head of the liglit troops, during our difficult retreat, be was sig- nally efficient, in holding the army safe until it effected its passage across the river Dan ; and after Greene's return in North Carolina, when, to save that state, the American gene- ral was constrained to put to hazard his infe- rior force, he was no less useful in thwarting the yarioiis attempts of lord Cornwallis to strike his antagonist, lie seconded his general in the fields of Guilford, of Ilobrick, and of Eutaws, invariably exciting by his impressive example, officer and soldier to the animated display of skill and courage. 418 WILLIS. After tlic war he was appointed collector of the port of Baltimore. lie died in July, 1794, of a pulmonary complaint. Brigadier general Williams was ahoiit five feet ten inches high, erect and elegant in form, made for activity rather than strength. His countenance was expressive, and the faithful index of his warm and honest heart. Pleasing in his address, he never failed to render him- self acceptable, in whatever circle he moved, notwilhstandiag a sternness of character, which was sometimes mauifested with too much aspe- rity. He was beneficent to his friends, but very cold to all whose correctness in moral principle became questionable in his mind. As a soldier, he may be called a rigid, not cruel disciplina- rian ; obeying with exactitude his superior, he exacted the like obedience from his inferior. In the field of battle he was self-possessed, intelligent, and ardent j in camp circumspect, attentive and systematic ; in counsel sincere, deep, and perspicacious. During the campaigns of general Greene, he was uniformly one of his few advisers, and held his unchanged confic'ence. Nor was he less esteemed by his brother oflir cers^ or less respected by his soldiery. Previous to the disbandonraent of the army, congress manifested their sense of Williams* merit and services, by promoting him to tbo rank of brigadier general. WILLIS, Thomas, was an officer in the mi- litia of Pennsylvania, during the revolutionary war. He distinguished himself by ardor and intrepidity, on every occasion where his servi- ces were called for ; and often where they were WOLCOTT— WOOSTEK. U9 Voluntary, and called for only by a spirit of in- dividual gallantry and zeal for the cause of his country. He had the honor of capturinj;^, by a hazardous enterprize on the Delaware, theiirst British vessel that was condemned in New Jer- sey in our revolution. He was an active, use- ful and skilful officer. He was a plain unas- suniing man ; but strength of intellect more than compensated the loss which he sustained in consequence of spending that period in the camp, which is usually devoted to the cultiva- tion of the mind. His heart was too honest to sufi'er or to tolerate deceit, and his fair integ- rity, his probity, and his manly openness and sincerity of conduct, endeared him to all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. For some time previous to his dissolution lie commanded the twenty-fifth regiiiient, Penn- sylvania militia. He died in Fliiladelphia in January-, 1806, in the fiftieth year of his age. He died as he had lived, an ardent and sincere friend to the principles of the revolution. AYOLCOTT, Oliver, governor of Conncti- eut, was born about the year 17:27. He was a member of the ever memorable congress, whicii agreed upon the declaration of independence iu 1776, and he boldly advocated that measure. — He was chosen governor in 1796, but died De- cember 1, 1797, aged seventy-one years. In- corruptible integrity and unshaken firmness were conspicuous traits in the character of go- vernor AVoIcott. He was the friend of virtue and religion. WOdSTER, David, major general in the revolutionary war, was bora at Stratford in 420 WYNKOOP. 1711, and was graduated at Yaie college in 1738. At the commencement of the war with Great Britain, he was appointed to the chief command of the troops in the service of Con- necticut, and made a hrigadier general in the continental service ; hut this commission he af- terwards resigned. In 1776 he was appointed the first major general of the militia of his na- tive state. While opposing a detachment of British troops, Avhose object was to destroy the public stores at Danbury, he was mortally wounded at Ridgfield, April 27, 1777, and died on the second of May. Though seventy years old general Wooster behaved with the vigor and spirit of youth. Congress resolved, that a monument should be erected to his memory, as an acknowledgment of his merit and services. WYNKOOP, Gerakdus, was a native of Bucks county, in the state of Pennsylvania. — In the early periods of the memorable contesi, with Great Britain, he Avas zealously engaged in the to'iU of the tented field as a military officer, wliercin he greatly distinguished him- self in defence of American liberty. At sub- sequent periods of the war he was for several years, under the old constitution, speaker of the house of Assembly of Pennsylvania, then the sole legislative body in that state, which la- borious, honorable and highly resj)onsible of- fice, he discharged to the entire satisfaction of liis constituents, whose interests he pursued with the most conscientious fidelity, during nineteen years service as their representative in that body. He died in June lSi3, aged nearly eighty years. WYTHE. 421 W YTHE, George, Chancellor of Virginia, and a distinguished friend of his country, was born in thi^ county of Elizabeth city, in 1726. At school lie learned only to read and write, and to apply the five first rules in arithmetic. Without the assistance of any instructor he acquired an accurate knowledge of the Greek, and he read the best authors in that as well as in the Latin language. He made himself also a profound lawyer, becoming perfectly versed in the civil and common law, and in the statutes of Great Britain and Virginia. He was also a skilful mathematician, and was well ac- quainted with moral and. natural philosophy. Having obtained a license to practice law, lie took his station at the bar of the old gene- ral court with many other great men, whose merit has been the boast of Virginia. Among them he was conspicuous not for his eloquence or ingenuity in maintaining a bad cause, but for his sound sense and learning, and rigid at- tachment to justice. He never undertook the support of a cause, which he knew to be bad, or which did not appear to be just and hono- rable. He was even known, when he doubted the statement of liis client, to insist upon his making an affidavit to its truth, and in every instance, where it was in his power, he exa- mined the witnesses as to the facts intended to be proved before he brought the suit, or agreed to defend it. When the time arrived, which Heaven had destined for the separation of the wide, confe- derated republic of America, from the domi- nion of Great Britain, Mr. Wythe was one of ]vn i-2^ WYTHE. the instruments in the hand of providence lor accomplishing that great work. He took a decided part in the very first movements of op- position. Not content merely to fal] in with the wishes of his fellow citizens, he assisted ia persuading them not to suhmit to British ty- ranny. With a prophetic mind he looked for- ward to the event of an approaching war, and resolutely prepared to encounter all its evils rather than to resign his attachment to liber- ty. Witli his pupil and friend, Thomas Jef- ferson, he roused the people to resistance. As the controversy grew warm, his zeal became proportionally fervent. He joined a corps of volunteers, accustomed himself to military dis- cipline, and was ready to march at the call of Iiis country. But tha<^ country, to whose in- terests he was so sincerely attached, had other duties of more importance for him to perform. It was his destiny to obtain distinction as a statesman, legislator ami judge, and not as a warrior. Before the war commenced, he was elected a member of the Virginia assembly. — After having been for some time speaker of the house of burgesses, he was sent by the members of that body as one of their delegates to the congress, which assembled May 18, 1775, and did not separate until it had declar- ed the independence of America. In that most enlightened and patriotic assembly he possessed no small share of influence. He was one of those, who signed the memorable decla- ration, by which the heroic legislators of this country pledged " their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor," to maintain and defend I WYTHE. 4.20 its violated rights. But the voice of his native state soon called him from the husy scenes, where his talents had heen so nobly exerted. By a resolution of the general assembly of Virginia, dated November 5, 1776, Thomas Jefferson, Edmund Pendleton, George Wythe, George Mason, and Thomas Ludwell Lee were appointed a committee to revise the laws of the commonwealth, "^lliis was a work of very great labor difficulty. The committee of re- visors did not disappoint the expectations of their country. In the commencement of their labors they were deprived of the assistance, which might have heen received from the abi- lities of Messrs. Mason and Lee, by the death of the one and the resignation of the other. — The remaining three prosecuted their task with indefatigable activity and zeal, and, June 18, 1779, made a report of one hundred and twen- ty-six bills, which they had prepared. This report showed an intimate knowledge of the great principles of legislation, and reflected the highest honor upon those who formed it. After finishing the task of new modelling the laws, he was employed to carry them into effect, by being placed in the difficult office of judge of a court of equity. He was one of the three judges of the high court of chancery, and afterwards sole chancellor of Virginia, in >vhich station he continued until the day of his death, during a period of more than twenty years. He was a member of the Virginia conven- tion, which in June 1788, considered the pro- posed constitution of the United States. He 424 WYTHE. was ever attached to the constitution, on ae- count of the principles of freedom and justice, which it contained, and in every change of af- fairs he was steady in supporting the rights of man. His political opinions were always firmly repuhlican. He presided twice successively in the college of electors in Virginia, and twice voted for a president, whose political opinions coincided with his own. He died in June, 1806, in the eighty first year of his age. It was supposed that he was poisoned, but the person suspected was ac- quitted by a jury of his countrymen. By his last will he bequeathed his valuable library and philosophical apparatus to his friend, Mr. Jefferson, and distributed the remainder of his little property among the grand children of his sister, and the slaves, whom he had set free. Chancellor Wythe possessed a soul replete with benevolence. He was of a social and af- fectionate disposition. His integrity was ne- Yer even suspected. While he practised at the bar, when offers of an extraordinary but well merited compensation were made to him by clients, whose causes he had gained, he would say, that the laborer was indeed wor- thy of his hire, but the lawful fee was all he had a right to demand, a^id as to presents he did not want and would not accept them from any man. This grandeur of mind he uni- formly preserved to the end of his life. THE END. CONTENTS. A Page, A<1ams, Samuel, 1 Allen, Ethan, 13 Allen, Ebenezer, IS Allen, Moses, ib. Alexander, Wm. 21 Arnold, Benedict, 22 B Barry, John, 36 Bayard, John, 37 BartleU, Josiah, 38 Biddle, Nicholas, 42 Bland, Theodoric, 55 Bowdoin, James, 56 Brackett, Joshua, 60 Bradford, Wm. ib. Bradford, Wm. 65 Brooks, Eleazer, ib. Brown, Andrew, 66 Brown, Moses, 67 Bryan, George, 68 Butler, Richard, 70 Butler, Thomas, ib. C Caswell, Richard, 72 Champe, Jolin, 74 Chittenden, Thos. 80 Page. Clinton, George, 82 Cooper, Samuel, 93 Cushing, Thomas, 96 D Darke, William, 98 Davidson, Wm. 99 Dayton, Elias, 103 Deane, Silas, lO^i Dickinson, John, 105 Dickinson, Phln. 107 Dravton, Wm. ib. ^ E Ellsworth, Olv. 109 Eustace, John, S. Ill F Franklin, Benj, 112 G Gadsden, Chr. 123 Gates, Horatio, 126 Gist, Mordecai, 152 Gordon, Wm. ib. Greene, Chr. 153 Greene, Nathl, 159 II Hale, Nathan, 175 Hamilton, Alex. 179 CONTENTS. Page. Hancock, John., 189 Hart, Oliver, 196 Tiawlej, Joseph, 198 Heniy, Patrick, 199 Ilopkinson, Frs. 20'i Howeli, Richard, 207 Huntingdon, Sal. 208 Hutchins, Thos. 209 I Irvine, William, 211 J Jones, Paul, 215 K fCalh, Baron de, 231 Killen, William, 237 Kirk wood, 239 Knox, Henry, . 240 L Laurens, Henry, 248 Laurens, John, 250 Lee, Charles, 252 Lee, Richard H. 263 Livingston, Wm. 265 M Macwhorter, Al. 267 Manly, John, ib. Marion, Francis, 269 Mathews, Thos. 273 Mcrcei , Hugh, ih. Mifflin, Thos. 275 Mo.jtgoniery, Rd. 277 M<.rgan, Daniel, 288 Morris, Robert, 305 Page. Moultrie, Wm. 306 Muhlenberg, Pet. 311 N Nelson, Thos. 312 Nisbet, Charles, 313 O Ogden, ]Matthias, 314 Olney, Jeremiah, ib. Otis, James, P Page, John, Paine, Thomas, Pendleton, Ed. Pierce, John, Preble, Edward, Prioleau, Samuel, 342 Pulaski, count, Putnam, Israel, Q Quincey, Josiah, R Randolph, Peyt. Reed, Joseph, Rittenhouse, Dav. 354 Rutledge, John, 358 S Scammel, Alexr. 359 Schaick, Gon. Va. 360 Schuyler, Philip, 361 Screven, 362 Sujith, J. B. 363 Smith, Isaac, 364 Steuben, F. W. 365 Sullivan, John, ib. 316 318 319 320 ib. 323 343 346 351 352 ib. CONTENTS. Page. Page. T Washington, Wm. 400 Thayer, Simeon, 369 Wayne, Anthony, 405 Thomas, John, 371 Williams, O. H. ^t±B W Willis, Thomas, 418 Ward, Artemus, ib. Woleott, Oliver, 419 AVarren, Joseph, 373 Wooster, David, ib. AVarren, James, 378 Wynkoop, Ger. 420 Washington, Geo. 379 Wythe, George, 421 JIIE POXLOWING ARE THG NAMES OF THE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WHO SUBSCRIBED THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. JUiY 4>, ±776, Samuel Adams, J hn Adams, Josiah Bartletf, Carter Braxton, George Clymer, Santue] Chase, Abraham Clark, Charles Carroll, William Ellery, William Floyd, Benjamin Franklin, El})ridg;e Gerry, Button Gwinnett, Stephen Hopkins, Samuel Huntingdon, Francis Hopkiiison, John Hart, Benjamin Harrison, William Hooper, Joseph Hughes, Thomas Lynch, jun. John Morton, Robert Morris, Arthur Middleton, Lewis Morris, Thosijas Nelson, jun. WilJiam Paca, Robert Treat Paine. John Penn, Benjamin Rush, Cjesar Rodney, George Ross, George Read, Edward Rutledge, Roger Sherman, Richard Stockton, James Smith, Tliouias Stone, George Taylor, Mathew Thorntou, Thomas Heyward, jun William Whipple, Lyman Hall, Thomas Jefferson, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Rii'hard Henry Lee, Francis L. Lee, Jolin Witherspoon, AVilliam Williams, Oliver Wolcott, James Wilson, G^'orge Wythe, George Walton. Jolm Hancock, President, Charles Thompson, Secretary. V W 7% ■: ^-^o'' o. • V* .•i:;^'^, % >- 0- .• ^o ^^-^^^ ►^^':^5J^- .-^o. /: I C°\' 'j'^' <* *'7vr« ,0 <9, '« . » • A, ^«A ' • • ' ^V "^^ w • » ' ^' > ^ % 4^y' C- * O^ 'o . '•of' ;♦ J^ e M o ^^/-^-^^ -SK' /\ ■°^^* /% .* ^^' o o. '♦,To«