tp-r. 4-°-*. '„ A* ** "tt. A. *0.0» ^H{,^ ^O A ©lAfS 1L@W TO THE PRINCIPLES OF ABOLITION BY A LADY OF>*»eEDERICKSBURG, Va We "tnd. fio mention of aaves^ b'efore the deruge, but immediately after, viz: in the curse of Canaan, Gen. chqj. xi.,v. 25, whence it is easily- inferred, that ser\'itude commenced sooii aTler that time ; for in Abraham's -days we find it generally established. Some persons are of opinion that it commenced under Nimrod, because it was he who first began to make war, and of consequence to make captives, and to bring such as he took, either in his battles or irrapticns, into slavery. Great part of the Roman wealth consisted in slaves, and they had the power of life and death over them. In recurring to the Holy Bible we find much upon the subject of slavery, and in relation thereto the following extiacts cire submitted, viz : Exodus, chap. 21, verses 20 and 21. "If a mai.- smite his serv^antacked intentions of th^se men who compose the principal leaders of the abolitionists, I beg leave to oiler to the public my sentiments on this subject. Had those blind leaders of the blind been actuated by love to their fellow creatures, instead of a blind infatuation, ambition and jealousy, that the rising prosperity of the Southern States — had a desire to produce a revolting spirit in the infatuated and misguided slaves, hoiding out a hope of rescuing them from tlieir long accustomed servitude, which ought to have become a second nature, and whose situation v/as far more I 2 preferable than the wretched poor emigrants -which crowd the IVorthenf cities, for scarcely a steamboat lands in New York or Philadelphia but there is from fifty to a hundred of the houseless children of men eager to naturalize themselves, and willingly become bondsmen and women in order to obtain a livelihood. I say if those charitable enthusiasts would have exercised their humanity in behalf of the suffering poor, no doutt that the blessing of God would have crowned their efforts with success, and they would not have added one more linlc to the chain of those unfor- tunate blacks, whose situation was far more desirable than the poor people of their own States. Why did they not exercise their philanthrophy to the poor which they'have seen leaving their native States with their wives and helpless little ones, a small^ wagon and one horse constituting their whote equipage. But we hear of no sympathy for them ; they did not furnish a proper field for their diabolical purposes ; they could not expect to aggran- dize themselves by having their sympathies excited. Why diu not ti.ose miserable men, like the great philanthropist Howard, immortalize them- selves in visiting prisons or hospitals, which contain sufficient subjects to appal the good man and to exercise his benevolence, instead of engendering a spirit of revolt in the blacks. Putting the subject on the most favorable issue, how impracticable wthose mysterious dispensalions which appear inexplicable to us, be made ^^ clear and manifest. The Abolitionists will say my ai-guments are drawn ^ from the Oil Testament, that we are not under the law but a debtor to L^grace ; but is not the han-l of those that are under the law make us who -are under trrace ? for no sooner had man fallen from his first transgression ^in the garden of Eden, where he had his place assigned him, then the grace under which we lived was promised ; for the Saviour, which Adam liad as great an interest in as we have, was represented as a lamb slain from the foundation pf the world. Do they suppose that supreme laws of God are to be altered ? Every generation that is born are to be governed by a different law and gospel, as their circumstances may require. Let the Aisolitioiiists prove that the scriptures are not of Divine origin, that they make no mention of slavery, or that there did not exist any macks at that period, that it had reference only to those captives who were takea in making war one with another ; that God makes use of one generation as an instrument in his hand to scourge another, and wink at those things in that dS.y ; but in this gospel day requires a dilierent course of obedience. I tiiink I can confute their futile and flimsy arguments on that point by adducing several sentences from the New Testament. I will commence in the case of a bond servant, who escaped from the service of a rigorous task-master,,who fled to Paul for protection, w'hich he received, not as a fugitive runaway from his master, but he received him as a brother, and retained him until he wrote to his master by him to whom he recom- mended the runaway, not only to be pardoned, but to receive him kindly a^ a brother, for his sake — he does not mention him, nor does he think it necessary to designate his cover; it was suflicient to desimate him as a servant to his master. If those kind hearts of the Abolitionists were actuated by love and commisseration to their fellow- creatures, either white or colored, rather than from a jealousy of the prosperity of the slave-holding States, why not find exercise for the sympathies in commisserating anil ameliorating the condition of their own color, acoordiiig to the old mark, :hat charity begins at home — it appears that a man's own color comes nearer in similitude to himself than amalgamating with an opposite, as different as midnight's gloom to brightest day. God has, for wise purposes, made a wide distinction in the external situation of this life, this life being only a prelude to one of endless duration, where distinctions will be at an end but that of the saint and sinner. No sooner had the earth drank the blood ot righteous Abel, shed by his murderous brother, than the Divine edict came forth from the Almighty,, that he would set a mark on the murderer, and by that mark he should be recognized and not be slain ; that he became a fugitive and separated from his father's house, that he departed with his family to the land of Nod, Irom which a generation, according to the Divine edict, should be born distinct from other nations, as to be of a difl'erent color. I have ever been of opinion that the mark ♦ et on Cain was of a color covering him from liead to foot, and was trans- mitted to his posteritj' — and that the land of Nod, where he so sojourned v/ith his family, was that of Africa, where the blacks first originated — and, agreeable to the scriptures, that the sins of the father should visit the children to the third and fourth generation, ibr what greater sin could have been committed at the commencement of the world than the murder of his brother ; the sin was of so great a magnitude that it entailed slavery on all his posterity, which I think the best reason that can be adduced. No doubt they are of the seed of Cain ; the word Nod implies that of drowsi- ness, duHness, supineness, inertness, or want of al^ility of body, of bright- ness of intellect, or readiness of comprehension, or an enlargement of the faculties, a want of constant progression towards an improvement. We must observe what a vast difference there exists between their sensibilities and those of a white man. It might be advanced against those arguments, that God makes the back to bear the burden imposed on it, and, in mercy has denied to them that refinement of mind and susceptibility which would constitute their misery. But could not God, if he had thought proper, place them on an equality ? Had he not the power of controlling them as the bit is put into the mouth of a horse by which he is turned about at the will of the rider ? Not that I would compare or insinuate that they are to be put on a level ; far from it. I think they are fellow-creatures as well as we are, susceptible of pain, and, in the wise dispensation of Pix>videncej we are the disposers of their destiny. I thinlc they should be treated with the greatest humanity, as far as circumstances will admit, to ameliorate their situation, for it is the interest of the master to observe to his slave that kind of love which makes the servitude of principle in the slave to serve and obey his master; not with eye service, but with obedience and willingness to discharge his duty in that state of life which it has pleased God to place him. Since making the above remarks, I was informed by a gentleman of unquestionable authority of a circumstance which ca.me immediately under his notice : A gentleman from Virginia had travelled as far north as New York, who had taken his man servant with him, who Iiad left a wife and children behind him ; after remaining some time, and discharg- ing his accustomed round of duties faithfully, became acquainted with some of these Abolitionists who were of the Quaker persuasion, and had so far insinuated into his credulous mind, and filled his head with the value of freedom obtained by any means, he was induced to inform his master, on his requesting him to prepare to return to Virginia with him, was answered that he did not think proper to accompany him again as a slave or cLS a hired servant, but should remain where he was. His master finding him in such a state of resistance against his authority, and being well acquainted with the advantage which was often taken by the slave accompanying his master to the northern States, endeavored to bring him over to obedience by making an appeal to his feelings, knov.^ing that force would not avail. In this case he asked him if he could willingly abandon his wife and children, which he well knew was ardently attacned to him ? After some hesitation, and evidently a conflict with himself, a strife be- tween conjugal love and the newly awakened love of liberty, he answered, he thought lie could. His master found tliat expostulation would be unavailing, thought he might induce him to continue with him by keeping an eye on his clothes, which he had brought into his room. But such a Erecaution was of no avail, h^ had' to leave without him. The slave put imself under the protection of one of those kind hearted abolitionists of the Quaker persuasion, and found he had to perform a double round of duties every day with his new master, under the pretext that he must remain with him till such a time, which, after the expiration, he might go at large without any fear of being molested. His master had left instruc- tions with his friend to offer five hundred dollars, the worth almost of the slave, for he was determined to recover him, if possible. Some short time after the above sum was advertised, the identical Qualcer who had stimulated the slave to resist the authority of his master, and put himself under his protection, under a solemn promise he would defend him, and give him all the advantage of the law, went to the gentleman who had authority to offer the above sum for his apprehension. He introduced himself by asking if he was not the person who had offered five hundred dollars for the apprehension and delivery of a servant of such a descrip- tioh ? Having been answered in the afiirmative, observed he could deliver the servant on having the sum specified in the advertisement paid over to hinu And moreover, if he would accompany him home he would deliver the servant. The money was paid to him immediately. The gentleman accompanied the Quaker to his house, when, as soon as the servant recog- nised his master's friend, then he claimed protection, and obsen^ed he found the freedom which the Abolitionists otfered the slaves who was so credulous as to believe them, was by far more servitude than they were accustomed to with their former masters. He farther observed, the identical Quaker was the man who first inveighled him away from his master, to v/hom he was perfectly willing to return. I have often observed, with the most perfect astonishment, during two Sessions of Congress, which I attended every day, to see John Quincy Adams setting on the floor in the House fro-.n eleven in the morning till four in the afternoon, his gray bald head whitened with tlie frost of many winters, advocating a principle in favor of the Abolition question, with such vehemence of words, distortion of features, and working his body as if he was evidently agonizing with Saint Vitus's dance, exposing him- self to the ridicule and contempt of his opponents ; a man which could not be actuated, at his time of life, by any other motive than avarice, a passion which continues much longer than any other with mankind ; a man whose father was the second President of the United States ; one who succeeded the immortal Washington in command ; one who had filled the same high station himself; who had so far descended, by his vciscillating cond-uct, as to leave him no "permanent claim on either party; one who subjects himself cO be insulted and made sport of by both sides of the question. Viewing him in the light which he stands before the public, I often think of the remark of Cardinal Woolsey, who, at losing the favour of his King, was brought to the humiliating confession, " Had he but served his God with as much zeal as he had his King, he would not have deserted him in his old days." I am afraid, when Mr. John Quincy Adams comes to die, he will be compelled to make the same heart-rend- ing and humiliating confession. Had he served his God with more sincerity than he had his countrj% he would not have left him, and thrown him on a vacillating pivot which turns to every propitious vnnd that will blow him a favorable gale. On a view of the subject I think proper to bring to the view of my patrons the proceedings of the Anti- Slavery Society of Penn- sylvania, lately convened at Harrisburg. They will judge for themselves of the temper of these men, and the tendency of their opinious and principles. We shall keep the slaveholding States informed of tlie events in relation to this mad and mischievous enterprise, leaving them to pursue such a course in their defence as their own judgment may dictate. I concur with those who believe that the incendiary spirit which is abroad can only be met and successfully opposed by a firm and united stand on the part of the slaveholding States. Measures ought to be adopted by them without delay, avoiding all exciting and intemperate appeals; should be distin- guished by a calm, deliberate, and decided tone. The northern States ought to be informed, on the highest authority, that the slaveholding States will never submit to their interfering in any way with this subject belonging to them exclusively ; and they will admit of no oificious foreign mediation for the benefit of those who may not have had an opportunity, by an extract from their own words, that "in christian meekness they intend to maintain the right of exhorting those who uphold an institution so evidently unjust as that of slavery, to examine its operations upon all classes of the community, both individually and collectively; confident that if they do so with unprejudiced minds and sincere motives they will be convinced of its sinfulness ; and thus be prepared to commence imme- diately the great work of freeing themselves and their countiy from its 6 paralizing influence. That having put their hands to the plough of hberty, then gave their sacred pledge never to look back until the noxious weed of slavery shall be exterminated from the American soil — that the sinful- ness of slavery lies chiefly in its vital constituent principles, the holding and treating of man as property ; and in this respect all slaveholders, the kind as veell as the cruel, are alike guilty of a heinous crime in withholding from their fellow men unalienable rights, trampling under foot the image of God, and disregcirding the eternal and immutable distinction between a person and a thing ; that slavery is a disgrace to a civilized world, ancj to the age in which we live, an act whicli our Government cannot sanc- tion, directly or indirectly, without entitling us as a people to an eternity of infamy." I now leave my readers to judge for themselves what kind of measures are necessary to be adopted and carried into effect in order to exterminate such principles, so dangerous and wicked in themselves. And if once carried into execution what would be the result? a sacrifice of property, lives, and every thing that is valuable in life. I was informed by a gentleman of unquestionable authority, who was present at the Tabernacle Church in Broadway, New York, on the first Sunday in May, where there were several hundred people congregated. He informed me that it was their sacramental sabbatn ; after the sermon, the invitation was given in a general way to all who were in good stand- ing in their own churches, to come forward and partake of the sacred ele- ments of which the Lord's Supper is composed. The minister further observed, he hoped it would be borne in mind, that all who were not in favor of immediate and unconditional emancipation, would not consider themselves included in the invitation ; with that the greater part of the congregation withdrew from the table. From such a procedure what may we look for, when such an incendiary spirit has insinuated itself even into the sanctuary of the Lord, and has extended itself so far as to exclude all who are not imbued with the same diabolical spirit, from the sacred altar of the Lord. I could advise all those who are impregnated with the spirit of abolitionism, to freight a vessel with its baneful influence and send her to Liberia, and by this means we shall get clear of one of the most dan- gerous and absurd principles which are now abroad. Visiting Philadelphia, which truly may be called the Metropolis of America, boarded at the North American Hotel, on Chestnut street, occupied by Mrs. Yohy and Captain Blackstone, a house too well known to visiters and citizens to need any comment, a house that receives the pcissengers every day from Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York boat, in addition to an overflowing number of boarders. The house is on the most extraordinary plan, and is superior to any in Philadelphia. She has three beautiful daughters with her, the youngest the wife of Mr. Thames, a merchant on Market street, is surpassingly beautiful and affectionate. I am indebted to her for the principal gratification I received during my stay in Philadelphia. She cheerfully accompanied me to all the distin- guished squares in her private carriage. I was gratified on one fine morning, in the month of October, by a visit to Fair Mount, opposite the banks of the beautiful Schuylkill. The reservoir of the water with which the city is supplied, cleanses the streets, and is conducted to a height of several hundred feet from its level, forced to ascend by machinery^ and conveyed by many thousand pipes, and affords a constant supply. We then visited the public burying ground ; the ground is laid oflT, one would suppose, to gratify the eye rather than the depository of the dead. The great expense the survivors put themselves to, reflects great credit on them. We were on board the Pennsylvania, the largest and finest ship in the world. I think she is sufficiently large to be a terror to the whole British Navy. They wont find her timber, copper, or ffuns, or officer^ of that kind of metal which wo'uld make them yield to his Britannic Majesty's squadron as easy as Fanny Kemble anticipated they would. She is as much deceived in that as she is despised by the Americans. I visited the Lunatic Hospital in Philadelphia, one of the most humane institutions in , the world. It affords an asylum for the most wretched part of God's creation; ' for of all the ills which the human family are subject to that of derange- ment is the most lamentable. Yet there was much to ameliorate their situation. It was a subject of surprise, as well as sympathy, to observe three lawyers who were, at one time, considered the most eminent in Philadelphia, but at that time convalescent. I thoueht of the remark of our Saviour in pronouncing sentence on the Scnbes, Pharisees, and Lawyers : " for you enter not in yourselves and you hinder others also." I observed a splendid monument erected to the memory of Charles Nicholas, who emigrated to this country, and made an independent fortune in the city of Philadelphia. A short time before he became an inmate in the hospital he had a strong presentiment that he would sooner or later become one ; consequently he availed himself of a small ray of reason that had not been prostrate, and bequeathed nine thousand dollars to the hospital — was an inmate for sixteen years, and requested to be interred within its ground. His monument is erected in the centre of the back ground, enclosed with a handsome chain supported by beautiful marble posts. My attention was directed to a small mound scarcely raised above me surface of the ground, and which contained the unfortunate remains of the wife of the rich Girard, without the smallest stone to inform the visiter who was deposited there by the side of so splendid a monument. After expressing surprise that the rich Girard, who had bequeathed so many thousands to be appropriated to different institutions, and erected many superb buildings sufficient to fill some of the largest squares, wliich were called Girard's squares, should sufier his vdfe's remains to be deposited in the ground of a lunatic hospital, I was informed she had been an inmate for sixteen years. I inquired if her husband did not visit her in her sad sojourn in this vale of tears. I was informed he did ; but he did not come with love in his heart or kindness on his tongue, for she was always much worse after his visits than before. He was not of a disposi- tion to conciliate by his kindness, but of the contrary. The first thing that interested my attention upon entering the hospital over the mantle- piece of a highly finished library, arranged with the best authors, was a portndt representing a beautiful female, half clothed, whose large black eyes once emitted love and intelligence, ready to start from their sockets, and whose features were once beautiful now distorted. I inquired if it represented any v^Tetched inmate of the hospital ; I was informed it was a fancy piece. I thought it quite unnecessary to have recourse to fancy when there were so many realities to excite the strongest S3anpathy. The great humanity vsdth which the invalids that have recourse to the sick department, reflect great credit on the hospital — care is talcen to restore them— they are permitted to leave the hospital when they think proper. If the friends of the unfortunate inmates would, vrith the consent of the faculty, remove their friends on a return of reason, however short the intervals, to some cheerful place, and engage them in a lively manner, so as to detach them from a retrospective \aew, there would be many miserable beings which now live and die deprived of one of the greatest of blessings, a sound mind and a brilliant understanding. My sympathy was much excited for those practitioners at the hai, who, before their minds had become prostrated, or during the painful process in passing through such a fiery ordeal to unhinge the links of a once well regulated mind, the conflict must be more paiimil than one of a more ordinary cast- I felt more for those lawyers. My attention was directed to a beautiful girl of eighteen, that had been immured within its gloomy walls for two years, whose name was Caroline Little; she was the daughter of a widow lady of that city, her father had been a capital merchant. She had, before that fatal pas-sion, love, which, without the aid of reason and experience, which has caused thousands of the credulous to reciprocate with the deceitful and treacherous part of the other sex, who, after sporting with feelings of a fond female has abandoned them to despair — such had been the case of this beautiful and unfortunate girl. Previous to her derange- ment she was a valuable member of the Methodist church ; a serpent, similar to the one which beguiled Eve, under the sacred name of their pastor, insinuated himself into her credulous heart, deserted it as if it were a worthless thing. He did not, like his Divine master whose disciple he professed to be, who would not break the bruised reed or quench the smoaking flax^but after engaging her aifections left her a wreck of her former self, and a fit subject for a lunatic hospital. The punishment inflicted upon him was suspension and a denial of preaching the sacred gospel which he had polluted with his hypocritical lips, and disgraced the cloth he wore. I found her rational, and, no doubt, had been intelligent. I recommended to her to banish, if possible, every painful retrospective, and to obtain some strength of mind, and, if her physicians would permit her, to return to her friends, and, above "all, to select some other object to supply and fill the chasm in her heju-t as the best means of obliterating all Eamful retrospections. If I had the management of her care she would e restored to reason in a sirort time. I next went to see West's painting, which he describes with great accuracy, which Clu-ist performed in the temple in healing all manner of diseases. They are portrayed as large as life. I will endeavor to give a description of some of the most interesting. The first object on which I fixed my attention was the Saviour as far as the human imagination can conceive. West had arrayed all those acts of mercy which the scripture describes he performed while on earth. On one hand stands the Saviour, his countenance beaming with benevolence on those who looked to him for relief; his loved disciple John on the right separating him from the high priests, as ifthe touch oftheir garments would pollute those in which the Saviour was arrayed, a countenance represent- in the blackness of their hearts gnashing him with their teeth. On the left were his disciples, as large as life, executed in such inimitable accu- racy they appeai-ed to move as if they had life and bein^ ; one scene represented an aged mother laboring under long affliction with the palsy, borne along in the crowd by her affectionate sons, whose sorrowful hearts were evinced by their tears. A little above was a lunatic, whose bald head and distorted countenance, eyes ready to start from their sockets, with him his affectionate and sympathising sisters endeavoring, as far as their feeble strength would permit, to support his body, pointing out to him the Saviour. A sufferer carried on a bed. A blind daughter carried to him by her father, the daugh4;er more beautiful, though blind, than any one I ever saw. A mother with her sick and suffering child in her arms. A woman bowed down to th£ earth with her infirmity, endeavoring to make her way through the dense crowd, the extraordinary power of de- lineating that which faith alone could have represented to him, for he had no model but the scriptures. There have been many small representa- tions taken from the original. I conclude these remarks by giving a description of Harper's Ferry and the White Sulphur Springs. Mr. Jefferson in his remarks on Virginia, observed it was worth a voyage across the Atlantic to visit Harper's Ferry. 9 Sweet scenes of beauty, bold and fair, So pleasing to the sight, Where lofty nills their ramparts rear On nature's loftiest height. There the fair stream of Potomac glides. With Shenandoah unites ^ They both combine with equal force The stubborn hills to fight. What grand concussion there took place, Remains impressed around. The a%vful conflict there is seen. In daring marks 'tis found. Till victory did the cause decide, Bold Potomac claimed the day ; Majestic on the stream doth glide, ♦ And empties in the bay. Having visited the White Sulphur Springs last summer, which may be truly called the fountain of health, I offered to the public this tribute of respect to its owner. Come all you who thirst for the water of life. Whether father, son, fair daughter or wife, Come drink at this fountain, you v*-ill certainly find, Relief for the body as well as the mind. For the man who to day does but totter along. By drinking it freely will soon become strong. The wife that is loosing her beauty and charms, Will return with new life to her husband's fond arms. The cheek of the lass that was blooming and red, Will receive here a^ain the bright roses that fled. The sweet little child, his father's dear boy. Who no health from his earliest breath could enjoy, Begins like the lambkin to sport and to play. And chase from his mother dull sorrow away. And thousands its power have had. Whom the doctors have since consigned to the grave. It bestows its blessings alike upon all. Fits the old for their chat, and the young for the ball, Where the lover may dance with the girl of his heart. And Hymen shall whisper they never shall part. It was once observed by a poet, that women were only qualified to nurse fools, and retail slander ; but he never dreamed that the matchless talents of a De Stael, lady Morgan, and Miss Edgeworth, would deck the diadem of literature with its most brilliant gems ; make the temple of the muses fit for the reception of the graces, and clothe the barren field of female authorship with the flower^' and picturesque foliage of sublime sentiment and exalted feeling, flourished in graphic elegance of diction ; as refined as ever love conceived the names of these unrivalled ladies, the glory of their own sex, and the admiration of the other, will be embalmea in im- mortality, and retain to the latest time, their mystical influence, that will conjure up the pleasing and endearing recollections in every mind, the countless expansion and versatility of intellect, illuminated the \vritings of Madam De Stael and Miss Porter, have filled America with admiration. The splendid productions of Miss Edgworth have enriched English lite- rature with as pure and sparkling ore, as philosophy could raise out of an inexhaustible mind. There is all the various sympathies and feelings that 10 fvern and direct the passions of humanity in the work of Lady Morgan. e find every subject arrayed in the seductive charms of sentimental sorcery, and rendered still more attractive, by the graceful drapery of llovi'ery diction in the romantic enthusiasm of patriotism, in tlie passion and energy that distinguished her vindication of her country, in the magnificence of style ; and for the vivid portraiture of Irish character. She is eminently superior to Miss Edgeworth. On reading her Itala, we were astonishecl by the bright eftulgence of her views, the powers of her descriptions, and the philosophic musings and wrapt conceptions which pervade the pages of that celebrated work, a work which, while it fills the sceptred despot of the Valley Alliance with terror, drew forth from Lord Byron the memorable and laudable compliment, which our fair countrywomen prizes more highly than all the imperial commendations Cagsar could bestow upon their everlasting favorites. I compassionate the tasteless critic, who is not delighted with the beauty of her style, and the glowing of her sentiments, where she toucj^es the affections and passions of the human heart. Her pages are fraught with that impassioned eloquence which impresses upon her compositions the seal of rapturous enchantment, and enlarges our ideas and sensibilities over minds, while it strengthens those bonds of philanthrophy that bind us to our fellow-creatures. The power of woman in this literary age has become as potent from iniellectual influence, as she was formally from personal attraction ; still we grant, that even in ancient times those women who governed the hearts and understandings of men, with the most unbounded sway, owed their powers less to beauty, and the charms of youth, than to the strength of mind and cultivation of talent. A woman without elegance, personal exterior, without the polish of accomplish- ments, is like a flower without fragrance. Aspacia possessed neither youth nor beauty. When Socrates became her admirer, and imbibed the principles of philosophy and love, and her charms were faded; when Athens was governed by her decrees, through the medium of Princess Corinna, of whose talents we read so much, and of whose beauty we know so little, preside over the heart of Pindar, the splendid abilities of Catharine of Russia, raised her from a cottage to a throne, by the magnetism of her conversation, and the brilliancy of her accomplishments ; and if we can credit the assertions of Dio, the only gallantry the voice of slander could say to the charge of Cicero, was his devoted attachment and literary cor- respondence with Casellia, a. female philosopher of seventy. It has been acknowledged by the Emperor Napoleon, that the brilliant and gay viva- city of Josephine could chase away the gloomy spirit of care from his per- turbed mind sooner than the conjugal endearments of the lovely daughter of Caesar. A woman merely beautiful may attract ; a woman polished with a mediocrity of education may please ; and both united may have a transient triumph over the hearts of men, but it is sense and virtue em- bellished by the graces of accomplishment that fastens on the mind, and enchains the affections. If to those qualities are added animation of tem- per, cheerfulness of dispositicni, and softness of manners, the power of their possessors becomes irresistible ; it is fondly acknowledged by the heart, it is ratified by the understanding, and exalts every delight the senses can bestow. The zeal with which the cause of liberty was embraced by la,dies in America during the war of the revolution, has often been mentioned with adoration and praise. One alone will forcibly illustrate the strength of their patriotic feelings. The spirited reply made by Mrs. Daniel Hall to an insolent British officer, on demanding the keys of her trunk : on inquiring what he expected to find there, his reply was, treason ; to which her spirited and heroic reply was, he might save himself the trouble, for 11 he mig;ht find a sufficient quantity of tliat at her tongue's end, to confound him if he was engaged in afar metre honorable cause. Had I had the mis- fortune to have been born and lived in those days, which were calculated to try the hearts of the sons and daughters of men, and posse:3sed the same independent spirit, which is as strong as death, I- might have left on record similar remarks. America's a delightful country sure. May thy freedom thro' all time endure, May independence thro' thy wide domain. Free the conti'ol of all invaders reign, May nature's bloom demanding trivial toil. Round thy rich landscapes of prolific soil. Ffeedom, sweet birthright from the skies, May thy sons thee as tTieir lives still prize. May no revolts with their infernal strings. Be "able to control thy golden wings. • On every side our naval forces guard Our happy shores, invaders to retard. How terrible by casting dread afar, Our thundering cannon in the din of vrar. Should England hope once more to try our strength, They will hear our thunder before they reach our length. England with war once convulsed our land. Would have wrenched our dear bought purchase from our hand.?, Hoped that beneath her galding fetters yell, Yes vv'hen lines meet by running parallel. To cherish hope of this as well she may. Try to arrest the lightning on its way ; As well attempt to stop the ebbing tide, "To still the thunder and the planets guide. Long Island, Brandywine, and Bunker's Hill, Guildford and Eutaw are on record still, To show what freedom's sons have undergone, What freedom's sons have for their country done. England, England, many a bloody scene, Is charged to you on Time's long annals been ; By fire and sword our once distressed land, Has sorely ielt thy oppressing hand. And sons of freedom, do your hearts give room To the thought that she is more kind become ? A wolf and bear, though quiet in their chains, A wolf and bear in nature still remains : But let them loose no longer they'll suppress Thai baneful nature whicTi they still possess ; By all the horrors of vindictive rage, They'll quickly in destructions work engage ! So England yields submission, tho' with pain. Because she's bound by freedom's mighty chain — The infant child she Struggled with before. That infant has forced her to give o'er ; Hath to a great and mighty giant grown. Who would not dread the terror ot his frown !• England, England, iron pens would fail. Of ?11 thy guilt to give a full detail. Sons of Ireedom choose the soul appalling doom, Ere you again to England's chains give room : Like Sampson rend her g-alding bands. And hail sweet liberty in far distant lands. 1^ 12 If I extol England, then my heart Would, with Delilah} act a treacherous part } Wlio many pleasing things to Samsoii said, And on her lap to slumber laid his head ; But while he slep, by hell-bred tutors taUght, She his sad murderers from the chamber brought— As when in camp, to rest great ai'mies go, A sentinel is placed to watch the foe. Great Washington, the bravest of the brave, Braced on his armor and redeemed the slave : Hid character exempt from eveiy shade, That not one vice did tarnish or dea,'rade ; From blame exempt, from every stigma free, Courteous, humane, and circumspect was he : Not prose nor rhyme can higher praise his name, 'Tis stationed on the loftiest mount of fame. Exhauslless fund of art and virtue joined The noblest, bravest, wisest of mankind. Now near the fount of life's exhaustless springs, For other worlds he strikes the trembling strings : His hai-p attuned with the blood ransomed throng, Strikes sweet the numbers of immortal songs. When shall we meet him on that blissful shore, Where sorrow, grief, and mourning are no more. But ere we close, we caution France to pause, Nor marshal troops in an unlawful cause ; Let her behold her portrait in the glass. Examine well the two sides of her face ; She shall behold a shakened constitution. Brought by the shock of manj^ a revolution. Unhealthy picture all is fell disease. In wild commotion like the ti'oubled sea. Each limb distorted, every sinew strained ; And all her body exquisitely pained : To war, by land, or sea France may not roam, She has her wars and massacres at home. Our vessels proudly on the billows ride. Impelled by steam they thunder through the tide. Our cars by steam along the rail-road scour, The rapid speed of forty miles an hour : And tho' from steam we often hear a doleful story, Yet from all other arts it bears away the glory : As war trained armies against the hostile foe. From pondrous cannon chain-bound bullets throw- Then to the charge rush with impetuous force, Nor fire nor sword can stay their rapid course ! So on our rail-roads with resistless sway, Thro' rocks and hills they force their rugged way : In each deep crevice of the rocky vein. They pour the nimble fire attractive bane : The flash appears, the thunder claps resound. The dread concussion rocks the solid ground ; While showers of stones fly, casting dread afar Like loud artillery in the din of war- Trees and fences torn by rapid shocks. Of weighty fragments from stupendous rocks ; Clouds of sulphurous smoke on hioh ascends. And loud explosions massy rocks distends. 54 >'/> . ^,^* •^«'- \/ .'""•■ -^ ^'- "^^ .-^.-^