Class Book _-^- / rrA THE AMERICAN NEI^l: COLLECTION OF THE LIVES OF THE MOST jREMARKJBLE AND THE MOST EMINENT MEN, WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE DISCOVERY, THE SETTLEMENT, AND THE INDEPENDENCE OF AMERICA. ^{x.-^. i \/- Calculated for i'he Use of Schools* " Hiftory is Philofophy teaching by Examples.' 1 -»' '•' B ALT I MO RE: PUBLISHED BY G. "DOUGLAS, BOOKSELLER- M DCCC.V. *. >*• JBAL'tJMOSEy March 1805, CoJ\rSID£EIJ\rG thai the lives of remarkable and illustrioits Men^ eminent Jor their enterfirize^ their talents^ and their virtues^ are Jit examples for Youthy not only to increase their knotvledge qf the history of their own Country, but also to excite a commendable emulation of ivhatever is just and praisc'ivorthy, We ure of opinion f that the following Collection may be if use to the rising generation, JSli^jh Dunham RAi^ooNSy Sac, The. Prof. Jfsociate Hector of St. Paul's Parijhf Baltimore.) and State of Maryland^ U.S. Joseph G. J» Bend, D. D, Associated Rector qfSt.Paul's Parifiji Baltimore Co. Maryland. James Ingljs, Minister of the first Presby-* terian Congregation in the City cf Baltimcne. John Glendt, Minister of the second Presby*^ terian Church, Baltimore. William Sinclair, Pr. Logic and Rhetoric in Baltimore CollegCi and Principal of Baltimore Academy. Samuel Knox, A,M* Samuel Brown, PREFACE. BIOGRAPHY is that species of history which records the lives and characters of remark- able persons. When truly given, it is the his- tory oi Man as he is, wherein we contemplate, for our instruction, the virtues, or the vices of those who are described : We trace the proo-ress of good men with pleasure, and we behold the crimes of bad men with detestation. Bioo-raphy is therefore not only the most entertaining, but is also the most instructing kind of History- No books are so proper to be put into the hands ot young persons. If Chronology and Geography be the eyes of History, Biography must be its grand feature. Its vital principle. In ancient story, we read of the ambition of Alexander and Caesar— in mo dern annals, we are shocked with the crimes of Cromwell and Robespierre. Fortunately, the history of America has had no occasion to re- <;ord the hateful deeds of usurpers and tyrants— as yet, her remarkable men are of the first or 4er ; they are objects of admiration, and worthy or imitation. •' It is true, that the personages described in the loUovving pages are not all natives of this coun- try , but their hves are so connected with its dis covery, its improvement, and its advances to maturity as a nation, that they could not be o- mitted in a book which professes to ffive for the ^ instruction of the youth of Americaf^ biWraph- ^ ica history of its most eminent cliaracters The collection begins with the celebrated Columbus, and concludes with the illustrious JVuskmg^o?i-i ^ With II PREFACE. With Franklin and Wcishinpton, the people of these States need not be afniid to liokl up their heads with the proudest kingdoms of Europe, iind dispute with them the palm of Philosophy and Q-enuine Patriotism. To the rising generation, it is expected, that this volume may be of much use. Whilst it la3's before them the principal outlines of the history of their country, it presents for tlieir example the actions of some of their most celebrated citi- zens — of those who firvst explored and settled these desert shores ; who, by their intrepidity and talents, have accelerated the progress of civiliz- ation and government ; and of tliose who fought for the liberties, and, at length, atchicved the independence of America. In point of order, every citizen of America ought, first, to be well acquainted with the his- tory of his own countr}' — the interesting, and instructing annals of England must necessarily succcjed — then m^iy follow those of Greece and Home. Erora these volumes may be obtained all that is useful in History ; and, let it be observ- ed, that, from an impartial 6;tudy of History, may be learned almost every useful lesson. From this Collection, may the young reader, whilst he acquires the first rudiments of histo- rical knowledge, learn to shun evil, and to do good — may it teach him to practice Virtue, and to venerate Religion. * * ^ It was by chance that the Editor gave the prefent title to this Collection — He had hefitated betwixt Nepos and Plu- tarch, when hapjiejijng to hold in his hand a British Nepos, ^ he thought it a good precedent— —In point of time, C. Nepos^ {lands foremofti he was an Italian ; he lived in the Imperator- fhip of Julius Csefar, and wrote the lives of certain eminent Creeks and Romans— Pluravch was of Grecian birth; he flou- rifhed in the vcign of Trajan, and rendered himfelf famous by his hi'^gi.Rphical liillory of celebrated men — Both are uf-ful hpoks f'r ei<-^er Id or youn.^r BAT.TT^to^vF., March tSoj. OBSERVATIONS on READING. THE art of reading with propriety, is a most pleasing and useful attainment, productive both of profit and improvement* — to some classes of society, it is an important, an indis- pensible qualification, particularly professional men, those who wish to attain eminence in the Senate, in the Pulpit, or at the Bar. It is es- sential to a complete reader, that he minutely perceive the ideas, and enter into the feelings of the Author whose sentiments he professes to repeat ; for how is it possible to represent clear- ly to others, what we have but faint or inaccu- rate conceptions of ourselves ? ~ If there were no other benefits resulting from the art of read- ing well, than the necessity it lays us under, of precisely ascertaining the meaning of what we read, and the habit thence ac(|uired of doing this with facility, both when reading silently and aloud, they would constitute a sufficient compensation for all the labour we can bestow upon the subject. But the pleasure derived to ourselves and others, from a clear communica- tion of ideas and feelings, and the strong and durable impressions made thereby on the minds of the reader and the audience, are considera- tions which give additional importance to the study of this very useful art. A * Note — That thefe Obfervatiohs will apply equally to Speaking as well as Beading. IV Observations on Heading. A just delivery consists in a distinct articula^ tion of words, pronounced with proper tones- suitably varied to the sense and the emotions of the mind ; with due attention to accent, and to emphasis in its several gradations ; and to rests, or pauses of the voice, in proper places and well measured degrees of time;the whole accompanied with expressive looks and significant gestures. — A few rules are here laid down for the instruc- tion of >he learner. Articulation.— The first attention of every Eerson who reads to others, must be, to make imself lieard by all those to whom he reads ;. he must endeavour to fill with his voice the space occupied by the company. This power of voice is the gift of Nature, but it may receive much assistance from Art. Accordingly, much de- pends on the proper pitch and management of tiie voice. Every person has three pitches in^ his voice ; tlie high, the rniddle, and the low. — The high, is that which he uses in calling a- loud to some person at a distance ; the low, when he approaches to a whisper ; the middle, is that which he emplo3^s in common conversa- tion, and which he should generally use in ready- ing to others ; for it is a great mistake, to ima- gine that one must take the highest pitch of his voice in order to be heard in a large company — This is confounding two things which are dif- ferent, loudness of sound with the proper key or note on which we ought to speak. By set- ting out on the highest key or pitch, we are like- ly to beqome harsh and discordant ; we shall fa- tigue ourselves, read with pain, and disgust our hearers. Let us therefore give the voice its full strength and swell of sound, but take care to pitch it on the proper speaking key. It should be Observatioxs on Readlvg. V be our constant rule, never to utter a greater quantity of voice than we can alibrd without pain to ourselves, and without any extraordi- nary effort. As long as we keep within' these bounds, the other organs of speech will be atr liberty to discharge their several offices with ease, and we shall always have our voice under command ; but whenever we transgress these bounds^ we give up the reins, and. have no lon- ger any management of it. By the habit of reading, when' young, in a loud and vehement manner, the voice becomes- fixed in a strained, unnatural key, and is reni- dered incapable of that variety which consti- tutes the true harmony of utterance, and affords ease to the reader, and pleasure to the audience. This unnatural pitch of the voice, and disagree- able monotony, are most observable in those who were taught to read by persons that considered loud- expression as tlie chief requisite, who have tiiemselves been badly educated, a?nd have a bad' ear ; for good reading is like good music,, both have their proper notes and cadences. f Distinctness-.. — In the next place, to being well heard and clearly understood, distinctness of articulation- contributes more than mere loudness of soimd.. The quantity of sound ne- cessary to fill a large space, is smaller than, is commonly imagined,. With distinct articula- tion, a person, even with a weak voice, will make it reach further than the strongest voice A 2. ' can f This particularly applies -to public Speakers,, or Orators. . —It is lurjjrizing how deficient fome of our bell (rqjutedly fo) Speakers are in thefe points ; ;they are guilty of faults that- woiild induce an audience to hifs an Aelor off the AageJ—- Hence it is-faid, in both France andi.lijigland,, that a judici- ous Acflor is the bed copy for him who wilhei to be an ac- complifhed Orator, •« failing the word to the-aaion, -&c." 'VI Observations on Reading. can reach without it. To this requisite, there- fore, every reader ought to pay particular at- tention. He must give every sound which he litters its due propoition, and make every syl- lable, and even every letter in the word which he pronounces, be distinctly heard. An accurate knowledge of the simple, elemen- tary sounds of the language, and a facility in expressing them, are so necessary to distinct- ness of expression, that if the learner's attain- ments are, in this respect, imperfect, it will be incumbent on his teacher to carry him back to these primary articulations. Due Degree of Slowness. — In order to ex*, press ourselves distinctly, we must, in general, read slowly. Precipitancy in reading, or speak- ing, confounds all articulation, and all mean- ing ; but it is scarcely necessary to observe, that there may be an extreme on the other side. It is obvious, that a drawling, lifeless manner of reading must render the performance insipid and fatio-uino;. But the extreme of reading too. fast is much more common, and requires the more to be guarded against, because, when it has grown up into a habit, few errors are more difficult to be corrected. To pronounce with, a proper degree of slowness, and with full and clear articulation, is necessary to be studied by all who wish to become either good readers or good speakers. It is a great assistance to the voice, by the pauses and rests ^^hich it more easily makes, and it enables the^ reader, or speaker, to swell and mark his sounds with more correctness and harmony. Propriety of Pronunciation. — After the fundamental attentions to the management of the voice, to distinct articulation, and to a pro- per- decree of slowness of. speccli, what the young. Observations on Reading. vii young reader must next study, is propriety of pronunciation, viz. giving to every word tiiat Sound which the best usage of the language re- quires, in opposition to vulgar and provincial pronunciation. % Instructions concerning this article may be better given by a living teacher of correct taste — but there is one observation, which it is proper here to make. In the English language, every word which consists of more syllables than one, has one accented syllable ; tifie accent rests sometimes on the vowel , some- times on the consonant ; the genius of the lan- guage requires the voice to mark that syllable by a stronger emphasis, and to pass more slight- ly over the rest. Now, after we have learned the proper seats of these accents, it is an im- portant rule, to give every word just the same accent in reading as in common discourse. Ma- ny persons err in this respect ; when they read to others, they pronounce the syllables in a dif- ferent manner from what they do at other times ; they dwell upon them, and protract them ; they multiply accents on the same word, from a mis- taken notion, that it gives importance to the subject, and adds to the energy of their deliv- ery. Whereas this is one of the greatest faults that can be committed in pronunciation ; it makes what is called a pompous or mouthing manner, and gives an artificial, affected air to reading, which detracts greatly from its agree- ableness and just impression. Pauses. — Pauses, or rests in reading or speak- ing, are a cessation of the voice during a per- cep- % Mr. Sheridan paibli fried a Didllonary, pointing out, hj fimple marks, the method of pronunciation. A number of imitators followed on nearly the fame plan, but none of them have arrived at fuch fcientific corre«^nefs as Mr. Walker — To bis DiAioiiary the reader would do well to apply for tlie beli i^ethod of pronouncing the English lanc;xia£;e,. vrii Observations ON RrADiNcJ. ceptible, and, in many cases, a measurable spacfe of time. Pauses are equally necessary to the speaker and to the hearer — To the speaker, that he may take breath, without which he cannot proceed far in delivery ; and that he may, by these temporary rests, relieve the organs of speech, which otherwise would be soon tired by continued action— to tlie hearer, that the ear may be relieved from the fatigue which it would otherwise endure from a continuity of sounds and that the understanding may have sufficient time to mark the distinction of sense, and the ^[ionstr notion of sentences. There are two kinds of pauses — P'irst, em- phatical pauses ; and, those that mark the dis- tinctions of sense. An emphaticaL pause is ge- nerally made after sometiiing has been said of peculiar moment, and on which we desire to fix the hearer's attention — sometimes, 7>t'/i>r6f a thing is said, we usher it in with a pause of this na- ture. Siich pauses have the same effe.ct as a strong emphasis, and are subject to the same rules, es-peciaUy to the caution of not repeating them too frequently ; for as they excite uncom-*- inon attention, >and of course raise expectation ^ if the importance of the matter be not fully an-, swerable to such expeetxitiou, they occasion dis^ uppoiiitnient and disgust. But the most fre(|ucnt and the principal use of pauses ds, to mark the divisions of/ the sense ^ and, at the same time, to allow the reader to draw hi^ breath; and the proper and delicate adjustment of such pauses,, is one of. the nicest iirticles of delivery. In all reading, the manage- ment of the breath requires a- deal of care, soas- not to oblige us to divide words from one ano^ ther, which have so intimate a connexion, that ^hey f OlBSERVATIONS ON READING, IX tliey ought to be pronounced with the same breath, and without the least separation. Many a sentence is miserably mangled, and the force of the emphasis totally lost, by pauses in the wrong place. To avoid this, every one, while he is reading, should be very careful to provide a full supply of breath for what he has to utter. — By this management, one may always have a sufficient stock of breath for carrying on the longest sentence without improper interruption. But it is a mistake to imagine, that the* breath must be drawn only at the end of a point, or stop. Pauses in reading must generally be for- med upon the manner in which we utter our- selves in an ordinary, sensible conversation, and not upon a stiff, artificial manner ; besides the regular points, there are other delicate pauses- which ought to be observed in reading. A me- chanical attention to the points used in pririting^ has perhaps been one cause of monotony, by leading the reader to a similar tone at every, stop, and a uniform cadence at every period — On this head, the following direction may be of use : ^* Tho' in reading great attention should be paid to the stops, yet a greater should be given to the sense, and their correspondent times occasionally lengthened beyond what is usual in common speech." Emphasis. — By emphasis is meant a stronger and fuller sound of voice, by which we distin- guish some word or words, and to show how they affect the rest of the sentence. Sometimes the emphatic words must be distinguished by a par- ticular tone of voice,, as well as by a particular stress. On the right management of Emphasis^ depends the life of Pronunciation. If no empha- sis be placed on any words, not only is discourse ren- CONTENTS. Page Chriflopher Columbus i Amerigo Vefpucci --------- 24 John and Sebaftian Cabot 26 James Carder - --.- 31 Ferdinando de Soto 43 Walter Raleigh 47 John Smith .------.--. 56 John Robinfon 88 George Calvert ^6 William Penn ---. 103 Benjamin Franklin 131 General Lee -.---- 227 General Putnam 250 David Rittenhoufe 290 General Walhington - • 306 RS^JMi THE AMERICAN NEPOS. € O L U M BUS. ABOUT the middle of the 15th century, when the Portuguese under the conduct of Prince Henry, and afterward of King John II. were pushing their discoveries along the western shore of Africa, to find a passage by the south to India; a genius arose, whose memory has been preserved with veneration in the pages of history, as the instrument of enUu-ging the region of Science and Commerce, beyond any of |iis predecessors. Christopher Columbus, a na- itive of the Republic of Genoa, was born in the year ^.447, and a.t the age of 14, entered on a seafaring hfe, iiS the proper sphere, in which his vigorous mind was destined to perform exploits which should astonish lankind. He was educated in the sciences of Geome- i y and Astronomy, which form the basis of Naviga- tion ; and he was well versed in Cosmography, Histo- ry and Philosophy. His active and enterprishig ge- nius, though it enabled him to comprehend the old systems, yet would not sufl'er him to rest in their de- cisions, however sanctified by time or by venerable names.; but determined to examine them by actual experiment, he first visited the seas within the polar circle, and afterward those parts of Africa, which the Portuguese had discovered, as far as the coast of Gui- nea ; and by the time that he had attained the age of 37, he had from his own experience received the full- est conviction, that the opinion of the ancients res- pecting the torrid and frigid zones was void of any just iounaaciua. Ij Wlieu ^ COLUMBUS. When an old system is found erroneous in one point, it is natural to suspect it of farther imperfec- tions; and when one difficulty is overcome, others ap- pear less formidable. Such was the case with Co- lumbus ; and his , views were accelerated by an inci- dent, which threatened to put an end to his life. Dur- ing one of his voyages, the ship in which he sailed took fire, in an engagement with a Venetian galley, and the crew were obliged to leap into the sea to avoid perishing in the flames. In this extremity, Colum- bus, by the help of a floating oar, swam upwards of two leagues to the coast of Portugal near Lisbon, and met with a welcome reception from many of his coun- trymen who were settled there. At Lisbon, he married the daughter of Perestrello, tin old seaman who had been concerned in the disco- very of Porto Santo and Madeira ; from whose jour- nals and charts he received the highest entertainment- Pursuing his inquiries in Geography, and observing what slow progress the Portuguese made in their at- tempts to find a way round Africa to India, " he be- ^an to reflect, that as the Portuguese travelled so far southward, it were no less proper to sail westward," and that it was reasonable to expect to find the desired land in that direction. The causes which led him to entertain this idea, are distinguished by his son, the writer of his life, in- to these three, " natural reason, the authority of wri- ters, and the testimony of sailors." By the help of ** reason," he argued in this man- ner: That the earth and sea composed one globe or sphere. This was known by observing the shadow of the earth in lunar eclipses. Hence he concluded that it might be travelled over from east to west, or from ■west to east. It had been explored to the east by some European travellers as far as Cipango, or Japan ; and as ftir westward as the Azores or Western Islands. The remaining space, though now known to be more than half, he supposed to be but one third part of the circumfci'enQe of the globe. If tins space were an open COLUMBUS. 3 Open sea, he imagined it might be easily sailed over ; and if there were any hmd extending eastwardly be- yond the known limits of Asia, he supposed tlat it must be nearer to Spain by the west, than by the east. For. it was then a received opinion that tJie continent and islands of India extended over one third part of the circumference of the globe ; that another third part was comprehended between India and the west- ern shore of Spain ; therefore it was concluded, that the eastern part of India must be as near to Spain a* the western part. Thisopiniou though now known to be erroneous, yet being then admitted as true, made it appear to Columbus very easy and practicable to discover India hi the west. He hope d also that be- tv/een Spain and India in thar direction, thtre might be found some islands; by the help of which, as rest- ing places in his voyage, he might the better pursue his main design. The probability of the existence of land in that ocean, he argued, partly from the opi- nion of philosophers, that there were more land than sea on the surface of the globe ; and partly irom the' necessity of a counterpoise in the west, for the im- mense quantity of land which wus known to be in the east. Another source, from which he drev/ his conslusion %vas, "the authority of learned men," who had alLrmed the possibility of sailing from the western coast of Spain, lo the eastern bounds of India, Some of the ancient Gecgiaphers had admitted this for truth, and one of them had affirmed that forty days were sufllci- ent to perform this navigation. These authorititsiell in with the theory which Columbus had formed ; and having, as early as 1474, communicated his ideas in writing, to Paul a learned physician of Florence, he received from him letters of liiat date, conDrmIng his opinion and encouraging his design ; accompanied with a chart, in which Paul had laid down the city of Quisay (supposed to be the capital of China) but little more than 2000 leagues westward from Lisbon, which in fact is but half Xh^i distance, Thus^ by arguing from 4 COLUMBUS. from true principles, and by indulging conjectures partly well founded and partly erroneous, Columbus .%vas led to the execution of a plan, bold ni its concep- tion, but, to his view, easily practicable ; for great Kunds overlook intermediate obstacles, which men of smaller views magnify into insviperable difficulties. The third ground on which he fooned his idea was *< the testimony of mariners;" a class of men who at that time, and in that imperfect state of science, were too prone to mix fable with fact, and were often mis- led by appearances, which they could not solve. In the sea between Madeira and the Western Islands, pieces of carved wood and large joints of cane had been discovered, which were supposed to be brought by westerly winds. liranches of pine trees, a covered canoe, and two human bodies of a complexion different from the Europeans and Africans had been found on the shores of these islands. Some navigators had af- iirmed, that they had seen islands not more than 100 leagues westward from the Azores. There was a tra- dition, that when Spain was conquered by the Moors in the 8th century, seven Bishops, who were exiled from their country, had built seven cities and church- es, on an island called Antilla, which was supposed to be not more tkan 200 leagues west of the Canaries ; and it was said that a Portuguese ship had once dis* covered this island, but could never find it again. These stories, partly true and partly fabulous, had their effect on the mUid of Columbus^ He believed that islands were to be found, westward of the Azores •find Canaries ; tliough according to 'lis theory, they •were at a greater distance than any of his cotempora- ries had imagined. His candour led him to adopt an opinion from Pliny respecting floating islands, by the help of which he accounted for the appearances relat- ed to him, by his marine brethren. It is not improba- ble that the large islands of floating ice, driven from the Polar Seas to the southward; or the Fog Banks, ■which form many singular appearances resembling land and trees, might h?Lve been the true foundati9u of this_ opinion and of these reports. COLUMBUS. 5 It is not pretended that Columbus was the only per- son of his age who had acquired these ideas of the form, dimensions and balancing of the globe; but he was one of the few who had begun to tliink for them-' selves, and he had a genius of that kind, which makes use of speculation and reasoning only as excite- ments to action. He was not a closet projector, but an enterprising adventurer ; and having established his theory on principles, he was determined to exert himself to the utmost, to demonstrate its truth by ex- periment. But deeming the enterprise too great to be undertaken by any but a sovereign state, he first applied (as it is said) to the Republic of Genoa, by whom his project was treated as visionary. He then proposed his plan to John H. King of Portugal, who, though a Prince of good understanding and of an en- terprising disposition, yet was so deeply engaged in prosecuting discoveries on the African coast, with a view to iind a way to India round that continen':, and had been at so vast an expence without any consider- able success, that he had no inclination to accept the terms which Columbus proposed. Influenced how- ever by the advice of Calzadilia a favourite courtier, he privately gave orders to a ship bound to the islands of Cape de Verd, to attempt a discovery in the west ; but through ignorance and want of enterprise, the na- vigators, after wandering tor som.etimehn the ocean, and making no discovery, reached their destined port, and turned the project of Columbus into ridicule. Disgusted with this base artifice, he quitted Portu- gal, and went to Ferdinand, King of Spain, having previously sent his brother to England to solicit the patronage of Henry VII. But being taken by pirates, and detained several years in captivity, Bartholomew had it not in his power to reveal his project to Henry, till Christopher Columbus had succeeded in Spain. Be- .• fore this could be accomplished he had various obsta- cles to surmount; and it was not till after seven years cf painful solicitation that he obtained his request. The 6 COLUMBUS. The objections made to the proposal of Columbus* by the most learned men m Spain, to whom the consj- deiation of it was referred, will give us some idea of the state of geo,2;raphical science at that time. One objection was, How should he know more than all the wise men and skilful sailors who had existed since tlie -creation ? Another was the authority of Seneca, who had doubted whether it were possible to navigate the ocefin at any great distance from the shore ; but ad- niiuing that it were navigable, they imagined, lliat three years would be required to perlorm the voyage which Columbus proposed. A third was, that if a ship should sail westward on a round globe, she would necessarily go down, on the opposite side, and then it would be impossible to return, because it would be like climbing up a h'.ll, which np ship could do with the £.Lron|j^est wind. A fourth objection was grounded on a book of St. Augustine, in which he had expressed his doubt of the existence of antipodes and the possi- bilitv of going from one hemisphere to the other. As the writings of this Holy Father had received the sanc- tion of theChurch, to contradict him was deemed he- resy ! For such reasons, and by such reasoners, the propo- sal of Columbus was at first rejected ; but by the in- fluence of John Perez a Spanish Priest, and Lewis Santangel an officer of the King's houshold, Queen Isr abella was persuaded to listen to his solicitation, and after he had been twice repulsed, to recal him to Court ; when she oi^Tered to pawn her jewels to defray the expence of the equipment, amounting to no more than 2500 crowns; which sum was advanced by San- tangel, and the Queen's jewels were saved. Thus, to the generous decision of a female mind we ov/e the dis- covery of America. The conditions stipulated between Ferdinand and Isabella on the one part, and Columbus on the other part, were these : That he, his heirs and successors, should hold the oflice of Admiral in all those Islands ?nd Continents which he should discover ; that he should COLUMBUS. 7 should be Viceroy and Governor of the same, "\^ith power of nominating three associates, of v/hom their Majesties should appoint one. That he should have one tenth part of the neat proceeds of all the gold and silver, precious stones, spice and other merchandise which should be found ; that he, or a deputy of hib own appointing, should decide all controversies res- pecting the trade ; that he should be at one eighth part of the expence of equipping the first fleet, and should receive one eighth part of the profits. The necessary preparations being made, and a year's provision laid in, on the 3d of August, 1492, Columbus sailed from Palos, a port of Spain, on the Mediterranean, with three vessels, one of which was called a carrack, and the other two caravals ;* leaving on board the whole ninety men. Having passed thro' the straits of Gibraltar, he arrived at the Canaries, on the 1 2th of the same month ; where he was detained in reiitting one of the caravals, and taking in wood and water, till the 6th of September, when he sailed westward on his voyage of discovery. This voyage, which now is considered as an easy and pleasant run, between the latitudes of 20 and 30 degrees, with a trade wind, was then the boldest at- tempt which had ever been made, and filled the minds of the best seamen v/ith apprehension. They were going directly from home, and from all hope of relief, if any accident should befal them. No friendly port nor human being was known to be in that direction. Every bird which flew in the air, every fish which ap- peared in the sea, and every weed which floated on its surface, was regarded with the most minute attention, as if the fate of the voyage depended on it. A phenome- non which had never before been observed struck theni with terror. The magnetic needle appeared to vary from the pole: They began to apprehend that their compass would prove an unfaithful guide ; and the trade wind, which wafted them along with its friendly "wings, they feared would obstruct their return. To ♦ A carrack had two decks, a caravel only one. 8 COLUMBUS. To be twenty days at sea, without sight of lane?, "Was what the boldest mariner had never before at- tempted. At the exph'ation of that time the impa- tient sailors began to talk of throwing their command- er into the ocean, and returning home. Their mur- murs reached his ears ; but his aclive mind was never ata los^ for expedients, ev^n in the greatest cxtreraity. By soothing, flattery, and artifice, by inventing rea- sons for every uncommon appearance, by promising . rewards to the obedient, and a gratuity to him who should first discover land, in addition to what the King had ordered ; and by deceiving them in the ship's reckoning, he kept them on tlieir course for 16 clays longer. In the night of the 11th of October, he liimself saw a light, which seemed to be on shore, and in the morning of the 12th, they had the joyful sight of land, which proved to be the island of Guan- ahana, one of the cluster called Bahamas, in the 25th degree of north latitude. Thus in the space of 36 days, and in the 45th year of his age, Columbus completed a voyage which he bad spent 20 years in projecting and executing ; a ^voyage which opened to the Europeans a new world ; which gave anew turn to their thoughts, to their spirit of enterj^rise and of commerce ; v/bich enlarged the empire of Spain, and stamped with immortality the name of Columbus, After spending several months in sailing from one island to another in that vast archipelago, which, from the mistakes of the age received the name of the IVest-Indiefi^ Columbus returned to Spain with the two smaller vessels, (the larger havhig been wreck- ed on the island of Hisnaniola) leaving behind him a colony of 39 men, furnished with a year's provision, and lodged in a fort which had been built of the tim- ber savrd from the wreck. During his passage he met with a violent tempest whicl^ threatened him with des- truction. In this extremity, he gave an admh'able. proof of his calmness and foresight. He wrote on a parchment an account of his discoyeries, wrapped it lU COLUMBUS. 9 in a piece of oiled cloth, and inclosed it in a cake of wax, ^vhich he put into a tight cask and threw into the sea.* Another parchment secured in the same man- ner, he placed on the stern, that if the ship should sink, the cask might float, and possibly one or the o- ther might be driven on shore, or taken up by some fu- ture navigator. But this precaution proved fruitless. He arrived safe in Spain, in March, 1493, and was leceived with the honours due to his merit. The account which Columbus gave of his new dis- coveries, the specimens of gold and other valuable productions, and the sight of the natives which he carried from the West-Indies to Spain, were so pleas- ing that the Court determined on another expedition. But first it was necessary to obtain the sanction of the Pope, who readily granted it ; and by an imaginary line, drawn from pole to pole, at the distance of 100 leagues westward of the Azores, he divided between the crowns of Spain and Portugal, all the new coun- tries already discovered or to be discovered ; giving •the western part to the former, and the eastern to the latter I — No provision however was made, in case that they should meet, and their claims should interfere on the opposite side of the globe. The bull, containing this famous (but imperfect) line of demarkaticn, was signed by Alexander VI. on the^ second day of May 1493 ; and on the 28th of the same month, the King and Queen of Spain, by a written instrument, ex- plained and confirmed the privileges andpoweis which they had before granted to Columbus, making the of- fice of Viceroy and Governor of the Indies hereditary in his family. On the 25th of September f[;lIowing, he sailed from Cadiz, with a fleet of 17 ships, great and small, well furnished with all necessaries for the voyage; and having on board 1500 people, with hor- ses, cattle, and implements to establish plantations. B 2 On * An improvement has lately been made upon this icl^a— « it is limply to inclcfe a piece of writlup^ in a lealed bottle, •*vhichwill convey information of the fortunate cr unfortunate Te.flcl hui.creds ofleaguer, fcccrui-.-!^ to the winds oi- tides. lo COLUMBUS. On Sunday the 3d of November, he discovered an island lo which, in honour of the day, he gave the name of Dominica. Afterward he discovered in suc- cession other islands, which he called Marigalante, Gaudaloupe, Montserrat, Redonda, Antigua, St. Mar- tin's, St. Ursula, and St. John. On the 12th No- vember he came to Navidad, on the north side of Hispaniola, where he had built his fort, and left his colony ; but he had the mortification to find, that the people were all dead, and that the fort had been des- troyed. The account given by the natives, of the loss of the coloriy, was, that they fell into discord among themselves, on the usual subjects of controversy, v/o- anen and gold j that having provoked a chief, M'hos^ name was Canaubo, he came against them with a su- perior force, and destroyed them; that some of the natives in attempting to defend them, had been killed and others were I hen ill of their wounds; which on inspection, appeared to have been made with Indian weapons. Columbus prudently forbore to make any critical in- quiry into the matter; but hasted to establish another colony, in a more eligible situation, to the eastward ; which he called Isabella, after his royal patroness. He had many difi^culties to contend with, besides those which unavoidably attend undertakings of such novel- ty and magnitude. Nature indeed was bountiful : the soil and climate produced vegetation, with a rapidity to which the Spaniards had not been accustomed.— "From v/heatsown at the end of January, full ears were gathered at the end of March. Tiie stones of fruit, the slips of vine, and the joints of sugar cane sprout- ed in seven days, and many other seeds in half the lime. This was an encouraging prospect ; but the slow operations of agriculture did not meet the -views of sanguine adventurers. The numerous follow- ers of Columbus, soine of whom were of the best fa- milies in Spain, had conceived hopes of suddenly en- rkhing thcmselyesj by the precious metals of those new COLUMBUS. IX new regions ; and were not disposed, to listen to his recommendations of patience and industry, in cultivat- ing the earth. The natives were displeased wilh the licentiousness of their new neighbours, who endeavour- ed to keep them in awe by a display of force. The explosion of fire arms, and the sight of men mounted on horses, were at first obiects of terror; but use had rendered them less formidable. Columbus, overbur- dened with care and fatigue, fell sick, and at liis re- covery found a mutiny among his men ; which, by a due mixture of resolution and lenity, he had the ad- dress to quell. He then endeavoured to establish dis- cipline among his own people, and to employ the na- tives in cutting roads through the woods. AVhilst he was present, and able to attend business, things went on so prosperously, that he thought he might safely proceed on his discoveries. In his former voyage he had visited Cuba, but was uncertain whether it were an island or a part of some continent. He therefore passed over to its eastern ex- tremity ; and coasted its southern side, till he found himself entangled among a vast number of small i- slands, which for their beauty and fertility he called the Garden of the Queen ; but the dangerous rocks and shoals, which surrounded them, obliged him to stretch farther to the southv/ard ; by vi'hich means he discovered Jamaica, where he found refreshments for his men, who were almost dead with famine. The great distress of this voyage, threw him into a lethar- gic disorder, from which he had just recovered, when he returned to his colony, and found it all in confusion, from the same causes which had proved destructive to the first. In his absence the licentiousness of the Spaniards had provoked several of the chiefs ; four of whom had united to destroy them, and had actually commenced hostilities, in which 20 Spaniards were killed. Co- lumbus collected his people, put them into the best order, and, by a judicious combination of force and stratagem, gained a decisive victory, to which the horses and dogs did not a little contribute. 12 COLUMBUS. At his return to Hispaniola, he had the pleasure oF meeting his brother Bartholemew, whom he had not seen for several years, and whom he supposed to have been dead* Bartholernew was a man of equal know- ledge, patience, bravery, and prudence with himself. His patience had endured a severe trial in their long- separation. He had many obstacles to surmount, be- fore he could get to England and obtain access to the King. He was at Paris when he heard of the success of his brother's first enterprise ; who had gone on the second, before Bartholomew could get to Spain. On his arrival there, and being introduced to the Court, he was appointed to the command of three ships, which were destined to convey supplies to the colony ; and he arrived whilst Christopher was absent on his voy- ag-e to Cuba and Jamaica. Columbus appointed his brothel* to command at Isabella, whilst he went into the interior part of the island, to perfect his conquest, and reduce the natives to subjection and tribute. The Indians were so unused to collect gold dust, in such quantities as their conquerers demanded it, that they ottered to plant the immense plains of Hispani- ola, and pay an equivalent in corn. Columbus was strr.ck with the magnanimity of the proposal ; and m consequence, moderated the tribute. But this did not satisfy tl.c avarice of his fellov/ adventurers, who found means to complain of him to the King's minis- terfe, for his negligence in acquiring the only commo- dity, which they thought deserved thcn?.me of riches. The Indians then desisted from planting their usual quantity of corn, and attempted to subsist chit By ou animal food. This experiment proved injurious to themselves as well as to their conquerers; and it was computed, that within four years, from the first dis- covei'V of the island, one third part of its inhabitants perished. The complaints against Columbus so wrought on the jealous mind of King Ferdinand, tliat John Agi'a- do, who was sent, in 1495, tothe colony, had orders to act us a spy on his conduct. This man behaved Willi COLUMBUS. 13 "With so Httle discretion, as to seek inatter of accusa- tion and give out threats against the Admiral. At the same time, the ships which he commanded, being destroyed by a hurricance, he had no means left to return ; till Columbus, knowing that he had enemies at home and nothing to support him but his own me- rit, resolved to goto Span, with two caravals; him- self in one, and Aguado in the other. Having appoint- ed proper persons to command the several forts, his brother Bartholomew to superintend the whole, and his brother James to be next in authority ; he set sail on the 10th of March 1496, and after a perilous and tedious voyage, in the tropical latitudes, arrived at Ca- diz on the 1 1th of June. His presence at Court, with the gold and other va- luable articles which he carried home, removed in some measure, the prejudices which had been excited against him. But his enemies tho' silent, were not idle ; and in a Court, where phlegm and languor proved a clog to the spirit of enterprise, they found it not diificult to obstruct his views ; which, not- withstanding ail discouragements, were still pointed to the discovery of a way to India by the west. He now demanded eight ships, to carry supplies to his colony, and six to go on discovery. These de- mands were complied with, and he began his third voy- age on the 30th of May 1498. He kept a course so far to the southward, that not only his men, but his provisions and water suffered greatly from excessive heat. The hrstland he made after leaving the Isles of Cape de Verd, was a large island which he named Trinidad, from its appearance in the form of three mountains. He then passed through a narrow strait and whirlpool into the gulf of Pai'ia ; where, observ- ing the tide to be rapid, and the water brackish, he conjectured, that the land, on the western and south- ern sides of the gulf, was ]>art of a continent ; and -that the fresh water ^^roceeded from seme great ri^.^- •crs. The ,4 COLUMBUS. The people on the coast of Paria were whiter than those of the islands. They had about their necks plates of gold and string^s of pearl ; which they readi- ly exchanged for pieces of' tin and brass, and little bells; and when they were questioned whence they obtained the gold and pt;arls, they pointed to the west. The Admiral's provision not allowing him to stay long in this place, he passed again through that dan- gerous strait, to which he gave the name of the Dra- gon's Mouth; having satisiied himself, that the land on his left was a continent, he steered to the N. W« discovering Margaritta and several other islands in his course ; and on the 30th of August, arrived at the harbour of St. Domingo in Hispaniola ; to which place his brother had removed the colony in his ab- sence, in consequence of a plan preconcerted be- tween them. Wearied with incessant care and watching, in this dangerous voyage, he hoped now to enjoy repose, in- stead of whicli he found his colony nvuch reduced by deaths ; many of the survivors sick, with a disease, the peculiar consequence of their debauchery ; and a large number of them in actual rebellion. They had formed tliemselves into a body ; they had gained over 3nany of the Indians, under pretence of protecting them ; and they had retired to a distant part of the island, which proved a resort for the seditious and dis* contented. Their commander was Francis Roldan, who had been Chief Justice of the colony ; and their number was so considerable, that Columbus could not command a force sufficient to subdue them. He there- fore entered into a negociation, by ofl'ering a pardon to those who would submit, and liberty of returning to Spain to those who desired it. These offers however impolitic, proved successful. Roldan himself accept- ed them, and persuaded others to do the same ; then, being restored to his office, he tried and condemned the refractory, some of whom were put to death. An account of this mutiny was sent home to Spain by Columbus and another by Roldan, Each had their ad" COLUMBUS. 'sr Ol advocates at Court, and the cause was heard by the King and Queen. Roldan and his men were accused of adultery, perjury, robbery, murder, and disturb- ing the peace of the whole island ; whilst Columbus was charged with cruelty to individuals, aiming at in- dependance, and engrossing the nibute. It was in- sinuated, that not being a native Of Spain, he had no proper respect for the noble families who had become adventurers, and that the debts due to them could liot be recovered. It was suggested, that if some re- medy were not speedily applied, there was danger that he would revolt, and join with some other Prince; and that to compass this design, he had concealed tlie real wealth of the colony, and prevented the con- version of the Indians to the Catholic faith. These insinuations prevailed on the jealousy of Fer- dinand, and even staggered the constancy of Isabella. They resolved to appoint a judge, who should exa- mine facts on the spot, and if he should find the Ad- miral guilty, to supersede him. For this purpose they sent Francis Bovadilla, a man of noble rank, but whose poverty alone recommended him to the office. Furnished with these powers, he arrived at St. Do- mingo, when Columbus was absent ; took lodgings in Ids house; invited accusers to appear against him; seised on his effects, and finally sent him and both his brothers to Spain in three different ships, and ali load- ed with irons 1 The master of the ship in which the Admiral sail- ed had so mucii respect for him, that when he had got to sea, he offered to take off his fetters ; but Co- lumbus nobly declared, that he would permit that ho- nour to be done him, by none but his sovereign. In this humiliating confinement, he was delivered to Fon- scca, Bishop of Badajos, who had been the chief in- stigator of all these rigorous proceedings, and to whom had been committed the affairs of the Indies. Not content with robbing Columbus ot his liberty, this prejudiced ecclesiastic would have deprived him of his well earned reputation of having first discover- ed i6 COLUMBUS. ed the new continent. With the accusations whic^ Columbus had sent home agakist Roldan, he had transmitted an account of the discovery of the coast of Paria, which he justly supposed to be part of a continent. Ojeda, an active officer, who had sailed ■M'ith Columbus in his second voyai>^e, was at court when these dispatches arrived, and saw the draught of the discovery, with the specimens of gold and pearls, which the Admiral had sent home. Being a favour- ite of Fonseca, he easily obtained leave to pursue the discovery. Some merchants of Seville were prevail- ed upon to equip four ships; with which, in 1499, Ojeda followed the track of Columbus, and made land on the coast of Paria. Amerigo Vespucci^ a Florentine merchant, well skilled in geography and navigation, accompanied Ojeda in this voyage ; and by publishing the first book and chart, describing the new world, ob- tained the honour of having it called America. This hoM^ever did not happen till after the death of Colum- bus. Several othei* adventurers followed the same track, and all supposed that the contment which they had seen, was part of India. As soon as it was known, that Columbus was arriv- ed at Cadiz, (Nov. 5, 1500) in the disgraceful situa- tion abovementioned, the King and Queen ashamed of the orders which they had given, commanded him to be released, and iaviled him to Court, where the)r apologized for the mi'ibeliaviour of their new Gover- nor, and not only promised to recal him, but to re- store to the Admiral all his effects. Columbus could not forget the ignominy. lie preserved the fetters, iiung them up in his apartment, and ordered them to be buried in his grave. Instead of reinstating him in his government ac- cording to the original contract, the King and Queen sent Ovando, to supersede Bovadilla ; and only in- duced Columbus in pursuing his darling project, the discovery of India by the west, which he still hoped io accomplish. He sailed again from Cadiz, on the 4th of fvlay, 1502; with four vessels, canying 140 T^ncii COLUMBUS. 17 Tnen find boys; of which number were his brother Bartholomew and his son Ferdinand, the writer of his life. In his passage to the Carribee islands, he found his largest vessel of 70 tons, unlit for the service ; and there- fore went to St Domingo, in hope of exchanging it for a better, and to seek shelter from a storm which he saw approaching. To his infinite surprise and morti-i fication, Ovando would not ^dmit him into the port. A fleet of thirty ships was then ready to sail for Spain, on board of whicli, Roldan and Bovadilla were prison- ers. Columbus informed Ovando of the prognostics wliich he had observed, which Ovando disregarded, and the fieet sailiid. Columbus then laid three of his vessels, under the lee of the shore; and, with great difficulty, rode out the tempest. His brother put to sea ; and by his great naval skill saved the ship in which he sailed. Of the fleet bound to Spain, 18 sliips were lost, and in them perished Roldan and Bova- dilla. The enemies of Columbus gave out that he had raised this storm by the art of magic ; and such was the ignorance of the age, that the story was Ijelieved i What contributed the more to its credit, was, that one of tlie worst ships of the fleet, on board of which were all the effects which had been saved from the ruined fortune of Columbus, was the first which arrived in Spain. The amount of these efl'ects was <« 4000 pesos of gold, each of the value of eight shil- lings." The remark whichFerdinand Columbus makes on this event, so destructive to the accusers of his fa- ther, is, " I am satistied it was the hand af God who 'vas pleased to infatuate them, that they might not hearken to good advice ; for had they arrived in Spain, they had never been punished, as their crimes deserv- ed ; but rather favoured and preferred as being the Bishop's friends." After this storm, and another which followed it, Columbus collected his little squadron,sailed on disco-, very toward the continent, and, steering to the south* west i8 COLUMBUS. west, came to an island called Guanania, 12 leai^eS from the coast of Honduras ; where he met with a large covered canoe, having- on hoard several pieces of cotton clotli of divers colours, which the people said they had brous^ht from the westward. The men were armed with swords of wood, in which bharp Hints were strongly fixed. Their provision was maize and X'oots, and they used the berries of cocoa as money. When the Admiral inquired for gol.i, they pointed to the west, and when lie asked for a strait by which he might pass through the land, they pointed to the caBt. From the specimens of coloured cloth, he ima* gined, that they had come from India; and hoped to pass thitiier, by the strait which they described. Pur- suing his course to the east and south, he was led to the gulf of Darien ; and visited several harbours, among v/hich was one whicli he called Porto Btlio ; but he found no passage extending through the land. He then returned to the westward, and landed on the coast of Veragua ; where the beauty and feiiility of the country invited him to begin a plantation which he calledBelem ; but the natives, a fierce and formida- ble race, deprived him of the honour of first establish- ing a colony on the continent, by killing some of his people and obliging him to retire with the others. At sea, he met with tempestuous weather of long continuance ; in which his ships were so shattered, that with the utmost difficulty he kept them above wa- ter, till he ran them ashore on the island of Jamacia. By his extraordinary address, he procured from the natives two of their largest canoes ; in which two of his most faithful friends, Mendez and Fiesco, accom- j)anied by some of his sailors tuid a few Indians, em-r barked for Hispaniola. After encountering the great- est difficulties, in their passage, they carried tidings of his misfortune to Ovando, and solicited his aid. The merciless wretch detained them eight months without an answer; during which time, Columbus suffered the severest hardships, from the discontent of his company, and want of provisions. By the hospi- ta- COLUMBUS. 19 tality of the natives, he at first received such sup- plies as they were able to spare ; but the loug conti- nuance of these g-uests had dinninished their store, and the insolence of the mutineers gave a check to their friendship. In this extremity, the fertile invention of Columbus suggested an expedient which proved successful. He knew that a total eclipse of the moon was at hand, which v/ould be visible in the evening;. On the pre- ceding day he sent for the principal Indians, to speak with them, on a matter of the utmost >mpoi'tance. Be- ing assembled, he directed his interpreter to tell them, that the God of Heaven, whom he worshipped, was jtHgry with them, for witholding provision froni him, and would punish ihem with famine and pestilence ; as a token of which, the moon would, in the evening, {(.ppearof an angry and bloody colour. Some of them received his speech with terror, and others v.'ith indif- ference ; but when the mooii ro^>e, and the eclipse in- creased as she advanced from the horizon, they came in crowds loaded with provision, and begged the Ad- miral to intercede with hisGod, for the removal of his anger. Columbus retired to his cabin ; and when the eclipse began to go off, he came out and told them, that he had prayed to his God, and had received this answer ; that if they would be good foi' the future, and bring him provision as he should want, God would forgive them; and as a token of it, the moon would put on her usual brightness. They gave him thanks, and promised compliance ; and whilst he remained on the island there was no more want of provision. At the end of eight months, Ovando sent a small vessel to Jamaica, with a cask of wine, two ilitchesof bacon, and a letter of compliment and excuse, which the officer delivered ; and without waitini>; for an an- swer weighed his anchor the same evening and sailed back to Hispaniola. The men who adhered to Colum- bus and were with him on board the wrecks, wonder- ed at the sudden departure of the vessel, by which they expected deliverance. Columbus, nevec at a loss for no COLUMBUS. for an evasion, told them that the caraval was too small to take the whole company, and he would not go without them. This iiction had the desired effect ; those who adhered to him resumed their patience ', b>it the mutineers became so insolent, that it was ne- cessary to subdue them by force. In the contest ten of them were killed. Porras, their leader, was made prisoner, and the others escaped. Bartholomew Co- lumbus and two others of the Admiral's party were wounded, of whom one died. The fugitives, having lost their leader, thought it best to submit : and on the next day sent a petition to the Admiral, confessing their fault, and promising fi- delity. This promise they coniirmed by an oath, of which the imprecation was singular ; " they renounc- ed, in case of failure, any absolution from Pi'iest, Bi- shop, or Pope, at the time of their death, and all be- nent from the sacraments of the Church ; consenting to be buried like heathens and infidels in the open field." The Admiral received their submission, pro- vided that Porras should continue prisoner, and they would accept a commander of his appointment, as long as they should remain on the island. At length a vessel which Mendez had been permit- ted to buy, with the Admiral's money, at Hispaniola, came to Jamaica, and took them otf. On their arrival at St. Domingo (August 13, 1504) Ovando affected great joy, and treated the Admiral with a show of lespect; but he liberated Porras, and threatened with punishment the faithful adherents of Columbus. As soon as the vessel was refitted, the Admiral took leave of his treacherous host, and, with his brother, son, and servants, embarked for Spain. After a long and distressing voyage, in which the ship lost her masts, he arrived at St. Lucar, in May 1505. His patroness Isabella had been dead about a year j and with her, had expired all the f:\vour which he ever enjoyed in the Court of Ferdinand. Worn out with sickness and fatigue, disgusted with the insincerity of his Sovereign, and the haughtiness of his courtiers, Co« COLUMBUSi :Lt tllohimbus lingered out a year in fruitless solicitt'ition for his violated rights ; till death relieved him from all his vexations. He died at Valadolid, on the 20th of May, 1506, in the 59th year of his age; and was buried in the cathedral of Seville, with this inscription on his tomb : j4 Castilla ya Leon^ JVcuvo Mundo dio Colon, Translated Thus : " To Castile and Leon, " Columbus gave a new World. In the life of this remarkable man there is no defi- ciency of any quality which can constitute a truly- great character. His genius was penetrating, and iiis judgment solid. He had acquired as much know- ledge of the sciences as could be obtained at that day ; and he corrected what he had learned by his own ob- servations. His constancy and patience were equal to the most hazardous undertakings. His fortitude sur- mounted many difficulties ; and his ijivention extricat- ed him out of many perplexities. His prudence en- abled him to conceal or subdue his own infirmities ; ■whilst he took advantage of the passions of others, adjusting his behaviour to his circumstances ; tempo- rizing, or acting with vigor, as the occasion required. His fidelity to the ungrateful Prince, whom he serv- ed, and whose dominions he enlarged, must render liim forever conspicuous as an example of justice; and liis attachment to the Queen, by whose inliucnce he wa,s raised and supported, will always be a monument of his gratitude. To his other excellent qualities may be added his piety. He always entertained, and on proper occa- sions expressed a reverence for the Deity, and a jirni ronildence in hiscare and protection In bis declining days, the consolations of religion were his chief sup- poit; and his last words Avere, " Into thy hands, (> Lord, I commend my spirit." V7heu • ftt COLUMBUS* When we consider the ignorance, the bigotry, and the superstition of the times in which C.okimbus achieved his great undertakings, we cannot enough admire the bokhiess, the perseverance, and the dex- terity of his genius — In ail his plans and enterprises, he had to struggle against the pride of Kings, the ma- lignity of Priests, and the envy of Courtitis — An an- ecdote is recorded by Peter Martyr, a cotemporary historian, which displays the quickness of his wit, and the consciousness of his superiority — The Cour- tiers affected on all occasions to lessen his merits as a skilful navigator, by sa\ing, that his discoveries were more the result of accident than of knowledge - One day at a public dinner, Columbus having borne much insulthig raillery on that head, at length called for an egg, and asked whether any of them could set it upright on its httle end. They all confessed it to be impos^ible. Colu-! bus striking it gently, flatted the shell till it stood upright on the table. The com- pany with a disdainful snter cried out, " Any body might have done it." — " Yes (said Columbus) but none of you thought of it; so I discovered the Indies, and now every pilot can steer the same course. IVIa- ny things appear easy when once performed, though before, they were thought Impossible. Remember the scol'.s that were thrown at me, before T put my de- sign in execution. Then it v/as a dream, a chimera, a delusion ; now it is what any body might have done as well as I." This extraordinary man appears to have united two qualities, which have been generally thought irrecon- cileable ; an enthusiasm bordering on phrenzy, and a caution but little removed from fear. Vigorous and rapid in conceiving a project, and embracing its detail, he determined in a moment the part it became him to act ; but his resolution once formed, his enthusi- asm vanished,whilst he calmly arranged the means and the mode of carrying it into execution. Determined in his choice of measures by strong and demonstra- tive assurances of their fitness and propriety, he did not COLUMBUS. 23 not abandon a project he had once formed. His ardor and constcincy were equalled only by his patience and and caution. The voice of CoUnnbus, as well as his face and person, powerfully seconded his exertions ; easily ac- commodating tiiemselves, by their pliancy and iiexibi- lity, to the several passions he wished to convey. Se- rene and tranquU, when he was d^^sirous of concealing from his associates, the greatness and imminence of their danger ; arde?it, earnest, and spuMted, whii' t he sought to reanimate their courage, by the seciucirg descriptions of riches and honours. His face bright- ened ; his eye appeared to sparkle with hope; and his crews, whilst they listened, secretly reproached them- selves with having too hastily doubted of the skill and fortune of their leader. But, independent of his address and presence of mind, there was in Columbus an inherent respectabi- lity of person and deportment, which humbled the crest of lordly distinction, and awed Faction and Envy into silence. Even in the Spanish Court, when its haughty Monarch returned flushed with his recent conquest of Grenada, he found himself compelled^, spite of his prejudices, to treat v/ith respect this great man of Nature, who stood in his presence unembar- rassed and collected. Upon the whole — if objects of great and universal beneiit shall be preferred to such as are of manifest injury — if to discover a world be more honorable and advantageous, than to waste and make desolate the one, on which mankind, from the b'^ginning of the world, have been made miserable by the mad ai^pbi- tion of their rulers — if the union of leai-ning, o'" cou- rage, and humanity ; of inventive wisdom, and the talents of being able to plan, and to accomplish, be more deserving our esteem and admiration, than the inhuman art of wasting with tire and sword, and of murdering mihions in battle — thechaiacter of Colum- bus may safely challenge a superiority above the proudest conqucrers recorded in history. ( 24 ) AMERIGO VESPUCCI. ALL the attempts towards discovery had hithert© been carried on in Spain by Columbus alone^ at the expence of the Crown ; but now private adven- turers, alKired by the magnificent descriptions he gave of the regions which he had visited, as well as by the specimens of their wealth which he produced, offered to fit out squadrons at their own risk, and to go in quest of new countries. The Spanish court, whose scanty revenues were exhausted by the charge of its expeditions to the New World, which, though they opened alluring prospects of future benefit, yield- ed a very sparing return of present profit, was ex- tremely willing to devolve the burden of discovery upon its subjects. It seized an opportunity of rendering the avarice, the ingenuity, and efforts of projectoi's, instrumental in promoting designs of certain advan- tage to the public, though of doubtful success with respect to themselves. One of the first propositions of this kind was made by Alonzo de Ojeda, a gallant and active officer, who had accompanied Columbus in his second voyage. His rank and character procured him such credit with the merchants of Seville, that they undertook to equip four ships, provided he could obtain the royal licence authorising the voyage. The powerful patronage of the Bishop of Badajos easily secured success in a suit so agreeable to the Court, Without consulting Columbus, or regarding the rights and jurisdiction which he had acquired by the capitu- lation in 1492, Ojeda was permitted to set out for the New World. In order to direct his course, tlie Bi- shop communicated to him the Admiral's journal of his last voyage, and his charts of the countries which he had discovered. Ojeda struck out into no new path of navigation, but adhering servilely to the rout which Columbus had taken, arrived on the coast of Paria. He traded with the natives and standing to the west, proceeded as far as Cape de Vela, and ranged along a considerable extent of coast beyond that on which Columbus had touched. Having thus ascertained tho opi^ AMERIGO VESPUCCI. 2 '^j opinion of Columbus, tliat this country was a part of the continent, Ojeda returned by Avay of Hispaniola to Spain, with some reputation as a discoverer, but witli little benefit to those who had raised the funds for tlie expedition. Amerigo Vespucci, a Florentine gentleman, ac- companied Ojeda in this voyage. In what station he served is uncertain ; but as he was an experienced sai- lor, and eminently skilful in all the sciences subservi- ent to navigation, he seems to have acquired such au- thority among his companions, that they willingly al- lowed him to have a chief share in directing their o- perations during the voyage. Soon after his return, he transmitted an account of his adventures and disco- veries to one of his countrymen ; and labouring with the vanity of a traveller to magnify his own exploits, he had the address and confidence to frame his narra- tive, so as to make it appear that /le had the glory of • having first discovered the New World. Amerigo's account was drawn up not only with art, but with som3 elegance. It contained an amusing history of his voyage, and judicious observations upon the natu- ral productions, the inhabitants, and the customs of the countries which he had visited. As it was the first description of any part of the New World that was pui)lished, a performance so well calculated to gratify the passion of mankind for what is new and marvel- lous, ciiculated rapidly, and was read with admiration. The country of which Amerigo was supposed to be; the discoverer, came gradually to be called bv his n:\me. The caprice of mankind, often, as unaccount- able as unjust, has perpetuated this error. By the universal consent of nations, America is the name be- stowed on this neAv quarter of the globe. The bold pretensions of a fortunate impostor, have robbed the real discoverer of the newVv^orld of a distinction which belonged to him. The name of Jmerigo has supplant- ed that of Coliunbus' ; and mankind may regret an act of injustice, which, having received the sanction of lime, it is now too late to redress. C ( ^6 ) JOHN AND SEBASTIAN CABOT. THE economical disposition of Henry VH. King" of England, induced him to preserve tranquil- lity in his dominions, which greatly contributed to the increase of commerce and ; manufactures, and to bring thither, merchants from all parts of Europe. The Lombards and the Venetians were remarkably numerous ; the former of whom had a street in Lon* don appropriated to them, and called by their name. Among the Venetians resident there at that tirae^ was John Cabot, a man perfectly skilled in all the sciences requisite to form an accomplished mariner. He had three sons, Lewis, Sanctius, and Sebastian, all of whom he educated in the same manntr. Lewis and Sanctius became eminent men, and settled, the one at Genoa, the other at Venice. Of Sebastian a farther account will be given. The famous discovery made by Columbus caused great admiration and much discourse in the court of Henry, and among the merchants of England. To find a way to India by the west, had long been a prob- lem with men of science, as well as a desideratum in the mercantile interest. The way was then supposed to be opened ; and the specimens of gold, which Co- lumbus had brought home, excited the warmest desire of pursuing that discovery. Cabot, by his knowledge of the globe, supposed that a shorter way might be found from England to India by the northwest. Having communicated his project to the King, it was favourably received ; and on the 5th of March 1496, a commission was granted to " John Cabot, and his three sons, their heirs, and deputies^ giving them liberty to sail to all parts of east, ivest, and north, under the royal banners, and ensigns ; to discover cguntriss of the heathen^ unkno'wn to chrisr iia?is CABOT, 27 tlajis ; to set up the King's banners there ; to occupy and possess as his subjects, such places as they could subdue; giving them the rule and jurisdiction of the same, to beholden on condition of paying to the King, as often as they should arrive at Bristol, (at ■which place only they were permitted to arrive) in wares and merchandise, one fifth part of all their gains ; with exemption from all duties on such merchandise as should be brought from their discoveries. After the granting of this commission, the King gave orders for fitting out two caravals for the purpose of the discovery. These were victualled at the public expence ; and freighted by the merchants of London and Bristol, with coarse cloths and other articles of traffic. The whole company consisted of 300 men. Withthjs eqiupment in the beginning of May 1497, John Cabot and his son Sebastian sailed from Bristol towards the northwest, till they reached the latitude of 58; where meeting with floating ice, and the wea- ther being severely cold, they altered their course to the southwest ; not expecting to find any land till they should arrive at Cathay, the northern part of China, from whence they intended to pass southward to India. On the 24th of June, very early in the morning, they were surprised with the sight of land ; which be- ing the first they had seen, they called Prima Vi'ita, The description of it is given in these words : " The island which lielh out before the land, he called St. John, because it was discovered on the day of St. Jolm the Baptist. The inhabitants of this island wear beasts' skins. In their wars, they use bows, arrows, pikes, darts, wooden clubs, and slings. The soil is barren in some places and yieldeth little fruit ; but is full of white bears and stags, far greater than curs. It yieldeth plenty of fish, and those very great, as seals and salmons. There are soles above a yard in length ; but especially there is great abundance of that kind of fish which the savages call Bacalao (Cod). In the same island are hawks and eagles, as black as ravens ; also patridges. The inhabitants had great plenty of copper.'' i8 CABOT. This land is generally supposed to be some part of tlie island of Nowfoundland ; and Dr. Forster thinks that the name Prima Fh-fa, was afterward changed to J3o7ia Vhta^ now the northern cape of Trinity bay, in latitude 48 50. Peter Martyr's account is, that Cabot called the land Bacaloas ; and there is a small island off the south cape of Trinity bay which bears that name. Mr. Prince, in his chronology, (citing Galva- iiusforan anthority) says, that the land discovered by Cabot was in latiiude 45. If this were true, the first discovery was made on the peninsula of Nova Scotia ; and as they coasted the land northward, they must have gone into the gulf of St. Lawrence in pursuit of their northwest passage.* Poinding the land still stretching to the northward, and the weather very cold in the month of July, the men became uneasy, and the commanders found it necessary to return to Bacaloas. Having here refresh- and examined several harbours and islands, ou the coast of Newfoundland ; in one of which he found such a quantity of birds, that in half an hour two boats were loaded with them ; and after they had eat- en as many as they could, five or six barrels full were salted for each ship. This place was called Bird Island. IIavin(j passed Cape de Grat, the northern extremi- ty of the land, h.e entered the straits of Bellisle, and visited several harbours on the opposite coast of La- brador, one of which he called Cartier's Sound. The liarbour is described as one of the best in the world, but the land is stigmatized as the place to which Cain was banished; no vegetation being produced among the rocks, but thorns and moss. Yet, bad as it was, there were inhabitants in it, who lived by catching seals, and seemed to be a wandering tribe. In circumnavigating the great island of Newfound- land, they found the weather in general cold ; but when they had crossed the gulf in a southwesterly di- rection to the cuiitinentj they came into a deep bay, where the climate was so warm, that they named it Baye de Chaleur, or the Bay of Heat. Here were «>everal kinds of wild berries, roses, and meadows of grass. In the fresh waters they caught salmon in great plenty. Having searched in vain for a passage thro' the bay, tliey quilted it, and sailed along the coast eastward till they came to the smaller bay of Gaspe ; where they sought shelter from a tempest, and were detained 12 days in the month of July. In this place Cartier performed the ceremony of taking possession for the King of France. A cross of 30 feet high was erect- ed on a point of land. On this cross was suspended a, shield, with the arms of France, and the words Vive Ic Roy de France. Before it, the people kneeled, un- covered, with their hands extended; and their eyes. lift. CARTIER. 33 "Kfted toward Heaven. The natives, who were pre- sent, beheld the ceremony at first with silent admira- tion J but after a while, an old man, clad in a bear's skin, made signs to them that the land was his, and that they should not have it without his leave. They then informed him by signs, that the cross was intend- ed only as a mark of direction, by which they might again find the port ; and they promised to return the next year, and to bring iron and other commodities. They thought it proper however to conciliate the old man's good will, by entertaining him on boawl the chip and making him several presents, by which means, they so prevailed on him, that he permitted Cartier to carry two of his sons, young n^en, to France on the security of a promise that he would bring them back at his return the next spring. From Gaspe, he sailed so far into the Great River, afterward called St. Lawrence, as to discover land on •the opposite side ; but the weather being boisterous, and the current setting against him, he tho't it best to return to Newfoundland, and then to France; where Jie arrived safe in the harbour of St. Malo on the Sih of September. . The discoveries made in this voyage excited farther curiosity.; and the Vice Admiral Mel! eraye represent- ed Cartier's merits to the King, so favourably, as to procure for him a more ample equipment. Three ships, one of 120, one of .enePit from (viKivation in the short sum- mer of that cold climite, was greatly overbalanced by the length and severity of a Canadian winter The natives had been so often told of the necessity of bap- lism, in order to salvation, f.hat, on their arrival in France, they were, at their own rtquest- baptized ; but neither of them lived to see their native land again. The report which Cartier brought home, of the fine country beyond the lalces, had, however, made such an impression on the minds of some, that, at the end of four years, another expedition was projected. Francis de la Roche, lord of Roberval, was commissioned by tlie King as his lieutenant goverimr in Canada and Ilockelaga, and Cartier was appointed his pilot, with tlie command of tive ships. Vvhen they were ready to sail, Robervai had not finished his preparations, and was therefore deiained. The king's orders to Cartier being positive, he sailed from St. Malo on the 23d of May 1540. The winds were adverse, and the voyage tedious. The ships were scattered, and did not arrive at the place of their destination till the 23d of August, when thry came to the port of St. Croix in the river of Ca- nada. The first enquiry made by the natives was for their countrymen who had been carried away. The answer was, that Donacona was dead, and that the others had become great lords, were married in France, and re- fused to return. Neither sorrow nor resentment were shov/n on this occasion ; but a secret jealousy, which had long been working, received strength from an an- swer so Hable to suspicion. As the occount of the expedition ends here, we can only remark that the colony was broken up, and no farther attempt was made by the French to establish themselves in Canada, till after the expiration of half a century. The l?.st account of Roberval is, that in 1549, he sailed with his brother on some voyage of iliscovery, and never returned. 42 CARTIER. "^ In this first visit, which the natives of Canada re- ceived from the Europeans, we have a striking in- stance of tiieir primitive manners. Suspecting no danger, and influenced by no fear, they embraced the stranger with unaffected joy. Their huts were open to receive him, their tires and furs to give warmth and rest to his weary Umbs; their food was shared with him or given in exchange for his trifles ; they were ready with their simple medicines to heal his diseases and his wounds ; they would wade thro' rivers and climb rocks and mountains to guide him in his way, and they would remember and requite his kindness more than it deserved. Unhappily for them they set too high a value on their new guest. Imagining him to be of a heavenly origin, they were extravagant and unguarded in their first attachment, and from some specimens of his su- periority, obvious to their senses, they expected moie than ought ever to be expected from beings of the same species. But when the mistake was discovered, and the stranger whom they had adored, proved to be no more than human, having the same inferior desires and passions with themselves ; especially when they foimcl their confidence niisplaced, and their generous friendship ill requited, then the rage of jealousy ex- tinguished the virtue of benevolence ; and they strug- gled to rid themselves of him, as an enemy, whom they had received into their bosom as a friend. On the other hand, it was too common for the Eu- ropean adventurer, to regard the man of nature as an inferior being ; and whilst he availed himself of his strength and experience, to abuse his conBdence, and repay his kindness with insult and injury ; to stigma- tize him as a heathen and a savage, and to bestow on liim the epithets of deceitful, treacherous, and cniel, tho' he himself hud first set the example of these de- testable vices. ( 43 ) aiWHMMMMWMM— — — — — ■ I HI IHIIW fm FERDINANDO DE SOTO. AFTER the conquest of IVrexico and Peru, in the beginning of the 16th century, the incxthi- fjuishable thirst for gold, which had seized the Spanish adventurers, prompted them to search for that be- witching metal wherever there could be any prospect of finding it. Three unsuccessful attempts had been made in Florida, by Ponce, Gomez, andNarvaez; but because these adventurers did not penetrate the inte- rior parts of the continent, Ferdinando de Soto, Governor of Cuba, who had been a companion of the Pizarros in their Peruvian expedition, and had there amassed much wealth, projected a march into Florida, of which country he had the title of Adelantado, or President. He sailed from the port of Havannah, IVIay 18th, 1539, with nine vessels, 600 men, 213 horses, and a herd of swine, and arrived on the 30th of the same month in the bay of Espiritu Santo, on the west- ern coast of the peninsula of Florida. Being a soldier of fortvuie and determined on con- quest, he immediately pitched his camp and secured it. A foraging party having met with a few Indians who resisted them, two were killed, the others escap- ed, and reported to their countrymen that the ivarriois of fire had invaded their territories ; upon which the smaller towns were deserted and the natives hid in the woods. Having met witli a Spaniard of the party of Nar- vaez, who had been wrecked on the coast, and had been 12 years a captive witli the Indians, Solo made use of him as a messenger to them to inquire; for gold and silver ; and wherever he could receive any infor- mation respecting these precious metals, thither he di- rected tis march. His -44 SOTO, "^ His manner of marching was this: The horsemen carrif d baj^^s of corn and oilier provisions ; the tbotjuen marrJiecl by the side of the horses, an J. the swine wtrii driven before them. When they nrst landed they natl 13 female swine, which in two years iacruased to se- veral hundreds; the warmth of the climate ijc-ing fa- vourable to their propagation, and the iorests yicluing them a plenty of food. The hrst summer and winter were spent in the pen- insula of Florida, not far from the bay of Apaiache ; and in the beginning of the following spring, having sent back his vessels to Cuba for supplies, and left a part of his men at the port, where he expected the ships to return, he marched toward the north and east in search of a place called Yupaha, where he had been informed there was gold. In this march he crossed the river Altamaha and probably the Ogecbee, and came, as he was informed, within two days journey of the bay of St. Helena, where the Spaniards had been several years before. In all this march he staid not more than a week in any one place. He then set his face northward, and having passed a hilly country, he came to a district called Chalaque, which is suj)posed to be the comitry now called Chero- kee on the upper branches of the river Savannah, Thence he turned westM'ard, in search of a place cal- ied Chiaha, and in this route he crossed the Allegany ridge and came to Chiaha, where his horses and men being excessively fatigued, he rested 30 days. The liorses fed in a meadow, and the people lay under the trees, the weather being very hot and the natives in peace. i^his was in the months of May and June. Duiing their abode they heard of a country called Chis- ca, where was copper and another metal of the same colour. This couiUry lay northward, and a party M'as sent with Indian guides to view it. Their report was, that the mountains were impassable, and Soto did not attempt to proceed any farther in that direc- tion. From s SOTO. 4 From a careful inspection of the maps in the Ame- rican Atlas, I am inclined to think that the place where Soto crossed the moiiRtains was within the 35th degree of ]a,titude. In Delisle's map, a village called Canasaga, is laid down on theN. W. side of the Al- legany, (or as it is sometimes called) the Apalachian ridge of mountains, in that latitude ; and Chiaha is said in Soto's journal to be five days westward from Canasaga. To ascertain the situation of Chiaha, we must ob- serve, that it is subject to the Lord of Cosa, which is situated on an eastern branch of the Mobille ; and So- to's sick men came down the river from Chiaha in boats. This river could be none but a branch of the Mobille, and his course was then turned toward the south ; in this march he passed thro' Alibama, Talise, Tascalusa, names which are still known und marked on the maps, till he came to the town of Mavilla, which the French pronounce Mouville and Mobille. It was then a walled town, but the walls were of wood. The inhabitants had conceived a disgust for the Spa- niards, which was augmented by an outrage commit- ted on one of their Chiefs, and finally broke out in a severe conflict, in which 2000 of the innocent natives were slain, and many of the Spaniards killed and wounded, and the town was burnt. This was in the latter end of October. It is probable that Soto intended to pass the winter in the neighbourhood of that village, if he could have kept on friendly terms with the Indians ; for there he could have had a communication with Cuba. There he heard that the vessels which he had sent to Cuba for supplies were arrived at Ochus [Pensacola] where he had agreed to meet them; but he kept this infor- mation secret, because he had not yet made any disco- veries which his Spanish friends would think worthy of regard. The country about him was populous but hostile, and, being void of gold or silver, was not aii object for him to possess at the risque of losing his ar- my, of which above 100 had already perished. He there- 46 SOTO. \ therefore, after staying 28 clays for the recovery of his wounded men, determined on a retreat. In this retreat it has been supposed that he penetrat- ed northward, beyond the Ohio. The truth is, that he began his march from Mavilla, a village near the mouth of the Mobille, on the 18th of November, and on the 17th of December arrived at Chicaca, an Indian village of twenty houses, where they remained till the next April. The distance, the time, the nature of the country, the course and manner of the march, and the name of the village, all concur to determine this winter station of Soto to be a village of the Chickesaw Indians, situ- ated on the upper part of the Yasou, a branch of the Mississippi, about eighty leagues northwestward from Mobille, and not less than 140 leagues, southwestward from the Muskingnm, where are found the fortifica- tions, the cause of so many conjectures. From Chi- caca, in the spring, he went westward, and crossed a river within the 34th degree of latitude, which he called Rio Grande, and which is now known to be the Mississippi. On the western side of the Mississippi, after ram- bling all the summer, he spent the next winter at a place called Autiamque, where he enclosed his camp with a wall of timber, the work of three days only. Within this enclosure he lodged safely during three months ; and, in the succeeding spring, the extreme fatig-ieand anxiety which he had suffered, threw him into a fever, of which he died. May 21, 1542, at Guacoya. To prevent his death from being known to the Indians, his body was sunk in the middle of a river. His Lieutenant, Louis de Moscosco, continued to ramble on the western side of the Mississippi, till the next summer; w^hen worn with fatigue, disappoint- ment, and loss of men, he built seven boats, called hrigantines, on the Mississippi, in which the shatter- ed remnants consisting of 311, returned to Cuba, in September 1543, ( 47 ) WALTER RALEIGH, &c. THE distinguished figure which the life of Sir Walter Raleigh makes in the history of Eng- land, renders unnecessary any other account of him here, than what respects his adventures in America, and particularly in Virginia, of which colony he is ac- knowledged to have been the unfortunate founder. He A^'as half brother, by the mother's side, to Sir Humphrey Gilbert,* and was at the expence of fitting out one of the ships of his squadron. Notwithstand- ing the unhappy fate of his brotlier, he persisted in his design ol making a settlement in America. Being a favourite in the court of Queen Elizabeth, he obtained a patent, bearing date the 25th of March 1584, for the discovering and planting of any lands and countries, which were not possessed by any Christiari prince or nation. About the same time, the Queen granted him ano- ther patent, to Hcense the vending of wine throughout the kingdom ; that by the profits thence arising, he might be able to bear the expense of his intended plan of colonization. Further to strengthen his interest, he engaged the assistance of two wealthy kinsmen. Sir Richard Grenville and William Sanderson. They pro- vided two barks, and having well furnished them with men and provisions, put them under the command of Philip Amadas and Arthur Barlow, who sailed from the west of England, April 27, 1584. They took the usual route by the way of the Cana- ries and the Westlndies ; the reason of which is thus expressed in the account of this voyage written by Barlow, " because we doubted that the current of the bay of Mexico between the cape of Florida and tla- vannah, had been of greater force than wc aftenvards found it to be." * An imfortunate adventurer to Newfoundland. 48 RALEIGH. Taking advantage of the Gulf stream, they ap- proached the coast of Florida, and on the 2d of July came into shoal water, wliere the odoriferous smell of flowers indicated the land to be near, though not within sight. On the 4th they saw land, along which they sailed 50 leagues before they found an entrance. At the iirst opening, thty cast anchor (July 13) and hav- ing devoutly given thanks to God, for their safe arrival on the coast, they went ashore in their boats, and took possession in the name of Queen Elizabeth. The place where they landed was a sandy island, called Wococon,* about 16 miles in length and 6 in breadth, full of cedars, pines, cypress, sassafras and other trees, among which were many vines loaded with grapes. In the woods they found deer and hares, and in the waters and marshes, various kinds of fowl ; but no human creature was seen till the third day, when a canoe, with three men, came along by the shore. One of them landed, and, without any fear or precaution, niet the Europeans, and addressed them in a friendly manner, in his own language. They carried him on board one of their vessels, gave him a shirt and some other trifles, and regaled him with meat and wine. He then returned to his canoe, and with his compani- ons went a fishing. When the canoe was filled, they brought the iish on shore, and divided them into two ] leaps, making signs, that each of the vessels should take one. The next day, several canoes came, in Avhich were 40 or 50 people, and among them was Granganimeo, brother of Wingina, king of the country, who was con- fmed at home by the wounds which he had received in battle with a neigiibouring prince. The manner of bis approach was fearless and respectful. He left his boats at a distance, and came along the shore, accom- panied by ail his people, till he was abreast of the ships. Then advancing with 4 men only, who spread a mat on the ground, he sat down on one end, and the 4 men * This illand is fuppofed to be one of thofe which lie at: the moiith of Albemarle Sound, on the coall of N.Carolina, RALEIGH. 49^ 4 men on the other. When the English M-ent on shore, armed, he beckoned to them to come and sit by him, which they did, and he made signs of joy and friendship, striking with his hand on his head and breast, and then on theirs, to sliew that they were all one. None of his people spoke a word ; and when the English offered them presents, he took them all into his own possession, making signs that they were his servants, and that all which they had belonged to him. After this interview, the natives came in great num- bers, and brought skins, coral, and materials for dyes; but when Granganimeo was present, none were per- mitted to trade, but himself and those who had a piece of copper on their heads. Nothing pleased him so much as a tin plate, in which he made a hole, and hungit over his breast, as a piece of defensive armour. He supplied them every day with venison, fish and fruits ; and invited them to visit him at his village, on the north end of an island called Roanoke. This village consisted of nine houses, built of cedar, and fortified with sharp palisades. When the English arrived there in their boat, Granganimeo was absent ; but his wife entertained them with the kindest hospi- tality,washed their feet and their clothes, ordere€l their boat to 1)6 drawn ashore and their oars to be secured, and then feasted them with venison, fish, fruits and homony. AVhilst they were at supper, some of lier men came in from hunting, with their bows and ar- rows in their hands, on which her guests began to mistrust danger ; but she ordered their bows to be tak- en from them, and their arrows to be broken, and then turned them out at the gate. The English, however, thought it most prudent to pass the night in their boat, which they launched and laid at anchor. At tlws she was much grieved ; but Finding all her solici- tations ineffectual, she ordered the victuals in the pots to be put on board, with mats to cover the people from the rain ; and appointed several persons of both sexes t_o keep guard on the beach during the whole nighl« D Could 50 RALEIGH. Could there be a more engaging specimen of generous hospitality ? These people are characterized as " gentle, loving and faithful ; void of guile and treachery ; living after the manner of the golden age ; caring only to feed themselves with such food as the soil aiiordeth, and to defend themselves from the cold in their short winter." No farther discovery was made of the country by these adventurers. From the natives they obtained some uncertain account of its geography, and of a ship which had been wrecked on the coast between 20 and 30 years before. They carried away two of the natives, Wanchese and Manteo, and arrived in the west of England about the middle of September. The account of this discovery was so welcome to Queen Elizabeth, that she named the country TzV- ginia^ either in memoryof her own virginity, or be- cause it retained its virgin purity, and the people their primitive simplicity. About this time, Raleigh was elected knight of the, shire for his native county of Devon ; and in the par- liament which was held in the succeeding winter, he caused a bill to be brought into the House of Com- mons to confirm his patent for the discovery of fo- reign couiUries. After much debate, the bill was car- ried thro' both houses, and received the royal assent. In addition to which, the Queen conferred on him the order of Knighthood. A second expedition being resolved on. Sir Richard Grenville himself took the command, and with seven vessels, large and small, sailed from Plymouth, on the 9th of April, 1585, They went in the usual course by the Canaries and the West Indies, where they took two Spanish prizes ; and after having narrowly escaped shipwreck on Cape Fear, arrived at Wococon the 26th of June. The natives came, as before, to bid them welcome, and to trade with them. Manteo, whom they had brought back, proved a faithful guide, and piloted them about from place to place. In an excursion of 8 days with RALEIGH. /ri D with their boats, they visited several Indian villages on the islands and on the main, adjoining to Albemarle Sound. At one place, called Aquascogoc, an Indian stole from them a silver cup. Inquiry being made, the offender was detected, and promised to restore it ; but the promise not being speedily performed, a hasty and severe revenge was taken, by the orders of Gren- ville ; tlie town was burnt, and the corn destroyed in the fields, (July 16) whilst the affrighted people fled to the woods for safety. From this ill-judged act of vio- lence, may be dated the misfortunes and failure of this colony. Leaving 108 persons to attempt a settlement, Gren- ville proceeded with his fleet to the island of Hatteras, where he received a visit from Granganimeo, and then sailed for England. On the 1 8th of September he ar- rived at Plymouth, with a rich Spanish prize which he had taken on the passage. Of the colony left in Virginia, Ralph Lane was ap- pointed Governor. He was a military man, of consi- derable reputation in the sea-service. Philip Amadas, who had commanded in the first voyage, was Admiral. They chose the island of Roanoke, in the moutli of Albemarle Sound, as the place of their residence; and their chief employment was to explore and survey the country, and describe the persons and manners of its inhabitants. For these purposes, Sir Walter Raleigh had sent John Withe, an ingenious painter, and Tho- mas Heriot, a skilful mathematician, and a man of cu- rious ol)servation ; both of whom perfoj'ined their parts with fidelity and success. The farthest discovery which they made to the 'southward of Roanoke was Secotan, an Indian town, between the rivers of Pamptico and N'eus, distant 80 leagues. To the nortliward they went about 40 leagues, to a nation called Chesepeags, on a small river, nov/ called Elizabeth, which falls into Chesepeag Bay, be- low Norfolk. To the westward, they went up Albe- marle Sound and Chowan river, about 40 leagues, to a nation called Chowanogs, whose King, JMenatonona, a- 51 RALEIGH. amused them with a story of a copper mine unci a pearF fishery, in search of which they spent much time, and so exhausted their provisions, that they were glad to eat their dogs befoie they returned to Roanoke. During this excursion, their friend Granganimco died, and his brother Wingina discovered his hostile disposition toward the colony. The return of Mr. Lane and his party, from their excursion, gave a check to his malice for a while ; but he secretly laid a plot for their destruction, which being betrayed to the Eng- glish, they seized all the boats on the island. This brought on a skirmish, in which five or six Indians were killed, and the rest fled to the woods. After much jealousy and dissimulation on both sides, Win- gina was drawn into a snare, and with eight of his men', fell a sacrifice to the resentment of the English. In a few days after Wingina's death. Sir Francis Drake, who had been cruising against the Spaniards in the West Indies, and had received orders from the Queen to visit this colony, ai'rived with his fleet on the coast, and, by the mianinious desire of the people, took them all ofi*, and cari-icd them to England, where they arrived in July 1586* Within a fortnight after the departureof this unfor- tunate colony, Sir Richard Grenville arrived with three ships for their relief. Finding their habitation aban- doned, and being unable to gain any intelligence of them, he landed 50 men on the islarid of Roanoke, plentifully supplied with provisions for two years, and then returned to England. The next year (1587), three ships were sent, under the command of John White, who was appointed Go- vernor of the colonV) with 12 Counsellors. To them llaleigh gave a charter of incorporation for the city of Raleigh, which he ordered them to build on the river Chesepeag, the northern extent of the discovery. Af- ter narrowly escaping shipwreck on Cape Fear, they arrived at Hatteras, on the 22d of July, and sent a par- ty to Roanoke to look for the second colony of 50 men* They found no person living, and the bones of but one dead RALEIGH. 53 *\leacl. The huts were standing, but were overgrown with bushes and weeds. In conversation with some of the natives, they were informed, that the colony had been destroyed by Wingina's people, in revenge of his death. iMr. White endeavoured to renew a friendly inter- course witli those natives, but their jealousy rendered them implacable. He, therefore, went across the wa- ter to the main, with a party of 25 men, and came suddenly on a company of friendly Indians, who were seated round a fire, one of whom they killed before they discovered the mistake. Two remarkable events are mentioned as happening at this tiine : one was the baptism of Manteo, the faithful Indian guide ; the other was the birth of a fe- male child, daughter of Ananias Dare, one of the Coun- cil, which, being the first child born in the colony, was named Virginia, By this time (x\ugust 21), the ships had unloaded their stores, and were preparing to return to England. It was evident tliat a farther supply was necessary, and that some person must go home to solicit it. A dis- pute arose in the Council on this point ; and, after much altercation, it was determined, that the Govern- or was the most proper person to be sent on this er- rand. The whole colony joined in requesting him to proceed, promising to take care of his interest in his absence. With much rehictance he consented, on their subscribing a testimor.ial of his un^^illingness to quit the plantation. He accordingly sailed on the 27th of August, and arrived in England the following No- vember. The nation was in a state of alarm and ap- prehension on account of the war with Spain, and of the Invincible Armada^ which had threatened it with an invasion. Sir Walter Raleigh was one of the Queen's Council of War, as were also Sir Richard Crenville and Mr. Lane. Their time was wJioUy tak- en up with public consultations, and Governor White nas obliged to wait, till the plan of operations against the enemy could be adjusted and carried into execu^ lion. . The 54 HALEIGK. The next spring, Raleigh and Grenville, who had the eommand of the militia in Cornwall, and were training them ior tlie defence of the kingdom, being strongly solicited by White, provided two sn\all barks, whicli sailed from.Biddeford on the 22d of April 1588. These Vessels had commissions as ships of war, and being more intent on gain to themselves, than relief to the colony, went in chace of prizes, and were both driven back by ships of superior force, to the great mortificulion of their patron, and the ruin of his colony. These disapj)ointments were a source of vexation to Raleigh. He had expended 40,000/. of his own and other mens' money, in pursuit of his favourite object, ;tnd his gains were yat to^come. He therefore made an assignment of his patent (^March 7, 1589) to Tho- mas Smith, and other merchants and adventurers, among whom was Governor White, with a donation of 100/. for the propagation of the Christian religion in Virginia. Being thus disengaged from the business of colonization, he had full scope for his martial geni- us in the war with Spain. His assignees Avere not so zealous in the prosecu- tion of their business. It was not till the spring of 1590, that Governor White could return to hjs colony. Then, with three ships, he sailed from Plymouth, and passing through the West Indies, in quest of Spanish prizes, he arrived at Hatteras, on the 15th of August. From this place, they observed a smoke arising on the island of Roanoke, which gave them some hope that the colony was there subsisting. On their coming to the place, they found old trees and grass burning, but no human being. On a post of one of the houses, they saw the word Croataii^ which gave them some hope that, at the island of that name, they should find their friends. They sailed for that island, which lay southward of Hatteras ; but a violent storm aiising, hi which they lost their anchors, they were obliged to quit the inhospitable coast, and return home; nor was any thing afterward heard of the unfortunate co- lony. The RALEIGH. ss The next year (1591), Sir Richard Grenville was itiortally wounded in an engagement with a Spanish fleet, and died on board the Admiral's ship, where he was prisoner. Kaleigh, tho* disengaged from the business of colo- nizing Virginia, sent five times, at his own expence, to seek for, and relieve, his friends ; but the persons whom he employed} having more profitable business in the West Indies, either went not to the place, or were forced from it by stress of weather, it being a tempestuous region, and without any safe harbour. The last attempt which he made, was in 1602, the year before his imprisonment; an event which grati- fied the malice of his enemies, and prepared the way for his death, which was much less ignominious to him than to his sovereign, King James I. the British Solotnon, successor to Elizabeth, the Britifjh DcborahJ* This unfortunate attempt to settle a colony in Vir- ginia, was productive of one thing which will render it memorable, the introduction of tobacco into England . Cartier, in his visit to Canada, fifty years before, had observed that the natives used this weed in fumigation, but it was an object of disgust to Frenchmen. Ralph Lane, at his return in 1586, brought it first into Eu- rope ; and Raleigh, who was a man of gaiety and fashion, not only learned the use of it himself, but introduced it into the polite circles ; and even the Queen herself gave encouragement to it. Some hu- mourous stories respecting it are still remembered. Raleigh laid a wager with the Queen, that he would determine exactly the weight of smoke which issued from his pipe. This he did by first weighing the to- bacco • The following fpecimen of the language of thofe times, and the fulfomenefs of the adulation, mull be amufing to the reader : — •' He (/. e. King James) is beyond comparifon a meer tranfcendant, beyond all his predeceiTors Princes of this Realm ; beyond the neighbouring Princes of his own time ; beyond the conceit of lubjefts dazzled with fo much bright- nefs ; beyond our victorious Deborah, not in fex alone, but as peace is more excellent than war, and Solomon than David ; in this alfo that he w, and we enjoy his prefent fuulhiue.'* 56 RALEIGH. bacco and then the ushes. When the Queen paic! the Ava^er, she pleasantly observed, that many labour- ers had t\u'ned their gold into smoke, but that he was tiie first who had converted smoke into gold. It is also related that a servant of Sir Walter, bring- ing a tankard of ale into his stt^dy as he "vvas smoaking his pipe, and i-eading, was so alarped at the apppear- ance of smoke issuing out of his mouth, that he threw the ale into his face, and ran down to alarm the fami- ly, crying out that his master was on fire. King James had so rcf.ncd a taste, that he not only held this Indian w^eed hi great abhorrence himself, but endeavoured, by proclumalions and otherwise, to pre- vent the use of it among his subjects. But all his zeal and authority could not suppress it. Since his time, it has become an important article of commerce to both Americans and FAU-opeaiij; !;:>• JOHN SMITH. THOUGH the early part of the life of this extra- ordinary man was spent in foreign travels and adventures which have no reference to America, yet the incidents of that period so strongly mark his cha- lacter, and give such a tincture to his subsequent ac- tions, and are withal so singular in themselves, that a short account of them must be amusing to the reader. He was born at Willoughby, in Lincolnshire, in in the year 1579. From the first dawn of reason, he discovered a roving and romantic genius, and de- lighted in extravagant and daring actions among his school fellows. When about 13 years of age, he sold his books and satchel, and his puerile trinkets, to raise money, with a view to con^ey himself pri- vately to sea; but tlie death of his father put a stop for the present to this attempt, and threw him into the hands / SIVIITH. 57 hands of guardians, who endeavoured to check the ar- dour of his {jjenius, by confiniiit^ him to a comptinj^ house. Beinj^ put apprentice to a merchant at Lynn, at the ag-e of 15, he at fast conceived hopes that liis master would send him to sea in his service, but this hope fiiilinij, he quitted his master, and with only ten shiliinj^s in his pocket, entered into the train of a young- nobleman who was travelling to France. At Orleans he was discharged from his attendance on Lord Bertie, and had money given him to return to P^ngland. With this money he visited Paiis, and proceeded to the Low Countries, wliere he enlisted as a soldier and learned the rudiments of war, a science peculiarly agreeable to his ardent and active genius. .Meeting with a Scotch gentleman abroad, he was per- suaded to pass into Scotland, with the promise of be- ing strongly recommended to King James ; but being batiled in this expectation, he returned to his native town, and finding no company there which suited his taste, he built a booth in a w^ood, and betook himself to the study of military history and tactics, diverling himself at intervals with his horse and lance ; in which exercise he at length found a companion an Italian gentleman, who drew him fi'om his sylvan re- tirement to Tattersal. Having recovered a part of the estate which his fa- ther had left him, he put himself into a better condi- tion than before, and set ou again on his travels, in the winter of the year 1596, being then only 17 years of age. His first stage was Flanders, where meeting ' with a Frenchman, who pretended to be heir to a no- ble family, he, with his three attendants, prevailed npon Smith to go with them to France. In a dark night, they arrived at St. V^alcry, in Picardy, and, by the connivance of the ship master, the Frenchmen were carried ashore with the trunks of our young tra- veller, whilst he vv^as left on board till the return of the boat. In the mean time, they had conveyed the bag- gage out of his reach, and were not to be found. A sailor on board, who knew the villains, generously D 2 uu- ji 53 SMITH. undertook to conduct him to Mortainc, where they lived, and supplied his wants till their arrival at the place. Here he found their friends, from whom he could gain no recompence ; but the report of his suf- ferings induced several persons of distinction to invite him to their houses. Eager to pursue his travels, and not caring to re- ceive favours which he was unable to requite, he left his new friends, and went from port to port in search of a ship of war. In one of these rambles, near Di- nan, it was his chance to meet one of the villains who had robbed him. Without speaking a word, they both drew, and Smith, having wounded and disarmed his antagonist, obliged him to confess his guilt before a number of persons who had assembled on the occasi- on. Satisfied with his victory, he retired to the seat of an acquaintance, the earl of Ployer, who had been brought up in England, and having received supplies from him, he travelled along the French coast lo Ba- yonne, and from thence crossed over to Marseilles, vi- siting and observing every thing in his way which had any reference to naval or militaiy architecture. At Marseilles he embarked for Italy, in company with a number of pilgrims. The ship was forced by a tempest into the harbour of Toulon, and afterward was obliged by a contrary wind to anchor under the little island of St. Mary, off Nice in Savoy. The bigotry of the pilgrims made them ascribe their ill fortune to the prssence of a heretic on board ! — They devoutly cursed Smith and his Qiieen Elizabeth, and in a fit of pious rage threw him into the sea. He swam to the island, and the next day was taken on board a ship of St. Malo, which had also put in there for shelter. The master of the ship, who was well known to his noble friend the earl of Ployer, entertained him kindly, and carried him to Alexandria, in Egypt ; from thence he coasted the Levant, and on his return had the high r/atisfaction of a naval engagement with a Venetian ship, which they took, and riiled of her rich cargo. Sjiiith was set on shore (\tAntibes, with a box of lOOQ SMITH. 59 chequins (about 2000 dollars), by the help of which he made the tour of Italy, crossed the Adriatic, and travelled into Stiria, to the seat of Ferdinand, Arch- duke of Austria. Here he met with an English and an Irish Jesuit, who introduced him to lord Eber- spaught, baron Kizel and other officers of distinction ; and here he found full scope for his genius, for the emperor being then at war with the Turks, he enter- ed into his army as a volunteer. He had commuicated to Eberspaught a method of conversing at a distance, by signals made with torch- es, which being alternately shewn and hidden a cer- tain number of times, designated every letter of the alphabet. He had soon after an opportunity of mak- ing the experiment. Eberspaught being besieged by the Turks in the strong town of Olimpach, was cut oti' from all intelligence and hope of succour from his friends. Smith proposed his method of communica- tion to baron Kizel, who approved it, and allowed him to put it in practice.* He was conveyed by a guard, to a hill within view of the town, and sufficienlly re- mote from the Turkish camp. At the display of the signal, Eberspaught knew and answered it, and Smith conveyed to him this intelligence, " Thursday night, I will charge on the east ; at the alarm sally thou." The answer was, " I will." Just before the attack, by Smith's advice, a great number of false fires were made * The method was this:— Firft, three torches are fliewn in a line equi-diftant from each other, which are anfwered by three others in the tame manner. Then tlie mefiac^e being written as briefly as poflible, and the alphabet divided into two parts, the letters from A to L are fignified by fliewing and hiding one light, as often as there are letters from A to that letter which you mean. The letters froni M to 7. by two lights in the fame manner. The end of a word is fignified by (hewing three lights. At every letter, the light {lands till th.e other party writes it and anfwers by his fignal, which is one light. — [From hence we may ])erceive the tirfl idea of what is now called the Telegrapbe, and from which the faccoeding improvem'^nt was not fo wonderful a difcoverv, cr invention^ as has been imagined] (>o SMITH. made on another quarter, which divided the attention of the enemy, and gave advantage to the assailants, ■who, being assisted by a sally from the town, killed jr.any of che Tm'ks, drove others into the river, and threw succours into the place, which obliged the ene- my the next day to raise the siege. This well-con- ducted exploit produced to our young adventurer the command of a company, consisting of 250 horsemen, in the regiment of count Meldrick, a nobleman of Transylvania. The regiment in which he served being engaged in several hazardous enterprizes, Smith was foremost iii all dangers, and distinguished himself both by his in- genuity and by his valour; and when Meldrick left the Imperial army, and passed into the service of his his native prince, Smith followed him. At the siege of Regal, the Ottomans derided the slow approaches of the Transylvanian army, and sent a challenge, purporting that the Lord Turbisha, to divert the ladies, would fight any single Captain of the Christian troops. The honour of accepting this challenge, being de- termined by lot, fell on Captain Smith ; who, meet- ing his antagonist on horseback, within view of the ladies on the battlements, at the sound of music, be- gan the encounter, and in a short time killed him, and bore away his head in triumph to his general the l>ord Moyzes. The death of the chief so irritated his friend Gru- algo, that he sent a particular challenge to the con- queror, who, meeting him with the same ceremonies, after a smart combat, took of his head also. Smith T-hcn in his turn sent a message into the town, inform- ing tJie ladies, that if they wished for more diversion, I hey should be welcome to his head, in case their third Champion could take it. This challenge was accepted by Bonamolgro, who unhorsed Smith and was near gaining the victory — liut remounting in a rriiical moment, he gave the Turk a stroke with his Lulchion Y^'hich brought him to the gorotuid, and his h cad SMITH. 6^ head was added to the number. For these singular expoits he was honoured with a military procession, consisting of six thousand men, three led horses, and the Turks' heads on the point of three hmces. With this ceremony Sn\ith was conducted to the pavilion of his general, who, alter embracing him, presented him with a horse richly furnished, ^ scymilar and belt worth 300 ducats, and a commission to be major in his regiment. ThePrinceof Transylvania,after the cap- ture of the place, made him a present of his picture set in gold, and a pension of 300 ducats per annum, and morover granted him a coat of arms bearing three Turks' heads m a shield. The patent was admitted and recorded in the college of Heralds in England, by Sir Henry Segar, garter king at arms. Smith was always proud of this distinguishing honour, and these arms are accordingly blazoned in the frontispiece to his history, with tiiis motto, " Vbicere eat vivere." After this, the Transylvanian army was defeated by a body of Turks and Tartars near Rotenton, and many brave men v/ere slain, among whom were nine English and Scots oincers, who, after the fashion of that day, had entered into this service, from a relig-i- ous zeal to drive tiie T\irks out of Christendom. Smith was wounded in this battle, and lay among the dead. His habit discovered him to the victors as a person of conse(]urnce ; tliey used him well till his wounds were healed, and then sold him to the Basha Bogal, who sent him as a present to his mistress^ 7ra- gabigzanda at Constantinople, accompanied with a mes- sage as fail of vanity as void of truth, that he had con- quered in battle a l^ohemian nobleman, and presented jiim to her as a slave. The present proved more acceptable to the lady than her lord intended. She could speak Italian, and Smith, in that language, not only informed her of his country and quality, but conversed with her in so pleas- ing a manner, as to gain her affections. The con- nexion proved so tender, that, to secure him for her- self 62 SMITH. self, and to prevent his beinj? ill used or sold again' she sent him to her brother the Basha of Nalbraitz* in the country of the Cambrian Tartars, on the bor- ders of the sea of Asoph. Her pretence was, that he should there learn the manners and language, as well as religion of the Tartars. By the terms in which slie wrote to her brother, he suspected her design, and re- solved to disappoint her. Within an hour after Smith's arrival, he was stripped, his head and beard were shaven, an iron collar was put about his neck, he was clothed with a coat of hair-cloth, and driven to labour among other Christian slaves. He had now no hope of redemption, but from the love of his mis- tress, who was at a great distance, and not likely to he informed of his misfortune ; the hopeless condition of his fellow-slaves could not alleviate his despondency. In the depth of his distress, an opportunity present- ed for an escape, which to a person of a less courage- ous and adventurous spirit, w ould have proved an ag- gravation of misery. He was employed in threshing, at a grange, in a large field, about a league from the house of his tyrant, who, in his daily visits, treated him with abusive language, accompanied with blows and kicks. This was more than Smith could bear ; wherefore, watching an opportunity, when no otlier j)erson was present, lie levelled a stroke at him with his threshing instrument, which dispatched him. Then, liidinj>; his body in the straw, wid shutting the doors, Jie filled a bag with grain, mounted theBasha's horse, and betaking himself to the depart, \> andered for two or three days, ignorant of the way, and so fortunate as not to meet with a single person wiio might give information of his Uighl. At length he came to a post erected in a cross-road, by the marks on which he found the way to iNTuscovy, and in 16 days arrived at Exapoli?, on the river Don, where was a Russian gar- rison, the commander of which, understanding that he was a Christian, received l)im courteously, took oft* his iron collar, and gave him letters to tlie other go- vernors in that region. Thus he travelled through part SMITH. 63 part of Russia and Poland, till he got back to his friends in Transylvania, receiving presents in iiis way from many persons of distinction, among whom he mentions a charitable lady, Callamata, being always proud of his connexion with that sex, and ibnd of ac- knowledging their favours. At Leipsic he met with his colonel, count Meldrick, and Sigismund, prince of Transylvania, who gave him 1500 ducats to repair his losses. With this money, he was enabled to tra- vel thro' Germany, France, and Spain, and having visited the kingdom of Morocco, he returned by sea to England, having in his passage enjoyed the plea- sure of another naval engagement. At his arrival in his native country, he had 1000 ducats in his purse, Vhicb, with the interest he liad remaining in Eng- land, he devoted to seek adventures and make disco- veries in North America. Bartholomew Gosnold having conceived a favoura- ble idea of America, had made it his business, on his return to England, to solicit assistance in prosecuting discoveries. Meeting with Captain Smith, he readily entered into his views, the employment being exactly- suited to his enterprizing genius. Having engaged Edward Maria WingPicld, a merchant, Robert Hunt, a clergyman, and several others, they prevailed upon a number of noblemen, gentlemen, and merchants, to solicit a patent from the Crown, by which the adven- turers to Vii-ginia became sul)jcct to legal direction, and had the support and encouragement of a weallliy and respectable corporation, which was usually styled the South Virginia Company or the London Coni- ])any, in distinction from the Plymouth Company, who superintended the aflairs of North Virginia. The date of their patent was April 10, 1G06, and on the 19th of ihe following December, three ships, one of 100 tons, another of 40, and one of 20, fell down the river Thames for Virginia. The commander was Christopher Newport, an experienced mariner. They had on board the necessary persons and provisions for 9. colony, and their orders for government were sealed iu 64 SMITH. in a box, which was not to be opened till they should arrive in Virginia. The sliips were kept in the Downs, by bad weather, six weeks, and af-erwards had a tempestuous voyage. They took the old route by the Canary and Caribbee islands, and did not make the entrance of Chesapeak Bay till the 26th of April 1607. From the beginning of their embarkation, there was a jealousy and dis- sension among the company. Smith and Hunt were friends, and both were envied and suspected by the others. Hunt was judicious and patient, and his office secured him from insult. Smith was ardent and in- dustrious, courteous in his deportment, but liberal in his language. On some suggestions that he intended to usui-p the government, and that his confederates were dispersed among the companies of each ship, he was made a prisoner, from the time of their leaving the Canaries, and was under confinenisnt when they arrived in the Chesapeak. When the box v/as open- ed, it was found that Bartholomew Gosnold, John Smith, Edward M. V/ingneld, Christopher Newport, John RatclifT, John Martin, and George Kendal were named to be of the Council, who were to chuse a pre- sident from among themselves, for one year, and the government was vested in them. Matters of moment were to be " examined by a jury, but determined by the major part of the Co\incil, in which tiie president had two voices." When the Council was sworn, Wing- iield was chosen president, and a declaration Avas mad;^ of the reasons for which Smith was not admitted and sworn among the others. Seventeen days from their arrival were spent in seeking a proper place for their nrst plantation. The southern point of the bay was named Cape Henry, and the northern Cape Charles, in honour of the two sons of King James. To the first great river which they discovered they gave the name of their sovereign, and the northern point of its entrance was called Point Comfort, on account of the good channel and anchor- age which they foimd th-ere. On the Hats, they took plenty SMITH. 6^ •plenty of oysters, in some of which were pearls; and on the plain, they found lart^e and ripe strawberries, which afforded them a delicious repast. Having met with five of the natives, they invited them to their town, Kecoughtan, where Hampton is now built. Here they were feasted with cakes made of Indian corn, and regaled with tobacco and a dance ; in return, they presented the natives beads and other trinkets. Proceeding up the river, another company of Indians appeared in arms. Their chief, Apamati- ca, holding in one hand his bow and arrow, and in the other a pipe of tobacco, demanded the cause of their coming ; they made signs of peace, and were hospi- tably received. On the 13th of May, they pitched upon a peninsula where the ships could lie in six fa- thom water, moored to the trees, as the place of their intended settlement. Here they were visited by Pas- piha, another Indian chief, who being made acquaint- ed with their design, offered them as much land as they wanted, and afterward sent them a deer for their entertainment. On this spot they pitched their tents, and gave it the name of James-town. Every man was now employed either in digging and planting gardens, or making nets, or in cutting and riving timber to relade the ships. The president at first would admit of no martial exercise, nor allow any fortifications to be made, excepting the boughs of trees thrown together in the form of a half-moon. Captain Newport took Smith and 20 more with him, to discover the head of James-river. In six days they arrived at the falls, and erecting a cross, as they had at Cape Henry, took possession of the country in the name of King James. In this route, they visited Powhatan^ the principal Indian chief, or Emperor. His town consisted of twelve houses, pleasantly situ- ated on a hill, before which were three islands, a lit- tle below where Richmond is now built. Captain Newport presented a hatchet to this prince, which he gratefidly received, and when some of his Indians inurmurcd at the coming of the English among them, he 66 SMITH. he silenced them by saying, " why should we be of- fended ? they want only a little ground which we can easily spare." This appearance of friendship was not much relied on, when, at their return to Jimes-tovvn, they found that the company had been surprised at their work by a party of Indians, who had killed one, and wounded 17 others. A double-headed shot from one of the ships had cut olT a bough of a tree, which falling among the Indians, terrified and dispersed them. This incident obliged the president to alter the plan of the fort, which was now a triangular palisade, with a lunette at each angle ; and 5 pieces of artillery were mounted on the works, which were completed by the 15th of June. It was also found necessary to exercise the men at arms, to mount guard, and be vigilajit, for the Indians would surprise and molest stragglers, whilst, by their superior agility, they would escape unhvu t. The ships being almost ready to return, it was thought proper that some decision should be had re- specting the allegations against Smith. His accusers affected commiseration, and pretended to refer him to the censure of the Company in England, rather than expose him to a legal prosecution, which might injure his reputation or touch his life. Smith, who knew both their malice and their impotence, openly scorned their pretended pity, and defied their resentment. He had conducted himself so unexceptionably in every employment which had been allotted to him, that he had rendered himself very popular ; and his accusers had, by a different conduct, lost the affections and confidence of the people. Those who had been sub- orned to accuse him, acknowledged their fault, and discovered the secret arts which had been practised against him. He demanded a trial, and the issue was, that the President was adjudged to pay him 200/. but when his property was seized in part of this satisfac- tion, Smith generously turned it into the common store, for the benefit of the colony. Such an action could uot but increase his popularity. Many other dif- SMITH. 67 difficulties had arisen among them, which, by the in- fluence of Smith, and the exhortations of Hunt, their chaplain, were brought to a seemingly amicable con- clusion. Smith was admitted to his seat in tlie Coun- cil, and on the next Sunday they celebrated the com- munion. At the same time, the Indians came in, and voluntarily desired peace. With tl.e good report of these transactions, Newport sailed for England on the 22d of June, promising to return in 20 weeks with fresh supplies. The colony thus left in Virginia consisted of 104 persons, in very miserable circumstances, especially on account of provisions, to which calamity their long voyage did not a little contribute, both as it consumed their stock, and deprived them of the opportunity of sowing seasonably in the spring. Whilst the ships remained, they could barter with the sailors for bread ; but, after their departure, each man's allowance was half a pint of damaged wheat, and as much barley, per day ; the river, which at the flood was salt, and at the ebb was muddy, afforded them their only drink ; it also supplied them with sturgeon and shell-fish. This kind of food, with their continual labour in the heat of summer, and their trequent watchings by night, in all weathers, having only the bare ground to lie on, with but a slight covering, produced diseases among them, which, by the month of September, car- ried off 50 persons, among whom was Captain Gos- nold. Those who remained were divided into three watches, of whom not more than five in each were ca- pable of duty at once. All this time, the President Wingheld, who had the key of the stores, monopoliz- ed the few refreshments which remained, and was meditating to desert the plantation j)rivately in the pin- nace, and remove to the West Indies, These things rendered him so hateful to the rest, that they deposed him, and elected RatclifFe in his room ; they also re- moved Kendal from his place in the Council, so that, by the middle of September, three members only were left. Rat- 158 SMITH. Ratcliffe, being a man of no resolution nor activity, committed tlie management of aRairs abroad to Smith, in whom his confidence was not misplaced. At the same time, the Indians in their neighbourhood brought in a plentiful supply of such provisions as they had, which revived their drooping spirits ; and Smith, see- ing the necessity of exertion, to secure themselves, and provide for the approaching winter, partly by his animating speeches, but more by his example, set them to work in mowing and binding thatch, and in building and covering houses. In these exercises he bore a large share, and, in a short time, got a suffi- ciency of houses to make comfortable lodgings for aii the people, excepting himself. This being done, and the provisions which the natives had brought in being expended, he picked a number of the best hands, and embarked in a shallop which they had brought from England, to search the country for another supply. The party which accompanied Smith in this excur- sion, consisted of six men, well armed, but ill provi- ded with clothing and other necessaries. What was wanting in equipment was to be supplied by resolution and address ; and Smith's genius was equal to the at- tempt. They proceeded down the river to Kecough- tan [Hampton] where the natives, knowing the needy state of the colony, treated them with contempt, of- fering them an ear of corn in exchange for a musket, or a sword, and in like proportion for their scant and tattered gai'ments. Finding that courtesy and gentle treatment would not prevail, and that nothing was to be expected in the way of barter, and moreover pro- voked by their contempt, Smith ordered his boat to be drawn on shore and his men to fire at them. The a^righted natives lied to the woods, whilst the party searched their houses in wiiich they found plenty of corn ; but Smith did not permit his men to touch it, -expecting that the Indians would return and attack them. They soon appeared to the number of sixty or seventy, formed into a square, carrying their idol -4)kee^ composed of skins, stuffed with moss and adorn- ed SMITH. 6q. ed ^vith chains of copper. They were armed with, clubs and targets, bows and arrows, and advanced, singing to the charge. The party received them with a volley of shot, which brought several of them to the ground and their idol among them ; the rest lied again to the woodsjfrom whence theysent a deputation to oher peace and redeem their god. Smith having in his hands so valuable a pledge, was able to bring them to his own terms ; he stipulated that six of them should come un- armed, and load his boat with corn, and on this con- dition he would be their friend and give them hatch- ets, beads and copper. These stipulations were faith- fully performed on both sides ; and the Indians in ad- dition presented them with venison, turkeys, and other birds ; and continued singing and dancing till their departure. The success of this attempt encouraged him to re- peat his excursions by land and water, in the course of which he discovered several branches of James Ri- ver, and particularly the Chickahamony, from whose fertile banks he hoped to supply the colony with provi- sion. But industry abroad, will not make a flourish- ing plantation without economy at home. What he had taken pains and risqued his life to provide, was carelessly and wantonly expended ; the traffic with the natives being under no regulation, each person made his own bargain, and by out-bidding each other, they taught the Indians to set a higher value on their commodities, and to think themselves cheated when they did not all get the same prices. This bred a jealousy and sowed the seeds of a quarrel with them,' which the colony were in a poor condition to maintain, being at variance among themselves. As the autumn advanced, the waters weve covered with innumerable wild fowl ; which with the addition of corn, beans, and pumpkins, procured from the In- dians, changed hunger into luxury, and abated the rage for abandoning the country. Smith had been once up the river Cnickahamony, but because he had Jiot penetrated to its source, exceptions were made tq. his 70 SMITH. his conduct as too dilatory. This imputation he de- termined to remove. In his next voyage, he went so high that he was obliged to cut the trees, which had fallen into the river, to make his way thro' as far as his boat could swim. He then left her in a safe place^ ordering his men not to quit her until his return ; then taking two of them, and two Indians for guides, he proceeded in one of their canoes to the meadows at the river's head j and leaving his two men with the ca- noe he went with his Indian guides across the mea- dows. A party of 300 Indians below, had watched the motions of the boat. They first surprized the straggling crew, and made one of them prisoner, from whom they learned that Smith was above. They next found the men whom he had left with the canoe, asleep by a fire, and killed them ; then having discov- ered Smith, they wounded him in the thigh with an arrow. Finding himself thus assaulted and wounded, he bound one of his Indian guides with his garters to his left arm, and made use of him as a shield, whilst lie dispatched three of his enemies and wounded some others. He was retreating to his canoe, when regard- ing his enemies more than his footsteps, he sud- denly plunged with his guide into an oozy creek, and stuck fast in the mud. The Indians astonished at his bravery did not approach him, till almost dead with cold, he threw away his arms, and begged them to draw him out, which they did and led him to the fire, •where his slain companions were lying. This sight admonished him what he was to expect. Being reviv- ed by their chafing his benumbed limbs, he called for their chief, Opechankanow, King of Pamunkee, to whom he presented his ivory compass and dial. The vibrations of the needle, and the fly under the glass, which they could see but not touch, afforded them much amusement ; and Smith having learned some- thing of their language, partly by means of that, and partly by signs, entertained them with the nature and uses of the instrument ; and gave them such a lecture en the motions of the heavens and earth, as amazed them SMITH. 71 them, and suspended for a time the execution of their purpose. At length, curiosity being satiated, they fastened him to a tree, and prepared to dispatch liim with their arrows. At this instant, the chief holding \]p the compass which he esteemed as a divinity, they laid aside their arms, and forming a military proces- sion, led him in triumph to their village Orapaxe. The order of their march was thus : they ranged themselves in a single file, the King in the midst, be- fore him were borne the arnis taken from Smith and his companions ; next after the King, came the pri- soner, held by three stout savages, and on each side a file of six. When they arrived at the village, the old men, women, and children, came out to receive them; after some manoeuvres, which had the appear- ance of regularity, they formed theiriselves round the King and his prisoner, into a circle, dancing and singr ing, adorned with paint, furs and feathers, brandish- ing their rattles, which were made of the tails of rat- tle-snakes. After tJiree dances, they dispersed, and Smith was led to a long hut, guarded by forty men. There he was so plentifully feasted with bread and venison, that he suspected their intention was to fat- ten and kill him. One of the Indians, to whom Smith had formerly given beads, brought him a gar- ment of furs, to defend him from the cold. Another, whose son was then sick and dying, attempted to kill him, but was prevented by the guard. Smith being conducted to the dying youth, told them that he had a medicine at James-town, which would cure him, if they would let him fetch it ; but they had another de- sign, which was to surprize the place, and make use of him as a guide. To induce him to perform this service, they promised him his liberty, with as much land, and as many women as would content him. Smith magnified the difficulty and danger of their at- tempt, from the ordnance, mines and othet defences of the place, which exceedingly terrified them, and to convince them of the truth of what he told them, he wrote on a leaf of his pocket-book, an inventory of what 72 SMITH. M hat be M'anled, with sonic directions to the people at the fort, liow to ailVij»;ht the messengers who went to deliver the Iclttr. They returned in three days> rei>orlinj^ the terror into which thcyluid been thrown, and wlien they produced ihe things for which he had written, the whole company were astonished at the power of his (Uvination by the ^'^/icakini^- leaf. After this lliey carried liiui thro' several nations, inhabiting the banks of llic Potownuuk and Hapahan- ock, and at Icnj>;lh brought him to ranumkee ; where they performed a strange ceremony, by which they intended to divine whether his ijitention toward them were friendly or hostile. 'J'he manner of it was this: cni'ly in the morning a great hre was made in a long house, and a mat spread on eaeh side, on one ofwhicii he^vas placed and the guard retired. Presently, an In- dian priest, hideously ])ainled and dressed in furs and Kiiake skins, came skipping in, and after a variety of imcouth noises and gestures, drew a ciixle with meal round the lire. Then came in three more in the same frightful dress, and after they had performed their dance three others. They all sat opposite to hint in a line, the thief priest in the midst. After singing a song, acconipanied with the nnisic of their rattles, the ehief priest laid ilown five grains of corn, and alter a short speech three more ; this was repeated till the fu'c was enciixled. Then contiiuiing the incantation, he laid sticks between the divisions of the corn. The whole day was spent it\ these ceremonies, with fast- ing ; and at nigut a feast was prepared of the best meats which they had. The same tricks were repeat- ed the two following days. They told him that the circle of meal reprcsenteil their country, the circle of corn the sea shore, and the sticks his country ; they did not acquaint him, or he has not acquainted us with the result of the operation ; but he observed that the gunjnnvder which ihcy had taken (vom him, was laid up amouv. their corn, to be planted Live next spring. After these ceren->onies, they brought him to the cnipcmr Powhatan, who received him in royal slatc^ cloth- I SMITH. 73 tlolhcd i)i a robe of racoon skins, seated on a kind ol ihronc, clcvatcc) above the lluor of a lar^e hnt, in the midst of which was a lire ; at eacli hand of the i)vlnce sat two bcantifiil i;iils, his daui^htcrs, and alon'^^-' cacli side of the house a row of liis counsellors, painted and adorned with feathers and shells. At Smith's en- trance a ^reat shout was made. The Qiictn of Apa- matox, l)rouy;ht him water to wash his hands, and another served him with a bunch of feathers instead of a towel, ilavi!!}^ feasted him after their manner, a hm^ consultation was held, which being- ended, two large stones were brought in, on one of which his head was laid, and clubs were lifted up to beat out his l)rains. At this critical moment, J^ocahonfufi^ the King's favourite daughter, Hew to him, took his head in her arms, and laid her own u])on it. Her tender intreaties prevailed. The kinj^ consented that Smith bhould live, to make hatchets for him and ornaments for her. Two days after, Powhatan caused him to be brought to a distant house ; where, after another threatening, Jie confirmed his piomise, and told him he sJjouId re- turn to the ibrl, and send him two pieces of cannon, smd a grindstone, for which he would give him the country of Capahousick, and for ever esteem him as his son. Twelve guides accompanied hiu), and he yrrived at Jn, and to this fortunate incident, may be asci'ibed the full es- tablishment of the colony of Virginia. Such a genius as Smith's could not remain idle* He was well known in England, and the report of his valour, and his spirit of adventure, pointed him out to a number of merchants, who were engaged in the American fishery, as a proper person to make discov- eries on the coast of North Virginia, to take whales, f^xamine a mine of gold, and another of copper, which were said to be there, but which were never found. At Smiih's return to England, he put in at Ply- moutli, where, relating his adventures, and com- municating his sentiments to Sir Ferdinando Gor- iges, he was introduced to the Plymouth Company of adventurers to Nortii Virginia, and engaged in iheir service. At London he was invited by the South V irginia Company to return their service, but made \]se of his engagement with the Plymouth ad<- venturers as an excuse for declining their invitation. From this circumstance it seems, that they had been iionvinced of his former fidelity, notwithstanding the letters and reports which they had formerly received to his disadvantage. Dur- SMITH. 85 During his stay in London, he had the very singular pleasure of seeing his friend Pocahontas, the daughter of Powhatan. Ilaving been made a prisoner in Vir- ginia, she was there married to Mr. John Rolfe, and by him was brought to England. She was then about 22 years of age ; her person was graceful, and her deportment gentle and pleasing. She had been taught the English language and the Christian reli- gion, and baptized by the name of Rebecca. She had heard that Smith was dead, and knew nothing to the contrary, till she arrived in England. The fame of an Indian princess excited great curi- osity in London, and Smith had the address to write a handsome letter to the Queen, setting forth the me- rits of his friend, and the eminent services she had done to him and the colony of Virginia. She was in- troduced by the Lady De la Warre ; the Queen and royal family received her with complacency, and she proved herself worthy of their notice and respect. At her first interview with Smith she called him fa- ther ; and because he did not immediately return the salutation and call her child, she was so overcome ■with grief, that she hid her face and would not tspeak for some time. She was ignorant of the ridiculous af-, fectation which reigned in the court of James, which forbade Smith assuming the title of father to the daughter of a King 1 and when informed of it she des- pised it,passionately declaring that she loved him as a lather, and had treated him as such in her own coun- try, and would be his child wherever she went. The same pedantic affectation caused her husband to be looked upon as an offender, for having, though a sub- ject, invaded the mysterious rights of royalty in mar- rying above his rank! — This marriage, however, prov- ed beneticiul to the colony, as her father had thereby become a friend to them, and when she came to Eng- land, he sent with her Uttamaccomac, one of his trusty counsellors, wl.om he enjoined to inquire for Smith, and tell him whether he was alive. Another order which he gave him was, to bring him the number of peo- 86 SMITH. people in England ; accordingly on his landing at Ply moutn, the obedient savag-e began his account by cut- ting a notch on a long stick for every person -whom he saw, but soon grew tired of his employment, and at his return told Powhatan that they exceeded the number of leaves on the trees. A third command from his Prince was, to see the God of England, and the King, Queen, and Princes, of whom Smith had told him so much ; and when he met with Smith, he desired to be introduced to those personages. He had before this seen the King, but would not believe it, because the person whom they pointed out to him had not given him any thing. " You gave Powhatan (said he to Smith) a white dog, but your King has given me nothing." Mr.Rolfe was preparing to return with his wife to Virginia, when she was taken ill and di- ed at Gravesend, leaving an infant son, Thomas Rolfe, from whom are descended several families of note in Virginia, who hold their lands by inheritance from her. When the nev/s of the massacre of the V'irginian planters by the Indians, 1622, arrived in England, Smith was all on fire to go over to revenge the insult. He made an oRer to the company, that if they would allow him 100 soldiers r.nd 50 sailors, with the neces- sary provisions and equipments, he would range the country, keep the natives in awe, protect the planters, and make discoveries of the hitherto unknown parts of America ; and for his own risque and pains would desire nothing, but what he would *' produce from the proper labour of the savages." On this proposal the company was divided, but the pusiilaniraous and ava- ricious party prevailed ; and gave him this answer, *' that the charges v/ould be toogreat, that their stock -was r^iduced, that tiie planters ought to defend them- selves ; but, that if he would go at his own expence, they would give him leave, provided he would give them one half of the pillage." Such an answer could be received only with contem.pt. When SMITH. 87 When the Khig in 1624, instituted a commission for the reformation of Virginia, Smith, by desire of the commissioners, gave in a relation of his former proceedings in the colony, and his opinion and advice respecting the proper methods of remedying the de- fects in government, and carrying on the plantation with a prospect of success. These with many other papers he collected and published, in 1627, in a thin folio, under the title of, " The General History of Virginia, New England, and the Somer Isles." The narrative part is made up of journals and letters of those who were concerned with him in the plantation, intermixed with his own observations. In 1629, at the request of Sir Robert Cotton, he published a history of the early part of his life, en- titled, " The true Travels, Adventures, and Observa- tions of Capt. John Smith." This work is preserved intirc, in the second volume of Churchill's collections, and from it, the former part of this account is com-> piled. In the conclusion he made some addition to the history of Virginia, Bermuda, New England, and the West Indies, respecting things which had come to his knowledge after the publication of his general his- tory. He stated the inhabitants of Virginia in 1628 at 5000, and their cattle at the same num!)er. Their produce was chiefiy tobacco ; but those few who at- tended to their gardens had all sorts of fruit and ve- getables in great abundance and perfection. From New England they received salted fish ; but of fresli fish their own rivers produced enough^ beside an infi- nite quantity of fowl, as their woods did of deer and other game. They had two brew houses ; but they cultivated the Indian corn, in preference to the Euro- pean grain. Their plantations were scattered ; some of their hoyses were palisaded ; but they had no fortifi- cations nor ordnance mourAed. This was probably his last publication, for he lived 'Irjt two years after. By a note in Josselyn's voyage, it appears that he died in 1631, at London, in the fifty- second year of his age. It 88 SMITH. It would give give singular pleasure to the compiler of these memoirs, if he could learn from any credible testimony, that Smith ever received any recompence for his numerous services. The sense which he had of this matter, in 1627, shall be given in his own words, *' I have spent five years, and more than 500 pounds, in the service of Virginia and New England, and in neither of them have I one foot of land, nor the very house I built, nor the ground I digged with my own hands ; but I see those countries shared before me by those who knew them only by my descriptions." JOHN ROBINSON. THE first effectual settlements of the English in New-England were made by those, who, after the Reformation, dissented from the Episcopal Chuich, who suffered on account of their dissent, and sought an asylum from their Kufferings. Uniformity was insisted on with such rigour, as disgusted many con- scientious ministers and people of the Church of Eng- land, and caused that separation which has ever since subsisted. Those who would not conform to tire esta- blishment, but wished for a more complete reforma- tion, were at first distinguished by the name of Pun- tans ; and among these the most rigid were the Bronvju istsy so called from Robert Brown, " a fiery young clergyman," who in 1580, headed a zealous party, and was vehement for a total separation. But his zeal, however violent, was void of consistency, for in his advanced years he conformed to the Church ; whilst others, who more deliberately withdrew, retained their separation, tho' they became more candid and moder- ate in their principles. Of these people a Congrega« tionwas formed, about the year 1602, near the con- fines of the counties of York, Nottingham, and Lin- coln ; ROBINSON, 89 coin ; who chose for their ministers, Richard Clifton and John Robinson. Mr. Robinson was born in the^^ear 1575, but the place of his birth is unknown. He \vas probably- educated in the University of Canibridge; and he is said to have been " a man of a learned, polished, and modest spirit ; jnous and studious of the truth ; largely- accomplished with gifts and qualifications suitable to be a shepherd over'the flock of Christ." Before his election to this oFIice, he had a benefice, near Yar- mouth, in Norfolk, where his friends were frequently- molested by the Bishop's officers, and some were almost ruined by prosecutions in the ecclesiastical courts. The reigning prince, at that time, was James I. than whom a more contemptible character never sat on the British throne. Educated in the principles of Presbyterianism, in Scotland, he forgot them on his advancement to the throne of the three kingdoms. — Flattered by the Bishops, he gave all ecclesiastical pow- er into their hands, and entrusted 5)'cophants with the management ot the State ; whilst he indolently re- signed himself to literary and sensual indulgen- cies ; in the former of wliich lie was a pedant, in the latter an epicure. The prosecution of the Puritans was conducted with unrelenting severity in the for- mer part of his reign, when Bancroft was Archbishop of Canterbury. Abbot who succeeded him was more favourable to them, but when Laud came into power, they were treated with every mark of insult and cru- elty. Robinson's congregation did not escape persecution by separating from the establishment, and forming an independent church. Still exposed to the penalties of the ecclesiastical law, they were extremely harrassed : some were thrown into prison, some were confined to their own houses, others were obliged to leave their farms, and suspend their usual occupations. Such was their distress and perplexity, that an emigration to some foreign country seemed the only means of safety 9» ROBINSON. safety. Their first views >vere directed to Holland, where tlie spirit of commerce had dictated a free tole- ration of relii^ious opinions ; a blessing-, which neither the wisdom of politicians, nor the charity of clergy- men, had admitted into any other of the Eiu'opeaii states. But, the ports of their own country were sluit against them; they could^gct away only by geeking concealment, and giving extravagant rates for their passages, and fees to the mariners. In the autumn of 160/, a company of these Dissent- ers hired a ship at Boston, in Lincolnshire, in order to carry them to Holland. The Master promised to be ready at a certain hour of the day, to take them on board, with their families and effects. They assem- bled at the place, but he disappointed them. After- ward he came in the night, and wlien they were cm- barked, betrayed them into the hands of searchers and other officers, who, having robbed them of money, books, and other articles, and treated the women with indecency, carried them back into the town, and eX' posed then\ ajJ a Iaugetween the tropics, blessed with a perpetual spring, and productive of every thing which could satisfy the wants «->f man with little labour. To this country the views ol some of tlie most sanguine were directed ; but con- sidering that in such warm climates, diseases were genci'ated, which often proved fatal to European con- stitutions, and that their neaixist neighbours would be the Spaniards, who, tho' they had not actually occupi- ed the country, yet cUiimed it as their own, and might easily disposcss them, as they had the French of Flo- rida ; the major jx^rt disapproved of this pi-oposal. They then turned their thoughts toward that part of America, comprehended under the general nan^iC pf Virgi?ua, There, if they sliould join the Colony al- ROBINSON. <;3 already established, they must submit to the govern- aient of the Church of Eiu^UukI. If they should at- tempt a new jjhmtatiou, the Jiorrors of a wildei'iicss, and the cruelties of its savag;e inliahitants were present- ed to I heir view. It was answered, that the Dutch had beg;un to plant within these limits, and were un- inolested ; that all great undertakings were attended with ditficulties ; but that the danger did not render the enterprize desperate ; that sliould they remain in lloliand, they were not free from danger, as a truce between the United Provinces and Spain, wliich had subsisted twelve years had nearly expired, and prepa- rations were making to renew the war ; that the Spa- niards, if successful, might prove as cruel as the sa- vages ; and that liberty, both civil and religious, was altogether precarious in Europe. These considera- tions determined their views toward the uninhabited part of North America, claimed by their native prince as part of his dominions; and their hope Avas, that by emigrating thither, they might make way for the propagation of the Christian religion in a heathen land, though (to use a phrase of their own) *' they should be but as stepping stones to others,'* v»'ho might come after them. These things were first debated in private, and af- terward proposed to tiie whole Congregation, who af- ter mature deliberation, and a devout address to Hea- ven, determined to make application to the Virginia Company in London, and to enquire " whether King James would grant them liberty of conscience in his American dominions ?" John Carver and Robert Cush- man were appointed their agents on this occasion, and letters were writrcn by Mr. Robinson atul Nli\ Brew- ster, their ruling elder, in the name of the Congrega- tion, to Sir Edwin Saiulys and Sir John Worstenholm two principal members of the Virginia Company. In those letters they recon\mended themselves as proper persons for emigration, because they were *' weaned from the delicate n^.ilk of their own country, and so inured to the difficulties of a strange land, that ^4 ROBINSON. that no small things would discourage them, or make them wish to return home ; they had acquired habits of frugality and self-denial ; and were united in a so- lemn covenant by which they were bound to seek the welfare of the whole Company, and of every indivi- dual person." They also gave a succinct and candid account of their religious principles and practices, for the information of the King and his Council. The answer was such as they might expect. The Company promised them as ample privileges as were in their power to grant. It was thought prudent not to deliver their letter to the King and Council ; but application was made to Sir Robert Norton, Se- cretary of State, who employed his interest with Arch- bishop Abbot, and by means of his mediation, " the King promised to connive at their religious practices ;'* but "he denied them toleration under the great seal. With this answer, and some private encouragement, the agents returned to Holland. It was impossible for them to transport themselves to America, without assistance from the merchant adventurers in England. Further agency and agree- ments were necessary. The dissensions in tlie ^'ir- ginia Company were tedious and violent; and it v»as not till after two whole years, that all the necessary provisions and arrangements could be made for their voyage. In the beginning of 1620, they kept a solemn day" of prayer, when Mr, Robinson delivered a discourse from I Samuel xxiii. 3, 4 ; in which he endeavoured to remove their doubts, and confirm their resolutions. Il had been previously determined, that a part of them should go to America, and prepare the way for the o- thei's; and that if a major part should consent to go, the Pastor should go with them, otherwise, he should remain in Holland. It was found, on examination, that tho' a major part of them was willing to go, yet they could not all f,et ready in season ; therefore the greater number being obliged to stay, they required Mi'« Robinson to stay with them. In ROBINSON. 95 In July, they kept another day of prayer, \vheTi Mr Robinson preached to them from Ezraviii. 21, and conchided his discourse with an exhortation, which breathes a noble spirit of christian liberty, and gives a just idea of the sentiments of this excellent divine, whose charity was the more conspicuous, be- cause of his former narrow principles, and the gene- ral bigotry of the reformed ministers and churches of that day. On the 2 1st of July, the intended passengers quitted Leyden, to embark at Delf-haven, to which place they were accompanied by many of their brethren and friends, several of whom had come from Amsterdam to take their leave of them. The evening was spent till very late, in friendly conversation ; and the next morning the wind being fair, they went on board ; where Mr. Robinson, on his knees, in a most ardent and affectionate prayer, again committed them to their divine Protector, and with many tears they part- ed. After their arrival in New England, he kept up a friendly correspondence with them ; and when any of tjiem went to Europe they were received by him with the most cordial welcome. The difficulties which then attended a voyage across the Atlantic, the expence of an equipment for a new colony, and the hardsiiips necessarily incident to a plantation in a distant wilder- ness, proved a burden almost too great for those who came over. They had a hard struggle to support them- selves here, and pay the debts which they had con- tracted in England ; whilst those who remained in Holland, were in general too poor to bear the expence of a removal to America, without the help of their brethren who had come before them. These things prevented Mr. Robinson from gratifying his earnest desire to visit his American bretlu'en, and their equal- ly ardent wish to see him till he was removed by death to a better country. This event proved the dissolution of the church over which he had presided at Leyden. borne of them re- 96 ROBINSON. removed to Ameterdam, some to other parts of the Netherlands, and others came to New England, a- mong whom were his widow and children. His son Isaac lived to the age of ninety, and left male posteri- ty in the county of Barnstable. GEORGE CALVERT, Sec. GEORGE CALVERT was descended from a no- ble family of Flanders, and born at Kipling in Yorkshire (1582). He received his education at Tri- nity College in Oxford, and, after taking his Bache- lor's degree (1597), travelled over the continent of Eu- rope. At his return to England, in the beginning of the reign of James L he was taken into the office of Sir Robert Cecil, Secretary of State, and when Sir Robert was advanced to be Lord High Treasurer, he retained Calvert in his service, and employed him in tseveral weighty matters of state. By the interest of Sir Robert, then Earl of Salisbu- ry, he was appointed one of the Clerks of the Coun- cil, and received the honour of knighthood (1617), and in the following year was made Secretary of State, in the room of Sir Thomas Lake. Conceiving the Duke of Buckingham to have been instrumental of his pre- ferment, he presented him with a jewel of great va- lue ; but the Duke returned it, with a message, that he owed his advancement to his own merit and the good pleasure of his Sovereign, who was fully sensi- i>l-e of it. His great knowledge of public business, und his diligence and Hdelity in conducting it, had ren- dered him very acceptable to the King, who granted liim a pension of 1000/. out of the customs. In 1624, he consientiously became a Roman Catho- lic, and having freely owned his principles to the King, resigned his office. This ingenuous confession so CALVLRT, (;; so aflected the itjind of James, that he not only con- tinued him on the list of Privy Counsellors, but cre- ated him Baron of Baltimore, in the county of Cork in Ireland. Whilst he was Secretary of State and one of the Committee of Trade and Plantations, he obtained from the King, a patent for the south-eastern ])eninsula of Newfoundland, which he named the Province of Ava- /ojij irom Avalonius, a Monk, v/ho was supposed to have converted the British King Lucius, and all his Court to Christianity, in remembrance of which event, the Abbey of Glastonbury was founded at Avalon in Somersetshire. Sir George gave his province this name, imagining it would be the first place in North America where the gospel would be preached. At Ferryland, in his province of Avalon, he built a fine house, and spent 2jjOOO/, in advancing his plan- tation, which he visited twice in person. But it was so annoyed by the French, that, tho' he once repulsed and pursued their ships, and took 60 prisoners, yet he found his province so much exposed to their in- sults, and the trouble and expence of defending it so very great, that he was obliged to abandon it, and be content with the loss of what he had laid out in the improvement of a territory, the soil and climate of %vhlch were considered as unfavourable to his views. Being still inclined to form a settlement in Ameri- ca, Avhithcr he might retire with his family, and friends of the same religiouo principles, he made a visit to Virginia, the fertility aild advantages of which had been highly celebrated, and in which he had been in- terested, as one of the adventurers. But the people there, being Protestants of the Church of England, regarded him with a jealous eye, on account of his re- ligion, and by their unwelcome reception cf him, he was discouraged from settling \\ithin their jurisdic- tion. In visiting the bay oi Che'>apeak, he observed that the Virginians had established trading houses on some of the islands, but that they had not extended their F plan g8 CALVERT. plantations to the iiortliward of the river Potovvmack, altho' the country there was equally valuable with that Av'hich they had planted. AVhen he returned to England, he applied to King- Charles I. for the grant of a teri-itory northward of the Potowniack ; and the King, who had as great an affection for him as had his father James, readily complied with his request. But owing to the tedious forms of public business, before a patent could be completed and pass the seals, Loid Baltimoi^ died at London on the 15th of April, 1632, in the 51st year of his age. After the death of Sir George, the patent was drawn in the nanie of his eldest son Cecil, Lord Bal- timore, and passed the seals on the 28th of June, 1632. The original draught being in Latin, the pa- tentee is called Cecilius^ and the country " Terra ]\Ia- rici', oucfff j\/anjia7idi" in honour of Henrietta Maria, the Queen consort of Charles L* From the great precision of this Charter, the povi^- ers which it gives to the proprietor, and the privi- leges and exemptions which it grants to the people, it is evident that Sir Gf^orge himself was the chief pen- man of it. One omission was soon discovered ; no provision was made, that the laws should be trans- mitted to the Sovereign for his approbation or disal- lowance. The Commissioners of Trade and Planta- tions made a iiprescntation of this defect to tlie House of Commons, in 1633, and an act of Parlia- ment was proposed as the only remedy. The province of Maryland is thus described : ''• All that part of a peninsula in America, lying between the ocean on the east and Bay of Chesapeak on the west * Ogilhy fays, that a blank was left for the name of the territory, which Lord Bahimore intended to have filled with Cresctntia — but when the King alkcd him for a name, he com-, plaifantly referred it to his Majelly's pleafure, who propofed the na.ne of the C^een, to which liis Lordfliij) could not but confent. He alfo fays, that tlie fecond Lord Baltimore was chriltened Cecil, in honour of his father's patron, but was confirmed by the name of Cecilius. CALVERT. 99' west, and divided from the other part, by a right line drawn from Watkin's Point, in ^he aforesaid bay, on the west, to the main ocean on the east. Thence to that part of Delaware Bay on the north, which heth luider the fortieth degree of north latitude from tlie equinoctial, where New-England ends. Thence in a right line, by the degree aforesaid, to the true meri- dian of the lirst fountains of the river Potowmack. Thence following the course of said river to its mouth, where it falls into the Bay of Ghesapeak. Thence on i\ right line, across the 'bay to Watkin's Point ; with all the islands and islets within these limits." This region wa.i erected into a Province, and tlie proprietor was invested with palatine honours. In conjunction with the freemen or their delegates he had legislative, and, in person, or by oiBcers of his own appointment, he had executive powers. He had also the advowson of churches, the erection of ma- nors, boroughs, cities and ports ; saving the liberty of fishing and drying fish which was declared common to all the King's subjects. The Charter provided, that if any doubts should arise concerning the sense of it, such an interpretation should be given as would be most fcwourable to the interest of the proprietor; The "territory is said to be " in the parts of Ameri- n not 3 ct cultivated, tho' inhabited by a barbarous people," and it is provided, thattJie Province " should not be holden nor reputed as part of Virginia, or of any other Colony, but immediately dependant on the Crown of England." These clauses to.c,et!!er v/lth tiie construction put on the 40th degree of latitude, prov- ed the ground of long and bitter controversies, one of which was not closed till nffer the lapse of a century. After receiving the • , Eord Baltimore began to prepare for the collecting and i unsporting a colony to America, At t'j'sf, l^e intended to go in peiT^on, but afterward changed his miiid, and appointed his brother Leonard Calvert, Governor, with two assist- ai|ts Jeremy Hawley and Thomas Cornvvallis. These, with about 200 persons of gocd farnilie." and of the Ro- man TOO CALVERT. man Catholic persuasion embarked at Cowes in the Isle of Wight, on the 22nd of November, 1633, and af- ter a circuitous voyage thro' the West Indian islands, touching first Barbadoes and then at St. Christopher's, they came to anchor before Point Comfort, in Virgi- nia, on the 24th of February, 1634; and, g-oing up to James-town, delivered to C^overnor Harvey the let- ters which the King had written in their favour. The Governor and his Council received them with that ci- vility which was due to the con\mand of their Sove- reign, but they resolved <'to maintain the rights of the prior settlement." They afforded to the New Colony supplies of provision for domestic use ; but considered them as intruders on their territory, and as obstructing that traffic, from which they had derived or expected to derive much advantage. On the 3d of March, Calvert with his Colony pro- ceeded in the Bay of Chesapeak, to the northward, and entered the Potowmack, up which he sailed 12 leagues, and came to anchor under an island, which he named 67. Chment, Here he fired his cannon, e- rected u cross, and took possession, " in the name of the Saviour of the world and the King of England." Thence he went with his pinnaces 15 leagues higher to the Indian town of Potowmack, on the Virginian side of the river, now called New-INIarlborough, where he was received in a friendly manner by the Guardian Regent, the prince of the country being a minor. Thence he sailed 12 leagues farther, to the town of Piscataway, on the Maryland side ; where he found Henry Fleet, an Englishman, who had resided several years among the natives, and was held by them in great esteem. He procured an interview betwen Cal- vert and the W^erowance or Lord of the place, and officiated as their interpreter. Calvert, determining to pursue a course of conduct founded on pacific and honourable intentions, asked theWerowance, whether Jie was willing that he and his people should settle in his country ? His answer was short and prudent : *' I will not bid you to go, nor to stay ; but you may use your CALVERT. 301 your own discretion." This interview was held on board the Governor's pinnace ; the natives on the shore crowded to the water's edge, to look after their Sovereign, and were not satisfied of his safety, till he stood up and showed himself to them. Having made this discovery of the river, and con- vinced the natives that his designs were amicable, the Governor, not thinking it adviseable to make his first settlement so high up the river, sailed down to the ships, taking Fleet with him for a guide. The na- tives, who, when Ihey first saw the ships and heard the guns, had fled from St Clement's Island and its neighbourhood, returned to their halntations and seemed to repose confidence intheir new friends; but this was not deemed a proper station. Under the conduct of Fleet, the Governor visited a creek on the northern side of the Potovv mack about four leagues from its mouth, "where was an Indian village, surrounded by corn-fields, and cal- led Yoacomaco. Calvert went on shore, and acquainted thePrince of the place with his intention, who was rather reserved in his answer, but entertained him in a friend- ly manner, and gave him a lodging in his own bed. On the next day, he shewed Calvert the C6imtry, which pleased him so well, that he determined there to fix his abode, and treated with the Prince about purchasing th,e place. Calvert presented him and his principal men with English cloth, axes, hoes and knives ; and they consented that their new friends should reside in one part of their town, and them- selves in the other part, till the next harvest, when they promised to quit the ])lace, and resign it wholly lo them. Both parties entered into a contract to Ijve together in a friendly manner ; or, it any injury should be done on either side, the offending party should make satisfaction. Calvert having given them what he deemed a valuable consideration, with which they ap- peared to be content, they readily quitted a number of their houses, and retired to the others ; and it be- ing the season for planting, both parties went to work. Thtis^ on the 27th of March, 1634, the English co- lony 102 CALVERT. lony took peaceable possession of the country of Jilw ryland, and gave to the town the name of St. Mary, and to the creek, on which it was situated, the name of -S"/. George, The desire of quieting; the natives, by giving them a rea:Sonuh]c and satisfactory compensation ior their lands, is a trait in the character of the first planters which will always do iionour to their memory. It was a fortunate circumstance for these adventur- ers, that, previous to their arrival, the Indians of Yo- acomaco had resolved to quit their country, and re- tire to the westward, that tliey might be free from the inciu'sions of the Susquehanocks, a powerful and war- like nation, residing- between the Bays ot Chesapeak andDeliv/are, v.'ho frequeniiy in\ adcd them, and car- ried o!f their provisions and women. Some had ac- tually removed, and the others were pi-eparing to fol- low, but were encouraged to remain another season, by the>presence of the English. They lived on friend- ly terms with the colony, the men assisted them in hunting and fishing> the women taught them to ma- r.age the planting aud culture of corn, and the making it into bread, and they #erc compensated for their la- bour and kindness in such tools and tiinkcts as were pleasnig to them. According to their promise, they quitted the place wholly in the following year, and the colony had full and quiet possession. The colony had brought with them English meal, but they found Indian corn in great plei\ty both at Bar- hadoes and Virginia; and by the next spring they were able to export 1000 bushels to New England and New- foundkaid, for which they received dried fish and other provisions in return. They procured cattle, swine and poultry from Virginia. They were very industrious in building houses and making gardens, in which they sowed the seeds of European esculent vegetables, and Jiad the pleasure to see them come to high perfection. They suflered much in their liealth by the fever and a<^ue, and many of them died ; but, when the surviv- ors were seasoned to the climate, and had learned the use CALVERT. 103 lise of indigenous medicinal rennedies, they enjoyed their health much better. The country had so many natural advantages, that it soon became populous. Many Roman Catholic families from England resort- ed thither, and the proprietor, M'ith a degree of wis- dom and generosity then unparalleled but in Holland, after having established the Christian religion upon the footing of common law, granted liberty of conscience and equal privileges to Christians of every denomina- tion. With this essential benelit was connected secu- rity of property ; lands were given, in lots of 50 acres, to eveiy emigrant, in absolute fee simple. Under such advantages, the people thought themselves so happy, that, in an early period of their colonial exist- ence, they, in return, granted to the proprietor a subsi- dy of 15 pounds of tobacco on avQvy poll, " as a testi- mony of their gratitude for his great charge and soli- citude in maintaining the government, in protecting the inhabitants in their rights, and for reimbursing his vast expence," which, during the two iirst years, ex- ceeded 40,000/. sterling. WILLIAM PENN. WILLIAM PENN, the founder of Pennsylvania was the grandson of Captain Giles Pcnn, an English Consul in the Mediterranean, and the son of Sir William Penn, an Admiral of the English navy, in the Protectorate of Cromwell, and in tlie reign of Charles II. in which offices he rendered very import- ant services to the nation, particularly by the conquest of Jamaica from the Spaniards, and in a naval victory over the Dutch. William was born October 14, 1644, in the parish of St. Catherine, near the tower of Lon- don, educated at Chigwcll, in Essex, and at a private school in London ; and, in the 1 5th year of his age, entered as a student and gentleman commoner of Christ-Church College in Oxford. 304 W.PENN. His genius was bright, his disposition sober and studious, and being possessed of a lively imagination and a warm heart, the tii-st turn of his mind towaixl religious subjects was attended with circumstances bordering on enthusiasm. Having received his first impressions from the preaching of Thomas Loe, an itinerant Quaker, he conceived a favourable opinion of *Hlie fjghts and refinements of tliat rising sect," which led him, while at the University, m conjunction witli some other students, to withdraw from the established worship, and hold a private meeting, where they preached and prayed in their own way. The disci- pline of the University being very strict in such mat- id's, he was fined for "the sin of nonconformity ;" this ?>erved to fix him more firmly in his principles and ha- bits, and exposed his singularity more openly to the world. His conduct being then deemed obstinate, he was, in the 1 6lh year of his age, expelled, as an in- corrigible offender against the laws of uniformity I On his return home, he found his father highly in- censed against him. As neither remonstrances, nor threatenings, nor blows, could divest him of his I'eli- gious attachments, he was, for a while, turned out of the house ; but by the influence of his mother, he was so far restored to favoiu* as to be sent to France, in company with some persons of quality, witli a view to unbend his mind, and refine his manners. Here he learned the language of the country, and acquired such a polite and courtly behaviour, that his father, after two years absence, received him with joy, hoping that tlie object of his wishes was attained. He was then admitted into Lincoln's Inn, where he studied law till the plague broke out in 1665, when he return- edto his father's house. About this time (1666) the King^s coffers being low, and claims for unrewarded services being importu- nate, grants were frequently made of lands in Ireland ; and the merits of Sir William Penn being not the least conspicuous, he received a valuable estate in the county of Cork, and committed the mana§;ement of it W.PENN. 105 it to his son, then in the 22nd year of liis ag;c. Here he met with his okl friend Loe, and immediately at- tached himself to the society of Quakers, tlio' at that lime they were subject to severe persecution. This might liave operated as a discouragement to a young" gentleman of such quaHty and expectations, especial- ly as he exposed himself thereby to the renewed dis- pleasure of a parent M'ho loved him, had not the in- tegrity and fervor of his mind induced him to sacrifice all worldly considerations .to the dictates of his con- science. It was not long before he was a])prehendcd at a ic- ligious conventicle, and, with 18 others, committed to I)rison by the Mayor of Cork; but upon his writing a handsome address to the Earl of Orrery, Lord Pre- sident of Munster, in which he very sensibly pleaded for liberty of conscience, and professed his desire of a peaceable, and his abhorrence of a tumultuous and disrespectful separation from the established worship, he was discharged. This second stroke of persecu- tion engaged him more closely to the Quakers ; He associated openly with them, and bore with calnmess and patience, the cruel abuse which was liberally be- stowed on that singular party. His father being inforn.ed of his conduct, remand- ed him home ; and tho' now William's age forbad his trying the force of that species of discipline, to which, as a naval commander, he had been accustomed, yet lie plied him with those arguments, which it was na- tural for a man of the world to use, and which, to such an one, would have been prevailing. The principal one was a threatening to disinherit him ; and to this he humbly oubmittcd, tho' he could by no meuus be persuaded to take oiT his hat in presence of the King, the Duke of York, or his father. For this inf.cxibility lie way again turned out of doors ; upon which he commenced an itenerant preacher, and had much suc- cess in making proselytes. In these excursions, the opposition w)ach he met v^ith from the clergy and the magistracy, frequenllv brought him into dilLcukies, F 3 and io6 W.PENN. and sometimes to imprisonment; but his integrltv was so manifest, and liis patience so invincible, that his father, at length, became softened toward him, and not only exerted his interest lo release him from connncment, but winked at his return to the family whenever it suited his conveniency. His mother was always his friend, and often supplied his necessities without the knowledge of the father. In the year 1668, he commenced author, and, hav- ing written a book, entitled " The sandy foundation shaken," which gave great oHence to the spintual Lordfi^ he was imprisoned in the Tower, and the vi- sits of his friends were forbidden. But his adversa- ries found him proof again .t all their efforts to subdue him; for a message being brought to him by the Bi- shop of London, that he must either publickly recant, or die a prisoner, his answer was, " My prison shall be my grave. 1 owe my conscience to no man. They are mistaken in me ; I value not their threats. They shall know that I can weary out their malice, and baffle all their designs, by the spirit of patience." During this confinement he wrote his famous book, *' No Cross, no Crown ;" and another, " Innocency with her open face," in which he explained and vindicated the principles which he had advanced in the book for which he Avas imprisoned. This, with a letter which lie wrote to Lord Arlington, Secretary of State, aided by the interest which his father had at Court, procur- ed his release, after seven months' confinement. Soo)i rJter this, he made another visit to Ireland, to settle his fatiier's concerns, in which he exerted him- self witii great industry and success. Here he con- stantly appeared at the meetings of the Quakers, and not only odiciated as a preacher, but used his interest with the i^ord Lieutenant, and others of the nobility, to procure indulgence for them, and to get some of them released from their im.prisonment. In 1 070, an act of Parliament was made, which pm- hibited the meetings of Dissenters under severe penal- lies. The Quakers being forcibly debarred entering their meeting house in Grace-Church-street, London, as- W.PENN. 107 assembled before it iu the street, where Fcnn preach- ed to a numerous concourse, ;uid being apprehended on the spot by a warrant fi-om the Lord Mayor, was committed to Newgate, and at the next session, took his trial at the Old Bailey, where he pleaded his own cause with the freedom of an Englishman and the magnanimity of a hero. The jury at first brought iu their verdict " guilty of sficaking in Grace-Church- street ;" but this being unsatisfactory to the Court, they were detained all night, and the next day return- ed a verdict " not guilty." The Court were highly incensed againstthem, fined ihem forty marks, each, and imprisoned them along with Penn, till their fines and fees were paid. An expresssion which dropped from the Recorder on this trial, rendered the cause of the Quakers popular, and their persecutors odious : " It will never be well with us (said the infamous Sir John Howel) till something like the Spanish in.quisition be established in England." The triumph of Penn was complete : being acquitted by his peers, he was releas- ed from prison, on tJie payment of his fees, and re- turned to the zealous exercise of his ministry. His conduct under this prosecution did him great honour. His father became perfectly reconciled to him, and soon after died,* leaving his paternal bless- ing and a plentiful estate. This accession of fortune made no alteration in his manners or habits: He con- tinued to preach, to write, and to travel as before ; and, within a few months afterwards, was taken uj) a- gain for preaching in the street, and carried ^to the Tower, from whence after a long examination he was sent to Newgate, and being discharged without any trial * The dying advice of , his father defervcs to be umember- ed. " Three things I commend to you : 1. Let uotliiug tempt you to wrong your conlcience ; if you keep peace at. home, it will be a fcall to you in the day of tn>uble. s. What- ever you defign to do, lay itjuiily, and time ic fealbnably, for that gives lecurity and difpatch, 3. Be not troubled at difappointrnents ; if they m^y be recovered, do ii ; if not, trouble is vain — -Thefe rules will carry you with firmnel's and comfort thro' this iuconilaut woild." — No Cross No Qown, io8 W.PtNN. trial at the end of nine months, he went over to Hol- land and Germativ, where he continued travelling and preaching, till the King published his << declaration of indulgence to tender consciences ;" upon which he re- turned to England, married a daughter of Sir Wil- liam Springet, and settled at RicKmansv/orth, in Hertfordshire ; where he pursued his studies, and multiplied his controversial writings for about five years. In 1677, he " had a drawing" to renew his travels in Holland and Germany, in company with Fox, Bar- clay, Keith, and several others of his brethren. On liis return to England, he found his friends suffering by the operation of a law made against Papists, the edge of which was unjustly turned against them. The Jaw required a certain oath to be tendered to those who were suspected of Popery, and because the Quakers denied the lawfulness of oaths, in any case whatever, they were obliged to bear the penalty annexed to the refusal of this oath, which was no less than a fine of 20/. per month, or two-thirds of their estate ! — By Penn's advice, they petitioned the Parliament for re- dress of this grievance, and after explaining the rea- son of their declining the oath, oRered to give their word to the same purport, and to submit to the penal- ty, '• if they should be found faulty." Penn had a hearing before a committee of Parliament, when lie pleaded the cause of his friends and of himself, in a sensible, decent, convincing manner, and what he said had so much weight, that the committee agreed to insert in a bill, then pending, a proviso for their re- lief. The bill passed the Commons, but before it ( ould be p;ot thro' the House of Lords, it was lost by a sudden prorogatioi^ of Parliament. We have liithcrto viewed Mr. Penn as a Christian and a preacher, and he appears to have been honest, zealouji, and industrious in the conccnis of religi- on — We shall now view him in the character of a Le- gislator, in which respect hi'^ learning,his suiferings, his acquaintance v»'ith mankind, and his genuine liberality, were W.PENN. 109 were of great use to him. Among his various studiesjhe had not omitted to acquaint himself with the princi- ples of law and government ; and he had more espe- cial inducements to this, from the prosecutions and ar- rests which he frequently suffered, into the legality of which it was natural for him to inquire. He had ob- served in his travels abroad, as well as in his acquaint- unce at home, the workings of arbitrary power, and the mischiefs of usurpation ; and he had studied the whole controversy between regal and popular claims : the result of which was, " that government must be founded on justice, and exercised with moderation." It has been observed that his father, Sir William Penn, had merited much by his services in the Eng- lish navy. There were also^certain debts due to him from the Crown, at the time of his death, which the royal treasurers were poorly able to discharge. His son, after much solicitation, found no prospect of get- ting his due in the common mode of payment, and therefore turned his thoughts toward obtaining a grant of land in America, on which he might make the ex- periment of settling a Colony, and establishuig a go- vernment suited to his own principles and views. Mr. Penn had been concerned with several other Quakers in purchasing of Lord Berkeley, his patent of West -Jersey, to make a settlement for their perse- cuted brethren in Ejigland, many of v/hom traiisport* X'd themselves thither, in hope of an exemption irorn the troubles which they had endured, from the execu- tion of the penal laws against Dissenters. But they found themselves subject to the arbitrary impositions of Sir Ednumd Andros, who governed the Duke of York's territory, and exercised jurisdiction over all the settlements on both sides of the Delaware. Penn and his associates remonstrated agairiS^t his conduct, but their efforts proved inefi^eclnal. However, the concern which PeriU had in th.is purchase gave him not only a taste for speculating in land, Init a know- ledge of tlie American coasts ; and being desirous of acquiring a separate estate, where he niis^lit real- ize MO W.PENN. ize his sanguine wishes, he had great advantage in making inquiry and determining on a place. Having examined all the former grants to the com- panies of Virginia and New-England, the Lord Balti- more and the Duke of York, he hxed upon a territory- bounded on the east by the bay and river of Delaware, extending southAvard to Lord Baltimore's province of Maryland, westward as far as the western extent of Maryland, and northward " as far as plantable." For this he petitioned the King, and being examined be- fore the Privy Council, on the 14th of June concerning those words of his petition, " as far as plantable, (he declared) that he should be satisfied with the extent of three degrees of latitude ; and that in lieu of such a grant, he was willing to remit his debt from the Crown, or some part of it, and to stay for the remain- der, till his Majesty should be in a better condition to satisfy it." Notice of this application was given to the agents of the Duke of York and Lord Baltimore, and inquiry was made, how far the pretensions of Penn might consist with the grants already made to them. The peninsula betw^een the bays of Chesapeak and Dela- •ware had been planted by detached companies of Swedes, Finland ers, Dutch and English. It was, first by force, and afterwards by treaty, brought under the dominion of the Crown of England. That jmrt of it which bordered on the Delaware was within the Duke of York's patent, while that which joined on the Che- sapeak was Vk^lthin the grant to I^ord Baltimore. The Duke's agent consented that Penn should have the land west of Delaware and north of Newcastle " in consideration of the reason he had to expect fa- vour from his Majesty." Lord Baltimore's agent pe- titioned that Penn's grant might be expressed to lie north of Susquehannah fort, and of a line drawn east and west from it, and that he inight not be allowed to sell arms and ammunition to the Indians. To these restrictions Penn had no objection. The W.PENN. Ill The Charter, consisting; of 23 sections, y duced many single persons, and some families, chiefly of the denomination of Quakers, to think of a remo- val. A number of merchants and others, formed themselves into a company, for the sake of encourag- ing the settlement and trade of the country, and pur- chased 20,000 acres of land. They had a President, Treasurer, Secretary, and a committee of twelve, who resided in England, and transacted their common bu- siness. Their objects were to encourage the manu- factures of leather and glass, the cutting and sawing of timber, and the whale-fishery. The land was sold at the rate of twenty pounds for every thousand acres. They who rented lands were to pay one penny yearly per acre. Servants when their terms were expired, were entitled to iifty acres, subject to 2s. per annum ; and their masters were al- lowed fitly acres for each servant so liberated, but sub- ject to 4.9. per annum; or if the master should give the servant fifty acres out of his own division, he might receive from the proprietor 100 acres subject to 6s per annum. In every Imndred thousand acres, the proprietor reserved ten for himself. According to the powers given by the charter, "for regulating and governing property within the pro- vince," he entered into certain articles with the pur- chasers and adventurers (July II, 1631) which were entitled ''• Conditions and Concessions." These relat- ed iiz W.PENN. ed to the laying out roads, city and county lots, the privilege of water-courses, the property of mines and minerals, the reservation of timber and mulberry trees, the terms of improvement and cultivation, the traffic with the Indians, and the means of preserving peace with them, of preventing debtors, and other defaulters, from making their escape, and, of pre- serving the morals of tlie planters, by the execution of the penal laws of England, till an Assembly should meet. These preliminaries being adjusted, the first Colo- ny, under his authority, came over to America, and began their settlement above the confluence of the Schuylkill witli the DelaMare. By them the Proprie- tor sent a letter to the Indians, informing them, that ♦* the Great God had been pleased to make him con- cerned in tlieir part of the ^vorld, and that the King of the country where he lived had given him a great province therein, but, that he did not desire to enjoy it without their consent, that he was a man of peace, and that the people whom he sent were of the same disposition; but if any difference should happen be- tween them, it might be adjusted by an equal number of men, chosen on both sides." "VViththis letter, he appointed Commissioners to treat v^ith the Indians, about ])urchasing land, and promiised them, that he would shortly come 3nd coiivcrse Avith them in per- son.* The next spring he co'^pleted a frame of govern- ment (April 25, 1682) with the express design "to support jiower in reverence M'ith tlie people, and to secure the jieople from the abuse of power." It is prefaced with a long discourse on tlie nature, origin, use and abuse of government ; which shews that he had not only v.ell studied the subject, but that he v/as fond of displaying liis knowledge. To this frame of government was subjoined a body of fundamental laws, agreed upon by Penn and the ad- ven- ^ About this time (Nov. 1681) he was elected a fellow of the Royal Society. W.PENN. 113 venturers in London, which respected moral, political and economical matters; which were not to be altered but by the consent of the (iovernor, or his heirs, and six parts in seven of the freemen, met in Provincial Council and Assembly. In this code we find that ce- lebrated declaration, which has contributed more than any thing else to the prosperity of Pennsylvania, viz. '^ That all persons living in tlie province, who confess and acknowledge the one almiglity and eternal God, to be the creator, upholder and ruler of the world, and hold themselves obliged in conscience to live peacably and justly in civil society, shall in no ways be molested for tiieir religious persuasion or practice, in matters of faitli and worship, nor shall they be compelled at any time to frequent or n:iaintain jvny religious worship, place or ministry whatever." To which was added another equally conducive to the welfare of society : " That according to the good example of the primi- tive Christians, and the ease of the creation, every first day of the week called the Lord's Day, people shall abstain from their common daily labour, that they may the better dispose themselves to worship God, according to their understandings." These laws were an original compact between the Governor and the Freemen of the colony. They ap- pear to be founded in wisdom and equity, and some of them have been copied into the Declaration of Rights prefixed to several of the present Republican Constitutions in America. The system of govern- ment which Penn produced has been regarded as an Utopian project ; but tho' in some parts visionary and impracticable, yet it was liberal and popular, calcu- lated to gain adventurers with a prospect of Republican advantages. Some of its provisions, particularly the rotation of the Council, have been adopted by a vei^ enlighterid body of American legislators, after the ex- piration of axentury. The experiment is now in o- peration, and without experiment nothing can be fairly decided in the pofllical, any more than in the physical \vorId. Hav, 114 W.PENN. Having by the help of Sir William Jones, and othe^' gentlemen of the loni^ robe, constructed a plan of go" vernment for his colony, INIr. Penn prepared to make the voyage to America, that he might attempt the execution of it. At this time, the penal laws against Dissenters were executed with rigour in England, which made many of the Quakers desirous of accompanying or follovflng Penn into America, where they had u prospect of the most extensive liberty of conscience. Having chosen some for his particular companions, he embarked with them in August, 1682, and from the Downs, where the ship lay waiting for a Avind, he wrote an alfection- ate letter to his friends, V\iiich he called " a farevvell to England." After a pleasant passage of six weeka, they came within sight of the American coast, and were refreshed by the land breezes at the distance of 12 leagues. As the ship sailed up the Delaware, the inhabitants came on board, and saluted their new Go- vernor with an air of satisfaction. He landed at Newcastle, and summoned the people to meet him, when possession of the soil was given him in the legal form of that day, and he entertained them with a speech, explaining the purpose oi his coming, and the views of his government, assuring them of liis intention to preserve civil and religious liberty, and exliorthig them to peace and sobriety. Having renev*-- ed the tonimisions of their former Magistrates, he went to Chester, where he repeated the same things, and received their congratulations. The Swedes ap- pointed a Delegate to compliment him on his arrival, and to assure him of their affection and fidelity, Tln^ee principal objects engaged the attention of Mr. Penn ; one was to unite the territory with the pix)vince, another w as to enter into a treaty with the Indians, and a third was to lay out a capital city. jMr. Penn's great object was to treat with the na- tives. The bencAolence of his disposition led him to exercise great tenderness toward them, which was much increased by an opinion which he had fomnedj and W.PENN. iij and which he openly avowed, tiiat they were descend- ants of the ten dispersed tribes of Israel. He travel- led into the country, visited them in their cabins, was present at their feasts, conversed with them in a free and familiar manner, and gained their affections by his obliging carriage, and his frequent acts of gene- rosity. But on public occasions, he received them with ceremony, and transacted business with solemni- ty and order. Ln one of his excursions in the winter, he found a chief warrior sick, and his wile preparing to sweat him in the usual manner, by pouring water on a heap of hot stones, in a closely covered hut, and then plung- ing him into the river, thro' a hole cut in the ice. To divert himself during the sweating operation, tlie Chief sang the acheivements of his ancestors, then his own, and concluded his song with this reflection : ** Why are we sick, and these strangers well ? It seems as if they were sent to inherit the land in om^ stead ! Ah ! it is because they love the Great Spririt, and we do not!" The sentiment was rational, and such as often occurred to the sagacious among the na- tives: We cannot suppose it was disagreeable to Mr. Penn, whose view was to impress them with an idea of his honest and pacific intentions, and to make a fair bargain with them Some of their Chiefs made him a voluntary present of the land which thev claimed, others sold it at a sti- pulated price. The form of one of these treaties is thus described in a letter which he wrote to his friends in England. " The King sat in the middle of a half- moon, and had his Council, old and wise, on each hand. Behind, at a little distance, sat the young ones in the same figure. Having consulted and resolved the business, the King ordered one of them to speak to me. He stood up, came to me, took me by the hand, saluted me in the name of the King, told me he was ordered by the King to speak to me, and that now it was not he that spoke, but the King, because what he should say w'as the King's mind. During the time this person was speaking, not a man of them xi6 W.PENN. Nvas observed to ^vh}spe^ or smile. M'^hen Ihc pur- chase Avas agreed, great promises passeil between us of kiiuluess and good neighbourhood, and that the iuighsh and Indians must live in love, as long as the liun gave light. Which done, another made a speech to the Indians in the name of all the Sachems, first to tell them what was done, next to charge them to love the C/tn'stiafiSy to live in peace wiih me and niy people, and that they should never do me or nu' peo- ple any wrong : At every sentence of which thcv •sliouted, and said Amen, in their own way. The ])ay or presents 1 made them, were not hoarded by the particular owners, but the neighbouring Kings and their clans being present when the goods were brougV.t out, the parties chiefiy concerned consulted what and to whom they should give them. To every Kin j?;, then by the hands of a person, for that work appoint- ed, was a proportion sent, sorted and folded, with a gravity which is admirable. Then that King subdi- vided it in like manner among his dependants, they haixliy leaving themselves an equal share with one of their subjects." Mr. Penn was so happy as to succeed in his endea- vours to gain the good will of the Indians. They have frequently, in subsequent treaties many years af- ter, expressed great veneration for his memory, and to perpetuate it, they have given to the successive (iovernors of Pennsylvania the name of Onafi^ which bigniHes a Pcf!, By this name they are commonly known and addressed in the speeches made by the Six Nations in all their treaties. One part of his agreement with the Indians was, that they should sell no lands to any person but to himself or his agents ; another was, that his agents •should not occupy nor grant any lands, but those which were fairly purchased of the Indians. These stipulations Avere contirmed by subsequent acts of As- sembly, and every bargain made between private per- sons and the Indians without leave of the proprietor was declared void, Tl^e charter which Penn had ob- taij?- W,PENN« 117 tained of the Crown comprehended a far jjreater ex- tent of territory, than it was proper for him at first to purchase of the natives. He did not think it for his interest to take any more nt once than he had a ])rospect of grantinjj away to •jcltlers. Jiiit liis colony increased beyond Ins expec- tation, and when new tracts were wanted the Indians rose in their demands. His first purchases were made at his own expence, and the ^oods delivered on these t)cca3ions went by the name of presents. In course of lime, when a treaty and a purchase went on toge- tlicr, the Ciovernor and his successors made the speeches, and the Assembly were at the expence of the presents. When one paid the cost, and the other enjoyed the i)rofjt, a subject of alteifcation arose be- tween the Proprietary and the popular interests, whicii other causes contributed to increase and inflame. Mr. Penn easily foresaw that the situation of his province, and the liberal encouragement which he had given to settlers, would draw people of all denomina- tions thither, and render it a place of commerce ; he therefore determined to lay the plan of a capital city, which, in conformity to his catholic and pacific ideas, he called Philadelphia. The scite of it was a neck of land between the river Delaware on the east, and Die Schuylkill ( Hidivc^ Creek-) a branch on the west, ?in<\ he designed that the cityshould extend from one to the other, the distance being two miles. This spot was chosen on account of the firm soil, the gentle ri- sing from each river towards the midst, the numerous sfHJngs, the convenience of coves capable of being used as docks, the depth of water for ships of burden, and the good anchorage. The ground was surveyed, rmd a plan of the intended city was drawn by 'i'homas ilolme, surveyor-general. Ten streets, of two miles in length, were laid out from river to river, and twenty streets of one mile in length, crossing them at right angles. Four squares were reserved for common purposes, one in each quarter of the ci- ty, and in the centre, on the most elevated spot, was a. larg- ... ii8 W.PENN. larger square of ten acres, in which were to be built a State-house, a market-house, a school-house, and a place of worship. On the side of each river it was in- tended to build wharves and ware-houses, and from each front street nearest to the rivers, an open space was to be left, in the descent to the shores, which would have added much to the beauty of the city.* All owners of 1000 acres were entitled to a city-lot in the front streets, or in the central high street, and be- fore each house was to be an open court, planted with rows of trees. Smaller purchasers were to be accom- modated in the other streets ; and care was taken in all, that no building should encroach on the street lines. The city was begun in 1682, and within less than a year, •■' 80 houses and cottages were built, wherein merchants and mechanics exercised their respective occupations ;" and they soon Ibvuid the country around them so well cultivated by the planters, as to afibrd them bread and vegetables, while the venison, fowl, and fish made an agreeable variety with the salted pro- visions which they imported. Penn himself writes, with an air of chearfulness, that he was well content- ed with the country, and tlie entertainment which he found in it. This letter is among his printed works, and, in the same collection, we find an aifectionate ad- dress to the people of Pennsylvania ; in it he appears to have a tender concern for their monil and religious improvement, and warns them against the teniptations to which they were exposed. Their circumstances were indeed peculiar ; they had sufTcred contempt and persecution in Fngland, and vere now at rest, m the enjoyment of TI '^rty, under a pojrular form of govern- ment ; the of the world were upon then. ; their former enemies anc \\atrhlng their conduct, ainl would Jiave been gh^d of an opportunity to reproacli them ; it was therefore his desire that they should be mo- * This plan has not been adhered to, unfortunately hot:-, for the beauty and the health of the city, particularly abcuc Front and "Water rtrcots. W.PENN. 119 moderate in prosperity, as they had been patient in ad- versity. The concluding ■words of this address may give us a specimen of his style and manner of preach- ing. " My friends, remember that the Lord hath brought you upon the stage ; he hath now tried you with liberty, yea, and with power; he hath put pre- cious opportunities into your hands ; have a care of a, perverse spirit, and do not provoke the Lord by doing those things by which the inhabitants of the land, that were before, you, grieved his spirit ;* but sanctify God, the living God in your hearts, that his blessing may fall and rest as the dew of heaven on you and your off- spring. Then shall it be seen to the nations, that there is no inchantment against Jacob, nor divination against Israel ; but your tents shall be goodly, and your dwellings glorious." In the spring of 1683, a second Assembly was held in the new city of Philadelphia, and a great number of laws were passed. Among other good regulations, it was enacted, that, in order to prevent law-suits, three arbitrators, called peace -makers, should be chosen by every County Court, to hear and determine small differences between man and man. This Assembly granted to the Governor an impost on certain goods exported and imported, which he, after acknowledging their goodness, was pleased, for the encouragement of the traders, " freely to remit." Fjut the most distin- guished act of this Assembly was, their acceptance of another frame of government, which .the proprietor had devised, which was <' in part conformed to the first, in part modified according to" the Act of Settle- meet, and in part essentially did'erent from both." The most material alterations were the reducing the number of the Assemljiy from 72 to 54, and the giv- ing the Governor .». negative, in lieu of a treble voice in acts of legisl :anidur' acceptance of this second charter was a proof of his great ascen- dency over them, and the confidence which they placed in * Probably alhicllng to the Ten Tribes of Ifrael, from whom he iuppofes the Indians to be, defcended. I20 W.PENN. in him ; but these changes were regarded by sonie as a departure from the principles on which the original compact was grounded. The state of the province at this time has been com- pared to that of " a father and his family ; the latter united by interest and affection, the former revered for the wisdom of his institutions, and the indulgent use of his authority. Those who were ambitious of repose found it in Pennsylvania, and as none returned with an evil report of the land, numbers followed. All partook of the leaven which they found ; the commu- nity wore the same equal face ; no one aspired, no one was oppressed ; industry was sure of profit, knowledge of esteem, and virtue of veneration." When we con- template this agreeable picture, we cannot but lament that Mr. Penn should ever have quitted his province ; but, after residing in it about two years, he found him- self urged, by motives of interest as well as philan- thropy, to return to England. At his departure, in the summer of 1684, his capital city, then only of two years standing, contained nearly 300 houses, and 2000 inhabitants ; besides which, there were 20 other set- tlements begun, including those of the Dutch and Swedes. He left the administration of government in the hands of the Council and Assembly, having ap- pointed five commissioners to preside in his place. The motives of his return to England were two : A controversy with Lord Baltimore, the proprietor of Maryland, concerning the limits of their respective pa- tents ; and a concern for his brethren, who were suf- fering by the operation of the penal laws against Dis- senters from the established Church. The controversy with Lord Baltimore originated in the construction of " the 40th degree of latitude," which Penn's heirs contended was the beginningy and Baltimore's the comiiletion of the 40th degree, the dii- ference being 69 miles and a half.* The * For the particulars of this controverfy, and its final de- cifionby Lord Chancellor Hardwick in 1750, fee Douglas's Summary II. 309, and Vefey's Reports T. 444- W.PENN. lit The other cause of Mr. Perm's departure for Eng- land proved a source of much greater vexation, and involved consequences injurious to his reputation and interest. His concern for his suffenng brethren indu- ced him to use the interest which he had at Court for their relief. He arrived in the month of August, and the death of Charles, which happened the next Fe- bruary brought to the throne James H. under whom, when Lord High Admiral, Penn's father had com- manded, and who had always maintained a steady friendshipw ith the son. This succession rather in- creased than diminished his attachment to the Court ; but as James openly professed himself a Papist, and the prejudices of a great part of the nation against him were very high, it was impossible for his intimate friends to escape the imputation of being popishly af- fected. Penn had before been suspected to be a Jesuit, and what nov/ contributed to fix the stigma upon him. was, his writing a book on "the liberty of conscience," a darlinp; principle at Court, and vindicating the Duke of Buckingham, who had written on the same subject. Another circumstance which strengthened the suspi- cion was, his taking lodgings at Kensington, in the neighbourhood of the Court, and his frecjuent at- tendance there, to solicit tlie liberation of his brethren who now filled the prisons of the kingdom. He endeavoured to allay these suspicions by pub- lishing an address to his brethren, in which he refers to their knowledge of his character, principles and writings, for 18 years past, and expresses his love of moderation, and his wish that the nation might not become " bariiarous for Christianity, nor abuse one another for God's sake." But what gave him the greatest pain was, that his worthy friend Docter Tillot- son had entertained the same suspicion, and expres- sed it in his conversation. To him he wrote an ex- postulary Ifetter, and the Doctor frankly owned to hiin the ground of his apprehension, which Penn so fully removed, that Doctor Tillotson candidly acknowledged his mistake, and made it his business on all occasions G to lai W.PENN. to vindicate Penn*s character.* Tliis ingenuous ac- knowledgement from a gentleman of so much infor- mation, and so determined an enemy to Popery, is one of the best evidences which can be had of Mr. I'enn's integrity in this respect ; but the current of popular prejudice was at that time so strong, tliat it was not in the power of so great and good a man as -Dr. Tillotson to turn it. Had Mr. Penn fallen in with the discontented part of the nation, and encouraged the emigration of those >vho dreaded the consequences of K.ing James's open profession of Popery, he might have made large ad- ditions to the number of his colonists, and greatly increased his fortnne, but he had received such assur- ances from the King, of his intention to introduce universal toleration, that he thought it his duty to wait for the enlargement which his brethren must experi- ence from the expected event. His book on liberty of conscience, addressed to the King and Council, had not been published many days, before the King issued a general pardon, and instructed the Judges of Assize on their respective circuits to extend the bene- fit of it to the Quakers in particular. In consequence of this, about 1500 who had been confined in the pri- sons, were set at liberty. This was followed by a de- claration for liberty of conscience, and for suspending tne execution of the penal laws against Dissenters, which was an occasion of great joy to all denomina- tions of them. The Quakers, at their next general meeting, drew up an address of thanks to the King, which was presented by Mr. Penn. The declaration of indulgence, being a specimen of that di'ifiensing fiQiver^ which the House of vStuart "were fond of assuming, and being evidently intended to favour the fiee exercise of the Popish leligion, gave an alarm to ihe nation, and caused very severe cen- sures on those, who having felt the benefit* of it, liad ex- • Thefe letters, which do honour to both the writers, are printed in the firll volume of Penn's works, and in the J3io- graphia Britannica. W,PENN. 123 expressed their gratitude in terms of alTectlon and re- spect. The Quakers in particular became very ob- noxious, and the prejudice against Penn as an abettor of the arbitrary maxims of the Court, v/as mcreased, though on a candid view of the matter, (here is no evidence that he sought any thing more Xlu-.n an im- partial and universal liberty of conscience.* It is much to be regretted, that he iiad not taken this critical opportunity to return to Pennsylvania. His controversy with Lord Baltimore had been decid- ed by the Council, and his pacific principle ought to have led him to acquiesce in their determination, as did his antagonist. Pie had accomplished his purpose with regard to his brethren the Quakers, who, being delivered from their difficulties, were at liberty either to remain in the kingdom, or follow him to America. The state of the province was such as to require his presence, and he might at this time have resumed his office, and carried on his business in l^^ennsylvania, with the greatest probability of spending the remain-, der of his days there in usefulness and peace. The Revolution which soon followed, placed him in a very disagreeble situation. liaving been a friend to James, Ijc was supposed to be an enemy to Wil- liam. As he was walking one day in White-hall, he was arrested and examined by the Lords in Council before whom he solemnly declared, " That he loved his country and the Protestant religion above his life and that he had never acted against either ; but that King James had been his friend and his father's friend, and chat he thouglit himself bound in justice and gratitude to be a friend to him." He was obliged to find securities for his appearance at the next term and, * '• If an univeHal chanty, if the aflerting an impartial li- berty of confcience, if doing to others as one wouhi be done by, and an open avowing and iteady practifmg of theie things, in all times, and to all parties, will juUly lay a man under the refieaion of being tx Jesuit ox Papifi, I m'uft not only fubmit to the char after, but embrace it;, and I can bear it with more pleafure than it is poflible for them with any juftice to give it 10 me." Fenji's Let. to Sec. Popple, 0€t. 24, i6S8. 124 W.PENN. and thence lo the succeeding term, in the last day of which, nothing' having heen spccitically laid to his charge, he was acquitted. The next year (1990) he was taken up again, on suspicion of liolding correspondence witli the exiled King, The Lords re(iuiring seciu'ities ibr his appear- -aece, he appealed to King William in person, who was inclined to accpiit him ; but, to please some of the Council, he was, for a while, held to bail, and then acquitted. Soon after this, his name was inserted in a procla- mation, wherein 18 Lords, and others, were charged with adhering to the enemies of the kingdom ; but no evidence appearing against him, he was a third time acquitted by the C\)urt of King's Bench. Being noAv at liberty, he meditated a return to Penn- sylvania, and published proposals for another emigra- tion of settlers. He had proceeded so far as to obtain from the Secretary of Slate an order for a convoy ; but his voyage was prevented by a fourth accusation, on the oath of a person whom the Parliament, after- ward, declared a cheat and impostor. A warrant was issued for apprehending him, and he narrowly escaped an arrest, at his return fiom the funeral of liis friend George Fox, on the 16th of January 1691. He then thought it prudent to retire, and, accordingly, kept himself concealed for two or three vears, durinir which time he employed himself in writing several pieces, one of which, entitled, ^' Maxims and Keilee- tions relating- to tlie Conduct of Humiui Life," being the result of mr.ch observation and experience, has been much celebrated, and has passed through sevei'al editions. In 1693, by the mediation of several per- sons of rank, he was admitted to appear before the King in Council, where he so maintained his inno- cence of what had been alledged against him, that he was a fourth time honourably acquitted. The true cause of these frequent suspicions was the conduct of his wife, who being passionately attached io the Queen, consort of James, made a practice to visit W.PF.NN. 125 \isit her at St. Germain's eveiy year, ana to carry to her such presents as she could collect from t!ie Iriends of the unhappy royal family . Thouii;h there was no ])olitical connexion or correspondence between Penn's fainily and the King's, yet this circumstance gave co- lour to the jealousy which had been conceived ; but the death of his wife, which happened in February, 1694, put an end to all these suspicions. lie married a second wife in- 1696, a dau'^hter of Thomas Callow- hill, of Bristol, by whom he had four sons and one dautj;hter. By his continual exi)enses, and by the peculiar diffi- culties to which he had been exposed, he had run him- self deeply into debt. He had lost 7000/. before the Revolution, a.]id 4000/. since, besides his paternal es- tate in Ireland, valued at 450/. per annum. To repair his fortune, he recpiested his friends in Pennsylvania, that 100 of them would lend him 100/. each, for some years, on landed security. This, he said, would en- able h'm to return to America, and bring a large num- ber of inhabitants with him. What answer was given to this request does not appear ; but, from his remain- ing in England six or seven years after, it may be con- cluded that he received no encouragement of this kind from them. The low circumstances of the lirst set- tlers must have rendered it im[)0ssible to comply with such a request. Pennsylvania had experienced many inconveniences from his absence. The Provincial Co\mciI, having no steady hand to hold the balance, had fallen into a con- troversy respecting their several powers and privileges, and Moore, one of the j^roprietary officers, f.ad been impeached of high misdemeanors. Disgusted with their disputes, and dissatisfied with the Constitution ^vllich he had framed and altered, Penn wrote to his Commissioners (1686), to require its dissolution; but the Assembly, perceiving the loss of their, privileges, and of the rights of the people, to be involved in fre- quent innovations, opposed tlie surrender. The Com- missioners themselves were soon after removed by the Pro- 126 AV.PENN. Fiopiictor, who appoinictl for his Deputy John Black- Avell, an ollicer trained under Cron\weil, and complctc- }y versed in the arts of intrigue. lie bep;an his administration in December, 1688, by a display of the power of the Proprietor, and by cndeavouiinij to sow discord among the freemen. Una wed by his insolence, they were tirm in defence of their privileges, whilst, at the same time, they made a profession of peace and obedience. He imprisoned the Speaker of the Assembly, which had impeached Moore, and, by a variety of artiiices, evaded the grant- ing an Habeas Corpus. He delayed as long as possi- ble the meeting of a new Assembly, and when they entered on the subject of grievances, he prevailed on some of the members to withdraw from their seats, that there might not be a quorum. The remainder voted that his conduct was treacherous, and a strong prejudice was conceived not only against the Deputy, but the Proprietor who had appointed him. The pro- vince also fell under the royal displeasure. Their laws had not been presented for approbation, and the new King and Queen had not been proclaimed in Penn- ^- sylvania for a long time after their accession ; but the administration of government was continued hi the name of the exiled Monarch. At what time the al- teration >vas made we cannot be certain ; but in the year 1692, the King and Queen took the government of the colony into their own hands, and appointed Col. Fletcher Governor of New-York and Pennsylvania, with equal powers and prerogatives in both, without any reference to the charter of Pennsylvania. It being a time of war between England and France, and the province of New-York being much exposed to the incursions of the Indians in the French hiterest, the principal object which Fletcher had in view, was, to procure supplies for the defence of the country, and the support of those Indians who were in alliance with the English. The Assembly insisted on a con- fu'mation of their laws, as a condition of their grant- ing a supply, to which he consentetl, " during the King's W.PENN. 127 King's pleasure." They would have gone farther, and demanded a redress of grievances, but Fletcher having intimated to them that the King might proba- bly annex them to New-York, and they knowing them- selves unable to maintain a, controversy with the Crown, submitted, for the present, to iiold their liberties by courtesy, and voted a supply* On another application of the same kind, they nominated Collectors in their bill, which he deemed inconsistent with his preroga- tive, and, after some altercations, dissolved them. In 1696, William Markham, Deputy-Governor un- der Fletcher, made a similar proposal, but could ob- tain no supply till an expedient was contrived to save their privileges. A temporary act of settlement was passed, subject to the confirmation of the Proprietor, and then a grant was made of 300/. but as they had been represented, by some at New- York, as having act- ed inconsistently with their principles, in granting mo- ney to maintain a war, they appropriated this grant to " the relief of those friendly Indians who had suffer- ed by the war." The request was repeated every year, as long as the war continued; but the infancy, poverty and embarrassments of the province were al- leged for non-compliance. The peace of Ryswick, in 1698, put an end to these requisitions. Thus, the province of Pennsylvania, as well as its Proprietor, experienced n^any inconveniences during their lonp; separation of 15 years; and it is somewhat singular to remark, that, whilst they were employed in an ineffectual struggle with the royal Governor and his Deputy, he, whom Montesquieu styles the Ame- rican Lycurgus, was engaged in his darling work of religious co'.'itroversy, and of itinerant preaching thro' England, Wales and Ireland. In August, 1699, he em!)arked with his family, and after a tedious passage of three months, arrived in Pennsylvania. IJy reason of this long voyage, they escaped a pestilential distemper which, during that time, raged in the colony. He 3 28 W.PENN. He did not find the people so tractable as before. Their minds were soured by his long absence, by the condud of his Deputies and the royal Governors ; their system of laws was incomplete, and their title to their lands insecure. After much time spent in trying their tempers, and penetrating their views, he found it most adviseable to listen to their remonstrances. Five ses- sions of Assembly were held during his second resi- dence with them; his expressions in his public speech- es were soothing, and he promised to do every thmg iii his power to render them happy. They requested of him that, in case of his future absence, he would appoint for his Deputies men of integrity and profierty^ "who should be invested with full powers to grant and confirm lands, and instructed to give true measure ; and that he would execute such an instrument as would secure their privileges and possessions. To these re- quests he seemed to consent, and with the most flat- tering complaisance desired them to name a person for his substitute, which they, with equal politeness, declined. In May, 1700, the Charter was surrendered by six parts in seven of the Assembly, under a solemn promise of restitution with such alterations and amend- ments as should be found necessary. When a new Charter was in debate, the repres^entatives of the lower counties wanted to obtain some privileges pe- culiar to themselves, which the others were not wil- ling to allow. The members from the territory there- fore refused to join, and thus a separation was made of the provmce of Pennsylvania from the three lower counties. In this new Charter, the people had no voice in the election of Counsellors ; whqever afterwards served in this capacity, were appointed by the proprietor, but they had no power of legislation. The executive was vested solely in him, and he had a negative on all their laws. On the other hand, the Assembly had the right of originating laws, which before had been prepar- ed for their deliberation. The number of mem- bers W.PENbJ. 12V bers was four from each county, and more if the Gor- ernor and Assembly should agree. They were invest- ed with all the powers of a legislative body, according* to the rights of English subjects, and the practice of other American colonies. The privileges before grant- ed were confirmed, and some of their most salutary law3 were included in the body of the Charter ; all of which were declared irrevocable, except by consent of 6-7 ths of the Assembly with the Governor ; but the clause respecting liberty of conscience was declared absolutely irrevocable. A provisional article was ad- ded, that if in three years, the representatives of the province and territories should not join in legislation, each county of the province might choose eight per- sons, and the city of Philadelphia twH:>, to represent them in one Assembly, and each county of the terri- tory the same number to constitute another Assembly. On the 28th of October 1701, this Charter was ac- cepted by the representatives of the province ; previ- ous to which (viz. on the 25th) the city of Philadel- phia was incorporated by another Charter, and the government of it committed to a Mayor and Record- er, eight Aldermen, and twelve Common Councilmen. The persons in each of these offices were appointed by name in the Charter, who were empowered to choose successors to themselves annually, and to add to the number of Aldermen and Common Council- men so many of the freemen as the whole Court should think proper. Tiiese two charters were the last public acts of Mr. Penn's personal administration in Pennsylvania. They were done in haste, and while he was preparing to re- embark for England, which he did immediately on signing them. The cause of his sudden departure was an accoimt which be had received, that a bill was about to be brought into Parliament, for reducing the proprietary and chartered governments to an immedi- ate dependence on the Crown. In his speech to the Assembly, he inlimatefl his intention to return and settle jimon^- them with his ftvmilv ; but this proved O 2 ' 19 130 W.PENN. to be his last visit to America. He sailed from Phi- ladelphia in the end of October, and arrived in Eng- land about the middle of December, 1701. The bill in Parliament, which had so greatly alarmed him, was, by the solicitation of the friends of the colonies, post- poned, and finally lost. In about two months, Kins/; William died, and Queen Anne came to the throne, which brought Penn again into favour at Court, and in the name of the society of which he was at the head, presented to her an address of congratulation. He then resumi^d his favourite employment of writ- ing, preaching, and visiting the societies of Friends in England, till the year 1707, when he found himself involved in a suit at law with the executors of a person who had formerly been his steward. The cause was attended with such circumstances, that, though many thought him ill used, the Court of Chancery did not give him relief, which obliged him to live within the rules of the Fleet Prison for about a year, till the matter was accommodated. After this, lie made ano- ther circuitous journey among his friends, and in the year 1 7 10 took a handsome seat at RushcomUe in Buck- inghamshire, where he resided dunng the remainder of his life. His infirmities and misfortunes increased with his age, and unBtted him for the exercise of his beloved work, hi 1711, he dictated a preface to the journal of his old friend John Banks, which was his last printed work. The next year, he was seized with a paralytic disoixk^r, which impaired his memory. For three succeeding years he continued in a state of great de- bility, but attended the meeting of Friends at Read- ing, as long as he was able to ride in his chariot, an(4 sometimes spake short and weighty sentences, beinc; incapable of pronouncing a long discourse. Approach- ing, by gradual decay, to the close of life, he died on the 30th of July, 1718, in the 74th year of his age, and was buried in his family tomb, at Jordan's, iii BuclKinghamshii'c. Not- . W.PENN. ,31 Notwithstanding his large paternal niheritance, and the g-reat opportunities whicli he enjoyed of accumu- lating property by his connexion with America,' his latter days were passed in a state far from aHluent. He was continually subject to the importunity of his creditors, and obliged to mortgage his estate. He Was on the point of surrendering his province to the Crown, for a valual)Ie consideration, to extricate him- self from debt. The instrument was preparing for his signature, but his deatli, which happened rather unexpectedly, prevented the execution of it ; and thus Jiis province in America descended to his po;5terity, who held it till the Revolution. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.* I HAVE amused myself with collecting some little, anecdotes of my fomily. You may remembei- the enquiries I made when you were with me in England, among such of my relations as were then living, and the journey I indertook for that purpose. To be ac- quainted witli the particulars of my parentage and life, many of which are unknown to you, I (latter my- self, will allbrd the same pleasure to you as to me. I shall relate them upon paper ; it will be an agreea- ble employment of a week's uninterrupted leisure, which I promise myself during my present retirement in the country. I'herc are also other motives which induce me to the undertaking. Fiom the bosom of poverty and obscurity, in which I drew my first breath, and spent my earliest years, I have raised myself to a state * The young reader would do well to pay attention to tho hiilory of a man, who, by his indurtry, perfeverance, and economy, arrived to riches and honours — he is the firfl A- nerican Philofopher. It is true, that every man Is not born with a genius like Franklin ; but every man niay, and ougUt to be h©;icil and indullrious in his flatioii. 132 FRANKLIN^ a state of opulence, and to some degree of celebrity in the world. A constant good fortune has attended ine-thro' every period of my life to my present advan- ced age ; and my descendants may be desirous of learning what were the means of which I made use, and which, thanks to the assisting hand of Providence, have proved so eminently successful. And here let me with all humility acknowledge, that to Divine Providence I am indebted tor the felicity I have hitherto enjoyed. It is that Power alone which has furnished me with the means I liave employed, and that has crowned them with success. My faith in this respect leads me to hope, tho' I cannot count upon it, that the Divine goodness will still be exercis- ed towards me, either by prolonging the duration of my happiness to the close of life, or by giving me for- titude to support any melancholy reverse which may happen to me as to so many others. My future for- tune is unknown but to Him in whose hand is our de- stiny, and who can make our very aiRictidns substr- lient to our benefit. One of my uncles, desirous, like myself, of collect- ing anecdotes of our family, gave me some notes, from which I have derived many particulars respecting our ancestors. From these i learn, that they had lived in the same village (Eaton, in Northamptonshire) up- on a freehold of about 30 acres, for tjie space, at least, of 300 years. How long they had residtd there prior to that period, my uncle had been unable to discover j probably ever since the institution of surnames, Avhen ihey took the appellation of Franklin, which had for- merly been the name of a particular order of indivi- duals.* This petty estate would not have sufficed for their subL^stence, had they not added the trade of black- smith, * As a proof that Frai^klin was anciently the common name of an order of men in England, iee Judge Fortefcue De (au- di bus leguin Angl ice, written abovtt the year 141 2, in which a p-.iflnge Ihews, "that by them (i.e. Franklhisy ful)llantial houfe. kvkU'rs) good juries nvay be fcimcd in anv part of England.'* FRANKLIN. 1^3 smith, which was perpetuated in the family down to my uncle's time, the eldest son having been uniformly brouijht up to this employment ; a custom which botli he and my father observed with respect to their eldest sons. In the researches I made at Eaton, I found no ac- count of their births, marriages and deaths, earliei' than the year 1555, the parish register not extending farther back than that period. This register informed me, that I was the youngest son of the youngest branch of the family, counting five generations. My grandfather, Thomas, who was born in 1598, lived at Eaton till he was too old to continue his trade, when he retired to Banbury id Oxfordshire, where his son John, who was a dyer, resided, and with whom my father was apprenticed. He died, and was buried there: we saw his monument in 1758. His eldest son lived in the family house at Eaton, which he be- queathed, with the land belonging to it, to his oiily daughter, who, in concert with her husband, Mr. Fish- er, of Vv^ellingborough, afterwards sold it to Mr. Ested> the present prcvprietor. My grandfather had four surviving sons, Thomas, John, Benjamin and Josias. I shall give you such particulars of them as my memory will furnish, not having my papers here, in which you will find a more minute account, it they arc not lost during my ab- sence. Thomas had learned the trade of blacksmith undet' his father; but possessing a good natural understand- ing, he improved it by study, at the solicitation of a gentleman of the name of Puhiier, who was at that time tlie pnncipal inhabitant of the village, and wlio encouraged, in like manner, all my uncles to improve their minds. Thomas thus rendered himself Compe- tent to the functions of a country attorney, soon be- came an essential personage in the aL'airs of the vil- lage, and was one of the chief movers of every pub- lic enterprize, as well relative to the county, as the town of Northampton. A variety of remarkable inci- dents 234 FRANKLIN. dents were told us of him at Eaton. After enjoying the esteem and patronage of Lord Halifax, he died Jan. 6, 1702, precisely four years before I was born. The recital that was made us of his life and character, by some aged persons of the village, struck you, I remember, as extraordinary, from its analogy to what you knew of myself. " Had he died," said you, "just four years later, one might have supposed a transftii- gration of souls." John, to the best of my belief, was brought up to the trade of a wool-dyer. Benjamin served his apprenticeship in London to a silk-dyer. He was an industrious man : I remember him well ; for, while I was a child, he joined my fa- ther at Boston, and lived for some years in the house with us. A particular affection had always subsisted between my father and him, and I was his god-son. He arrived to a great age. He left behind him two quarto volumes of poems in manuscript, consisting of little fugitive pieces, addressed to his friends. He had invented a short-liand, which he taught me, but having never made use of it, I have now forgotten it. He was a man of piety, and a constant attendant on the best preachers, whose sermons he took a pleasure in writing down, according to the expeditory method he Iiad devised. Many volumes were thus collected by him. He was extremely fond of politics, too much so, perhaps, for his situation. I lately found, in Lon- don, a collection which he had made of all the princi- pal pamphlets relative to public affairs, from the year 1641 to 1717. Many volumes are wanting, as ap- pears by the scries of numbers ; but there still remain 8 in folio, and 24 in, quarto and octavo. The collec- tion had fallen into the hands of a second-liand book- seller, who, knowing me, by liaving sold me some books, brought it to me. My uncle, it seems, liad left it behind him on his departure for America, about 50 years ago. I found various notes of his writing iu the margins. Our humble family had early embraced the Re- formation. They remained faithfully attached during the FRANKLIN. 135 the reign of Queen Mary, when they were in clanger of being molested, on account of their zeal against Popery. They had an English Bible, and, to conceal it the more securely, they conceived the project of fast- ening it, open, with packthreads across the leaves, on tlie inside of the lid of a close-stool. When my great- grand-father wished to read to his family, he reversed the lid of the close-stool upon his knees, and passed the leaves from one side to the other, which were held down on each by the packthread. One of the children was stationed at the door, to give notice if he saw the proctor (an ollicer of the Spiritual Court) make hia appearance : in that case, the lid was restored to its place, with the Bible concealed under it, as before.* The whole family preserved its attachment to the Church of England till towards the close of the reign of Charles II. when certain ministers, who had been ejected as non-conformists, having held conventicles in Northamptonshire, they were joined by Benjamin and Josias, who adhered to them ever after. The rest of the family continued in the Episcopal church. My father, Josias, married early in life. He went, with his wife and three children, to New-England, about the year 1682. Conventicles being at that time prohibited by law, and frequently disturbed, some con- siderable persons of his acquaintance determined to gx> to America, where they hoped to enjoy the free exer- cise of their religion, and my father was prevailed on to accompany them. My father had also, by the same wife, four children born in America, and ten others by a second v/ifc, makinq; in till seventeen. I remember to have seen thirteen seated together at liis table, who all arrived to years of maturity, and were married. I was the last of the sons, and the youngest child excepting two daughters. I was born at Boston, in New-Eng- land. My mother, the second wife, was Abiah Folg- er, daughter of Peter Folger, one of the first colonists of * The American reader will doubtlefa be thankful th.it he did ho: live in fwch times, or be fukje^ to fuch laws, 136 rRANKLIN. of New-England, of whom Cotton Mather makes ho^ noiirable mention in his Ecclesiastical History of that province, as " a pious learned Englishman." My brothers were all put apprentice to different trades. With respect to myself, I was sent, at the age of eigiit years, to a grammar school. My father destined me for tlie Church, and already regarded me as the chaplain of the family. The promptitude witli which, from my infancy, 1 had learned to read, for I do not remember to have been ever without this ac- quirement, and the encouragement of his friends, who assured him that 1 should one day certainly become a man of letters, confirmed him in this design. My un- cle Benjamin approved also of the scheme, and pro- mised to give me all his volumes of sermons, written, as I have said, in the short-hand of his invention, if I would take the pains to learn it. I remained, however, scarcely a year at grammar- school, altho', in this short interval, I had risen from the middle to the head of my class, from thence to the class inmiediately above, and was to pass, at the end of the year, to the one next in order. But my father, burthened with a numerous family, found that he was incapable, without sui)jecting himself to diffi- culties, of providing for the expence of a collegiate education ; and consideririg, besides, as I heard him say to his friends, that persons so educated were oft- en poorly provided for, he renounced his hrst inten- tions, took me from the grammar-school, and sent me to a school for writing and aritl>metic, kept by a jNIr. George Brownwell, who was a skilful master, and suc- ceeded very well in his profession by employing gentle means only, and such as were calculated to encourage his scholars. Under him I soon acquired an excellent hand, but 1 failed in arithmetic, and made therein no great progress. At ten years of age, I was called home, to assist my father in his occupation, which was ihat of soap- boiler ar.d tallow-chandler, a business to which he had /served no apprenticeship, but which he embraced on iijs \ FRANKLIN. 137 his arrival In New-England, because he found his own, that of a dyer, in too little request to enable him to maintain his family. I was, accordingly, employed in cutting the wicks, filling the moulds, taking care of the shop, carrying messages, &c. This business displeased me, and I felt a strong in- clination for a sea life ; but my father set his face against it. The vicinity of the water, however, gavd me frequent opportunities of venturing myself both upon and within it, and I soon acquired the art of swimming, and of managing a boat. When embark- ed with other children, the helm was commonly de- puted to me, particularly on difncult occasions ; and, in every other project, I v/as almost always the leader of the troop, whom I sometimes involved in embar- rassments. I shall give an instance of this, which demonstrates an early disposition of mind for public enterprises, tho' the one in question was not conduct- ed by justice. The mill-pond was terminated on one side by a marsh, upon the borders of which we were accustomed to take our stand, at high water, to angle for small fish. By dint of walking, we had converted the place into a perfect quagmire. My proposal was to erect a wharf that should afford us firm footing, and I point- ed to my companions a large heap of stones, intended for building a new house near the marsh, and which were well adapted for our purpose. Accordingly, when the workmen retired in the evening, I assem- bled a number of my play-fellows, and by labouring diligently, like ants, sometimes four of us uniting our strength to carry a single stone, we removed them all, and constructed our little quay. The workmen were surprised the next morning at not finding their stones, which had been conveyed to our wharf. Enquiries were made respecting the authors of this conveyance ; we were discovered, complaints were exhibited against us, many of us underwent correction on the part of our parents, and tho' I strenuously defended the utili- ty of the work, my father at length convinced me, that nothing which was not strictly honest, could be useful. 13^ FIIANKLIN. It will not, perhaps, be uninteresting to yon to know what sort of a man my father was. Ke had an excellent constitution, was of a middle size, but well made and strong, and extremely active in whatever he undertook. He designed with a degree of neatness, and knew a little of music. His voice was sonorous and agreeable, so that when he sung a psalm or hymn with accompaniment of his violin, as was his frequent practice in an evening, when tiie labours of the day were finished, it was truly delightful to hear him. He was versed also in mechanics, and could, upon occasion, use the tools of a variety of trades. But his greatest excellence was, a sound un.ler3tanding and solid judgment in matters of prudence, both in public and private life. In the former, indeed, he never en- gaged, because his numerous family, and the medio- crity of his fortune, kept him unremittingly employed in the duties of iiis profession. But I very well re- member, that the leading men of the place used fre- quently to come and ask his advice respecting affairs of the town, or -of the church to which he belonged, and that they paid much deference to his opinion. Individuals were also in the habit of consulting him in their private alfairs, and he was often chosen arbiter between contending parlies. He was fond of having at his table, as often as pos- sible, some friends or well informed neighbours, ca- pable of rational conversation, and he was always care- ful to introduce \iseful or ingenious topics of discomse, which might tend to form the minds of his children. By this m.eans, he early attracted our attention to what was just, prudent and benelicial in the conduct of life. He never talked of the meats which appeared upon the table, never discussed whether they were well or ill dressed, of a good or bad flavour, high-seasoned, or otherwise preferable or inferior to this or that dish of a similar kind. Thus, accustomed, from my infan- cy, to the utmost inattention as to these objects, I have always been perfectly regardless of what kind of food was before me j and I pay so little attention to it FRANKLIN. 139 it, even now, that it would be a hard matter for me recollect, u few hours after I had dined, of what my dinner had consisted. When travellmg, I have often particularly experienced the advantage of tliis habit ; for it has often happened to me to be in company with I)ersons who, having a more delicate, because a more exercised taste, have suffered in many cases consider- able inconvenience ; while, as to myself, I have had nothinj^ to desire. My mother was likewise possessed of an excellent constitution. She suckled all her ten children, and I never heard either her or my father complain of any other disorder than that of which they died ; my father at the age of 87, and my mother at 85. They are buried at Boston, where, a few years ago, I placed a marble over their grave. I continued employed in my father's trade for the space two years ; that is to say, till I arrived at twelve years of age. About this time my brother John, who had served his apprenticeship in London, having quitted my father, and being married and set- tled in business on his own account at Rhode-Island, I was destined to all appearance to supply his place and be a candle-maker all my life : but my dislike of this occupation continuing-, my father was apprehen- sive, that, if a m.ore agreeable one were not onered me, I might play the truant and escape to sea ; as, to his great mortihcation, my brother Josias had done. lie therefore took me sometimes to see masons, coop- ers, brazers, joiners and other mechanics^ employed at their v/ork, in order to discover the bent of my in- clination, and iix it if he could upon some occupation that mi Q-ht retain me on shore. 1 have since in con- sequence of these visits, derived no small pleasure from seeing skilful workmien handle their tools ; and it has proved of considerable benefit, to have acquired thereby sufficient knowledge to be able to m.ake little things for myself, when I have had no mechanic at hand, and to construct small machines for my experi- ments, while the idea I have conceived has been fresh and strongly impressed on my imagination. 140 FRANKLIN. My father at length decided that I should be a cut- ler, and I was placed for some days upon trial with iny cousin Samuel, son of my uncle Benjamin, who had learned this trade in London, and had established himself at Boston. But the premium he required for my apprenticeship displeasing my father, I was re- called home. From my earliest years I had been passionately fond of reading, and laid out in books all the n)oney I could procure. I was particularly pleased with ac- counts of voyages. My hrst acquisition was Bun- yan's collection in small separate volumes. These I atterwardii sold in order to buy an historical colleclion %vhich consisted of small cheap volumes, amounting in all to about forty or fifty. My father's little library was principally made up of books of practical and po»- lemical theology. I read the greatest part of them. I iiave since often regretted, that at that time when I had so great a thirst for knowledge, more ehgible books had not fallen into my hands, as it was then a point decided that I should not be educated for the church. There was also among my father's books Plutarch's Lives, in which I read continually, and I still regard as advantageously employed the lime I devot- ed to them. I found besides a work of De Fou's, en- titled, an Essay on Projects, from which, perhaps, I derived impressions that have since influenced some of the principal events of my life. My inclination for books at last determined my fa- ther to make me a printer, though he had already a son in that profession. My brother had returned from England in 1717, v/ith a press and types, in or- der to establish a printing-house at Boston. This business pleased me much better than that of my father, though I had still a predilection for the sea.-^ To prevent the etfects which might result from this inclination, my father was impatient to see me engag- ed with my brother. I held back for some time ; at length however I suffered myself to be persuaded, and signed my indentures, being then only twelve years FRANKLIN. 141 years of age. It was agreed tliat I should serve as apprentice to the age of 21, and should receive journeyman's wages only during the last year. In a very short time I made great proHciency in this business, and became very serviceable to my bro- ther. I had now an opportunity of procuring better books. The acquaintance I necessarily formed with booksellers' apprentices, enabled me to borrow a vo- lume now and then, which I never failed to return punctually and without injury. How olten has it hap- pened to me to pass the greater part of the night iu reading by my bed-side, when the book had been lent me in the evening, and was to be returned the next morning, lest it might be missed or v/anted ! At length, Matthew Adams, an ingenious trades- man, who had a handsome collection of books, and who frequented our printing-house, took notice of me. He invited me to see his library, and had the good- ness to lend me any books I was desirous of reading. I then took a strange fancy for poetry, and composed several little pieces. My brother, thinking he might find his account in it, encouraged me and engaged me to write two b^dlads. One, called the Lighthouse Tragedy, containing an account of the shipwreck of captain Worthilake and his two daughters ; the other was a sailor's song on the capture of the noted pirate called Black-Beard. They were wretched verses in point of style, mere blind-men's ditties. When print- ed, he dispatched me about the town to sell them. The first had a prodigious run, because the event was recent euid had made a great noise. My vanity was flattered by this success ; but my father checked my ex\iltation, by ridiculing my pro- ductions, and telling me that versiliers were always poor, I thus escaped the misfortune of being proba- bly a very wretched poet. But as the faculty of wri- ting prose has been of great serviceto me in the course of my life, and principally contributed to my advance- ment, I shall relate by what means-, situated as I was, I acquired the small skill I may possess iu that way. There 142 FRANKLIN. There was in the town iinother young man, a great lover of books, o^' the name of Jol)n CoHins, with whom 1 was intimately connected. We frequently engaged in dispute, and were indeed so fond of ar- gumentation, that nothing was so agreeable to us as a war of words. 7'lns contentious temper, 1 would observe by the bye, is in danger of becoming a very bad habit, and frequently renders a man's company insupportable, as being no otherwise capable of in- dulgence than by indisciiminate contradiction. Inde- pendently of the acrimony and discord it introduces into conversation, it is often productive of dislike, and even hatred, between persons to whom friendship is indispensibly necessary. I acquired it by reading, while I lived with my father, in Ijook? of religious con- troversy. I have since remarked, that men of sense and good eckication, seldom fall into this error. Collins and I one day in an argument relative to the education of women, namely, whether it were proper to instruct them in the sciences, and whether they were competent to the study— Collins support- ed the negative, and aft^rmed that the task was beyond their capacity I maintained the opposite opinion, a little perhaps for the pleasure of disputing, —He was naturally more eloquent than 1 ; words flowed copiously from his lips ; and frequently I thought my- self vanquished, more by his volubility than by the force of his arguments. We separated without com- ing to an agreement upon this point ; and as we were not to see each other again for some time, I commit- ted my thoughts to pajier, niade a fair copy, and sent it him. lie answered, and I replied. Three or four letters had been written by each, when my fa- ther chanced to light upon my papers and read them. "Without entering into the merits of the cause, l)e embraced the opportunity of speaking to me upon my manner of writing. He observed, that though I had the advantage of my adversary in correct sinl- J.ing and pointing which I owed to my occupation, I was FRANKLIN. ,43 was greatly his inferior in elegance of expression, in arrans^cmcnt, and perspicuity. OI' tliiy he convinced ine l)y several exarni)leri. I felt the justice of his remarks, i)ccame more attentive to langua|>e, and re- solved to make every elibrtto improve my style. Amidst these resolves an odd volume of the Specta- tor leli into my hands. Tliis was a publication 1 had never seen. 1 bought the volunie, and read it again and again. I was enchanted with it, thought the style excellent, and wished it were in my power to imitate it. With this view 1 selected some ol" the ];ap land Courant. The only one that existed before was the Boston News-Letter. Some of his friends, I re- member, would have dissuaded him from this under- taking, as a thing that was not likely to succeed ; a sin- gle news-paper being, in their opinion, sufficient for all America. At present, however, in 1777, there are no less than 25.* But he carried his project into execu- tion, and I was employed in distributing the copies to his customers, after having assisted in composing and working them off. Among his friends he had a number of literary characters, who, as an amusement, wrote short es- says for the paper, which gave it reputation and in- creased its sale. These gentlemen came fi^quently to our house. I heard the conversation that passed, and the accounts they gave of the favourable recep- tion of their writings with the public. I was tempted to try my hnnd among them ; but, being still a child as it were, I was fearful that my brother might be un- willing to print in hispaperany performance of which he should know me to be the author. 1 therefore contrived to disguise my hand, and having written an anonymous piece, I placed it at night under the door of the printing-house^ where it was found the next morning. My brother communicated it to his friends, when they came as usual to see him, who read it, com- mented iipon it within my hearing, and I had the ex- quisite pleasure to find that it met with approbation, and that, in the various conjectures they made respect- ing • In the year iSoo, it was compnted that there w^it: ^8o 3S[ews-pauers in the United States. — See Miller's lletrofpeft, 148 FRANKLIN. ing the author, no one was mentioned wlio did not enjoy a hic^h reputation in the couiitry for talents and genius. I now supposed myself fortunate in my judg- es, and began to suspect that they were not such ex- cellent writers as I had hitherto supposed them. Be that as it may, encouraged by this little adventure, I xvrote and sent to the press, in the same way many other pieces, which were equally approved ; keeping the secret till my slender stock of information and knowledge for such performances was completely exhausted, when I made myself known. My brother, upon this discovery, began to entertain 0. little more respect for me ; but he still regarded liimself as my master, and treated me like an appren- tice. He thought himself entitled to the same servi- ces from me as from any other person. On the con- trary, I conceived that, in many instances, he was too rigorous, and that, on the part of a brother, I had a right to expect greater indulgence. Our disputes were frequently brought before my father, and either my brother was generally in the wrong, or I was the better pleader of the two, for judgment was conmion- ly given in my favour. But my brother was passion- ate, and often had recourse to blows ; a circumstance which I took in very ill part. This severe and tyran- nical treatment contributed, I believe, to imprint on my mind that aversion to arbitrary power, which dur- ing my whole life I have ever preserved. My appren- ticeship became insupportable to me, and 1 continual- ly sighed for an opportunity of shortening it, which at length unexpectedly olFered. An article hiserted in our paper, upon some politi- cal subjects which 1 have now forgotten, gave offence to the Assembly. My brother was taken into custo- dy, censured, and ordered into confinement for a month, because, as I presume, he would not discover the author. I was also taken up, and examined be- fore the Council ; but, tho' I gave them no satisfac- tion, they contented themselves with reprimanding, and then dismissed me ; considering me, probably, as bound, in quality oi' apprentice, to keep my master's seu'ets. FRANKLIN. 149 The imprisonment of my brother kindled my re- sentment, notwithstanding our private quarrels. Dur- ing its continuance, the management of the paper was entrusted to me, and I was bold enough to insert some pasquinades against the governors, which high- ly pleased my brother, while others began to look up- on me in an unfavourable point of view, considering me as a young wit, inclined to satire and lampoon. My brother's enlargement was accompanied with an arbitrary order from the house of Assembly, " That James Franklin should no longer print the newspaper entitled The New-England Courant." In this conjunc- ture, we held a consultation of our friends, at the printing-house, in order to determine what was propc;' to be done. Some proposed to evade the order, by changing the title of the paper ; but my brother, fore- seeing inconveniences that would result from this step, thought it better that it should in future be printed in the name of Benjamin Franklin ; and to avoid the censure of the Assembly, who might charge him with printmg the paper himself, under the name of his ap- prentice, it was resolved that my old indentures should be given up to me, with a full and entire discharge written on the back, [n order to be produced upon an emergency ; but that, to secure to my brother the be- nefit of my service, I should sign a new contract, which should be kept secret during the remainder of the term. This was a very shallow arrangement. It was, however, carried into immediate execution, and the paper continued, in consequence, to make its ap- pearance for some inonths in my name. At length, a new difference arising between my brother and me, I ventured to take advantage of my liberty, presum- ing that he would not dare to produce the new con- tract. It was undoubtedly dishonourable to avail my- self of this circumstance, and 1 reckon this action as one of the first errors of my liie ; but I was little ca- pable of estimating it at its true value, embittered as my mind had been, by the recollection of the blows I Jiad received. Exclusively of his passionate treatment of I50 FRANKLIN. of me, my I)rother was by no means a man of an ilT temper, and perhaps my manners h:id too nmch of impertinence not to afford it a very natural pretext. When he knew tliat it was my determination to quit liim, he wished to prevent my finding employment elsewhere.^ He went to all the printing--houses in the town, and prejudiced the masters against me, who. according;ly refused to employ me. The idea then suggested itself to me of going to New-York, the near- est town in which there was a printing-office. Far- ther reflections confirmed me in the design of leaving Boston, where I had already rendered myself an ob- ject of suspicion to the governing party. It was pro- bable, from the arbitrary proceedings of the Assem- bly ia the affair of vay brother, that, by remaining, I should soon have been exposed to difficulties, which I liad the greater reas'>n to apprehend, as^ from my in- discreet dispfltes upon the subject of religion, I begun to be regarded by pious souls with horror, either as an apostate or an atheist. 1 came, therefore, to a re- solution -y. but my father, in this, instance, siding with my brother, 1 presumed that if I attempted to depart openly, measures would be taken to prevent me. My friend Collins undertook to favour my flight. He agreed for my passage with the captam of a New-York sloop, to whom he represented me as a young man of his acquaintance, who had an aflair wilh a girl of bad character, whose parents Avished to compel me to marry her, and that, of consequence, 1 could neither make my appearance nor go ofl* publicly. 1 sold part of my books to procure a small sum of money, and went privately on board the sloop. By favour of iv good wind, 1 found myself in three days at New-York, nearly 300 miles from my home, at the age only of 17 years, without knowing an individual in the place, and with very little money in my pocket. The inclination I had felt for a seafaring life was entirely subsided, or I should now have been able to gratify it; but having another trade, and believing inyself to be a tolerable workman, I hesitated not to ollei: FRANKLIN. 151 offer my services to the old Mr. William Rradfordt who had been tiie first printer in Pennsylvania, but had quitted that pi-ovince on account of a quarrel witli (ieor^e Keith, the Governor. He could not give mc cniployment himself, havinti; little to do, and already as many hands as he wanted ; but he told me, that hi* son, a printer at Philadelphia, had lately lost his prin- cipal workman, Aquila Rose, who was dead, and that, if 1 would ^o thither, he believed that he would eiv^ gage me. Philadelphia was 100 miles farther. I he- sitated not to embark in a boat in order to repair, by the shor est cut of the sea, to Amboy, leaving my trunk and effects to come after me by the usual and more tedious conveyance. In crossing the bay we met with a squall, which shattered to pieces our rotten sails, prevented us from entering the Kill, and threw us up- on Long-Island, During the squall, a drunken Dutchman, who, like myself, was a passenger in the boat, fell into the sea. I seized him by the fore-top, saved him, and drew liim on board. This immersion sobered him a little, so that he fell asleep, after having taken from his pock- et a volume, which he requested me to dry. This volume I found to be my old favourite work, Bunyan's Voyages, in Dutch, a beautiful impression on fine paper, with copperplate engravings, a dress in which 1 had never seen it in its original language. 1 have since learned, that it had been trunslated into almost all the languages of Europe, and, next to the Bible. I am persusided it is one of the books which Jias had the greatest spread. Honest John is the first that I know of who has mixed narrative and dialogue toge- tiier; a mode of writing very engaging to the reader, who, in the most interesting passages, finds himself admitted, as it were, into the company, and present at the conversation. De Foe has imitated it with suc- cess in his Robinson Crusoe, his Moll Flanders, and other works. In approaching the island, we found thai we had made a part of the coast wh<:re it was not possi!>Ie to Und 1J2 FRANKLIN. land, on account of the strong breakers "produced by the rocky ^hore. We cast anchor, and veered the ca- bJe toward tht; shore. Some men, who stood upon the brink, luillooed to us, while we did the same on our part ; but the wind was so high, and the wavts so noisy, that we could neither of us hear each other. There were some canoes upon the bank, and we call- ed out to them, and made signs to prevail on them to come and take us up; but either they did not under- stand us, or they deemed our request impracticable, and withdrew. Ni.^lrt c?rfTie on, and nothing* remain- ed for us but to wait the subsiding of the wind ; till when we determined, that is, the pilot and I, to sleep if possible. For that purpose, we went below the hatches, along with the Dutchman who was drenched with water. The sea broke over the boat, and reach- ed us in our retreat, so that we were presently as completely drenched as he. We had very little repose during the whole night ; but the wind abating the next day, we succeeded in reaching Amboy before it was dark, after having pass- ed 30 hours without provisions, and with no other drink than a bottle of bad rum, the water upon which we rowed being salt. In the evening I went to bed with a very violent fever. 1 had somewhere read that cold water, drank plenlifully, was a remedy in such cases. I followed the prescription, was in a profuse sweat for tlie greater part of the night, and the fever left me. The next day I crossed the river in a ferry- boat, and continued my journey on foot. I had fifty miles to walk, in order to reach Burlington, where I wus told 1 should hud passage-boats that would convey me to Philadelphia. It rained hard the whole day, so that I was wet to the skin. Finding myselt fatigued al)out noon, I stopped at a paltry inn, where I passed the rLSt of the day, and the whole night, beginning to regret that 1 had quitted my home. I made, besides, so' wretched a figure, that I was suspected to be some run-away servant. This I discovered by the questions that were asked me, and I felt that I was every mo- ment FKANKLIN, 153 nient fn danger of being; taken up u-3 snch. The next day, however, I continued my journey, and arrived in the evening at an inn, 8 or 10 miles from Burling- ton, that was kept by one Dr. Brown. This man entered into conversation with me, while I took some refreshment, and perceiving that I had read a little, hs expressed towards m^ considerable interest and friendship. Our acquaintance continued during the remainder of his life. I beli^ive him to have been what is called an itinerant doctor, for there was no town in England, or, indeed in Europe, of which he could not give a particular account. I spent the night at his house, and reached Burling- ton the next morning. On my arrival, I had the mortincation to Isarn, that the ordinary passage-boats had sailed a little before. This was on a Saturday, and there would be no other boat till the Tuesday fol- lowing. I returned to the house of an old woman in the tov/n, who had sold ine some gingerbread to eat on my passage, and I asked her advice. She invited me to take up my abode with her till an- opportunity o3ered forme to embark. Fatigued with liaving tra- velled so far on foot, I accepted her invitation. When she understood that I was a printer, she would have persuaded me to stay at Burlington, and set up my trade ; but she was little aware of the capital that "would be necessary for such a purpose. I was treated, uhile at her house, With true hospitalitya She gave . me, with the utmost good-will, a dinner of beef-steaks, and would accept of nothing in return but a pint of ale. Here I imagined mystlf to be fixed till the Tuesday in the ensuing week.; but walking out in tlie evening, by the river side, I saw a boat, with a numbei- of per- sons in it, approach. It v/as going to I'hiladelphia, and . the company took me in. As -there was no wind, we could only make way with our cars. About midnight, not perceiving the tov/n, some of the company were of opinion that we must have passed- it, ai^.were un^- i**.iliing to row any far-ther ; the rest not kiKwing where.- we were, it was resolved that we should stop. Wer 154 FH.ANKLIN. drew towards the shore, ci>lcrcd a crcckt and lauded near sojnc old palisades, wliicli served us tor lire-wood, it bcinjjj a cold uij^hl in October. Here we stayed till day, when one of llie coinpuny Ibund the \)luce in Avijicli we were to l)e Cooper's Creek, a little above Philadelphia, which in reality we perceived the mo- ment we were out ol'the creek. \Ve arrived on Sun- day abovit 8 or D o'clock in the niorniuj^, and landed on Market-street wharf. I Jiave entered into the particulars of my voyaj^e, and slial!, in like manner, describe my iirst entrance into this city, that yovi may be jible to compare be{»;in- ninp;s bO little auspicious, with t'le Injure I have since mude. On my arrival at Philadilphia, I was in my work- inj^ dross, my best clothes beiujv to come by sea. I was covered with dirt, my pockels were lilled with bhirts and stockini^s, 1 M-as unacfpiaintcd with a single youl in the place, and knew not where to seek for a IfHJi^inp;. l'utij>ucd with walking;, rowint!,-, and having j^assetl the nij^ht without sleep, 1 was extremely hun- \;Y)\ and all my money consisted of a Dutch dollar, and about a shiliini';'s worth of coppers, which 1 ^avc to the boatmen for my p:issaj;e. As I had assisted them i!» rowing;, ihey refused it at Iirst, but I insisted on their takinjj;- it. A nuui is someiinies more genc- ro\is when he lias little, than when he has imich mo- ney, jirobably because, in the lirst case, he is desirous of concealinj^- his poverty. I walked towards the to]) of the street, looking ea- gerly on bol!\ sides, till I came to Market-street, where i met a child with a louf of bread. Often had 1 made my dinner on dry bread. 1 intpiired where he had bought it, and went straight lo the baker'3 shop which he jiointed out to me. 1 asked for some biscuits, ex- peclinj;- to tind such as we had at lioston ; but they made, it scents, none of that sort in l^hiladelphia — I tJien aski;d for a 3il. loaf; they made no loaves of that price. l'indin|>- n\yself i)v«>orant of the prices as well ;is of the di;lcrcJit kinds of bread, I desired him to Kl iu^ hji\e uu'cv'penny worlli of bread of some kind o^ FRANKLIN. 155 other. lie ^ave mc three kirge rolls. I was surj^rlze^ at reccivin}> so niiich ; 1 took tlienj, however, and liav- ini^ no room in my pockets, I walked on with a roll under each arm, ealinjj^ tiie third. In this manner I went thro' Market street to Fourth-street, and j^assed the house of Mr. Read, the father of my future wife. She was standinj^ at the door, observed me, and tho't, with reason, that 1 made a very singular and grotesque ap))earance. 1 then turned the corner, and went thro' Chesnut- street, eating my roll all the way ; imd having made this round, I foinul myself again on Market-street wharf, near the boat in which 1 had arrived. I stepped into it to take a draught of river- water, and fniding myself satisfied with my first roll, I gave the otiier two to a woman and her cUild, who had come down the river with us in the boat, and was wailing to con- tinue her joui-ney. 'I'hus refreshed, I regained the street, which was now full of well dressed ]Kople, all going the same way. 1 joined them, and \n as tlui.s led to a large Quakers' meeting-house, near the market- place. 1 sat down with the rest, and after lookinp' round me for some lime, hearing nothing said, and being drowsy from my last night's labour and want of rest, I fell into a sound sleep. In this state I conti- nued till the assembly dispersed, when one of the con- gregation had the goodness to wake me. This was, conscjuently, the first house 1 entered, or in wiiicli I slept at Philadelphia. I began again to walk along the streets by the river side, and looking attentively in the face of every one. I met, I at length perceived a young Qnakcr, whose countenance pleased me. 1 accosted him, and beggrd him to inform me where a stranger might lind alodg- i/;g. Wc were tlien near the sign of the Three Ma- riners. 'I'hey receive travellers here, said hc» but it is not a house that bears a good character; if you will go with me, 1 will shew you a better one. lie con- ducted me to the Crooked Uillet, in Water-street.-— There 1 ordered something for dinner, and, during^ ray ir>^ FRANKLIN.- my meal, a number of carious questions were put to me ; my youth and appearance excitini^ the suspicion, of my being a run-away. After dinner my drowsiness, returned, and 1 threw myself upon a bed witliout tak- int^ oil' my clothes, and slept till six in the evening, when I was called to supper. 1 afterwards went to bed at a very early hour, and did not. awake till the. next morning. As soon as I got up, I put myself in as decent a. t4-im as I couldj and went to the house of Andrew Bradford, the printer. I found his father in the shop,, whom 1 had seen at New-York. Having travelled on horseback, he had arrived at Philadelphia before me. He introduced me to his son, who received me with, civility, and gave me some breskfast; but told me he had no occasion for a journeyman, having lately pro- cured one. He added, that there was another printer newly settled in the town, of the name of Keimer, who might perhaps ,emi)loy me ; and in case of a re- fusal, I should be welcome to lodge at his house, and he would give me a little work now and then, till .something belter should oifer. The old man offered to introduce me to the. new printer. When we were at his house, " Neighbour, (said he) I bring you a young man in the printing bu- siness, perhaps you may have need of his services." Keimer asked me some questions, put a comi)Osing- stick in ray hand to see lipvy 1 could v/ork, and then said, that at present he had nothing for me to do, butc that he sJiould soon be able to employ me. At the same time, taking old Bradford for an inhabitant of; the town well disposed towards him, he communicated his project to him, and the prospect he had i)f success.. .Bradford was careful not tQ discover that he was the iather of the other printer; and from what Keimer;: hud said, that he hoped shortly to be in possession of' the y^reater paj't of the busijiess. of the town, led him, by artful (]uestions, and by starring some ditficullies,. to disclose all his views, v/hatjtis hopes were founded ;i upon, und hqw^he intended, .to proc?;e,d^\ L vvas i)re-.. :>ent,. FRANKLI>r. 357 sent, and heard it all. I instantly saw that one of the two was a cunninj^ old fox, and the other a perfect no- vice. Bradford left nie with ICeimer, who was stranj^c- ly surprised when I infurmetl him who the old man was. 1 found Keimer's printing materials to consist of an old damaged press, and a small font of worn-out English letters, with which he was himself at work upon an elegy on Aquilu Rose, whom I have men- tioned ahove, an ingenious young man, and of an ex- cellent character, highly esteemed in the town. Secre- tary to the Assembly, and a very tolerable poet. Kci- . mer also made verses, hut they were inditlerent ones. He could not be said to write in verse, for his method was, to take and set the lines as they Howed from hid muse ; and, as he worked without copy, had but one set of lelter-cases, and the elegy would pi-obubly oc- cupy all his type, it was impossible for any one to as- sist him. I endeavoured to put his press in order, < which he had not yet used, and of which indeed he understood nothing; and having pit)mised to come and' work ort' his elegy as soon as it should be ready, I re- turned (.0 the house of Bradford, who gave me some- tviile to do lor the present, for which 1 had my board and lodging. in a few days. Keimer sent for me to print ofT his. elegy, lie had now procured another set of letter- cases, and had a, pamphlet to re-print, upon which he set me to- woik» The two. Philadelphia printers appeared destitute of; every tjuariBcation necessary in their profession. Brad- ford had not been hi-ought up to it, and was very ilji-. terate. Keimer, tho* he understood a little of the bu- Jiiness, was merely a compositor, and wholly incapa- ble of working at press. Me had read one of the French prophets, and knew how to imitate their sui>eniatural afj^ilations. At the time of our first acquaintance he professed no particular religion, but a little of all up. on occasion. He was totally ignorant of the world, and a great knave at heiU't, as I had afterwards an op ... jxjrtunity of experiencinii^, . IWkt. 158 FRANKLINi Keimcr could not endure that, working; with him, I should lodg-e at Bradford's. He had indeed a house, but it was unfurnished, so that he could not take me in. He procured me a lodging at Mr. Read's, his landlord, whom t have already mentioned. My trunk and effects beinp^ now arrived, I thought of making, in the eyes of Miss Read, a more respectable appear- ance than when chance exhibited me to her view, eat- ing my roll, and wandering in the streets. From this period I began to contract acquaintance with such young people of the town as were fond of reading, and spent my evenings with them agreeably* while, at the same time, I gained money by my hi- dustry, and, thanks to my frugality, lived contented. 1 thus forgot Boston as much as possible, and wished every one to be ignorant of the place of my residence, except my friend Collins, to whom 1 wrote, and who kept my secret. An incident however occuircd, which sent mc home sooner than 1 had proposed. 1 had a brother-in-law, of the name of Robert Holmes, master of u trading sloop from Boston to Delaware. Being at Newcastle, forty miles bclov/ Pliilack'lphia, he heard of me, and wrote to inform me ot the chagrin which my sudden departure from Boston had occasioned my parents^, and of the a'fection which they still entertained for me, assuring me that, if 1 would return, every thing should be adjusted to my satisfaction ; and he v/as ve- Yj pressing in his entreaties. I answered his letter, thanked him for his advice, and explained the reasons which had induced me to quit Boston, with such force and clearness, that he was convinced 1 had been less to blame than he had imagined. Sir William Keith, Governor of the province, was- at Newcastle at the time. Captahi Holmes, being by chance in his company when he received my letter, look occasion to speak of me, and shewed it liim. The Ciovernor read it, and appeared surpi-ised v/hcn he learned my age. He thought me, he said, a young man of very promising talents, and tliat, of conse- quence, FRANKLIN. 159 quence, I ought to be encouraged ; that there were at Philadt^lphia none but very iguorant printers, and that if 1 were to set up for myself, he had no doubt of my success; that, for his own part, he would procure me all the public business, and .would render me every other service in his power. IMy brother-in-law related all this to me afterwards at Boston, but I knew nothint.'- of it at the time ; when one day, Keimer and I being at work together near the window, we saw the Gover- nor and another gentleman, Colonel French, of New- castle, handsomely dressed, cross the street, and make directly for our house. "We heard them at the door, and Keimer, believing it to be a visit to himself, went immediately down ; but the Governor inquired for me, came up stairs, and, with a condescension and politeness to which i had not at all been accustomed, paid me many compliments, desired to be acquainted Avith me, obligingly reproached me for not having made myself known to him on my arrival in the town, and wished me to accompany him to a tavern, where he and Colonel French were going to taste some ex- ccillent Madeira wine. 1 was, 1 confess, somewhat surprized, and Keimer appeared thunderstruck. 1 went, however, with the Gov'Ci-nor and the Colonel to a tavern at the corner of Third-street, where, while we were drinkmg the Ma- deira, he proposed to me to establish a printing-house, lie set forth the probabilities of success, and himself and Colonel French assured me, that 1 should have tJieir protection and hiHuence in obtaining the printing of the public j)apers of both Governments ; and as I appeared to doubt whether my father would assist me in this enterprise, Sir William said that he would give vne a letter to him, in which he would represent the advantages of the scheme in a light which he had no doubt would detennine him. It was thus concluded, that I should return to Boston by the fa'st vessel, with the letter of recommendation from the Governor to my Ivither. Meanwhile tlie ]jroject was to be kept se- cret, and I continued to work for Keimer as before.. Tlic i6o, FRANKLIN. The Governor sent every now and then to invite me to dine with him. I considered this as a very great honour, and I was the more sensible of it, as lie con- versed with me in the most atlable, famihar, and friendly manner imaginable. Towards the end of April,. 1724, a small vessel was ready to sail for Boston. I took leave of Keimer, up- on the pretext of going to see my parents. The Gov« ernor gave me a long letter, in whicii he said many flattering things of me to my father, and strongly re- commended the project of my settling at Philadel- phia, as a thing which could not hiil to make my for- tune. Going down the bay, we struck on a flat, and sprung a leak. The weather was very tempestuous, and we were obliged to pump without intermission ; I took my turn. We arrived, however, safe and sound at Boston, after about a fortnight's passage. 1 had been absent seven complete months, and my- relations, during that interval, had received no intel- ligence of me, for my brother-in-law, Holmes, was not yet returned, and had not written about me. My unexpected appearance surprised the family, but they were all delighted at seeing me again, and, except my brother, welcomed me home. 1 went to him at the printmg-otVice. I was btttcr.dressed than I had ever been while in his service ; I had a complete suit of clothes, new and neat, a watch in my pocket, and my purse was furnished with nearly 5/. sterling in money.. He gave- me no very civil reception,, and having eyed me from head to foot, resumed his work. The workmen asked me with eagerness where X had bee^v what sort of a country it was, and how I liked it* I spoke in the highest terms-of Philadelphia, the hai^-py life we led there, and expressed my inten- tion of going back again. . One of them asked what sort of money we had ; I. displayed before them a l;iandfulof silver,. which I drew from my pocket. , This v/As. a. curiosity, to which they, were not accustomed, . 3>j?p,tii', being the,, cuiTeut ntoney at Boston. . I. failed-* Mil. FRANKLIN. i64 ttot after this to let them sec ray watch ; and at histy my brother continuing sullen and out of humour, I gave them a shilling- to drink, and took my leave* This visit stung my brother to the soul, for when,, sliortly after, my mother spoke to him of a reconcili- ation, and a desire of seeing us upon good terms, ho told her that I had so insulted him before his men, that he never would forget or forgive it j in this, how- ever, he was mistaken. The Clovernor's letter appeared to excite in my fa- ther some surprize, but he said little. After some days, Captain Holmes being returned, he shewed it liim, asking him if he knew Keith, and what sort of a man he was ; adding, that, in his opinion, it proved very little discernment to think of setting up a boy in business, who for three years to come would not be of an age to be ranked in the class of men. Iloh-ncs said every thing he could in favour of the scheme ; but my father firmly maintained its absurdity, and at last gave a positive refusal. He wrote, however, a ci- vil letter to Sir William, thanking him for the protec- tion he had so obligingly oilered me, but refusing to assist me for the present, because he thought me too young to be intrusted with the conduct of so important an enterprise, and which woidd require so considera- ble a sum of money. My old comrade Collins, who was a clerk in the post-oifice, charmed with the account I ga^e of my new residence, expressed a desire of going thither ; and, while I waited my father's determination, he set off before me, by land, for Rhode-Island, leaving his books, which formed a handsome ccllection in mathe- matics and natural philosophy, to be conveyed with mine to New- York, where he purposed to wait for me. My father, tho' he could not approve Sir William's proposal, was yet pleased that I had obtained so ad- vantageous a recommendation as that of a person of his rank ; and that my industry and economy had ena- bled me to equip myself so handsomely in so short li pe- i62 FRANKLIN. period. Seeing no appearance of accommodating' matters between my brother and me, he consented to my return to Philadelphia, advised me to be civil to every body, to endeavour to obtain general esteem, and avoid satire and sarcasm, to which he tho't I was too much inclined ; adding, that with perseverance and prudent economy, I might, by the time I became of age, save enough to establish myself in business ; and that if a small sum should then be wanting, he would undertake to supply it. This was all I could obtain from him, except some trifling presents, in token of friendship, from him and my mother. I embarked once more fov New \''ork,. furnished at this time with their approbation and bless- ing. The sloop having touched at Newport in Rhode- Island, I paid a visit to my brother John, who had for some years been settled there, and was married. He had always been attached to me, and received me with great affection. One of his friends, whose name was Vernon, having a debt of about 36/. due to him in Pennsylvania, begged me to receive it for him, and keep the money till I should hear from him ; accord- ingly he gave me an order for that purpose This af- fair occasioned me, in the sequel, much uneasiness. At Newport we took on board a number of passen- gers, among whom were two young women, and a grave and sensible Quaker lady, with her servants. I had shown an obliging forwardness in rendering the Quaker some tricing services, which led her, probably, to feel some interest in my welfare ; for when she saw a familiarity take place, and every day increase, be- tween the two young women and me, she took me aside, and said, " Young man, I am in pain for thee. Thou hast no parent to watch over thy conduct, and thou seemest to be ignorant of the world, and the snares to which youth is exposed* Rely upon what I tell thee ; these are women of bad characters ; I per- ceive it in all their actions. If thou dost not take care, they will lead thee into danger. They are strangers to thee, and I advise thee, by the friendly in- FRANKLIN. 16^ interest T take in thy preservation, to form no connec- tion witli them." As I appeared at first not to think cjuite so ill of them as she did, she related many things she had seen and heard, which had escaped my atten- tion, but which convinced me she was in, the right. I thanked her for her obliging advice, and promised to follow it. Wlien we arrived at New- York, they informed me where they lodged, and invited me to come and see them. I did not, however, go, and it was v/ell I did not ; for, the next day, the captain missing a silver spoon, and some other things which had been taken from the cabin, and knowing these women to be pros- titutes, procured a search-warrant, found the stolen goods upon them, and had them punished. And thus, after having been saved from one rock concealed un- der water, upon which the vessel struck during our passage, I escaped another of a still more dangerous nature. At New- York I found my friend Collins, who had arrived some time before. We had been intimate from our infancy, and had read the same books toge- ther ; but he had the advantage of being able to de- vote more time to reading and study, and an astonish- ing disposition for mathematics, in which he left me far behind. When at Boston, I had been accustom- ed to pass with him almost all my leisure hours. He was then a sober and industrious lad ; his knowledge had gained him a very general esteem, and he seem- ed to promise to make an advantageous figure in soci- ety. But, during my absence, he had unfortunately addicted himself to brandy, and I learned, as well from himself as from the report of others, that every day since his arrival at New- York he had been intoxi- cated, and had acted in a very extravagant manner. He had also played, and lost all his money, so that I was obliged to pav all his expences at the inn, and to maintain him during the rest of the journey ; a bur- den that was very inconvenient to me. The j64 franklin. The Goyernor of New-York, whose name was Bar- net, hearing the captain say that a young- man who was: a passenger in his ship had a great number of books, begged him to bring me to his house. I ac- cordingly went, and should have taken Collins with me had he been sober. The Governor treated me with great civility, shewed me his library, which was a very considerable one, and we talked for some time upon books and authors. This was the second Gov- ernor who had honoured me with his attention ; and to a poor boy, as I then was, these little adventures did not fail to be pleasing. We arrived at Philadelphia. On the way I receiv- ed Vernon's money, without which we should have been unable to have iinished our journey. Collins wished to get employment as a merchant's plerk, but either his breath or his countenance betray- ed his bad habit ; for, tho' he had recommendations, he met with no success, and continued to eat and lodge with me, and at my expence. Knowing that I had Vernon's money he was continually asking me to lend him some of it, promising to repay me as soon as he should get employment. At last, he had drawn so much of this money, that I was extremely alarmed at what might become of me, should he fail to make good the deficiency. His habit of drinking did not at all di- minish, and was a frequent source of discord between us ; for, when he had drank a little too much, he was very headstrong. iieing one day in aboat together, on the Delaware, with some other young persons, he refused to take his turn in rowing. You shall row for me, said he, till we get home. No, I replied, we will not row for you. You shall, said he, or remain upon the water all night. — As you please. — Let us row, said the rest of the company ; what signifies whether he assists or not. But, already angry with him for his conduct in other, respects, I persisted in my refusal. He then swore he would make me row, or would throw me out of the boat j and he made up to me. As soon as he was FRANKLIN. i6i was within my reacli, I took him by the cbllar, gavid him a violent thrust, and threw him head-foremost in- to the river. I knew that he was a good swimmer^ and was therefore under no apprehensions for his life. Before he coukl turn himself, we were able, by a few strokes of our oars, to place ourselves .out of hi^ reach ; and whenever he touched the boat,' we asked him if he would row, striking his hands with the oars to make him let go bis hold. He was nearly suffo- cated with rage, but obstinately refused' making anv promise to row. Perceiving at length that his strengtli began to be exhausted, we took him into the boat, and conveyed him home in the evening, completely drench- ed. The utmost coldness subsisted between us aftet' this adventure. At last, the captain of a West-India ship, who was commissioned to procure a tutor for the children of a gentleman at Barbadoes, meeting with Collins, offered him the place. He accepted it, and took his leave of me, promising to discharge the debt he owed me with the first money he should re- ceive ; but I have heard nothing of him since. The violation of the trust reposed in me by Vernon, was one of the first great errors of my life ; and it proves that my father was not mistaken when he sup- posed me too young to be intrusted with the manage- ment of important afiairs. But, Sir William, upon reading his letter, thought him too prudent. There was a difference, he said, between individuals ; years of maturity were not always accompanied with discre- tion, neither was youth in every instance devoid of it. Since your Hither, added he, will not set you up in business, I will do it myself. Make out a list of what will be wanted from England, and I will send for the articles. You shall repay me when you can. I am determined to have a good printer here, and 1 am sure you will succeed. This was said with so much seem- ing cordiality, that I suspected not for an instant the sincerity of the offer. I had hitherto kept the project, with which Sir William had inspired me, of settling in business, a secret at Philadelphia, and I still conti, nueci i66 FRANKLIN. nued to cIo so. Had my reliance on the GovernoV been known, some friends, better acquainted with his character than myself, would doubtless have advised me not to trust him ; for I afterwards learned that he was universally known to be liberal of promises, which he had no intention to perform. But having never solicited him, how could I suppose his offers to be de- ceitful ? On the conti-ary, I believed him to be tlie best man in the world. I gave him an inventory of a small printing-office, the expence of which I had calculated at about 100/. sterling. He expressed his approbation ; but asked if my presence in England, that I might choose the characters myself, and see that every article was good in its kind, woukl not be an advantage ? You will also be able, said he, to form some acquaintance there, and establish a correspondence with stationers and book- sellers. This I acknowledged was desirable. That being the case, added he, hold yourself in readiness to go with the Annis. This was the annual vessel, and the only one, at that time, which made regular voyages between the ports of London and Philadel- phia. But the Annis was not to sail for some months. I therefore continued tp work with Keimer, unhappy respecting the sum which Collins had drawn from me, and almost in continual agony at the thoughts of Ver- non, who fortunately made no demand of his money till several years after. In the account of my first voyage from Boston to Philadelphia, I omitted, I believe, a trifling circum- stance, which will not perhaps be out of place here> During a calm which stopped us above Block-Island, the crew employed themselves in fishing for cod, of which they caught a great number. I had hitherto adhered to my resolution of not eating any thing that had possessed life ; and I considered on this occasion, agreeably to the maxims of my master Tryon, the capture of every fish as a sort of murder, committed without provocation, since these animals had neither done, nor were capable of doing, the smallest injury to FRANKLIN. 167 to any one that should justify the measure. This mode of reasoning I conceived to be unanswerable. Meanwhile I had formerly been extremely fond o£ fish, and when one of these cod was taken out of the frying-pan, I thouglit its flavour delicious. I hesitat- ed some time between principle and inclination, till at last recollecting, that when the cod had been open- ed, some small fish had been found in his belly, I said to myself, if you eat one another, I see no reason why we may not eat you. I accordingly dined on the cod, with no small degree of pleasure, and have since continued to eat like the rest of mankind, returning only occasionally to my vegetable plan. I continued to live upon good terms witli Keimer, who had not the smallest suspicion of my intended es- tablishment. He still retained a portion of his former enthusiasm, and, being fond of argument, we fre- quently disputed together. I was so much in the ha- bit of using my Socratic method, and had so frequent- ly puzzled him by my questions, which appeared at first very distant from the point in debate, yet, never- theless, led to it by degrees, involving him in difficul- ties and contradictions from which he was unable to extricate himself, that he became at last ridiculously cautious, and would scarcely answer the most plain and familiar question without previously asking me, AVhat would you infer from that? Hence he formed so high an opinion of my talents for refutation, that he seriously proposed to me to become his colleague in the establishment of a new religious sect. He was to propagate the doctrine by preaching, and I to re- fute every opponent. When he explained to me his tenets, I found ma- ny absurdities which I refused to admit, unless he would agree in turn to adopt some of my opinions. Keimer wore his beard long, because Moses had somewhere said, " Thou shalt not mar the corners of thy beard." He likewise observed the Sabbath, and these were with him two very essential points. I consented to adopt them, provided lie would abstain fi'om i6S FRANKLIN. from animtil food. I doubt, said he, ^vhether my con- stitution will be able to support it. I assured him, on the contrary, that he would find himself the better for it. He was naturally a j^lutton, and I wished to amuse myself by starving him. He consented to make trial of this regimen, if I w^ould bear him company, and in reality we continued it for three months. A wo- man in the neighbourhood prepared and brought us ©ur victuals, to whom I gave a list of 40 dishes, in the composition of which there entered neither fiesh nor fish. This fancy was the more agreeable to me, as it turned to good account, for the whole expence of our living did no exceed for each eighteen pence a week. I continued it cheerfully, but poor Keimer suffered terribly. Tired of the project, he sighed for " the ilesh-pots of Egypt." At length he ordered a roast pig, and invited me and two of our female acquaint- ance to dine with him ; but the pig being ready a lit- tle too soon, he could not resist the temptation, and eat it all up before we arrived. Durinp: the circumstances I have related, I had paid Rome attentions to Miss Read. I entertained for her the utmost esteem and affection ; and I had reason to believe that these sentiments were mutual. But we were both young, scarcely more than 18 years of age ; and 1 was on the point of undertaking a long voyage, her mother thought it prudent to prevent matters be- ing carried too far for the present, judging that if mar- riage was our object, there would be more propriety in it after my return, when, as at least I expected, I should be established in my business. Perhaps, also, she thought that my expectations were not so well founded as I imagined. My most intimate acquaintance at this time were Charles OsboiTie, Joseph Watson, and James Ralph. It was a custom with us to take a walk on Sundays in the woods that bordered on the Schuylkill. Here we read together, and afterwards conversed on vhat wc read. Ralph was disposed to give himself up entirely to poetry. He f.attertd himself that he should arrive at FRANKLIN. ,69 at gi*eat eminence in the art, and even acquire a for- tune. The sublimest poets, he pretended, when they first began to write, committed as many faults as him- self. Osborne endeavoured to dissuade him from it by assuring him that he had no genius for poetry, and advised him to stick to the trade in which he had been brought up. In the road of commerce, said he, you will be sure, by diligence and assiduity, tho' you have no capital, of so far succeeding as to be employed as a factor, and may thus, in time, acquire the means of setting up for yourself. I concurred in these senti- ments, but at the same time expressed my approba- tion of amusing ourselves sometimes with poetry, with a view to improve our style. In consequence of this it was proposed, that, at our next meeting, eacli of us should bring a copy of verses of his own com- position. Our object in this competition was, to be- nefit each other by our mutual remarks, criticisms and corrections ; and, as style and expression were all we had in view, we excluded every idea of invention, by agreeing that our task should be a version of the 18th psalm, in which is described the descent of the Deity. The time of our meeting drew near, when Ralph called upon me, and told me his piece was ready. I informed him that I had been idle, and, not much lik- ing the task, had done nothing. He shewed me his piece, and asked what I thought of it. I expressed myself in terms of warm approbation, because it re- ally appeared to have considerable merit. He then said, Osborne will never acknowledge the smallest de- gree of excellence in any production of mine. Envy alone dieto^tes to him a thousand animadversions. Of you he is not so jealous; I wish, therefore, you would take the verses, and produce them as your own. I will pretend not to have had leisure to write any thing. We shall then sec in what manner he will speak of them. I agreed to this little ariifice, and immediate- ly transcribed the verses, to prevent all suspicion. I We 57© FRANKLIN. We met. Watson's performance was the first that s^a& read. It had some beauties, but many faults. We next read Osborne's, which was much better. Ralph did it justice, remarking a few imperfections, ind applauding such parts as were excellent. He had tliimself nothing' to show. It was now my turn. I jtiade some difficulty, seemed as if I wished to be ex- cused, pretended that I had no time to make correc- tions, Sec. No excuse, however, was admissible, and the piece must be produced. It was read and re-read. iVatson and Osborne immediately resigned the palm, and united in applauding it. Ralph alone made a few remarks, and proposed some alterations ; but I defended my text. Osborne agreed with me, and told Ralph he Tj'as n© more able to criticise than he Nvas able to write. When Osborne was alone with me, he expressed himself still more strongly in fevour of ia hat he con- sidered as my performance. He pretended that he had put some constraint on himselT before, apprehen- sive of my construing his commendation mto flattery. But who would have supposed, said he, Franklin to be capable of such a composition ? What painting, what energy, what fire 1 He has surpassed the origin- al I In his common conversation he appears not to have choice of words ; he hesitates, and is at a loss ; and yet, good God, how he writes! At our next meeting, Ralph discovered the trick WehadplayedOsborne, who was rallied without mercy The Governor appeared to be fond of my company, and frequently invited me to his house. He. always tpoke of his intention of settling me in business, as a point that was decided. I was to take with me letters pf recommendation to a number of friends, and parti- cularly a letter of credit, in order to obtain the neces- sary sum for the purchase of my press, types and pa- per. He appointed various times for me to come for these letters, which would certainly be ready; and when I came, always put me off to another day. These successive delays continued till the vessel, Whtiie depiuture had been several times deferred, was ^ ' on FRANKLIN. 171 ©n the point of setting' sail, when I again went to Sir William's house, to receive my letters and take leave of him. I saw his secretary, Dr. Bard, who told me that the Governor was extremely busy writing, but that he would be down at Newcastle before the vessel, and that the letters would be delivered to me there. Ralph, tho' he was married, and had a child, deter- mined to accompany me in this voyage. His object was supposed to be, the establishing a correspondence with some mercantile houses, in order to sell goods by commission ; but I afterwards learned, that, hav- ing reason to be dissatisfied with the parents of his wife, he proposed to himself to leave her on their hands, and never to return to America again. Having taken leave of my friends, and interchang- ed promises of fidelity with Miss Read, I quitted Phi- ladelphia. At Newcastle the vessel came to anchor. The Governor was arrived, and I went to his lodgings. His secretary received me with great civility, told me, on the part of the Governor, that he could not see me then, as he was engaged in afiaiis of the utmost im- portance ; but that he would send the letters on board, and that he wished me, with all his heart, a good voy- age and speedy return. 1 returned somewhat aston- ished, but still without entertaming the slightest sus- picion. Mr. Hamilton, a celebrated barrister of Philadel- phia, had taken a passage to England for himself and his son ; and, in conjunction with Mr. Denham, a Quak- er, and Messrs. Oniam and Russel, proprietors of a forge in Maryland, had agreed for the whole cabin, so that Ralph and I were obliged to take up our lodging with the crew. Being unknown to every body in the ship, we W£re looked upon as the common order of people ; but Mr. Hamilton and his son (it was James, who was afterwards Governor) left us at Newcastle, and returned to Philadelphia, whither he was recalled, at a very great expense, to plead tlie cause of a vessel that had been seized ; and just as we were about to sail, Colonel Finch came on board, and shewed mc miuiy 172 FRANKLIN. many civilities. The passengers, upon this, paid me more attention, and I was invited, together with my friend Ralph, to occupy the place in the cabin which the return of the Mr. Hamiltons had made vacant, an offer which we very readily accepted. Having learned that the dispatches of the Governor had been brought on board by Colonel Finch, I asked the captain for the letters that were to be intrusted to my care. He told me that they were all put together in the bag, which he could not open at present ; but before we reached England, he would give me an op- portunity of taking them out. I was satisfied with this answer, and we pursued our voyage. The company in the cabin were all very sociable, and we were perfectly well off as to provisions, as we took the advantage of the whole of Mr. Hamilton's, who had laid in a very plentiful stock. During the passage, Mr. Denham contracted a friendship for me, which ended only with his life : in other respects, the Yoyage was by no means an agreeable one, as we had much bad weather. When WG arrived in the river Thames, the captain was as good as his word, and allowed me to search the bag for the Governor's letters. I could not find a single one with my name written on it, as committed to my care ; but I selected six or seven, which I judg- ed, from the direction, to be those that were intended for me, particularly one to Mr. ]&asket, the King's printer, and another to a stationer, who was the first person I called upon. I delivered him the letter as coming from Governor Keith. " I have no acquaint- ance (said he) with any such person ;" and opening the letter, " Oh, it is from Riddlesden, (he exclaimed) I have lately discovered him to be a very arrant knave, and I wish to have nothing to do either with him or his letters." He instantly put the letter in my hand turned upon his heel, and left me serve some cus- tomei's. I was astonished at finding these letters were not from the Govenior. Reflecting, and putting circum- stances, FRANKLIN. 173 stances together, I then began to doubt his sincerity. I rejoined my iriend Denham, and related the whole affair to him. He let me at once into Keith's charac- ter, told me there was not the least probability of his having written a single letter ; that no one who knew him ever placed any reliance on him, and laughed at my credulity in supposing that the Governor would give me a letter of credit, when he had no credit for himself. As I shewed some uneasiness respecting what step I should take, he advised me to try to get employment in the house of some printer. You may there, said he, improve yousself in business, and you will be able to settle yourself the more advantageous- ly when you return to America. But what are we to think of a Governor who could play so scurvy a trick, and thus grossly deceive a poor young lad, wholly destitute of experience ? It was a practice with him. Wishing to please every body, and having httle to bestow, he was lavish of promises. He was, in other respects, sensible and judicious, a very tolerable writer, and a good Governor for the people, tho' not so for the proprietaries, whose instruc- tions he frequently disregarded. Many of our best laws were his work, and established during his admi- nistration. Ralph and I were inseparable companions. We took a lodging together at three shillings and six-pence a week, which was as much as we could afibrd. He met with some relations in London, but they were poor, and not able to assist him. He now, for the first time, informed me of his intention to remain in England, and that he had no thoughts of ever returning to Phi- ladelphia. He was totally without money, the little he had been able to raise having barely sufficed for his passage. I had still 15 pistoles remaining, and to me he had from time to time recourse, while he tried to get employment. At first, believing himself possessed of talents for the stage, he thought of turning actor ; but Wilkes, to whom he applied, frankly advised him to renounce the 174 FRANKLIN. the idea, as It was impossible to succeed. He next proposed to Roberts, a bookseller in Patev-noster-RoW) to write a weekly paper in the manner of the Specta- tor, upon terms to which Roberts would not listen. Lastly, he endeavoured to procure employment as a copyist, and applied to the lawyers and stationers about the Temple, but be could find no vacancy. As to myself, I immediately got engaged at Palm- er's, at that time a noted printer in Bartholomevz-CIose, with whom I continued nearly a year. I applied very assiduously to my work, but I expended with Ralph almost all that I earned. Plays, and other places of amusement, which we frequented together, having ex- hausted my pistoles, we lived after this from hand to mouth. Ke appeared to have entirely forgotten his Vv'ire and child, as I also, by degrees, forgot my en- gagements with Miss Read, to M'hom I never wrote more than one letter, and that merely to inform her that I was not likely to return soon. This was anotheil' grand error of my hfe, which I should be desirous of" correcting, were I to begin my career again. I was employed at Palmer's on the second editidh of Woolas ton's Religion of Nature. Some of his ar- guments appearing to me not to be well founded, f wrote a small metaphysical treatise, in which I ani- madverted oil those passages. It was entitled, A Dissertation on Liberty and Necessity, Pleasure and l^ain. I dedicated it to my friend Ralph, and printed a small number of copies. Palmer upon this treated me with more consideration, and regarded me as a young man of talents, though he seriously took, me to task for the principles of my pamphlet, which he looked upon as abominable. The printing of this work was another error of my life. While I lodged in Little Britain, I formed an ac- quaintance with a bookseller of the name of Wilcox, whose shop Avas next door to me. Circulating libra- ries were not then in use. He had an immense col- lection of books of all soi'ts. We agreed that, for a reasonable retribution, of which J have now forgotten tJie FRANKLIN. 175 tlie price, I should have free access to his library, and take what books I pleased, which I was to return when I had read them. I considered this agreement as a very great advantage, and I derived from it as much benefit as was in my power. My pamphlet falling into the hands of a surgeon, of the name of Lyons, author of a book entitled. Infalli- bility of Human Judgment, was the occasion of a con- siderable intimacy between us. He expressed great esteem for me, came frequently to see me, in order to converse upon metaphysical subjects, and introdu- ced me to D\\ Mandeville, author of the Fables of the Bees, who had instituted a club at a tavern in Cheap- side, of which he was the soul ; he was a facetious and very amusing character. He also introduced me, at Batson's Coffee-house, to Dr. Pemberton, who pro- mised to give me an opportunity of seeing Sir Isaac Newton, which 1 very ardently desired, but he never kept his word. ; ;{.t , I had brought some curiosities from America, the principal of which was a purse made of the asbestos, which fire only purifies. Sir Hans Sloanc hearing of it, called upon me, and invited me to his house in Bloomsbury-square, where, after shewing me every thing that was curious, he prevailed on me to add this piece to his collection, for which he paid me very handsomely. I now began to think of laying by some money. The printing-iiouse of "Watts, near Lincoln's Inn- Fields, being a still more considerable one than that in which 1 worked, it was probable I might find it more advantageous to be employed there. I offered myself, and was accepted, and in this house I conti- nued during the remainder of my stay in London. On my entrance, I worked at first as a press-man, conceiving that 1 had need of bodily exercise, to which I had been accustomed in America, where the print- ers work alternately as compositors and at the press. I drank nothing but water. The other workmen, to the amount of about 50, were great drinkers of beer. 1 r;^) FRANKLIN. I carried, occasionally, a large form of letters in each hand up and down stairs,while the rest employed both hands to carry one. They were surprised to see, by this and many other examples, that the Ajnerican Aqua-- tic^ as they used to call me, Avas stronger than those Avho drank porter. The beer-boy had sufficient em- ployment during the whole day in serving that house alone. My fellow press man drank every day a pint of beer before breakfast, a pint with bread and cheese for breakfast, one between breakfast and dinner, one at dinner, one again about 6 o'clock in the afternoon, and another after he had finished his day's work This 'custom appeared to me abominable ; but he had need, he said, of all this beer, in order to acquire strength to work. I endeavoured to convince him that bodily strength furnished by beer, could only be in proportion to the solid part of the barley dissolved in the water of which the beer was composed ; that there was a larger por- tion of flour in a penny -loaf, and that consequently if he eat this loaf, and drank a pint of water with it, he would derive more strength from it than from a pint of beer. This reasoning, however, did not prevent him from drinking his accustomed quantity of beer, and paying every Saturday night a score of four or five shillings a week for this beverage ; an expence from which I was totally exempt. Thus do these poor de- vils continue all their lives in a state of voluntary wretchedness and poverty. At the end of a few weeks. Watts having occasion for me above stairs as a compositor, I quitted the press. The compositors demanded of me garnish- money afresh. This I considered as an imposition, already paid below. The master was of the same opi- nion, and desired me not to comply. I thus remained two or three weeks out of the fraternity. I was con- sequently looked upon as excommunicated, and when- ever I was absent, no Uttle trick that malice could sug- gest was left unpractised upon me. 1 found my let- ters mixed, my pages transposed, my matter broken, S^c. FRANKLIN. i77 &:c. 8cc. all which was attributed to the spirit that haunted the Chapel,* and tormented those who were not reg-ularly admitted. I was at last obliged to sub- mit to pay, notwithstanding the protection of the ma- ster; convinced of the folly of not keeping up a good understanding- with those among whom we were des- tined to live. After this, I lived in the utmost harmony with my fellow-labourers, and soon acquired considerable influ- ence among them. I proposed some alterations in the. laws of the Chapel, which 1 carried without opposi- tion. My example prevailed with several of them to renounce their abominable practice of bread and cheese with beer ; and they procured, like me, from a neigh- bouring house, a good bason of warm gruel, in which was a small slice of butter, with toasted bread and nutmeg. This was a much better breakfast, which did not cost more than a pint of beer, namely, three- half-pence, and at the same time preserved the head clearer. Those who continued to gorge themselves with beer, often lost their credit with the publican, from neglecting to pay their score. They had then recourse to me, to become security for them, tlieir light, as they used to call it, being- out. I attended at the pay-table every Saturday evening, to take up the little sum which I had made myself answerable for, and which sometimes amounted to near 30 shil- lings a week. This circumstance, added to my reputation of be- ing a good gabber^ or, in other words, skilful in the art of burlesque, kept up my importance in the cha- pel. I had, beside, recommended myself to the esteem of my master, by my assiduous application to busi- ness, never observing Saint Monday, My extraordi- nary quickness in composing always procured me such work as was most urgent, and which is commonly best paid ; and thus my time passed away in a very pleasant manner. 12 My • Printing-houfes, in general, are thus denominated by th« -workmen, as the firft office fet up in England, by Caxton, \yas an a Chapel in Wcftminfter. The fpirit they call Ralph. 178 FRANKLIN. My lodging in Little Britain being too far from the printing-house, I took another in Duke-strect, oppo- site the Roman Chapel. It was the back of an Itali- an warehouse. The house was kept by a widow, Avho had a daughter, a servant, and a shop-boy, but the latter slept out of the house. After sending to the people with whom I lodged in Little Britain, to in- quire into my character, she agreed to take me at the same price, three-and-sixpence a week, contenting herself, she said, with so little, because of the secu- rity she would derive, as they were all women, from having a man to lodge in the same house. She was a woman rather advanced in life, the daugh- ter of a clergyman. She had been educated a Pro- testant, but her husband, whose memory she highly revered, had converted her to the Catholic religion. She had lived in habits of intimacy with persons of distinction, of whom she knew various anecdotes as Jar back as the time of Charles II. Being subject to lits of the gout, which often confined her to lier room, she was sometimes disposed to see company. Hers was so amusing to me, that I was glad to pass the evening with her as often as she desired it. Our sup- per consisted only of ha.lf an anchovy a-piece, upon a slice of bread and butter, with half a pint of ale be- tween us. But the entertainment was in her conver- Stiiion. The early hours I kept, and the little trouble I oc- casioned in the family, made her loth to part with me, and when I mentioned another lodging 1 had found, nearer the printing-house, at two shillings a week, ■\^'hich fell in with my plan of saving, she persuaded me to give it up, making herself an abatement of two shillings ; and thus I continued to lodge with, her, du- ring the remainder of my abode in London, at eigh- teen-pcnce a week. At the printing-house I contracted an intimacy witli a sensible young man, of the name of Wygate, who, as his parents were in good circumstances, had receiv- ed a better education than is common with printers. He FRANKLIN. i79 He was a tolerable Latin scholar, spoke French Hiient- ly, and was fond of reading. 1 taught him, as well as a friend of his, to swim, l)y taking them twice on- ly in the river, after which they stood in need of no farther assistance. We one day made a party to go by water to Chelsea, in order to see the College^ and Don Saltcro's curiosities. On our return, at the request of the company, whose curiosity Wygatc had excited, I undressed myself, and leaped into the river. I swam from near Chelsea the whole way to Black- friars-Bridge, exliibiting, during my course, a vane- tv of feats^of activity and address, botli upon the sur- iitce of the water, as well as under it. This sight oc- casioned much astonishment and pleasure to those to whom it was new. In my youth I took great delight in this exercise. I knew, and could execute, ail the evolutions and positions of Thevenot, and I added to them some of my own invention, in which I endea- voured to unite gracefulness and utility. I topk a pleasure in displaying them all upon this occasion, and was highly llattered with the admiration they ex- cited. Wygate, besides being desirous of perfecting him- self in this art, was the more attached to me from there being, in other respects, a conformity in our tastes and studies. He at length proposed to me to make the tour of Europe with him, maintaining our- selves at the same time by working at our prolcrision. 1 was on rhe point of consenting, when I mentioned it to my friend Denham, with whom I was glad to pass an hour whenever 1 had leisure. He dissuaded me from the project, and advised me to return to Pin- ladelphia, which he was about to do himself. I mu'it relate in this place a trait of this worthy man's cha- racter i -u ' He hf^l formerly l^een in business at Bristol, but bailing, he compounded with his creditors, and de- parted for America, wJiere, by assiduous application its a merchant, he acquired in a few years a very con- isiderable fortune. Kctiirning to England in the s.aiiae ves- i8o FRANKLIN. vessel with myself, as I have related above, he invit- ed all his old creditors to a feast. When assembled, he thanked them for the readiness with which they had received his small composition ; and while they expected nothing more than a simple entertainment, each found under his plate, when it came to be re- moved, a draft upon a banker for the residue of his debt, with interest. He told me it was his intention to carry back with him to Philadelphia a great quantity of goods, in or- der to open a store ; and he offered to take me with him in the capacity of a clerk, to keep his books, in which he would instruct me, copy letters, and super- intend the store. He added, that, as soon as 1 had acquired a knowledge of mercantile transactions, he would improve my situation, by sending me with a cargo of corn and flour to the American islands, and other lucrative commissions ; so that, with good ma- nagement and economy, I might, in time, begin busi- ness with advantage for myself. I relished these proposals. — London began to tire me ; the agreeable hours I had passed at Philadelphia presented themselves to my mind, and I wished to see them revive. I consequently engaged myself to Mr» Denham, at a salary of 50/. a-year. This was in- deed less than I earned as a compositor ; but then I Jiad a fairer prospect. I took leave, therefore, as I believed, for ever, of printing, and gave myself up entirely to my new occupation, spending all my time cither in going from house to house with Mr, Den- ham, to purchase goods, oi in packing them up, or in expediting the workmen. Sec. &c. When every thing, however, was on board, I had at last a few days leisure. Diu'ing this interval, I was one day sent for by ft frcntleman, whom 1 knew only by name. It was Sir William Wyndham. I went to his house. He had, by some means, heard of my performances between Chelsea and Bhickfriars, and that I had taught the art •f swimm.ing to Wygate and another young man ia the FRANKLIN. iSi t!ie course of a few hours. His two sons were on the pomt of setting out on their travels ; he was desirous that they should previously learn to swim, and oflered me a very liberal reward if I would undertake to in- struct them. They were not yet arrived in town, and the stay I should make myself was uncertain. I could not, therefore, accept his proposal. I was led, how- ever, to suppose, from this incident, that if I had wished to remain in London, and open a swimming school, I should perhaps have gained a great deal of money. This idea struck me so forcibly, that, had the offer been made sooner, I should have dismissed the thoughts of returning as yet to America. Some years after, you and I had a more important business to settle with one of the sons of Sir William Wyndham, thei\ Lord Egremont. — But let us not anticipate events. I thus passed about 18 months in London, working almost without intermission at my trade, avoiding all expence on my own account, except going now and then to the play, and purchasing a few books. But my friend Ralph kept me poor. He owed me about 27/. which was so much money lost, and when consi-r dereJ as taken from my little savings, was a very great sum. I had, notwithstanding this, a regard for him, as he possessed many amiable qualities. But tho' I had done nothing for myself in point of for- tune, I had increased my stock of knowledge, either by the many excellent books I had read, or the con- versation of learned and literary persons with whom I was acquainted. We sailed from Gravesend the 23d of July, 1726, and landed at Philadelphia on the 1 1th of the follow- ing October. Keith had been deprived of his office of Governor, and was succeeded by Major Gordon. I met him walking in the streets as a private individual. He ap- peared a little ashamed at seeing me, but passed on without saying any thing. I should have been equally ashamed myself at meet- ing Miss Read, had not her family, justly despairing 1^2 TRANKLIN. of rily return after reading my letter, advised her to give me up, and marry a potter, of the name of Ro- gers, to which she consented ; but he never made her happy, and she soon separated from him, refusing to cohabit with him, or even bear his name, on account of a report which prevailed, of his having another wife. His skill in his profession had seduced Miss Read's parents ; but he was as bad a subject as he was excellent as a workman. He involved himself in debt, and lied, in the year 1727 oi' 1728, to the West In- dies, where he died. Mr. Denham took a warehouse in Water-street, ■where we exhibited our commodities. I applied my- self closely, studied accounts, and became in a short time very expert in trade. We lodged and eat toge- ther. He was sincerely attached to me, and acted towards me as if he had been my father. On my side, I respected and loved him. My situation was happy, but it was a happiness of no long duration. Early in February, 1727, when I entered into my 2 2d year, we were both taken ill. I was attacked with a pleurisy, which had nearly carried me off; I suffered terribly, and considered it as all over with me. I felt, indeed, a sort of disappointment when I found myself likely to recover, and regretted that I had still to experience, sooner or later, the same disagreeable scene again. I have forgotten what was Mr. Denham's disorder, !)ut it was a tedious one, and he at last sunk under it. He left me a small legacy in his will, as a testimony of his friendship ; and I was once more abandoned to myself in the wide world, the warehouse being con- fided to the care of the testamentary executor, who dismissed me. My brother-in-law. Holmes, who happened to 'be at Philadelphia, advised me to return to my former profession ; and Keimer offered me a very considera- ble salary if I v/ould undertake the management of his printing-office, that he might devote himself en- tirely to the superintendance of his shop. His wife and FP.ANKLIN. 1)53 and relations in London had given me a bad character of him, and I was loth, for the present, to have any concern with him. I endeavoured to get employment as a clerk to a merchant ; but not readily finding' a si- tuation, I was induced to accept Keimer's proposal. I soon perceived that Keimer's intention, in engag- ing me at a price so much above what he was accus- tomed to give, was, that I might form all his raw journeymen and apprentices, who scarcely cost him any thing, and who, being indentured, would, as soon as they should be sufficiently instructed, enable him to do without me. I nevertheless adhered to my agreement. I put the office in order, which was in the utmost confusion, and brought his people, by de- grees, to execute heir work in a more proper manner* —Among these people was one George Webb. It was singular to see an Oxford scholar in the con- dition of a purchased servant. He was not more than 18 years of age, and the following are the particulars he gave me of himself. Born at Gloucester, he had been educated at a grammar-school, and had distin- guished himself among the scholars by his superior style of acting, when they represented dramatic per- formances. He was member of a literary club in the town, and some pieces of his composition, in prose as well as in verse, had been inserted in the Gloucester papers. From hence he was sent to Oxford, where he remained about a year; but he was not contented, and wished above all things to see London, and be- come an actor. At length, having received 15 gui- neas to pay his quarter's board, he decamped with the money from Oxford, hid his gown in a hedge, and travelled to London. There, having no friend to di- rect him, he fell into bad company, soon squandered his 15 guineas, could find no way of being introduced to the actors, became contemptible, pawned his clotJies, and was in want of bread. As he was walking along .the streets, almost famished with hunger,- and not knowing what to do, a recruiting bill was put into his hand, which olfered an immediate treat and bounty- mo- i84 FRANKLIN. money to whoever was disposed to serve in America. He instantly repaired to the house of rendezvous, in- listed himself, was put on board a ship, and conveyed to America, without ever writing a line to inform his parents what was become of him. His mental viva- city and good natural disposition made him an excel- lent companion ; but he was indolent, thoughtless, and to the last degree imprudent. I increased my acquaintance with persons of know- ledge and information in the town. Keimer himself treated me with great civility and apparent esteem ; and I had nothing to give me uneasiness but my debt to Vernon, which I was unable to pay, my savings as yet being very little. He had the goodness, however, not to ask me for the money. Our press was frequently in want of the necessary quantity of letter, and there was no such trade as that of letter-founder in America. I had seen the prac- tice of this art at the house of James, in London, but at the same time paid very little attention to it. I, however, contrived to fabricate a mould. I made use of such letters as we had for punches, founded new letters of lead in matrices of clay, and thus supplied, in a tolerable manner, the wants that were most pres- sing. I also, upon occasion, engraved various ornaments, made ink, gave an eye to the shop ; in short, I was in every respect, the Jac^otmn, But, useful as I made myself, I perceived that my services became every day of less importance, in proportion as the other men improved ; and when Keimer paid me my se- cond quarter's wages, he gave me to understand that they were too heavy, and that he thought I ought to make an abatement. He became by degrees less ci- vil, and assumed more the tone of master. He fre- quently found fault, was difficult to please, and seem- ed always on the point of coming to an open quarrel with me. I continued, however, to bear it patiently, conceiv- ing- that his ill-humour was partly occasioned by the de- FRANKLIN, 1S5 derangement and embarassment of his affairs. At last a slight incident broke our connection. Hearing a noise in the neighbourhood, I put my head out of the window to see what was the matter. Keimer be- ing in the street, observed me, and, in a loud and an- gry tone, told me to mind my work ; adding some reproachful words, which piqued me the more as they were uttered in the street, and the neighbours, whom the same noise had attracted to the windows, were witnesses of the manner in which I was treated. He immediately came up to the printing-room, and con- tinued to exclaim against me. The quarrel became warm on both sides, and he gave me notice to quit him at the expiration of three months, as had been agreed between us, regretting that he was obliged to give me so long a term. I told hijn that his regret was superiluous, as I was ready to quit him instantly ; and I took ihy hat and came out of the house, begging Meredith to take care of some things which I left, and bring them to my lodgings. Meredith came to me in the evening. We talked for some time upon the quarrel that had taken place- He had conceived a great veneration for me, and was sorry I should quit the house while he remained in it. He dissuaded me from returning to my native coun- try, as I began to think of doing. He reminded me that Keimer owed more than he possessed ; that his creditors began to be alarmed ; that he kept his shop in a wretched state, often sellmg things at prime cost for the sake of ready money, and continually giving credit, without keeping any accounts; that, of conse- quence, he must very soon fail, which would occasion a vacancy from which I might derive advantage. I objected my want of money. Upon which, he in- formed me, that his father had a very high opinion of me, and, from a conversation that had passed be- tween them, he was sure that he would advance what- ever might be necessary to establish us, if I was wil- ling to enter into partnership with him. " My time with Keimer (added he) will be at an end next spring. In i86 FRANKLIN. In the mean time we may send to London for our press and types. I know that I dm no workman ; but if you ag-ree to the proposal, your skill in the busi- ness will be balanced by the capital I will furnish, and we will share the profits equally." His proposal was reasonable, and I fell in with it. His father, who was then in the town, approved of it. He knew that I had some ascendency over his son, as I had been able to prevail on him to abstain a long time from drinking brandy; and he hoped, that, when more closely connected with him, I should cure him entire- ly of this unfortunate habit. i gave the father a list of what it would be necessa- ry to import from London. He took it to a merchant, and the order was given. We agreed to keep the se- cret till the arrival of the materials, and I was, in the mean time, to procure work, if possible, in another printing-house ; but there was no place vacant, and I remained idle. After some days, Keimer, having the expectation of being employed to print some New- Jersey money-bills, that would require types and en- gravings, which I only could furnish, and fearful that Bradford, by engaging me, might deprive him of the undertaking, sent me a very civil message, telling me that old friends ought not to be disunited on ac- count of a few words, which were the effects only of a momentary passion, and inviting me to return to him. Meredith persuaded me to comply with the ia- vitalion, particularly as it would afford him more op- portunities of improving himself in the business, by means of my instructions. I did so ; and we lived up- on better terms than before our sepamlion. He obtained the New-Jersey business ; and, in or- der to execute it, I constructed a copper-plate print- ing-press, the first that had been seen in the country. I engraved various ornaments and vignettes for the bills, and we repaired to Burlington together, where I executed the whole to the general satisfaction ; and he received a sum of money for his work, which en- abled him to keep his head above water for a consi- derable time longer. At FRANKLIN. 187 At Burlington I formed acquaintance with the prin- cipal personages of the province, many of whom were commissioned by the Assembly to superintend the press, and to see that no more bills were printed than the law had prescribed. Accordingly, they were con- stantly with us, each in liis turn, and he that came commonly brought with him a friend or two, to bear him company. My mind was more cultivated by reading than Keimer's, and it was for this reason, probably, that they set more vakie on my conversa- tion. They took me to their houses, introduced mc to their friends, and treated me with the greatest ci- vility ; while Keimer, tlio' master, saw himself a lit- tle neglected. He was, in fact, a strange animal, ig- norant of the common modes of life, apt to oppose with rudeness generally received opinions, an enthu- siast in certain points of religion, disgustingly un- clean in his person, and a little knavish with all. We remained there nearly three months, and at the expiration of this period I could include in the list of my friends. Judge Allen, Samuel Bustil, Secretary of the province, Isaac Person, Joseph Cooper, seve-f ral of the Smiths, all members of the Assembly, and Isaac Deacon, Inspector-general. The last was a shrewd and subtle old man. He told me, that, when a boy, his first employment had been that of carrying clay to brick-makers ; that he did not learn to write till he was somewhat advanced in life ; that he was af- terwards employed as an underling to a surveyor, who taught him his trade ; and that, by industry, he had acquired a competent fortune. " I foresee (said he one day to me) that you will soon supplant this man, (speaking of Keimer) and get a fortune in the busi- ness at Philadelphia." He was wholly ignorant at the time of my intention of establishing myself there or any where else. These iricnds were very serviceable to me in the end, as was I' also, upon occasion, to some of them, and they have continued ever since their esteem for me. I i88 FRANKLIN. T had not long returned from Burlington before our printing materials arrived from London. I settled my accounts with Keimer, and quitted him, with his own consent, before he had any knowledge of our plan. We found a house to let near the market. We took it, and to render the rent less burthen some (it was then 20/. a-year, but I have since known it to let for 100/), we admitted Thomas Godfrey, a glazier, with his family, who eased us of a considerble part of it, and with him we agreed to board. We had no sooner unpacked our letters and put our press in order, than a person of my acquaintance, George House, brought us a countryman, whom he had met in the street inquiring for a printer. Our money was almost exhausted by tlie number of things we had been obliged to procure. The five shillings we received from this countryman, the first fruit of our earnings, coming so seasonably, gave me more pleasure than any sum I have since gained j and the recollection of the gratitude I felt on this occasion to George House, has rendered me often more disposed than perhaps 1 should otherwise have been to encou- rage young beginners in trade. There are in every country morose beings, who are always prognosticating ruin. There was one of this stamp in Philadelphia. He was a man of fortune, de- clined in years, had an air of wisdom, and a very grave manner of speaking. His name was Samuel Mickle. I knew him not ; but he stopped one day at my door, and asked me if I was the young man who had lately opened a new printing-house ? Upon my answering in the affirmative, he said he was very sor- ry for me, as it was an expensive undertaking, and the money that had been laid out upon it would be lost, Philadelphia being a place falling into decay, its inha- bitants having all, or nearly all of them, been obliged to call together their creditors. That he knew, from undoubted fact, the circumstances which might lead us to suppose the contrary, such as new buildings, and the advanced price of rent, to be deceitful ap- pearances, rRANKLIN. 189 pearances, which in reality contributed to hasten the general ruin ; and he gave me so long a detail of mis- fortunes actually existing, or which were soon to take place, that he left me almost in a state of despair.— . Had I known this man before I entered into trade, 1 should doubtless never have ventured. He, however, continued to live in this place of decay, and to declaim in the same style, refusing for many years to buy a house, because all was going to wreck ; and, in tiie end, I had the satisfaction to see him pay hve times as much for one as it would cost him had he purchas- ed it when he first began his lamentations. I ought to have related, that, during the autumn of the preceding year, I had united the majority of well- informed persons into a club, which we called by the name of the Ju7ito, and the object of which was to im- prove our understandings. We met every triday. The regulations I drew up obliged every member to propose, in his mm, one or more questions upon some point of morality, politics, or philosophy, which were to be discussed by the society ; and to read once in in three months, an essay of his own composition, on whatever subject he pleased. Our debates were un- der the direction of a president, and were to be dictat- ed only by a sincere desire of truth, the pleasure of disputing, and the vanity of triumph having no share in the business ; and in order to prevent undue warmth every expression which impUed obstinate adherence to an opinion, and all direct contradiction, were pro- hibited, under small pecuniary penalties. The first members of our club were Joseph Breintnal, whose occupation was that of a scrivener. He was a middle-i'ged man, of a good natural disposition, strong- ly attached to his friends, a greatlover of poetry, read- \n, ry object being discussed conformably to our regula- tions, and in a manner to prevent mutual disgust. To this circumstance may be attributed the long dura- tion of the club, which 1 shall have frequent occasion to mention as I proceed. I have introduced it here, as being one of the means on which I had to count for my success in my busi- ness, every member exerting himself to procure M'ork for us. Breintnal, among others, obtained for us, on the part of the Quakers, the printmg of 40 sheets of their history- the rest of which was to be done by Keimer. Our execution of this work v/as by no means masterly, as the price was very low. It was in folio, upon Propatria paper, and in the Pica letter, with heavy notes in the smallest type. I composed a sheet a day, and Meredith put it to press. It was frequent- ly 1 1 o'clock at night, sometimes later, before I had finished my distribution for the next day's task ; for the little things which our friends occasionally sent us, kept us back in this work; but I was so determin- ed to compose a sheet a day, that one evening, when my lorm was imposed, and my day's work, as I tho't, at an end, an accident having broken this form, and' deranged two complete folio pages, I immediately distributed, and composed them iuiew before I went to bed. This unwearied industry, which was perceived by our neighbours, began to acquire us reputation and credit. I learned, among other things, that our new printing-house being the subject of conversation at a club of merchants, who met every evening, it was the general opinion it would fail, there being already two printing-houses in the town, Keimer's and Bradford's. But Dr. Bard, whom you and I had occasion to see, many years after, at his native town of St. Andrew's, in Scotland, was of a different opinion. " The indus- try of this Franklin (said he) is superior to any thing of the kind 1 have ever witnessed. 1 see him still at work when I return from the club at night, and he is at it again in the morning before his neighbours are out 192 FRANKLIN^ out of bed." This account struck the rest of the as- sembly, and shortly after, one of its members came to our house, and offered to supply us with articles of stationary ; but we wished not as yet to embarrass ourselves with keeping a shop. It is not for the sake of applause that I enter so freely into the particulars of my industry, but that such of my descendants as shall read these memoirs, may know the use of this virtue, by seeing, in the recital of my life, the effects it operated in my favour. George Webb, having found a friend who lent him the necessary sum to buy out his time with Keimer, came one day to offer himself to us as a journeyman. We could not employ him immediately ; but I fool- ishly told him, under the rose, that 1 intended shortly to publish a new periodical paper, and that we should then have work for him. My hopes of success, which I imparted to him, were founded on the circumstance, that the only paper we had in Philadelphia at that time, and which Bradford printed, was a paltry thing, miserably conducted, in no respect amusing, and yet was profitable. Webb betrayed my secret to Keimer, who, to prevent me, immediately published the Pros- pectus of a paper that he intended to institute himself, and in which Webb was to be engaged. I was exasperated at this proceeding, and, with a view to counteract them, not being able at present to institute my own paper, I wrote some humorous pieces in Bradford's, under the title of the Busy Body, and which was continued for several months by Breintnal. I hereby fixed the attention of the public upon Brad- ford's paper; and the Prospectus of Keimer, which he turned into ridicule, was treated with contempt. He began, notwithstanding, his paper, and after con- tinuing it for 9 months, having at most not more than 90 subscribers, he offered it me for a mere trifle. I had for some time been ready for such an engage- ment ; I therefore instantly took it upon myself, imd in a few years it proved extremely profitable to me. Our FRANKLIN. 193 'Our first number produced no other efTect than any other paper which had appeared in the province, as to type and priming; but some remarks, in my peculiar style of writinrj, upon the dispute which then prevail- ed between Governor Burnet and the Massachusetts Assembly, struck some persons, as above mediocrity, caused ihe paper, and its editors, to be talked of, and in a few weeks induced them to become our subscrib- ers. Many others followed their example, and our subscription began to increase. This was one of the first good effects of the pains I had taken to learn to put my ideas on paper. I derived this further advan- tage from it, that the leading men in the place, see- ing, in the author of this publication, a man so well able to use his pen, thought it right to encourage and patronise me. The votes, laws, and other public pieces, were print- ed by Bradford. An address of the house of Assem- bly to the Governor, had been executed by him in a very coarse and incorrect manner. We re-printed it M ith accuracy and neatness, and sent a copy to every member; they perceived the dilf^^rence, and it so strengthened the iulluence of our friends in the As- sembly, that we were nominated its printer for the fol- lowing year. Among these fiiends I ought not to forget one member in pr.rticular, Mr. Hamilton, v/hom I have mentioned in a former part of my narrative,' and who' was now returned from England. He warmly inte- rested himself forme on this occasion, as he did like- wise on many others afterwards, having continued his kindness to me till his death. About this period Mr. Vei^non reminded me of the debt! owed liim, but without pressing me for pay- ment. I wrote him a handsome letter on the occa- sion begging him to wait a little longer, to which he consented; and as soon as I was able I paid him prin- cipal and interest, with many expressions ofgratiUide: so that this error of my life was in a maun'er atoned for. K But 194 FRANKLIN, But another trouble now happened to me, which I had not the smallest reason to expect. Meredith's fa- ther, who, according to our agreement, was to defray the whole expence of our printing materials, had only paid 100/. Another hundred was still due, and the merchant being tired of waiting commenced a suit a- gainst us. We bailed the action, with the melancho- ly prospect, that, if the money was not forth-coming at the time fixed, the affair would come to issue, judg- ment, be put in execution, our delightful hopes be anni- hilated, and ourselves entirely ruined ; as the type and press must be sold, perhaps at half their value, to pay the debt. In this distress, two real friends, whose generous conduct I have never forgotten, and never shall forget while I retain the remembrance of any thing, came to me separately, without the knowledge of each other, and without my having applied to them. Each offer- ed me whatever sum might be necessary to take the business into my own hands, if the thing was practica- ble, as they did not like I should continue in partner- ship with Meredith, who, they said, was frequently seen drunk in the streets, and gambling at ale-houses, which very much injured our credit. These friends ■were William Coleman and Robert Grace. I paid the partnership debts, and continued the business on my own account, taking care to inform the public, by advertisement, of the partnership being dissolved. This •Wiis, 1 think, in the year 1729, or thereabout. Nearly at the same period the people demanded a new emission of paper money, the existing and on- ly one that had taken place in the province, and which amounted to 15,000/. being soon to expire. The wealthy inhabitants, prejudiced against every sort of paper currency, from the fear of its depreciation, of which there had been an instance in New-England, to the injury of its holders, strongly opposed the mea- sure. We had discussed this atfair in our Junto, in which I was on the side of the new emission ; con- vinced that the first small sum fabricated hi 1723, had done niANKLIN. 19J done much good in the province, by favouring com- merce, industry and population, since all the houses were now inhabited,and many others building ; where- as I remembered to have seen, wJicn first I paraded the streets of Philadelphia, eating my roll, the majori- ty of those in Walnut-street, Second-street, Fourth- street, as well as a great number in Chesnut and other streets, with papers on them, signifying that they were to be let, which made me think at the time that the inhabitants of the town Avere deserting it one after another. Our debates made me so fully master of the sub- ject, that I wrote and pubHshed an anonym.ous pam- phlet, entitled, '' An Enquiry into the Nature and Necessity of a Paper Currency." It was very well received by the lower and middling class of people ; but It displeased the opulent, as it increased the cla- mour m favour of the new emission Having, how- ever, no writer among them capable of answering- it, then- opposition became less violent; and there beino- HI the House of Assembly a majority for the measure It passed. The friends I had acquired in the House persuaded that I had done the country essentird ser' vice on this occasion, rewarded me by givini^ me the printmg of the bills. It was a lucrative emi^oyment, and proved a very seasonable help to me ; another ad- vantage which I derived from having habituated -my- sell to write. ^ Time and experience so fully demonstrate.! tl,e uti- Ii.y of paper currency, tl,at it never experienced any ,,0,000/. and m the year 1 439, to 80,000/. It l,as since risen, dm-mg the last war, to 350,000/. trade, build! S ^ Ifl'^i''*'"" ''^""S i» the i.Uerval con in.mlly ncreased but I am now convinced that there are lim t^ beyond winch paper „,oney would be prejudicial I soon after obtained, by the influence of my friend Hamdton, the pruning of tl,e Newcastle paper more another protuable work, as I then tho„|h T^ tJnngs appearing great to persons of moderL fortune • and 196 FRANKLIN. and they were really great to me, as proving cyreat en- couragements. He also procured me the j)nnting oi the laws and votes of that government, which 1 re- tained us long as I continued in the business. I now opened a small stationer's shop. I kept bonds and agreements of all kinds, drawn up in a more accurate form than had yet been seen in thatpavt of the world, a work in which I was assisted by my friend Brcintnal. 1 liadalso paper, parchment, paste- board, books, See. One Whitemash, an excellent compositor, whom I had known in London, came to offer himself. I engaged him, and he continued con- stantly to work with me ; I ali^o took an apprentice, the son of Aquila Rose. I began to pay, by degrees, the debt I had contract- ed, ancl in order to insure my credit and character as a tradesman, I took care not only to be really indus- trious and frugal, but also to avoid every appearance of the contrary. I was plainly dressed, and never seen in any place of public amusement. I never went a i!shing or hunting. A book, indeed, enticed me sometimes from my work, but it was seldom, by stealth, and occasioned no scandal ; and to show that I was not above my profession, I conveyed home sometimes in a wheelbarrow the paper I purchased at the. ware- houses. I thus obtained the reputation of being an industri- ous young man, and very punctual in my payments. The merchants who imported articles of stationary so- licited my custom, others otlered to furnish me with books, and my little trade went on prosperously. Meanv/hile the business and credit of Keimer di- minishing every day, he was at last forced to sell his stock to satisfy his creditors, and he betook himself to Earbadoes, where he lived some time in a very im- poverished state. His apprentice, David Harry, whom I had instructed while 1 worked with Keimer, having bought his materials, succeerlcd him in the business. 1 was apprehensive at first of finding in Harry a pow- eifui competitor, as he was allied to an opulent and re- FRANKLIN. 197 respectable family; I therefore proposed a partner- ship, which, happily for me, he rejected Avith disdain. He was extremely proud, thought himself a fine gen- tleman, lived extravagantly, and pursued amusements which suffered him to be scarcely ever at home ; of consequence, he became in debt, neglected his busi- ness, and business neglected him. Finding in a short lime nothing to be done in the country, he followed V Keimer to Barbadoes, carrying his printing materials with him. There the apprentice employed his old 5-naster as a journey man. They were continually quarreling, and Harry r,till getting in debt, was oblig- ed at last to sell his press and types, and return to his old occupation of husbandry in Pennsylvania. The person who purchased theni employed Keimer to ma- nage the business, but he died a few years after. I had now at Philadelphia no competitor but Brad- ford, who, being in easy circumstances, did not engage in the printing of books, except now and then as workmen chanced to orfer themselves, and was not anxious to extend Iiis trade. He had, however, one advantage over me, as he had the direction of the post- ollice, and was, of consequence, supposed to have bet- ter opportimitics of obtaining news. His paper was also supposed to be more advantageous to advertising customers, and, in consequence of that supposition, his advertisements were much more numerous than mine; tJiis was a s(/urce of great profit to him, and disadvantageous to me. It was to 110 purpose that I really procured other papers, and distributed my own, by means of the post, the puljlic took for granted my inabihty in tliis respect, and 1 was indeed unable to conquer it in any other mode than by bribing the post- boys, who served me only by stealth, Bradford being so illiberal as to forbid thern. This treatment of his excited my resentment, and my disgust wa*; so rooted, that v/hen I afterwards succeeded him in the poot-of- fjce, I took care to avoid copying his example. 1 had hitherto continued to board with Godfrey, o6 FRANKLIN. their assent. Repeated sparks were drawn from the key, a phial was charged, a shock given, and all the experiments made which are usually performed with electricity. By these experiments, Franklin's theory was esta- blished in the most firm manner. When the truth of it could no longer be doubted, the vanity of men en- deavoured to detract from its merit. That an Ame- rican, an inhabitant of the obscure city of Philadel- phia, the name of which was hardly known, should be able to make discoveries, and to frame theories, which had escaped the notice of the enlightened phi- losophers of Europe, was too mortifying to be admit- ted. He must certainly have taken the idea from some body else. An American, a being of an infe- rior order, make discoveries 1 — Impossible. It was said, that the Abbe Nollet, in 1748, had suggested the idea of the similarity of lightning and electricity, in his Le9ons de Physique. It is true, tliat the Abbe mentions the idea, but he throws it out as a bare con- jecture, and proposes no mode of ascertaining the truth of it. He himself acknowledges, that Franklin first entertained the bold thought of bringing lightning from the heavens, by means of pointed rods fixed in the air. The similarity ot electricity and lightning is so stronp;, that we need not be surprised at notice be- ing taken of it, as soon as electrical phenomena be- came familiar. "We find it mentioncil by Dr. Wail and Mr. Grey, while tlie science was in its infancy. But the honour of forming a regular theory of thun- der-gusts, of suggesting a mode of determining the truth of it by experiments, and of putting these ex- periments in practice, and thus establishing his theory upon a firm and solid basis, is incontestibly due to Franklin. D'Alibard, who made the experiments in France, says, that he only followed the track which Franklin had pointed out. In September, 1752, Franklin entered upon a course of experiments, to determine the state of electricity in the cloud:i. From a number of experiments he formed FRANKLIN. 207 formed Ibis conclusion, " that the clouds of a thun- der-gust are most commonly in a negative state of electricity, but sometimes in a positive state," and from this it follows, as a necessary consequence, " that, for the most part, in thunder-strokes, it is the earth that strikes into the clouds, and not the clouds that strike into the earth." The letter containing these observations is dated in September, 1753, and yet the discovery of ascending thunder has been said to be of a modern date, and has been attributed to the Abbe Bertholon, who published his memoirs on the subject in 1776. Franklin's letters have been translated into most of the European languages, and into Latin. In propor- tion as they have become known, his principlss have been adopted. Some opposition was made to his the- ories, particulai'ly by the Abbe Nollet, who was, how- ever, but feebly supported, whilst the first philosoph- ers of Europe stepped forth in defence of Franklin's principles, amongst whom D'Alibard and Beccaria were the most distinguished. The opposition has gradually ceased, and the Franklinian system is now universally adopted where Science flourishes. In the year 1745, Franklin published an account of his new-invented Pennsylvania fire-place, in which he minutely and accurately states the advantages and dis- advantages of different kinds of fire-places, and endea- vours to shew that the one which he descril)es is to be ])referred to any other. This contrivance has given rise to the open stoves now in general use, which, liowever, difter from it in construction, particularly in not having an air-box at the back, thro' which a constant supply of air, warmed in its passage, is thrown into the room. The advantages of this are, that, as a stream of warm air is continually flowing into the room, less fuel is necessary to preserve a prop'::r tem- perature, and the room may be so tightened as that no air may enter through cracks, the conserjuences of which are colds, tooth-aches, S;c. 2oS FRANKLIN, Altho' philosophy was a principal object of Frank- lin's pursuit for several years, he confined himself not . to this. In the year 1747, he became a member of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania, as a burgess for the city of Philadelphia. Warm disputes at this time subsisted between the Assembly and the Pro- prietaries, each contending for what they conceived to be their just rights. Franklin, a friend to the rights of man from his infancy, soon distinguished himself as a steady opponent of the unjust schemes of the Proprietaries. He was soon looked up to as the head of the opposition, and to him have been at- tributed many of the spirited replies of the Assembly to the messages of the Governors. His influence hi the body was very great. This arose not from any superior powers of eloquence ; he spoke but seldom, and he never was known to make any thing like an elaborate harangue. His speeches often consisted of a single sentence, or of a well-told story, the moral of which wEis always obviously to the point. He never attempted the fiowery fields of oratory. His manner v/as plain and mild. His style in speaking was, like that of his writings, simple, unadorned, and remarka- bly concise. With this plain manner, and his pene- trating and solid judgment, he was able to confound the most eloquent and subtle of his adversaries, to confirm the opinions of his friends, and to make con- verts of the unprejudiced who had opposed him. — With a single observation, he has rendered of no avail an elegant and lengthy discourse, and determin- ed the fate of a question of importance. But he was not contented with thus supporting the ri'>-hts' of the people. He wished to render them per- manently secure, which can only be done by making their value properly known, and this must depend up- on increasing and extending information to every class of men. We have already seen that he was the founder of the public libraryjwhich contributed greatly towards improving the minds of the citizens. But this was not sufficient. The schools then subsisting were, FRANKLIN. 209 AVere, in general, of little utility. The teachers were men ill-qualified for the important duty which they had undertaken ; and, after all, nothing move could be obtained than the rudiments of a common Eng- lish education. Franklin drew up a plan of an aca- demy, to be erected in the city of Philadelphia, suit- ed to " the state of an infant country ;" but in this, as in all his plans, he confined not his views to the present time only. He looked forward to the period when an institution on an enlarged plan would become ' necessary. With this view he considered his acade- my as " a foundation for posterity to erect a seminary of learning, more extensive, and suitable to future circumstances " In pursuance of this plan, the con- stitutions were drawn up, and signed on the 13th of November, 1749. In these, 24 of the most respecta- ble citizens of Philadelphia were named as trustees. Thus far we thought it proper to exhibit in one view Dr. Franklin's services in the foundation and es- tablishment of this seminary. lie soon afterward embarked for England, in the public service of his country, and havin^: been generally employed abroad, in the like service, for the greater part of the remain- der of his life, he had but few opportunities of taking any further active part in the affairs of the seminary, until his final retm^n in 1785, when he found its char- ters violated, and his ancient colleagues, the oriji:inal founders, dej^rived of their trust, by an act cf the le- ' gislature ; and altho' his own name had been ijiserted among the neAv trustees, yet he declined to take his seat among them, or any concern in the management of their affairs, till the institution was restored by law to its original owners. He then assembled his old colleagues at his own house, and being chosen their President, ail their future meetings were held there till within a few months of his death, when they af- terwards met at the College. Dr. Franklin had conducted himself so well in the office of Post-master, and had shown himself to be so well acquainted with the business of that depart- ment, 2IO FRANKLIN^ inent, that it was thought expedient to raise him to- a more dignified station. In 1753, he was appointed Deputy Post Master General for the British Colonies. The profits arising from the postage of letters form- ed no inconsiderable part of the revenue which the Crown of Great Britain derived from these Colonies. The American Colonies were much exposed to de- predations on their frontiers by the Indians, and more particularly whenever a war took palace between France and England. The Colonies, Tndividually, were ei- ther too weak to take efficient measures for their own defence, or they were unwilling to take upon them- selves the whole burden of erecting forts and main- taining garrisons, whilst their neighbours, who par- took equally with themselves of the advantages, con- tributed nothing to the expence. Sometimes also the disputes which subsisted between the Governors and Assemblies, prevented the adoption of means of de- fence, as we have seen was the case in Pennsylvania in 1745. To devise a plan of union between the co- lonies, to regulate this and other matters, appeared a desirable object. To accomplish this, in the year 1754, commissioners from New-Hampshire, Massa- chusetts, Rhode-Island, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, met at Albany. Dr. Franklin attend- ed here, as a commissioner from Pennsylvania, and produced a plan, which, from the place of meeting, has been usually termed, " The Albany Plan of Uni- on." This proposed, that application should be made for an act of Parliament, to establish in the Colonies a General Government, to be administered by a Pre- sident-General, appointed by the Crov.n, and by a Grand Council, consisting of members chosen by the Representatives of the different Colonies, their num- ber to be in direct proportion to the sums paid by each Colony into the general treasury, with this re- striction, that no Colony should have more than 7, nor less than two Representatives. The whole executive authority v»'as committed to the President-General. — The power of legislation was lodged in the Grand Coun- FRANKLIN. 211 Council and President-General jointly, his consent be- ing made necessary to passing a bill into a law. The powers vested in the President and Council were, to declare war and peace, and to conclude treaties with the Indian nations, to regulate with, and to make purchases of vacant lands from them, either in the name of the Crown, or of the Union ; to settle new colonies, to make laws for governing these until they should be erected into separate governments, and to raise troops, build forts, fit out armed vessels, and use other means for the general defence ; and, to effect these things, a power was given to make laws, laying such duties, imposts or taxes, as ihey should find ne- cessary, and as would be least burthensome to the people. All laws were to be sent to England, for the King's approbation, and, unless disapproved of with- in 3 years, were to remain in force. All officers in the land or sea-service were to be nominated by the President-General, and approved of by the General Council ; civil ofiicers m ere to be nominated by the Council, and approved by the President. Such are the out-lines of the plan proposed for the considera- tion of the Congress by Dr. Franklin. After several days discussion, it was unanimously agreed to by the Commissioners, a copy transmitted to each Assembly, and one to the King's Council. The fate of it was singular. It was disapproved of by the Ministry of Great Britain, because it gave too much power to the Representatives of the People ; and it was rejected by every Assembly, as giving too much power to the President-General the Representative of the Crown, an influence greater than appeared to them proper in a plan of government intended for freemen. Perhaps this rejection on both sides is the strorjgest proof that could be adduced of the excellence of it, as suited to the situation of America and Great Britain at that lime. It appears to have steered exactly in the mid- dle, between the opposite interests of both. Whilst the French were in possession of Canada, their trade with the natives extended very far, even to 212 FR/iNKLIN. to the back of the British settlements. They were disposed, from time to time, to establish posts witliiii the territory which the British claimed as their own. Independent of the injury to tlie fur trade, which was considerable, the colonies sulfered this further incon- venience, that the Indians were frequently instigated to commit depredations on their frontiers. In the year 1753, encroachments were made upon the boun- baries of Virginia. Remonstrances had no efiect. — In the ensuing- year, a body of men Mas sent out un- der the command of Mr. Washington, who, tho' a very young man, had, by his conduct in the preced- ing year, shewn himself worthy of such an important trust. Whilst marching to take possession of the post at the junction of the Allegany and Monongahe- la, he was informed that the French had already erect- ed a fort there. A detachment of their men march- ed against hinii. He fortified himself as strongly as time and circumstances would admit. A superiority of numbers soon obliged him to surrender Fort Ne- cessity. He obtained honouralile terms for himself and men, and returned to Virginia. The p;overnment of Great Britain now thought it necessary to interfere. In the year 1755, General Braddock, with some regi- ments of regular troops and provincial levies, was sent to dispossess' the French of the posts upon v/hich they had seized. After the men were all ready, a dilTiculty occurred, wdiich had nearly prevented the expedition. This was the want of v/aggons. Franklin now step- ped forward, and, with the assistance of his son, in a little time procured 150. Braddock unfortunately fell into an ambuscade, and perished, with a numbei* of his men. Washington, who had accompanied him as ail aid-de-camp, and Irad warned him, in vain, of his danger, now displayed great military talents, in ef- fecting a retreat of the remains of the army, and in forming a junction v.ith the rear, under Colonel Dun- bar, upon whom the chief command now devolved.— With some difficulty, they brought their little body to a place of safety, but they found it necessary to destroy FRANKLIN. 213. destroy their waggons and baggage, to prevent their I'alling into the hands of the enemy. For the waggons which he had furnished, Franklin had given bonds to a lar^e amount. The owners declared their intention of obliging him to make a restitution of their proper- ty. Ilad they put ftheir threats in execution, ruin must inevitably have been the consequence. Govern- or Shirley, linding that he had incurred these debts for the service of government, made arrangements to have them discharged, and released Franklin from his disagreeable situation. The alarm spread thro' the Colonies, after the de- feat of Braddock, was very great. Preparations to arm were every where made. In Pennsylvania, the prevalence of the Quaker interest prevented the adop- tion of any system of defence, which would compel the citizens to bear arms. Franklin introduced into the Assembly a bill for organizing a militia, by which every man was allowed to take arms or not, as to him should appear fit. The Quakers, being thus left at li- berty, suflered the bill to pass; for, altho' their prin- ciples would not suder them to fight, they had no ob- jections to their neighbours fighting for them. In con- sequence of this act, a very respectable militia was form<:d. The sense of impending danger infused a military spirit in all whose religious tenets were not opposed to war, Franklin was appointed Colonel of a regiment in Philadelphia, which consisted of 1200 men. The north-western frontier being invaded by the enemy, it became necessary to adopt measures for its defence. Franklin was directed by the Governor to take charge of this business. A power of raising men, and of appointing oificers to command them, was vested in him. Ke soon levied a body of troops, with which he repaired to the place at which their presence was necessary. Here he built a fort, and placed the garrison in such a posture of defence, as would enable them to withstand the inroads to which the inhabitants had previously been exposed. lie re- main- 214 FRANKLIN. niained here for some time, in ord^r the more com- pletely to discharge the trust committed to him. — Some business of importance at length rendered his presence necessary in the assembly, and he returned to Philadelphia. The defence of her colonies was a great expence to Great Britain. The most efiectual mode of les- sening this was, to put arms into the hands of the in- habitants, and to teach them their use. But England wished not that the Americans should become ac- quainted with their own strength. She was appre- hensive, that, as soon as this period arrived, they would no longer submit to that monopoly of their trade, which to them was highly injurious, but ex- tremely advantageous to the mother country. In com- parison with the profits of this, the expence of main- taining armies and fleets to defend them Avas trifling. She sought to keep them dependant on her for pro- tection, the best plan which could be devised for re- taining them in peaceable subjection. The least ap- peai'vance of a mihtary spirit was therefore to be guarded against, and altbo' a war then raged, the act organizing a militia was disapproved of by the Minis- try. The regiments which had been formed under it were disbanded, and the defence of the province intrusted to regular troops. The disputes between the proprietaries and the people continued in full force, altlio' a war was rag- ing on the frontiers. Not even the sense of danger was sufficient to reconcile, for ever so short a time, their jarring interests. The Assembly still insisted upon the justice of taxing the proprietary estates, but the Governors constantly refused to give their assent to this measure, without which no bill could pass into a law. Enraged at the obstinacy, and what they con- ceived to be unjust proceedings, of their opponents, the Assembly at length determined to apply to the mother-country for relief. A petition was address- ed to the King, in Council, stating the in- conveniences under which the inhabitants laboured, from FRANKLIN, 215 from the attention of the proprietaries to their private interests, to the neglect oF the general welfare of the community, and praying for redress. FrankHn was appointed to present this address, as agent for the province of Pennsylvania, and departed from Ameri- ca in June, 1757. In conformity to the instructions which he had received from the Legislature, he held a conference with the Proprietaries, who then resided in England, and endeavoured to prevail upon them to give up the long-contested point. Finding that they would hearken to no terms of accommodation, he laid his petition before the Council. During this time, Governor Denny assented to a law imposing a tax, in which no discrimination was made in favour of the Penn family. They, alarmed at this intelligence, and Franklin's exertions, used their utmost endeavours to prevent the royal sanction being given to this law, which they represented as highly inicjuitous, design- ed to throw the support of government upon them, and calculated to produce the most ruinous consequen- ces to them and their posterity. The cause was amp- ly discussed before the Privy Council. The Penns found here some strenuous advocates, nor were there wanting some who warmly espoused the side of the people. After some time spent in debate, a proposal was made, that Franklin should solemnly engage, that the assessment of the tax should be so made, as that the proprietary estates should pay no more than a due proportion. This he agreed to perform, the Penn fa- mily withdrew their opposition, and tranquillity was thus once more restored to the province. The mode in which this dispute was terminated is a striking proof of the high opinion entertained of Franklin's integrity and honour, even by those who considered him as inimical to their views. Nor was their confidence ill-founded. The assessment was inade upon the strictest principles of equity, and the proprietary estates bore only a proportionable share to the expences of supporting Government. Af- 2i6 FPvANKLIN. After the completion of this important business, Franklin remained at the court of Great Britain, as agent for the province of Pennsylvania. The exten- sive knowledge which he possessed of the situation of the Colonies, and the regard which he always ma- nifested for their interests, occasioned his appoint- ment to the same ofKce by the Colonies of Massachu- setts, Maryland and Georgia. His conduct in this si- tuation was such as rendered him still more dear to his countrymen. He had now an opportunity of indulging in the so- ciety of those friends whom his merits had procured liim while at a distance. The regard which they had entertained for him was rather increased by a person- al acquaintance. The opposition which had been made to his discoveries in philosophy, gradually ceas- ed, and the rewards ot literary merit v/ere abundantly conferred upon him. The Royal Society of London, which had at fn-st refused his performances admission into its transactions, now thought? it an honour to rank him among its fellows. Other societies of Europe were equally ambitious of caHing him a member. — The university of St. Andrew's, in Scotland, confer- red upon him the degree of Doctor of Laws. Its. ex- ample was followed by the universities of Edinburgh and of Oxford. His correspondence was sought lor by the most eminent philosophers of Europe. His letters to these abound with true science, delivered in the most simple, unadorned manner. Altho' Dr. Frunklin was now principally occupied with political pursuits, he found some time for philo- phical studies. He extended his electrical re- searches, and made a variety of experiments, parti- cularly on the tourmulln. The singular properties which this stone possesses of being electrical on one side positively and on the other negatively, by heat alone, witnout fnction, had been but lately observed. Son^e experiments on the cold produced by evapo- ration, made by Dr. CuUen, had been communicated to FRANKLIN. 217 to Dr. Franklin by Professor Simpson, of Glasgow. These lie repeated, and found, tiiat, by the evapora- tion of ether in the exhausted receiver of an air-pump, so great a degree of cold was produced in a summer's day, that w^ater was converted into ice. This disco- very he applied to the solution of a number of pheno- mena, particularly a singular fact, which philosophers had endeavoured in vain to account for, viz. that the temperature of tlie human body, when in health, ne- ver exceeds 96 degrees of Fahrenheit's thermometer, altho' the atmosphere which surrounds it may be heat- ed to a much greater degree. This he attributed to the increased perspiration, and consequent evapora- tion produced by the heat. The tone produced by rubbing the brim of a drink- ing-glass with ^ wet linger had been generally known. A Mr. Pockrich, an Irishman, by placing on a ti.ble a number of glasses of different sizes, and tuning* them by partly fdling them with water, endeavoured to form an ins<-rumcnt capable of playing tunes. He was prevented, by an untimely end, from bringing jiis invention to any degree of perfection. After his death, some improvements were made upon his plan. The sv/eetness of the tones induced Dr. Franklin to make a variety of experiments, and he at length formed that elegant instrument wliich he has cafied the Harmonica, In the summer of 1762 he returned to America.—. On his passage he observed the singular effect produ- ced by the agitation of a vessel, containing oil floating on water. The surface of the oil remains smooth and undisturbed, whilst the water is agitated with the utmost commotion. No satisfactory explanation of this appearance has, we believe, ever been given. Dr. Franklin received the thanks of the Assembly of Pennsylvania, "as well for the hiithful discharge of his duty to that province in particular, as for the ma- ny and important services done to America in general, during his residence in Great Britain." A compensa- L tioa 2i8 FRANKLIN. tion of 5000/, Pennsylvania currency, was also decreed hhn for his services durinc^ 6 years. During his absence he had been annually elected member of the Assembly. On his return to Pennsyl- rania, he again took his seat in this body, and conti- nued a steady defender of the liberties of the people. At the election for a new^ Assembly, in the fall of 1764, the friends of the Proprietaries made great ex- ertions to exclude those of the adverse party, and ob- tamed a small majority in the city of Philadelpia. Franklin now lost his seat in the house, which he had held for 14 years. On the meethig of the Assembly, it appeared that there was still a decided majority of Franklin's friends. He was immediately appointed Provincial Agent, to the great chagrin of his enemies, who made a solemn protest against his appointment, which was refused admission upon the minutes, as be- ing unprecedented. It was, liowever, pubUshed in the papers, and produced a spirited reply from him, just before his departure for England. The disturbances produced in America by Mr. Grenville's stamp-act, and the opposition made to it, are well known. Under the Marquis of Rockingham's administration, it appeared expedient to endeavour to calm the minds of the Colonists, and the repeal of the odious tax was contemplated. Amongst other means of collecting information on the disposition of the peo- ple to submit to it, Dr. Franklin was called to the bar of the House of Commons. The examination which he here underwent was published, and contains a striking proof of the extent and accuracy of his in- Ibrmation, and the facility with which he communi- cated his sentiments. He represented facts in so strong a point of view, that the inexpediency of the act must have appeared clear to every unprejudiced mind. The act, after some opposition, was repealed about year after it was enacted, and before it had ever been carried into execution. In the year 1776, he made a visit to Holland and Germany, and received the greatest marks of atten- tion FRANKLIN. 219 tion from men of science. In his passage tliro' Hol- land, he learned from the watermen the eHcct whicli a diminution of the quantity of water in canals has in impeding the progress of boats. Upon his return to England, he was led to make a number of experi- ments, all of which tended to confirm tlie observation. These, with an explanation of the phenomenon, he communicated in a letter to his friend Sir John Prin- gle, which is contained in the volume of his philo- sophical pieces. In the following year, he travelled into France, where he met with a no less favourable reception than he had experienced in Germany. He' was intro- duced to a number of literary characters, and to the King, Louis XV". Several letters, written by Hutchinson, Oliver, and others, to persons in eminent stations in Great Bri- tain, came into the hands of Dr. Franklin.- These contained the most violent invectives against the lead- ing characters of the state of Massachusetts, and stre- nuously advised the prosecution of vigorous mea- sures, to compel the people to obedience to the mea- sures of the Ministry. These he transmitted to the Legislature, by whom they were published. Attest ed copies of them were sent to Great Britain, with an address, praymg the King to discharge from office persons vvho had rendered tliemselves s"o obnoxious to the people, and who had shewn themselves so un- friendly ro their interests. The publication of these letters produced a duel between Mr. Wheatly ruid Mr / emple, each of whom was suspected of having been instrumental m procuring them. To prevent any fur her disputes on this subject. Dr. Franklin, in one of the public papers, declared that he had sent them to America, but would give no information con einin^ he manner m wh.ch he had obtained them, nor waf this ever discovei ed. ' ^^^* Shortly after, the petition of the Massachusetts A. TZ:::^! 't^^ ^^---.ination, be^!;:";^;^ : vy Council. Dr. Iranklm attended, as agent for tlie As- 2 20 FRANKLIN. Assembly ; and here a torrent of the most violent and unwarrantable abuse was poured upon him by the So- licitor General, Wedderburne, (now I^ord Loughbo- rough) who was en£!;ag:ed as Council for Oliver and Hutchinson. The petition was declared to be scan- dalous and vexatious, and the prayer of it rejected. Dr. Franklin left nothinc^ untried to prevail upon the British fv'linistry to consent to a change of mea- sures. In private conversations, and in letters to persons in government, he continually expatiated up- on the impolicy and injustice ot tJieir conduct towards America, and stated, that, notwithstanding the at- tachment of the Colonists to the Mother-country, a repetition of ill treatment must ultimately alienate their affections. They listened not to his advice. — ■ They blindly persevered in their own schemes, and left to the Colonists no other alternative but opposi- tion or unconditional submission. The latter accord- ed not witii the principles of freedom, Avhich they had been taught to revere. To the" former they were compelled, tho' reluctantly, to have recourse. Dr. Franklin, linding all eiforts to restore harmony between Great Britain and her Colonies useless, re- turned to America in the year 1775, just after tiie commencement of hostilities. The day after his re- turn, he was elected, by the Legislature of Pennsyl- vania, a member of Congress. Not long after his election, a committee was appointed, consisting of Mr. Lynch, Mr. Harrison, and himself, to visit the camp at Cambridge, and, in conjunction with the Commander in Chief, to endeavour to convince the troops, whose term of enlistment was about to expire, of the necessity of their continuing in the held, and perseverhig m the cause of their country. In the fall of the same year, he visited Canada, to endeavour to unite them in the common cause of li- berty ; but they could not be prevailed upon to oppose the measures of the British government. M. Le Roy, in a lette' annexed to Abbe Fauchet's eulogium of Dr. Franklin, states, that the ill success of this negocia- tion FRANKLIN. zat lion was occasioned, in a great degree, by religious animosities, which subsisted between the Canadians and their neighbours, some of whom had, at dirterent- times, burnt their chapels. When Lord Howe came to America, in 1776, vest- ed with power to treat with the Colonists, a corres- pondence took place between him and Dr. Franklin, on the subject of a reconciliation. Dr. Franklin was afterwards appointed, together with John Adams and Edward Rutlrdge, to wait upon the Commissioner?, in order to learn the extent of theii> power. These were found to be only to grant pardons upon submis- sion. These were terms which would not be accept- ed, and the object of the Commissioners could not be obtained. The momentous question of independence was shortly after brought into view, at a time wlien the ileets and armies, which were sent to enforce obedi- ence, were truly formidable. With an army ignorant of discipline, and entirely unskilled in the art of war, witiiout money, without a lleet, without allies, and with nothing but the love of liberty to support them, tlie Colonists determined to separate from a country from whicl) they had experienced a repetition of iriju- ry and insult. In this question. Dr. Franklin was de- cidedly in favour of the measure proposed, and had great influence in bringing over others to his senti- ments. The public mind had been pretty fully prepared for this event, by Tho. Paine's celebrated pamphlet, Convnon Sense, There is good reason to believe that Dr. Franklin had no inconsiderable share, at least, in furnishiiig materials for this work. In the Convention which assembled at Philadelphia, in 1776, fv.r the purpose of establishing a new form of government for the state of Pennsylvania, Di. Franklin was chosen President. The late constitution of this Slate, which was the result of their delibera- tions, may be considered as a digest of his principles 2Zi FRANKLIN. of government. The single legislature, and the phi- ral executive, seem to have been his favourite tenets. In the latter end of 1776, Dr. FrankUn was appoint- ed to assist in rhe ncgociations which had been set on foot by Silas Deane, at the court of France. A con- viction of tlic advantages of a commercial intercourse with America, and a desh-e of weakening the British empire by dismembering it, first induced the French court to listen to proposals of an alliance. But they shewed rather a reluctance to the measure, which, by Dr. Franklin's address, and particularly by the success of the American arms against General Burgoyne, was at length overcome, and, in February 1778, a treaty of alliance, ofiensive and defensive, was concluded, in consequence of which France became involved in the war with Great Britain. Perhaps no person could have been found more ca- pable of rendering essential services to the United States at the court of France than Dr. Frarjklin. He ■was well known as a philosopher, and his character was held in the highest estimation. He was received with the greatest marks of respect by all literary cha- racters, and this respect was extended amongst all classes of men. His personal influence was hence very considerable. I'o the etlects of this were added those of various performances which he published, tending to establish the credit and character of the United States. To his exertions in this way, may, in no small degree, hr ascribed the success of the loans negociated in Holland and France, which great- ly contributed to bringing the war to a happy conclu- sion. The repeated ill success of their arms, and more particularly the capture of Cornwallis and his arn)y, at length convinced the British nation of the impossi- bility of reducing the Americans to sul^jection. The trading interest particularly became clamorous for peace. The Ministry were unable longer to oppose their wishes. Provisional articles of peace were agreed to, and signed at Paris, on the 30th of No- vem- FRANKLIN. 223 vcmber, 1782, by Dr. Franklin, Mr. Adams, Mr. Jay, and jMr. Laurens, on the part of the United States ; and by Mr. Oswald, on the part ot Great Britain — These formed the basis of the Definitive Treaty, which was concluded the 3d of September, 1733, and signed by Dr. Franklin Mr. Adams, and Mr. Jay, on the one part, and by Mr. David Hartley on the other. On the 3d of April, 1783, a treaty of amity and commerce, between the United States and Sweden, was concluded at Paris by Dr. Franklin and the Count Von Kruitz. Dr. Franklin did not allow his political pursuits to engross his whole attention. Some of his perform- ances made their appearance in Paris. The object of tliese was, generally, the promotion of industry and economy. The important ends of Dr. Franklin's mission be- ing completed by tlie establishment of American In- dependence, and the infirmities of age and disease coming upon him, he became desirous of returning to his native country. Upon application to Congress to be recalled, Mr. Jefferson was appointed to succeed him, in 1785. Some time in September of the same year. Dr. Franklin arrived in Philadelphia. He was, shortly after, chosen member of the Supreme Exe- cutive Council for the city, and soon after was elected President of the same. When a convention was called to meet in Philadel- phia, in 1787, for the purpose of giving more energy to the government of the Union, by revising and amending the Articles of Confederation, D\\ Frf.nk- lin was appointed a delegate from the state of Penn- sylvania. Fie signed the constitution wliich they pro- posed for the Union, and gave it the most unequivocal marks of his approl)ation. Dr. Franklin's increasing infirmities prevented Iiis regular attendance at the Council-chamber ; and in 1788, he retired wholly from public life. His constitution had been a remarkably good one. He iiad been little svibjcct to disease, except an attack of 224 ' FR.4NKLIN. of the gout, occasionally, until about the year 1781, when he was first attacked with symptoms of the cal- culous complaint, which continued dr.ring- his life. — During the intervals of pain from this grievous dis- ease, he spent many cheerful hours, conversing in the most agreeable and instructive manner. His fa- culties were entirely unimpaired, even to the hour of Ills death. His name, as President of the Abolition Society, was signed to the memorial presented to the House of Representatives of the United States, on the 12th of February, 1789, praying them to exert the full ex- tent of power vested in them by the constitution, in discouraging the traHic of the human species. This was his last public act. In the debates to which this memorial gave rise, several attempts were made to justify the trade. In the Federal Gazette of March 25th, there appeared an essay, signed Historicus, written by Dr. Franklin, in which he communicated a speech, said ta have been delivered in the Divan of Algiers, in 1687, in opposition to the prayer of the petition of a sect called Erika, or Purists, for the abo- lition of piracy and slavery. This pretended African speech was an excellent parody of one delivered by Mr. Jackson, of Georgia. All the arguments urged in favour of Negro-slavery are applied, with equal force, to justify the plundering and enslaving of Eu- ropeans. It also altbrds, at the same time, a demon- stration of the futility of the arguments in defence of ihe Slave-trade, and of the strength of mind and in- t>-enuity of the author, at his advanced period of life. It furnished, too, a no less convincing proof of his power of imitating the style of other times and na-. tions, than his celebrated parable against persecution* And as the latter led many persons to search the Scriptures with a view to find it, so the former caused many persons to search the book-stores and libraries for the work from which it was said to be extra.cted. In the beginning of April following, he was attack- ed with a fever and complaint of his breast, which tev^ FRANKLIN. 115 terminated his existence. The followin.? account of his last ilhiess was written by his friend and physician, Dr. Jones. " The stone, with which he had been alBictcd for several years, had, for the last twelve months, confin- ed him cliiefly to his bed ; and, during the extreme painful paroxysms, he was obliged to take large doses of laudanum to mitigate his tortures — still, in the in- tervals of pain, he not only amused himself with read- ing and conversing cheerfully with his family, and a few friends who visited him, but was often employed in doing business of a public as well as private na- ture, witii various persons who waited on him for that purpose ; and in every instance displayed not only that readiness and disposition of doing good, which was the distinguishing characteristic of his life, but the fullest and clearest possession of his uncommon men- tal abilities, and not unfrequently indulged himself in those Jeux cVesprit and entertaining anecdotes, which were the delight of all who heard him. « About 16 days before his death, he was seized with a feverish indisposition, without any particular symptoms attending it, till the 3d or 4th day, when lie complained of a pain in his left breast, which in- creased till it became extremely acute, attended with a cough, and laborious breathing. During this state, when the severity of his pains drew forth a groan of complaint, he would observe, that he was afraid he did not bear them as he ought — acknowledged his grateful sense of the many blessings he had received from that Supreme Being who had raised him, from small and low beginnings, to such high rank and con- sideration among men — and made no doul)t but his present arllictions were kmdly intended to wean him from a world in which he was no longer fit to act the part assigned him. In this frame of body and mind be continued till five days before his deatli, when his pain and difficulty of breatliing entirely left him, and his family were flattering themselves with the hopes of his recovery, when an imposthumation, which had L 2 form- -226 FRANKLIN. formed Itself in his lungs, suddenly burst, and dis- charged a gr«al quantity of matter, which he conti- nued to throw up while he had sufficient strength to do it ; but, as that failed, the organs of respiration became gradually oppressed — a calm, lethargic state succeeded — and, on the 17th of April, 1790, about 11 o'clock at night, he quietly expired, closing a long and useful life of 84 years and 3 months. The following epitaph on himself was written b^ him many years previous to his death : The Body of BENJAMIN FEANKLIN, Printeu, Like the Cover of an old Book, Its Contents torn out, And ftript of its Letterhig and Gilding,' Lies here Food for Worms : Yet the Work itfelf (ball not be loft. For it will (as he believed *) appear once more In a new and more beautiful Edition, Corretiled and Amended by The Author. * This may eontradii5t the opinion of thofe who are fn- fUned to alperfe the memory of this celebrated man — thofe,. who, in the vic-Ience of ])olitical or religious fanaticifm, be- cauie he did not come exadly up to the Itandard of their ten- e-s, have faid, " that Dr. Franklin was not a believer." — Here the following^ anecdote is applicable. As a thoughtlefs young gentleman, one day in converfation, was oftentatioully exj)atiating on Religion, and condemning it as a vulgar pre- jadice, he confidently ai)pealed to the Doctor, e.xpefting his ;ipprobation — '* Young man (faid the Philofopher emphati- ■cally) it is beji to believe.'* ( tr7 ) GENERAL LEE. THE family of the Lees is both ancient and re- spectable, many of them having had connec- tions and intermarriages with the principal families in the P^nglish nation, and from a pedigree done forMr» Thomas Lee, Distributer and Collector of the Stamp Duties for the county and city of Chester, North Wales, we learn that the General's father was John Lee, of Dernhall, in the said county, who was some time a Captain of Dragoons, afterwards Lieutenant Colonel of General Barrel's regiment from 1717 to 1742, at which time he was promoted to a regiment of foot. He married Isabella, second daughter of Sir Henry Bunbury, of Stanney, in the county of Ches- ter, Baronet ; by this lady he had three sons, Tho- mas, Harry, and Charles, the youngest, who is the subject of these memoirs. From his early youth he was ardent in the pursuit of knowledge, and behig an officer at 1 1 years of age, may be considered as born in the army, which, tho* it deprived him of some regularity with respect to the mode of his education, yet his genius led him as- siduously to cultivate the helds of science, and lie ac- quired a competent skill in the Greek and Latin ; while his fondness for travelling gave him also an op- portunity of attaining the Italian, Spanish, German, and French languages. Having laid a good foundation, tactics became his favourite study, hi which he spent much time and pains, desiring nothing more than to disthiguish him- self in the profession of arms. We find him very early in America, commanding a company of grena- diers of the 44th regiment, and he was at the battle of Ticonderoga, where General Abercrombie was de- feated. Here, it is said, he was shot thro' the body, but fortunately his wound did not prove mortal. Whea 228 LEE. When be returned to England from America, after the reduction of Montreal, he found a g-eneral peace was in contemplation. The cession of Canada was talked of, which gave great imeasiness to every Ame- rican, as it appeared prejudicial to their interest and safety. On this occasion he exerted himself, and published a pamphlet shewing the importance of this country, which was much approved of by all the friends to America. The celebrated Dr. Franklin, in particular, was pleased to compliment him, and said, " that it could not fail of making a salutary impres- sion." In the year 1762, he bore a Colonel's com- mission, and served under General Burgoyne in Por- tugal, and in this service he handsomely distinguish- ed himself. When a general conclusion was at length put to the war, he returned to England from Portugal, after having received the thanks of his Portuguese Majes- ty for his services; and Count La Lippe recommend- ed him in the strongest terms to the English court. He had, at this period, a friend and patron in high ofTice, one of the Principal Secretaries of State, so that there was every reason for him to have expected promotion in the English army. But, here, his at- tachment, his enthusiasm for America, interfered, and prevented. The great Indian, or what we called Pon- diack's war, broke out, which the ministerial agents thought their interest to represent as a matter of no consequence. The friends of America thought the reverse, and asserted it would be attended with dread- ful waste, ravage and desolation. This brought him once more to publish for the defence and protection of this country, by which he lost the favour of the Mi- nistry, and shut tlie door to all hopes of preferment in the English army. But he could not live in idle- ness and inactivity ; he left his native country, and cjUered into the Polish service, and was, of course, absent when the Stamp-act passed ; but, altho' absent, he ;ht himself obliged in conscience, as a citizen, an Englishman, and a soldier of a free State, to exert his utmost to defeat them." Professing these sentiments, he received a Conti- nental commission, of the rank of Major General.— As he had made war his study from his youth, seen a variety of service, and distinguished himself for his courage and abilities, one might have imagined he %vould have immediately been appointed second in command in the American army ; but this was not the case. General Ward, of Massachusetts Bay, by some means or other, had received a commission of prior date, and, on this account, perhaps to the injury of the service, he took rank of General Lee, who was at present content to act under him. Whatever his feelings were on this head, he took care to disguise them, and General Ward, on the evacuation of Bos- ton, grew weary of military honour and service, re- tired to private life, and sent his resignation to Con- gress. On the 21st of June, General Washington and Ge- neral Lee, having received their orders from Congress, left Philadelphia, in order to join the troops assem- bled near Boston. They were accompanied out of the city, for some miles, by a troop of light horse, and by all the officers of the city militia, on horse- back, and at this time General Lee was accounted, and really was a great acquisition to the American cause. On the road they received the news of tlie affair at Bunker's-hill, and arrived at the camp at Cam- LEE. 233 Cambridge the 2d of July, 1 775. The people of Mas- sachusetts received them with every testimony of es- teem, and the Congress of that Colony not only pre- sented an address to his Excellency General Washing- ton, as Commander in Chief, but, from a sense of the military abilities of General Lee, presented one to him also, couched in terms of the highest respect. — The General remained with this army till the year 1776, when General Washington, having obtained in- telligence of the fitting out of a fleet at Boston, and of the embarkation of troops from thence, which, from the season of the year and other circumstances, he judged must be destined for a southern expedition, gave orders to General Lee, to repair, with such vo- lunteers as were willing to join him, and could be ex- peditiously raised, to the city of Nev/-York, with a design to prevent the English from taking possession of New- York and the North-River, as they would thereby command the country, and the communica- tion with Canada. The General, on his arrival, be- gan with putting the city in the best posture of de- fence the season of the year and circumstances would, admit of, disarming all such persons upon Long-Isl- and, and elsewhere, whose conduct and declarations had rendered them suspected of designs unfriendly to the views of Congress. He also drew up a Test, which he ordered his officers to ofier to those who were re- puted to be inimical to the American cause ; a refu- sal to take this, was to be construed as no more or less than an avowal of their hostile intentions ; upon which, their persons were to be secured, and sent to Connecticut, where it was judged they could not be so dangerous. Thus, the General excited the people to every spirited measure, and intimidated, by every means, the friends to the English government. At this time. Captain Vandeput, of the Asia, seized a Lieutenant Tiley, and kept him on board his ship in irons. On the principles of retaliation, Lee took into custody, Mr. Stephews, an ofncer of Government, and informed the Captain what he had done, and that this gei^ 234 LEE. gentleman should not be released until Lieutenant Ti- ley was returned. This had the desired effect. His determined and decisive disposition had an amazinj^ inlluence both on the army and people, and the steps he proposed for the management of those who disap- proved of the American resistance, struck a terror wherever he appeared. Congress had now received the account of General Montgomery's unsuccessful expedition against Quebec. As flattering expectations v/ere entertained of tiie suc- cess of this officer, the event threw a gloom on Ame- rican a'fairs. To remedy this disaster, they turned their eyes to General Lee, and Congress resolved that he should forthwith repair to Canada, and take upon him the command of the army of the United Colo- nies in that province. This, tho' he was just recover- ed from a lit of the gout, he accepted ; but, v.'hile preparations were making for the important under- taking, Congress changed their determination, and appointed him to the command of the Southern de- partment, in which he became very conspicuous, as a vigilant, brave anc^ active officer. His extensive cor- respondence, his address under every diificulty, and his unwearied attention to the duties of his station, all evinced his great military capacity, and extreme use- fulness to the cause he had espoused, and was warm- ly engaged in. Every testimony of respect was paid to him by the people of tlie Northern Colonies, and he experienced a similar treatment in his journey to the Southward. On his arrival at Williamsburgh, every one expressed their high satisfaction at his pre- sence among them; and the troops of tnat city em- braced the opportunity of presenting him with an ad- dress, expressive of their sanguine hopes and iirm resolutions of uniting with him in the conmion cause. This example was followed at Newbern, North-Caro- lina, and a committee was appointed by the inhabit- ants of that town to wait upon him in their name, and, in an address, to thank him for his generous and man- ly exertions in defence of American rights and liber- ties J J LEE. 23 ties,. and to offer him their cordial congratulations for his appearance among them, at a time when their province was actually invaded by a powerful fleet and army ; and to express their happiness to find the com- mand of the troops destined for their protection, ])luced in the hands of a gentleman of his distinguished cha- racter. Great too was the joy in South-Carolina, where his presence was seasonable and absolutely necessary, as Sir Henry Clinton was actually preparing for an inva- sion of that province. The minds of all ranks of peo- ple w-ere considerably elevated at the sight of him ; it diffused an ardour among the military, attended with the most salutary consequences ; and his dili- gence and activity at Charleston, previous to the at- tack upon Sullivan's-Island, will be long remembered. From a perusal of his letters and directions to the offi- cers commanding at that post, we may justly infer, tliat America was under no small obligations to him for the signal success there obtained. And hei'e it may be mentioned, as somewhat remarkable, that when General Lee received orders, at Cambridge, to fepair to New-York, to watch the motions of the Bri- tish, he met General Clinton the very day he arrived there ; when he came to Virginia, he found him in Hampton-Road ; and, just after his arrival in North- Carolina, General CUnton left Cape Fear. Their next meeting was at Fort Sullivan, which must have made Lee appear to Clinton ashis evil genius, haunting liim for more than 1 100 miles, along a coast of vast extent, and meeting him at Fhilippi. The affair of Sullivan's Island was a most extraor- dinary deliverance ; for, if the English had succeeded, it is more than probable the Southern Colonies would, at that time, have been compelled to have submitted to the English government. Dreadful was the cannon- ade, but without el'ect. Forto Bcllo, Boccochico, and the other castle at Carthagena, were obliged to strike to Vernon ; Fort Lewis, in St. Domingo, yielded to the metal of Admiral Knowles j but in this instance, an 136 LEE. an unfinished battery, constructed with Pah-netto logs, resisted, for a whole day, the 12 and 18-pounde'rs of the Britisli fleet, to the astonishment and admu'ation of every spectator. The fleet and army under Sir Kenry Clinton and Sir Peter Parker bein^v repulsed, General Lee then flew to the assistance of Georgia, where he continued for some weeks, planning schemes to put that pro- vince in a state of defence, and to make an excursion into East Florida, as their Southern frontiers were suf- fering considerably by the incursions of the Indians, and others, from that quarter. About tlus time, the Congress were informed, by General Washington, that Clinton, with the troops un- der his command, had returned, and joined General Howe at Staten-Island. In consequence of this intel- ligence, the Congress were convinced, that the Eng- lish, by collecting their whole force into a point, were determined to make a vigorous exertion at New-York, and, in order to ensure success there, were disposed, for the present, to overlook every olhev project. The getting possession of that city, and the junction of the two armies under Generals Howe and Burgoyne, it was the Congress's opinion, were the grand objects they had in view, and for the attainment of M'hich they would give up every inferior consideration^ Lee's success in the Southern department had increased the good opinion tliey had conceived of himj his reputa- tion was in its zenith, and they now applied to him for assistance, in the present important situation of their aflaivs. An express was dispatched to Georgia, directing him to repair, as soon as possible, to Phila- delphia — there to wait for such orders as they might judge expedient. He returned with great expedition, the beginning of October, and waited on Congress im- mediately on his arrival, wlio, after consulting him, resolved that he shoukl, without delay, repair to the camp at Haerlem, with leave, if he should judge pro- per, to visit the posts in New-Jersey. Hi- LEE. 237 Hitherto General Lee had been successful, and was universally esteemed ; but Fortune now began to re- verse the scene. On the I3th of December/ 1776, at the head of all the men he could collect, he was marching to join General Washington, M'ho had as- sembled the Pennsylvania Militia, to secure the banks of tlie Delaware. From the distance of the British cantonment, he was betrayed into a fatal security, by which, in crossing the upper part of New-Jersey from the North-River, he fixed his quarters, and lay care- lessly guarded, at some distance from the main body. This circumstance being communicated to Colonel Harcourt, who commanded the British light-horse, and had ihen made a desultory excursion at tlic head of a small detachment, he conducted his measures with such address and activity, that Lee was carried off, tho' several guarded posts and armed patroles lay in the way. Great was the joy of the British, and equal the consternation of the Americans, at this un- expected event. The making of a single oiBjcer pri- soner, in other circumstances, would have been a mat- ter of little moment, but, in the present state of the Continental forces, where a general deficiency of mi- litary skiU prevailed, and t!ie inexperience of the offi- cers was even a greater grievance, the loss of a com- mander, whose spirit of enterprize was directed by great knowledge in his profession, acquired by actual ' semice, was indeed of the utmost importance. The Congress, on hearing the news, ordered their President to write to General Washington, desiring him to send a flag to General Howe, i'ov the purpose of enquiring in ^vhat manner General Lee was treat- ed, and if he found that it was not agreeable ,to his rank and character, to send a remonstrance to Gene- ral Howe on the subject. This produced much in- convenience on both sides, and much calamity to in- dividuals. A cartel had sometime before been esta- blished for the exchange of prisoners between tiie Ge- nerals Howe and Washington, which had hitherto been carried into execution as far as time and circum- stances a:38 LEE, stances would admit. As Lee was particularly obnox- ious to Government, it was said that General PIowc was tied down, by his instructions, from parting with him upon any terms, if the fortune of war should throw him into his power. General Washington, not having at this lime any prisoners of equal rank with General Lee, proposed to exchange six field officers for him, the number being intended to balance the disparity ; or, if this was not accepted, he required that he should be treated suitably to his station, ac- cording to the practice established among polished nations, till an opportunity offered for a fair and direct exchange. To this it was ansv.ered, that, as Mr. Lee w^as a deserter from his Majesty's service, he was not to be considered as a prisoner of war ; that he did not at all come within the conditions of the cartel, nor could he receive any of its benefits. This brought on a fruitless discussion, whether General Lee, who had resigned his half-pay at the beginning of the troubles, could be considered as a deserter ; or whether he could, "with justice, be excluded from the general be- nefits of a cartel in which no particular exception of persons had been made. In the mean time, General Lee was guarded with all the strictness which a state- criminal of the first magnitude could have experien- ced in the most dangerous policical conjuncture. This conduct not only suspended the operation of the car- tel, but induced retaliation on the American side, and Colonel Campbell, who had hilherto been treated with great humanity by the people of Boston, was now tlirown into a dungeon. Those British officers who were prisoners in the Southern Colonies, tho' not treated with equal rigour, were, however, abridged of their parole liberty. It was at the same time declared, that their future treat- ment should, in every degree, be regulated by that which General Lee experienced, and that their per- sons should be answerable, in the utmost extent, for any violence that was offered to him. Thus matters continued till the capture of the British army under Ge- LEE. 239 General Bnvgoyne at Saratogo, October 17, 1^777, A change of conduct towards him then took place ; he was allowed his parole in NcAV-York, lodged in the sanne house with Lieutenant Colonel Butler, of the 38tli, dined with General Robertson, connmander of the town, and with many principal oflcers and fami- lies, and a short time after was exchanged. The first military scene in which General Lee ap- peared after his liberation, was the battle of Mon- mouth, which determined his career in the American army. Before this afiair, his character in general was very respectable ; many of the warm friends of America highly valued the important services he had rendered to the United States. From the beginning of the contest, he had excited and directed the military spirit which pervaded the continent ; his conversation raised an emulation a- mong the officers, and he taught them to pay a pro- per attention to the health, cloathing, and comfortable subsistence of their men ; add to this, his zeal was miwearied in inculcating the principles of libeily a- mong all ranks of people ; hence, it is said, that a strong party was formed in Congress, and by some discontented officers in the army, to raise Lee to the first command ; and it hath been suggested i^y ma- ny, that General Lee's conduct at the battle of Monmouth was intended to effect this plan ; for, could the odium of the defeat have been at that time thrown on Cieneral Washington, and his attack of the British army made to appear rash and imprudent, tliere is great reason to suppose he would have been deprived of his command. It hath been observed by some writers on this subject, that vihen General Lee was taken prisoner, the American aimy was on no par with the Royal forces, but the case was much chang- ed on his return from captivity, lie found them im- proved, and daring enough to attack even the British grenadiers with firmness and resolution. Had not this been the case, and General Lee, vv'hen ordered to attack the rear of the Royal army, seeing his men beat )ack 240 LEE. back with disgrace, unwilling to rally, and acting Avith fear and trepidation, his retreat would have been ne- cessary, his conduct crowned with applause, and his purpos'tes elFected ; but, disappointed in this view, the retreat hath been imputed to himself, as he could not alledge the want of spirit in his troops for the justifi- cation of his conduct. The British army, early on Thursday the 25th of June, completed their evacuation of Philadelphia, hav- ing before transported their stores and most of their artillery into the Jerseys, where they had thrown up some works, and several regiments were encamped ; they manned the lines the preceding night, and re- treated over the commons, crossing at Gloucester Point. A party of American horse pursued them ve- ry close ; however, nothing very material happened till the 28th, when, about 3 o'clock in the morning, the British army moved on their way to Middletown Point. About 1 1 o'clock, the Amr^rican van, com- manded by General Lee, overtook them ; but he soon retreated, and was met by General Washington, who formed on the first proper piece of ground near Mon- mouth Court-house. While this was doing, two pie- ces of cannon, supported by Colonel Livingston and Colonel Stewart, uith a picked corps of 300 men, kept oiF the main body of the English, and made a great slaughter. Very severe skirmishing ensued, and the American army advancing, the British made their last efrbrts upon a small body of Pensylvania troops at and about Mr. Tennant's house ; they then gave way, leaving the lield covered with dead and wounded. Ge- neral Washmgton's troops pursued for about a mile, when, night coming on, and the men exceedingly fa- tigued with marching and the hot weather, they lialt- ed about half a mile beyond the ground of the princi- pal action. The British took a strong post in their front, secured on both ilanks by morasses and thick woods, where they remained until about 12 at night, and then retreated. In consecjuence of this action, General Lee was put under arrest, and tried by a Court LEE* 241 Court Martial at Brunswick, the 4th July follow, ing. The charges exhibited against him were, 1st, For disobedience of orders in not attacking the eneniy on the 28th of June, agreeable to repeated in- structions. 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 28th June. The letter, on which the third charge is founded, is as follows : Camp^ English Toivii^ \st July^ 1778. SIR, FROM the knowledge that I have of your Excel- lency's character, I must conclude, that nothing but the misinformation of some very stupid, or misrepre- sentation of some very wicked person, could have oc- casioned your making use of such very singular ex- pressions us you did, on my coming up to the ground where you had taken post ; they implied, that I was guilty either of disobedience of orders, want of con- duct, or want of courage. Your Excellency will, therefore, inlinittly oblige me, by lettuig me know, on which of these three ailicles you ground your charge, that I may prepare for my justincation, which, I have the happiness to be conlident, \ can do, to tjie Army, to the Congress, to America, and to the World in general. Your Excellency must give me leave to observe, that neither yourself, nor those about your person, could, from your situation, be, in the least, judges of the merits or demerits of our manoeuvres ; and, to speak with a becoming pride, I can assert, that to these manoeuvres the success of the day was entire- ly owing. I can boldly say, that, had we remained on^ the first ground — or, had we advanced — or, had the re- treat been conducted in a manner ditferent from what it was, this whole army, and the interests of Ameri- ca, would have risked Ijeing sacrificed. I ever had, and, I hope, ever shall have, the greatest respect and M ve- 14* LEE. veneration for General Wushing;lon ; I think him en- dued with many great and good qualities; but, in this instance, I must pronounce, that he has been guilty of an act of cruel injustice towards a man who had • certainly some pretensions to the regard of every serr ▼ant of his country ; and I think, Sir, I have a right to demand some reparation for tlie injury committed ; and, unless 1 can obtain it, I must, in justice to my- self, when the campaign is closed, which I believe will close the war, retire from a service, at the head of which is placed a man capable of oftering such in* juries ; — but, at the same time, in justice to you, I must repeat, that I, from my soul, believe, that it was not a motion of your own breast, but instigated by some of those dirty earwigs, who will for ever insinuate themselves near persons in high office ; for 1 am real- ly assured, that when Ciencral Washington acts from himself, no man in his army will have reaifon to com- plain of injustice and indecorum. I am, Sir, and I hope ever shall have reason to continue, Yours, Sec. CHARLES LEE. Hii ExccUeJicy General Wafihinj^ton, Head-Quarters^ English Toii'n, SIR, 2StliJfi}ie, 1778. I RECEIVED your letter, dated, through mistake, the 1st of July, expressed, as I conceive, in terms iiighly improper. I am not conscious of having made use of any very singular expressions at the time of my jiieeting you, as you intimate. What I recollect to have saidj was dictated by duty, and warranted by the occasion. As soon as circumstances will admit, you shall have an opportunity either of justifying yourself to the Army, to Congress, to America, and to the World in general, or of convinchig them that you are guilty of a breach of orders, and of misbehaviour be- fore the enemy on the 28th instant, in not attacking them as you had been directed, and in making an im- necessary, disorderly, and shameful retreat. 1 am, Sir," your most obedient Servant, GEORGE WASHINGTON. LEE, 243 The Court met, by several adjoiiniments till the 42th of August, when they found the unfortunate Ge. neral guilty of the several charges bro't against him, and sentenced him to be suspended from any commis- sion in the armies of the United States of North Ame- rica, for the term of 12 months. But it was usual, in America, and thought necessary, that the sentence of every Court Martial should be ratified or confirmed by Congress; the proceedings, therefore, of the Court, were accordingly transmitted to them, and the General repaired to Philadelphia to await their decision. During his stay there on this business, he was involved hi se- veral disputes; and, tho' his affair might be considered, as yet, fiub judice^ yet the conversation of the city was rather against him, which induced him to publish, as it were a second defence. It was a considerable time before Congress took the General's trial under their consideration, during which our unfortunate hero continued smarting under the frowns of fortune, and the malignant tongues of men ; and, to add to his sufferings, in this state of sus- pense, he received a letter from Colonel Lawrens, one of General Washington's aids, informing him, " that in contempt of decency and truth, he had publicly abused General Wa!:hinglon, in the grossest terms ;" that " the relation in which he stood to him, forbade him to pass such conduct unnoticed ; he therefore de- manded the satisfaction he was entitled to, and desir- ed, that as soon as General Lee should think iiimsclf at liberty, he would appoint time and place, and name his weapons." ^^''ithout hesitation, this was accepted, and he made choice of a brace of pistols, declinhig the small sword, because he was rather in a weak state of body, having lately received a fall from a horse, and also taken a quantity of medicine, to bame a fit of the gout, which he apprehended. They met, accord- ing to appointment, and discharged their pislols, when General Lee received a shght wound in his side ; and it hath been said, that, on this occasion, he displayed the greatest fortitude and courage. Short-* *44 LEHi . Shortly after, the proceccrings of tlie Court Martial, on his trial, came under consideration in Congress, and produced debates for several evenings ; but, finally, the sentence was confirmed. The General was much dissatisfied with it, and his mind extremely embit- tered against one of the members (Mr. Henry Dray- ton, of South Carolina). This gentleman's conduct was vituperated by Lee in the severest language, be- cause lie opposed in Congress a division of the seve- ral charges brought against him, but argued and in- sisted upon lumping them all together, to be decided by one question. In this he was ingeniously and warm- ly opposed by a very amiable and worthy gentleman, Mr. William Paca, a late Governor of Maryland — Here we nuist observe, that, prior to this, IVlr. Dray- ton was by no means one of the General's favourites ; he had taken some unnecessary liberties with his clia- ractcr, in a charge which he delivered, as Chief Jus- tice, to a Grand Jury in Charleston, South Carolina. His temper, thus exasperated, he could no longer re- frain from emphatically expressing his sense of the in- juries he had received from Mr. Drayton. These were delivered, intermixed with threatening language, to Mr. Hutson, his colleague and friend, who com- municated it. A correspondence ensued, remarkable for its poignancy of reply. This correspondence, which produced nothing but inkshed, being finished, the General retired to his plantation in Berkley county, Virginia, where, still ir- ritated with the scurrilous attacks he had met with from several writers, and others, in Philadelphia, he could not forbear giving vent to the bitterness of his feelings, and, in this misanthropic disposition, com- posed a set of Queries, which he styled Political and Military. These he sent, by one of his aids, to the printers of Philadelphia, for publication ; but they tho't it imprudent to admit them into their papers, as General Washington possessed the hearts and admi- ration of every one ; he, therefore, applied to the Edit- or of the Maryland Jouraal, at Baltimore, who indulg- ed LEE. 245 ed him with their insertion. The Queries no sooner made their appearance, but a considerable disturbance took place among the citizens of Baltimore ; the print- er was called upon lor the author, and obliged to give uj) his name. Lee remained at his retreat, living in a style pecu- liar to himself, in a house more like a barn than a pa- lace. Olass windows and plaistering would have been luxurious extravagance, and his furniture consisted of a very few necessary articles ; indeed, he was now so rusticated that he could have lived in a tub with Dio- genes ; however, he had got a few select valuable au- thors, and these enabled him to pass a-vay his time in this obscurity. Ln the fall, 1782, he began to be wea- ry with the sameness of his situation, and experienc- ing his uniitness for the management of country busi- ness, he came to a determination to sell his estate, and procure a little settlement near some sea-port town, whtre he might learn what the world was do- ing, and enjoy the conversation of mankind. His farm, tho' an excellent tract of land, rather i)rought him in debt at tbe end of the year, and added to the didiculties he laboured under. It is no wonder, then, he was inclined to relinquish his present system of life. He left Berkley, and came to Baltimore, where he stayed near a week with <,ome old friends, and then took his leave for Philadelphia. It is presumed, he now found a difierence between a General in command, and one destitute of every thing but the name ; for we do not find him entertain- ed at the house of any private citizen. He took lodg- ings at an inn, the sign of the Connestigoe waggon, in Market-street. After being three or four days in the city, he was taken with a shivering, the forerun- ner of a fever, which put a period to his existence October 2d, 1782. A friend of the Editor's war, at the inn when he took his departure from this world. The servants in- formed him that General Lee was dying; upon which he went into the room> he was then struggling, with the 2^0 LEE. tlie King of Terrors, and seemed to have lost his senses ; the last words he heard him speak were, ** Stand by me, my brave grenadiers!" The citizens of Philadelpiiia, calling- to mind his former services, appeared to be much alFected with his death. His funeral was attended with a very large concourse of people, tlie Clergy of different denomi- nations, his Excellency the President of Congress, the President and some Members of tlie Council of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, his Excellency the Minister Plenipotentiary of France, M. Marbois, Se- cretary to the Embassy, the Minister of Finance, Ge- neral Bai'on d/ Viominil, Duke de Lausan, the Mi- nister of War, and several other Ofiicers of distinc- tion both in the French and American armies. From what hath been observed in these Memoirs, v:e may, with justice, alTjrm, that General Lee was a great and sincere friend to the rights and liberties of mankind, and that it was this grand principle which led him to take part on the side of America. It ap- pears, that, from his youth, he was bred up with the Jiighest regard for the noble sentiments of freedom ; liis education and reading strengthened them ; the liistorians and orators of Greece and Rome, with whom he was considerably convert-ant, added to the sacred ilame, and his travels, in many parts of the world, did not tend to diminish it. The General, in his person, was of a genteel make, and rather above the middle size ; his remark- able aqualine nose rendered his face somewhat disa- {^reeable. lie was master of a most genteel address ; but, in the latter part of his life, became excessively negligent of the graces, both in garb and behaviour. A talent for repartee, united with a quickness of pe- netration, created him many enemies. A character so eccentric and singular, could not fail of attracting the popular attention. His «;;.•«// friends frequently passed severe criticisms on his Avords and actions. — Narrov/ly watched, every little slip or failure was no- ticed, and represented to his disadvantage. The ob- jec- LEE. 247 jections to his moral conduct were numerous, and his great fondntss for dogs brought on him the disHke and frowns of the fair sex ; for the General Avould permit his canine adherents to follow him to the par- lour, the bed-room, and, sometimes, they might be seen on a chair, next his elbow, at table. There is great probability that the General was the first person who suggested the idea that America ought to declare herself independent. When he was sent by the Commander in Chief to New-Yoik, he behaved with such activity and spirit, infusing the same into the minds of the troops and the people, that Mr. John Adams said, " a happier expedition never was projected ; and that the whole Whig world were blessing him for it." About this time. Doctor Franklin gave Mr. Thomas Paine, the celebrated au- thor of " Common Sense," an introductory letter to liim, in which were these words, " The bearer, Mr. Paine, has requested a line of introduction to you, which 1 give the more willingly, as I know his g"enti- ments are not very different from yours." A few days after, the Doctor writes again, " There is a khid of suspence in men's minds here, at present, waiting' to see what terms will be offered from England. 1 expect none that we can accept; and when that is ge- nerally seen, we shall be more unanimous, and more decisive. Then, your proposed " Solemn League and Covenant" will go better down, and, perhaps, most of your other strong measures adopted." In a letter to Edward Rutledge, Esq. in the spring of 1776, then a iTiember of the Continental Congress, the Gerieral thus expesses himself, " As your atlairs pros[;er, the timidity of the Senatorial pait of the Continent, great and small, grows and extends itself. By the Eternal G — , unless you declare yourselves independent, esta- blish a more certain and fixed Legislature than that of a temporary courtesy of the People, you richly de- serve to be enslaved ; and iHhink that, far from im-> possible, it should be your lot; as, without a more systematic intercourse with France and Holland, wc have 248 LEE. have not the means of carrying on the war.'* There are other epistles of his of a similar spirit and die* tion. The mere we investigate the General's character and conduct, the more conspicuous his services will appear. In the infancy of the American dispute, we find him continually suggesting and forwardine^ plans for the defence of the country ; and tho' he was a pl'ofessed enemy to a standing army, he wasalvvuvs recommending a wdl-reguhited militia. This he con- sidered as the natural strength of a country, and ab- solutely necessary for its safety and preservation. He has frequently asserted, that a more pernicious idea could not enter into the heads of the citizens, than that rigid discipline, and a strict subjection to military rules, were incompatible Avith civil liberty ; and he vras of opinion, that when the bulk of a com- munity would not submit to the ordinances necessary for the preservation of military discipline, their liber- ty could not be of long continuance. The liberty of every Commonwealth must be pro- tected ultimately by military force. Military force depends upon order and discipline ; without order and discipline, the greatest number of armed men are on- ly a contemptible niob ; a handful of regrdars must disperse them. It follows, then, that the citizens at lai'ge must submit to the means of becoming soldiers, or tiiat they must commit the protection of their lives and property to a distinct body of men, who will, na- turally, in a short time set up a proiessional interest, separate from the community at large. To this cause we may attribute the subversion of every free State that history presents to us. The Romans were cer- tainly the Hrst and most glorious people tliat have fi- gured on the face of the globe ; they continued hee longest. Every citizen was a soldier, and a soldier not in name, but in fact ; by which is meant, thatthejr were the most rigid observers of military institutions. The General, tl-.ereforc, thought it expedient that eve- ry State in America should be extremely careful to per- LEE. 249 perfect the laws relative to their militia; and, that, where tliey were glaringly defective, they should be made more efficient ; and that it should be established as a point of honour, and the criterion of a virtuous citizen, to pay the greatest deference to the common necessary laws of a camp. The most diif.cult task the Editor met with in col- lecting and arranging these posthumous papers, arose from his desire of not giving offence to such charac- ters as had been the object of the General's aversion and resentment. Unhappily his disappointments had soured his temper ; tliC aflair of Monmouth, several pieces of scurrility from the press, and numerous in- stances of private slander and defamation, so far got the better of his philosophy, as to provoke him in the liighest degree, and he became, as it were, angry with i-ill mankind. To this exasperated disposition we may impute the origin of his Political Queries, and a number of satiri- cal hints thrown out, both in his con\'ersation and writing, against the Commander in Chief. Humanity will draw a veil over the involuntary errors of sensibi- lity, and pardon the sallies of a suffering mind, as its presages did not meet with an accomplishment. — General Washington, by his retirement, demonstrat- ed to the world, that power was not his object, that America had nothing to fear from his am.bition ; but that she was honoured with a specimen of such ex- alted patriotism as could not fail to attract the atteii" tion and admiration qf the most distant nations. M 2 ( 250 ) GENERAL PUTNAM. ISRAEL PUTNAM, who, thro' a regular grada- tioii oF promotion, became the senior IMajor-Ge- neral in t'nc army of the United States, and next in rank to General ^V'ashint^•ton, was born at Salem, in l^rovidence, now the State of INiassachusetts, on the 7lh of January, 1718. Mis father, Captain Joseph Putnam, was the son of JoJm Putnam, who, with two other brothers, came from the so\ith of Eng-land, and were among- the first settlers of Salem. ."When Me thus behold a person, from the humble walks of life, starting unnoticed in the career of fame, and, by an undcviating progress thro' a life of honour, arriving at the highest dignity in the State, curiosity is strongly excited, and philosophy loves to trace the. path of glory, from the cradle of obscurity to the summit of elevation. Altho' our ancestors, the Hist settlers of this land, amidst the extreme pressures of poverty and darjger, early ir.stituted schools for the education of youth de- signed for the learned professions ; yet it was tiiought «u'3icient to instruct liiose destined to laboiu* on the earth, in reading, writing, and such rudiments of •arithmetic, as might be requisite for keeping the ac- counts of their little traiisactions with each other. — Few farmei-s sons had more advantages, none less* In this state of mediocrity it was the lot of young Put- nam to be placed. His early instruction was not con- siderable, and the active scenes of life in which lie was afterwards engaged, prevented the o])portunity of great literai'y improvement. His numerous letters, tno' deficient in scholastic accuracy, always display the goodness of his heart, and, fre(|uently, the strength of his native genius. Pie had a laconic mode of ex- ])ression, and an unalVected epigrammatic turn clui- racterised his writings. To PUTNAM. 2r,t J To compensate partially for the cleFiciency of edu- cation (tho' nothing can remove or counterhaUmcc the inconveniences experienced from it in public life), he derived from Jiis parents the source of innumera- ble advantat^es in the stamina of a vigorous constitu- tion. Nature, liberal in bestowing on him bodily strength, hardiness and activity, was by no means parsimonious in mental endowments. His disposition was as frank and generous, as his mind was fearless and independent. lie disguised no« thing; indeed, beseemed incapable of disguise. Per- liaps, in the intercourse he was ultimately obliged to have with an artful world, his sincerity, on sonie oc- casions, out-weiit his discretion. Altho' he had too much suavity in his nature to commence a quarrel, he had too much sensibility not to feel, and too much honour not to resent an intended insult. The First time he went to ]]oston, he was insulted for his rusti- city by a boy of twice his size and age ; after bearing the sarcasms until his patience was Avorn out, he chal- lenged, engaged, and vancjuished his unmaimerly an- tagonist, to the great diversion of a crowd of specta- tors. While a stripling, his ambition was to per- form the labour of a man, and to excel in athle- tic diversions! In that rude but masculine age, whenever the village youth assembled on their usual occasions of festivity, pitching the bar, running, leap- ing and wrestling were favourite amusements. At such gymnastic exercises (in which during the heroic times of iuicient Greece and Rome, conquest was con- sidered as the promise of future military fame) he bore the palm from almost every ring. Before the refinements of luxury, and the conse- quent increase of expences, had rendered the mainte- nance of a family inconvenient or burdensome in A- merica, the sexes entered into matrimony at an early age. Competence, attainable by all, was the li- mit of pursuit. After the hardships of maUiiig u new settlenient were overcome, and the evils of penury removed, the inhabitants enjoyed, in the lot ^5^ PUTNAM, lot of equality, innocence and security, scenes equal' ly deliglitful with those pictured by the glowing ima- gination of the poets, in their favourite pastoral lifci or fabulous golden age. Indeed, the condition of jTiankind was never more enviable. Neither disparity of age and fortune, nor schemes of ambition and grandeur, nor the pride or ambition and avarice of high-minded and mercenary parents, interposed those obstacles to the imion of congenial souls, which fre- quently, in more polished society, prevent, imbitter, or destroy all the felicity of the connubial state. INIr. Putnam, before he attained the 21st year of his age, married Miss Pope, daughter of ISIr. John Pope, of Salem, by whom he had ten children, lie lost the wife of his youth in 1764. Some time after, he mar- ried Mrs. Gardiner, widow of the late Mr. Gardiner, of Gardiner'S'Island, by whom he had no issue. She died in 1777. In tjie year 1739, he removed to Pomfret, an inland fertile town i.iCorsnecticut, 40 miles east of Hartford ; leaving there purchased a considerable tract of land, lie applied liiniself succcssfullv to agriculture. Tlie fu'st years, on a ntnv farm, are not, however, exempt from disasters and disappointments, which ran only be re-n55 killed, wounded, and missing. In this battle, the presence and example of General Put- nam, who arrived with the reinforcement, were not less conspicuous than useful. He did every thing that an intrepid and experienced oflicer could accom- plish. The enemy pursued to W'inter-Hill — Putnam made a stand, and drove them back under cover of their ships. After this action, tl.e British strongly fortlHed them- selves on the peninsulas of Boston and Chaiits-Town, while the Provincials remained posted in the circum- jacent country, in such a manner as to form a block- ade. In the beginning of July, General Washington, who had been constituted by Congress Commander in Chief of the American forces, arrived at Canibritlge, to take the command. Havina: formed the armv into 3 grand divisions^ consisting of about 12 regiments tiich, 272 PUTNAIVr. each, he appointed General Ward to command the rii^ht wing, and Major General Lee the left wing, and Major General Putnam the reserve. General Put- nam's alertness, in accelerating the construction of tlie necessary defences, was particularly noticed and highly approved by the Commander in Chief. About the 10th of July, the Declaration of Congress, setting forth their reasons for taking up arms, was proclaimed at the head of the several divisions. it concluded with these patriotic and noble sentiments : — <* In our own native land, in defence of the freedom thiit is our birth-right, and which we ever enjoyed un- til the late violation of it ; for the protection of our property, acquired solely by the honest industry of our forefathers and ourselves ; against violence actual- ly oBered, we tai^e up arms. We shall lay them down when hostilities shall cease on the part of the aggressors, and all danger of their being renewed shall be removed, and not before. With an humble confi- dence in the mercies of the Supreme and Impartial Judge and Ruler of the Universe, we most devoutly implore his Divine goodness to conduct us happily ibro' this great conflict, to dispose our adversaries to reconciliation upon reasonable terms, and, thereby, to relieve the empire from the calamities of civil war." As soon us these memorable words were pronounced lo General Putnam's division, which he had ordered to be paraded on Prospect-Hill, they shouted, in three huzzas, a lotid Amen ! whereat (a cannon from the Foit being fired as u signal), the new Standard, lately sent from Connecticut, was suddenly seen to rise and \ini-oll itself to the wind. — On one side Mas inscribed, in large letters of gold, " An Appeal to PIeaven,'' and on the other were delineated the armorial bear- ings of Connecticut, which, without supporters or crest, consist, unostentatiously, of three vines, with this motto, " Qui transtidit sustinct ;" alluding to the pious confidence our forefathers placed in the protec- tion of Heaven, on those three allegorical scions- had PUTNAM. 2S1 The enemy had vainly as incautiously imagined that to over-run was to conquer. They had even car- ried their presumption on our extreme weakness and submission, so far as to attempt covering- the country they had marched thro' with an extensive chain of cantonments. That link which the post at Trenton supplied, consisted of a Hessian brigade of infantry, a company of chasseurs, a squadron of light dra- goons, and 6 field-pieces. At 8 o'clock in the morn- ing of the 26th of December, General Washington, with 2400 men, came upon them (after they had pa- raded), took 1000 prisoners, and repassed, the same davj without loss, to his encampment. As soon as the troops were recovered from their excessive fatigue, General Washington recrossed a second time to Trenton. On the 2d of January, Lord Cornwallis, with the bulk of the British army, advanced upon him, cannonaded his post, and offered him battle ; but the two armies being separated by the interposi- tion of Trenton Creek, General Washington had it in his option to decline an engagement, which he did for the sake of striking a masterly stroke that he me- ditated. Having kindled fires around his camp, post- ed faithful men to keep them burning, .and advanced centinels whose fidelity might be relied upon, he de- camped silently after dark, and, by a circuitous route, reached Princeton at 9 o'clock the next morning.— The noise of the iiring, by which he killed and cap- tured 5 or 600 of the British brigade in that town, was the first notice Lord Cornwallis had of his stolen march. General Washington, the project successl'ul- ly accomplished, instantly filed off for the mountain- ous grounds of IVIorris-Town, Meanwhile, his Lord- ship, who arrived, by a forced march, at Princeton, just as he had left it, finding the Americans could not be overtaken, proceeded without halting to Brunswick. On the 5th of January 1777, from Pluckemin, Ge- neral Washington dispatched an account of this se- cond success to General Putnam, and ordered him immediately to move with all his troops to Crosswix, for x8i PUTNAM. for the purpose of co-operating in recovering the Jer- seys ; an event which the present fortunate juncture (while the enemy were yet panic-sLruck) appeared to projnise. The General cautioned him, however, if the enemy should still continue at Brunswick, to guard with great circumspection against a surprise : especi- ally, as they having recently suffered by two attacks, could scarcely avoid being edged with resentment to attempt retaliation. His Excellency farther advised him to give out his strength to be twice as great as it was ; to forward on all the baggage and scattering men belonging to the division destined for Morris-Town ; to employ as many spies as he should think proper; to keep a number of horsemen in the dress of the country, going constantly backwards and forwards on the same secret service ; and lastly, if he should dis- cover any intention or motion of the enemy that could be depended ujxjn and might be of consequence, not to fail in conveying the intelligence as rapidly as pos- sible by express to Head Quarters. Major General Putnam was directed soon after to take post at Prince- ton, where he continued until spring. He had never with him more than a few hundred troops, tho' he was only a^ 15 miles distance from the enemy's strong garrison at Brunswick. At one period from a sudden diminution, occasioned by the tardiness of the militia turning out to replace those whose time of service was expired, he had fewer men for duty than he had miles of frontier to guard — Nor was the Commander in Chief in a more eligible situation. It is true, t))at, while he had scarcely the semblance of an army, un- der the spacious parade of a park of artillery, and the imposing appearance of his Head Quarters esta- blishing at Morris-Town, he kept up in the eyes of his countrymen, as well as in the opinion of the enemy, the appearance of no contemptibie force. Future ge- nerations will find diilicuUy in conceiving how a handful of men and militia, who were necessitated to be inoculated for the small pox in the course of the winter, could be sub-divided and posted so advanta- geous- PUTNAM. 283 geously, as effectually to protect the inhabitants, con* line the enemy, curtail their forage, and beat up their quarters, without sustaining a single disaster. In the battle of Princeton, Capt. M'Pherson, of the 17th British regiment, a very worthy Scotchman, was desperately wounded in the lungs and left with the dead. Upon General Putnam's arrival there, he found him languishhig in extreme distress, without a surgeon, without a single accommodation, and with- out a friend to solace his sinking spirit in the gloomy hour of death. Ke visited and immediately caused every possible comfort to be administered to him.— Captain M'Pherson, who, contrary to all apearances recovered, after having demonstrated to General Put- nam the dignified sense of obligations which a gene- rous mind wishes not to conceal, one day demanded in familiar conversation — " Pray, Sir, what country- man are you ?" — " An American," answered the lat- ter. — " Not a Yankee ?" said the other, — " A full- blooded one," replied the General — " By G — d, I am sorry for that," replied M'Pherson, " I did not think there could be so much goodness and generosity in an American, or, indeed in any body but a Scoth- man!" While the recovery of Capt. M'Phereoa was doubt- ful, he desired that General Putnam would permit a friend in the British army at Brunswick to come and assist him in making his will. General Putnam, who had then only fifty men in his whole command, was sadly embarrassed by the proposition. On the one hand, he was not content that a British officer should have an opportunity to spy out the weakness of his post ; on the other, it was scarcely in his nature to re- fuse complying with a dictate of humanity. He luck- ily bethought himself of an expedient, which he has- tened 10 put into practice. A Flag of Truce was dis- patched with Capt. M'Pherson's request, but under an injunction not to return with his friend till after dark. In the evening, lights were placed in all the College windows, and in every apartment of the va- cant 2'S4 PUTNAM. cant houses throughout the town. During the whole- night, the fifty men, sometimes all together, and sometimes in small detachments, were marched from different quarters, by the house in which M'Pherson lay. Afterwards it was known, that the officer who came on the visit, at his return, reported that Gene- ral Putnam's army on the most moderate calculation could not consist of less than 4 or 5000 men. When the spring had now so far advanced that it was obvious the enemy would soon take the field, the Commander in Chief, after desiring General Putnam to give the officer who was to relieve him at Princeton, all the information necessary for the conduct of that post, appointed that General to the command of a se- parate army in the Highlands of New- York. It is scarcely decided, from any document yet pub- lished, whether the preposterous plans prosecuted by the British Generals, in the campaign of 1777, were altogether the result of their orders from home, or whether they partially originated from the contmgen- cies of the moment. The system, which, at the time, tended to puzzle all human conjecture, when de- veloped, served, also, to contradict all reasonable cal- culation. Certain it is, the American Commander in Chief was so perplexed with contradictory appearan- ces, that he knew not how to distribute his troops M'ith his usual discernment, so as to oppose the ene- my with equal prospect of success in diii'erent parts. The gathering tempesls menaced the Northern fron- tiers, the posts in the highlands, and the city of Phi- ladelphia; but it was still doubtful where the fury of the storm would fall — At one time, Sir William Howe was forcing his way by land to Philadelphia — at ano- ther, relinquishing the Jei'seys — at a third, facing round to make a sudden inroad — then, embarking with all the forces that could be spared from New- York, and then putting out to sea — at the very moment when General Burgoyne had reduced Ticonderoga, and seemed to require a co-operation in another quar- ter. It PUTNAM. 2«5 It was not wonderful that many of the Tories were able, undiscovered, to penetrate far into the country, und even to go with letters, or messages, from one British army to another. The inhabitants, who were well affected to the Royal cause, afforded them every possible support, and their own knowledge of the dif- ferent routes, gave them a farther facility in perform- ing their peregrinations. Sometimes, the most active Loyalists, who had gone into the British posts and re- ceived promises of commissions upon enlisting a cer- tain number of soldiers, came back again, secretly, with recruiting instructions. Sometimes, these and others, who came from the enemy within the verge of our camps, were detected and condemned to death, in conformity to the usages of war. But the British Generals, who had an unlimited supply of money at their command, were able to pay with so much liber- ality, that emissaries could always be found. Still, it it is thought, that the intelligence of the American Commanders was, at least, equally accurate, notwith- standing the poverty of their mihtary chest, and the inability of rewarding mercenary agents for secret ser- vices. A person, of the name of Palmer, who was a Lieu- tenant in the Tory new levies, was detected in the camp at Peek's-Kill. Governor Tryon, who com- manded the new levies, reclaimed him as a British of- ficer, and represented the heinous crime of condemn- I ing a man commissioned by his Majesty, and threat- ening vengeance in case he should be executed. Ge- neral 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 be hanged as a spy. Israel Putnam." " P.S. Afternoon — He is hanged." Sights of wretchedness always touched with com- miseration the feehngs of General Putnam, and prompt- ed his generous soul to succour the aillicled. But the in- a86 PUTNAM. indulgence which he shewed (whenever it did not mi- litate ai;ainst his duty) towards the deserted and suf- ii-'ving families ot the Tories in the state of New- York, was the cause of his becoming unpopular with no inconsiderable class of people in that State. On the other side, he had conceived an unconquerable a- version to many of the persons who were entrusted with the disposal of Tory property, because he be- lieved them to have been guilty of peculations and other infamous practices. His character was also respected by the enemy.— He had been acqu^nted with many of the Provincial officers in a former war. As flags frequently passed between the out-posts, during his continuance on the lines, it was a common practice to forward the news- papers by them, and as those printed by Rivington, the Royal pnnter in New- York, were infamous for the falsehoods with which they abounded, General Put- nam once sent a packet to his old friend General Ro- bertson, with this billet : " Major-General Putnam presents his compliments to Major-General Robert- son, and sends him some American news-papers for his perusal — when General Robertson shall have done with them, it is requested that they may be given to Rivington, in order that he may print some truth.'* Late in the year, he left the lines, and repaired to the highlands ; for, upon the loss of Fort Montgome- ry, the Commander in Chief determined to build ano- ther fortification for the defence of the river. His Excellency, accordingly, wrote to General Putnam, to fix upon the spot. After reconnoitring all the differ- ent places proposed, and revolving in his own mind their relative advantages, for offence on the water and defence on the land, he fixed upon West-Point. It is no vulgar praise to say, that to him belongs the glory of having chosen this rock of our niiUtary salvation. The position for water-batteries, which might sweep the channel where the river fonned a right angle, made it the most proper of any for commanding the navigation ; while the locky ridges, that rose in awful sub- PUTNAM. 287 sublimity behind each other, rendered it impregna- ble, and even incapable of being invested by less than 20,000 men. The British, who considered this j)ost as a kijid of American Gibraltar, never attempted it but by the treachery of an American officer. AH the world knows that this project failed, and that West- Point continues to be the receptacle of every thing valuable in military preparations to the present day. In the campaign of 1779, which terminated the career of Geneial Putnam's services, he commanded the Maryland line post at Buttermilk falls, ul)out two miles below West Point. Pie was happy in possess- ing the friendship of the officers of that Line, and in living on terms of hospitahty with them. Indeed there was no family in the army lived better than his own. The General, his second son Major Daniel Putnam, and the writer of these Memoirs,* compos- ed that family. This campaign, principally spent in strengthening the works of West Point, was only signalized for the storm of Stony Point by the light infantry under the conduct of General Wayne, and the surprize of the post of Powel's Hook by the corps under the command of Colonel Henry Lee. When the army quitted the held and marched to Morris-Town into winter quarters. General Putnam's family went into Connecticut for a few weeks. In December, the General began his journey to Morris- Town. Upon the road between Pom fret and Hartford, he felt an unusual torpor slowly pervading his right hand and foot. This heaviness crept gradually on, and until it had deprived him of the use of his limbs on that side, in a considerable degree, before he reached the house of his friend Colonel Wadsworth. Still he was unwilling to consider his disorder of the para- lytic kind, and endeavoured to shake it oiT by exer- tion. Having found that impossible, a temporary de- jection, disguised however under a veil of assumed chearfulness, succeeded. But reason, and religion soon * Colonel Hnrnphreys. a88 PUTNAM, soon reconciled him lo his fate. In that sitiuitioti he has constantly remained, favoured with such a por- tion of bodily activity as enables him to walk and to ride moderately; and retaining unimpaired-his re- lish for enjoyment, his love of pleasantry, his strength of memory, and all the faculties of his mind. As a proof that the powers of memory are not weakened, it ought to be observed, that he has lately repeated from recollection, all the adventures of his life, which are here recorded, and which had formerly been com- municated to the Compiler in detached conversations. To illustrate his merits the more fully, this sketch will be concluded with a copy of the last letter written to him, by General Washington, in his military cha- racter. Head-Quarters^ 'Id June ^ 1780. " Dear Sir, " Your favour of the 20th of May I received with much pleasure — For, I can assure you, that, among the many worthy and meritorious officers, with whom I have had the happiness to be connected in service, thro' the course of this war, and from whose chearful assistance in the various and trying vicissitudes of a complicated contest, the name of Putnam is not forgot- ten, nor will be, but with that stroke of time which shall obliterate from my mind the remembrance of all those toils and fatigues thro' which we have struggled for the preservation and establishment of the Rights^ Li, bertiesy and Independence of our Country. " Your congratulations on the happy prospect of Peace and Independant security, with their attendant blessings to the United States, I receive with great satisfaction ; and beg that you will accept of a re- turn of my congratulations to yon on this auspicious event — an event in which, great as it is in itself, and glorious as it will probably be in its consequences, you have a right to participate largely, from the dis- tinguished part you have contributed towards its at- tainment. But, PUTNAM. 2?9 ■" ^ut, while I contemplate the g-rcatness of the ob*. ject for which we have contended, and felicitate you on the happy issue of our toils and labours, wh'ich have terminated with such general satisfaction, I la- ment, that you should feel the ungra.tcful returns of a country, in whose service you have exhausted your 1)0- dily strength, and expended the vigour of a youthful constitution. I wish, however, that your expectations of returning liberality may be verified ; I hope they may ; but should they not, your case will not be a lingular one. " Ingratitude has been experienced in all ages ; and Republics, in particular, have ever been fam- ed for the exercise of that unnatural and sordid vice."* " The Secretary at War, who is now here, informs me, that you have ever been considered as entitled to full pay since your absence from the field ; and that you will still be considered in that light till the close of the war, at which period, you will be equally enti^ tied to the same emoluments of half-yay, as any other officer of your rank. The same opinion is al- so given by the Pay-Master General, who is now with the army, impowered, by Mr. Morris, for the settle- ment of all their accounts, and who will attend to yours, whenever you shall think proper to send for that purpose — which it will, probably, be best for you to do in a short time. " 1 anticipate, with pleasure, the day (and that, I trust, not far off) when I sliall quit the busy scenes of a military employment, and retii^e to the more tran- quil walks of a domestic life. In that, or whatever other situation Providence may dispose of my future days, the remembrance of the many friendships and connections I have had the happiness to contract with the Gentlemen of the Army, will be one of my most grateful reflections. Under this contemplation, and impressed with the sentiments of Bcnevoience and O Re- * It is to be lamented, that this oblervation (which is not a new one) ftinuld have received the fandtion of Gen Wafl.i.i'r. ton's name— We hope the people of Ameiica are not, not «ver will be, ungrateful to the founders of their libei-ty. 2(^© * PUTNAM. Regard, I commend ycu, my dear Sir, my other friends, and, with them, the interests and happiness of our dear country, to the keeping and protection of . Ahnighty God. I have tlie honour to be, &c. 6', IVASI/IXGTOA"." 2h the Honourable JMajor-Generul Putnam.* * Gen. Putnam died in May 179c. DAVID IlITTENHOUSE, President of the American Philosophical Society. t DAVID IlITTENHOUSE was born in German- tov/n on the 8th of April, 1732 —his ancestors juigrated from Holland about the beginning of the present century. They were distinguished, together with his parents, for probity, industry, and simple manners. It is from sources thus pure and retired, that those talents and virtues have been chiefly deriv- fc"d, which have in. all ages enlightened the world. They prove by their humble origin, that the Supreme Being has not surrendered up the direction of human t\i fairs to the advantages acquired by accident or vice, and they bear a constant and faithful testimony of his impartial goodness, by their necessary and regular in- fluence in equalizing the condition of mankind. This -is the divine order of things, and every attempt to in- vert it, is a weak and unavailing eflbit to wrest tha government of the world from the hands of God. The early part of th.e life of Mr. Rittenhouse was spent in agricultural employments under the eye of his lather, in tlie county of Moritgomery, twenty niiles from Pliiladelphia, to which place he removed during \ Delivered by Dr. Ru(h in an oration before the Societr Tjth Dec. 1796. IIITTENHOUSE. 291 (luring the childhood of his son. It was at this place his peculiar genius first discovered itself. His plouj^h, the fences, and even the stones of ijie field in winch he worked, were frequently marked with figures which denoted a talent for mathematical studies Upon finding that the native delicacy of his constitu- tion unHtted him for the labours of husbandry, his pa- rents consented to his learning the trade of a dock and mathematical instrument maker. In acquirino- the knowledge of these useful arts, he was his own instructor — They aflbrded him great delight, inas- much as they favoured his disposition to inquire into the principles of natural philosophy Constant em- ployment of any kind, even in the practice of the mechanical arts, has been found in many instances, to administer vigour to human genius. Franklin stu- died the laws of nature, while" he handled his print- mg types. The father of Rousseau, a jeweller at Ge- neya, became acquainted with the principles of nation- al jurisprudence, by listening to his Fon while he read to him in his shop, the works of Grotius and PuKen- dorf ;— and Hersciiel conceived the great idea of a new planet, while he e;iercised the humble oaice of a musician to a inarching regiment. It was during the residence of our ingenious pliilo- sopher with his father in the countrv, that he made himself master of Sir Isaac Newton's Pniid/tia which he read in the English translation of Mr. Mott! --.It was here likewise he became acquainted with Fluxions, of which sublime invention he believed him- self for a while to be the author, nor did he know for some years afterwards, that a contest had been carri- ed on between Sir Isaac Newton and -Liebnitz, for the honoi of tluit great and useful discover\-. Wh-it a mmd was here !— ^Vithout literary friends or soci- ety, and with but two or three books, he became, be- fore he had reached his four and twentieth year, the rival of the two greatest mathematicians in Furope ' It was in this retired situation, and while cmplo'y- ed m working at his trade, that he planned and exe- cuted 492 ' RITTENHOUSE, cuted ati orrery ,in which he represented the revolutioiis of the heavenly bodies in a manner more extensive and complete than had been done by any former astrono- mers. A correct description of this orrery dra\vn up by the Rev. Dr. Smith, is pubUshed in the first vo- lume of our Transactions. This master-piece of in- genious mechanism was purchased by the College of New- Jersey. A second was made by him, after the same model, for the use of the College of Philadel- phia. It now forms part of the philosophical appa- ratus of the University of Pennsylvania, where it has for many years commanded the admiration of the ingenious and the learned, from every part of the world. The reputation he derived from the construction of this orrery, as well as his general character for ma- thematical knowledge, attracted the notice of his fel- low-citizens in Pennsylvania, and in several of the neighbouring states, but the discovery of his uncom- mon merit belonged chiefiy to his brother-in-law, the llev. Mr. Barton, Dr. Smith, and the late Mr. John Lukens, an ingenious mathematician of Philadelphia. These gentlemen fully appreciated his talents, and united in urging him to remove to this city, in order to enlarge his opportunities of improvement and use- fulness. He yielded with reluctance to their advice, and exchanged his beloved retirement in tlie country for this city, in the year 1770. Here he continued for several years, to follow his occupation of a clock and mathematical insti*ument maker. He excelled in both branches of that business. His mathematical instruments Iiave been esteemed by good judges to be superior in accuracy and workmanship to any of the same kind that have been imported from Europe. Al)out the time he settled in Philadelphia, he be- came a member of our Society. Plis first communi- cation to the Society was a calculation of the transit of Venus as it was to happen on the third of June, 1769, in 40 north latitude, and 5 hours west longitude from Greenwich. He was one of a committee ap- pointed RITTENHOUSE, 293 pointed by the Society, to observe in the township of Norriton, this rare occurence in the revolution of that l)lanet, and bore an active part in the preparations which were made for that purpose. We- are naturally led here to take a view of our phi- losopher with his associates in their preparations to observe a phenomenon, which had never been seen but twice before by any inhabitant of our earth, ami which would never be seen again by any person then living, and on which depended very important astro- nomical consequences. The night before the long- expected day, was probably passed in a degree of so- licitude which precluded sleep. How great must have been their joy when they beheld the morning sun, " and the whole horizon without a cloud ;" for such is the description of the day given by Mr. Ritten- house in the report referred to by Dr. Smith. In pen- sive silence and trembling anxiety, they waited for the predicted moment of observation ; it came and bro't with it all that had been wished for and expected by those who saw it. In our philosopher, it excited in the instant of one of the contacts of the planet with the sun, an emotion of delight so exquisite and pow- erful, as to induce fainting. This will readily be be- lieved by those who have known the extent of that pleasure which attends the discovery or first percep- tion of truth. Soon after tins event, we find him act- ing as one of a committee appointed to observe the transit of Mercury on the 9th of November in the same year. This was likewise done at Norriton ; an account of it was drawn up, and published at the re- quest of the committee, by Dr. Smith. A minute history of the whole of these events, in wliich Mr. Rittenhouse acted a distinguished part, is given in our transactions. It was received with great satisfac- tion by the astronomers of Europe, and contributed much to raise the character of our then infant country for astronomical knowledge. In the year 1775, he was appointed to compose and deliver the annual oration before our society. The sub- 2^4. RITTENHOUSE, subject of it, was the Kistoiy of Astronomy. The languag-e of this oration is simple, but the sentiments contained in it are ingenious, original, and in some instances sublime. Astronomy was the favourite ob- ject of Mr. Rittenhouse's studies — Attempts have been made to depreciate this branch of Natural Philo- sophy ; but it is easy to shew the advantages of this Science It is to Astronomy that we are indebted for our knowledge of navigation, by which means the different parts of our globe have been discovered, and afterwards cemented together by the mutual wants. and obliccations of commerce. It v/as Astronomy that taught mankind the art oF predicting and explaining the eclipses of the Sun and Moon, and thereby delivered them from the supersti- tion, wliich, in the early ages of the world, was con- nected with those phxnomena of nature. We are taught by Astronomy to correct our ideas of the visible heavens, and thus by discovering the fa- lacy of the simple evidence of our senses, to call to iheir aid, the use of our reason, in deciding upon all inaterial objects of human knowledge. Astronomy has the most powerful influence upon morals and religion, " Yes (says our philosopher in another part of his oration) the direct tendency of this science is to dilate the heart with universal bene- volence, and to enlarge its views. It flatters no princely vice, nor national depravity. It encourages not the libertine by relaxing any of the precepts of Mo- rality, nor does it attempt to undermine the founda- tions of Religion ; it denies none of those attributes, which the wisest and best of mankind have in all ages ascribed to the Deity. Nor does it degrade the hu- man mind from that dignity which is ever necessary to make it contemplate itself with complacency." Talents so splendid, and knowledge so practical in mathematics, are like mines of precious metals. They become public property by universal consent. The State of Pennsylvania was not insensible of the wealth j.he possessed in tlie mind of Mr. Rittenhouse. She claini- RiTTENHOUSE. 295 claimed bim as her own, and employed him in busi- neas of the utmost importance. In the year 1779, he was appointed, by the Legi- slature of Pennsylvania, one of the Commissioners for adjusting a territorial dispute between Pennsylvania and Virginia, and to his talents, moderation and firm- ness, were ascribed, in a great degree, the satisfacto- tory termination of that once alarming controversy, in the year 1785. In 1784, he assisted in determining^ the Ien«-th of 5 degrees of longitude from a point on the Delaware, in order to nx the western limits of Pennsylvania. In 1786, he was employed in fixing* the northern line which divides Pennsylvania from New- York. But the application of his talents and knov/ledge to the settlement of territorial disputes, was not confin- ed to his native state. In the year 1769, he was em- ployed in settling the limits betv/een New-Jersey an"d New- York ; and, in 1787, he was called upon to assist in fixing the boundary line between the States of IVlas- sachusetts and New- York. This last business, which was executed with his usual precision and integrity, was his farewel peace-olTerinij to the union and happi- ness of his country. In his excursions thro' the wilderness, he carried with him his habits of inquiry and observation. No- thing in our mountains, soils, rivers, and springs, es- caped his notice. It is to be himented, tJiat his pri- vate letters, and the memories of his friends, are the only records of what he collected upon these occasions. — Philosopher I or Natutalist ! whosoever ihcu art, that shalt hereafter traverse the unfrequented woods of our State, forget not to respect the paths, first marked by the feet of this ingenious and faithful ser- vant of the public — horiour the fountains consecrated to Science by his skilful har.d — and itihale, with dou- ble pleasure, the pure atmosphere of the mountains, on which he renewed his acquaintance with the cano- py of Heaven, after passing whole w^eeks in forests, so shady as to conceal from liim the rays of the suu and, %^y RITTENHOUSE. —and, citizens ol Pennsylvayiia^ frijnds and patrons oF Literature, be grateful for his services—let the re- membrance of them be dear to the present genera- tion — and let a part of the State, distinguished in a more especial manner for its resources in natural knowledge, bear his name, ^vith honour, to the latest posterity. In the ye?r 1791, he was chosen successor to Dr. Franklin in the chair of our Society. In this elevate- «*d station, the highest that Philosophy can confer in GUI' country, his conduct was marked by its usual pro- priety and dignity. Never did the artificial pomp of station command half the respect which followed his unassumiijg manners in the discharge of the public du- ties of his office. You will often recollect, Gentle- men, with a mixture of pleasure and pain, the delight- ful evenings you passed in the Society, every time he presided in your meetings. They were uniformly characterised by ardour in the pursuits of science, ur- banity, and brotherly kindness. His attachment to the interests of the Society was evinced, soon after he accepted the President's chair, by a donation of 300/, But his talents and knowledge were not limited to mathematical or material subjects — his. mind was a repository of the knowledge of all ages and countries. He had early and deeply studied most of the different systems of Theology. He was well acquainted with pi-actical Metaphysics. In reading travels he took great delight. From them he drew a large fund of his knowledge of the natural history of our Globe. T;Ie possessed talents for music and poetry ; but the more serious and necessary pursuits of his life pre- vented his devoting much time to the cultivation of them. He read the English poets with great plea- sure. The muse of Thomson charmed him most : He admired his elegant combination of Philosophy and Poetry. However opposed these studies may ap-. pear, they alike derive their perfection from extensive and accurate observations of the works of Nature.— - Hq was intimately acquainted with the French, Gei:- maa RITTENHOUSET. 297 man and Dutch languages, the two former of which he acquired without the assistance of a master. They served the vahiable purpose of conveying to him the discoveries of foreign nations, and, thereby, enabled him to prosecute his studies with more advantange in his native language. In speaking of Mr. Rittenhouse, it has been com- mon to lament his want of v/hat is called a liberal edu- cation. Were education what it should be in our pub- lic seminaries, this would have been a misfortune ; but, conducted as it is at present, agreeably to the systems adopted in Europe in the 15th century^ I: am disj)osed to believe that his extensive knowledge and splendid character are to be ascribed chiefly to his having es- caped the pernicious influence of monkish learnings upon his mind in early life. Had the usual forms of a public education in the United States been imposed upon him, instead of revolving thro' life in a planeta- ry orbit, he would, probably, have consumed the force of his genius by fluttering around the blaze of aneven^ ing taper. Rittenhouse — the Philosopher, and one of the luminaries of the I8th century — might have spent his hours of study in composing syllogisms, or in measuring the feet of Greek and Latin poetry. It will be honourable to the citizens ot the United States, to add, that they were not insensible of the merits of our Philosopher,. Inventions and improve- ments in every ait and science v/ere frequently sub- mitted to his examination, and were afterwards patron- ised by the public, according as they were approved of by him. Wherever, he wentj he met with public respect, and private attentions. But his reputation - "was not confined to his native country. His name, was known and admired in every region of the earth,, where science and genius, are cultivated and respect- ed. Such were the talents, and knov/ledp;e, and such-' the fame of our departed President ! His virtues nov/. demand our tribute of praise — And here, I am less - at. a loss to know what to say, than vhat tu leave im^ O 2 said. 29^ RITTENHOUSE. said. We have hitherto beheld him as a philosopher, soaring like the eagle, until our eyes have been daz- zled by his near approaches to the sun. We shall now contemplate him at a nearer distance, and be- hold him in the familiar character of aMAN, fulfilling his various duties in their utmost extent. If any thing has been said of his talents and knowledge that has excited attention, or kindled desires, in the young- er members of our Society, to pursue him in his path of honour, let me request them not to forsake me here. Come and learn, by his example, to be good as well as great. His virtues furnish the most sliining models for yom* imitation, for they were never obscur- ed in any situation or stage of his life, by a single cloud of weakness or vice. As the source of these virtues, whether of a public or private nature, I shall first mention his exalted sense of moral obligations, founded upon the revelation of the perfections of the Supreme Being. This appears from many passages in his oration, and from his. private letters to his fritinds. In his oration we find the following pious sentiment: " Should it please that Almighty Power who hath placed us in a world in which we are only permitted ' to look about us and to die,' to indulge us with existence throughout that half of eternity which still remains unspent, and to conduct us thro' the se- veral stages of his works, here (meaning in the study of Astronomy) is ample provision made for employ- ing every faculty of the mind, even allowing its pow- ers to be enlarged thro' an endless repetition of ages. Let us not complain of the vanity of this world, and that there is nothing in it capable of satisfying us. — Happy in those wants — happy in those desires, for ever, in succession, to be gratified-— happy in a conti- nual approach to the Deity. " I must confess, that I am not one of those san- guine spirits, who seeni to think, that, when the with- ered hand o( Death has drawn up the curtain of eter- nity, ail distance between the creature and the Cieat- or,'anJ beiween finite and Infinite, will be annihilated. . Eve- RITTENHOUSE. 299 Every enlargernent of our faculties-^every new hap- piness conferred upon us — every step we advance to- wards the Divinity, will very probably render us more and more sensible of his inexhaustible stores of communicable bliss, and of his inaccesible perfections." There appears to be a natural connection between a knowledge of the works of Nature and just ideas of the Divine perfections ; and, if philosophers have not, m all ages, been equally devout with our President, it becomes us to. enquire, how far the beneficial influ- ence of Philosophy upon Religion may have been pre- vented, by their minds being pre-occupied, in early- life, with the fictions of ancient Poets, and the vices of the heathen Gods, It remains yet to be determin- ed, whether all the moral as well as natural attributes of the Deity may not be discovered in the form and economy of the material v orld, and whether that Righteousness which descended from Heaven near 1800 years ago, may not wait for philosophical Truth to spring up from the earth, in order, by uniting with it, to command universal belief and obedience. This opinion, as far as it relates to one ot the moral attri- butes of the Deity, seems to have been admitted by our Philosopher, in the following elegant and pious- extract from a letter to one of his friends : — " Give me leave (says he) to mention two or three proofs of Infinite Goodness in the works of creation. The first is, possessing goodness in ourselves. Now, it is in- consistent with all just reasoning to suppose, that, there is any thing good, lovely, or praise-worthy in us, which is not possessed, in an infinitely higher degree, b^y that Being who first called us into exist- ence. In the next place, I reckon the exquisite and innocent delig-ht that many things around us are cal- culated to afford us. In this light,, the beauty and fragrance of a single rose is a better argument for Divine Goodness than a luxuriant field of wheat. — For, if we can suppose, that we were created by a malevolent Being with a design to torment us for his - amusement, he must have furnished us with the means of 3C0 RITTENHOUSE. of subsistence, and either have made our condition tolerable, or not have left the means of quitting it at pleasure, in our own power* Such being my opini- ons, you will not wonder at my fondness for what Mr. Addison calls < the Pleasures of the Imagination.'- — They are all, to me, so many demonstrations of Infi- nite Goodness." But the religion of Mr. Rittenhouse was not deriv- ed wholly from his knowledge and admiration of the material world. He believed. in the Christian Reve- lation. — Of this he gave many proofs, not only in the conformity of his life to the precepts of the Gospel, but in his letters and conversation. I well recollect, in speaking to me of tlie truth and excel- lency of the Christian religion, he mentioned, as an evidence of its Divine origin, that the miracles of our Saviour dilfcred from all other miracles, in being en- tirely of a kind and benevolent nature. It is no small triumph to the friends of Revelation to observe, in this age of Infidelity, that oar religion has been-ad- mitted, and even defended, by men of the most exalt- ed understanding, and of the strongest reasoning powers. The single testimony of David Rittenhouse in its favour, outweighs the declamations of whole na« tions against it. As the natural effect of his belief ni the. relation of the wliole human race to each other, in a common Father and Redeemer, he embraced the whole family of mankind in the arms of his benevolence. But the philanthropy of Mr. Rittenhouse did not consist sim- ply in wishes for the happiness of mankind. He re- duced this divine principle to practice by a series of faithful and disinterested services to that part of his fellow-creatures, to which the usefulness of good men is chiefly confined. His country — his beloved coun- try, was t)ie object of the strongest alfections of his lieart. For her he thought-^for her he laboured — and, for her,in the hours of her difficulties and dangers, he wept in every stage of the AiTierican Revolution. — - ^utriotbpf irre, you will acquit me of cxaggeratioa here, RITTENHOUSE. 301 Itere, for you feel, in the recollection of what passed in your own bosoms, a witness of the truth of each of these assertions. The year of the Declaration of Independence, which changed our Royal governments into Republics, produced no change in his political principles, for he had been educated a Republican by his father. 1 can never forget the pleasure with which he avowed his early, but secret, attachment to an elec- tive and representative form of governmeut. Often have I heard him, above 20 years ago, predict the immense encrease of talents and knowledge which has been produced by the strength and activity that have been infused into the American mind by our republi- can Constitutions. Often, likewise, at the same re- mote period of time, have I heard him anticipate, with delight, the 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 as moral e- vil, to be intruders into the society of man — that ge- neral happiness was the original design and ultimate end of the Divme government — and that a time would come, when every part of our globe would echo back the heavenly proclamation of " universal peace oa c^rth, and good Avill to man." Let it not be said, that he departed from the duties of a Philosopher, by devoting a part of his time and talents to the safety and happiness of his Country. It belongs to Monarchies, to limit the business of go- vernment to a " privileged order of men," and it is from the remains of a monarchical spirit in our coun- try, that we complain when clergymen, physicians, philosophers, and mechanics, take an active part in civil affairs. The obligations of Patriotism are as u* niversal and binding, as those of justice and benevo- lence, and the virtuous propensities of the humai\ heart areas much resisted by every individual who ne- glects the business of his country, as they are by the e,\tinction of the domestic atfections in a cell, Man was made for a Republic, and a Republic was made fqr INliui, otiierwise Divine power and goodness have beca 302 RITTENHOUSE. been wasted, in the creation and gift of his public af- fections. — Our Philosopher adopted this truth from the evidence of his feelings, in common with the rest of mankind, but it was strongly reinforced in his mind liy numerous analogies of nature. How was it possible for him to contemplate light and air as the common and equal portions of every man, and not ac- knowledge that the goodness of Heaven intended li- berty to be distributed in the same manner among the whole human race ?-^Or how could he behold the beauty and harmony of the universe, as the result of universal and mutual dependance, and not admit that Heaven intended rulers;_to be dependant upon those, for whose benefit alone, all government should exist ; to suppose the contrary,, would be to deny unity and s^ystem in the plans of the great Creator of all things. I shall make no apology for those sentiments. They are not foreign to the solemnity of this discourse. Had I said less of the political principles and conduct of Gur enlightened President, hundreds and thousands of my fellow-citizens would have accused me of an act of treachery to his memory. May the time never come, in which tlie praises of our republican govern- ments shall not be acceptable to the ears of an Ame- rican audience I In the more limited circles of private life, Mr. Rittenhouse commanded esteem and all'ection. As a neighbour he was kind and charitable. His sym- pathy extended in a certain degree to distress of every kind, but it was excited with the most force, and the kindest etfects to the weakness, pain, and poverty of old age. — As a friend he was sincere, ardent, and disinterested — As a companion^ he instructed upon all subjects. To his happy com >iiunicutive disposition, 1 beg leave to express my obligations in this public manner. I can truly say, after an acquaintance Avith him for six-and-twenty years, that 1 never went into his company, without learning something. With pleasure have I looked beyond my present labours to u time, when his society should constitute one of the prin- IIITTEN HOUSE. 303 principal enjoyments of the evening of my life. — Bu^ alas, that time so often anticipated, and so delightful in prospect — will never come. I hope it will not be thouglit that I tread too close- ly upon his footsteps, when I presume to lift the latch of his door, and to exhibit him in the domestic rela- tions of a husband and father. It was the practice of philosophers of former ages, to pass their lives in their closets, and to maintain a formal and distant in- tercourse with their families ; but our Philosopher was a stranger to pride and imposture in every thing. His family constituted his chief society, and the most intimate circle of his friends. When the declining state of his health rendered the solitude of his study less agreeable than in former years, he passed whole evenings in reading or conversing with his wife and daughters. Happy family I so much and so long blessed with such a head ! and happier, still, to have possessed dispositions and knowledge to discern and love his exalted character, and to enjoy his instructing conversation ! — Thus Sir Thomas More lived with his accomplished wife and daughters; — thus Cicero educated his beloved Tullia ; — and in this way only, can the female sex be elevated to that dignity and use- fulness in society, for which they were formed, and by which, from their influence upon manners, a new era would be created in the history of mankind. The house, and manner of living of our President;^ exliibited the taste of a Philosopher, the simplicity of a Republican, and the temper of a Christian.* He was independent, and contented with an estate, small in the estimation of Ambition aTid Avarice, but amply suited to all his wants and desires. He held the oifice of Treasurer of Pennsylvania, by an annual and ima- nimous vote of the Legislature, between the years 1777 and 1789. During this period, he declined pur- chasing the smallest portion of the public debt of the State, thereby manifesting a delicacy of integrity, which is known and felt only by pure and elevated- ,minds. Ji^ * On the fubjea of ReMgion, Dr. Price was his favourite, He read one of his fermons tlie evening before lie died. 5©-4 RITTENHOUSE* In the year 1792, he was persuaded to accept of the office of Director of the Mint of the United States. His want of health oblig-ed him to resign it in 1795. Here his conduct was likewise above suspicion, for I have been informed by his colleague in office, that, in several instances, h€ paid for work done at the Mint out of his salary, where he thought the charges for it would be deemed extravagant by the United States. His economy extended to a wise and profitable use of his time. No man ever found him unemployed. As an apology for detaining a friend a few minutes, while he arranged some papers he had been examin- ing, he said, " that he once thought health the great- est blessing in the world ; but that he now tho't there was one thing of much greater value, and that was time." The propriety of tliis remark will appear when we consider, that Providence, so liberal in other gifts, bestows this in a sparing manner. He never gives a second moment, until he has withdrawn the lirst, and still reserves the third in his own hand. Here I expected to have finished the detail of his •virtues ; but, in the neighboiu'hood of that galaxy cre^ ated by their connected lustre, I behold a virtue of m- estimable value, tv/inkling like a rare and solitary star — It is, his superlative modesty.— This heaven- born virtue was so conspicuous in every part of his conduct, that he appeared not so much to- conceal, as to be ignorant of his superiority as a Philosopher and a Man over the greatest part of his fellow-creatures. His constitution was naturally feeble, but it was rendered still more so, by sedentary labour and mid- night studies. He was afflicted many years with a weak breast, which upon unusual exertions of body or mind, or sudden changes in the weather, became tlie seat of a painful and harrassing disorder. This con- stisutional infirmity was not without its uses. It con- tributed mucli to the perfection of his virtue, by pro- ducing habitual patience and resignation to the will of Heaven, and a constant eye to the hour of his disso- Ivition. It wa^ a window through which he often look- ed.. RITTENHOUSE. 305 ed with pleasure towards a place of existence, where from the encrease and perfection of his intuitive facul- ties, he would probably acquire more knowledge in an hour than he had acquired in his whole life, by the slow operations of reason ; and where, from the greater magnitude and extent of the objects of his contemplation, his native glolie would appear like his cradle, and all the events of time like the amuse- ments of his infant years. On the 26th of June, of the present year, the long expected messenger of death disclosed his commis- sion. In his last illness, which was acute and short, he retained the usual patience and benevolence of his temper. Upon, being told that some of his friends had called at his door to enquire how he was, he ask- ed, why they were not invited into his chamber to sec him ? — " Because (said his wife) you are too weak to speak to them." — " Yes (said he) that is true, but I could still have squeezed their hands.'* — Thus with a heart overflowing with love to his family, friends, country, and to the whole world he peacefully resign- ed his spirit into the hands of his God. Let the day of his death be recorded in the annals of our society, and let its annual return be marked with some public act, which shall characterise his services and our grief, and thereby animate us and our successors to imitate his illustrious example. It has been the fashion of late years, to say of per- sons who had been distinguished in life, when they left the world in a state of ind^H'erence to every thing, and believing and hoping in nothing, that they died like philosophers. Very different was the latter end of our excellent President. He died like a Christian, interested in the welfare of all around him — believing in a life to come, and hoping for happiness from eve- ry attribute of the Deity. Agreeably to his request, his body was interred in his observatory near his dwelling house, in the pre- sence of anumerous concourse of his fellow citizens. It was. natural for him in the near prospect of appearing iu 3o6 RIXTENHOUSE. m the presence of his Maker, to feel an attachment to that spot in which he had cultivated a knowledge of his perfections, and held communion with him thro* the medium of his works. Hereafter it sliall become one of the objects of curiosity in our city. Thither shall the philosophers of future ages resort to do ho- mage to his tomb, and the children yet unborn, shall point to the dome which covers it, and exuitingly say, " there lies our Rittenhouse." GEORGE WASHINGTON, Commander in Chief of the American Armies IN the history of Man, we contemplate, with parti- cular satisfaction, those legislators, heroes, and philosophers, whose wisdom, valour, and virtue have contributed to the happiness of the human species.— We trace the luminous progress of those excellent be- ings with secret complacency ; our emulation is rous- edy while we behold them steadily pursue the path of rectitude, in deHance of every obstruction ; we rejoice that we are of the same species, and thus, Self-love becomes the hand-maid of Virtue. The authentic pages of Biography unite the most grateful amusement with instruction. Truth supports the dignity of the Historic Muse, who will not admit of either fulsome panegyric, or invidious censure, — She describes her hero with genuine simplicity-— mentions his frailties, his characteristic peculiarities, and his shining qualities. — In short, she gives a faith- ful and lively portrait of the man, investigates the la- tent motives of his actions, and celebrates those vir- tues wh.ich have raised him to an enviable pre-emi- nence above his cotemporaries. We sympathize hi the sufferings, and participate the trimiiphs of those illustrious men who stand " Majellic 'mid the monuments of Time;" and the approbation of excellence in others, naturally leads the mind to imitate the object of its adoration. Among WASHINGTON 307 Among those patriots who have a chiim to our ve- neration, George Washington appears in a conspicu- ous place in the first rank. The ancestors of this extraordinary man, in the year 1657, emigrated from England to America, and settled in the colony of Vir- ginia ; here, by unremitting industry, they became opulent and respectable, and gave their name to the parish of Washington, in Westmoieland county.— George Washington, the hero of the followir g histo- ry, was the fruit of a second marriage, and was born in the settlement of Chotank, in the above-mentioned county, on the 11th of February, 1732. The extensive settlement of Chotank was originally put-chased by the Washington family ; the extreme fertility of the soil induced those settlers to cultivate tobacco in several plantations ; for this purpose, they purchased a number of negro slaves, and, consequent- ly, population was rapidly increased. At the time eur hero was born, all the planters throughout this ex- tensive settlement were his relations— hence, his youthful years glided away in all the pleasing gaiety of social friendship. He i-eceived a private education, and was initiated in the elements of Religion, INIorali- ty, and Science by a private tutor ; and, from the te- nor of his actions, it is manifest, that uncommon pains were taken to cherish the best propensities of human nature in his heart. In the 10th year of his age, he had the misfortune to lose an excellent fether, who died in 1742, and the patrimonial estate devolved to an elder brother. This young gentleman had been an officer in the Colonial troops sent in the expedition against Carthagena. On his return, he called the family mansion Mount V^er- non, in honour o£ the British Admiral, and destined his brother George to serve in the navy. Accordingly, in his 15th year, our hero was enter- ed as a midshipman, en board a British frigate, sta- tioned on the coas: of Virginia. He prepared to cm- ' baik. With all the alacrity of youth; but his nautical career was stupped by the intcrpo^tion of maternal love. s 308 WASHINGTON. Iove# Ever obedient to an affectionate mother, yoiin_ Washington relinquished his desire of going to sea ; the energies of his mind were to be exerted on a more stable element. As his patrimonial estate was by no means consi- derable, his youth was employed ia useful industry ; and, in the practice of his profession as a surveyor, he had an opportunity of acquiring that information respecting vacant lands, and of forming those opinions concerning their future value, which, afterwards, great- ly contributed to the increase of his private fortune. The first proof that he gave of his propensity to arms was in the year 1751, when the office nf Adju- tant-General of the Virginia militia became vacant by the death of his brother, and Mount Vernon, together with a large estate, came into his possession. At this time, the extensive population of the colony made it expedient to form the militia corps into 3 divisions, and Washington, in his 20th year, was appointed Ma- jor. He attended to his duty, as an officer, with ex- emplary propriety and vigilance— was indefatigable in the discipline of the troops — and generally beloved, both by his brother officers and the private men, for his mildness and generosity. In the ye^r 1753, the incroachments of the French upon the western boundaries of the British Colonies excited a general alarm in Virginia, insomuch that Governor Dinwiddie deputed Washington to ascertain the truth of those rumours: he was also empowered to enter into a treaty with the Indians, and remonstrate with the French on the injustice of their proceedings. On his arrival at the back settlements, he found the Coloiiists in a very unpleasant situation, from the de- predations of the Indians, who were incessantly insti- gated by the French to the commission of new ag- gressions. He found that the French themselves had also committed several outrages against the defence- less settlers ; nay, that they had proceeded so far as to establish posts within the boundaries of Virginia. Washington strongly remonstrated against those acts. of WASHINGTON. 309 of hostility, and warned the French to desist fiom their incursions. On his return, his report to the Go- vernor was published, and it evinced that he peribrni- ed this honourable mission with great prudence. The repeated inroads of the French and Indians on the frontiers of Vin^inia, made it necessary to encrea^€ the military establishment ; and early in the spring of 1754, anew regiment was raised, of which Professor Fry, of the college, was appointed colwiel, and Wash- ington lieutenant-colonel, Mr. Fry died soon after the regiment was embodied, and was succeeded by our hero, who paid unremitting attention to the dis- cipline of this new corps. He established magizines of provision and ammunition, and opened the roads to the frontiers in order pre-occupy an important post at the confluence of the Monongahela and Alleghany rivers. His regiment was to have been reinforced by a detachment from the southern colonies, and a corps of provincials from North Carolina and Maryland ; but impelled by the urgency of the occasion, he advanced vathout the expected succours in the month of May. The troops proceeded by forced marches towards the defile, and their commander dispatched two scouts to reconnoitre ; but though his rapid march was facilita- ted by the fine weather, yet, when he ascended the Laurel Hills, fifty miles distant from the place of des- tmation, he was met by his scouts, who returned with intelligence, that the enemy v/ere in possession of the post, had built a fort, and stationed a large garrison there. V»^ashington now held a council of war with the other olficers, but while they were deliberating a detachment of the 1' rench came in sight, and obliged them to retreat to a savannah called the Green Mea- dows. The fortitude of Washington was put to a severe test on tills occasion : he retired with the troops to an eminence in the savannah, and about noon began to e- rect a small fortification. He called his temporary defence Fort Necessity, and encouraged the regiment both by his voice and example, to raise a redoubt on wJiich 310 WASHINGTOxN. which they planted two field pieces. They surround- ed the camp with an entrenchment in wliich they toil- ed with unremittini^ exertions during the subsequent night. Thus fortined, they prepared to resist the meditated attack of the enemy ; and about sunrise, on the following mornnig, were joined by Capt. M'Kay, ^vith a company of regulars. The little army now amounted to about 400 men. On the approach of the advanced guard of the French, the Americans sallied forth, attacked and defeated them ; but the main body of the enemy, amounting to 1500 men, compelled them to retire to the intrenchment. The camp was now closely invested, and the Americans suffered se- verely from the grape shot of the enemy, and the In- dian riflemen. Washington however, defended the works with such skill and bravery, that the besiegers were unable to force the intrenchments. At length after a conflict of ten hours, in which 150 of the A- mericanswere killed and wounded, they were obliged to capitulate. They were permitted to march out with the honours of war, and lay down their arms in front of the French lines ; but they were afterwards plun- dered by the hostile Indians, during their return to Virginia. This defeat excited a strong emotion of sorrow in the breasts of their countrymen ; and tho' sevei'al persons censured the precipitance of Washington in this affair, yet the general conviction of his integrity prevented those murmurs from doing him any injury Indeed, his conduct was liable to censure ; he ought to have waited for the necessary reinforcements, a junction with whom would probably have crowned his enterprize with success liis inexperience and the active ardor of a youthful mind, may afford some palliation of his imprudence ; but his rashness in this instance was so ditlerent from his subsequent prudence, that probably this inauspicious commence- ment of his military career, was the origin of tlie the circumspection and vigilance which afterwards marked his conduct in a successful defensive war. Let WASHINGTON! 311 Let us for a moment enquire into the cause of tliese- unprovoked hostilities of the French against the Bri- tish colonies. As France, for many centuries had been the professed rival of England, she beheld the rapid prosperity of these colonies, and the consequent aggrandizement of the mother country, with envious apprehension. The French government had made settlements in North America, and divided this vast continent into two provinces ; the northern was called Canada, and the southern Louisiana. But as the principal part of this territory was comparatively bar- ren and uncultivated, the French formed the ambiti- ous project of obtaining* possession of the British set- tlements by force. P'or this purpose they erected a- chain of forts which extended throughout an immense tract of country. These fortifications Vv'ere garrison- ed by troops well supplied by military stores ; but the circumjacent regions were totally uninhabited, ex- cept by hunting parties of the wandering Indians. The French engaged these savages in their inter- est, by supplying them with arms and ammunition in exchange for rich furs. Thus they obtained the alli- ance of a formidable and enterprizing race, who natu- rally hated the British colonists, whom they consider- ed as the original invaders of their country. In the summer of 1754, the French having built se- veral forts within the boundaries of the British set- tlements, an army of veterans was sent from France to support those unjustifiable encroachments. We have already mentioned their victory over the troops commanded by Washington, and that they had erect- ed a fort at an advantageous post, which it had been his determmation to secure. They named this for- tress DuQuesne, in which they stationed a strong garri- son well provided with military stores. These hostile measures on the part of France, excited the indignation of the English Government, and orders v/ere issued to make general reprisals in Europe and America. In the year 1755, General Braddock was sent to America, at the head of two veteran regiments from Ire- 31 z WASHINGTON. Ireland, to reduce the forts on the Ohio. On his af« rival, he was joined by the independent and provincial corps of America: but when tlie army was ready to march aj^ainst the enemy, the want of wag.8;ons for the conveyance of stores, had almost proved an insur- iiFiountabie obstacle to the expedition. In this emer- gency a putrotic American stepped forward and re- moved the ditiiculty ; this Avas the celebrated Benja- min Fi'anklin, whose extraordinary talents had alrea- dy contributed to the ditlusion of knowledge and hap- piness. This benign philosopher exerted his influ- ence so efTectually with his countrymen, that, in a short time, he collected 150 waggons, which proved an ample supply for the army. As in consequence of a military regulation, " no officer who did not derive his commission from the King could command one who did," Washington re- signed ; but strongly attached to a military life, and emulous to defend his country with distinguished zeal, he voluntarily served under G en. Braddock as an extra aid-de-camp. That General m^arched against Fort Du Quesne ; but soon after he crossed the river Monongahela, the van division of his army was attack- ed by an ambuscade of French and Indians, and to- tally defeated. The thickness of the woods prevent- ed both the European and provincial troops from be- ing able to defend themselves with effect; they could neither keep their ranks, nor charge the enemy with the bayonet, while the Indians, who were expert at bush-fighting, and were widely scattered, fired at them in all directions from behind the trees, where they were concealed from their foes, and took a fatal aim. Washington had cautioned Gen. Braddock in vain ; his ardent desire of conquest made him deaf to the voice of prudence; he saw his error when too late, and bravely perished in his endeavours to save the di- vision fron* destruction. The gallant but unfortunate general had four horses shot under him before he was slain, and ahnost every oliicer whose duty obliged him to be on horseback, was eitlier killed or wounded except Wash- WASHINGTON. 313 ington. Amid the carnage, the presence of inind, and abilities of our hero, were conspicuous ; he ral- lied the troops, and, at the head of a corps of p;rena- diers, covered the retreat of the division, and secured their retreat over the ford of Monongahela. Anxious for the preservation of tlie tro-'i)ps, and un- mindful of the fatigues he hnd undergone, during a sultry day in which he had scarcely a moment of rest, he hastened to concerc measures with Colonel Dunbar, who commanded the rear division, which had not been engaged. Neither the wilderness thro' which he was obliged to pass, the innumerable dangers that surrounded him in his progress, nor his exiiausted state could prevent him from pursuing the line of his duty. He travelled during the night accompanied by two guides, and reached the British camp in safety. Thus his perseverance and wisdom saved the residue of the troops. Colonel Dunbar now assumed the chief command ; he with considerable difticulty effect- ed a retreat, but was obliged to destroy his baggage to prevent it from falling into the hands of the enemy. Washington received the most flattering marks of public approbation ; but his best reward was the con- sciousness of his own integrity. Soon after this transaction, the regulation of rank, which had justly beeii considered as a grievance by the colonial oHicers, was changed in consequence of a spirited remonstrance of Washington ; and the Go- vernor of "V irginia rev/arded this brave otficer with the command of all the troops of that colony. The natural energy of his mind was now called into action ; and his thoughts were continually employed in form- ing new plans for the protection of the frontiers. We may form some idea of his increaseing popu- larity, and the high estimation in which iie was held by his countrymen, from the follov/ing curious pre- diction. It was published in the notes of a sermon preached by the Samuel Davies, on the 17th of Au- gust, 1755, to Capt. Overton's independent company of Volunteers, raised in Planover county, Virpinia. P « As 314 WASHINGTON. ** As a remarkable instance of patriotism, I may point out that heroic youth Colonel Washington, whom I cannot but hope Providence has hitherto preserved in so signal a manner, for some important service to his country." What renders this prophecy the more worthy of notice, is its having been delivered twenty years prior to the commencement of the war which terminated in American independence. In the year 1758, Washington commanded the van brigade of the army under Gen. Forbes, and distin- guished himself by the capture of Fort du Quesne. During this successful campaign, he acquired a know- ledge of tactics. His frequent skirmishes with the French and Jndicvns, in the woody regions along the frontiers taught him vigilance and circumspection, and roused that spirit of enterprise, which is ever ready to seize the crisis that leads to victory. The troops under his command were gradually inured in that most difficult kind of warfare called bush-fighting, while the activity of theFrench and ferocity of the In- dians were overcome by his superior valour. After the enemy had been defeated in several battles, and compelled to retreat far beyond the Colonial bounda- ries, General Forbes left a sufficient garrison in the different forts which he had captured along the banks of the Ohio, and returned with the army into winter quarters. In the course of this decisive campaign, which re- stored the tranquillity and security of the middle colo- nies, Washington had suffered many hardships which impaired his health. He w^as afflicted with an invete- rate pulmonary complaint, and extremely debilitated, insomuch that in the year of 1759, he resigned his commission and retired to Mount Vernon. The Vir- ginia line expressed their high sense of his merit, by an affectionate address on this occasion ; and his an- swer was marked with that modesty and magnanimity which were the prominent traits of his mind. By WASHINGTON. 315 By a due attention to regimen, in the quiet bowers of Mount Vernon, he gradually recovered from his in- disposition. But, as during the tedious period of his convalescence, the British arms had been victorious,, his country had no more occasion for the exertion of his military talents. In the year 1761, he married a young widow, whose maiden name was Dan- dridge. She was descended from a reputable family, and two of her brothers were officers in the British navy. This lady was the widow of Colonel Custis, who had left her sole executrix to his extensive pos« sessions, and guardian to his two children. The u- nion of Washington with this accomplished woman * was productive of their mutual felicity ; and as he in- cessantly pursued agricultural improvements, his taste embellished and enriched the fertile fields around Mount Vernon. Meanwhile he was appointed a ma- gistrate, a member of the assembly of the state, and a judge of the court. These honourable avocations kept the pov»?ers of his mind in a state of activity ; he attended to his civil duties with exemplary propriety, and gave a convincing proof, that the simplicity of the Farmer is homogeneal with tlie dignified views of the Senator. But the time approached, in which Washington was to relinquish those honourable civil avocations, and one of the most remarkable events recorded in history obliged him to act a conspicuous part on the great theatre of the world. The American Revolution o- riginated in the errors of a few British politicians, and the joint exertions of a number of public spirited men among the Colonists, who incited their countrymen to resist parliamentaiy taxation. In March 1764, a bill passed in the British Parlia- ment, laying heavy duties on all articles imported in- to the Colonies from the French and other islands in the West Indies, and ordering these duties to be paid in specie into the Exchequer of Creat Britain. In the * Mrs. Wafhington was born in the year 1732 3i6 WASHINGTON. the same session, another bill was formed, to restrain the currency of paper-money in the Colonies. These acts excited the surprize and displeasure of the North Americans. They sent warm and energe- tic remonstrances to the Mother-country, and laid eve- ry argument before the Ministry that ingenuity could suggest, but in vain. As they had hitherto furnished their contingent in men and money, by the authority of their Representatives in. the Colonial Assemblies, they asserted, that, not being represented in the Brit- ish Parliament, it could have no right to ta5i them — = Finding, however, that all their arguments were inef- fectual to remove their grievances, they formed asso- ciations to prevent the use of British manufactures, till they should obtain redress. The, animosity of the Colonists was farther increas- ed, by the advice v/hich they received, thattheBritish Ministry had it in comtemplation to establish stamp- duties in America, similar to those in Great Britain. The General Assembly of Virginia was the first that openly and formally declared against the right of Britain to lay taxes on America. Of this Assembly Washington was a member ; he most zealously op- posed what he considered an encroachment on the li- berties of his countrymen ; and the example of this legislative body was followed by those of the other co- lonies. In June, 1765, the Assembly of Massachusetts, -from the conviction of the expediency of a Continen- tal Congress, passed a resolution in favour of that measure, and sent circular letters to the several As- sembhes, requesting their concurrence. According- ly, a deputation Irom 10 of the Colonies met at New- York, and this was the first Congress held in North America. In consequence of a petition from this Congress to the King and both Houses of Parliament, the stamp- act v^as repealed, to the universal joy of the Colonists, and the general satisfaction of the English, whose , manufacture 3 had- suftered a considerable depression, in WASHINGTON. - 317 hi conseqwence of the American associations against their importation. But, the Parliament, by repealing this obnoxious act, did not rehnquish the idea of their riglit to tax the Colonies ; and the bill for laying a duty on tea, paper, painters' colours, and glass, was passed, and sent to America, in 1768, This act occasioned new discontents in the Colonies, especially at Boston ; and tho' Parliament thought proper, in 1770, to take off those duties, except 3d. a pound on tea, yet even this trifling impost kept alive the jealousy of the ColonistSj ''vho denied the supremacy of the British Legislature- The troops quartered in Boston was another cause of offence to the inhabitants, and, on all occasions, they manifested an inchnatlon to quarrel with men whom, they considered inimical to their liberties. The animosity of the people of that Colony against their Governor, Hutchinson, was increased by the dis- covery that he had written letters to people in power in England, which contained a misrepresentation of the state of public affairs, and recommended coer- cive measures, in order to secure the obedience of the province. These letters fell into the hands of Dr. Franklin, Agent of the province, who transmitted them to Boston. The Assembly passed a petition to his Majesty, by a large majority, in which they de- clared their Governor and Lieutenant-Governor ene- mies to the Colonies, and prayed for their dismission from office. This petition was not only rejected, but declared to be groundless and scandalous. About this time. Dr. FrtUiklin was dismissed from the office of Deputy Postmaster-General of America, which he held under the Crown^ But it was not merely by his transmission of the letters above-men- tioned that he had offended the British Ministry ; he had written two pieces in favour of America, which excited the public attention on both sides of the At- lantic. The one was entitled, " An Edict from the King of Prussia for taxing the inhabitants of Great Britain, as descendants of emigrants from his domi- nions Sia WASHINGTON. nions ;" and the other, « Rules for reducing a great Empire to a small one." These essays were both written with his peculiar simplicity of style, and a- foounded with the most poignant satire. The disputes between Great Britain and her Colo- nies had now existed above ten yeaars, with intervals of tranquillity. The reservation of the duty on tea, tlie stationing a standing array in Massachusetts, the continuance of a Board of Commissioners in Boston, and the appointing the Governors and Judges of the province, independent of the people, were the causes of that irritation which pervaded all ranks of the com- niunitv. In the year 1773, the American controversy was re- commeced, in consequence of tea being sent to the Colonies by the East India Company. The Ameri- cans now i>erceived that the tax was likely to be en- forced, and were determined to oppose the revenue system of the British Parliament. They considered this attempt of the East India Company as an indirect mode of taxation, and took measures to prevent the landing of the teas. One universal spirit of opposi- tion animated the Colonists from New Hampshire to Georgia. The province of Massachusetts distinguish- ed itself by the most violent and decisive proceedings. Three ships from England laden with tea, lay in the harbour of Boston ; and the townsmen resolved to de- stroy it rather than suffer it to be landed. For this purpose a number of men disguised like Indians, on the i8th of Dec. 1773, entered the ships and threw overboard 342 chests of tea, being the whole of their cargoes. The Ministry now resolved to enforce their autho- rity, and as Boston had been the principal scene of outrage, it was determined to punish that town in an exemplary manner. On the 25th of March 1774, an act was passed called the Boston Port Bill, " to disr continue the landing, and discharging, lading, and shipping of goods, wares, and merchandizes at the town of Boston, or within the hai'bour." The WASHINGTON. 3^9 The news of this bill was received by the Bostoni- ans with the most extravagant tokens of resentment^ and during the ferment their new governor, General Gage, arrived from England. This gentleman had been appointed on account of his being an officer of reputation, and a man esteemed by the Americans, among whom he had resided many years. The first official act of his government was the removal of the assembly to Salem, a town seventeen miles distant. Virginia again took the lead in a public avowal of its sentiments. The first day of June had been ap- pointed for the Boston Port Act to take place, and on that day the General Assembly of Virginia enjoined a public supplication to Heaven. The stile of this in- junction was remarkable : the people were directed " to beseech the Deity to give them one heart and one mind, firmly to oppose every invasion of the A- merican Rights." The Assembly of Virginia recom- mended also to the colonies, to appoint a Congress of Delegates to deliberate on_the critical state of their aH'airs. Meanwhile the Bostonians were not inactive. They framed an agreement, which they called a solemn League andCovenant, by which the subscribers engag- ed in the most religious manner, " to discontinue all commercial intercourse with Great Britain, after the expiration of ihe month of August, till the late ob- noxious acts were repealed, and the colony re-pos- sessed of its charter." Resolutions of a similar na- ture were entered into by the other provinces ; and when General Gage attempted to counteract the co- venant by a proclamation, the Americans retorted, by insisting, that the law allowed subjects to associate in order to obtain redress of their grievances. In the month of Sept. 1774, the General Congress of all the Colonies met at Philadelphia. That body consisted of fifiy-one delegates, chosen by the repre- sentatives of each province. The first act of the Continental Congress, was their approbation of the conduct of the Bostonians, and an ex- 3ZQ: WASHINGTON. exhortation to them to persevere in their opposition to governjnent, till the restoration of their charter. — They avowed their allegiance to his Majesty, and drew up a petition, in which they intreatcd him to grant them peace, liberty, and safety. After several resolutions tending to promote unanimity in the pro- vinces, and after having resolved that another Con- gress should meet in Philadelphia on the 10th of May following if their grievances should not be redressed, they recommended to the people the speedy nomina- tion of new delegates, and then separated. Meanwhile reinforcements of British troops arrived at Boston, which increased the general disaffection to such a degree, that the people were ready to rise at a moment's warning. The Colonists now began seri- ously to prepare for war ; embodied and trained their miltia; and to render themselves independent of fo- reigners for the supply of military stores, they erect- ed mills and manufactories for gunpowder both in Philadelphia and Vii'gimao These hostile preparations . induced General Gage to fortify the neck of land which joins the town of Boston to the continent. But tho' this measure of se- curity was justifiable on the principle of self defence, the Americans remonstrated against it with the great- est vehemence. Instead of paying any attention to these invectives, theGeneral seized the provincial am- muni ion and military stores at Cambridge and Char- lestovv'n. This act of hostility excited the popular rage to such a degree, that it was with the utmost dif- ficulty the inhabitants of Massachusetts could be re- strained from marching to Boston to attack the troops. It was now but too evident, that the ensuing spring would be the commencement of a war of which even the most resolute dreaded the consequences. The utmost diligence, however, was used by the colo- nists to be provided against any attack of the British army. A list of the men able to bear arms was made out in each province, and the assemblies were animat- ed with the most lively hopes on finding that two- thirds WASHINGTON. 321 thiixis of the men who had served in the former war, were alive, and zealous in the cause. Washington was among the most active in raising troops. His well known intrepidity and generosity obtained him a numerous corps of volunteers ; he was appointed their commander, and soon perfected their discipline. He had also been elected a delegate from Virginia to the General Congress, and exerted all his influence to encoui'age a decisive opposition to British taxaticm. The awful moment nov/ approached which was to involve Great Britain and her Colonies in all the hor- rors of a civil war. In February, 1775, the Provin- cial Congress of Massachussetts met at Cambridge. Several military institutions for the protection of the province were enacted ; among the most remarkable of w'hich was the minutemeru A number of the most active and expert of the New England militia were selected, who were obhged to hold themselves in rea- diness to obey the first summons of their officers; and indeed their subsequent vigilance and intrepidity, fully entitled them to the above-mentioned appellation. We pass over the battles of Lexington and Bunk- er's-hill (already related in General Putnam's life) and come to the subject of our present memoir. Wash- ington who was a delegate from Virginia, was by their unanimous vote, appointed to beGeneral in Chief- of all the American forces. They also voted him as ample a salary as was in their power to bestow, but . he generously declined all pecuniary emoluments. — His reply to the President of Congress, on his nomi- nation to the supreme command of the lU'my, was in, the following words : " Mr. President, *^ Though I am truly sensible of the high honour done me in this appointment, yet I feel great distress from a consciousness that my abilities and military ex- perience may not be equal to the extensive and im- portant trust ; however as theCongress desire it, I will enter upon the momentous duty, and exert every po\v» P2. er 322 WASHINGTON. er I possess in their service and for support of the glorious cause. I beg they will accept my most cor- dial thanks for this distinguished testimony of their approbation. *' But lest some unlucky event should happen unfa- vourable to my reputation, I beg it may be remem- bered by every gentleman in the room, that I this day declare, with the utmost sincerity, I do not think myself equal to the command J am honoured with. " As to my pay, I beg leave to assure the Con- gress, that, as no pecuniary consideration could have tempted me to accept this arduous employment, at the expence of my domestic peace and happiness, I do not •wish to make any profit from it. I will keep an ex- act account of my expences — those, I doubt not, they will discharge, and this is all I desire." This speech is a proof of that disinterestedness and modesty which were the distinguishing character- istics of Washington's mind. In private life, he was hospitable and friendly. These social virtues, togeth- er with his tried valour, made him truly estimable in the eyes of his countrymen. His election to the su- preme command was attended by no competition — every member of Congress, especially those of New- England, were convinced of his integrity, and chose him as the man best qualified to raise their expecta- tions and fix their confidence. The appointment of Washington was attended with other promotions, namely, 4 Major-Generals, 1 Adju- tant-General, and 8 Brigadier-Generals. On the day following, a special commission was presented to Washington by Congress. At the same time, they resolved unanimously, in a full meeting, " That they would maintain and assist him, and ad- here to him with their lives and fortunes, in the cause of American liberty." In their instructions, they au- thorised him " to order and dispose of the army un- der his command as might be most advantageous for obtaining the end for which it had been raised, making it his special care, in discharge of the great trust com- WASHINGTON. 3^3 committed to him, thr ' the liberties of America re- ceived no detriment." Washington's dialdence on the acceptance of his commission was extremely natural. His comprehen- sive mind anticipated the numerous difficulties which must attend his employment, and he would gladly have preferred the pleasures of a rural life to all the " pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war." His taking the command of the American army was, therefore, a strong exertion of self-denial to an unambitious man, who enjoyed all the real blessings of life in the bosom of independence. Let us, for a moment, turn our attention to his private afiairsj and we will behold him blest with the rational pleasures of a philosophic retirement, with his table overspread with plenty, and his pillow smoothed by the hand of conjugal love. Could man desire more ? — Was not this the summit of human happiness ? But now, when the voice of his country demands his aid, he takes the field, in her defence, with filial attachment. In the beginning of July, Washington set out for the camp at Cambridge, in order to assume the com- mand of the army. On his way thither, he was treat- ed with every demonstration of respect, escorted by detachments of gentlemen who had formed volunteer associations, and honoured with public addresses of congratulation from the Provincial Congress of New- York and Massachusetts, In answer to these addresses, Washington, after de- claring his high sense of the regard shewn him, add- ed, " Be assured, that every exertion of my worthy colleagues and myself will be extended to the re-esta- blishment of peace and harmony between the Mother- countrv and these Colonies. M^ to the fatal, but ne- cessary operations of war, w^en we assumed the Sol- dier, we did not lay aside r|te Citizen ; and we shall most sincerely rejoice with W^ in that happy hour, when the re-establishment of /^i^ierican liberty, on the most firm and solid foundation syMiall enable us to re- turn to our private stations, in the bosom of a free> peaceful, and happy country.'* \ 324 WASHINGTON. On his arrival at the camp, he was received with the joyful acclamations of the American army. He found the British troops intrenched on Bunker's-Hill, and defended by 3 floating batteries in Mystic river, while the Americans were intrenched on Winter-hill, Prospect-Hill, and Roxbury, with a communication, by small posts, over an extent of 10 miles. As the Provincial soldiers had repaired to the camp in their ordinary clothing-, the hunting shirt was adopted for the sake of uniformity. Washington found a large body of men, indifferently disciplined, and but badly- provided with arms and ammunition. Besides, they had neither engineers, nor sufficient tools for the erec- tion of fortifications. He also found uncommon diffi- culties in the organization of his army. linterprizing leaders had distinguished themselves at the commence- ment of hostilities, and their followers, from attach- ment, were not willing to be commanded by officers, who, tho' appointed by Congress, were strangers to, them. To subject the licentiousness of freemen to the controul of military discipline, was both an ardu- ous and delicate task. ,. However, the genius of Wash- ington triumphed over all difficulties., Ii] his letter to Congress, after he, had reviewed the troops, he says, <* I And here excellent materials for an amny— able- bodied men, of undoubted courage, and zealous in the cause." la the same letter, he complains of the want of ammunition, camp-equipage, and many other re- quisites of an army. . Washington, at the head of bis troops, published a declaration, previously drawn up by Congress, ex- pressive of their motives for taking up arms. It was written in energetic language, and contained the fol= lowing^ remarkable passages: " Were it possible for men, who exercise their rea- son, to believe that- the Divine Author of our exist- ence intended a part of the human race to hold an ab- 6plute pi-opcrty in, and unbounded power over others, marked out by his infinite goodness and wisdom as the objects of a legal domination, never rightfully resist- able,- WASHINGTON. 3^5 able, however severe and oppressive, the inhabitants of these Colonies might, at least, require from the Parliament of Great Britain some evidence, that this . dreadful authority over them has been granted to that body. But, a reverence for our great Creator, princi- ples of humanity, and the dictates of common sense, must convince all those who reflect upon the subject, that government was instituted to promote the welfare of mankind, and ought to be administered for the at- tamment of that end. « The Legislature of Great Britain, however, sti- mulated by an inordinate passion for power, not only unjustifiable, but which they know to be peculiarly re- probated by the Constitution of that kingdom, and des- pairing of success in any mode of contest where re- gard should be had to truth, law, or right, have at length, deserting those, attempted to. effect their cru- el and impolitic purpose of enslaving these Colonies by violence, and have thereby rendered it necessary for us to close witii their last appeal from Reason to Arms. Yet,, however blinded that assembly may be, by their intemperate rage for unlimited domination, so to slight justice and the opinion of mankind, we esteem ourselves bound, by obligations of respect to the rest of the world, to make known the justice, of of our cause." . This bold and explicit manifesto was dated at Phila- delphia, the 6lh of July, 1775, and subscribed by John Hancock,. President of Congress, and Charles Thompson, Secretary. A general spirit of unanimity pervaded the colo- nies at this momentous period. Men o£all ranks and ages were. animated with martial ardour, and even re- ligious prejudices were overcome by patriotic enthu- siasm. Several young men of the Quaker persua- slon joined the military associations ; and the number of men inarms throughout the colonies was very con- siderable. Notwithstanding these warlike preparations, the A.mericans unanimously protested tliat they took up arms 3^^ WASHINGTON, arms only to obtain a redress of grievances ; and that ascpaiationfrom the parent state was an object fo- reign to their wishes. The rancour, however, that accompanies a civil war, was productive of mutual re- proaches, and theslightestproof of enmity was keen- ly telt as proceeding from those who were once friends. An instance of this nature happened at Boston, while invested by the provincial army, and produced the memorable correspondence between the respec- tive commanders. The last letter, written by Gene- ral Washington to General Gage, exhibited a lively portrait of his character and principles as well as those of his countrymen — It contained the following strik- ing passages : " Whether British or American mercy, fortitude and patience, are most pre-eminent ; whether our victorious citizens, whom the hand of tvranny has forced into arms to defend their property and freedom, or the mercenary instrument of lawless domination, avarice, and revenge, best deserve the appellation of rebels, and the punishment of that cord, which your attected clemency has forborn to inflict ; whether the authority under which 1 act, is usurped, or founded upon the principles of liberty ; such considerations are altogether fortiga to the subject of our correspondence --I purposely avoid all political disquisition ; nor shall 1 avail myself of those advantages, which the sacred cause of my country, of liberty, and human nature, give me over you ; much less shall I stoop to retort any invective. "You afleet. Sir, to despise all rank not derived trom the same source with your own. I cannot con- ceive one more honourable than that which flows Irom t/ie wicorrujitcd choke of a brave and free People tlie purest source and original fountain of all power! l^ar fromthmking it a plea for cruelty, a mind of true magnanimity, and enlarged ideas, would com- prehend and respect it." This celebrated letter was by the Americans repre* bcnted WASHINGTON. 327 seated as the most perfect model of the style becom- ing the Commander in Chief, and the occasion to which it was adapted ; nay, it was commended in different parts of Europe, and even in England, as the most proper answer he could make. In September, General Gage sailed for England ; and the command of the British army devolved on General Howe. Meanwhile, the army under Washington continu- ed the blockade of Boston so closely, as to prevent all intercourse between that town and the country. The provincial force was formed into three grand divisions, of which General Ward commanded the right wing, General Lee the left, and the center was commanded by Washington. The army was arranged by Gene-f ral Gates, by whose exertions miUtary discipline was gradually and successfuly introduced ; the ofticers and privates were taught the necessity of a due subordina- tion, and became expert in the different manoeuvres that constitute the regularity of an army. One insuperable obstacle to the provincial army's arriving at perfect discipline was, the shortness of the time for which the men had been enlisted. It had been limited to six months, and no part of the troops were engaged longer than the 1st of Jan. 1776. To pre- vent the English General from taking advantage of this circumstance, Washington was obliged occasion- ally to call in the militia when the disbanded men left the camp, in order tliat the. works should be properly defended. Ticonderop-a had i>een taken by Colonel Arnold on the loth of May. This important fortress is situated on a promontory, formed at the junction of Lake; George and Lake Champlain, and consequently it is the key of communication between New York and Canada. Arnold, Hushed with success, wrote a let- ter to Congress, in which he offered to reduce the whole province of Canada with 2000 men. From the impetuosity of his disposition, he advised the adoptiqn of an offensive war, but as Congress did net wish to widen 328 WASHINGTON. widen the breach between Great Britain and the Colo- nies,and an accommodation was their wish,they defer» red the invasion ot Canada. Sir Guy Carleton, the governor of that province, planned a scheme for the recovery of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, another fort taken by the Ameri- oins. He had been invested with full powers to em- body the Canadians, and march them against the ene- my ; however, they were very unwilling to engage in the contest, but he hoped on the arrival of reinforce- ments, to compel them to act. Meantime he had col- lected a numerous body of Indians ; his troops though few, were v/ell disciplined, and the United Colo- nies had reason to dread a man of his intrepidity and abilities. . When Congress were informed of these exertion* in Canada, they thought it expedient to make a vigor- ous attack upon that province, in order to prevent the invasion of their north-western frontier. In conse- quence of this determination, an army of 3000 men under the command of Generals Schuyler and Mont- gomery, were sent to effect the conquest of Canada. They proceeded to Lake Champlain, and thence by •water to St.. John's, the first British post in Canada. The Americans landed and besieged the fortress, which was bravely defended by the garrison under Major Preston., Illness obliged General Schuyler to retire to Albany, and the sole command of the troops devolved on Montgomery, who prosecuted the seige with such vigour, that in a few days he became mas- ter of the place. After the reduction of St. John's,. Montgomery advanced to Montreal with his victorious army. On his approach to that town, the few British forces which composed the garrison, repaired for safe- ty on board the shipping, in hopes of escaping down the river, but they .were prevented by a body of con- tinental troops under the command , of Colonel Eas- ton, who v/as stationed at the point of Sorel river.— General Prescot with several officers, and 120 privates, sui'rendered themselves prisoners, on terms of capi-. tu- WASHINGTON. 32> tulation ; and the American General, after leaving a garrison in Montreal, advanced with a rapid march towards the capital of Canada. While Montgomery was thus pursuing the career of victory, the province of Canada was invaded in ano- ther quarter by an enemy no less enterprising and in- trepid than himself. A detachment of 1000 men was sent by General Washington, from the American ar- my at Cambridge. This expedition was conducted by Colonel Arnold, who led his troops by an unex- plored route thro' the wilderness. The difficulties en- countered by this detachment during 31 days, were almost insurmountable. They proceeded in boats by the river Kenebeck, and were obliged to work up- wards against its impetuous current. A^ter suffering various hardships, and losing above l-3d of his men, by sickness and desertion. Colonel Arnold arrived at the inhabited part of Canada, after a march of 6 weeks. The appearance of Colonel Arnold before Quebec threw the inhabitants into the greatest consternation ; but, as in his march it had been impossible to bring any cannon, he could only seize the avenues that led to the city, in order to cut off supplies and provisions, and await the arrival of the troops under Montgomery^ On the 5th of December, 1775, Montgomery aiTiv- ed in sight of Quebec. He summoned it in due form, but the garrison fired at his flag of truce, and refused to admit his message. As the depth of winter ap- proached, he was convinced of the necessity of either raising the siege, or taking the city by escalade. General Carleton made such exertions as evinced the most determined resistance, and his example animat- ed the courage of the garrison. The town was re- markably strong both by nature and art, and the num- ber of the besiegers was inconsiderable ; besides, the vigilance of the Governor was such, that every part was guarded with the greatest circumspection. Montgomery, on the other hand, possessed all those romantic ideas of military glory which prevailed in the days of chivalry ; and this love of enterprize was cher- 330 WASHINGTON. cherished by an intrepidity which made him overlook all perils ; he was conscious that his troops would fol- low with alacrity wherever he should lead, and he de- termined to take the city by storm, or perish in the attempt. On the 31st of December, 1775, he advanced to the attack by break of day. In order to incite emulation among the Provincial troops, there were two attacks, one by the New-England-men, headed by Arnold, and the other by the New- York-men, whom the General led in person. The way thro* which Montgomery and his party had to pass was narrow, and as he knew the most des- perate exertions of valour would be required, he had selected a number of his most resolute men for this cnterprize. He advanced amid a heavy shower of snow, and, having seized the first barrier, he rushed forward at the head of his party, and hastened to close in upon the enemy. The second barrier, which led directly to the gates of the lower town, was defended by a strong body of the garrison, who were posted there with several pieces of cannon ready loaded. — Montgomery advanced, with a rapid movement, and was received with a volley of musketry and grape- shot, that, in an instant, killed and wounded almost the whole of his party. He fell himself, with his principal officers. The troops Ave re so much discon- certed by the loss of their General, that they retreat- ed. In the mean time, Colonel Arnold was engaijed in a furious assault on the opposite side of the town. He attacked and carried a barrier defended with can- non, but this success was attended with a great loss of men, and he received a wound himself, which made it necessary to carry him off the field of battle. The officers on whom the command devolved conti- nued the assault, and took possesion of another bar- rier ; but, the besieged, who now perceived the incon- siderable number of the assailants, sallied from a gate that opened towards their rear, and attacked them in turn. The Provincials were now hemmed in from all pos* WASHINGTONi 33X possibility of a retreat, and exposed to a tremendous fire from the walls ; yet, in this dreadful situation, they maintained the contest 3 hours before they sur- rendered. Tho' this expedition had failed in the great object, yet it effectually prevented any invasion from that quarter, a circumstance that had been apprehended by Congress. The southern provinces now became involved in the contest, especially Virginia, where the disputes of the Governor, Lord Dunmore, with the Assembly, after repeated aggravations on both sides, terminated in open hostilities. He had retired from Williamsburg to Norfolk, where he was joined by a considerable number of Loyalists ; but, after several skirmishes, lie was obliged to retire to the shipping that lay in the river adjacent to the town. As it was now in the possession of the Americans, they not only refused to supply the people on board with provisions, but an- noyed them by a number of riflemen, who were placed in houses near the ships, and who inhumanly aimed at, and killed several persons on board. Exasperated at their conduct. Lord Dunmore ordered a party to land, under cover of a man of war, and set fire to the town. Thus Norfolk was reduced to ashes, and the loss was estimated at 300,000/. sterling. Meantime, the Governors of the two Carolinas were expelled by the people, and obliged to take refuge on board the British men of war. Thus, at the conclusion of the year 1775, the whole of the British Colonies, except the town of Boston, were united against the Mothei -country. The British troops at Boston had endured a tedious blockade with their characteristic fortitude. All com- munication with the country was prevented, and the garrison suffered many inconveniencies from the want of necessaries. They felt the severities of a winter campaign in a rigorous climate, especially those who were stationed at Bunker's-Hill, where they lay ex- posed to winds and snows almost intolerable to a Briti- ish constitution. S3Z WASHINGTON. The Provincials, in the mean time, Avere well sup- plied with necessaries in their encampment before Boston. Here Washington presided, and, by his pru« dent regulations, the troops had all the comforts of good tents, bedding, and fresh provisions. An intense frost usually begins throughout New England about the latter end of December, when the harbour of Boston, and all the rivers in the environs of that town, are generally frozen to a depth of ice sufficient to bear a great weight. Wtishington pro- posed to take possession not only of the town, but al- so to take or destroy all the shipping in the harbour, and by this decisive enterprize, put a conclusion to all the hopes of Great Britain in this quarter. His troops . were eager to distinguish themselves by this atchieve- ment, and, if requisite, a greater force could soon be collected to second their eiVorts. This winter, howe- ver, was unusually mild, and, by preventing the opcr rations of the Provincials, both they and the garrison were obliged to remain inactive. In the mean time, Mr. Penn, who had bro't over the last petition from Congress, was examined at the bar of the House of Lords. This gentleman had been Governor of Pennsylvania, he was personally acquaint- ed v/ith most of the members of Congress, and was qualified to give the most authentic information re- specting the temper and inclinations of the Americans. It appeared from his testimonies, that the charge of aiming at Independence, which had been imputed to Congress, was unfounded. They had been fairly e- lected, were men of charactev and abilities, the Colo- nies had the highest confidence in their integrity, and were governed by their decisions. From his account, it appeared, that Pennsylvania, alone, was able to raise 60.000 men, 20,000 of whom had already enrolled themselves to serve without pay, and were armed and embodied before his departure from the continent. Besides, they had, in imitation of the Colony of Massachusetts, instituted a corps of minute-men, amounting to 5000. Af- WASHINGTON. 333 After a tedious debate in both Houses of Parlia- ment, the petition of Congress was rejected, all at- tempts to reconciliation were suspended, the stand- ard of defiance seemed now to be raised, and both parties appeared determined to make the last appeal to arms. When the news of this rejection of the American petition reached the camp before Boston, the troops expressed the greatest indignation. As Georgia had joined the confederacy, the Americans now changed their colours from a plain red ground, to 13 stripes, alternately red and white, to denote the number of the United Colonies. Washington exerte'd his skill and activity, in order to compel the British either to surrender or evacuate Boston before any succours could arrive from Eng- land. On the 2d of March, 1776, he opened a batte- ry on the west side of the town, and bombarded it.-— This attack was supported by a tremendous cannon- ade ; and, on the 5th, another battery was opened on the eastern shore. The garrison sustained this dread- ful bombardment v/ith the greatest fortitude ; it lasted 14 days without intermission, when General Howe, finding the place no longer tenable, resolved to em^ bark for H alii fax. The evacuation of Boston was not interrupted by the Provincials, lest the British troops ishould set it on fire. When the Americans took possession of Boston, they found a multitude of vahiabie articles which were unavoidably left behind by the British army. The principal of these were artillery and ammunition ;— but the most valuable booty was a large cjuanaty of woollens and linens, of which the Provincials stood in the most pr.-ssing need. Washington now directed his attention to the fortifi- cations of Boston, He employed a number of foreign engineers (.0 superintend tlie construction of new works, and so eager vvere the pt-ople in the prosecu- tion of this business, that every eflective man in the town, 334 WASHINGTON. town, without distinction, devoted 2 days of the week to its completion. As Washington was uncertain of the destination of the British fleet and army which had left Boston, and as New- York lay exposed to any sudden attack, he detached several of his best regiments, under Gene- j'al Lee, for the defence of that city. Meanwhile, a small fleet, under the command of Sir Peter Parker, and a body of troops, under Gene- rals Cornwallis, Clinton, and Vaughan, sailed for Charleston, the capital of South-Carolina. After a vi- olent, but unsuccessful attack, in which the fleet re- ceived considerable damage, the expedition was aban- doned. On the 4th of July, 1776, the Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, formally renounced all connection with Great Britain, and declared themselves independent. They also pub- lished a manifesto, stating a list of grievances, which, notwithstanding their repeated petitions, remained un- redressed. For these reasons, they determined on a final separation from the Mother-country, and to hold the people of Great Britain as the rest of mankind, " enemies in war, in peace friends." — This celebrat- ed Declaration of Independence concluded as follows : ^' We, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the World for the recti- tude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by the authority of the good people of these Colonies, so- lemnly publish and declare, that the United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, and that they are absolved from ail allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved ; and tliat, as free and independent States, they have full power to make war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish com- merce, and to do all other acts and things which inde- pendent States may of right do. And for the support of WASHINGTON; 335 lof this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the pro- tection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred ho- nour." This formal renunciation of allegiance to Great Britain, was followed by the greatest preparations for war throughout the United States. Washington took every precaution for defensive 0- perations, by erecting forts, and stationing troops at the most vulnerable points. The nature of the coun- try was peculiarly favourable to defence, New-Eng- land, especially, presented many natural barriers, con- sisting of hills and mountains, intersected by rivers, and interspersed with woods and precipices — several denies, skirted by impenetrable forests — while majes- tic rivers, flowing with impetuous currents, seemed to preclude the invader. General Howe resolved to quit Hallifax, and pro- ceed to Ncw-York, where he intended to wait for the reinforcements from England. He sailed about the middle of June, and at the end of the month arrived at Sandy-Hook, a point of land which stands at the entrance of a large body of water, formed by the con- fluence of several rivers, and which is surrounded by- New- York, Staten, and Long-Island. About the middle of July, Lord Howe arrived with a fleet and army from England. He sent a circular letter to the Governors who had been displaced by their respective provinces, in which he explained, that he was impowered, in conjunction with his brother, to grant general or particular pardons to all those who were willing to return to their allegiance to tiic King of Great Britain. Congress ordered this letter to be published in all the news- papers, in order that the people of America might know the terms on which they were to act, viz. either unconditional submissi- on, or a bold and manly resistance to despotic power; and, that those who relied on the justice or moder- ation of the British Ministry, tnight be fully convin- ced, that they nmst trust to their own valour for the preservation of their liberties. 336 WASHINGTON. Lord Howe next sent a letter to the American Commander in Chief, but, as it was directed to " George Washington, Esq." the General refused to receive it, as not directed to him agreeable to his sta- tion. His conduct, on this occasion, received the u- Jianimous approbation of Congress. To obviate this difficulty, Adjutant-General Pater- son was sent by General Howe with a letter directed to " George Washington, &c. Sec. 8cc." He was po- litely received, and immediately admitted to the pre- sence of the American General. The Adjutant ex- pressed much concern on account of the difficulties that had arisen from the superscription of the former letter, and hoped that the et ceteras would remove all obstruction to an intercourse between the Commission- ers and General Washington. To this he replied, <* that a letter written to a person invested with a pub- lic character should specify it, otherwise it could not be distinguished from a letter on private business; true it was, the et ceteras implied every thing, but it v/as no less true, that they implied any thing." The most interesting part of the conversation was that respecting the power of the Commissioners, whom the Adjutant said, were ready to exert themselves to the utmost to eftect a reconciliation. The General replied, that it did not appear that these powers con- sisted in any more than granting pardons ; but as A- merica had committed no offence, she asked no for- giveness, and was only defending her unquestionable rights. From this conference, it was evident, that nothing but a decided superiority in the field could induce the Americans to relax tiie resolutions which they had ta- ken with so much deliberatiMi and solemnity. The firmness of Congress had inspired the provin- cials with enthusiasvii. That resolute body had de- claredx\merica independent in the very face of the Bri- tish fieet and army, while the first was casting anchor in sight of NewYork, and the reinforcements IromEng- !and were making the second lanmng on Staten Island. An WASHINGTON, 337 An attack upon Long Island being determined on by the British commanders, the fleet covered the de- scent of the army, which effected a landing without any opposition, on the 22d of August, 1776. Gene- ral Putnam, with a large body of troops, lay encamp- ed and strongly fortified, on a northern peninsula on the opposite shore, with a range of hills betAveen the armies, the principal pass of which was at a village called Flat Bush. Large detachments of the American army occupied the hills and passes. The right of the British army was commanded by General Clinton, Lord Percy, and Lord Cornwallis ; the centre, composed of Hessians, under General Heister, was posted at Flat Bush ; and the left under General Grant, was stationed near the sea shore. Early in the morning of the 27th, the engagement was begun by the Hessians, and a heavy fire of can- non and musquetry was continued on both sides for several hours. One of the passes which lay at a dis- tance, had been neglected by the Americans, which gave an opportunity to the right division of the Bri- tish army to pass the hills, and attack them in the rear. The Americans, when apprized of their danger, retreated towards their camp, but they were intercept- ed, and driven back into the woods. Here they were met by the Hessians, and thus exposed to the fire of two parties. No way of escape now remained, but by forcing their way thro' the ranks of the enemy, and thus regaining their camp. This numbers of them effected, but by far the greater part were either killed or taken prisoners. Washington had crossed over from New York iti the height of the engagement, but he came too late to retrieve the fortune of the day. He had the mor- tification to see some of his best troops killed or tak- en, without being able to afford them aoy assistance, Q but 338 W/^SHINGTON. but he used his utmost exertions to save those that remained by a well conducted retreat. The victory was complete : the Americans lost up- ^vards of 3000 men, including 2000 killed, and 1000 taken prisoners, among whom were three generals — On the side of the British, the loss in killed and wounded was only about 500. Among the provhicials who fell, a regiment from Maryland was particularly regretted. It consisted wholly of young men of the best families in that province. They behaved with the most admirable heroism : tliey were every one killed or wounded, and thus perished in the bloom of youth. After this defeat, Washington did not think it ex- pedient to risk another action against a numerous ar- my of veterans, well provided with artillery, and e- lated with their recent victory. New York required to be strengthened, and the emergency did not ad- mit of a moment's delay ; for should the lirilish fleet be able to station itself between the cair.p and that ci- ty, all would be inevitably lo*t. In this extremity, Washington exerted all his cha- racteristic vigilance and circumspection. In the night of the 29th of August, favoured by darkness, and in the most profound silence, he conveyed his troojjs on board the boats and landed them on the opposite shore. He also carried oB" as much of their baggage, military stores and artillery, as the time would per- mit. This retreat was conducted with so much se- crecy, that with the dawn, the British troops were surprised to see the rear guard of the American ar- my in the boats and beyond the reach of danger. When Wasliington returned with the army to New- York, he ordered batteries to be erected on every spot whence they could annoy the ships of war, which were now stationed in that part of the river which faces the city. The men of war were contiiiually engaged with those batt(-'ries, some of which they silenced and en- abled the Britisli tioops to pioceed up the river, to a bay WASHINGTON, 539 bay about three miles distant. Here the troOps land^ €d under the cannon of the fleet, and marched direct- ly towards the city, on which Washington retreated with his men to the north of York Island. On this occasion, he lost a great part of his artillery and mili- tary stores, yet he engaged the British troops where* ever he could make an advantageous standi. Washington had been particularly careful to fortify the pass called King's bridge, and had chosen this position for his army with the greatest judgment. He could advance or retiie at pleasure, without any dan- ger of being cut off in case of a defeat. Though he was determined not to risk a general engagement, yet in order to inure his troops to actual service, and at the same time annoy the enemy, he employed them in continual skirmishes, in consequence of which they gradually becamp. expert soldiers. It was now determined to force the Americans to a greater distance, lest others of their emissaries should engage in an attempt to destroy the city. Accordingly, General Howe left a sufficient gai'* rison at New York, and embarked his army in iJat bottomed boats, by which they Ave re conveyed thro* the dangerous passage called Hell Gate, and landed near the town of West Chest<;r, on the continent. — After having fresh reinforcements, the Royal army made such movements as threatened to distress the Americans, by cutting oiF their supplies of provisions from Connecticut, and thus force them to an engage- ment. Washington held a council of war with his officers, in which it was resolved to quit their present position and extend the army in a long but well secured line. This the general accomplished, by keeping the Brunx a river of considerable depth, in front, between the two armies, with rhe north river on his rear. On the 28th of October, at break of day, the Brit- ish troops divided into two columns, advanced towards the White Plains, an extent of high ground, full of craggy hills and denies. The S40 WASHINGTON. The Americans maintained their ground in front till noon, when they were attacked with such vigour by the British army, that they were compelled to re* tire to their intrenchments. During the night, Washington, ever intent on the defence and preservation of his army, ordered several additional works to be thrown up in front of the lines, in consequence of which, the English General tho't it imprudent to attack him till the arrival of remforce- ments. On mature delibemtion, however, Washington tho't it adviseable to retreat : his camp was broke up on the 1st ot November, and he retired, with his army, into a mountainous country, called the Township of New- castle. By these judicious movements, he avoided a general action. His system was, to harrass the ene- my, and habituate his men to danger, so that, when the emergency required it, they might be able to act with energy. When General Howe found that all his attempts to bring the enemy to an action v/ere ineffectual, he turn- ed his attention to the reduction of Forts Washington and Lee. A division of his army advanced to King's Bridge, from which the Americans withdrew into Fort Washington, which was immediately invested. This fort was situated on the western side of New- York island, in the vicinity of the city, and nearly opposite to Fort Lee, which had been lately erected on the other side of the water, in the province of Jer- sey. Its chief strength was in its situation, and it was defended by 3000 men, well supplied with artille- ry. On the 16th of November, this fort was attacked by the British army, in four divisions, and, after a re- sistance of some hours, the garrison was overpower- ed, and obliged to surrender themselves prisoners of war. In order to obtain the full command of the North- River, it was also necessary to reduce Fort Lee. For this purpose, Lord Cornwallis crossed the river, land- ed on the Jersey shore, and marched with all possi- ble WASHINGTON. 341 ble expedition to surprize the garrison. Being ap- prized of kis approach, they evacuated the fort, leav- ing all their artillery and warlike stores to the fenemy- Thus both the Jerseys were laid open to the incursions of the British troops. They penetrated so far, that their winter-quarters extended from New Brunswick to the river Delaware ; and so great was the conster- nation of the Americans, that, had the British army found a sulTicient number of boats to ferry them over the Delaware, it is highly probable that Philadelphia would have fallen into their hands. Meanwhile, Sir Henry Clinton undertook an expe- dition to Rhode-Island, and became master of that province, without the loss of a man. The affairs of the Americans also wore an inauspicious aspect on their northern frontiei's, where General Arnold was defeated by General Carleton, and compelled to retire from Crown-Point to Ticonderoga. The American army was now almost entirely dis- banded As the time for which the soldiei's had en- listed was only a twelvemonth, at the expiration of that period, having fulfilled their agreement, they re- turned home, in consequence of which. General Washington found his army decreased trom 30,000 to about 3000 men. To assist the Commander in Chief as much as possible, General Lee had collected a bo- dy of forces in the north, but, on his way southward, having imprudently lodged at some distance from the troops, he was made prisoner by a party of British light dragoons, who brought him to New-York. The capture of General Lee was a heavy loss to the Americans. His professional knowledge was great, both in the theory and practice of tactics ; he was full of activity, fertile in expedients, and of a most intre- pid and enterprizing disposition. Congress now exerted themselves to retrieve their losses, and to recruit their army. They were fur- nished with a just plea for altering their mode of en- listing men : they ordered a new army to be levied, ©f which the soldier should be bound to serve 3 years, or S4Z WASHINGTON, or during tl>e continuance of the war. The most li- beral encouragement was to be given to recruits. — Twenty dollars was allowed to every soldier, as boun- ty, besides an allotment of lands, at the end of the war, «o ail that served, and to the families of those wha should lose their lives in the service of their country. AH the provinces exerted themselves in this season of uuiversal danger, and hastened to send whatever rein,fo*-'cements could he raised to their army that lay in the vicinity of Philadelphia. Exclusive of the dread of being exposed to a victo- rious enemy, the Americans were particularly apprc- hensive of the Hessians, and other Germans, wha had, on every occasion, committed the most barbarous outrages. Those ferocious mercenaries appropriated every thing they could lay their hands upon, and plun- dered a people who not only detested but despised them for their meanness and rapacity. As the British troops lay cantoned on the banks of the Delaware, and only waited till the frost would ena- ble them to cross it, the Americans thought it advise- iible to remove their Congress to Baltimore, in Mary- Tand. Meanwhile, General Washington continued to watch over the safety of his country ; his mind was continually occupied v/ith new plans for the protection of his beloved America; and he beheld, with filial so- licitude, the dangers that threatened her liberties. The British army now occupied a chain of towns and villages throughout the heart of the Jersies, and had extended their quarters to the banks of the Dela- ware. General Washington resolved to make some attempts on those divisions of the enemy that lay neareast that city, and, if possible, relieve it from the danger to which it was exposed. A corps of Hessians lay at Trenton, another at Bordenton, some miles lower down, and a third at Burlington. Those towns were on the opposite bank of the Delaware, and the last within 20 miles of Phi-, ladelphia. The Hessians, from a confidence in their military superiority, became inattentive to tha mo- WASHINGTON. 343 Tnotions of the Americans, and were wholly engaged with those licentious ouiragesthat had rendered them odious to all the inhabitants. Washington prepared to surprize the enemy hi their quarters. Accordingly, he formed his army in- to three divisions — the first was to cross the Delaware at Trenton ferry — the second below Bordenton — and the third he commanded in person, accompanied by Generals Sullivan and Greene. This division consist- ed of 3000 of the best men in the American service, with a train of 20 field-pieces. On the 25th of De- cem'Der, Washington marched at the head of his di- vision, to a ferry some miles above Trenton, with an intention to pass it at midnight, which would enable him to arrive at Trenton with the dawn. It is impossible to contemplate the progress of this little army of patriots v/ithout eniotion* As they m^irch in solemn silence, wilhout one friendly ray to guide tlieir footsteps, what must be their sensations ? On the success of their enterprize depends the free- dom and happiness of innumerable millions yet un- born — on its failure awaits every evil that can appal the heart. The virtuous matron — the innocent child — the chaste virgin, all depend for protection on tliis heroic band. As they proceed, tlieir bosoms throb with anxiety, while all the ardour of the soldier aj'ises to overcome apprehension ; neither the rigour of a winter's night, nor the certainty of the perils they must face can deter them from their purpose. Their leader, who, like an eagle driven from her nest, still hovers about its young, what are his thoughts !— his noble heart forbodes success, he anticipates victory ; and, while he feels the glow of heroism, his fortitude is prepared to brave even defeat itself. In consequence of the delay occasioned by the dif- ficulty in breaking the ice, it was four o'clock in the morning before Washington could land his troops, Avith their artillery on the Jersey shore. He then formed his men into two grand divisions ; one of which 344 WASHrNGTON. \vhich he ordered to proceed by the lower road,ancr he led the other by the upper road to Trenton. Though n was now eight o'clock, the enemy did not discov- er the approach of the Americans till they were at- tacked by Washington's division, and in three minutes afterwards the lower part of the town was assailed by the other detachmento Colonel Ralle, who com- manded the Hessians, made every effort that could be expected from a brave veteran ; but he was mortally wounded, his troops were completely surrounded, and to the number of 1000 men laid down their arms. This victory may be considered as one of the most fortunate events that befel the Americans during the war. Religious individuals attributed this success ta the interposition of Divine Providence, that had suf- tered America to be reduced to the extreme of dis- tress, in order to teach them rot to place their reli- ance on their own strength, but to look to an Omni- potent Power for protection. Washington repassed the Delaware, and his return to Philadelphia with such a considerable number of jM'isoners, was both pleasing and unexpected. To surprize a body of veterans, and defeat them in their own quarters, was an atchievement that excited the liveliest emotions of admiration in the breasts of the Americans. They were now emulous to second the efforts of a General who had so nobly effected their defence ; men of energy and influence were dispatched in all directions to rouze the militia, and about 1500 of the American troops, whose engagement was near- ly expired, agreed to serve six weeks longer for a gra- tuity of ten dollars to each. When the Hessian prisoners were secured, Wash- ington again crossed the Delaware, and took posses- sion of Trenton. Several detachments of the British assembled at Princeton, when they were joined by the army from Brunswick, commanded by Lord Corn- wallis. This general now marched to Trenton, and attacked the Americans on the 2d of January, 1777, at 4 o'clock in the afternoon. The vanguard of tha- A- WASHINGTON. 345 Americans was compelled to retreat, but the pursu- ing enemy was checked by some tield-pi-eces which were posted on the opposite bank of Sanpink Creek. Thus two armies, on which the success or failure of the American Revolution depended, were crowded in- to the village of Trenton, and only separated by a creek in many places fordable. The British army dis- continued their operations, and lay on their arms in readiness to make another attack next morning.— Meanwhile Washington ordered the baggage to be si- lently removed, and having left fires and patroles in his camp to deceive the enemy, he led his army dur- ing the obscurity of the night, and by a circuitous route reached Princeton. Washington had held a council of war with his of- ficers, in which this mavement had been determined on, as the most likely way to preserve the city of Philadelphia from being captured by the British ar- my. He reached Princeton early in the morning, and would have surrounded three regiments of Bri- tish Infantry that were stationed there, had not a de- tachment that was marching to Trenton descried his troops, and dispatched couriers to alarm their fellow soldiers. On their approach to Princeton, the centre of the Americans was charged by a party of the British troops, and compelled to retreat. In this emergency, Washington rode forward ; he placed himself between his flying troops and the enemy. The Americans,, encouraged by his exhortations and example, rallied and attacked the British in turn ; and tho' Washing- ton was for some moments between two fjres, he pro- videntially escaped without a wound. During this contest, the British troops displayed the most invinci* ble valour. One of the three regiments, command- ed by Colonel Mawbood, undismayed, by the superi- ority of the Americans in point of numbers, charged them with their bayonets, forced their way througlv their ranks, and marched forward to Maidenhead ^ q 2 the 346 WASHINGTON. the other two regitnents retired in excellent order, and reti'eated to Brunswick. The British general was so much disconcerted at these unexpected manceuvres of Washington, that he evacuated Trenton, and retired with his whole force to Brunswick I Thus, in the space of a month, all that part of the Jerseys which lies between Brunswick and Delaware, was overrun by the British troops, and recovered by the Americans. Washington stationed troops in all the important places which he had regained, and the campaign of 1776 closed with few advantages to the British arms, except the acquisition of New York. During these hostile operations, both armies had suffered great hardships. Many of the American sol- diers were destitute of shoes, and their naked feet were often wounded by the inequalities of the frozen ground, insomuch that their footsteps were marked with blood.. Their clothing was, too slight for the ri- gorous season ; there was scarcely a tent in the wliole army, yet so enthusiastically were they attach- ed to their General, that they underwent those hard- ships without repining. Washington merited this generous confidence ; his benignity to his troops, the cJiearfulness with which he participated their incon- veniences and dangers, and the heroism which he dis- played in the heat of action, commanded their vene- ration. In the actions at Trenton and Princeton, he united the stratagem of Hannibal with the intrepidity of Cssar;. while his success animated the hopes, and roused the energies of the friends of American inde- pendence. Though vested with extraordinary powers to raise troops, he found it very difficult to keep those he had together. A few were influenced, by the persuasions of their oiTxers, to remain and defend the common cause, but the major part of the army were induced to serve by their attachment to theirGeneral. Indeed, tiie high e^jtimution in which he was held by his coun- to"ym«i"> was of the greatest efficacy on many occasions,.. and WASHINGTON. 347 and now it absolutely prevented th% troops from dis- banding themselves. The recruits supplied by the several provinces, fell short of the intended number ; yet while the British troops were detained at New York, Washington re- ceived numerous reinforcements. He now moved from his winter encampment at Morristown, to the high lands about Middle Brook, in the vicinity of Brunswick. In this strong position,, he threw up works along the front of his lines, but his principal advan- tage was the difficulty to approach his camp, the ground being so judiciously occupied as to expose the enemy to every kind of danger in an attack. On the one side he covered the Jcrsies, and on the other he observed the motions of the British army at Bruns- wick, of which he commanded a full prospect. Many stratagems were employed by the British General to draw Washington from his strong situa- tion, but without effect, so that it was found necessa- ry to make an attempt on Philadelphia by sea. On the 23d of July, the British fleet sailed from Sandy Hook, with 36 battalions of British and Hessian Hifentry, a regiment of light dragoons, and a corps of American Loyalists on board. After a tedious navi- gation, they went up the river Elk as far as was practicable. Here the army landed, without opposi* tion, on- the 25th of August. Part ©f the troops-\vere left to guard the stores, while General Howe proceed- ed, with the main body, to the head of the Elk.. When Washington received information that the- British fleet had sailed up the Chesapeake, he march- ed with all possible expedition to the defence of Phi- ladelphia. His army, amounting to 12000, passed thro' that city to meet the Brhish forces, which con- sisted of 15000. He encamped on the Brandy wine "Creek, about midway from the Elk to Philadelphia, and sent detachments, to harjass the British army oa their march. On the approach of the enemy, Washington retired- to the side of the Creek next Philadelphia, with adtt- ter- 34^ WASHINGTON. termination to dispute the passage. On the 11th of September, the royal ai'my advanced to the attack at day-break, and, after a well contested battle, which lasted till night, the Americans were defeated with the loss of 1000 killed and wounded, besides 500 taken prisoners. On the side of the conqueroi*s, the loss did not exceed 500. The victory was so complete, that darkness alone prevented the pursuit and conse- quent destruction or capture of the whole provincial army. The greatest valour had been displayed by the officers and soldiers on both sides. Among the American troops who distinguished themselves most> were the Virginians, who, from their affection for Washington, had on all occasions evinced the great- est intrepidity and enthusiasm. Immediately after the battle the AmeHcans retired to Chester, whence Washington wrote an account of his defeat to the President of Congress.. His letter is dated 12 o'clock at night, and is perhaps the most faithful picture ever given, of the reflections of a great mind amid disaster and difficulty^. His troops tho* defeated were not dispirited, and they. considered their misfortune rather as the consequence of superior skill en the side of their enemies, than as proceeding from any defect of valour on theirs.. Congress, which had. returned from Baltimore to Philadelphia, were now. obliged to retire a second time. They went first to. Lancaster, ajnd afterwards. to York-Town. General Howe, at*the head of the van-guard of his army entered Philadelphi«i in triumph on the 26th of. September, and the main.body of the British armyen*- camped in the vicinity of that city^ The American anny was posted at Skippach Creek sixteen miles dis- tant. VV.h.en Washington received the intelligence that- the British army was divided,he resolved to surprise the camp of the principal division at German Town. — . Accordingly, on the 3d of October, in the evening, he mai'chcd in great silence, and about 3 o'clock in. the morning he reached the British camp, and imme- diately. WASHINGTON; ?49 diately made the requisite dispositions for an attack. The patroles discovered his approach, and the troops were called to arms. The Americans assailed the camp with the great- est intrepidity, but they were received with such bm- very, that, after a very h-vt action, they were repulsed, and compelled to retreat with considerable loss. When the news that Philadelphia was in possession of the royal army reached the northeiti colonies, they sent a reinforcement of 4000 of their best men to Washington. On tiieir arrival, he advanced vi^ithin 1-4 miles, of the city, and fixed himself in a strong en- campment at White Marsh., The JBritish general marched out of Philadelphia in.the beginning of De- cember, to afford Washington an. opportunity of com- ing to a general engagement, but he was determined to act merely on the defensive. Finding that he could not provoke the enemy to engage, General Howe re- turned to the city on the 8th of December, and his army went into winter quarters. Washington now removed his camp to Valley Forge ©n the banks of the Schuylkill, about 15 miles from. Philadelphia. In this strong position he could observe, every motion of the British army. Huts weie erect- ed, in order to protect his army from the rigour of winter. The willingnoss with= which the troops con- sented to undergo the. various hardships of so uncom- fortable a situation, was a proof of the warmth oi, their attachment to. thei^ General, and their determi^ nation to defend their country. While the British army were thus successful in the. middle colonies, more important and decisive events happened in the northern provinces.. General Bur- goyne was sent at the head. of a. veteran army, to make a vigorous campaign upon the lakes and in the adjoining provinces.. He. first took possession of Ti- conderoga, then crossed Lake George, and encamp- ed on the batiks of the Hudson near Saratoga. Here his progress was checked by the Americans under. General Gates J. and after two severe actions, he was fore- 350 WASHINGTON. forced to surrender on the 1 7th. of October, 1777.— This event diffused an universal joy throughout the United States. The European nations, and France in particular, who, from prejudice or envy, had so long been desirous of the downfal of British grandeur, received this news with open exultation. Indeed, se- veral individuals in France had exerted themselves in favour of the Americans. A number of brave and experienced officers of the Irish brigade, volunteered in the cause of the British colonies against their pa- rent state ; and even some of the young nobility of France were emulous to distinguish themselves on this occasion. The most conspicuous of these, were the Marquis de la Fayette ;* Roche du Fermoy, who served in the army that acted against General Bur- goyne; De Coudray, a French officer of rank; and Ba^ron St. Ovary. By the assistance of these auxiliaries, the Ameri- cans daily improved in discipline, and the successful close of the campaign on the frontiers, cheered them with the most pleasing expectations respecting the issue of the war. On the 6th of February, 1 778, a- treaty of alliance between France and America was signed by the con- tracting parties. Washington appointed a day for the whole army to celebrate this- event, and it was observ- ed with the greatest military pomp. In May, General Howe took his departure for Eng- land, and the chief command of the British army de- volved oa Sir Henry Clinton^ The * Perliaps^no biographical hiftory of mcdcrn days wouM be more curious than an impartial one of M. la Fayette — his ge- nerous exertions in the caufe of America — the confpic'jous fi- gure he made in the begiiining of the French Revolution — . his cruel imprifonment by the Emperor, and the ingratitude of his ov.n countrymen — would altogether form a moft intereli- ing and inftructive narrative, founded on extraordinary facts and circumftances within our memory, and almofl,. witliia our ewn obfervation. WASHINGTON. 331 The Englisb Commissioners, appointed by the Brit* ish Ministry to attempt a reconciliation with the Colo- nies, arrived at New-York in the beginning of June, but before they could receive an answer from Con- gress, General Clinton evacuated Philadelphia, after the British army had kept possession of it for nine months. This event took place on the 18th of June, and it was considered by the Americans as the har- binger of their Independence. They asserted, thac the strength of Britain was broken on the American continent, and that the army retreated towards the sea-, to be in readiness to embark, if the exigencies of Bri- tain required its assistance. The British aniiy marched out of Philadelphia at 3 o'clock in the morning, and crossed the Delaware be* fore noon, with all its baggage. Washington had been apprized of this movement, and dispatched expresses into the Jersies to collect troops. He passed the Delaware with the main body of his army,, and was hourly joined by reinforcements of regular troops and militia. General Clinton retreated across the country towards Sandy Hook, whence a passage to New York might be easily effected. In the mean time, Washington pursued the British army ; he sent the Marquis de la Fayette with a detachment of chosen troops to harass the rear of the enemy ; General Lee, who had been lately exchanged, followed with a division to support him; and Washington himself moved with the main body to sustain the whole.. On the 27th of June, the British army encamped in a sti-ong position, at Monmouth, near Freehold ; and, on the morning of tlje 28th, the van division of the Americans under General Lee, commenced the attack by a severe cannonade ; but Sir Henry Clinton, had made such judicious arangements of his troops, that the enemy were unable to make any impression, qn. his rear.. j^z WASHINGTON. TheBritish grenadiers and light infantry^ engpaged the Americans with such vigour, that their iirst line, com- manded by General Lee, was completely broken; their second line was also defeated; they both rallied however, and posted themselves with a morass in their front. They were again charged by the British troops, and were with difficulty preserved from a total defeat by the junction of their main body under Washington, In this action the bravery and discipline of the Bri- tish troops were conspicuous. They had forced an e- Jlemy superior in. number from two strong positions, and had endured excessive fatigue both from the in- tense heat of the day and unremitting toil. The loss of the ix>yal army was about 500 men, and that of the Americans was considerable. General Lee^ who commanded the van division of the American anny in the action at Monmouth, was, in consequence of his misconduct, put under arrest, tried* by a Court-martial, and sentenced to a tempora- ry, suspension fnom his command. Washington, after- the retreat of the British army, march'jd to White Plains, near King's-Bridge, where he encamped. He remained in this position till the latter end of autumn, when he retired to Middle-brook, in Jersey.. Here his army erected huts, similar to those they had made at Valley-Forge, and went into winter-quarters. In May, 1779, General Clinton sent a division of the British army totake Stoney-Point, a strong fort on the western side of the North-River. This expedi- tion was succes8ful,as.the distance at which Washington lay with his army prevented him from giving any as^ sistance to the garrison. The British General forti- fied Stoney-PoInt in the strongest manner, and en- camped at Philipsburg, half-way between tliat fortress and New-YorkV to be in readiness to compel Wash- ington to an engagement, if he should leave, his sta- tion in. Jersey*. In WASHINGTON. 353 In order to counteract these operations, Washing- ton advanced towards the British army. He took a strong position at West-Point, on the banks of the Norih-River, and formed a design to recover Stoney- Point by surprize. He sent General Wayne, one of the most intrepid officers in his army, to conduct thi* enterprize. Wayne, at the head of a detachment of chosen men, arrived in the evening of the 15th of Ju- ly vrithin sight of Stoney-Point. He formed his men into two columns, with orders to use the bayonet on- ly. The right column was commanded by himself in person, the left by Major Stewart, a bold and active officer. At midnight, the two columns marched to the attack, from the opposite sides of the works,which were surrounded with a morass and two rows of abba- tis, well provided with artillery. The Americans were opposed by a tremendous fire of musketry and grape-shot, but they pressed forward with the bayonet, and both columns met in the centre of the works, where the garrison, amounting to 500 men, were obliged to surrender prisoners of war. When the British General received intelligence of the surprize of Stoney-Point, he marched with his ar- my to retake it, and as Washington did not consider the possession of that fortress of sufficient import- ance to risk a general action, he demolished the works, and carried off the artillery. Towards the end of the year 1779, General Clin- ton sailed from New-York, with a considerable body of troops, to attack Charleston, South Carolina, where General Lincoln commanded. After a close siege of 6 weeks, the town was surrendered to the British Ge- neral, and the whole American garrison made prison- ers. In August, 1780, Lord Cornwallis defeated thfr Americans, under General Gates, at Camden in South Carolina, and he afterwards marched thro' the Southern States without opposition. During the summer of 1780, the British troops made frequent incursions from New- York into the Jerseys, and an unsuccessful attempt was made by Ge- SU WASHINGTON, Geiieral Knyphausen with 7000 men, to surprize the advanced posts of Washington's army. So great were the necessities of the American army, that Washing- ton was obliged to call on the magistrates of the ad- jacent counties for specified quantities of provisions; nay, he was sametimes compelled to send detach- ments of his troops to take necessaries at the point of the bayonet from the citizens. This scarcity was principally owing to the depreciation of the paper cur- rency, which discouraged the farmers from selling their provisions to the army. The situation of Wash- ington was peculiarly embarrassing — the army looked to him for necessaries, and the people for the protec- tion of their property. His prudence surmounted these diiaculiies, and Congress sent a Committee of their own body to his camp, to concert measures for the payment and supply of the troops. As the at- tempt of the British army against W^ashingtcn had made no impression of any consequence, the Ameri- cans began to recover from the alarm which the loss cf Charleston had excited. Warm exhortations were made to the people by Congress, in which they were called upon by every motive that could animate them to act witb spirit and promptitude against Great Bri- tain. In the mean time, Sir Henry Clinton returned with his victorious armv from Charleston : and General Arnold, who had been entrusted with the command of a very considerable division of the American army at W^est-Point, agreed to deliver up that important ix)st to the British General. As Washington had set out for Hartford to hold a conference with Count de Rochambeau, the negociation between Sir Henry Clinton and Arnold was carried on with 'greater facili- ty during his absence. The agent employed by the Britisli General w^as Major Andre, a young officer of uncommon merit. To favour the necessary commu- nications, the Vulture sloop of war had been previ- ously stationed in the North-River, and a boat was sent at night from the shore to fetch Major Andre.—- When WASHINGTON. 355; When he had received such instructions as related to his business, he set out on his return, but was inter- cepted, and all his papers seized. Arnold escaped on board the Vulture, but Major Andre was brought be- fore a board of general Oliicers, by whom he was con- sidered as a spy, and sentenced to death. The offi- cers who signed the condemnation of Andre, and even Washington himself, testified the sincerest grief at the necessity they declared themselves under of com- plying with the rigorous laws established in such cases. At the close of the year 1780, the American army felt the rigour of the season with peculiar circum- stances of aggravation by want of pay, clothing, Sec. The troops had been enlisted for 3 years, which were now expired, and, incensed at so long a continuance of hardships, an insurrection broke out in the Penn- sylvania line, which was followed by that of New Jer- sey. The complaints of these soldiers being well founded, were redressed, and a general amnesty clos- ed the business. That part of the American army which was under the command of Washington, did not escape the contagion of revolt. He prudently re- mained in his quarters, where his presence, and the respect and aflection for his person, tho' it did not prevent murmurs, kept his men within bounds, and prevented a mutiny. The campaign of 1781, was opened with great vi- gour by the British army in Carolina. After several skirmishes with various success, the two armies un- der Lord Cornwallis and G-eneral Greene, met at Guildford, on the 15th of March 1781, and after a well contested action, the British remained masteis of the field. Lord Cornwallis afterwards marched into Virginia, where notwithstanding the advantages he gained over the Americans, his situation became ve- ry critical. Sir Henry Clinton was prevented from sending him reinforcements, as he was apprehensive that Washington intended to attack New York. The American Commander in Chief employed great fi- nesse to deceive the British general, and by a variety of 556 WASHINGTON. of judicious manoeuvres, kept him in continual alarm. —In the mean time, I^ord Cornwallis took possession of York Town, in Viiji^inia, and he was followed by the Marquis de la Fayette, who had been dispatched by Washington with 2000 light infantry to watch the motions of the British army. On the 30th of August, Count dc Grasse anchored in Chesapeak Bay, with 24 ships of the line. He landed troops to co-operate with Washington, who had moved with the main body of his army to the southward, and when he heard of the arrival of the French fleet in the Chesapeak, he proceeded by forced marches to the head of Elk, which he crossed and proceeded to York Town. Washington now invested York Town, with an ar- my of 15,000 Americans, and 9000 French. He had selected his best trooops for this important occasion, and the French were chosen out of the bravest corps in France. The French and American batteries mounted with 50 pieces of cannon, were opened against York Town on the night of the 6th of October, and an incessant fire was kept up till the 14-th, when two detachments of the besiegers attacked and stormed two redoubts in front of the British works. The besieged were now so reduced by sickness, and the accidents of war, that they amounted only to 5,600 effective men. Mean- while, Sir Henry Clinton selected 7000 of his best troops, which he embarked at New York, on board the British fleet, with a determination to succour the army under Lord Cornwallis ; but the garrison at York Town having persevered to the utmost extremi- ty, and no prospect of relief appearing, a negociation was opened with Washington, and the troops and sea- men were obliged to surrender themselves prisoners of war. Thus terminated the decisive campaign of 1780, which realised American Independence. Soon after the capture of Lord Cornwallis, the Brit- ish armament appeared off* the Chesapeake, in the Jatter end of October, but to their mortification, they were ^ WASHINGTON, 35^ were apprized that the army under Lord Cornwallis had surrendered. Washintj^ton felt all the honest exultation of a pa* triot at this event. The orders published in his camp, on the 20th of October, were strongly expressive of his satisfaction. He congratulated the officers and soldiers of the combined armies on their success, and issued a general pardon to all persons in the Conti- nental army who were under arrest, " that every heart might partake of the general joy." Nor did he omit what he knew would be peculiarly acceptable to the religious turn of many of his countrymen. His or- ders concluded with a particular injunction, " That a thanksgiving service should be performed," at which it was solemnly recommended to the troops to assist with that seriousness and sensibility of heart which the surprizing interposition of Providence in their fa- vour so justly claimed. Washington was solicitous that the prisoners of war should be well treated. By his orders, they were dis- tributed in the provinces of Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, and their allowance was the same as that of the American army. Congress voted an address of thanks to Washing- ton, Count Rochambeau, Count de Grasse, and all the officers and soldiers of the combined armies, for the services they had performed. They also resolved, " That, in remembrance of the surrender of the Brit- ish army, a marble column should be erected at York- Town, Virginia, adorned with emblems of the alli- ance between France and the United States of Ameri- ca, and inscribed with a succinct account of the me- morable event it was intended to commemorate," Washington now returned with the principal part of his army to the vicinity ot New- York, where, as he was unable to reduce that city, he went into winter quarters. The only appearances of an existing war were some skirmishes and predatory excursions. On the 5th of May, 1782, Sir Guy Carletoil arrived at New- York, being appointed to command tlie 35^ WASHINGTON. the British army in America. Immediately on his arrival, he acquainted Washington and Congress, that negociations for a peace had been commenced at Pa- ris. Meanwhile, the Bmish troops evacuated all their posts in South Carolina and Georgia, and retired to the main army at New-York. Preliminary articles of peace were signed at Paris on the 30th of November, 1782, by Mr. Fitzherbert andiMr. Oswald, on the part of Great Britain, and, by Dr. Franklin, IVIr. Adams, Mr. Jay, and Mr. Law- rens, on the part of the United States. By this trea- ty his Majesty acknowledged the Thirteen United Co- lonies to be ''■ free, sovereign and independentStates." As military operations were now entirely suspended, it was no longer necessary to keep the American army embodied. The States, however, were unable to pay them the arrears due for their inestimable ser- vices, and those men who had spent the prime of iheir days in defence of their country, were now to be dismissed without a reward. An attempt was made by anonymous papers to in- cite the officers and soldiers to revolt. Washington, who was then in the camp, saw the danger, and ex- erted his influence to prevent it. At a meeting of the general and field officers, with one officer from each company, the Commander in Chief addressed them in a pathetic speech, in which he conjured, them -<' as they valued their honour, as they respected the rights of humanity, and as they regarded the military ^nd national character of America, tc express their utmost detestation of the man who was attempting to open the flood-gates of civil discord, and deluge their rising empire with blood." Wasliington then retired. The officers, softened by the eloquence of their belov- ed commander, entered into a resolution, by which they declared, " that no circumstance of distress or danger should induce a conduct that might tend to sul- ly the reputation and glory they had acquired j that the army continued to have an unshaken conlidence in the justice of Congress and their Country, and that they WASHINGTON. 359 they viewed wilh abhorrence, and rejected with dis- dain, the infamous propositions in the late anonymous address to the officers of the army. The fortitude and patriotism of Washington were in no instance of more essential service to .^rneri a, than on this momentous occasion. Instead of mak- ing the discontent of the army instrumental to liis own ambition, and usurping the government, this mag- nanimous patriot soothed the passions of his soldiers, and preserved inviolate the liberties of his country. Towards the close of the year 1783, Congress is- sued a proclamation, in which the armies of the Unit- ed States were applauded for their " long, eminent, and faithful services." Congress then declared it to be their pleasure, " that such part of theirFederal ai'- mies as stood engaged to serve during the war, should, from and after the 3d day of November next, be ab- solutely discharged from the said service." WashinsTton's " Forcwel Orders to. the Armies of the United States," dated Rocky-Hill, near Prince- ton, 2d Nov. 1783, is a pathetic exhortation, in which the disinterestedness of the Patriot is blended with the Avisdom of the Philosopher. — It contains the following interesting and impressive passages ; " It only remains for the Commander in Chief to address himself once more, and for the last time, to the armies of the United States, and to bid them an aiTectionate — a long farewel. " It is universally acknowledged, that the enlarged .prospects of happiness opened by the establishment of our Independence, almost exceed the power of desci-iption ; and shall not the brave men who have contribuied so essentially to this inestimable acquisi- tion,, retiring victorious from the field of war to the field of agriculture, participate in all the blessings which have been obtained? — In such a Republic, who wijl exclude them from the rights of citizens, and the fruits of their labours? — To these hardy soldiers who are actuated by the spirit of adventure, the iisheries win afford ample and profitable employments ;. and the 36o WASHINGTON. the fertile regions of the West will yield a most hap* py asylum to those who, fond of domestic enjoyment, are seeking for personal independence. " The Commander in Chief conceives little is now wanting to enable the soldiers to change the military character into that of the Citizen ; but that steady and decent tenour of behaviour^ which has generally dis- tinguished not only the army under his immediate command, but the different detachments and separate armies, thro* the course of the war — from their good sense and prudence, he anticipates the happiest conse- quences ; — and, while he congratulates them on the glorious occasion which renders their services in the field no longer necessary, he wishes to express the strong obligations he feels himself under, for the as- sistance he has received from every class, and in eve- ry instance. To the various branches of the army, the General takes this last and solemn opportunity of professing his inviolable attachment and friendship- He wislies more than bare professions were in his •power — that he was really able to be useful to them in future life. And being now to conclude these his last public orders, to take his ultimate leave, in a short time, of the military character, and to bid a final adieu to the armies he has so long had the honour to com- mand, he can only again offer, in their behalf, his re- commendations to their grateful Country, and his prayers to the God of Armies. May ample justice be done them here, and may the choicest of Heaven's favours, both here and hereafter, attend those who, under the Divine auspices, have secured innumerable blessings for others ! — With these wishes, and this benediction, the Commander in Chief is about to re- tire from service. The curtain of separation will soon be drawn, and the military scene, to him, will be clos- ed for ever." To this address, the army that remained at West- Point, on the banks of the Hudson, sent a most re-^ spectful and affectionate answer. After returning Uianks to their General, for his exertions in their fa- vour, WASHINGTON'. 361 Voyr, they express their feeUngs in the feKowhig bold and figurative language : " Regardless of present sufferings, we looked forward to the end of our toils and dangers, to brighter scenes in prospect. There we beheld the genius of our Country, dignified by our Sovereignty and Indepen- ■dence, supported by Justice, and adorned with every liberal Virtue. There we saw patient Husbandry fearless extend her cultured fields, and animated Com- merce spread her sails to every wind. There we be- held fair Science lift her head, with all the Arts attend- ing in her train. There, blest with Freedom, we saw the human Mind expand^ and throwing asid^ the re- straints which confined it to the narrow bounds of coun- try, it embraced the world. Those animating prospects are novs'' changing to realities, and actively to have contributed to their production, is our pride,our glory." New- York was evacuated by the British troops a- bout 3 weeks after the discharge of the American ar- my. Meanwhile, Washington, having finished the great work of the Revolution, and founded a Repub- lic, he wished to retire from the eye of observation to the peaceful rural shades of his patrimonial inhe- ritance. Accordingly, he took leave of his officers in the most solemn manner. Having been previously assembled for that purpose, Washington joined thenij and, calling for a glass of wine, addressed them in the following words : <* 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 glorious and honourable." The officers were deeply afrected ;— they came up to him successively, and he took an af- fectionate leave of each. He then left the room, and passed between the ranks of a corps of light infantry, that lined his way to the side of the North-River.—. The officers followed him in a solemn^ilent trains — their eyes were suTused with tears. They felt a strong emotion of regret at parting with a hero wh.o had participated their dangers, and so often led ihem R to 362 WASHINGTON. to glory. When Washington entered the barge, he turned towards his fellow-soldiers, with a countenance expressive of his feelings, and waved liis hat as a last adieu. He proceeded to Annapolis, to resign his commis- sion to Congress, and was accompanied by his ne- phew, Major George Washington, and Colonel Hum- phreys, his aid-de-camp. His progress was marked by public rejoicings ; triumphal arches were erected at the entrance of every town and village thro' which he passed. A nvmiber of beautiful young virgins, robed in white, met him with songs of gratulation — they strewed laurels before the benign hero, who moved slov» ly along, on a white charger. The name of Wash- ington excited an universal emotion. Women and children thronged the doors and windows, eager to be- ho\d ti.e Deliverer of their Country — bands of music filled the air with sprightly melody, while the men, who had fought under the banners of Liberty, hailed their General with acclamations. Washington receiv- ed this tribute of public gratitude witb his character- istic benignity, while his bosom participated the ge- neral happiness. On his arrival at Annapolis, he informed Congress of his intended resignation ;• — they resolved it should be in a public audience, and on the day appointed, numbers of distinguished persons attended, to behold the interesting scene. Cieneral Washington address- ed the President in the following words: <' Mv. President, " The great events on which my resignation de- pended, having at length taken place, I have now the honour of otTering my sincere congratulations to Con- gress, and of presenting myself before them to sur- render into their hands the trust committed to me, and to claim the indulgence of retiring from the service of my country. " Ilappy in the confirmation of our Independence and Sovereignty, and pleased with the opportunity af- forded the United States of becoming a respectable na- Wx^SHINGtON, 3*3 nation, I resign with satisfaction, the appointment 1 accepted with diffidence ; a diffidence in my abilities to accomplish so arduous a task, v/hich, however, was superceded by a confidence in the rectitude of our cause, the support of the Supreme Power of the Union, and the patronage of Heaven. *> The successful termination of the war has veri- fied the most sanguine expectations, and my gratitude for the interposition of Providence, and the assistance I have received from my countrymen, increases with with every review of the momentous contest. *' While I repeat my obligations to the army in g'e- neral, I should do injustice to my own feelings, not to acknowledge, in this place, the peculiar services and distinguished merits of the persons who had been at- tached to my person during the war : It was impossi- ble the choice of confidential officers to compose my family should have been more fortunate ; permit me, Sir, to recommend, in particular, those wh^b have con» tinned in the service to the present moment, as worthy of the favourable notice and patronage of Congress. " I consider it as my indispensible duty to close this last solemn ret of my official life, by commending the interests of our dearest country to the protection of Almighty God, and those who have the superinten- dence of them to his holy keeping. " Having now finished the work assigned me, I re- tire from the great theatre of action, and bidding an affectionate farewel to this august body, under whose orders I have long acted, I here offer my commission, and take my leave of all the employments of public life." To this the President returned the following an- swer : " The United States in Congress assembled, re- ceive with emotions too affecting for utterance, the so- lemn resignation of the authorities under which you have led their troops with success, through a perilous and doubtful war. S&4 WASHINGTON. *■ " Called Upon by your Country to defend its invad- ed rights, yoa had accepted the sacred charge before it had formed alliances, and whilst it was without friends or a government to support her. ' " \ou have conducted the great military contest with wisdom and fortitude, invariably regarding the rights of the civil power through all disasters and changes. You have, by the love and confidence of your fellow-citizens, enabled them to display their martial genius and transmit their fame to posterity. — Having defended the standard of Liberty in this new world, having taught a lesson useful to those who re- flect, and to those who feel oppression, you retire from the great theatre of action with the blessing of youp fellow-citizens ; but the glory of your virtues will not terminate with your military command — it will conti- nue to animate remotest ages." Washington now hastened to Mount Vernon, where he%as welcomed by his atlectionate consort, neighbours and domestics, with every demonstration of joy ; and. divesting himself of the military robe, he once more assumed the plain garb of the farmer. Agriculture was his favourite pursuit — His estate at Mount Vernon particularly engaged his attention, and was productive of large cjuantities of wheat, Indian corn, potatoes, and flax, besides flocks of sheep and herds of cuttle. — His life was regulated by temperance ; lie rose early, and after spending the day in a variety of rural pursuits, he retired to rest about nine o'clock. This was his invariable rule, except when visitors re- Cjuired his polite attention. His table was spread with the most wholesome viands and pure wines, but he commonly dined on a single dish, which, with a few glasses of wine, formed his repast. He liberally pa- tronized an academy at Alexandria, encouraged the interior navigation of thePotomack ; he was the bene- factor of the poor, and, in short, like the sun to vege- tation, his cheering influence and example promoted the happiness of society where he resided. In these peaceful scenes, Washington enjoyed the rational delights of rural life from the year 1783, till WASHINGTON. 36^ the summer of 1787, when he was chosen President of the Convention, which met at Philadelphia, and framed the present Constitution of the United States. The Federal Union, after eleven years experience, had been found inadequate to the purposes of govern* vernment. " The funcamental distinction between the Articles of Confederation and the riew Constitu- tion, lies in this ; the former acted only on States, the latter on individuals; — the former could neither raise men or money by its own authority, but lay at the discretion of 13 diHerent Legislatures, and, with- out their unanimous concurrence, was unable to pro- vide for the public safety, or for the payment of the national debt. By the new Constitution, one Ligisla- tive. Executive, and Judicial power pervades the whole Union." After a full consideration, and thorough dis- cussion of its principles, it was ratified by 11 of the 13 States, and North Carolina and Rhode Island have since given their concurrence. The new Constitution being thus adopted, Wash- ington was chosen President in April. 1789, by the unanimous vote of his countrymen. When he re- ceived intelligence of his election, he set out from Mount Vernon for New-York. He was es( orted by the militia and gentlemen of the first character from State to State, and numerous addresses of congratu- lation were presented to him by the inhabitants of the towns thro' which he passed. On his approach to Philadelphia, he was met by above 20,000 citizens, who conducted him to the city, where an elegant en- tertainment was prepared for him. His progress from Philadelphia to New-York is thus described by an elegant writer, and presents an ani- mated picture of public gratitude. " AYhen Mr. Washington crossed the Delaware, and landed on the Jersey shore, he was saluted with 3 cheers by the in- ha!)itants of the vicinity. When he came to the brow of the hill, on his way to Trenton, a triumphal arch was erected on the bridge, by the direction of the la- dies of the place. The crown of the arch wa'j highly onia- 366 WASHINGTON. ornamented with imperial laurels and flowers-, and on, it was displayed, in large figures, " December 2.6th, 1776." On the sweep of the arch, was this inscrip- tion, " The Defender of the Mothers will also pro- tect their Daughters." On the north side were ranged a number of young girls, dressed in white, with gar- lands of ilowers on their heads, and baskets of flow- ers on their arms — in the second row stood the young ladies, and behind them the married ladies of the town. The instant he passed the arch, the young girls began to sing the following ode : " Welcome, mighty Chief, once more, •' Welcome to this gi-ateful shore : — ♦' Now no mercenary foe •' Aims, again, the fatal blow-^. *♦ Aims at thee the fatal blow. *' Virgins fair, and matrons grave, " Thefe thy conq'ring arm did fave, '* Build for thee triumphant bov ei'S ; *' Strew ye fair, his way with flowers, *' Strew your Hero's way with flowers." " As they sung the last lines, they strewed their flowers on the road before their beloved Deliverer. — His situation, on this occasion, contrasted with what lie had, hi December 1776, felt on the same spot, when the affairs of America were at the lowest ebb of depression, filled him with sensations that cannot be described. He was rowed across the bay from Eliza- beth-Tovi'ii to New-York, in an elegant barge, by 13 pilots. All the vessels in the harbour hoisted their flags. On his landing, universal joy diliused itself thro* every order of the people, and he was received and congratulated by the Governor of the State and odicers of the Corporation. In the evening, the hous-. es of the inhabitants were brilliantly illuminated." On the 30th of April he was inaugurated President of the United States, and took the oath enjoined by the Constitution, in the following words, '* I do so- lemnly swear, that I will faithfully execute the oflice of President of th.e United States, and will, to the best WASHINGTON. 367 of my ability, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." An universal and solemn silence prevailed among; the spectators during this part of the ceremony. The Chancellor then proclaimed him Pre- sident of the United States, and was answered by the discharge of cannon and the acclamations of 20,000 ci- tizens. Soon after his appointment to the Chief Magistracy, he visited the Eastern States, with a view to promote agriculture, and explore the means of national im- provement. The French Revolution, which has ex- cited the attention of mankind, proved a severe test to the prudence of Washington. Tho' he secretly dis- approved of the violent measures of the French Repub- lic, yet he saw that it was necessary for America to preserve a mutual good understanding with that nation. Washington was twice elected President, and during his 8 yeai s administration, he performed the duties of his arduous office valh all the zeal of an honest patri- ot. — After having spent 45 years of his life hi the ser- vice of his country, he, in September, 1796, announ- ced his determination to retire, in an address*, ex- pressive of his gratitude and atlection. Washington once more retired to his favourite seat, with the hope of devoting the remainder of his days to the calm duties of domestic life. From March, 1797, to Ju'y 1798, he enjoyed the pleasures arising from the practice of virtue. The aggressions of France now alarmed Mr. Adams's administration, and that they might be prepared to resist open hostility, they found it expedient to embody their army. Con- vinced of the abilities and integrity of that venerable man, whose valour had been instrumental to the eman- cipation of his country. Congress appointed Washing- ton Commander in Chief the Armies. He accepted the appointment, and his letter to the President on that occasion, is marked with that perspicuity which distinguishes ail his writings. But * We recommend this Addrcfs to the attentive pevufal of every citizen of America. 368 WASHINGTON, But the moment now approached in which this il- lustrious character was to be removed to another state of existence. On the 12th of December, 1799, he rode out to one of his plantations, and the day being rainy he caught cold, which brought on an mtlam- raatory sore throat. This disease became alarming on Friday, and when his physician arrived on Satur- day morning, medical aid was inefficacious. A few rninuies before he expired, he enquired, " Doctor, how long am I to remain in this situation ?" — The physician replied, '• Not long, Sir." A Gentleman, who was present at Mount Vernon, has furnished us with the following particulars relative to the death of General Washington : — " The General, a little before his death, had begun several improvements on his farm. Attending to some of these, he probably caught his death. He had in contemplation a gravel walk on the banks of the Potomack; between the walk and the river there was to be a fish pond. Some trees were to be cut down, and others preserved. On Friday the day be- fore he died, he spent some time by the side of the river marking the formen There came a fall of snov/', which did not deter him from his pursuit, but he con- tinued tin his neck and hair were quite covered with snow. He spent the evening with Mrs. Washington, reading the news-papers, which came by the mail that evening- ; he went to bed as usual about 9 o'clock,* waked up in the night, and found himself extremely unwell, but would not allow Mrs. Washington to get up, or the servants to be waked. In the morning, finding himself very ill. Dr. Craik of Alexandria, was sent for. — Soon after his arrival, two consulting physicians were called in, but all would not avail. On Saturday he died. He said to Col. Lear a litlle be- fore his dea.th, " bury me decently, and not till two days afte;' my decease." — To Dr. Craik he said, " I die a very hard death, but I am not afraid to die."— - Before he breathed his last, he laid himself on his back, placed his hands before him, and closed his owfti mouth and eyes," WASHINGTON. 3^9 Philadelphia^ Dec, 19. On Saturday tne 14th iiist. died at his seat in Vir- ginia, General George Washington, Commander in Chief of the Armies, and late President of the Con- gress, of the United States of America — mature in years, covered with glory, and rich in the affections of a free people, and t±ie admiration of the -svhole ci- vilized world. When men of common character are swept from the theatre of life, they die without the tribute of public concern, as they had lived without a claim to public esteem — But- when Personages of great and exalted worth, are summoned from this sublunary scene, their death calls forth a burst of general regret, and invigorates thefiame of public gratitude — In obedi- ence therefore to the voice of their Country, the Po- et, the Oriitor, and the Historian, will combine to do justice to the character of this illustrious Patriot ; whilst the ingenious labours of the Sculptor, the Sta- tuary, and the Painter, will unite hi perpetuating the virtues of The Man of* the Age. Mourn, Columbia, mourn! — Thy Father and Pro- tector is no more ! — Mourn Reader, of whatever kin- dred, tongue, or clime thou be, ihy Friend, the Friend of Man and of Liberty, is gone I — The Hero, the Sage, the Patriot, this glorious emanation of the Dei- ty, is carried back to the bosom ot his God !-r-The recording Angel has enregistered his virtuous deeds in -Heaven, and the name of WASFHXGTON will li\c for ever I Alexandria, Dec^ 20 On Wednesday last the mortal part of Washington' THE Great — the Father of his Comitry, and the Friend of Man — was consigned to the silent tomb with solemn honours and funeral pomp. A multitude of people, fixDm many miles round, as- sem!)led at Mount Vernon, the choice abode, and last.-, earthly residence of its illustrious Chief. There ^^ e!'e the groves, the spacious avenues, the beautif^F scen- ery, the noble mansion — but alas ! its au.r^ust inhabi- tant was gone I — hib body indeed, was,.-€ncre, buthis soul was fled i N 2 _ 370 WASHINGTON. In the long and lofty portico, where oft the Hero walked in all his virtuous glory, now lay the shrouded corpse.— -The countenance, still coniposed and serene, seemed to express the dignity of that spirit which so lately actuated the lifeless form — There, those who paid the last sad honours to the Benefactor of his Country, took a last — a sad farewell. Near the head of the coffin, were inscribed the words Surge ad Judicium ;: about the middle, Gloria Deo; and, on the silver plate. General George Washington deiiarted this Life Uth Dec, Mtat 68. Between 3 and 4 o'clock, the sound of artillery from a vessel m the river firing minute guns, aroused all our sorrowful feelings — the body was moved, and a band of music with mournful melody, melted the soul into all the tenderness of woe. — The procession marched in the following order : Cavalry, Infantry, and Guard with arms reverfed ; Clergy ; Mufic ; The General's horfe, with his faddle, holfters, and piftols ; Col. Gilpin, Marfteller» Little ; i Col. Simms, Ramfay, Payae, 11} W Mourners ; Mafonic Brethren ; And Citizens.. When the procession arrived at the bottom of the lawn on the banks of the Potomack, where the family vault is placed, the Cavalry halted, and the Infantry marched towards tlie mount and formed in lines ; the Clergy, th.e Masonic Brethren, and t-he Citizens, de- scended to the vault, where the Church funeral ser- vice was performed. Three general discharges by the artillery, cavalry, and infantry, paid the last tribute of respect to the en- tombed Commander in Chief of the American Ar- mies. The Sun was now setting — Alas, the Son of Glory was set— No, the name of Washington will live for. ever ♦,. WASHINGTON, 371 From Vernon's Mount behold the Hero rife Refplendent Forms attend him thro' tlie fkies! The fliades of war-worn Veterans round him throng, And lead enwrap'd their honoured Chief along. A laurel wreath the immortal Warren bears. An arch triumphal Mercer's^ hand prepares ; Young Lawrence, eril th' avenging bolt of war. With port majeflic, guides the glittering car ; Montgomery's godlike form directs the way. And Green imfolds the gates of endlefs day ; Whilft Angels, " trumpet tongu'd," proclaim thro' air, *• Due Honours for The First or Men prepare!" PROCEEDIJ^GS IN COATGRESS. House of Representatives. Thursday Z)ec. 19, 1799. Mr. Marshall addressed the Chair as follows : " Mr. Speaker — The melancholy event which was yesterday announced with doubt, has been rendered but too certain. Our Washington is no more ! — The hero, the sage, and the patriot of America — the man on whom in times of danger, every eye was turned, and all hopes "Were placed, lives now, only in his own great actions, and in the hearts of an affectionate and an afflicted people. " If, Sir, it had even not been usual, openly to tes- tify respect for the memory of those whom Heaven had selected as its instruments for dispensing good ta men, yet, such has been the uncommon worth, and such the extraordinary incidents, which have marked the life of him, wlK)se loss we all deplore, that the whole American nation, impelled by the same feelings, would call with one voice, for a public manifestation of that sorrow which is so deep and so universal. " More than any other individual, and as much as to one individual was possible, has he contributed to found tli'^ our wide spreading Empire, and to give to the Western World its independence and freedom* " Having effected the great object for which he vas placed at the head of our armies, we have seen him converting the sword into the plough-share, and vo- luntarily sinking the Soldier into the Ciiizen. 2,7^ WASHINGTON. *' When the debility of our Federal sys'a^m had become manifest, and the bonds, which connected the parts of this vast continent, were dissolving;, we have seen him the Chief of those Patriots who form- ed for us a Constitution, which, by preserving the Union, will, I trust, substantiate and perpetuate those blessings, which our Revolution had promised to be- stow. " In obedience to the general voice of his Coiintry, calling on him to preside over a Great People, weJiave seen him once more quit the retirement he loved, and in a season more tempestuous than war itself, with calm and wise determination, pursue the true inter- ests of the Nation, and contribute, more than any o- ther could contribute, to the establishment of that sys- tem of policy, which will, I trust, yet preserve our peace, our honour, and our independence. " Having been twice unanimously chosen the Chief Magistrate of a Free People, we see him, at a time when his re-election with universal suffrage cauld not be doubted, affording to the world a I'are instance of moderation, by withdrawing from bis. high station to the peaceful walks of private life. " However the public confidence may change, and the public affections fluctuate with respect to others, yet, with respect to-himv they have in war and iiv peace, in public and in private life, been as steady as his own firm mind, and as constant as bis own exalt- ed vhtues. *' Let us then, Mi*. Speaker, pay the last tribute of aOection and respect to our departed Friend — Let tlie (irand Coimcil of the Nation display those senti- ments which the Nation feels. — For this purpose I hold in my haml some Resolutions, which I take the liberty of offering to the House." Mr. Marshall having handed his Resolutions to the Clerk, they were read, and unanimously agreed to as :»*|Iows, viz. Resolved, That this House will wait on the Presi- dent of the United States, in condolence of this mourn- ^ ful event. Re- WASHINGTON. 373 I^esolved, That the Speaker's chair be shrouded with blacky and that the Members and Officers ot the House wear black during the Session. Resolved, That a Committee, in conjunction with one from the Senate, be appointed to consider on the most suitable manner of payini^ honour to the memo- ry of the Man, first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his Countrymen. Monday, Dec. 23. Mr. Mars- all made a report from the joint Com- mittee appointed to consider a suitable mode of com- memorating the death of General Washington. He reported the following Resolutions : Resolved by the Senate and House of Representa- tives of the United States of America, in Congress Assembled, That a marble monument l)e erected by the United States at the Capitol of the City of Wash- ington, and that the family of General Washington, be requested to permit his body to be deposited under it ; and that the monument be so designed as to com- memorate the great events ot his mihtary and politi- cal life. And be it further resolved, That there be a funeral procession from Congress Hall, to the German Lu- therrm Church, in memory of Gen. George Wash- ington, on Tliursday the 26th Inst, and that an ora- tion be prepared at the request of Congress, to be de- livered before both Houses that. day; and that the President of tlie Senate, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, be desired to request one of the Members of Congress to deliver the same. And be it further resolved. That itbe recommend- ed to the people , of the United States, to wear crape on their left arm as mourning, for thirty days. And be it further resohied, That the President of the United States be requested to direct a copv of these Resolutions to be transmitted to Mrs. Washing- tan, assuring her of the profouiul respect Congress •will ever bear to her person and character, of "their condolence on the lute affecting dispensation of Pro^ 374 WASHINGTON. videiice, and intreating her assent to the interment of the remains of General Washington in the manner expressed in the first Resolution. And be it further resolved, that the President of the United States be requested to issue his proclamation, notifying to the People tliroughout the United States the recommendation contained in the tl»ird Resolution. These Resolutions passed both Houses unanimously. Same day, the Senate sent the following letter of condolence to the President of the United States, by a Committee of its Members : — To the President of the United States. THE Senate of the United States respectfully take leave. Sir, to express to you the deep regret for the loss their country sustains in the death of General George Washington. This event, so distressing to all our fellow-citizens, must be peculiarly lieavy to you, who have long been associated with him in deeds of Patriotism. Permit us, Sir, to mingle our tears with yours — on this occa- sion it is manly to weep.^ To lose such a Man, at such a crisis, is no common calamity to the world— our Country mourns her Father. The Almighty Dis- poser of human events has taken from us our greatest Benefactor and Ornament — It becomes us to submit with reverence to Him who ^'^maketh darkness his pa- vilion." With patiotic pride, we review the life of our Wash- ington, and compare him with those of other coun- tries, who have been pre-eminent in fame. Ancient and modern names are diminished before him. Great- ness and Guilt have too often been allied ; but his fame is whiter than it is brilliant. The destroyers of nations stood abashed at the majesty of his virtue.— It reproved the intemperance of their ambition, and darkenened the splendour of victory.. The scene is closed, and we are no. longer anxious lest misfortune should sully his glory ; he has travelled on to the end ©£ his journey, and carried with him an increasing weight WASHINGTON. 375 weight of honour ; he has deposited it safely, where Misfortune cannot tarnish it — where Malice cannot blast it. Favoured of Heaven, he departed without exhibiting the weakness of humanity ; magnanimous in death, the darkness of the grave could not obscure his brightness. Such was the Man whom we deplore. Thanks ta God, his glory is consummated— Washington yet lives on earth ia his spotless example — his spirit is in Heaven I Let his countrymen consecrate the memory of the heroic General -the patriotic Statesman — and the vir- tuous Sage ; let them teach their children never to forget, that the fruits of his labours and his example are their inheritance. The President's Answer. Gentlemen of the Senate, I RECEIVE, with the most respectful and affectionate sentiments, in this impressive Address, the obliging expressions of your regret for the loss our Country- has sustained, in the death of her most esteemed, Jbe- loved, and admired Citizen. In the multitude of my thoughts and recollections on this melancholy event, you will permit me to say, that I have seen him in the days of adversity, in some of the scenes of his deepest distress, and most trying perplexities; I have ako attended him in his hig, est elevation, and most prosperous felicity, with uniform admiration of his wisdom, moderation, and constancy* Among A\ our original associates in that memora- ble League of the Continent in 1774, which first ex- pressed the Sovereign Will of a Free Nation in Ame- rica, he was the only one remaining in the General Government. Altho', with a constitution more enfee- bled than his, at an age when he thought it necessary to prepare for retirement, I feel myself alone — be- reaved of my last brother ; yet 1 derive a strong con- solation from the unanimous disposition which ap- pears in all ages and classes, to mingle their sorrows, with mine on this common calamity to the world. ^76 WASHINGTON. The life of our Washington cannot suffer by a comparison with those of other countries, nho have been most celebrated and exalted by Fame. The at* tributes and decorations of Royalty could only have served to eclipse the majesty of those virtues which made him, from being a modest Citizen^ a more.re- splendant luminary. Misfortune, had he lived, could hereafter have sullied his glory only with those super- ficial minds, who, believing " that characters- and ac- tions are marked by success alone," rarely deserve to enjoy it. Malice could never blast his honour, and^w- vy made him a singular exception to her universal rule — For himself, he had lived enough to Life and to Glory— For his fellow citizens, if their prayers could have been answered, he would have been immortal— For me, his departure is at a most unfortunate mo- ment. Trusting, however, in the wise and righteous dominion of Providence over the passions of men, and the results of their covmcils and actions, as well as o- ver their lives, nothing remains for me but humble resiarnation. His example is now complete, and it will teach wis- dom and virtue to magistrates, citizens, and men, not only in the present age, but in future generations, as long as. our history shall be read — If a Trajan found a Pliny, a Marcus Aureliu;^ can never want biographers, eulogists, or historians* , JOHJV jiDAMS, ' On Monday the 3th of January, the President sent the following letters to Congress : — Gentlemen of the Senate*) and . Gentlemen of the House oj^ Representatives'^ In compliance with the request in one of the Reso- lutions of Congress of the 21st of December last, I transmitted a copy of those Resolutions, by my Secre- tary, Mr. Shaw, to Mrs. "Washington, assuring her of the profound respect Congress will ever bear to her person and character— of their condolence in the late aftiicting dispensation of Providence, and entreating her assent to the interment of the remains of General Cfccyge Washington in the naam)er expressed in the > first WASHINGTON. 377 first Resolution. As the sentiments of that virtuous lady, not less beloved by this nation, than she is at present greatly afflicted, can never be so well express- ed as in her own words, I transmit to Congress her original letter. It would be an attempt of too much delicacy to make any comments upon it — But there can be no doubt, that the Nation at large, as well as all the branches of the Go- vernment, will be highly gratified by any arrangement which may diminish the sacrifice she makes of her indi- vidual feelings. JOHjY ADAMS. Mrs. Washington'* Answer. Sir, Mount Vernon^ 3\se Dec, 1799, While I feel, with keenest anguish, the late dispens- ations of DivineProvidence, I cannot be insensible to the mournful tribute of respect and veneration which are paid to the memory of my dear deceased husband ; and, as his best services and most anxious wishes were always devoted to the welfare and iiappiness of his country, to know that they were truly appreciated, and gratefully remembered, aifords no inconsiderable consolation. Taught by the great example which I have so long had before me, never to oppose my private wishes to the public will, I must consent to the request made by Congress, which you have had the goodness to transmit to me — and, in doing this, I need not, I can- not say, what a sacrifice of individual feeling I make to a sense of public duty. With grateful acknowledgements, and unfeigned thanks, for the personal respect and evidences of con- dolence expressed by Congress and Yourself, I re- main very respectfully, MARTHA WASHIjVGIOJV. SIR WILLIAM WALLACE'S BOX. Philadelphia, Ath Jcnu 1792 On Friday last was presented to the President of the I nited States, George Washington, a Box ele- gantly mounted with silver, and made of the celebrai- ed S7^ WASHINGTON. ed oak tree that sheltered the patriotic Sir William Wallace of Scotland, after the unfortunate battle of Falkirk about the year 1300, This very curious and characteristical present is from the Earl of Buchan, by the hand of Mr. Archibald Robertson, a Scotch gen- tleman, and a portrait painter, who arrived in Amer- ica some months ago. The Box was presented to Lord Buchan by the Goldsmiths Company of Edin- burgh ; from whom his Lordship requested, and ob- tained leave, to make it over to the Man wijom he deemed more deserving of it than, himself, and George Washingtotiivas the man. We further learn, that Lord Buchan, has request- ed of the President, that, on the event of his decease, he will consign the Box to that Man, in tliis Country^ who shall appear, in his judgment, to merit it best, upon the same considerations that induced him to send it to America. Upon the Box, which is cunously wrought, is a sil- ver plate with the following inscription : — " Presented by the Goldsmiths of Edinburgh to David Stewart Er- skine^ Earl of JB:ichany iviih the Freedom of their Cor- poration^ by their Deacon — A* D, 1792." Copy of the Letter from Lord Buchan to General Washington, accompanying the Box. « Sir, Dryburgh Abbey, Ju?ie 28, 1791. " I had the honour to receive your Excellency's letter relating to the advertisement of Dr. Anderson's periodical publication in the Gazette of the United States ; which attention to my recommendation I feel very sensibly, and return you my grateful acknow- ledgments. <* In the 21st No. of that literary Miscellany, I in- serted a monitory paper respecting America, which I fiatter myself, may, if attended to on the other side of the Atlantic, be productive of good consequences. "To use your own emphatic words, " May. that Almighty Being who rules over the Universe — who presides in the Councils of Nations— and whose pro- viden- WASmNGTON. 379 videntral aid can supply every human defect, conse* crate to the Liberties and Happiness of the American people, a government instituted by themselves lor pub- lic and private security, upon the basis of Law and equal administration of Justice, preserving to every individual as much civil and political freedom as is con- sistent with the safety of the Nation."-— And may he be pleased to continue your life and stren^^th as long as you can be in any way useful to your Country I " I have entrusted this sheet inclosed in a Box, made of the Oak that sheltered our Great Sir Wil- liam Wallace, after the battle of Falkirk, to Mr. Ro-- bertson, of Aberdeen, a Painter, with the hope of his having the honour of delivering it into your hand ; recommending him as an able Artist, seeking for for- tune and fame in the New World. This box was presented to me by the Goldsmiths' Company at Edin- burgh, to whom, feeling my own un worthiness, to re- ceive this magnificently significant present, 1 request- ed and obtained leave to make it over to the man in. the world to whom I thought it most justly due. In=. to yovr hands I commit it, recjuesting of you to pass it, on the event of your decease, to the Man in your own country who shall appear to your judgment to^ merit it best, upon the same considerations that have induced me to send it to your Excellency. " I am. Sir, with the highest esteem, Your Excellency's most obedient And obhged humble servant, BUCIL4JV, a p. S. — I beg your Excellency will have the good- ness to send me your Portrait, that I may place it a- mong those I most honour, and I would wish it from the pencil of Mr. Robertson.. 1 beg leave to recommend him to your countenance, as he has been mentioned to me favourably by my worthy friend. Professor Oglvie, of King's College, Aberdeen." General Washington's Answkr. My Lord, riiiladdjihia, l&tA/aijy 1792. « I should have had the honour of acknowledging sooner the receipt of your letter of the 28Lh of June last 38o WASHINGTON. last, had I not concluded to defer doing it till I could announce to you the transmission of my portraitj which has just been finished by Mr. Robertson (of New York) who has also undertaken to forward it. The manner of the execution of it does no discredit, I am told, to the artist, of whose skill favourable men- tion has been made to me. I was further induced to entrust the execution of it to Mr» Robertson, from his having informed me that he had drawn others for your Lordship, and knew the size which best suited your collection. " I accept, with sensibility and with satisfaction, the significant present of the box which accompanied your Lordship's letter. " In yielding the tribute due from every lover of mankind to the patriotic and heroic virtues of which it is commemorative, I estimate, as I ought, the addi- tional value which it derives from the hand that sent it, and my obligations for the sentiments that induced tlie transfer.. *' I will, however, ask that you will exempt me from the compliance with the request relating to its eventu- al destination. " In an attempt to execute your wish in this parti- €ular,I should feel embarrassment from a just compa- rison of relative pretentions, and fear to risk injustice by so marked a preference. " With sentiments of the truest estem and consideration, I remain your Lordship's most obedient servant. Earl of Buchan. G. WASHIJVGTOJ^^ 'Extract Jrom Gen. Washiyigton^'s Will. Item — To the Earl of Buchan I re-commit " the •"ox made of the Oak that sheltered the brave Sir William Wallace after the battle of Falkirk,"presented to me by hisLordship in terms too flattering for me to repeat, with a request " to pass it on the eventof my decease, to the man in my country who appeared to merit it best, upon the same conditions that have in- duced WASHINGTON. 381 duced him to send it to me." — Whether easy or not, to select the Man who might comport with his Lord- ship's opinion in this respect, is not for me to say ; but conceiving that no disposition of this vaUiable curiosi- ty can be more eligible than the re-committment of it to his own cabmet, agreeably to the original design of the Goldsmiths'Company of Edinburgh, whopresent- -ed it to him, and, at his request, consented that it should be tranferred to me — 1 do give and bequeath the same to his Lordship ; and in case of his decease, to his heir, with my grateful thanks for the distin- guished honour of presenting it to me, and more es- pecially for the favourable sentiments with which he accompanied it. CHARACTER OF GENERAL WASHINGTON. (Delivered by Mr. Fox in the Britifh Houfe of Commons in the year 1794.) " Illustrious Man I — deriving honour less from the splendour of his situation, than from the dignity of his mind — before whom all borrowed Greatness sinks into insigni;icance ! — I cannot, indeed, help adm.iring the wisdom and the fortune of this Great Man — Not by the expression Fortune, I mean to derogate from his merit ; but, notwithstanding his extraordinary talents, and exalted integrity, it must be considered as singu- larly fortunate, that he should have experienced a lot which so seldom falls to the portion of humanity, and have passed thro' such a variety of scenes without stain and without reproach! — It must, indeed, cret'ite astonishment, that, placed in circumstances so critical, and filling, for a series of time, a station so conspicu- ous, his character should never once have been called in que^.tion — that he should in no one instance be ac- cused either of peevish insolence, or of mean submis- sion, in his transactions with foreign nations— -It has been reserved for him to run the race of gloiy, with- out experiencing the smallest interruption to the bril- liancy of his career! — The breath of Censure has not dared to impeach the purity of his conduct, nor tlie eye 382 WASHINGTON. eye of En>y to raise its malignant glance to the ele- vation of his virtue — Such has been the transcendant mei'it, and the unparalelled fate, of this illustrious Man!" CHARACTER OF GENERAL WASHINGTON. (By a Scotch Traveller.) In no one thing has the world been so much de- ceived, as in the article of what is commonly called Great Men. — Most of them, upon a nearer and closer inspection, have been found to be either great hypo- crites or great robbers ! — Not so the Man whose cha- racter is now attempted to be delineated — Whether in public or in private, he was still the same ; and in that humble, but useful and honourable employment, a Farmer, he pointed the way to Fortune, as, in his pub- lic capacities, he had pointed the way to Fame ; eminent^ ly proving, in his own person, the difference between a system of method and economy, and a course of idle- ness and dissipation. By his regular and economical conduct, Mr. Wash- ington became one of the mo?t extensive and opulent Farmers on the continent. He had about 10,000 acres of land attached to his seat of Mount Vernon, where he combined theory with practice, and, by successive improvements, rendered his grounds highly produc- tive. Including his household servants, and those who worked upon the farm, he daily main rained about one thousand persons, all of whom m.oved and acted ac- cording to the rules of a strict, but beneficent system. Like a well-regulated clock, the whole machine mov- ed in perfect time and order — The effects were, that he was completely independent, and died possessed of a great property. It does not appear that Mr. Washington's education was either classical or extensive — a knowledge of the EngUsh language, with a portron of geography and the mathematics, seem to have been the whole of his juvenile improvements. Altho' his grammatical in- structions could not be very accurate, he, notwithstand- ing, attained) by dint of study and observation, a pro- WASHIKGTON. 2>^3 ficiency in the writing of English, smooth, uniform, and even dignified — he wrote in a style that has ex- torted the approbation of the most fastidious critics. lie is an eminent proof, that a man may become an able General without having I'eadCxsar in the origin- al, and an able politician witliout having studied either the Greek or Roman authors. With a tall, majestic person, and a manly counte- nance, he had a strong-, but well-governed mind — His perceptions were not quick, but, when once he did take a position, it was generaiiy well chosen, Emd firm- ly adhered to — Neither wit nor vivacity brightened his features ; it was a Hice of care, of thought, and of cautix^n ; all was calmness and deliberation — Wash- ington's great forte was prudence, or discretion ; it covered him like a shield in the hour of danger, and it was his sure guide in the day of prosperity ; by this single talent, he acquired all his w-calth, and obtained all his celebrity. — Whilst he fulSIied all the relative duties, he was obedient to every temperate rule, and every moral principle ; and knowing its vast import- ance both to individual and national happiness, he paid a proper respect to the observances of Religion. %* As it v/oiild fill a volume to infert all the demonftrations of refpect paid to this illuftrious charadier in every town from New Hampfhire to Georgia, by orations, fermons,'proceirions, &,c, we fhall conclude with the following article — Philadelphia, Dec. 24, 1799. The Theatre, lail evening, joined in the public teftimonv of regret for the Icfs of the Hero of America. The Houfe (which was extremely full) diiplayed a fcene calculated to imprefs the mind with the utmoft folemnity of forrow. The pillars fup- porting the boxes were encircled with black crape, the chan- daliers were decorated with the iiifignia of woe, and the audi>. ence, particularly the female part of it, appeared in mourning. At 7 o clock, the band ilruck up Wafliington's Marcli ; after which a folemn dirge was performed, Vv'hen the curtain llowly rifing, difcovered a Tomb in the center of the ftage in the Grecian llile of architecture, fupported by truffcs. In the cen- ter of it was a portrait of the General, encircled by a wreath of oaken leave; ; imder the portrait, a fword, .ihicld, and hel- Tiiet, and the colours of tlae United States. The top was in th<; 3^4 WASHINGTON. the form of a pyramid, in the front of which appeared the American Eagle, holding in her beak a fcroll, on which was infcribed J Xatioii's Tears ! — The fides of the flage were de- corated with black banners containing the names of the dif- ferent States flf the Union, in golden Letters, and over which mourning traphies were fufpended — A Monody was recited by M. Wignell, accompanied by folemn Airs ; and the tragedy , •f the RoMxVx Father concluded thebufinefs of the evening. AIR IN THE MONODV. Slowly ftrike the folemn bell, Nature found thy deepeil knell- Power of Mufic, touch the heart. Nature there will do her part. God of Melancholy, come, Penfive o'er the Hero's tomb ; In faddeft ftrains his lofs deplore. With piercing cries rend ev'ry fliore. For Washington is now no morel Glory, bring thy fairefl wreath, Place it on thy Hero's urn : Mercy, in foft accents breathe, •« He never made this bofom mourn 1" Every Virtue here attend, Bending o'er his facred earth ; Grautude, thy influence lend. Make us feel his mighty worth ! ^,v'igjs?rrEf =:*vi,j ; --