Class L 2i Q BookJiia U\\^ THE Jl^onumettt of ^atrioti^m, BEING A COLLECTION UF BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF THE {LIVES AND CHARACTERS OF SOME OF THOSE MEN WHO SIGNED THE AND BRIEF SKETCHES OF MANY OTHER EMINENT STATESMEN, ALSO, GEJVERALS JtJSTD HEROES WHO FOUGHT AjYD BLEB IJ^ THE jREVOLUTIOJVAHY WAM, AND ALSO, lilie most Prommeut ChavacAers o£ ttie n WITH TO WHICH IS ANNEXED THE Declaration of Independence in 17765' AND George Washington's Faretvell Address^ AN EULOGIUM ON THE CHARACTER OF Compiled from the most authenUc .in J approved autUorSj BY JOHN RQYER. POTTSIOWN: / PUBUSHED BY JOHN R0YE3L 1- BIOGRAPHY, in all its forms, is al- lowed to be the most fascinating and in- structive species of literary composition. It not only possesses all the advantages of general history, the variotis excelien" eies of which may be jadiciausly inter- woven v/ith the lives of eminent person- ages, but it frequently discovers the min- ute and latent springs of great events, which, in the comprehensive range of History, v/ould have escaped attention. Many of the attractions of Biography in general, and some additional advanta- ges, are possessed by cO'temporary BiO" graphy. The memoirs of men, who are the present actors on the great theatre of iiie, who acquire and demand public confidence, and from whom further re- suits of action or meditation are to be expected, necessarily excite a higher de- gree of curiosity, than the lives of those who have made their exit from the stage^ iiY PREFACE. l)y whom no future good or evil can !)€>• performed or perpetrated, and ^vlio, ^^dej:id5 gone, and forgotten," are gener- ally carried down the stream of ohlivion, and swallowed up in the gulph of un- registered mortality. It must be SLdmittcd, that the blogra- plier of.de«^.eased j^€F^ns 13 ■ better ctia- bledj bj the independence of bis sitaa- lion, and a more extensive retrospect^ to estimate the degree of viilue and vice, and to appreciate the sum total of merit and demerit with greater precision, than the cotemporary biographer, who is re- straine/1, by the extreme delicacy of his tmdertaking, from giving the finishing stroke to his delineations of character^, whose incomplete materials prevent him from deducing general and important conclusions in their proper latitude, and in many cases, from discriminating be- tween hypocrisy and sincerity. Still, however, a writer of this description is better able to collect facts, and may in general, be more depended upon, as to the autheaticity of his testimony, than he who writes the lives of deceased per- sons. Many eminent men, respecting •whom posterity have cause to lament the PREFACE. ^ dieficiency of biographical information^ have passed their early days in obscurity and those who then knew them, were either too ignorant, or too unobservant, to be able to make any communications respecting them. When Death has once set his seal upon their labours, few or no opportunities offer of obtaining s^a^ tisfactory and circumstantial inform ation^ their early cotemporaries are, probably 5, also gone off the stage. From causes like these, how little is known of soma of the most distinguished luminaries that have irradiated the political and literary; hemispheres! Of many we know only, that they filled elevated situations, that they composed splendid worksj made im- portant discoveries, died in a particular year, and were at length interred in some venerable repository of the dead, America has had her full proportion of genius. In every art and everj^ science^ she can point, with pleasure, to some of her sons conspicuous among the nations of the earth ; and however pleas- ing and instructive it might be to detail the ives of all those worthies wli » sig- Balized themselves, either in the cabinet or tue field; during the reyolationarj m^ u PHEFACE. late War with Great Britain. Here may the youth, who wishes to act a distin- guished part in the cabinet, endeavor to imitate Franklin, Hancock, and Henry. Here may the soldier, whose only ambi- tion is pj^triotism and glory, be animated to acquire the laurels, gained by Wash, ington, Wayne, Warren, Pike, Harrison and Jackson. And here may the seamen dwell with delight and satisfaction, on the heroic actions of Jones, Lawrence, Decatur, Macdonough, Bainbridge and Porter. In a word, here may the sons of America trace the lineaments of their fathers' glory, and by their example learn to imitate their deeds. The ingratitude of Eepublics to their distinguished benefactors and heroes^ lias long been proverbial. But this opin- ion, like many others with relation to Re- publican governments, had its origin in the examples of Greece and Rome, and so far as imparts that ingratitude to those •who render important services to their country, is peculiar to, or in any way a consequence of Republican institutions, is entirely unfounded. Titles, at best, are but an empty reward^ and in this country they are altogether despised. The PREFACE. vii itames of Benjamin Franklin, George "Wnshington, Thomas Jefferson, convey to the mind more just and distinct ideas of exalted patriotism, of distinguished public services, and of real greatness, than could be done by any titles which could have been, given them. CONTENTa J- of Washington, : page, i Franklin, •■ ♦ 44 RUtenhouse,. ,. . 58 Henry,, . 74. Kaiicvhich he had been, heretofore, concerned. France and England, although at peace in EuropCj might be said to be, virtually, at war, in Americao Each nation claimed the right of sovereignty, over a large unsettled tract of country, west of the Allegheny mountains, but within the chartered iioes of the Brit* ifeh colonies. In this disputed territorjr, France me- ditated the erection of a nuinber of forts, with a view to maintain her claim to it^ and, connecting Canada to Louisiana, by a chain of military posts, to confine the British colonies to the east of the mountains-. This encroachment, should it be actually attempted, it was the determiiiation of the colonists to repel by arms. To prevent such an extremity, if possible; orj should he fail in the tffVirt, the better to justify his con- duct, in the evenc, governor Dinwiddie, of the pro* vince of Virginia, resolved ro send a remonstrance to the French commandant, on the waters of the Ohio, so-* lemnly protesting against the proceedings of France, ti& hostile to the rights of his Britanic majesty, an J threatf-nlng to the safety, and iRJ.urious to the interests of his American subjects. Of this important state document, which might become ^ the basis of either peace or war, major Washington, now in the twenty* second year of his age, was s< lected as the bearer. Cut his mission was not limited, in its object, tor the mere carrying of a letter. He was deputed taex* plore, with a view to military positions and opera- tions, the tract of country through which he was to pass; to cosjciliate the affections of the Indian tribes inhabiting it; to compass, as far as possible, the de- igns of France; and to report, on his return, such intel- ligence, as might aid the govv-rnment, in its adoption of miiasures, to meet the occasion. A mission so intrinsically difficult, and, at the same^ time, so important, hiul never, perhaps, bc^en intrusted to the sole manage oient of so youthful a negotiator, Tg a n^d Ims »spif iJ^g) ^^i" a spirit of less ardour, iis- LIFE OP WASIIINGtO??, / tl-epiJUy, and enterprise, the obstacles that presented tiiemselves wcuid have app"eared insurmountiible. Winter was approaching; and the route to the French head quarters, lav through a tract ofAvilder- aess, several hundred milts in extent, embarrassed by mountains, intersected by rapid and dangerous rivers, covered by snows, of considerable depth, and inhabi- ted by several tribes of savages, some of which were known to be unfriendly, at the same time, to the Brit- ish colonists.' But instead of discouragements, these things were incentives, to the soul of Washington. Leaving to others, of halcyoEs temperament, the pleasures of the calm, and the enjoyment of the sunshine, it was his to exult in the strife of the elements, and the coming of the storm. Pleased with the enterprise, to which he was called, on account of the good it might eventually produce, he was the more enamoured of it from the difficulties and dangers, by which it was surrounded, Havingprepared for hisjournej^, without a moment's delay, he set out from a frontier settlement, on Will's creek, on the 15th of November, accompanied by two servants, and an interpreter, accomplished his mission, in a manner so perfect, as to secure the undivided ap- plause of his country, and returned to Williamsburgh, ©n the 7&th day from the time of his appointment. During this excursion, besides, other observations of practical importance, he iirst designated as a situa- tion suitable for a fortress, the point of land, formed by the confluence of the Monongahela and the Alle- gheny rivers. On that spot Fort Du Quesne, subse- quently Fort Pitt, now Pittsburgh, was, soon after- fvards, erected by order of the French. The journal kept by major Washington, on this oc- casion, was deemed, by the governor and colonial as- sembly, of his native province, fvorthy of the press; when printed, was eagerly sought after and read, by his countrymen; and procured, for its author, as well on account of ihe resg.yrces of his mind, as of his per- ^ LIFE OF WASHINGTON, sonal prowess, energies, and firn^ness, a large addi- tional stock of public adaiiratiori, and well placed confi- dence. Induced, by the stormy aspect of affairs, to raise, in the following year, a body of men, for the protection of her frontier settlements, Virginia conferred on ma- jor Washington, the rank of lieutenant colonel; and, his superior officer soon after dying, gave to him the entire command of the regiment. Accustomed to lead in every enterprise of gallantry and danger, he had the fortune to conduct, in person, the first open conflict of arms, which took place in the war that was now commencing, between the French and the British colonists* Convinced of the hostile intentions ol a detachment *f the former, which had encamped near the Great Meadows, on the western frontier of Virginia, he advanced on them, under cover of a dark and rainy night, poured in a fire, which killed the commanding ofHcer, Monsieur Jumonville, and im- mediately surroundmg the remainder, captured the whole party, with the exception of one individual, who effected his escape. Not long after this an affair occurred, much better calculated than any preceding one, to try completely the military talents of our young commander. With nothing but a half finished stockade fort, and his own genius to defend him, we find him, at the head of three hundred Virginians, engaged m despe- rate, but unequal combat, with a detachment of twelve hundred French and Indians, under the command of Monsieur de Villier. The action lasted from ten o'clock, in the morning, until sunset; during the whole of which, foremost in batde, and refusing refreshment, Washington fought without the stockade, openly exposed to the fire of the enemy. But, from the beginning, until the close, of his career of glory, the shield of Heaven, appeared to be before him; for, in the midst of peril, which so of- t^ja seemed to mena^ him with incviiable destructios)^ 3LIFE OF WASHINGTON. ^ ao hostile hand was ever permitted to shed a drop of his blood. A parley being called for, by the French command- er, a negotiation ensued, which teiminated on the part of Washington, in a surrender of the fort, on condi- tion, that the defenders of it should be permitted to **march cut with the honours of war, to retain their arms and baggage, and return, unmolested, to the in- habited pans of Virginia.'* For their firmness and good conduct in battle, and a capitulation so honourable, with an enemy so far superior in numbers, colonel Washington and his officers received from the legislature of Virginia, a vote of thanks. In addition to their pay, three hun- dred pistoles were, at the same time, distributed among the soldiers who had been engaged in the action. No arrangements being made by the government of the coionvj for a renewal of offensive operations, during the presentyear,col. Washington resigned his commission* An open rupture between France and England was, in a short time, the result of so serious a collisioD between their colonies. Preparations were made by both parlies, to act with vigour, and on an extensive scale. General Braddock arrived in America, early in the year 1753, at the head of two British Regimtnts, with orders to proceed immediately to protect the frontiers, and chastise the enemy, colonel Washington accepted an invitation to accompany him, in the char- acter of a volunteer aid. The object of the campaign was the reduction of Du Quesne, a French garrison, situated, as already stated, near the confluence of the Monongahela and the Allegheny rivers. Ignorant, as general Braddock was, of the nature of the country, through which he was to pass, as well as the character of the enemy he had to encounter; and rejecting, from a sentiment of military pride, strength- ened, perhapsj in the present instance, by a ccnceii cf ^0 UFE OP WASHINGTON, British superiority, the salutary advice of his Ameri*^ can aid, who was known to be perfectly acquainted with both, delay in movement, and a terrible disaster in battle, were the fatal consequencesv While a select detachnoent of twelve hundred men, under the immediate command of general Braddock, was on its march from the Litde Meadows, towards Fore Da Quesne, colonel Washington, who had been previously indisposed, was suddenly seized with a rag* ing fever, which compelled him, after a dangerous ef- fort to proceed, to halt for several days, under medical treatment; Having recovered sufficiently to travel, in his bag- gage wagon, he pressed forward, with all the eagerness of military enthusiasm, and, rejoining the detachment on the 8th of July, entered immediately, although much enfeebled, on the performance of his duties. On the day following, just as the army had crossed the Monongahela, and secure of danger, was in easy march towardts its place of desUs^ntion.nov/, but a few miles distant, in front, occurred that memorable scene of slaughter, known throughout Europe, as well as America, by the popular name of ^'Braddock's defeat.'* An ambuscade had been formed, in a well chosen position, by a large party of French and Indians, into which, b)' again rejecting, in a tone of haughtiness the the modest counsels of his volunteer aid, advising him of the probability of such an event, the British com- mader was unfortunately seduced. A conflict of the most sanguinary character ensued. It was in this field ofblood, where the hearts of the bra- vest shrunk, in dismay, from the dismal war-hoop, and the wide-spreading carnage, that the youthful Ameri- can, by his unshaken firmness, self-possession, and skill In batde, distinguished himself to the-perfect astonish- ment of his country. So deadly was the aim of the French and Indian riflet[ien,at the B'itish ofHcers, that, early in the actiotr, Washingion \yas the only surviving aid of ^he ill fated tIFE Or^VASHlKGTON. ^^ t^Braddoclc. This disaster, in itself disheartcmng^j trebled" his duties, and increased his exertions, to a tlegree that was incredible. Debilitated, as he was, by a fever, from which he had but imperfectly recovered, Le was seen on horseback, at every point of the action, but especially where the fire of the enemy v/as most destructive to the British line, directing the move- ments of the provincial rangers, rallying and encourag- ing the broken and desponding columns of regularSj and executmg the orders of the commander in chief. During three hours, he was thus exposed, far with- in striking distance, to the deliberate aim of some of the most deadly marksmen of the age. Two horses. /ell under him, and a third was wounded; four balls pierced his coat, and several others grazed his sword; but, destined, by Heaven, for higher purposes, his per- son was untouched. Every other officer on horseback •being either killed, or severely wpunded, he, alone, at the close of the action, was capable of service. What rendered his safety the more extraordinary, several ot the Indians afterwards acknowledged, that, when but a few paces distant from feim, they aim'td their shot repeatedly at his breast. His escape, under these circumstances, began to produce among them a 4irm belief, that by virtue oi" some supernatural agency his person, for the time, was rendered invulnerable. Pardy on account of a preservation so signal, in the midst of perils, so numerous and menacing, and, in part, from the well tried heroism ol his character, an able and pious divine, of the day, declared, in a strain of impassioned eloquence, that he could not but con- sider him as preserved by Heaven for some very dis- tinguished service to his country. When in the course of the battle, general Braddock who, at the head of his troops, had gallantly presented himself, as a mark for the riflemen, fell, under a wound, that, in a few days, proved mortal, the panic of bis re- gulars became universal, and their ilight from the com- 'bi\tj disorderly and precipitiite. But, not so wiih i^ LIFE OF WASHINGTON. Washington, and the surviving remnant of his bravfe Virginians. They lingerdd on the field, with unyield- ing obstinacy, protected the rear of their routed com- panions, and r- :cued from the butchery of tlie hatchet and the scalping kiite^the person of the wounded com- mander in ch'i ;r. Under Providence, it was the good conduct of co» lonel Washington, in battle and retreat, that saved the army from utter extermination. It was the belief of every one — nor did thousands hesitate, loudly to ex- press it — that had he been invested with the chief command, the disasters of the day would nol have oc- curred. By the discomfiture and retreat of the army of Braddock, the frontiers of Virginia were again expo« sed to the incursions and massacres of a victorious foe. For protection and safety, the trust of his na- tive province, was instinctively reposed in the genius ofWashmgton. So unlimited was her confidence in his judgment and skill, thai, in her scheme of defence, she not only appointed him commander in chief of all the coloniel troops to be raised on the occasion, but vested in him the privilege of nominating his field officers. From this time, until the close of hostilities in 1788^ a period of about three years, the life of our young countryman presented a scene of unremitting action, solicitude and toil. To defend, with a very limited body of troops, a frontier of nearly four hundred miles in extent, easily passable at almost any point, against an enemy intre- pid, artful, and forever on the alert; that skulked by day, and ravaged by night, substituting murder for honorable war — -against such an enemy, to conduct a defence so diyproportioned to his means, was a task too arduous for man to perform. It was during his devotion to it, and while his distracted fellow sub- jects were implorbig from him succours he was una- ble to aflbrd, that ht expressed hinoself^ by a letter, in L^JFE OF WASHINGTON, ia the following terms: "The supplicating tears of the women, and the moving petitions of the men, melt me: ^vith such deadly sorrow, that, I solmly declare, if I know my own mind, I could offer myself a willing sacrifice to the butchering enemy, provided that could contribute to the people's ease." Difficult, and ot" great responsibility, as was the ftp- pointment he held, his popularity, while toiling in the discharge of the duties of it, continuing to increase, he left it with more reputation than he accepted it: a cir- cumstance of rare occurrence, in any thing connected with the feelings of the multitude. In the midst of their distresses, when their sufferings where such as imight have wrung from their expressions of deep dis- satisfaction, with every thing earthly, the people of the frontiers were never heard to murmur a complaint; against the conduct of Washington. With a degree O'i unanimity, but very seldom witnessed, all seemed convinced, that whatever was within the compass of human achievement, he faithfully performed. Of all that he recomraended to the government of Virginia, for the permanent security and tranquillity of the province, his favourite measure was the reduc- tion of Fort Du Quesne« ^'•^levcr^'^'' said he in a letter to a friend, '*wiU the knife and the hatchet cease to be siained in the blood of the frontier inhabitants, until that fortress be within our power. Better to sacri£ce ia the reduction of it, another ariny, tnan that the en- terprise be abandoned." The event, in relation to this point, fully evinced the correctness of his views, and the soundness of his judgement. No sooner did Fort Du Quesne pass into the possession of the British, in 1758, than the war of the frontiers was completely at an end. I'he marauding and murdering parties of savages^ heretofore so fatal and alarming in their incursions, having, now, on the borders of the colonies, neither a place of common rendezvous, in which tu concert ^heir plans of invasion, a strong hold to fiy to on oc- i^ LIFE OF WASHINGTON. casionB of clanger, nor artful counsellors to encourage and reward them in the practice of rapine, and the pursuit of blood, ceased to be troublesome to the re- pose of the inhabitants. With thexlose of the campaign of 1 758, active hos- tilities being now at an end, terminated the career of colonel Washington as a provincial officer. On resigning his commission, and retiring from the army, he received in a most affectionate address, the thanks of his regiment; and carried with him the es- teem of the British officers, and the gratitude and love of his native province, which he had so highly honour- €d and so nobly served. Scarcely had he reposed from the toils of war, iwhen, in reward for all he had performed and enduted, he was favoured, in marriage, with the hand of Mrs. Custis, who, to an elegant person, and an ample for- tune, united all the qualities of a fine woman, and the attainments and polish of an accomplished lady. A few years previously, he had received, on the death of an elder brother, a valuable estate, denom mat- ed Mount Vernon, pleasantly situated on the banks of the Potomac. On this he settled soon after his mar- riage, and, forgetting in the lap of domestic happiness the fatigues and solicitudes of military life, exchanged in a short time, the character of the ablest soldier of thex:ountry, for that uf the most skilful cultivator of the soil. From the beauties of its scenery, the salubrity of it-s situation, and a sentiment of attachment to his brother^ who bequeathed it to him. Mount Vernon had for Washington all the attractions a place of residence could possibly possess. In that delightful and fa- vourite spotp surrounded by whatever renders life de- sirable, *'A nfttion^s praise, friends, health, eonnubiil love, "A conscience peaceful, and approving- Heaven," lie devoted himself, for a period of fifteen years, ex- clusively to agricultural and domestic pursuits,* except, sthat he served as a member of the house of burgesses LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 15 of Virginia, and a judge of the court of the county in tvhich he resided. In these capacities he acquitted himself with great intelligence, purity and honour, enlarged his experience in the transaction of public business, and acquired much useful and practical knowledge in the science of civil government. During this interval, the conflicting claims of Great Britain and America were often times a subject of serious discussion in the legislature of Virginia. On these occasions, V/ashington steadily attached himself to the whig party, and opposed, with all the weight o£ his character, and every argument his genius could devise, the right of the mother country to tax her col- onies. In consideration of this line of conduct, he was known by the name of the Virginia Patriot, In the year 1774, we find him a distinguished mem- ber Irom his native province, of the first American Congress, which assembled in Philadelphia, to deliber- ate on the rights and interests of their common coun- try, to remonstrate against grievances, which could no longer be tolerated, and, should the crisis demand it, to choose between political freedom and bondage, the resistance of citizens and the submission of slaves. Denominated, from his skill and experience in mil- itary afl'airsthe Soldier of Jlmerica, he was chairman, as long as he remained in Congress, of every commit- tee appointed by that body, for the purpose of public defence. And, when, ultimately, the injustice, and meditated oppression of the British ministry, forced on the American people the war of the revolution, he was unanimously elected, to the infinite satisfaction and joy of his country, commander in chief, of all th©^ armies of the United Colonies. So pre-eminent was his standing, as a military character, that his appoint- ment was neither attended with competition, nor fol- lowed by envy. It was an act of intuitive homag«^ paid by an enlightened and virtuous people, to an indi* vidual who was above rivalship. ^ Illustrious as he already was, and inestimable a? hk services to his country had been, v/c novf behold 16 ZJQFE OF WASHINGTON?. iiim entering on a much more radiant and impoftaat career. Having accepted, with expressions of peculiar mod- esty, the exahed rank bestowed on him, by Congress, he soon manifested, in the discharge of the momentous duties appertaining to it, all the qualities of a great commander. What he had been in his youth, to the colony of Virginia, its vigorous and invincible arm of defence, he now became, in the strength of manhood, £o his country at large. To give a finished portraiture of all his achieve- jnents, during the war oft e revolution, is the province of history: the biographer must be content with a bare enumeration of them. It was not the least patriotic of his actions, that, for his services, as commander in chief, which were in- deed above price, he declined, from their coflamenca- ment, by express stipulation, ail emolument. The disbursement of the expenses, necessarily attendant on the station he filled, was all his country could prevail on him to accept. Massachusetts was now the theatre of war, the town of Boston being occupied by the enemy. On the reception of his commission, general Wash- ington lost no time in placing himself at the head otthe American forces, in the vicinity of Cambridge, His journey from Philadeljihia to that place, was a continued jubilee to the friends of liberty. He was welcomed into the townd and villages, through which he passed, by deputations, gratulatory addresses, pro- fesions of attachment and proffers of support. The liveliest hopes were entertained and expressed, that, under his direction, Heaven would be propitious to the arms of freedom. On his arrival at the American head quarters, he found an assemblage of brave^ men, anxious to avenge the wrongs of their country, but no army, in a techr^i- cal sense. Discipline among the troops, experience among the officers, skilful engineers, ammunitioa and i5FE OF WASHtNGTONr Ht bayonets, clothes and working tools, were wanting in a degree that was truly alarming. Nothing but the genius and resources of a great leader, could supply, on the very lines of an enemy, provided with eve- ry thing such a fearful deficiency of military means. Under these circumstairccs the first care of th© commander in chief was, to mtroduce among his sol- diers a system of suitable discipline, to create the means of instrijction for his ofliccrs, and to procure^ without delay, the munitions that were wanting. No sooner had he accomplished this, and prepared his army to operate oifensively, than he became ex» ceedingly anxious for, some achievement, that might shed a lustre on the arms of his country, and confirai the spirits of the timid and wavering. For this purpose, he projected, against the enemy, various enterprises, all of thera marked with pro- found judgment, and some of them peculiarly bold and daring. But the prudence of general Howe, the British commander, who kept strictly within his lines, and other circumstances, not subject to human con» trol, prevented their accomplishment. Thus passed the winter of 1775 6, the British ar- my in possession of Boston, and the Americans of the heights and strong holds around it, without th© occurrence of any action to illustrate the period. By the course he pursued, and the measures he adopted, the prudence and skill of the American commander, were sufficicndy manifestedi but as no assault on the enemy's works had actually been madej and as the attacks and adventures he had secretly meditated, were known only to himself, and a few o£ his officers, some began to question his energy andl* (enterprise. In relation, however, to this point, doubt and uncertainty were effectually dissipated, by hm conduct^ on various occaaioip, in the progress of Jh^ 2* IS LIFE OF WASHINGTQIn To say noting of the ardour and heroism, of hh youth, the current of future events exhibited, in a short time, abundant proof, that the bent of his mind Ivas to daring exploits; but, that a consciousness of the inferiority of his means, and a determination, never to hazard, for his own gratification, the interest of the cause in which he was engaged, restrained the native impetuosity of his character. To his moral and intel- lectual excellence, therefore^ not to any physical de- fect, was his Fabian system — his apparent want of enterprise, to be attributed. Weary of so long a confinement to his works, yet more afraid to verjture from behind them; and appre- hensive, that by some successful stratagem, the Ame- rican chief might yet compel him to open combat, ge- neral Howe, early in the spring of 1776, evacuated Boston and sailed to the south. Washington immediately entered the town, where he was received with grateful hearts and joyous ac- clamations, midst the praises and blessings of a patri- otic people, rescued from the oppression of military lule. New York became next the theatre of war. Fore- seeing that this would be the case, the American leader had some time previously, despatched a large detachment of his army, under the command of ma- jor general Lee, to fortify the place, and render it as Jar as possible capable of defence^ On the part of Great Britain, the campaign of 1776, was opened with great preparation and pomp; and presented, from its commencement, an aspect truly Jormidable to liberty. Including the army and navy, nvhich acted in concert, the royal forces, regular, vete- ran, and well provided, amounted to fifty thousand anen. It is worthy of remark, that, before the actual com- snencement of hostilities, in this campaign, generifl Howe, and his brother admiral Hov*rc, who command- ed, at the Uracj the British fleetj attempted to open^ LIFE OF WASIlkN'GTON. id m the capacity of civil commissioners, a negotiation with general Wasliington, witli a vii w to tflectuate a peace, and a reunion oi" the revolted coloiita to the mother country. Introducing the business, they sent to him, under the protection of a flag, a letter, aadressedto ^'George Washington, Esq.'' This he protiipily reiustci to re- ceive, because it did not recogniz< -.le apper- taining to his rank; observing ai U: nine, ihat, akhough it was not his practice to ''i^acnhce essen- tials to punctilio, yet, in this instance, he deemed it a duty to his country, to insist on that respect, which-^ in any othfx than a public view, he v/ould willmgly have waved." Soon afterwards, adjutant general Patterson, of the British army, arrived at the American head quarters, bearing a letter from general Howe, addressed to *' George Washington, &c. &c. &c." Alter presenting himselt to the commander ia chief, with many civil and complimentary txpvessions, the royal messenger ventured to hope, that the ad- dress of the letter he bore would be sali^iacrory, in- asmuch as the el Cisteras it contained, might be con- sidered as implyuig every thing. This courdy exor- dium was accompanied with an assurance, that, by such a procedure, the commissioners of his Britanic majesty, meant no disrespect to the American com- mander; but, that they enteriained for him, ptrsonally, the highest regard. General vVashington replied in substance, that he perceived, in the address of the letter, no recognition of his military rank, or public station; '*that it was true, the et Ccsteras implied every thing, but they al- so implied an> thing; and that he should, therefore, decline the receiving any letter, directed to him, as a private person, when it related to his public sta- tion.'' In a conference v;hlch ensued, the adjutant general observed, that the British commissioners were cloth- ^^' MFB OF WASHINGTON. ed with great powers, and would be exceedingly hap- py, in effecting an accommadation. The sententious reply was, '* that, from what appeared, their powers were only to grant pardons; and that they who had Gommitled no fault, wanted no pardon." In the present campaign, hostilities did not com* tnence until th« month of August. To cope with the powerful and veteran arms of Britain, which v/ere posted on Long and Staten isl- ands, Washington's whole command did not exceed twenty-seven thousand men. Of these, two-thirds were militia, and one-fourth of the whole were on the sick list. By unremitting vigilance and exertion, in superin- tending every thing, in personi and by a series of wise preparatory measures, he had endeavored from the commencement of the season, to mature his troops for vigorous action^. A system of strict discipline was introduced into the arniyj an attempt was made to awaken the patn-- otisni, pride and domestic feelings of the soldiery and officers, by some of the most eloquent and touching addresses, that were ever penned; and to operate on their fears, as well as oa the nobler feelings of their nature, orders, were given, to shoot, on the spot, eve- ?y one who should shrink from his duty in battle. So excellently were the American forces posted' and arranged, that, ahhough greatly superior in num- l)ers and discipline, the enemy were for a time, CX" ceedingly cautious in commencing their operations. At length, on the 27th of August, a memorable battle was fought on Long Islandjm which, a large body of Americans, under the command of genera! Sullivan, was every where defeated with great slagh- ter. In the actual command of this affair, genera! Washington had no concern. Perceiving, however, that the fortune of the day was fearfully against him, he passed, in person, over ^^ East rJLysjTj, wnh a vUw t© ch^ek the advance ol" LIFE OF WASIIINGTO^^ Si the victorious enemy, until his troops could be with- drawn entirely Ironn the island'. This he tfFtcted, %vith a degree of ability and skill, \shich would alone, have designated him a great commander. The two armies were within mubket shot of each ®ther, with a slight tmintnct betwetn then.; the width ei the East rivtr, is about half a mile; and the nunfi- cr of troops to be transpor^ted over it was nine thou- sand, with their baggage, tents, and field ariiiltry. With such address was the movement conducted, that the retreat was completed before the emm}' sus- pected its commencement. Washingron superintend- ed, in person, the whole transaction. During the per- formance of these duties, he was forty-eight hours without sleep, with but litle refreshment, and on horseback the principal part of the time. In this secret transportation of his troops, he was aided by a dark night, a fair wind and a heavy fog in the morning, which completely covered him from the view of the enemy. To be satisfied that nothing was left undone, be re- mained until the army, and all its baggage and equip- ments, were removed from the Long island shore, and embarked himistlf in the last boat. Not If^ng after this, an affair occurred, on York island, in which, for a micment, the fall of Washing- ton appeared inevitable. Stung to the soul, by two instances of dastardly and disgraceful conduct in detachments of the American soldiery; believing that, in such troops, no confidence could be safely reposed; that, from the want of firm- ness, the cause of freedom would be lost, he himself dishonored, and the yoke of servitude rivetted on his country, perhaps for ages, driven to desperation by such prospects, hishabitual calmness and equanimity forsook him, and, in the rear of his fugitive battalions, he in- tentionally exposed himself to the fire of the enemy, inthehopft that a ball might terminate his life, and save him the agony of surviving for a momect, tiie liberties of his country. ».^ LIFE OF WASHINGTOt^. But, as on former occasions, to preserve hirn fc?- uUerior and higlier purposes, a protecting Providence appeared to be around him, until by dint of importuni- ty, amounting to indirect violence, his aids succeeded in removing him from danger. The American commander next presents himself under circumstances much more disastrous, and in a conjunction of affairs, more gloomy and portentous than any that had preceded. We fmd him at the head of an army reduced im numbers to one-fourth of its original amount, in want of provisions, unclad, and without tents, although winter had commenced, suffering from sickness, and broken-spirited from dffeat and misfortune. We find him thus, retreating through the state of New Jerstfy, before lord Cornwallis, by far the ablest of the Biitish officers, at the head of an overwhelming force, healthy, flushed with victory, and supplied with the necessaries and munitions of war. Add to this, that the American people, in all parts of the country, were beginning to despond, and e^vcn the bravest were al- most ready to abandon the contest, and stipulate terms of safety with the conqueror. In this state of things, and a more cheerless and threatening one can scr.rcely be imagined, the soul of Washington, if not astually serene, was calm, steady, and undismayed i he was, literally, the stay and sup- port of his army. Without his spirits to sustain it, and ihe point of attraction he formed in the midst of it, iii consequence of the love and veneration it bore him, an utter and immediate dissolution of it would have- ensued. It was at this gloomy conjuncture of American af- fairs, that, to the joy and astonishment of his bleed- ing and almost subjugated country, the full extent of hib resources as a ccfTnmander burst forth at once a»^ the brightness of the sun from the bosom of an eclipse. On the 25th of December, the weather being es^ frsmdv cold, tlic Btiii^h and American forces wera- LIFE OF WASHINGTON. S3 separated only by the river Delaware, the former be- ing encampt-d ui three divisions on the Jersey shore, at IVentoD, Bordtntor) and Burlington; the latter, on the Pennsylvania shore, immediately opposite, to watch their movements, and act accordingly. ''•Now,*' said Washington, *'ls the time to clip their wings^ when they are so widely spread " At the head of a detachment of about 2400 Americans, many of them militia, he projected an attack on the post at Trenton, consisting of 1500 Hessians, and ^ small squadron of British horse. The passage of the intervening stream, swollen and rapid from a late fall of rain, andfilled with large mas- ses of floating ice, presented an enterprise dangerous and appalling. But nothing could intimidate the soul, or shake the deliberate resolution of Washington, who, in the present instance, had successfully infused his spirit into his troops. The perils of the river were entirely forgotten in the glory anticipated on its eastern bank. Early in the evening of Christmas day the detach- ment was in motion, but such were the difficulties and delays of their passage of the Delaware, that they were not ready until 4 o'clock of the following morning to uke up their march on the Jersey shore. Divided into two cohimns, one of which was led by the commander in chief, they adi^anced in silence on the post of the enemy, attacked it almost at the same moment, and, after a short resistance, carried it with a very slight loss, killing and capturing about 900 men. To the British, who had heretofore been victorious in every thing, this was not only an unexpected, but a heavy and a mortifying stroke; to the Americans it was the day-star of reviving hope. It convinced the former that they were not invincible; and the latter? that they were able to fight and conx|uer. On the evening of the same day, Washington re- nurned to the Pennsylvania side of the river, for the «afe-kceping of his prisoners, and having disposed of S4j UpE of WASHINGTON. them in places of security, with orders to treat them with great kindness, recrosscd into Jersey, and took si position iti the village of Trenton. To retrieve the loss, and tfface the stain which the royal arms had experienced in the capture of the Hes- sians, lord Cornvvallis assernbhng the wh*)le of his forces at Parnceton, moved towards the encampment of the Americans, with a view to compel them to an immediate action. It was essential that Washington should avoid this, as he was by far too feeble to meet his adversary in open combat; yet, to do it by a retreat, would hazard the city (if Philadelphia, and check the reviving hope and confidence with which hi- late success had inspir- ed his countrymen. H.; resolved, therefore, in a coun- cil of his officers, on another high and daring adventure. On the evening of the 2d of January, 1777, the two hostile armies found themselves posted within the vil- lage of Trenton, seperated only by a small stream of water; the Americans having in their rear the river D laware, swollen with a fresh, filled with floating ice, and therefore of difficult passage, and the British forces within musket shot in their front, lord Cornwallis felt assured that they courd not now escape, but would be compelled of necessitv to meet him in battle. Under this persuasion he encamped for the night, deteniiined on action early in the morning. The Americans also pitched their tents, and kmdled fires, as preparatory to repose. But in a situation so perilous, when enterprise invit- ed him, VV^.^shington had other views than that of rest. At Princeton, ten miles in the rear of the enemy, was posted a large detachment of British troops. To at- tack this by s'.irnrise, not to encounter the main body, was now the object of the American commancler. The better to conce*al his movements, and prevent suspicion, he appointed a guard, to keep the fires burn- ing, aoH, within hearing of the British sentinels, to counterfeit the duties of military watch. These ar* UfcE OF WASHINGTO]^'. ^5 rangCQients being made, he took up, in silence, about the hour of midnight, the line of march, and passing unnoticed the Itft flank of the enemy, reached their post at Princeton a little before sunrise. The conflict which ensued was severe and sanguina- Y\\ The Philadelphia militia being placed in fronts fell back on receiving the British fire, and were on the point of producing confusion among the regulars.-— The moment was critical — pregnant perhaps with the fate of freedom. Perceiving that every thing was at stake, Washington advanced in person towards the British line, regardless of the bullets that were flying around him, and authoritativeiy called on his troops to follow him. The movement was decisive. Seeing their vener- ated commander in danger, {and determined to sup- port him or perish in the attempt, the militia halted, and returned the enemy's fire, while the regulars rush" ed to the charge with a spirit that bore down all op« position. After a short resistance the British fled from the field, and were pursued by the Americans for several hours. The loss of the enemy in killed, wounded, and pri- soners, amounted to six hundred; the Americans had sixty-four killed, and about one hundred and twenty wounded. Among the former was the gallant general Mercer- So completely in this affair did general Washington tlude the vigilance of the enemy in Trenton, that they were preparing in the morning to attack him in his encampment at that place, when they heard the report of his cannon at Princeton* In his m. rch by night on this occasion, it is difficult to resist the belief that Washington acted under a spe- cial Providence, For a few days previously the weather having been warm and rainy, the roads were so deep and heavy as to be scarcely practicable for artillery and wagons.—- But on the evening of the 2d, several hours before the- 3 ^6 LIFE OF WASHiNtSTGN. Americans moved from their position, the clouds were iiispersed^ the wind shifted to the northwest, and the cold became so severe as s^iddenly to freeze the roads, jind render them passable with'ease and expcditioa* This occurrence, common and without weight as it jnmay appear to many, had no small influence on the af- fairs ot, America. It strengthened confidence, and augmented exertion, by inducing the pious, very gen- erally, to believe, that it was a manifest token of tlie smiles of Heaven on the arms of freedom. It is not extravagant to assert, that the victories of ^Xrenton and Princeton were decisive of the issue of ihe existing war. They procured for the United States the alliance of France and the friendship of other pow- ers and by convincing the American people of the com- petency of their armies, encouraged them to endure privations and persevere in the contest. But, under Providence, Washington was the author ©f these victories; to bim, therefore, with the same limitation, we are compelled to attribute the ultimate achievement of the independence of America- Retiring now with his suffering army into winter quarter!^^ he made so judicious an arrangement of posts, as to prevent his troops from being attacked or insulted by superior numbers, and at the sam^ time to protect the country from the depredations of the enemy. The campaign of 1777 opened in New Jersey with a fair trial of military skill between the American and British commanders: the former determined ^o avoids the latter to bring on, a general action. In this contest Washington manifested a great superiority. Without either rttreatingor sheltering himself behind his wt)rks, he moved so circumspectly, and selected his positions Vf'ith such consumate judgment, that his adversar)', al- though possessed of nearly treble his force, did not dare to attack him. So vigilant and active too were his scautu and small detachments, that the British foraging parties could rarely penetrate into the country to anv distance from their main body without being Stssauited, and fre^uendy c?.ptur£d. LIFE OF WASHINGTON. ^T Baffled in his attempts against the American army^ and dreading the effects of" some new and successful enterprise of Washington, general Howe embarkftci in the month of July with his whole army, and touched first at Halifax, sailed afterwards to the south, aod landed at the head of the Chesapeake bay about the middle of August. The capture ot Philadelphia waa now his object. To prevent this if possibk, to gratify what he kne\f^ to be the expectation of his country, and in obedience to the express desire of Congress, rather than from the^ dictates of his own judgment, Washington, ou the 9tlR ©f September, fought the celebrated battle of Brandy- wine. This was not only the most general, but from the amount of what was staked on it, the most importaaC action, that had occurred since the conamencement of the war» Although the effective force of the Americao com" JKander was considerably inferior to that of the Brit- ish victory appeared, at one moment, to be within his grasp, by means of a daring movement which he wa& on the point of executing; but, from false intelligence at that instant brought to him, which had the effect of producing a momentary delay, the opportunity for ac- tion was lost, and with it the chance of victory. But the misfortune of the day detracted nothii^g from the reputation of W^ashing.on. From a convic- tion that he had done every thing within the scope of the means at his disposal to deserve success, the con- fidence of his country in him remained unshaken,, So indefatigable and eifccfive were his exertions to re- pair whatever disasters he had sustained, that he even attained, in public estimation, a higher standing. He, whose firmness appeared to be augmented by defeat, was deemed invincible. To convince the American people, that neither his own nor the spirit of his army was in the slightest degree broken by the affair of Brandy wine, he shortly afterwards offered battle, which general Howe thought proper to decline. ^S UPPE OF WASHlNGTOHa The enemy was now in possession of Philadelphia^ with a strong division as an advanced guard in the village of Germantown, That post general Washington attempted to carry foy assault on the 4th of October. For a time the action was desperate and bloody. The attack was planned with the judgement of a great captain; but the several divisions of the assailants be- ing prevented from acting in concert by the fogginess of the morning which obscured their vision, and other accidents occurring, from the irregular movements of bodies of troops but imperftctly disciplined, the enter- prise, which promised at its commencement a glorious issue, proved unsuccessful. For his noble daring, however, on this occasion; the Wisdom of his measures, which the fortune of war prc« vented him from accomplishing; the fortitude with ivhich he met disaster, and his abundant resourcea manifested in repairing it; for his "great good con- duct" in the whole affair, Washington received from Congress a vote of thanks. Shortly after the battle of Germantown, another trial of skill in military movement occurred between him and general Howe in the neighbourhood of Whice- marsh. In this, as in a former instance, the latter was surpassed; and, to escape the effect of some deep- laid scheme of adventure, returned precipitately to his post in Philadelphia, without effecting any of the ob- jects for which he had left it. The succeeding winter, general Washington passed in winter quarters at the Valley Forge. While here he was assailed with whatever could distress, embarass 9nd disgust. An army naked, unpaid, frequendy almost in a state of famine, and at times of mutiny; a Congress shattered in its energies, and slow and en- feebled in its measures by division and discord; and a nialignant faction plotting his deposition from the su- preme command — these were some of the evils which, during the winter of ITTI-S, tried the paticucs asxc^ LIFE OF WASHINGTON, na firmness of Washington, But they could not subdue him. For the wants of his army, he provided, consider- ing his means, to the utmost extent of what humanity could perform: into Gongress he endeavored, some- what successfully, to infuse a spirit of 'unanimity, by awakening their patriotism, and faithfully portraying to them the dangers of their country: andy to the machi- nations of those who were meditating bis degradation,, he opposed, in silence, the rectitude of his views, the: services he had performed, and the unsullied purity and weight of his reputation. None of their secret in- sinuations- did he deign to notice; to none of their open accusations, did he condescend to reply. In evry thing he had the peculiar felicity to triumph,r His troops were kept in service, and restrained from mutinous conduct, by their attachment to his person* and their gratitude for his paternal cares, and unre- mitting exertions to provide for their wants; Congress adopted many of the salutary measures he recom- mended for the defence of the country; and the party of malcontentSj who were bent on his overthrow, frus- trated in all their schemes of intrigue, sunk beneath the weight of public odium, and the secret reproaches* of offended conscience. With the return of spring opened the campaign o£ 1778, the British, now under the command of sir Hen-* ry Clinton, within their lines, the Americans in well selected positions around them. Having been, for some time, in the condition, and suffering most of the inconveniences of an actual siege, the former were in«' d need, on the irth and 18th of June, to abandon" Philadelphia and march towards the north.- In their retreat through New Jersey, general Wash- ington galled them exceedingly, by pressing on their rear, and was anxious to compel them to a general en- gagement. In this he was opposed by a majority of his ofiicers. Indulging, however, his disposition to fater^rise^ because he now thought his effective for^©^ 4 50 LIEE OP WASHSNGETON. but little Inferior to that of his adversary, and assufTJ^ sng to himself the entire responsibility in relation to the event, he adopted such measures as eftected his purpose. On the 28th of June, he brought the enemy to ac- sion, on the plains of Monmouth, After a day of sanguinary conflict, and a scene of fatigue which proved mortal, of itself, to many of the soldiers, night suspended their operations and the troops, on both aides, rested on their arms, on the field of battle. General Washington, himself, in the midst of his soldiers, the earth, spread with his cloak, his bed, the root of a large tree his pillow, and its branches his only covering from the heavens, reposed a few hours, re- solved on a renewal of battle in the morning. But in this he was disappointed by an unexpected measure., dictated by the prudence of the British commander. Crippled by the combat of the preceding day, and dreading soma more serious disaster on the next, gen- eral Clinton retreated in the night in such perfect ^silence, that the American seniinels, posted withio snusket shot of his Ihies, were ignorant of his move- atient. Content with the advantage he had already gained^ and willing to indulge his soldiers in a longer repose, after a day of such excessive fatigue, general Washing- ton declined the persuit of his vanquished adversary. The Americans lost in this engagement, in killed and wounded, two hundred and fifty meni the British an killed, wounded, and prisoners, three hundred and iifty. During the remainder of the present campaign, and the whole of those of 1779 and 1780, it was not the fortune of the commander in chief to be personally concerned in any very splendid military achievement. But his great and patriotic mind was not the less ac- tively or usefully engaged, in superintending the high- est interests of his country. His correspondeRce alone, during this period, with LIFE OP WASmNGTOIS'; ai Congress, the governors of states, and the generals and otber officers, commanding divisions, detachments, and posts, would seem to be more than the business of an individual. But, to a man of a vigorous and prac- tical intellect, who recognizes no value in time, except the useful employment of it, a sphere of duties too ex- tensive for performance, can scarcely be presented. The war had raged for some time in the south. From that quarter, lord Cornwallis, in 1781, at the bead of an army of ten thousand chosen troops, ad- vanced towards the middle states, and, about the close of the summer, took post in Yoiktown, in the state of Virginia. Sir Henry Clinton, with a strong garrison under his command, was in possession of New York. General Washington, with a combined army of Amer- icans and French, was preparing to lay siege to that city, and admiral count De Grasse, arriving from France with a powerful fleet, took command of the waters of the Chesapeake Bay. Here was an excellent state of things, for a grand display of military policy. Nor did Washington suf- fer the opportunity to pass unimproved. Having succeeded, by means of an intercepted letter, in convincing the British commander, in New York, of his fixed determination to besiegethat garrison, he mov- ed by easy marches to the south, with a view to ope- rate against lord Cornwallis; and was so far on his route, before his actual intentions were fathomed by general Clinton, that no impediment could be thrown in his way by that officer. Thus did he again evince a man- ifest superiority in military skill. On the 28th of September, general Washington, at the head of 16,000 French and American troops, made a regular investure of Yorktown, v/here lord Cornwal- lis lay strongly fortified. Count de Grasse, at the same time, so completely obstructed all access by wa- ter, that through that channel his lordship cculd neither escape nor receive succour. Thus commenced the celebrated siege, which ^ter* i^ LP2E OF WASHINGTON, minated on the 19th October, in the surrender of Ictd Gornwallis and his whole army. Every important^ measure and movement connected with it, passed un- der the immediate inspection of Washington. The entire sceme of the campaign was his; and never, per- haps, in any age or country, has one been devised with more wisdom, or executed v/iih a sounder judgement. For the excellence of their conduct on this occasion, general Washington, with his officers and soldiers, received the unanimous thanks of Congress, This was the last achievement of arms in which it was his fortune to be ever engaged. In itself it was brilliant; in its consequences most important. It gave peace to his country; shed a higher lustre on the American name; and, in relation to himself, complet- ed his reputation as a great captain. In the winter of 1^81-2, when the American troops lay in quarters on the North river, a spirit of wild discontent began to prevail among them, in conse- quence of Congress withholding from them the arrear- ages of their pay. The embers of revolt, which were glowing already, were, at one moment, near being blown into a devouring fiame, by some artful and eloquent letters from an unknown pen, circulated among the officers, as v/eil as the soldiery, urging them by all the motives to action, arising out of suffering, beggary, and scorn, to appeal from the justice to th^ fears of Congress, and assert their claims, if longer refused, at the point of the bayonet. At this most critical and eventful conjuncture, when the sword of civil war seemed half unsheathed, Wash- ington was again the protector of his country. As- sembling around him his field officers and captains, hg addressed them, in a strain of patriotic eloquence, which proved irresistible, K^en as were their present sufferings, and gloomy their future prospects, as anti» cipated poverty, with its distressing effects and galling eoncomitaiits could render them, they became, for the siiomentj kaensibk to them allj and passedj before ^is^^ LIFE Of WASHINGTON. S3 peysing, a unanimous resolution, to refrain from vio- knt measures themselves to discountenance it in others and, for the settlement of their claims to trust to the justice of Congress and their country. It was the personal influence of the commander in chief, the love and veneration his officers bore him, much more than any other consideration, that gained for patriotism a triumph so glorious. On the conclusion of peace, which soon afterwards took place, Wpshington, to preserve unsullied the re- putation of the soldiery, and prevent the mischiefs that might result from lawless combinations of them, still in possession of their arms, adopted principles in the disbanding of his army which manifested in hina great judgement, and a profound knowledge of humaa nature. Having passed a few days in New York, he took a solemn and affecting leave of his officers, who had fondly lingered around him for the purpose; and pro* ceeded to Annapolis, in Maryland, where Congress was in session, to resign his commission into the bands that had bestowed it. In passing through Philadelphia, he exhibited (o the comptroller of accounts, a statement, in his own hand writing, of all his expenditures, as commander in chief, during an eight years war. Including secret service money, they amounted to 14^476^ ISS. 9d, sterling; a sum greatly below the privikges of his rank and inconceivably disproportioned to the good it had been instrumental in procuring for his country* The scene of his resignation, at Annapolis, of the supreme command of the armies of his country, was august and movibg. He accompanied it with an el- oquent and impressive congratulatory address, on the achivement of independence and the conclusion of peace, which was reciprocated in a suitable and dignified reply by the president of Congress. Al- though he thus voluntarily, and with sentiments of pe- culiar gratification, laid aside the character of the B4 LITE OF WASBINGTON. highest officer of the United States, it was not in his 'power to divest himself of that of her foremost citi- zen. The former attribute hav^ing been bestowed on him by man, was accidental and temporary; the latter, being the gift of Heaven, was incorporated ia his nature, and lasting as his existence. Happy in himself, from a recollection of the labors and dangers he had passed, and an anticipation of fu- ture tranquility and enjoyment; an object of the love and admiration of his couttry; the idol of the officers and soldiers he had commanded; and, bearing with him the gratitude and blessings of a liberated people, he now withdrew to his seat on the Potomac, and re- sumed his domestic and agricultural pursuits, resolv- ed, never again to mingle in the tumults, or encounter the solicitudes of public life. But from this determination future events compell- ed him, from a sense of duty, to depart. Endowed with every requisite to lead in civil, no less than in lailitary life, his country had not yet received from him all the services he was qualified to perform. Contrary, therefore, to what he once considered an in- flexible resolution, he felt himself again obligated to obey her call, and exchange, for her welfare, the retire- itient he loved, for the toils and responsibility of pub- lic station. We accordingly find him by the unanimous suffrage of his colleagues, president of the convention of dele- gates, which met in Philadelphia in the year 178r, with a view to strengthen and render more effective the federal union, and the deliberations of which re- sulted in the formation of our present constitution. On the adoption of that instrument by the several states, the eyes of America and Europe were instinc- tively turned to him as the first president. He did not, however, consent to serve in that capa- city, until after much and very serious deliberation. But urged by letters from all quarters, and convinced,. at length, that duty imperiously demanded of him tlae LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 35 jsacrifice, be suffered himself to be nominated for the office, which was conferred on him by the unanimous vote of the electors. Thus, singular in every thing, it was not even permitted him to shun the public honors in the gift of his fellow citizens, although he exerted hiaaself as zealously to avoid being invented with tbem as other individuals do to obiHia-them. The first Congress under the federal constitution, met in New York on the 4th of March 1789. On his way thither to be inducted into the office of chief magistrate, Washington was received at the towns and cities through which he had to pass, with all the marks of honour and distinction a grateful and enlightened people could bestow* Gratuiatory ad- dresses were every v.'here presented to him. The streets and highways were thronged v^ith exulting and admiring thousands, anxious to behold the elect of his country. Triumphal arches were erected for him, and the materials of, which they were composed preserved as relics of invaluable vvurtb; crowns of laurel were placed on his head, by machinery ingeni- ously constructed for the purpose: odes, composed for the occasion and commemorative of his high and he- roic achievements, were chanted in his presence; the aged approached him with their prayers and benedic- tions; and, by the bands of innocence, youth and beau- ty, flowers were collected an"^ strewed in the way* Never, in honour of any individual, did the world, as is firmly believed, behold a buret of joy so univer- sal, so exquisite, and so sincere. I'o kings and em- perors, the homage of their subjects is ostentatious and loud; but,- as if paid to them in mockery, it is cold, counterfeit, and foreign from the affections. That to "Washington, from his fellow citizens and countrymen^ being an offering of unfeigned veneration, was sponta- neous, g nuine, and warm from the heart. This representations of the scenes tliat occurred, al- though to some, perhaps, it may appear exaggerated, if uot fictitious, is short of reality. No language caa §6 LIFE OP WASfttNGTOn. competently picture the exuberance of rejoicing, heightened by the play of the nobler aiFections, and constituting a perfect jubilee of soul, which the great and interesting event excited. Having been invested with the office of chief magis- trate, with the form and solemnities suitable to the oc- casion, he entered, without delay, on the arduous and responsible duties appertaining to it. The organization of a government for a great and growing empire, where conflicting interests are to be reconciled and provided for; where, at home, the spi- rit of freedom is to be fostered and confirmed, yet re- strained from passing to the extreme of licentiousnessi to establish foreign relations with nations formidable in arms, skilled in diplomacy, and ambitious of power and wealth, without being scrupulous as to the means of attaining them; to institute a sceme of revenue, suf- ficiently productive, yet not oppressive; to select indi- viduals, at so portentous a conjuncture, qualified to fill the offices of state: these are some of the high func- tions, in all of which it became now the province of Washington to co-operate in many of them to direct; and it must be confessed, that, for their due fulfilment, they require an intellect of the highest order, expanded and matured, by all that observation and experience, reflection and study, are calculated to impart Of the wisdom and policy of the measures of his administration, their felicitous effects on the condition o f his country constitute testimony ample and conclu- sive. Industry, in every shape, began immediately to re- vive and be invigorated. Commerce became active; agriculture prosperous; the sphere of arts and manu- factures extended; and literature and science began to Sourish. For an analysis of his administration, sufficient space cannot be allowed in this sketch. It may be permitied,Jhowever) briefly to observe, that the hostile tribes of Indians on our western frontiers, were subdued LlfE GF WASHINGTON. ^7 c,r concU'iated; existing difEculiies with foreign nations were honourably adjusted; public credit was restored; treaties of amity and commerce were formed, on ad- vantageous termsj and, as the result of the whole, the country was peaceful, prosperous and happy. Of the administration of Washington, we may tru- ly say, with a late writer, that it was ^'founded in jus- tice, organized by wisdom, directed by virtue, and guarded by honor. Abroad it could not fail to com- mand respect, nor to be protluctive of extensive utility £»t home. It was a spectacle in polititical ethics, wor- thy to fix the attention and command the admiration of the rulers of nations. Ministers might be instruct- ed by it in the art of governing, and monarchs learn how to give splendor and stability to thrones. For the liberality of its views, the soundness of its principles, the correctness of its details, and the dignified gran- le attitude, closed his ejes with his own hand, and expired v/ithout a Strugs gle o; a gsoan. LIFE OF WASHINGTON. ^9 The melancholy event was soon announced in eve- ry quarttr of the United States. The manifestation of public sorrow was without a parallel. Six millions of people felt, on the occasion, the affliction of a fami- ly ibr the loss of a parent. Congress was in session in the city of Philadel- phia, No sooner did the rumour of the visitation reach them, than, rendered by the shock unfit for bu- siness, they immediately adjourned. On the morning of the followmg day they again met, when the mournful intelligence being fully con- firmed, chief justice Marshall, then member of the bouse of representatives, formally announced the event in a very solemn, impressive, and suitable ad- dress. It was in a resolution, moved by him on the occa» sion, that in language so forcible, characteristic, and correct, suggested to him, as he acknowledged, by Gen. Harry Lee, he pronounced the deceased, "first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his fel- low citziens." Letters of Condolence passed between the difFeren£ branches of the government, and, by a unanimous re- solution of Congress, a magnificent funeral procession took place the following week, and an eulogy was pre- pared and pronounced on the occasion by general Lee, of Virginia, commemorative of the character and achievements of the deceased. This was but the commencement of the public ho- nors that were paid by his country to the memory ot" Washington. In various other places similar proces- sions were formed, and in every section of the union funeral sermons were preached, eulogies delivered, and elegies written, until the whole population appear- ed to unite in one universal offering of homage to the man, who had given to them independence, freedom, and a gorernment. Nor did Euiope withhold her tribute of praise. Some of the ablest pens and most eloquent tongues in 40 LIPE OF WASHINGTON. that quarter of the globe were liberal in their eulogies on '■Hhe mail of the agey While living, no individu- al ever stood higher in the estimation of the world, nor has received, as I confidently believe, so ample a meed of posthumous applause. In his public capacity, Washingiton may be con- templated in the light of a warrior, a statesman and a writer. In the jfirst he possessed in an eminent degree ail the attributes, corporeal and intellectual, req^uisite in a eommander of the highest order. In his appearance alone he carried the prerogative of supreme authority, no man could approach him in^Q from sentiments of inferiority and awe. Yet, this did not arise from the sternness of his aspect, or the se- verity of his manners. It was the result of a cornbi- nation of majestic qualities which, whether motion- lessor in action, he uniformly although unconscious- ly exhibited. As a military leader, there exists in history no name with which he can be aptly and in all respects compared. In the happy mixture of deliberate cautroQ snd daring enterprise which he manifested in his char- acter, he appe-^rs to have been unique. His fortitude and perseverance were in some respects no less dange- rous to his adversary than his courage and address* In prudence and foresight he had no superior and butfev/ equals. Notwithstanding the vigilant, artful', and able enemies, with whom, he had often to contend, he never, when commanding in person, was surprised, seduced into an ambuscade, or compelled to give bat- tie on disadvantageous ground. Yet his own success was frequently owing to a sudden and unlooked-for attack on his foe# This circumstance is the more re- markable and worthy to be recorded, seeing that, wheu but a youth, he often commanded small parties on the very lines of the enemy, where ambuscade and surprise must have been frequently attempted. His firmness and self possession in the midst ot LIFE OF WASHINGTON; 41 disaster, united to the vast extent of his resources, enabled hini not unfrequently to turn to his advantage even misfortune and defeat. But the great strength of his military character con- sisted in his singular capacity to blind and mislead, in relation both to his forces and movements, and to adapt his conduct with wonderful precision to the state of his own means and the resources of his enemy. When in a condition to give batde with a prospect of success, no leader ever oifered it with a spirit of high- er gallantry, or staked more liberally his reputation and fortunes on the issue of the svvord. But, if oa a deliberate calculation the chances were against him, no art nor insult — not even the impatient murmurings and insinuations that he wanted energy of hisown par- ty, could force him to engage; In the battle of Bran- dywine alone did he ever depart from this principle- Even here it was the will of Congress rather than the impatience or importunity of the public that urged him to action. It was this capacity, the highest unquestionably a commander can possess, that led him with success and glory through the war of the revolution. With- out it, he would have wasted to no purpose the re- sources of his country, and ruined by misconduct the cause of freedom. Asa statesman and a patriot he surpassed all others^ in the purity of his motives, and in the steadiness^ warmth, and disinterestedness of his attachment to his country. No mortal except himself ever served his fellow citizens without emolument or any acquisi- tion of power, for the space of sixteen years, in the most elevated offices in their power to bestow. In this capacity his vi«ws were liberal, and his knowledge, derived much less from books than from observation, and a thorough acquaintance with man, was extensive, profound, and altogether prac* Ileal, He had learned to govern by studying i 4^ 43 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. Well the nature and character of the beings to Lc governed. Superior to party prejudices and local pariialities, justice was the basis, and public good the end of his administratiun. As president of the United States, every section of his country was equally an object of his vigilant attention and paternal solicitude. The east and west, and the north and the south, experienced alike the kindness of his heart and the meliorating in- fiuence of his great mind. As chief magistrate of the nation, the nation and all its interests were his care. Towards foreign governments, his conduct was regulated by the established principles of interna- tional law. While for their rights and interests he cherished and manifested a sacred regard, he exacted from them an inviolable observance of a similar con- duct towards the United States. In all his transac- tions, whether domestic or foreign, justice, impartial- ity, and good faith, v/ere conscientiously maintained. He appeared to hold himself responsible in his private character for any departure from right ^s a publx functionary. To scolarship, in the common acceptation of the term, he had no pretensions. Yet, for talents as a writer on those subjects to which his attention had been direc- ted he had few equals. In letter writing and public ad- dresses he furnished one of the highest models in tbe English language. Of all the most truly valuable quali- ties ofetyle, perspicuity, purity, strength, and dignit}'-, he was a perfect master. With an aptitude which char- acterised him in all things, the tone of his writings rose or fell,with the greater or less weight and eleva-^ tion of his subjects. Compared with some of his ad- dresses to his army, those of any other commander at present recollected are barren and feeble. No allusion is here wiade to the glowing speeches prepared fot certain favorite chiefs by the historians of iheir cam- paigns, but to those which the leaders themselves have produced. Yet it; may bs safely assorted, that some LUE OF WASHINGTON^, 4tB if the military addresses of Washington vlll not suf- fer in a comparison even vviih the harangue of Galga- cus, from the pen of Tacitus, the fint^st specimen of field eloquence that antiquity has bequeathed us. Analyse the general character of our great country- man, and its principal elements will be found to be, firmness, dignity, strength, and moderation, consti- tuting in the aggregate a sublime monument of moral grandeur. With less of brilliancy than f'dh to the share of many others, it consists of a much greater mass of solid, practical, and useful qualities, and is therefore better calculated to produce on society a deep felicitous and enduring effect. To attain this moderation his difficulties had beerj great and his struggles arduous. His passions hav- ing been originally modelled on the same scale, and possessed of the same Herculean strength, wiih the powers of his intellect, to bring them into perfect sub- jection and rule had cost him the severest conflict of his life. But, as the hardest and most refractory bodies assume, when polished, the highest lustre, the calm of his passions, now subdued, was deep and ponderous, like that of the ocean, which uothing but the force of the tempest can disturb. In his private and domestic relations his character cxciied in ?11 around him veneration and love. His virtues, as a man, were conformable in lustre to his higher qualities as a first magistrate and a military chief. With a person, six feet two inches in stature, ex- panded, muscular, of elegant proportions, and un- usually graceful in all its movements; a hea^ moulded somewhat on the modclof the Grecian antiqiie, features sufficiently prominent for strength or comeliness; a Koman nose, and large blue eyes, deeply thoughtful rather than lively; with these attributes, the appear- ance of Washington was striking and august. A fine complexion beingsuperadded, he was accounted, whea young, one of the handsomest of men* 411 JLIFE or FRANKLIX- But his majesty consisted in the expression of his countenance much more than in his comely features, his iofty person, or his dignified deportment. It was the emanation of his great spirit through the tenement it occupied. Such was Washington; the champion of freedom, the glory of his country, the founder and father of a great empire, the pride of modern times, ths ornameat of the human race. LIFE OF FRANKLIN. Benjamin Franklin, L. L. D. an American philosopher a'-id politician of high celebrity, was bora at Boston, Ne " Eugland, in the year 1706. He was the youngest son of Josiah Franklin, a silk dyer in Northamptonshiie, who, on account of the persecutions- carried en in the reign of Charles the Second against the Nonconforaiists, removedto America, where he embraced the occupation of a soapboiler and tallow- chandler, reared a numerous family by honest indus- try, and was distinguished among his tov/nsmen as a person of sound judgment and sober piety. His other sons were put apprentices to diiTerent trades; but Ben- jamin was destined for the church, and, at the age of eight years, was sent to a grammar school. He wa& removed, however, at the end of the first year, to a school for writing and arithmetics and at ten years of age was taken home to assist in his father's occupa- tion. From his earliest years he discovered a passionate love of reading, especially the accounts of voyages^ 2 id he mentions Plutarch's liives, and De Foe's Es- say on Projects, as among the few books of general information to which he had access. This inclination for booksj and the strong ayersioa which he shawe«2r LIFE OF FRANKU.V. 4a to the occupation of his father, suggested the plan of binding him apprentice to one of his brothers, who had established a printing house at Boston* In this iiluaiicn, he had an opportunity of procuring better books, and pursued his studies vviih such avidity, that he frequently spent the whole night in reading. He soon began to commit his own thoughts to writing; and by making summaries of papers from the Spt^cta- tor, which he afterwards endeavoured to expand, from recollection, into their original form, he laboured to improve his style without any t)thc^r instructor. With a passion for reading and writing, he imbibtd a kindred one for disputation, and adopting the So- cratic method, he became dexterous in cocluting and confounding an antagonist by a series ol questions. This eourse gave hi mi a sceptical turn with regard to religion; and while he was young he took opportuni- ty of propagating his tenets, and with as much zeal as is shown by a new convert to any other doctrme* He was, however, soon convinced, by the effect pro- duced on some of his companions, that it v.'as extreme- ly dangerous to loosen the tics of religion, without the probability of substituting other principles equally tfTicacibus. The doubts which subsisted in his own mmd he was, perhaps, never fully able to remove; but he was not deficient in fortifying himself with such moral principles, as directed him to the most valuable ends by honourable means. He, by habits of self de- nial, early formed in his mind, obtained a ccmplete dominion over his appetites, so that at the age of six- teen he readily discarded animal focd, from the con- viction produced in his mind by perusing a work on the suhject. He now proposed to his brother, that if be would allow him per week one half of what was paid for his board, he w-ould undertake to maintain himself. Out of this litde fund he contrived to pur- chase books, as well as to pay for his subsistence, and, by his new mode of living, saved miich time for hi* fa'Xuiite pursuits^ 46 LIFE OF FRANKLW. Receiving some ill treatment from his brother, he determined to leave Boston, and seek employment elsevv'here. The brother had set up a newspaper, in which the apprentice contrived to insert some papers and essays anonymously, that were read and highly commended by persons of the best judgement and taste in the town. The young man began now to feel his importance, which was still more impressed on him by having the paper published in his own name that of his brother, for some political cff-cnce, having been interdicted by the state. In consequence of this, his indentures v/tr(^ cancelled. H.^ went on board a sloop, and soon arrived at New York. Finding no employment here, he pursued his v/ay to l^hiladelphia and entered the city destitute of friends, and with only a dollar in his pocket. There were at this- time two printers in Philadelphia, Mr. Andrew Bradford, and Mr. Keimer; by the latter of whom he was employed. Sir William Keith, the governor, having been informed that Franklin was a young man of piomising talents, invited him to his hoase, treated him in the mcst fric ndly manner, ard urged him to set up for himself; at the same time assuring him of his support and protection. Franklin attempted to gain pecuniary aid from his parents, but was disap- pointed. The governor then persuaded him to make a voyage to England, to furnish himself with all the necessaries for a new printing orlice. He embraced the proposal, and accompanied by his friend Ralph, he sailed for England in 1725 Before his departure, he exchanged promises of fidelity with Miss Read of Philadelphia, Vvith whose father he had lodged. Upon his arrival in London, Mr. Franklin found that governor Keith, upon whose letters of credit and recommendation he had relied, had entirely deceived him. He was now obliged to V/or^ as a journeyman |)rinter, and obtained employment in an ofHce in Bar- tholomew-close. His friend did not so readily find the means of subsistence, and was a constant drain upon the earnings of Franklin. In this great city the LIFE OF FRAKKLIN. 47 morals of the young travellers were not much im- provtd: Rvilph iorgot, or acted as, il he had forgotten, thai he had a wife and child across the Atlaniic; and Franklin was as little attentive to the promises and en- gagennents he was under to Miss Head. About this period he published ^'A Dissertation on Liberty and Necesbity, Pleasure and Fain," dedicated to Ralph, and intended as an answer to Woolaston's "Reli- gion ot Nature." This piece gained for him some degree oi reputation, and ituroduccd him to the ac- quaintance oi Dr. Mandevillc, author oi the "Fable of the Bees," and some other literary characters. Franklin was always temperate and industrious, and his habits in these respects were eventually the means of securing his morals, as well as of rallying his for- tune. In the interesting account which he has left us of his own lile, Mr. Franklin has given a narrative of the method which he took in reforming the sottish ha- bits of his fellov^ workmen in the second printing of- fice in which he was engaged in London, and which was situated in the neighborhood of Lincoln's-in-fields. He tried to p(-rsuade them that there was more real sustenance in a penny roll than in a pint of porter. At first the plan of economy which he proposed was treated with contempt or ridicule, but in the end he was able to induce several of them to substitute a wirm and nourishing breakfast in thtr place of stimulating liquors. in 1726 he returned to Philadelphia, xvhere he first engaged himseU as a clerk in a mercantile house; and in the course oi a y^ar he became the snperintendant of Keimer's printing office, wliere he acquired so much esteem ard so far improved his connexions, that he resolved to embark in business for himself. He entered into partnership with a fellow workman, named Meredith, whose Triends were enabled to fur- nish a supply of money sufficient for the concern, which was no doubt very small; for Franklin has re- corded the high degree of pleasure which he expert* 48 LWE OF FltANKLlN". cnced from a payment of five shillings on!)*, the first fruits of their earnings. ^'The recollection," s«ys this noble spirited man, *'of what I felt on this occa- sion, has rendered rne inore disposed, than perhaps I might otherwise have been, to encourage young begin- ners in trade." His habitual industry and undevia- ting punctuality obtained him the notice and business of the principal people in the place. He instituted a club under the name of "The Janto^" for the purpose of the discussion of political and philosophical ques- tions, which proved an excellent school for the mutu- al improvement of its several members. The test proposed to every candidate before his admission was this: '-Do you sincerely declare that you love man- kind in general, of what profession or religion soever? Do you think any person ought be harmed in his bo- dy, name, or goods, for mere speculative opinions, or his external way of worship? Do you love truth for truth's sake; and will you endeavor impartially to find and receive it yourself, and communicate it to others?" This institution was continued almost for- ty years, and became the foundation of the American Philosophical Society. Mr. Franklin and his partner ventured to set up a new public paper, which his own efforts as a writer and printer caused to succeed, and they obtained like- wise the printing of the votes and laws of the assem- bly. In process of time, Mi::redith withdrew from the partnership, and Franklin met with friends who enabled him to take the whole concern in his owa hands, and add to it the business of a stationer. A discussion concerning a new emission of paper money taking place, he wrote an anonymous pamphlet in fa- vour of the measure, v/hich was received with ap- plause, and which contributed to the success of the measure, and to the prosperity of the writrr. la 1730 he married the lady to whom he had pledged his vows before he embarked for England, although, from his m^glect of her, she had been before married to a man then dead. LIKE OF WASHINGTO^v^ *B The" establishment of a public library was one of fne useful projects of Franklin, which he brought to ^iTect in the year 1731. The beneficial influence of this histitution was soon evident. The cheapness of terms rendered it accessible to every one. Hence a degree of information was extended among all classes of peo- ple, which is very unusual in other places^ The ex- ample was soon followed. Libraries were establish- ed in various places; and they are now become very numerous in the United States, particularly in Penn- sylvania. It is hoped that they will be still more widely extended, and that information will be every v/here increased. This will be the best security for maintaining our liberties. A nadon of well informed men, who have been taught to know and prize the rights which God has given them, cannot be enslaved. It is in the regions of ignorance alone that tyranny reigns. In 1732, he began to Dublish "Poor Richard's Al- manac," a v/ork which became remarkable by the number of excellent prudential maxims occasionally inserted in it; calculated by their conciseness, to be readily and indeliby impressed on the memory. They have been since collected into a single piece, en- titled, '^Ths Way to Wealth," which has been publish- ed in a variety of forms. The political career of Benjamin Franklin began ift the year 1736, when he was appointed clerk to the ge- neral assembly of Pennsylvania; an office which he held for several years, till he was at kngih elected ai a representative. In the following year he obtained the -valuable office of postmaster to the city of Phila- delphia. In irSS he improved the police of the city, \^ith respect to the dreadful calamity of fire, by form- ing a society called a fire companv, to which was after- wards added an insurance office against losses by lire. In the French vvar of 1744, he stood forth, and proposed a plan of voluntary assr^ciation for defence, Vvhich was shortly joined by 10,000 persons, Frank- ^0 LIKE OFF RANKUN. Tin was chosen colonel of ihe Philadelphia regiment, which he did not accept, on account of the pursuits m which he was then engaged. In all important discussions in the assembly, his presence was considered as indispensable. He sel- 6^ LIFE OF RITTENHOUSE, justly considered a prudent and able member, though little accustomed to occupy the floor as a speaker. He did not possess that description of talents, which often enable one of moderate abilities to make a prominent figure in popular assemblies: but his perception was quick; in deliberative powers he excelled; and his calculating faculties were most accurate. Insuperable native diffidence, pursuits precluding opportunities of public speaking, and the peculiar structure of his mind, disqualified him as an orator. In the memorable year, 17T6f Mr. Rittenhouse was appointed a member of the board constituting the council of safety for the state of Pennsylvania. In the same year he was also a member of that convention in Philadelphia, which formed the first constitution for ahe state. On the meeting of the first legislature tinder the constitution in October, he was unanimous- ly appointed the state treasurer, whrch office he con» 4inued to fill for twelve years, when he resigned. In consequence of a territorial lorgan, and the late Mr. Bartram, were fellows before the revolutionary war; but since that event not more than two or three, of whom Dr. Rittenhouse was one, have been admitted to the honor of fellowship. It has been seen that Dr. Rittenhouse was frequent- ly employed in ascertaining the boundaries and ad- justing territorial differences between several of the colonies, now states. These engagements were all completed, or put in the way of being completed, iri such a manner as to excite. at once great respect for his talents and integrity. ^B- L»S OP RnTENIlOU3E. The last occasion of this kind, on which he war empioyed, was on the appoinimtnt of Congress, in December, 1785, to run a line of jurisdiction betwern the states of Massachusetts and New York. This dutv he perioniied in 1787, and was executed with hie usual precision and inicgrity. It was his farewell peace offering lo the union and happiness of his coun- try. Some lime previously he was engaged with cer- tain Virginia commissioners in running the western boundary of Pcnnsylvani ». This service is merely introduced for the sake oi exmbiting a small specimen of the philosopher's conjugal correspondence. The following extract is of a letter to his svife, for he was again married, written in the wilderness: *T ever de- lighted in a wild uncultivated country. This is truly roiisaiuic at this season of the year, June 30th, 1735, beautiful and luxuriant in the highest degree. A few days ago, I walked up a little rivulet, in company with Mr. E. a considerable dibiaiiCe; to enjoy the romantic scene. It was bounded on eacb side by steep hills of an immense height; its bottom was finely paved with large flag stones, rising in steps, vAxh every here and there a beautiful cascade. The further we proceeded the more shady and cool we found it. At last ! pro- posed to Mr. E. that we should proceed no further, lest we should find some of the water goddesses, per- haps, stark naked and asleep. Mr., A. went with us for company sake; but neither the nymphs, nor their shady bowers, have any charms for him. Nothing; but vour presence was wanting to me to heighten the enchanting scene. *'Dfcer are incredibly plenty in those regions. I Was the first among us, who caught a young fawn, end hoped to have sent the beautiful little animal, a pre- sent, to H, We kept it about a week, and it became uite tame; but our cows ran away, and it starved for ant of milk. "I would write to B. and H., but you will not rea« dily imagine how liule leasure I have. Tired of :he LIFE OF RITTEf^IIOUSE, ^S exercises of the day, I rejoice at the approach of night; and, after a cup of tea, general!} liedovv-i to rest as soon as it is dark, unless we have obsciviivions to make; and then we have gtrnerally half a oj\\c to walk through dark woods, from the place of observa- tion to the encamipment. I'his, however, does not happen above once in a fortnight. "Sun hasten down the western skies, «'Go quick to bed, and quickly rise," Until you bring round the happy day, that will restore me again to my dear woman and children 1 so much !ove.'» The talents and knowledge of Dr. Rittenhouse were not limited to mathematical or material objects, his roind 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- acquaintfd with practical metaphysics. In reading travels he took great delight. From them he drew a large fund of his knowledge of the natural history of. ihe globe. He possessed talents for music and poetry; hut the more serious and necessary pursuits of his life prevented his devoting much tame to the cultivaiiot^ of them. He read the English poets with great plea- sure. The muse of Thomson charmed him most* He admired his elegant combinations of philosophy and poetry. HoweVer opposed theseStudics may ap- pear, they alike derive their perfection from extensive and accurate observations ot the works of nature. He was intimately acquainted with the French, German and Dutch languages, the two former of which he ac-, quired without the assistance of a teacher. The serv- ed the valuable purpose of conveying to him the dis- coveries' of foreign nations, and thereby, enabled him to prosecute his studies with more advantage in his native language. The study of astronomy was the favorite pursuit of )r. Rittenhouse. Though not aided by the munifi- cence or princesj in the purchase of such iostrumecU) y^ fcJFE OF UITTENHOUSE. as were used by the celebrated Mayer and Hersche'lf, and, S>y the use of which alone they were enabled ia one sense to anticipate him, yet so extensively did he make himself acquainted with the heavenly bodies and the laws which govern their motions, that he pre- dicted almost every thing which has been discovered by them or any other astronomers. The discoveries of Dr. Herschel, among the fixed stars, in addition to those made by Mr. ivlayer, in a great degree only realized the expectations which were expressed many years before by Dr. Hittenhouse. Indeed his annuii- cLvtions were almost prtscient, respecting that portioa of the heavens, which should, at some time, be the scene of the most imnortant astronomical discoveries-. According to Dr» Herschel, the milky way is an immense nebula, near one of the sides of whach io placed the solar system; and he imagined, that each nebula, of which he hiid observed more than nine hun" dred, consists of a group of suns, with their attendant planets! Dr. Rittenhouse never had the advantage of using such stupendous and costly telescopes, as those used by his great rival Herschel to explore the heav" ens; but his vast intellectual perception seems to hav'C penetrated through space, and contemplated those sublime phenomena, which actually exist beyond the power of our vision. Dr. Herschel, with all his ad- vantt^ges, was enabled only to testify the anticipations of Rittenhouse. The American philosopher in language almost pro- phetic, and dictated by the most exalted perceptions of the grandeur of celestial objects, yet undiscovered, in his celebrated oration before the Philosophical Society, observed, that, *Yith adflairauois^y 7^ ^' 78 I.IFE OP HJiNRY. would, with almost irresistable influence, bear along the passions of others with him. In private life he was as amiable and virtuous as lie was conspicuous in his public career. His princi- ples of liberty and regard to Christianity led him to deplore the practice of slavery. On this subject, in a letter written in 1773, he enquires, **is it not amazing that at a time, when the rights of humanity are defin- ed and understood with precision, in a country "above all others fond of liberty; that in such an age and such a country we find men, professing a religion, the most humane, mild, gentle, and generous, adopting a prin- ciple, as repugnant to humanity, as it is inconsistent ivith the bible, and destructive to liberty? Would any one believe, that I am master of slaves of my own purchased I am drawn along by the general incon- venience of being here without them. I will not — -I cannot justify it. I believe a time will come, when an opportunity will be ofTered to abolish this lamenta- ble evil. Every thingvve can do is to improve it, if 5t happens in our day; if not, let us transmi*; to our descendants, together with our slaves, a pity for their unhappy lot, and an abhorrence of slavery." The following affectionate tribute to the memory of Henry, Which appeared in the Virginia papers imme- diately after his death, though not a specimen of per- fect taste, will yet further illustrate his character by showing the estimation, in which he was held by those, who knew him. "Mourn, Virginia, mourn; your Henry is gone. Ye friends to liberty in every clime, drop a tear. No more will his social feelings spread delight through his happy house. No nTore •will his edifying example dictate to his numerous off- spring the sweetness of virtue, and the majesty ol patriotism* Namore will his sage advice, guide by zeal for the common happiness, impart light and util- ity to his caressing neighbors. No more will he il- luminate the public councils with sentiments drawn frona |hs cabicct ^f bi§ Qwr; mndy eyer directed to LIFE OF HANCOCK, ?9 feis country's good, ancj clothed in eloquence sublime, delightful, and commanding. Farewell, first rate pat- riot, f'arevvelh As long as our rivers fiow, or moun- tains stand, so long will your excellence and worth be the theme of our homage and endearment; and Vir- ginia, bearing in mind htr loss, will say to ribiig gen- triUions, imitate my Henry." LIFE OP HilNCOCK. John Hancock, Governor of Massachusetts, was the son of the Reverend John Hancock of Braintree, and was born about the year 1737. He was graduat- ed at Harvard eolltge in 1754. On the death of his uncle, Thomas Hancock, Esquire, he received a very considerable fortune, and soon became an eminent merchant. He was for several years, selectman of the town; and in 1766, he v;as chosen a member of the house of Representatives for Boston. He there blazed a whig of the first magnitude, Otis, Gushing, and Samuel Adams,, were the other three, who repre- sented the capital, men of name in the revolution of their country. Being fond of public notice, he was flattered by the approbation of the people, with their marks of confidence, and the distinction he had in the general court. — He often gave his opinion when ques- tions were before the house, and mingled in the de- bates, but possessed no great powers as a parliamen- tary speaker^ He never made a long speech, either in the style of declamatory eloquence, or the masterly reasoning of a great statesman. The political sagaci- ty of Adams, the public spirit and patriotic zeal of Hancock, gave a lustre to the Boston seat. Perhaps there never was a tiaie when the representativts of ths 30 LITE OP HANCOCK. capital had such an influence in the affairs of the pro- vince. There was a colhsion of sentiment among the leading v.higs about the removal of the court to Bos- ton. Hutchinson offered this upon certain conditions which the majorit)' of members saw fit to comply with. Mr. Hancock voted with them. Adams was against the measure, and expressed his sentiments in opposition to his friend and colleague. Mr. Hancock was a man impatient of contradiction, and, upon some occasions, indulged a petulant humor. He could not bear the opposition of Mr. Adams on this question. It was one cause of the alienation between themo That gentleman was cool and determined, hard and unyielding, as well as bold m bis argument. He sometimes was sarcastic in his replies; but upon the subject which then divided the house, he observed the utmost delicacy, and seemed to dread the conse- quence of this political difference. These gentlemen had different views, though equally zealous in their opposition to the mother country. Or else one look- ed further than the other. Mr. Hancock was not a.qjainst a reconciliation, if Great Britain would repeal all her unjust acts, and paj due respect fo the rights of the colonies. Adams did not wish the ancient friendship should be renewed. From the lime of the 3tan)p act, he sivw that hostilities would commence, r.nd the American colenies become a nation by thet\i- selves. He was desirous of being an actor in the most important scenes, and have his name handed down to posterity among the patriots, who vrere to forna a new icra in the revolution of empires. The division of these two leading characters made parties among the v;higs, especially in the town of Boston. Mr. Hancock was the idol of the people. His generosity upon all public occasions, and kind- ness to individuals, were the theme of continual and loud applause. It was said that his heart was open r.s the day to acts of beneficence: tha* he sunk his fortune in the cause of his country, This was the LIFE OF HANCOCK. Si prevailing idea, and it gave a perfume to the sacrifice. What bounds could be given to the people's affection to a man, who pre/crred '^their loving favor to great riches!" He v/as certainly the most popular man in the com- munity. ]Sor was his popularity a transient thing. At future periods of our revolution, when attempts were made to depreciate hinr); when other characters were brought forward whose mtrit was conspicuousj and even when he was accused, in the publications of the day, of wanting qualifications for adnfmistering the gDvernment, he still retained his influence in the communil}'. It is v;ell known, that some of our greatest and wisest and best men have ^solicited his concurrence in their measures, from the full persua- sion that the popular voice was so much in his favor» In the year 1774, Mr. Hancock was chosen to de- liver the public oration in Boston on the 5lh of IV^arch, •to commemorate the massacree of 1770. It is a very Bandoome composition, and' was very Well delivei'ecJ; During the course of this year his health declined. When the general assembly of the province elected n^.embers of the first congress, he was so ill, as to be unable to attend public business. The ensuing winter was favorable to his health; he recruited his spiiits and activity. He v*'as one cf the provincial congress, and, for a time, their president. He was then elec- ted a member of the general congress, that v»as to meet at Philadelphia ia 1775, This year was the most remarkable of any in the annals of the British nation. The revolutionary war commenced, April 10. The battle of Lexington was succeeded by ^ proclamation from the governor declaring the coun- try in a slate of rebellion, and proscribing Hancock and Adams, as the chief leaders, whose behaviour was too flagitious to be forgiven. This only served to give importance to their eharaciers; to fix them in the esteem and affection of their country. There were men in these states who coveted such u niark of dis- 8^ hWE OF HANCOCK. tinctlon; many, who would have given all their wealthy and run any risk of consequences. In 1776, July 4ih, his name appears as president of the congress which declared the colonies independent of the: crown of Great Britain* The name of the president alone was pu'lished with the declaration, though every member signed it. It was a mark of respect due to Massachusetts, to have one of their members in the chair, which had been filled with a member from South Carolina and Virginia. Mr. Hancock had those talents which were calculated to- make him appear to more advantage as chairman, than in the debates of a public body. He excelled as moderator of the Buston town meetings, as president of the provincial congress, and state convention; and, as head of the great council of our nation, he was much respected. He discovered a fine address, grea^ impartiality, sufficient spirit to command attention, and preserve ordsr. His voice and manner were much in his tavor, and his experience, in public bu- siness, gave him ease and dignity. In 1779, Mr. Hancock resigned his place in con- gress. He was chosen a member of the convention that formed the constitution of Massachusetts. Hci was not one of the committee to draw up the plan. Many were earnest to have him president; but the majority we?e for Mr. Bowdom. He attended his duty, however, very regularly, and sometimes ex- pressed his sentiments. He dissented from those, who would have given more power to the governor^ and more energy to the constitution. From 1780 to 1785> Mr. Hancock was annually chosen governor of the commonweahh of Massa- chusetts. He declined being a candidate for the office the ensuing year^and was succeeded, by the honora- ble James Bowdoin, esq. During the administration of Mr. Bowdoin, there was are insurrection in the state, which was happily quelled. Every thing wa& ione In the most judicious manner by the g;ove»:ntjr LIFE OF HAKC^CK, 63 and the legislature, yet a part of the community ap- peared to be discontented with the administration, and, in the year 1787, Mr. Hancock was again placed ia the chair. His conduct in the state convention during the dis- cussion of it, gained him hpnor. The opposition to this excellent form of government was great. It was said that the majority of the convention would be against the adoption; and that the governor was with the opposers. He was chosen president of the con- vention, but did not attend the debates till the latter weeks of the session. Certain amendments were pro- posed to remove the objections of those, who thought some ot the articles deprived the people of their rights. He introduced these amendments with great proprie- ty, and voted for the adoption of the constitution. His name and influence doubtless turned many in fa- vor of the federal government. The latter years of his administration were easy to "him, on account of the public tranquility. The fed- eral government became the source of so much pros- perity, that the people were easy and happy. The two patriots, Hancock and Adams, were reconciled. When lieutenant governor Gushing died, general Lin- coln was chosen, as his successor. This gave great offence to Mr. Adams, and it was very disagreeable to the governor. They joined their strength to sup- port the same measures, as well as renewed their friendship. The next year, Lincoln was left out of office, and Mr. Adams chosen lieutenant governor. This gentleman succeeded Mr. Hancock, as governor of the commonwealth, lifter his death. The death of such a man was interesting to the peo- ple at laige. The procession at his funeral was very great. Dr. Thacher preached his funeral sermon the next sabbath. He was very friendly to the clergy of all denominations, and did a great deal to promote the cause of learning as well as religion. The library of Harvard College will give an exhibition of his 8-^ LWE OF HANCOCK. munificence; for the name of Hancock, in goldert letters, now adorns one of the alcoves of the library room, and is upon the records of the university anriong; her greatest benefactors. He died October 8, 17f)S. Mr. Hancock was promoicd to every office which a man fond of public life couid expect or desire. His manners wore pleasing. He v/as polite, affable, easy condescending; and, what was greatly in his favor, did not appear lifted up with pride. Such an eleva- tion to prosperous cifcumstances would make some men giddy, and cause others to despise their neigh- bor, poorer than themst Ives. The editor will again rrfer to, and give an extract from the oration of Richard Rush^ esq. delivered at the city of Washington, July 4, 1812. He said, **During the siege of Boston, General Washington consulted Congress upon the propriety of bombarding the town. Mr. Hancock was then President of Con- gress. After General Washington's letter was read, a solemn silence ensued. This wa& broken by a mem- ber making a motion that the house should resolve it- self into a committee of the whole, in order that Mr» Hancock might give his opinion upon the important subject, as he was so deeply interested from having all his estate in Boston. After he left the chair, he addressed the chairman of the committee of the whole in the following words: '*Ii is true, sir, nearly all the property I have in the world, is in houses and other real estate in the town of Boston; but if the expulsion ef the British army from it, and the liberties of our country require their being burnt to ashes, issilC ihc orders for th at jturfosc imnc^uilelv:' LIFE OF WARREN. Joseph Warren, a major general in the Ameri" can army, was born in Roxbury in 1740, and was graduated at Harvard college in 1759. Directing his attention to medical studies, he in a few years became one of the most eminent physicians in Boston. But he lived at a period, when greater objects claimed his attention, than those, which related particularly to his profession. His country needed his efforts, and his zeal and courage would not permit him to shrink from any labors or dangers. His eloquence and his talents as a writer, were displayed on many occasions from the year in which the stamp act was passed to the commencement of the war. He was a bold politi- cian. While many were wavering v/ith regard to the measures which should be adopted, he contended that every kind of taxation, whether external or internal, was tyranny, and ought immediately to be resisted; and he believed that America was able to withstand any force that could be sent against her. From the year 1768, he was a principal member of a secret meeting or caucus in Boston, which had great influ- ence on the concerns of the country. With all his boldness, and decision, and Seal, he was circumspect and wise. In this assembly the plans of defence were matured. After the destruction of the tea, it was no longer kept a secret. He was twice chosen the public orator of the tov/n, on the anniversary of the massa- cre, and his orations breathe the energy of a great and daring mind. It was he, who on the evening before the battle of Lexington obtained information of the in- tended expedition against Concord, and at ten o'clock at night dispatched an express to Messrs. Hancock and Adams, who v/ere at Lexington, to warn them of their clanger. He himself on the next day, the me- morable nineteenth of April, was very active. It is said in g-^neral Heath's memoirs, that a ball took ofF 8 86 LIFE OF WARREN. part of his earlock. In the confused state of the army, which soon assembled at Cambridge, he had vast in- ilaence in preserving order among the troops. After the departure cf Hancock to congress, he was chosen president of the provincial congress in his place. Four days previous to the battle ot Bunker's or Breed's hill, he received his commission ot major general. When the intrenchments were made upon the fatal spot, to encourage the men within the lines, he went down from Cambridge and joined them as a volunteer on the eventful day of the battle, June 17th. Just as the retreat commenced, a ball struck him on theheadv and he died in the trenches, aged thirty five years. He was the first victim of rank that fell in the struggle with Great Biitain. In the spring of 1776, his bones were taken up and entombed in Boston, on which occasion, as he had been grandmaster of the free masons in America, a brother mason and an elo- quent orator pronounced a funeral eulogy. The following account of the battle of Bunker's or Breed's Hill, we take from Ramsay's American He volution: *'A considerable height, by the name of Bunker's Hill, just at the entrance of the Peninsula of Charlts- town, v/as so situated as to make the possession of it a matter of great consequence, to either of the contend- ing parties. Orders were therefore issued by the pro- vincial commanders that a detachment of a thousiind men should intrench upon this height. By some mis- take Breed's Hill, high and large like the other, but situated nearer Boston, was marked o4it for the in- trenchments, instead of Bunker's hill. 'I he provin- cials proceeded to Breed's hill and worked with so much diligence that between midnight and the dawn of the morning, they had thrown up a snsall rtdooht about eight rods square. They kept such a profound silence, that they were not heard by '*hc British, on board their vessels, though very near. Thest- having derived their first information of what was going on I from the sight of the work near completion, began an incessant firing upon them. The provincials bore this with firmness, and though they were only young soldies, continued to labor till they had thrown up a small breastwork, extending from the east side of the redoubt to the bottom of the hill. As this eminence overlooked Boston general Gage thought it necessary to drive the provincials from it. About noon, there- fore, he detached major general Howe and brigadier general Pigot, with the flower of his army, consisting of four battalions, ten companies of the grenadiers and ten of light infantry, with a proportion of field artil- lery, to effect this business. These troops landed at Moreton's point, and formed after landing, but re- mained in that position till they were reinforced by a second detachment of light infantry and grenadier companies, a battalion of land forces and a battalion of marines, making in the whole nearly 3090 men. While the troops who first landed were waiting for this reinforcement, the provincials for their farther security, pulled up some adjoining post and rail fences, and stt them down in two parallel lines at a small dis- tance from each other, ^nd filled the space between with hay, which having been lately mowed, remained on the adjacent ground. *'The king's troops formed in two lines, and ad- vanced slowly, to give their artillery time to demolish the American works. While the British were ad- vancing to the attack, thev received orders to burn Charlestown. This was not done because they were fired upon from the houses in that town, but from the military policy of depriving enemies of a cover in their approaches. In a short time this ancient town, consisting of about 1500 buildings, chiefly of wood> was in one great blaze. "In Boston the heights of every kind were covered with the citizens, and such of the king's troops as were sot on duty. The hills around the adjacect country 8S hWE OF WARRE>f. which afforded a safe and distinct view, were occu- pied by the inhabitants of the country. ''Thousands, both within and without Boston, were anxious spectators of the bloody scene. The honor of British troops beat high in the breasts of many, •ivhile others with a keener sensibility, felt for ths liberties of a great and growing country. The Bri- tish moved on but slowly which gave the provincials a better opportunity for taking aim. The latter in general reserved thennselves till thejr adversaries were within ten or twelve rods, but then began a furious discharge of small arns. The stream of the Ameri- can fire was so incessan and did so great execution, ahat the king's troops retreated in disorder and pre- cipitation. Their officers rallied them and pushed them forward with their swords, but they returned ta the attack with great reluctance. The Americans again reserved their fire till their adversaries were near, and then put them a second tixiC to flight. General Howe and the officers redoubled their exer- tions, and were again successful, though the soldiers discovered a great aversion to going on. By this iime the powder of the Americans began so far to fail that they were not able to keep up the same brisk iire as before. The British also brought some cannon to bear which raked the inside of the breastwork from end to end. The fire from the ships, batteries and iicld artillery was redoubled; the soldiers in the rear were goaded on by their officers. The redoubt waD attacked on three sides at once. Under these circum- stances a retreat from it v/as ordered, but the provin- cials delayed, and made resistance with their dis- charged muskets as if they had been clubs, so long that the king's troops, who easily mounted the works, iiad half filled the redoubt before it was given up to them. "While these operations were going on at the breast work and redoubt, the British light infantry vi^ere at- tempting to force the left point of the former;^ that LIFE OF WARREN. 89 they might take the American line in flank. Though they exhibited the most undaunted courage, they met with an opposition, which called for its greatest exer- tions. The provincials here, in like manner, reserved their fire till their adversaries were near, and then poured it upon the light infantry, with such an inces- sant stream, and in so true a direction as mowed down their ranks. The engagement was kept up on both sides with great resolution. "The number of Americans engaged, amounted' only to 1500. The loss of the British as ackowledgedl' by general Gage, amounted to one thousand and fifty- four. Nineteen commissioned officers were killed, and seventy more were wounded. The battle o^ Quebeck in 1759, which gave Great Britain the pro- vince of Canada, was not so destructive to British officers as this affair of a slight intrenchment, the worfc only of a few hours. The Americans lost five pieces of cannon;" Their killed amounted to one hundred and thirty-nine. Their wounded and missing to three hundred and fourteen. Thirty of the former fell into the hands of the conquerors. They particularly regretted the death of general Warren. To the purest patriotism and most undaunted bravery, he added the virtues of domestic life, the eloquence of an accomplished orator, and the wisdom of an able statesman." Dr. Warre» published an oration in 1772, and another m 1775^ commemorative of the fifth of March, 1770* &^'- LIFE OP WAYNE, Anthony Wayne, a major general in the Amer- icaa army, occupits a conspicuous station among the- heroes and patriots of the American revolution. He was born in the year 1^4S^ in Chester county, in the state, then colony of Pennsylvania. His father, who was a respectable farmer, was many years a represen- tative for the county of Chester in the general assem- bly, before the revolution. His grandfather, who was distinguished fop his attachment to the principle^ of liberty, bore a captain's commission under king i:!- liam at the battle of the Boyne. Anthony W^^ne succeeded his father as a representative for the county of Chester, in the year 1773.; and from his fir.st ap- pearance in public life, distinguished himself as a firsn and decided patriot. He opposed with much ability the unjust demands of the mother country, and in connexion with some gentlemen of distinguished tal- ents, was of material service in preparing the way for the firm and decisive part which Pennsylvania took in the general contest. In 1775 he was appointed to the command of a re- giment, which, his cha-racter enabled him to raise in a few weeks in his native countVo In the same year he was detached under gi",neral Thompson into Canada. In the defeat which followed, in which general Thompson was made a prisoner, colonel Wayne, though wounded, displayed great gallantry and good conduct in colleciiog and bringing oft, the scattered and broken bodies of troops. In the campaign of 1776 he served under general "Gates at Ticonderoga, and was highly esteemed by^ that officer for both his bravery and skill as an engi- neer. At the close of that campaign he was created a brigadier general. At the battle of Brandywine he behaved with his ^5«al bfavervj aadfor ^iong time opposed the pro- LIFE OF WAYXE- M gres3 of ihe enermy at Chad's Ford. In this actioii the inferiority of ihc Americans la nuiiibers, discip- line, and arms, gave them little chance < l success; but the peculiar situation of the public nsind was supposed to require a battle to be risked; the ground wa; braver ly disputed, and the action was not considtrtd .is de-- cisive. The spirits of the troops were prc:s«^ vvt d by a belief that the loss of the enemy had tqual cd thevr own. As it was the intention of the American com- mander in chief to hazard another action on thi firs-t favorable opportunity that sould offer, general Wav ne was detached with his division, to harrass the enemy by every means in his power*^ The British troops were encamped at Tryduffin, and general Wayne was stationed about three miles in the rear of their left wing, near the Paoli tavern, and from the precautioi.rS be had taken, he considered himself secure; but about eleven o'clock,, on the night of the 17th Septenriber, major general Gray, having driven in his pickets, sud- denly 'attacked him with fixed bayonets. Wayne, unable to withstand the superior number of his as3.1l- ants, was obliged to retreat; imt forined again at a small distaDce, having lost about one hundred and ifty killed and wounded. As blame was attached.bj' some of the officers of the arm)-, to general Wa\ne, for allowing himself to be surprised in this manner, he demanded a court martial, which, after examining the necessary evidence declared that he had dore tvery thing to be expected from an active, brave, and vigj^ lant officer; and acquitted him with honor. Shortly after was fought the battle of Germi^ntown, in which he greatly signalized himself by his spirited manner of leading his men into action. In all councils of war, general Wayne was distin* guishrd for supporting the most energetic and drcis- bive measures. In the one previous to t e baale cf iS^onmouth, he and general Gadwallader w* re tht on^ !y ofRccrs decidedly in favor of attacking the British %Tmy, The American ofEcers are said to have been t^ LIFE OF WAYNE. influenced by the opinions of the Europeans. The Baron de Steuben^ and generals Lee and Da Portail, whose military skill was in high estimation, had warm- ly opposed an engagement, as too hazardous. But general Washington, whose opinion was in favor of an engagement, made such disposition as would be most likely to lead to it. In that action, so honorable to the American arms, general Wayne was conspicuous in the ardor of his attack. General Washington, in his letter to congress, observes, "Were I to conclude my account of this day*s transactions without expressing my obligations to the officers of the army in general, I should do injustice to their merit, and violence to my own fcelingafev They seemed to vie with each other in manifestingliheir zeal and bravery. The catalogue ofthoee who distinguished themselves is too long to admit of particulari-^ing individuals. I cannot^ how- ever, forbear mentioning brigadier general Wayne, wh.jse good conduct and bravery, throughout the whole action deserves particular commendation.'" In July 1719, the American commander in chief "iiaving conceived a design of attacking the strong post of Slony Point, committed the charge of this enter- prise to general Wayn e The garrison was composed of six hundred men, principally highlandcrs, com- manded by lieutenant colonel Johnson. Stony Point is a considerable height, the base of which, oa the one side, is washed by the Hudson river, and on the other is covered by a morass, over which there is but one crossing place. On the top of this hill was the fort; formidable batteries of heavy artillery wers planted on it, in front of which, breast-works were ad- vanced, and half way down, was a double row of abattis. The batteries commanded the beach and the" crossing place of the morass. Several vessels of war were also in the river, whose guns commanded the foot of the hill. At noon, on the 15th of July, gene» ral Wa>ne marched from Sandy Beach and arrived a^ eight o'clock in the evening within a raile and a half LIFE OF WAYME. ®^ of the fort, where he made the necessary disposition for the assault. After reconnoilering the situation of the enemy, at half past eleven he led his troops with Tinloaded muskets and fixed bayonets, and without fir- ing a single gun, completely carried the fort and made the garrison, amounting to five hundred and forty- three (the rest being killed; prisoners* In the attack, while at the head of Febiger's regimtnt, general Wayne received a wound in the head wiih a musket- ball, which, in the heat of the conflict, supposing mor- tal, and anxious to expire in the lap uf glory, he called to his aids to carry him forwar<|^and let die in the fort;. The resistance on the part of the garrison was very spirited. Out of the forlorn hope of twenty men, commanded by lieutenant Gibbun, whose business it was to remove the abattis, seventeen were killed. For the brave, prudent and solderlike conduct dis- played m this achievement, the Congress presented to general Wayne a gold medal emblematic of the action. In the campaign of 1781, in which lord Cornwallis, and a British arn)y were obliged to s'jrrender prison- ers of war, he bore a conspicuous part. His presence of mind never failed him in the most cvitical situa- tions. Of this he gave an eminent example on the James River* Having been deceived by some false information, into a belief that the British army had passed the river, leaving but the rear guard behind, he hastened to attack the latter before it should also have effected its passage; but on pushing through a morass and wood, instead of the rear guard, he found the whole British army drawn up close to him. His siuiation did not admit of a moment's deliberation. Conceiving the boldest to be the safest measure, he immediately led his smnll detachment, not exceeding eight hundred men, to the charge, and after a short, but very smart and close firing, in which he lost one hundred and eighteen of his men, he succeeded in bringing off the rest under cover of the wood. Lord C.crnwaliis. susnectjocv the attack to bs a ftintj in ox- ^"^ LIFE OF WAYNE. der to draw him into an ambuscade, would not p£i"« niit his troops to pursue. ^ The enemy having made a considerable head in Georgia, Wayne was despatched by general Wash- ington to take the command of the forces in that state, and ahersome sanguinary engagements, succeeded in establishing security and order. For his services in that st.^te the legislature presented him with a valua- ble farm. On the' peace which followed shortly after, he re* tired to private lift; but in 1789 we find him a mem- ber of the Pennsyivd^a convention, and one of those in favor of "the present federal constitution of the Uni- ted States. Ill iheye:?5r 1792 he was appointed to succeed gen- eral St. Clair, who had resigned the command of the army engaged against the Itidians on our western frontier. He had to oppose an enemy of unceasing activity, abounding in stratageRis, and flushed with re- cent victory. His troops vvere composed of new levies, who with diSculty could be brought to submit to the strictness of discipline, necessary to be preserved in order to counteract the arts of their wily foe. The service was considered as extremely dangerous, and the recruiting proceeded very slowly. Two gallant armies had been cut to pieces by these savages, who had destroyed with fire and the tomahawk, the ad- vanced settlements of the whites. On his appoint- ment it was supposed by manv, that the military ardor, for which he had ever been eaiincntK distinguished, would be very likely to lead him in action under unfa- vorable circuaistances, when opposed by a foe, whose vigilance was unceasing, and whose rule it was, never to risk an action, without the greatest assuiance of success. But the appointment had b-en made by the man, who of all otht-rs was the best judge of the re- quisite qualities of a commander. Gi-neral Wayne had been selected for this important situation b) presi- alent Washington, who entertained a distinguished LIFE OF WAYNE* 9^ regard for birr,; and the result showed hisoppinion as acciiraie in this, as in all other iniitances of his glori- ous life. \Va)nc lornRed an encampment at Pitts- burgh and such rxemplary discipline was introduced amoi'g the new troops, that on their advance int6 the Indian country, they appeared like veterans. He wished to cottie to a general engagement with the ene* my, but aware of the serious consequences that would foil )\v .1 defeat, the movennents ot the army were con- ducted with consumatc prudence. Parties were con- stLintly in advance, and as well to guard against a sur- prize, which had been fatal to the officers which pre- ceded him, as to inure histrod|% to vigilance and toil, ihe station of ever\ night was fortified. Provisions were difficult to procure, and a rapid advance into the enemy's country, must have been followed by as rapid a retreat. He, properly, conqeived that the security of the country and the favorable termination of the war, depended more on maintaining the ground, in a slow advance, than by making a rapid incursion into their villages, y,hich he might be obliged instantly to abandon. At this time, the Six Nations had shown a disposition to hostilities, which the care of the Presi- dent was scarcely able to prevent. And on the south, it was with difficulty that the government of Georgia restrained the turbulence of its savage neighbors. In this situation, a retreat of the American troops, would probably have been attended with the most fatal consequences to the countrv. The Indians had collected in great numbers, and it was necessary not only to rout them, but to occupy their country by a chain of posts, that should, for the future, check their predatory incursions. Pursuing this regular and systematic mode of advance, the au- tumn of 1793 found gt-neral Wayne with his armv at a post in the wilderness, call^^d Greensville, about six miles in advance of fort Jefferson, where he determm- ed to encamp for the winter, in order to m^ke ihe «ecessary arrangements for opening the campaign to 96 IWE OP WAYNE. effect early in the following spring. After fortifying his camp, he took posst- ssinn of the ground on which the Americans had been defeated in 1?91, which he fortified also, and called the work iort Recovery. This sita-ition of the army, menacing the Indian vil- lages, effectaally prevented any attack on the white settlements. The impossibility of procuring the ne- cessary supplies prevented the march of the troops till the summer. On the eighth of August the army ar- rived at the junction of the rivers An Glaize and Mi- ami of the Lakes, where the^^ erected works for the protection of the stores. About thirty miles from this place, the British had fS^rmed a post, in the vicinity of which the Indians had assembled their whole force. On the 15th the army again advanced down the Mi- ami, and on the 18th arrived at the Hapids. On the following day they erected some works, for the pro- tection of the bi»ggage. The situation of the enemy was reconnoitered, and they were found posted in a thick wood, in the rear of the British fort. On the twentieth the army advanced to the attack. The Miami covered the right flank, and on the left were the mounted volunteers, commanded by general Todd* After marching about five miles, major Price, v/ho I'd the advance, received so heavy a fire from the In- dians, who were stationed behind trees, that he was compelled to fall back. The enemy had occupied a wood in front of the British fort, which, from the quantity of fallen timber, could not be entered by the horse. The legion was immediately ordered to ad- vance with trailed arms, and rouse them from their covert; the cavalry under captain CanipbeH, were di- rected to pass between the Indians and the river, while the volunteers, led by generial Scott, made a circuit to turn their flank. So rapid, however, was the charge of the legion, that before the rest of the army could get into action, the enemy were complete- ly routed, and driven through the woods for more than two milesj and the troops halted within gun-shot LSH5 0? WAYN'E, 97 of the British fort. All the Indians* houses and corn- fields were destroyed. In this decisive action, the whole loss of general Wayne's army, in killed and wounded, amounted only to one hundred and seven men. As hostilities continued on the part of the In- dians, thtir whole country was laid waste and forts established, which effectually prevented their return. The success of this engagement destroyed the ene- mies' power; and in the following year general Wayne concluded a definitive treaty of peace with them. A life of peril and glory was terminated in Decem- ber, 1796. He had shielded his country from the murderous tomahawk of the savage. He had estab- lished her boundaries. He had forced her enemies to sue for her protection. He beheld her triumphant, rich in arts, and potent in arms. What more could his patriotic spirit wish to see? .He died in a hut at Presque Isle aged about fifty one years, and was buri- ed on the shore of Lake Erie. A few years since his bones were taken up by bis son, Isaac Wayne, Esq. and entombed in his native county; and by direction of the Pennsylvania State Society of the Cincinnati, an elegant monument of white marble, with suitable inscriptions thereon, has been erected to his memory. 9) LIFE OF MORGAN. BanieL Morgan, brigadier general, of the Vir« ginia line on continental establishment, deservecHy Tanked among the best and most efficient soldiers of the United States, wa^i born in New Jersey; from whence he emigrated to Virginia in 1755. Like many of the greatest men of every country, his native condition was indigent, so much as to render it necessary for young Morgan to enter into service as a laborer, for daily wages. Soon after his arrival in Virginia he obtained em- ployment from farmer Roberts, near Charleston, in the county of Jefferson, (then Berkley.) Afterwards he was engaged to drive a wagon for John Ashley, over- seer for Nathaniel Burrel, Esq, at his estate on the Shenandoah river, in Frederic county, near Berry's ferry. When he left Ashley, ^lorgan had, by his care and industry, amassed enough cash to purchase a wagon and team; which he did, and soon afterwards entered with it into the employment of Mr. John Bal- lantine, at his establishment on Occuquan creek. At the expiration of this year Braddock's expedition was spoken of as an event certainly to take place in the course of the ensuing summer. Morgan reserved himself, wagon, &c. for this expedition; when he join- ed the army, but in what character is not known. He received, during his military service, a severe wound in the face; the scar of which was through life very visible. We do not understand in what affair this happened; but it was from a rifle or musket, aim- ed, as-he said himself^ by an Indian. The bullet en- tered the back of his neck, and passed through his left cheek, knocked out all his hind teeth on that side. In the course of the. campaign he was unjustly pun- ished, by being brought to the halbert, undt r a'eharge of contumely to a British officer, where he received five hundred lashes. The officer being afterwards iJFE OF MORGAN. 9% eonvinced of his cruel error, made every amend in his power to the maltreated Morgan; who, satisfied with «he contrition evinced by the officer, magnanimously forgave him. Nor did the recollection oi'this person- al outrage operate in the least to the prejudice of the British officers in the late war. Many of them, as is well known, fell into the hands of Morgan, and inva- riably received from him compassionate and kind treatment. The general would often, among his intimate friends, recur to this circumstance; the narrative whereof he generally concluded, by saying, in a jocu- lar way, that *'King George was indebted to him one lash vet; tor the drummer miscounted one, and he knew well when he did it; so that he only received four hundred and ninety nine, when he promised hitti five hundred." In this period of life from twenty to thirty years of age, Morgan was extremely dissipated; and spent much of his time in vulgar tippling and gambling houses. However, although habituated to the free use of ardent spirits, he was never considered as u drunkard: and though enamored with cards and dice, he was a cautious player, increasing rather than di- minishing his cash fund. This course of life subject- ed hirn to many affravs and furious pugilistic combats in which he never failed to take a leading part. The theatre of these exploits was Berrjstown, a small vil- lage in the county of Frederic, commonly called Bat- tleiown; named, as is generally supposed, from the fierce combats fought on its soil under the banners of Morgan. Whatever may have been the cause, it is certain that he spent mu^.h of his leisure at this place; that he fought there many severe combats^ and that though often vanquished he never was known to omit seizing the first opportunity which nresented, after return of strength, of taking another bout with his conqueror*. i60 LIFE OF MORGAXo and this he repeated from time to time, until at length victory declared in his favor. Such was the innate invincibility of young ?vIorgan -—which never forsook him, when, by the strength of liis unimproved genius, and the propitiousness of for- tune, he mounted on an extended theatre of action; as jeplete with difficulty as to him with glory. When lie returned from Braddock's expedition he reassumed iiis former employment, and drove his own wagoa. Jn a few years his previous savings, added to the Ut- ile he earned in the campaign, enabled him to purchase a small tract of land from a Mr. Blackburn, in the county of Frederic; on w'* ch, during our war, he erected a handsome mansion house, with suitable ac- jcompanying improvements, and called it Saratoga, ia commemoration of the signal victory obtained by gen- eral Gates, to which he had himself principally con- tributed. On this farm Morgan, having married shortly after his return from his military tour, resided when the revolutionary war broke out. The smattering of experience gained during Brad- dock's expediiion, pointed him out to the leading men of Frederic, as qualified to command the first compa- ny of riflemen, raised in that county in defence of our country. He speedily completed his company, as all the finest youth of Frederic flocked to him; among ivhom was lieutenant, afterwards colonel Heth, and STiany others, who in the course of the war became ap- proved officers. With this company Morgan hasten- ed to the American army encamped before Boston, in 17/4, and soon afterwards was detached by the com- mander in chief under Arnold, in his memorable ex- pedition against Quebec. The bold and disastrous assault, planned and exe- cuted by the celebrated Montgomery against that city gave opportunity for the display of heroism to individ- uals, and furnished cause of deep regret to the nation by the loss of the much beloved Montgomery. No officer more distinguished himself than did captaia LIFE OF MORGAlSr. 101 Morgan. Arnold commanded the column to which Morgan was attached, who became disabled by a ball through his leg early in the action, and was carried off to a place of safety. Our troops having lost their leader, each corps pressed forward as the example of its ©fficer invited, Morgan took the lead, and preceded by sergeant, af- terwards lieutenant colonel, Porterfield, who unfortu- nately fell at the battle of Cambden, when his life xr/ight have saved an army, mounted the first barrier^ and rushing forward, passed the second barrier, lieu- tenant Heth and serge?nt Porterfield only before hifti. In this point of the assault a group of noble spirits united in surmounting the obstacles opposed to our progress; among them was Greene and Tliayer of Rnode Island, Hendricks of Pennsylvania, and Hum- phreys of Virginia; the two last of whom were killed. Vain was this blaze of glory. Montgomery's fall stopped the further advance of the principal colur^a of attack; and the severity of the raging storm, the obstacles of a^ture and of art in our way, and the combined attack ot the enemy's force, no longer divi- ded by attention to tiie column of Montgomery, over- powered all resistance. Morgan (with most of the corps oi Arnold) was taken; and as heretofore men- tioned, experienced a different treatment from sir Guy Carlfton than was at that period custom.ary for British offio-ers to dispense to American prisoners* The kindness of Carleton, from' motives of policy, ap- plied more forcibly to the privates than to our officers and produced a durable impression,. While Morgan was in confinement at Quebec the following, anecdote,. told by himself, manifests thehigb opinion entertained by the enemy of his military tal- ents from his conduct in this assault. He was visited- occasionally by a British officer, to him unknown; bufe from his uniform, he appeared to belong to the navy^H and to be an officer of distinction^ During one of his- visits, after conversing upon many topics,, f*be aske^ 4 OB LIFE OF MORGAN, Morgan if he did not begin to be convinced tiiat the resistance of America was visionary? and he cndca- vored to impress him with ihe disastrous consequen- ces which must infallibly ensue, if the idle attempt was persevered in, and very kindly exhorted him to re- nounce the ill advised undertaking. 'He declared, with seeming sincerity and candor, his admiration of JMorgan's spirit and enterprise, which he said was worthy of a better cause; and told him, if he would agree to withdraw from the American and join the British standard, he was authorized to promise him the commission, rank and emoluments of a colonel in the royal army." Morgan rejected the proposal with disdain; and concluded his reply by observing, *'That he hoped he would never again insult him in his dis- tressed and unfortunate situation by. making him offers which plainly implied that he thought him a rascal.'' The officer withdrew, and the offer was never repeated. As soon as our prisoners were exchanged, Morgan hastened to the army; and by the recommendations ei general Washington, was appointed to the command of a regiment. In this station he acted under the com- mander in chief in 1777, when a select rifle corps was formed out of the others in the army and committed to his direction, seconded by lieutenant colonel Rich- ard Butler of Pennsylvania, and major Blorris of !New Jersey, two officers of high talents, and speci- ally c^Lialified for the enterprising service to which they were assigned. Morgan and his riSemen were singularly useful toWashington; but our loss at Ticon- deroga, and the impetuous advance of Burgoyne, pro- claimed so loudly the gloomy condition of our affairs in the north, that the general who thought only of the public good, deprived himself of Morgan and sen£ him to Gates, where he was persuaded his services were most required. The splendid part he acted on that occasion, and ^-low much his exertions contributed to the glorious iriuroDh aehieved afterwards, are cifcumstances gen- LIFE OF MORGAN, i03 crally known, notwithstandhig his name is not men- tion by general Gates in his dispatchers. Alter the return of Morgan to the main army he continued actively employed by the commander in chief, and never failed to promote the good oi the service by his sagacity, his vigilance, and his perse- verance. In 1780 his health became much impaired, and he obtained leave of absence, when he returned to his family in Frederic, where he continued until after the fall of Charleston. When general Gates was called to the chief com- mand in the south, he visited Morgan, and urged the colonel to accompany him. Morgan did not conceal his dissatisfaction at the treatment he had heretofore received, and proudly spoke of th^ important aid he had rendered to him, and the ungrateful return he had fxperienced. Being some few weeks afterwards pro- moted by congress to the rank of brigadier general by brevet, with a view of detaching him to the south, he repaired to the army of Gates, but did not reach Caro- lina in time to take a part in the battle of Cambden^ He joined Gates at Hillsborough^ and was senf under Smallwood to Salisbury with all the' force fitted for service. Gates, as soon as he had prepared the resi- due of his army, followed, and gave to Morgan, in his arrangements for the field, the command of the light troops, - .. Greene now arrived as the successor of Gates, ^vhich was followed by that distribution of his force which led to the battle of the Cowpens; the influence of which was felt in every subsequent step of the war in the Carolinas. Tjne following account of the batde of the Cow- pens we copy from **Lee's Memoirs;'' '^Lieutenant colonel Tarleton was detached by lord Cornwallisin pursuit of Morgan, and he lost no time in approaching his enemy, Morgan was duly ap- prized of his advance. Tarleton passed through the ground on which Morgan had been encamped, a kw i 04 LIFE OP MQEGAN- hours after the latter had abandoned it; and, leavuig his baggage under a guard with orders to follow with convenient expedition, he pressed forward throughout the night in pursuit of the retiring foe. After a se- vere march through a rugged countty, he came in sight of his enemy about eight o'clock in the morning (January \7, 1781j) and havmg taken two of our videts, he learned that Morgan had halted at the Cow- pens, not far in front, and some distance from the Broad river. Presuming that Morgan would not risk action unless driven to it» Tarleton determined^ fatigued as his troops were, instantly to advance on his enemy, lest he might throw his corps safe over • the Broad river. "Morgan having been accustomed to fight and to conquer, did not relish the eager and inierruptmg pursuit of his adversary; and sat down at the Cowpenes to give rest and refrejit^iment to his harrassed troops, with a resGiuiion no ioiiger to avoid action, should his enemy persist in presiji; g it. Being apprised at the dawn of day of Tarleton's advMoce, he instantly prepared for battle. Tliis decision grew out of irrita- tion of temper, which appears to hav^e overruled the suggestions of his sound and discriminating judge- ment. The ground about the Cowpens is covered with open wood, admitting the operation of cavalry with facility, in which the enemy trebled Morgan. His flanks had no resting, bnt were expo sed to be readily turned; and the Broad river ran parallel to his rear, forbidding the hope of a s«fe retreat in the event of a disaster. Had Morgan crossed this river, and* approached the mountain, he would' have gained a position disadvantageous to cavalry, but convenient for riflemen; and would have secured a U-ss dangerous retreat but these cogent reasons, rendered more for- cible by his inferiority in numbers, could not prevail Confiding in his long tried fortune, conscious of his personal superiority in soldiership, and relying on the. kill and courage of bis troops, he adhered to his re so* LIFE OF MORGAN. 105 lution. Erroneous as was the decisioo to fight in this position, when a better might have been easily gained, the disposition for battle was masterly. *'Two light parties of militia, under major M'Do- well of North Carolina, and major Cunningham, of Georgia, were advanced in front, with orders to* feel the enemy as he approached; and, preserving a desul- tory and well aimed fire as they tell back to the front line, to range with it and renew nhe conflict. The mam body of the militia composed this line, with general Pickens at its head. At a suitable distance in the rear of the first line a second was stationed, composed of the continental infantry and two compa- nies of Virginia militia, under captains Triplett and Taite, commanded by lieutenant colcnel Howard. Washington's cavalry, reinforced with a company of mounted militia armed uith sabres, was held in re- serve; convenient to support the infantry, and protect the horses of the rifle militia, which were tied agreea- bly to usage in the rear. On the verge of battle, Morgan availed himself of the short and awful in- terim. to exhort his troops. First addrtssing himself, with his characteristic pith, to the line of militia, he extolled the zeal and bravery so often displayed by them, vvhtn unsupported wi^h the bayonet or sword; and declared his cc nfidence that they could not fail in maintaining their reputation, whtn supported by chosen bodies of horse and foot, and conducted by himself. Nor did he forget to glance at his unvary- ing fortune, and superior experience; or to mention who often with his corpse of riflemen, he had brought British troops, equal to those before him, to submis- sion; He described the deep regret he had already experienced in being obliged, from prudential con- siderations, to retire before an enemy always in his power; exhorted the line to be firm and steady; to fire with good aim; and if they would pour in but two voilevs at killing distance, he would take upon him- self to securt victory. To the continentals, he was 106 LWE OF MORGAN. very brief. He reminded them of the confidence he had alvva)'s reposed in their skill and courage; assur- ed them that victory was certain if they acted well their part; and desired them not to be discouraged by the sudden retreat of the militia, -that being part of .; his plan and orders. Then taking post with this line, " he waited in stern silence for the enemy. *'The British lieutenant colonel, urging forward, was at length gratified with the certainty of battle; and, being prone to presume on victory, he hurried the formation of his troops. The light and legion ^ infantry, with the seventh regiment, composed the line of battle; in the centre of which was posted the artillery, consisting of two grasshoppers; and a troop , of dragoons was placed on each flunk. The battalioo of the seventy first-regiment, under major M'Arthur, with the remainder of the cavalry, formed the reserve. Tarleton placed himself with jhe line, having under' him major Newmarsh, who cnmrnanded the seventh regiment, 'i he disposition was not com pitted when he directed the line to advance, and the reserve to wait further orders. The American light parties quickly yielded, fell br.ck and arrayed w/ih Pickens. The enemy, shouting, rushed forward upon the front line, which retained its station, and poured in a close fire; but continuing to advance with the baA^onet on our militia, they retired, and gained with haste the second line. Here, with part of the corps, Pickens took post on Howard^s right, and the rest lied to their horses — probably with orders to remove them to a further distance. Tarleton pushed forwaid, and was receiv- ed by his adversary with unshaken firmness. The contest became obstinate, and each party, animated by the example of its leader, nobly contended f:?r victo- ry. Our line maintaiiied itself so firmly, as to oblige the enemy to ordeBrrup his reserve. The advance of M 'Arthur reanimated the British line which again mov^^d forward, and, outstretching our front, endan- gered Howard's right. This officer instantly took LIFE OF MORGAN. 107 measures to defmd his flank, by directing his right company to ch;in^i its trout; Dut, mibtc.king this order, the company feli back, upun which the line began to retire, and geiurcd Morgan dirt-cied it to retreat to the cavalry. This manoeuvre being performed with precision, onr fiank, b;rca?nc relieved, and the new position was assumed with promptitude. Conbider- ing this retrogade movement the precursor ot flight, the B'itish line rushed on with impetuosity and dis- ordcj; but as it drew near Howard faced about, and gavt it u close and murderous fire. Stunned by this unexpected shock, the most advanceci of ihe enemy recoiled in confusion. Howard seized the hippy moment, and followed his advantage with the bayo- net. This decisive step gave- us the day. The re- serve having been brcught near the Ime, shared in the destruction of our fij e, ai^d presented ro rallying point to the ingiiivcs. A part of the enemy's caval- ry, having gained our rear, fell on that portion of the militia who had retired to their horses. Washirigton struck at them with his dragoons, and drove theni before him. Thus, by simultaneous efforts, the in- fantry and cavalry of the enemy were routed, Mor- gan pressed home his success, and the pursuit became vigorous and general. The British cavalry, having taken no part in the action, except the two troops at- tached to the line, were in force to cover the retreat. This, however was not done. I^he zeal of lieuten- ant colonel VVashington in pursuit having carried him far before his squadron, Taricton turned upon him with the troop of the seventeenth regiment of dra- goons, seconded by many^. of his officers. The A- merican lieutenant colonel was first rescued from this critical contest by one of his sergeants, and after- wards by a fortunate shot from his bugler's pistol. This check concluded resistance on the part of the British officer, who drevv off with the remains of his cavalry, collected his stragglers, and hastened to lord Cbrnwallis. The baggage guard, learning the issue 108 LIFE OF MORGAN. of the battle, moved instantly towards the British army. A part of the horse who had shamefully a- voided action, and refused to charge when Tarleton wheeled on the impetuous Washington, reached the camp of Cornwallis at Fisher's creek, about twenty five miles from the Cowpens, in the evening. The remainder arrived with lieutenanl colonel Tarleton on the morning following. In this decisive battle we lost about seventy men, ot whom twelve only were killed. The British infantry, with the exception of the baggage guard, were nearly all killed or taken. ©ne hundred, including tt^n officers were killed; twen- ty-three officers and five hundred privates were taken. The artillery, eight hundred muskets, two standards thirty- five baggage wagons, and one hundred dragoon horses fell into our possession. The victory of the Cowpens was lo the south what that of Bennington had been to the north. General Morgan, whose former services had placed him high in public estimation, was now deservedly ranked among the most illustrious defenders of his country. Starke fought an inferior, Morgan a superior, foe. The former contended with a German corps; the lat- ter with the elite of the southern army, composed of British troops. Starke was nobly seconded bv colo- nel Warner and his continental regiment; Morgan derived very great aid from Pickens and his militia, and was effectually supported by Howard and Wash- ington. The weight of the battle fell on Howard; who sustained himself gloriously in trying circum- stances, and seized with decision the critical moment to complete with the bayonet the advantage gained by his fire. Congress manifested their sense of this important victory by a resolve, approving the conduct of the principal officers, and commemorative of their distin- guished exertions. To general Morgan they present- ed a golden medal, to brigadier Pickens a sword, and liFE OF morgak; iOd to lieutenant colonels Howard and Washington a sU- % cr medal, and to captain Triplett a sword. We would nverely observe, that, in our opinion, those honored by their country by such testimonials of national gratitude, would do well to deposit them in the archives of some public institution. I'he testi- monial is then preserved, not liable to casualty; or to fall int6 the handsof some ignorant administrator or executor, who is insensible of its value, and would willingly exchange it for an eagle. If the pride of family is consulted, it would thus receive a tenfold gratification; the story of the illustrious action it com- memorated be read by thousands, who would other- wise be ignorant of the fact. We would ask, ^hat has now become of the medal granted to Morgan? Greene was now appointed to the command of the south. After the battle of the Cowpens a controversy ensued between that general and Morgan, as to the route which the latter should observe in his retreat*. He insisted on passing the mountains — a salutary pre- caution, if applied to himself, but which was at the same time fatal to the operations of Greene. He in- formed the general that if that route was denied him, be would not be responsible for the consequences. — Neither shall you, replied the restorer of the south; I I will assume them all on myself. Morgan continued in his command until the two divisions of the army united at Guilford court-house, when neither pursua- sion, entreaty, nor excitement could induce him to remain in the service any longer. He retired, and devoted himself exclusively to the improvement of his farnrv and of his fortune. He remained here, in the bosom of retirement at Frederic, until he was summoned by president Wash- ington to repress, by the force of the bavonet, the in- surrection in the western counties of Pennsylvania. The executive of Virginia then detached Morgan to take the field, at the head of the militia of that state. Upon the retreat of the main body, Morgan remain-' 10 ' no LIFE ©F MORCAX. C(3 in the bosom of the insurgents, until the ensuing spring, when he received orders from the president to withdraw. For the first time in his life, he novv ap- pears to have entertained ideas of political distinction. Baffled in his first attempt, he succeeded in his second and was elected a memher of the house of representa- tives of the United States for the district of Frederic. Having served out the constitutional term, he declined another election. His health being much impaired, and his constitution gradually sinking, he removed from Saratoga to the scene of his juvanile years, Ber- resville (Battletown) and from thence to Winchester, where he closed his long, laborious and useful life. Brigadier Morgan was stout and active, six feet in height, strong, not too much encumbered with flesh, and was exactly fitted for the toils and pomp of war. His mind was di5criminating and solid, but not com- prehensive and combining. His manners plain and decorous, neither insinuating nor repulsive. His con- versation grave, sententious and considerate, unadorn- ed and uncaptivating. He reflected deeply, spoke little, and executed with keen perseverance whatever he undertook. He was indulgent in his military com- mand, preferring alwavs the affection of his troops, to that dread and awe which surround the rigid disci- plinarian. No man ever lived who better loved th:s world, and no man more reluctantly quitted it. He was in the habit of expressing this feeling to his intimates without reserve, and used to say that he would agree to pass much of his life as a gallay slave rather thai^ ex- change this world for that unknown. He was the yeverse of the great Washington in this respect, whom he very much resembled in that happy mixture of caution and ardor which distinguished the American hero. For the latter, when spei^king upon the subject of death, would often declare, that he would not re- pass his life was it in his option. Yet no man, con- tradictory as it may appear, valued less his life than LIFE ©F LEEl Hi Morgan, when duty called him to meet bis foe. Stopped neither by danger nor by difficulty, he rushtd into the hottest of the battle, enamored with the glory which encircles victory. General Morgan, like thousands of mortals when nearly worn out by the hand of time, resorted foe mental comfort to the solace of religion. He man- ifested great penitence for the follies of his early life; this was followed by joming the presbyterian church in full communion, with which he continued to his last day. LIFE OF LEE. Charles Lee, a major general in the service of the United States, during the revolutionary war, was an Englishman by birth, and the youngest son of Joha Lee, a colonel in the British service. From his early youth he was ardent in the pursuit of knowledge; and being an officer at eleven years of age, may be consi- dered as having been born in the army. This cir- cumstance deprived him of some regularity with res- pect to the mode uf his education, yet his genius led him a'ssiduously to cultivate the fields of science, and he acquired a competent knowledge in the languages of Greece and Rome; while his fondness for travelling gave him also an opportunity of attaining the Italian, French, German and Spanish. Plaving laid a good foundation, tactics became his favourite study, and it seemed to be the height of his ambition to distinguish himself in the profession of arms. We accordingly find him very early in Amer« ica, commanding a company of grenadiers, and he wa.*^ ii% LIFE OF LEfc. WQunded at the battle of Ticonderogo, where general: Abercrombie was defeated. When he returned to England, from America, after the reduction of Montreal, he found a general peace was in contemplation. The cession of Canada to the French was talked of; a circumstance which gave •great uneasiness to the Americans- On this occasion he published a pamphlet, shewing the importance of Canada to Great Britain. In the year 1 762, he bore a colonel's com ission, and served under general Bur- goyne, in Portugal, in which service he acquitted him- self with the greatest onor. Not long after'vards e entered Into the Polish ser- vice. Tnough he was absent when the stamp act passed, he, yet by his letters, zealously supported the cause of America. In the years 1771, 1772 and 1773 he travelled over all Europe, for he could not content Siimself in a life of idleness and inactivity. During this excursion he was engaged with an officer in Italy in an affair of honor, and he killed his antagonist, es- caping himself with the loss of two fingers. The destruction of the British East India Compa- ny's tea, at Boston, the 16th of December, was a pre- lude to the calamities, which afterwards ensued. At thi& crisis, general Lee's mind was not unobservant or inactive; he both by his conversation and his pen, ani- mated the colonists to a great degree, and persuaded them to make a persevering resistance. During this winter, and the ensuing summer, he visited most places of eminence from Virginia to Bos- ton, at which last place he arrived on the first of Au» gust, 1774. The most active polrtical characters on the American theatre, received him every where with joy, considering his presence amongst them as a most propitious omen. General Gage had novv issued his proclamation; and though Lee was on half pay in the British service, it did not prevent him from express- ing his sentiments in terms of the most pointed severi« ty against the ministry. In short, ^ he blazed forth t^ L5EE or LEE. lis ivbig of tht first magnitude, and communicated a great portion of his spirit to all with whom he con- versed. As he continued travelling from place to place, he became known to all, who distinguished themselves In this important opposition; his company and correspondence were eagerly courted, and many occasional political pieces, the production of his pen^ were eagerly read and much admired. In 1774 he was induced by the persuasion of his friend, General Gates, to purchase a valuable tract of land, of two or three tliousand acres, in Berkely coun- ty, Virginia, where general Gates was at that time set- tled. In May 1775 he went to Philadelphia,^ where Congress was then assembled. The battle of Lexing- ton, and some other matters had ripened the contest; and Lee'^s active and enterprising disposition v/as rea- dy for the most arduous purposes. He therefore ac- cepted the commission of major general from Con« gress, and resigned that which he held in the Britisli service. This he did in a letter, which he transmitted to Lord Barrington, then secretary at war; in which he assured his lordship that though he had renounced his half pay, yet whenever it should please his ma« jesty to call him forth to any honorable service a- gainst the enemies of his country, no man would obey the summons, with more zeal and alacrity than him- self; but he, at the same time expressed his disappro- bation of the present measures, in the most direct terms, declaring them to be so ''absolutely subversive of the rights and liberties of every individual subject]^ so destructive ta the whole empire at large, h ultimate^ ly so ruinous to his majesty ^s own person, dignity and family, that he thought himself obliged, in conseicnce as a citizen, Englishman and a soldier of a free state^ to exert his utmost to defeat them."' He accompanieil Washington to the camp at Cam^ bridge, where he arrived July 2, 1775, an4 was re- ceived with every mark of respect* la the beeiR« 10* ^ ^'- ^14 LiFEf OF LEE. xiing of the following year he was dispatched to New York to prevent the British from obtaining possessioss of the city and the Hudson. This trust he executed with great wisdom and energy. He disarmed all suspicious persons on Long Island, and drew up a test to be offered to every one, whose attachment to the American cause was doubted. His bold meat? surcs carried terror wherever he appeared. He seems to have been very fond of this application of a test; for in a letter to the president of congress he in- forms him, that he had taken the liberty at Newport to admmister to a number of the tories a very strong oath, one article of which was, that they should take arms in defence of their country, if called upon by congress, and he recommends, that this mesure should be adopted in reference to all the tories in America. Those fanatics^ who might refuse to take it, he thought should be carried into the interior. Congress had now received the account of generals Montgomery's unsuccessful expedition against Que- bec. As the most flattering expectation had been en- tertained of the success of this officer, the event threw a gloom on American affairs* To remedy this disas» ter, congress directed their attention to general Lee^ and resolved that he should forthwith repair to Cana- da, and take upon him the command of the army of the L/nited Colonies in that province. To this he readily consented; but, whilst preparations were, making for the important undertaking, congresS: changed their determination, and appointed him to the command of the southern department, in which he became very conspicuous, as a vigilant, brave, and active officer. His extensive correspondence, his ad- Jress under every difficulty, and his unwearied atten- tion to the duties of his station, all evinced his great. Military capacity, and extreme usefulness in the cause be had espoused.. Every testimony of respect was paid him by the people of the northern colonies, and he experienced: ^ similar treatment in his journay to the southward* LIFE OP LBK ii& Great, in particular, was the joy on his arrival m South Carolina, where his presence was seasonable and absokuely necessary, as sir Henry Clinton was actually preparing for an invasion of thai province^ He soon diffused an ardor amongst the miiiiary, at- tended with the most saluatary consequf^nces, and his diligence and activity at Charleston, previous in the attack oa Sullivan's island', which happened on the 28th June 1776, contributed in eminent degree^ to the signal success which was there obtained by the A- merican armsr In October by the direction of congress he repair- ed to the northern army. As he was marching from the Hudson through New Jersey, to form a junction with Washington in Pennsylvania, he quitted his camp ia Morris county to reconnoitre. In this em- ployment he went to the distance of three miles from the camp and eivtered a house for breakfa^jt. A Bri- tish colonel became acquainted with his situation by intercepting a countryman, charged with a letter from him, and was enabled to take him prisoner. He was instantly mounted on ^ horse without his cloak and hat, and carried safely to New York. The Congress on hearing this news, wrote general Washington, desiring hrm to send a flag to general Howe, for the purpose of enquiring in what maiintT general Lee was treated: and if he found that it wa* not agreeable ta his rank, to send a remonstrance to general Howe, on the subject. This produced much inconvenience to both sides, and much calamity to in- dividuals. A cartel had some time before been established for the exchange of prisoners between the generals Howe and Washington, which bad hitherto been carried into execution as far as circumstances would admit off but as Lee was particularly obnoxious to government, it was said, that general Howe was tied dowD by his instructions from parting with him an any terms, now that fortune had placed him in hrs ^owtr. General Washington, not having at this time, ii6 LJFE OF LJSE. any prisoner of equal rank, proposed to exchange sise. iidd officers for him, the number being intended to balance that disparity, or if this was not accepted, h:i required that he should be treated suitably to his sta- tion, according to the practice of civilized nations, till an opportunity ofFered for a direct and i qual ex- change. To this, it was answered, that as Mr. Lee was 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 ot the cartel and could receive no benefit from it. This brought on a fruitless discussion: in the mean time, however, gen- eral Lee was guarded with the vigilance ot a state criminal of the first consequence. This conduct not only siispended the operation of the cartel, but indu- ced retaliation on the American side; and colonel Campbell, who had hitherto been treated with great humanity by the peopl^ of Boston, was now thrown into a dungeon. \ These British officers, who were prisoners in the southern colonies, though not treated with equal rigcyr, were likewise abridged of their parole, it wys, at the same time, declared, that their future treatment ahould in every degree, be regulated by that, which general Lee experienced, and that their persons should be ansv/erable^ in the utmost extent, for any violence, that was offered to him. Thus matters contmued, till the capture of the British army under general Burgoyne, at Saratoga, October i7th, 1777. A change of conduct then took place towards Lee; he was allowed his parole in New York, dined with ma- ny principal officers and families, and a short time after was exchanged. The first military scene in which general Lee was engaged after his exchange, was at the battle of Mon- mouth, which v/as also his last. Being detached by the commander in chief to make an attack upon the rear of the enemy, general Washington was pressing forward to support him on the twenty eighth day of LIFE OF LEE. ii7 June, when to his astonishment he found him retreat- ing without having made a single effort to maintain his ground. Meeting him in these circumstances, without any previous notice of his plans, Washington addressed him in .terms of some warnnh. Lee, being ordered to check the enemy, conducted himstli' with his usual bravery, and when forced from the ground, on which he had been placed, brought off his troops in good order. But his haughty temper could not brook the indignity, which he believed to have been offered him on the field of battle, and he addicssed a letter to Washington requiring reparation lor the in- jury. In consequence of Lee's conduct on this occasion, he was put under arrest, and tried by a court martial at Brunswick, the 4th of July following. The char- ges exhibited against him were: 1st. For disobedience of orders in not attacking the enemy 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 bhameful retreat. r.dly. For disrespect to the commander in chief in two letters daied the 1st July, and the 28ih June. The court met by several adjournments, till the 1 2di of August, when they found the unfortunate general guilty ef the several charges adduced against him, and sentenced him to be suspended from any commission in the armies of the United States for twelve months; aod this sentence was afterwards confirmed by con- gress. He now retired disgusted and dist^ppointed to his estate in Berkely county, Virginia, where he remained riving in a stile peculiar to himself, in a house n>ore like a barn than a palace. Glass windows and plais- terirg would have been luxurious extravagance, and bis furniture consisted of a very few necessary arti- cles; however, h^ had got a few select valaable authors, iiU JJFE OP LEB. and these enabled him to pass away his time in this obscurity. In the autumn of 1782, he began to be weary with the sameness of his situation; and expe- riencing his unfitness for the management of country business, he came to a determination to sell his estate, and procure a little settlement near some sea-port town, where he might learn what the world was doing and enjoy the conversation of mankind. He, therefore, left Berkely, and came to Baltimore, where he stayed a week with some old friends, and then took his leave for Philadelphia, where he took lodgings-^t an inn, the sign of the Connestogoe wag- gon, in Mpirket street. After being three or four days in the city, he was seized with a fever, which cut him off, after an illness of a few days, 2d October, 1782. In his last struggle, he seemed to have lost his senses, and, it is said, that the last words he was heard to express were, <'stand by me, my brave grenadiers." In his last illness he was attended by no one but Mr. Oswald, the pi inter, who had served as an officer un- der him. **The character of general Lee," says Dr. GordoHi *' vas full of absurdities and qualities of a most extra- ordinary nature. His understanding was great, his memory capacious, and his fancy brilliant. His mind was stored with a variety of knowledge, which he collected from books, conversation, and travels. He was a correct and elegant classical scholar, and both wrote and spoke his native language with pro- priety, force and beauty. From these circumstances he was, at times, a most ngreeable and instructive companion. His temper was nator^dly sour and se- vere. He was seldom seen to laugb, and scarcely to smile. The history of his life is little else than the history of disputes, quarrels and (iufis, in every part of the world. He was vindictive, avaricious, immor- al, impious and profane. *^ln his principles, he was not only an infidel, but be was very hostile to every attribute of the Deity. UFE OF LE£. 119 His morals were exceedingly debauched. His man- ners were rude, partly from nature, and partly from affectation. His appetite was so whimsiciul, as to what he ate and drank, thnt he was at all times, and in most places, a most troublesome guest. He had been bred to arms from his }outh, and served as lieutt-nant colonel amongst the British, as colonel amongst the Portuguese, and afterwards, as aid-de- camp t(i his Polish majesty, with the rank of major gcat-ral." *'He was extremely useful to the Americans in the bfginnir.g of the revolution, by inspiring thtm with military ideas, and a contempt for British discipline and valor. It is difficult to say, whether the active and useful part he t'ok in the contest, arose from per- sonal resentment agoiust Great Britain , or from a re- gard to the lil^trties of America. It is certain he re- probated the French alliance and republican form of government, after he retired from the American ser- vice. He was in the field, brave in the highest de- gree; and with all his faults and oddities, was beloved hv his officers and soldiers. He was devoid of pru- dence, and used to call it a rascally virfue. His par- tiality to dogs was too remarkable not to be mention- ed in his character. Two or three of these ani- mals followed him generally wherever he went* When congress confirmed the sentence of the *court- martial, suspending him for twelve months, he pointed to his ^og and exclaimed, ''O that I were that ani- mal, that I might not call ?n«n my brother.'' Two virtues he possessed in an eminent degree, viz: sin* cerity and veracity » He was never known to deceive or desert a friend; and he was a stranger to equivo- cation, even where his safety or character were at stake. LIFE OF ARNOLD, Benedict Arnold, a major general in the Ameri- can army, and infamous for deserting the cause of hh country, vvas early chosen captain of a volunteer com- pany in New Haven, Connecticut, where he lived. After hearing of the battle of Lexington he immedi- ately marched with his company for the American bead- quarters, and reached Cambridge April 29, 1775. He immediately waited on the Massachusetts com- mittee of safety, and informed them of the defenceless state of ficonderoga. The committee appointed him a colonel, and commissioned him to raise four hundred men, and to take that fortress^' He proceeded direct- ly to Vermont, and when he arrived at Castleton was attended by one servant only. Here he joined colonel Allen, and on May 10th the fortress was taken. In the fall of 1775 he was sent by the commander in chief to penetrate through the wilderness of the dis- trict of Maitie into Cmada. On the 16ih of Septem- ber he commenced his march with about one thousand men, consisting of Nt w England infantry, some vo- lunteers, a company of artillery, and three companies of riflemt-n. One division v»'as obliged to return, or it would have perished by hunger. After sustaining almost incredible hardships he in six weeks arrived at Point Levi, opposite to Quebec. The appearance of an army, emerging from the wilderness, threw the city into the greattrst consternation. In this moment of surprise Arnold might probably have become mas- ter of the place, but the small crafts and boats in the river were removed out of his reach» It seems that his approach was not altogether unex- pected. He had imprudently, a number of days be- fore, sent, forward a letter to a friend by an Indian who betrayed him. A delay of several days on ac- count of the difficult\ of passing the river vvas inevi- table, and the critical moment was lost. hWE OT ARMOL», iSl On the 14th of November he crossed the St. Law- rence in the night; and, ascending the precipice, whick Wolf had climbed before him, formed his small corps on the height near the memorable plains of Abraham* With only about seven hundred men, one third .of whose muskets had been rendered useless in tha march through the wilderness, success tould not be expected. After parading some days on the heights near the town^ and sending two fiags to summon the inhabitants, he retired to Point aux Trembles, twenty- miles above Quebec, and there waited the arrival of Montgomery, who joined hira on the first of Decem- ber. The city was immediately besieged, but the best measures had been taken for its defence. On the morning of the last day of the year an assault was made on the one side of the city by Montgomery, who was killed. At the same time colonel Arnold, at the head of about three hundred and fifty men, made a desperate attack on the opposite side. Advancing with the utmost intrepidity along the St. Charles through a narrow path, exposed to an incessant fire of grape shot and inusketry, as he approached ihe first barrier he received a musket ball in the leg, which shattered the bone; and he was carried off to the camp. Though the attack was unsuccessful, the blockade of Quebec was continued till May 1776p when the army, which was in no condition to risk an assault was removed to a more defensible ^position. Arnold was compelled to relinquish one post after another, till the 18th of June, when he quitted Cana- da. After this period he exhibited great bravery in the command of the American fleet on lake Cham- .plain. In August 1777 he relieved fort Schuvler under tht command of colontl Granesvoort, which was in- vested by colonel St. Leger with an army of from fif- teen to eighteen hundred men. In the battle near Stillwater, September the nineteenth, he conducted Mmsdf with his usual intrepidity, being engaged, in- ti 1§^ IME OF ARNOLD. cessantly, for four hours. In the action of October the seventh, alter the British had been driven into the hncs, Arnold pressed forward and under a tre- xnendous fire assaulted the works throughout their vhole extent from right to left. The intrenchments »vere at length forced, and with a few men he actually entered the works; but his horse being killed, and he himself badly wounded in the leg, he found it neces- sary to withdraw, and as it was now almost dark, to desist from the attack. Being rendered unfit for active service in conse- quence of his wound, after the recovery of Philadel- phia he was appointed to the command of the Ameri- can garrison. When he entered the city, he made the house of governor Penn, the best house in the city, his head quarters. This he furnished in a very costly manner, and lived far beyond his income. He had wasted the plunder, which he had seized at Montreal in his retreat from Can^a; and at Philadelphia he was determined" to make new acquisitions. He laid his hands on every thing in the city, which could be considered as the property of those, who were un- friendly to the cause of his country. He was charg- ed with oppression, extortion, and enormous chaiges upon the public in his accounts, and with applying the public money and property to bis own private use. Such was his conduct, that he drew upon himself the odium of the inhabitants nnt only of the city, but of the province in general. He was engaged in tradings speculations and had shares in several privateers, but was unsucccssfuh From the judgement of the commissioners, who had been appointed to inspect his accounts, and who had rejected alxive half the anK)unt of his de- mands, he appealed to congress, and they appointed a committee of their own body to examine and settle ^he business: The commiltte confirmed the report of the commissioners, and thought they had allowed him snore than he hsd any right to expect or demand,. LIFE 6F ABNOLP. iSS By these disappointments he became irritated and he gave full scope to his resentment. His invectives against congress were not less violent, than those, which he had before thrown out against the commis- sioners. He was, however, soon obliged to abide the judgement-^of a court martial upon the charges, ex hibited against him by the executive of Pennsylvania, and he was subjected to the mortification of receiving a reprimand from Washington. His trial commcn-* ced in June 1^78, but such were the delays occasion- ed by the movements of the army, that it was not con- cluded until the 26th of January ir7'9. The sen- tence of a reprimand was approved by congress, and was soon afterwards carried into execution. Such was the humiliation, to which general Arnold was reduced in consequence of yielding to the tempta- tions of pride and vanity, and indulging himself in the pleasures of a sumptuous table and expensive equi- page. From this time probably his proud spirit revolt- ed from the cau3e of America. He turned his eyes- to West Point as an acquisition, which would give value to treason, while its loss would inflict a mortal wound on his former friends. He addressed himself to the delegation of New York, in which state his reputation was peculiarly high, and a member of con- gress from this state recommended him to Washington tor the service, wlr.ch he desired. But this request couM*not be immediately complied with. The same application to the commander in chief was made not long afterwards throtjgh general Schuyler. Washing- ton observed, that as there was a prospect of an active campaign he should be gratified with the aid of gen- eral Arnold in the field, but intimated at the same time, that he should receive the appointment request- ed, if it should be more pleasing to him. ^Arnold without discovering much solicitude repair- ed to camp in the beginning of August, and renewed 1 V. r-ersoa tht :>olicitatLons, which had been before ifldircctly made. He was now ol!erecl the comrnaRd of the left wing of the arm)-, which was advancing^ against New York, but he dieclined it under the" pre- text, that in consequence of his wounds, he was una- ble to perform the active duties of the field. With- out a suspicion of his patfiotisna he was invested with the command of West Point. Previously to his soli- citing this station, he had in a letter to colonel Robin- son signified h?s change of principles and his wish to restore himself to the favor ot his prince, by some signal proof of his repentance. This letter opened to him a correspondence with sir Henry Clinton, the ob- ject of which was to concert the means of putting the important post, which he commanded, into the /50S* session of the British general. His plan, it is believed, was to have drawn the greater part of his army without the works under the pretext of fighting the enemy in the defilfcs, and to bave left unguarded a designated pass, through which; the assailants might securely approach and stirpriss the fortress. His troops he intended to place, so that they would be compelled to surrender, or be cut iii pieces. But just as his scheme was ripe for execu^ tion, the wise Disposer ot events, who so often and- so remarkably interposed in favor of the American, caus«, blasted his designs. Major Andre, adjutant general of the British army,, was selected as the person, to whom the maturing o£ Arnold's treason and the arrangements for its execu- tion should be committed. A correspondence was; for some time carried on between them under a mer- cantile disguise and the feigned names of Gustavus and Anderson; and at length to facilitate their com- munications, the Vuhurc sloop of war moved up the North river and took a station convenient for the pur- pose, but not so near as to excite suspicion. An in^-. ierview was agreed oa,, and in the night of September the twenty first 1780, he was taken in a boat, whicli. was dispatched for the purpose,, and sarrjed tp. tl^s. ttFE OF ARNOLD. ^^i^ feeach without the posts of both armies under a pass for John Anderson. He met general Arnold at the bouse of a Mr. Smith, While the conference was yet unfinished, day light approached; and to avoid the danger of discovery, it was proposed, that he should remain concealed till the succeeding night. He is understood to have refused to be carried within the American' posts, but the promise made him by Ar- nold to respect this objection was not observed. He was carried within them contrary to his wishes and against his knowledge* He continued with Arnold the succeeding day, and when on the following nighe he proposed to return to the Vulture, the boatmen re« fused to carry him, because she had, during the day, shifted her station in consequence of a gun having been moved to the shore and brought to bear upon her^ This embarrassing circumstance reduced him to the necessity of endeavouring to reach New York by land* Yielding v»'ith reluctance to the urgent representations of Arnold^ he laid aside his regimentals, which he had hitherto worn under a surtout, and put on a plain suit of clothes; and receiving a pass from the American general, authorizing him, under the feigned natne of John Anderson, to proceed on the public service to the White Plains, or lower, if he thought proper, he set on his return. He had passed all the guards and posts on the road without suspicion, and was proceed-^ ing to New York in perfect security, when, on the twenty third of September, one of the three militia- men, wlio were employed with others in scouting par- ties between the lines of he two armies, springing: suddenly from his covert into the road, seiz. d the reins ot his bridle and stopped his horse. Instead of producing his pass, Andre, with a want of self posses-- sion, which can be attributed only to a kind provi-- dence, asked the man hastily, where he belon d, and' being answered, *'to below," replied iramediatelv^. *^and so do I.*' He then declared himself to be a* British officer,, on urgent business, and begeed- that he^ i:2§- LIFE OE ARNOLD. might not be detained. The otber two militia mer? coming up at this moment, he discovered his mistake; but it was too late to repair it. He oflVred a purse of gold and a valuable watch, to which he added the most tempting promises of ample rev/ard and perraa nent provision ftom the government, if they would permit him to escape; but his offers were rejected without hesitation. The militia men,, whose names were John Pauld- ing, David Williams and Isaac Vanwert, proceeded to search him. They found concealed in his boots exact returns, in Arnold^s hand writing, of the state of xhe forces, ordnance, and defences at West Point and its dependencies, critical remarks on the works, and an. estimate of the men ordinarily employed in them, with other interesting papers, Andre was carried before lieutenant colonel Jameson, the officer commanding the scouting parties on the lines, and, regardless of himself and only anxious for the safety of Arnold, he still maintained the character, v/hich he had assumed,^ and requested Jameson to inform his commanding officer, that Anderson was taken. An express was accordingly dispatched, and the traitor, thus becom- ing acquainted with his danger, escaped. Major Andre, after his detection, was permitted to send a message to Arnold to give him notice of his danger; and the traitor found opportunity to escape ©n board the Vulture, on the 25th of September, 1780 a few hours before the return of Wasliington, who had been absent on a journey to Hartford, Connecticut^ It is supposed however, that he would not have es" caped, had not an express to the commander in chief, with an account of the capture of Andre, missed hirn by taking a different road from the one, which he tra- velled. Arnold on the very day of his escape wrote a letter- to Washington, declaring that the love of his country had governed him in his late conduct, and requesting, ¥im to protect Mrs. Arnolds She was conyej^ed: to- LIFE OF AIIN^OLD; i'^T fter husbanJ at New York, and his clothes and bag- gage, for which he had written, were transmitted to him. During the exerrions, which were made to res- cue Andre from the destruction, which threatened him Arnold had the hardihood to interpose. He appeal- ed to the humanity of the commander in chief, and then sought to intimidate him b)' stating the situation ot n?any of the principal characters of South Carolina, who had. forfeited their lives, but had hitherto been spared through the clemencj^ ol the British general,- This clemency, he said could no longer in justice be extended to them, should major Andre suffer. Arnold was made a brigadier general in the British service; which rank he preserved throug-hout the war. Yet he must have been held in contempt and detesta- tion by the generous and honorable. It was imposi- ble for men of this description, even when acting with him to forget that he was a traitor, first the slave of his rage, then purchased with gold, and finally secured by the blood ot one of the most accomplished officers hi the British army. One would suppose, that his raind could not have been much at ease; but he had proceeded so far in vice, that perhaps his reflections gave him but little trouble. ''I am mistaken," says Washington in a private letter/*if a^//n'5 time Arnold is undergoing the torments of a mental hell. He wants feeling. From some traits of his character,^ which have lately come to my knowledge, he seems to have been so hacknied in crime, so lost to all sense of honor ^nd shame, that while his faculties still enable him to continue his sordid pursuits, there will be no iLimc for remorse." Arnold found it necessary to make some exertion? to secure the attachment of his new friends. Witlr :he hope of alluring many of the discontented to his standard, he published an address to the rnhabitants of Annerka, in which he endeavoured to justify his con- dbct. Hfe had encountered the dangers of the field, \q. said from apprehension, that the rights of his coun- ^^ UFE t)F ARNOLD. try were in danger. He had acquiesed in the decj?.*' ration of indepi^ndence, though he thought it precipi- late. But the rrj' ction of the overtures, nitad*^ by Grtf at Britain in 1778, and the French alliance, had opened his eyes to the ambitions views of those, who would sacrifice the happiness of their country to their own aggrandizement, and had made him a confirmed loyalist. He artfully mingled assertions, that the prin- cipal members of congress held the people in sover- eign contempt. This was followed in about a fortnight by a procla- mation, addressed *^to the oSicers and soldiers of the continental army, who have the real interest of their country at heart, and who are determined to be no longer the tools and dupes of congress or of France." To induce the American officers and soldiers to dusfc^rt the cause, which they had embraced, he repre- sented that the corps of cavalry and infantry, which he v/as authorized to raise, would be upon the same footing with the other troops in the British service; that he should with pleasure advance those, whose valor he had v^itnessed; and that the private men, who joined him shoold receive a bounty of three guineas each, besides payment at the full value for horses, arms, and accoutrements. His object was the peace, - liberty, and safety of America. ''You are promised^ liberty," he exclaims, *'but is there an individual in the enjoyment of it saving your oppressors? Who^' among you dare speak cr writ^ what he thinks against the tyranny, which his robbed you of your property, imprisotss your persons, drags you to the field of battle, and is daily deluging your country with your blood? "'What,'* he exclaims again, "is America now but a land of widows, orphans and beggars? As to you, who have been soldiers in the continental army, can you at this day want evidence, that the funds of your country are exhausted, or that the man- agers have applied them to their private uses? In either case you s^urely can no longer continue Ib UFE ©F ARNOLD. iS9^ »iieir service with honor or advantage. Yet you have hitherto been their supporters in that cruelty, which with equal indifference to yours as well as to the labor and blood of others, is devouring _a country, that from the moment you quit their colors will be redeem- ed from their tyranny." These proclamapons did not produce the effect de- signed, and in all the hardships, sufferings and irrita- tions of the war, Arnold remains the solitary instance of an American officer, who abandons the side firs* embraced in the contest, and turned his sword upon his former companions in arms. He was soon dispatched by sir Henry Clinton to make a diversion in Virginia. With about seventeen hundred men he arrived in the Chesapeake in January 1731, and being supported by such a naval force, as was suited to the nature of the service, he committed extensive ravages on the rivers and along the unpro- tected coasts. It is said, that while on this expeds- tk^n Arnold enquired of an American captaio, whota he had taken prisoner, what the Americans would do with him, if he shuuld fall into their hands. The cap- tain at first declined giving him au ansv/er; but upon being repeatedly urged to it, he said, '-'why, sir, if ** I must answer your question, you must excuse my *^ telling you the plain truth; if my countrymen " should catch von, I believe they would first cu'c ^ off that lame Itg, which was wounded in the cause ^ ^//''^tlom and virtue, and bury it with the honovi}^ ^'ofwar aud aflerwards tiarig the remaindtr of "^ your body in gibbets*'* The reader will recollect that the captain alluded to the wound Arnold recei- ved in one of his legs at the attack upon Quebeck in- J776. After his re furn from Virginia, he was appointed to conduct an expedition, the object of which was the town of New London, in his native country. The Jroops employed therein, were landed in two detach- ments, as oa each. side of the.harbora The odc com- ISO Lira OF ARNajL'l^ mandcd by lieutenant colonel Eyre and the other by Arnold. He took Fort Trumbull without much op- position. Fort Griswold was furiously attacked by lieutenant colonel Eyre. The garrison defended themselves with great resolutionj but after a severe conflict of forty minutes, the fort was carried by the enemy. The Americans had not more than six or seven men killed, when the British carried the lines, but a severe execution took place afterwards, though resistance had ceased. An officer of the conquering troops enquired on his entering the tort, who com- manded. Colonel Ledyard, presenting his swordy answered,*'! did, but you do now;'^ and wasimmedi. ately run through the body and killed. Between 30 and 40 were wounded and about, 40 were carried oflf prisoners. On the part of the British 48 were killed and 145 wounded. About 15 vessels loaded with the effects of the inhabitants, retreated up the rivef, and tour others remained m the harbor unhurt; but all excepting these were burned by the communica- tion or fire Item tne oumirig s^cre?. Sixty dwelling' houses and eighty four stores were reduced to ashes. The loss which the Americans sustained by the de- struction ol naval stores, of provisions, and merchan- dize, was imtnense. General Arnold having com- pleted the object of the expedition, returned in eight days to New York. From the conclusion 6f the war till his death general Arnold resided chiefly in England. He dkd in Glou- cester place, London, June 14,1801. His character presents little to be commended. His daring courage ma) indeed excite admiration; but it was a courage without reflection and without principle. He fought bravely for his country and he bled in her cause; but his country "wed him no returns of gr:uituded, for his subsequent conduct proved, that h*. had no honest regard to her interests, but was go^verned by selfish consider tions. His progress from self indulgence to treason was easy and rapid. He was vain aadluxi: LiEE OF JONES. 13 £ rious, and to gratify his giddy desires he must resort to meanness, dishonesty, and extortion. These vices brough' with thtm disgrace; and the contempt, into which he tell, awakened a spirit of revenge, and left him to the unrestrained influence of his cupidity and passion. Thus from the high fame, to which his bravery h eeD obliged to pern^it his people to take lady Selkirk's plate,, he detern^incd tc LIFE OF JONES. 137 redeem it out of his ovvn funds, the moment it should be sold, and restore it to the family. Accordingly, on his arrival at Brest, he instantly despatched a pa- thetic letter to her ladyship, in which he detailed the motives of his expedition, and the cruel necessity he was under, in consequence of the conduct of the Eng- lish in America, to inflict the punishment of retalia- tion. This was sent open to the government of Eng- land and its ministers; and the court of St. James was at length obliged to exchange those very Americans, whom they called traitors, pirates, and felons, against the prisomfTs of war, whom Paul had taken and carri* €d to France, During the course of the war, he found it impossi- ble to restore the plate belonging to the Selkirk family^ he, however, purchased it at a great price, and at length found means to send it by land from I'OrienC to Calais, by means of M. de Calloune, who trans- mitted him a very flattering letter on the occasion: m shorty he at length received a very flattering letter from the earl of Selkirk, ackrrowledging the receipt of the plate, Jon^s now took the command of a forty gun ship, nulled the Good Man Richard, and had attached to him Le Pallas, of thirty two eight pounders, and a brig named Le Vengeance, of twelve three pounders; to these was added Lc Cerf, a cutter carrying eighteen nine pounders, with the Alliance, a new frigate be« longing to the United States. This little squadron, at length set sail from the road of Groays, on the 14th of August, 1779; but they had no sooner proceeded to the north of the channel, when three of his vessels were separated from him during the night. On the morning of the 23d of September, while he was cruising in the latitude of Flamborough Head, where he hoped to be rejoined by the Alliance and Le Cerf, and also to fall in with the Baltic fleet, this convoy accordingly appeared, at a time vrhen he h^ been ab^4oned by several of his con&orta; ha^ 1%^ iSS UFJfir m joNas, lost two boats with their crews^ who had run away^ or„ the coast of Ireland, and when a third, with eighteen men onboard, was in chase of a merchantman, to the windward, leaving, him with only a scanty crew and a single lieutenant, with some inferior officers on boards It was about two o'clock in the afternoon that the Baltic fleet appeared in vie W| he thei? happened to have the wind of it, and was about two leagues distant i!rom the coast of England, He learned from his pri- soners, that the convey was escorted by the Serapis, s new vessel, then carrying 44 guns, the lower battery, carrying eighteen pounders; and the Countess of Scarborough, a new tv/enty-two gun ship. On Fri- day, six sail was discovered about two leaugues from shore, in a most shattered condition* They were nc sooner descried^ than the armed vessels stood out tc sea, while the trade ships took refuge under the can- uon of Scarborough-castle* As there was but little wind, he could not come up with the enemy before jaight. The moon did not rise until eight, and at the close of day the Seradis and Countess of Searborough tacked and stood in for the fortress. Paul was lucky enough to discover this manxuvre by means of hie night-glass, and immediately altered his course six points, with a view of cutting oft" the enemy; whict^ was no sooner perceived by the Pallas, than it was sup» posed his crew had mutined, which induced her cap» tain to hawl his wind, and stand ©ut to sea; while the Alliance lay-to, to windward, at a very considerable distance; and, thus deserted, he was obliged to run all risks, and eater into action with the Richard only, to prevent the enemy's escape. He accordingly began the engagement at seven o'clock at night, within pistol shot of the Searapis, and sustained the brunt of it for nearly a whole hour at that distance, exposed, not on- ly to her fircj but also that of the Countess of Scarbo^ lough. In this unfortunate extremity, the Richard being in iiamiiient dafiger of going to the bottosn; and herguK^ EIFE OF JONES, ^^^^^O' :>eing no longer in a condition to return the enemy's iire, he had recourse, to a dangerous expedient, — to grapple with the Serapis. Thia mancKiivre succeeded admirably; he fastened the Serapis with his own hands, to the Richard; and the captain of the countess of Scarborough, from that moment, ctascd to hre upoR him. That vessel being to windward at the moment Paul had grappled, instantly dropped her anchor, hop- ing by thk to disengage himself from him; but this did not answer her expectation » The enemy, how- ever, possessed the advantage of their two batteries,, besides the guns on their forecasde and quarter-deck; while Paul's cannon were either burst or abandoned, excepting four pieces on the forecastle, which were also relinquished during some minutes. At that period, having no greater object to occupy his atten- tion, Paul himself took his post; a few sailors came to 13 assistance, and served the two guns next to the -nemy with surprising courage and addrf^ss. A short lime after this, he received sufficient help to be able to remove one of the forecastle guns from the opposite side, so that they could only bring three to bear upor. the enemy during the remainder of the action. It so happened at this ptrriod, that the main mast of the Serapis, which was painted yellow, appeared exlreme°- ly distinct, so as to form an excellent mark; on this^. he pointed one of his guns at it, taking care to ram home the shot. In the mean time, the two other pie- ces were admirably served against the Serapis, and swept its forecastle, by means of an oblique fire. The tops also seconded them bravely, by means of mus- quetry and swivels, and threw a iTiultitude of grenades, so as greatly t© annoy the enemy. By these means they were driven from their quarters, notwithstanding their superiority in point of men and artillery. The" captain of the Serapis resolved to strike; but an un- lucky accident, occurred on board the Richard, pre- •vented this. A bullet having destroyed one of the ^umgs the caj'penter was seized with d ganicj and loid- i40 LIFE Oi^JONESo the gunner, and another petty officer^ that the Richard was sinking. St>me one observed at the same tinrse, that both the comniodore and the lieut. were killed; in consequence of which, the gunner, considering him- self as commanding officer, ran instantly to the quar- ter deck, in order to havvl down the American colours, feuthe soon found his mistake, on seeing Paul com- manding at the guns. The captain of the Serapis, on hearing the gunner express his wishes to surrender, instantly addressed himself to- Jones, and exclaimed, ''Do you ask for quarter? Do you ask for ^jMirter:'" Paul was so occu- pied at this period, that he remained totally ignorant of what had occured on deck. He replied, however, ''5 do not dream of surrendering, but am determined to make you strike!" On turning round, Paul perceived Tieutenant Grubbin the act of striking the colours, and seizing a pistol instantly shot him dead! This is a fact well knawn, although Paul has passed it oyer in r/ilence in his writing. It has been observed, that^ when Jones commenced the action, the Pallas waa St a great distance to windward, while the Alliance lay-to in the same position. When the captain of the former perceived that the engagement took place, he spoke to his consorr, but lost a great deal of time: and \l was not until now that they came withi-n gunshot of ;he countess of Scarborough, and a kind of running Bght took place between the latter and the Pallas. Tha A^Uiance followed them, and, on passing the Commo- dore tired a broadside, which did more harm to theai than to the Commodore. The batde stili continued with uncommon ardor between the Richard and the Serapisj whose rigging was burned, ^nd her main mast cut away; while the heavier metal of the English drove in one cf the sides of the Richard, and met with little resistance. In shoit, their helm was rendered useless; and the poop was •nly supported by an old and shattered piece of timber, which alone prevented it hom giving way, fi.f*M a shor$ enga^eaisnJ^ ih^ IJ.FE OF JONES. 441; .:ountcsss of Scarborough surrendtrcd to the Pallas. IX was then that the captaiii oi the latitr asked the communder of the Alliance, *' Whether he would _tnke charge of the prize, or sail and give succour to the comnriodore?" Gn this the Alliance began to s^and backwards and forwards under her top sails, un- til, having got to the windward, she came down, and discharged a second broadside against the fore part of the Serapis- and the stern of the Richard. On this, the commodore begged for Clod's sake that they would cease firing, and send a few men on board of them; but he disobeyed, and iircd another broadside as he passed along. The idea that the Richard was sinking had taken such possession of the gunner and carpenter's minds, that they actually opened the scuttles, and made all the prisoners, to the number of a hundred, sally forth, m opposition to the commander's reiterated orders. This even might have proved fatal, had he not taken ad- vantage of their affright, to station them at the pumps^ where they displayed surprising zeal, appearing actu- aUy to forget their captivity; for there was nothing to prevent their going on the Serapis; or it was in their power to put an end to the engagement in an instant, i)y either killing Jones, or throwing him into the sea, A.S the Richard's three quarter-df-ck guris continued to play on the Serapis, raked her s^ern, and damaged her mast in si^h a manner, that it was only supported Irom falling by the yards of iheir own ship, while the teps poured in a continual discharge; th.t- fire of tlie Knglish began to deaden in such a manner as to be- leave them of all hope of ultimate s-uccess. A cir- cumstance, however, occurred, that contributed not a little to the victory of the Kichard; this was the ex- traordinary intrepidity rnd presence of mind of a Scotch sailer, posted in the main-top. This Ixrave fellow, of his oct'n accord, seized ajighttd match, and H: basket of band -grenades, with which he advanced *42 LIFE OF JONES. above the Serapis's deck. As the flanges ot ihei/ parapets and shrouds, added to the light of the moon, enabled him to distinguish objects, the moment he perceived two or three persons assembled together, he instant discharged a hand grenade among them. At length, the captain of the Serapis came upon the quar- ter-deck, lowered his flag, and asked for quarter, at the very moment his main-mast had fallen into the oea. lie then came on board with his officers, and presented the commodore with his sword.— While this was transacting, eight or ten men belonging to the I^ichard, seized on the Serapis's shallop, which had been at anchor during the engagement, and made off. It was eleven o'clock when the battle ended; it had consequently lasted more than four hours. During the last three hours of the engagement both the ves- sels were on fire; by throwing water on the flames, it vas sometimes supposed that they were quenchedi but they always broke forth anew, and at the close of the action were not wholly extinguished. Next morning the weather was hazy, and net a single sail to be seen. They examined the Richard, to see if it were possible to carry her into any port; and this proving wholly impracticable, all the boats v;ere employed in carrying the wounded on board the other vessels. This occupied much of their time^ and on the succeeding day the vessel sunk. On this occasion, the commodore could only save the signal flags, and he lost all his property, amounting to more fhan 25,000 livres. The commodore now assumed the command of the Serapis, on which he erected jury- in a^ts; but the sea was so tempestuous that it was ten days before they reached the TexeL No sooner was his arrival knov/n, than forty-two vessels, forming different squadrons of frigates, were fitted out from the various ports of Great Britain against him, and two of these were stationed during three months at the mouths of the Texel and the Fly. On his arrival i? America Congress passed a» act; U^E 6F BAL\BRi©GE, i'i^ (|ated April 14» 1781, in wiiich he was thanked, in the most flattering manner, "for the zeal, the pru- dence, and the intrepidity, with which he sustained the honor of the American flag; for his bold and suc- cessful enterprise, with a view to redeem from captivi- ty the citizens of Atrierica, who had fallen into the hands of the English; and for the eminent services by which he had added lustre to hhs own character and the arms of America." A committee of Congress was also of opinion, "that he' deserved a gold medal ^n remembrance of his services." LIFE OF BxilNBllIDGE, William Batnbrige, was born at Princeton, New jersey, May 7th, 1774. His father was a respecta- i)Ie Physician of that place. He received his educa- ?ion under the care of his grand-father, John Taylor,, »f Monmouth County: which consisted of the ordina- ry branches of English instruction and the French knguage. At the age of sixteen, he commenred a clerk-ship in a counting-house at New-York, and after a short service, went to sea in the employ of Miller and> Mur- ray. His services and conduct, were so satisfactory ♦o them, that at the age cf eighteen, they gave him a »iate'sbinh in the ship Hope, in a voyage to Holland. During this voyage, the crew mutinied, in a gale of wii)d, and bad nearly succeeded in throwing the Capt. ©verboard, when Bainbridge, hearing the alarm, took 3 pistol, (which was however destitute of a lock,) and by the assistance of an Irish apprentice-boy, seized the ringleader, and restored order on b/)ard. At the i»:ge of nineteen, he had conin^and of a ship in theJbtiteh • 1 ^1< hlFE OF D AiNCKiDGE trade^ and continued in command of various ships w ihe European trade until 1798. In 1796 on a voyage from Bourdcaux to St. Thomas, with but four smal: guns and nine men, he was engaged by a British schooner, commanded by a Sailing master, mounting •nine guns and manned with thirty-five men. Aftci killing several of her crew h« compelled her to strike, and as the two countries were at peace, indignantly cent her away to make rejiort oflm* action. In July 1798, and without application from him, lie was offered the command of the U. S. schooner Retaliation of fourteen guns, which he accepted under a I/ieute:.ant*s commission, conditioned that hs should stand first of that grade for prom6iion. In the fall of that year the Retaliation, in cruising to windward of Gaudaloupe, v/as captured by two French Frigates and a Lugger. General Desfour- neaux was on board of one of these Frigates on his passage to take command of the Island in place of Victor Hughes. To demonstrate a seeming friend- ship towards our government, arising from political motives as it would appear, he proposed that Bain- bridge should take his ship and return to the United States, when at ihe same time, other American ves- sels of much greater value, were retained and theii :rews treated as criminals. Perceiving the flimsey thread of his finesse, Bainbridge replied that he v.-ish- ed either to be considered a prisoner of war, or to have his commission restored, with liberty to cruise againsC the commerce of France, agreeably to instructiopis from his government. The General, after threatening to put every American to the Bv/ord, should the Re- taliation be found cruising against the French, order- ed him to proceed to the United States, with his ship and forty of his crew. Soon a.^ter his return, an ex' change was efFected; antl he again sailed on a cruise to the West-Indies, ia the brig Norfolk, of eighteer/ Runs, under the eommission of master-commandant; diariog whicb crahc ho compe'Isd ?. Pnvc-^-'-tr ai ch"' ?:iIFE OF BAIlNBRIDGE. ^m tttn guns to run ashore, and captured another, with several merchant vessels, and destroyed a number o£ barges. On his return from that cruise, he sailed in a squad- ron, for the protection of the United Stales* trade, to Cuba : and on leaving that station, was presented with an address, from the American merchants, concerned in the trade, in testimony "of the vigilance, perse- verance, and urbanity which had marked his conduce during his arduous com:nand on that station,*' and the ** essential services which he had rendered to his country." On his return to the United States in 1 SCO, he sail- ed in the frigate George Washington, under a Cap- tain's commission, with presents to the Dey of Al- giers, as agreed upon by treaty. He was well re- ceived by the Dey, who presented him with an ele- gant Turkish sabre in testimony of the personal friend- ship which be entertained towards him, as well as the* pov/er which he represented. But appearances soon changed. Avarice being a predominant passion, he soon became unmindful of the treasures bestowed up- on him, and in a few days made a demand of ths George Washington, to carry his ambassador and pre- sents to the Grand Seignior of Constantinople, under a pretence of a stipulation in our treaty with him<» This treaty, however, related only to our merchant vessels, but as the Frigate was then in harbour, and completely in his power; and as the Dey threatened in case of refusal to imprison every American in Al" giers, he was under the necessity of complying. This expedition was however favourable to our government. The American Hag being entirely un- knov7n to the Grand Seignior, three Officers were sent in succession, to inquire what ship it was, and what flag she bore — thej knew nut what was roeanC by an •American Frigate, and it was not until Capto Bainbridge explained that America was the ]New 13 146 LIFE OF BAINBRfDGE. World, that they had any conception of the country. The Messengers from the Dey were ordered on board the Capudan Pacha, (or Turkish High Admiral's ship,) who tors the letters, spat and stamped upon them, and rejected the presejots with indignation. The Bey was ordered to declare war against France within sixty days. At the same time Com, Bainbridge was received with marked attention. The Algerine flag, ^vhich he had been compelled to carry at his mizen, was ordered to be hauled down, the American shifted to its place, and Com. Bainbridge rewarded with pre- sents. 1 ne excellent order of his ship, and fine healthy appearance of his crew, seemed to be a convincing proof in the mind of the Seignior, that the "new ivorld'^ which he represented must be already great and powerful. In December, the George Washington sailed for Algiers, with the ambassador's secretary to give an account of the unfortunate result of his embassy.; where he arrived on the 21st Jan. having touched at Malta to land some Turks, as a favour to the Capudaji Pacha. Finding that Captain Bainbridge was in fa- vour with the Turkish Admiral, (who was related to the Grand Seignior by marriage,) and learning like- wise the order of the Grand Seignior, the tyrant was so effectually hunabled, that he released four hundred •prisoners, and declared war against France. The consul and other French sobjf^cts then in port, were received on board the George V/ashington ; and after landing them in AiicaDt, Capt. Bainbridge arrived £t Philadelphia, April 1801, receiving from his govern- ment the highest approbation for his conduct during this delicate service. In June following he again sailed to the Mediterra- nean in the Essex, where he was employed in protect- ing American and other neutral ships, against Tripo litan cruisers, and from whence he returned to JNV. :i^yrk in July, 1802. LIFE OF BAINBRIDGE. i4r Fn July 1803, he sailed in the Frigate Philadelphia^ to join Co'.n. Preble's squadron in the Mediterraneanv Oflf Cape de Gait, he tell in with and captured the Mirbohar of 23 guns and 110 men, from Morocco, and re-took an American Brig, seized by her a short time previous. On board the Mirbohar they found orders by which it appeared that the Emperor of Mo- rocco was about commencing depredations upon Ame- rican commerce. The capture of this ship put an end to hostilities, and a permanent peace was established. In company with the Vixen, Capt, Bainbridge then proceeded to blockade the harbour of Tripoli, and on the 31st Oct. seeing a strange ship, gave chase to her, and when within tour miles and an half of the harbour, unfortunately ran upon a pile of rocks; which, as it appeared were not laid down on our charts. This was. indeed a dilemma, not foreseen, and which could not be overcome. Guns were thrown overboard, water started and the fore-mast cut away, but all to no pur- pose. The enemy's Gun-Boats immediately com- menced an attack, which was sustained six hours, when she turned so far upon her side, that the guns- could not be brought to bear; '^and Capt. Bainbridge was under the necessity of surrendering, but not until he had first thrown overboard every article of value, drowned the magazine and scuttled the ship. I'he officers and crew were then seized by the Algerines, stripped without ceremony of whatever was found up^ on them valuable, and conveyed by the boats on shorcj and from thence to the Pacha's Castle. The treatment which they received, was far more -mid than they had reason to anticipate. After th^ burning of the Philadelphia by Decatur, on 16th Feb. 1804, they were closely confined, not so much with a vkw to make them suffer, as through fear of their es- cape. The bombardment of the town — the burning of thft Philadelphia — the explosion of the fire-ship, and thfi various attacks made upon the town, all passed within il;4S UFIS. OP BA2NBRIDGE: their view ; and at one time, a twenty four pound snot passed within a few inchesofiBainbridge's hegd ; still they were compelled, to, remain, inactive witnesses to the efForts-of their, countrymen.. At length a treaty, was concluded' by Col. Lear, and ahe sum of sixty thousand dollars having been paid to ahe Pa^h«, the oncers and; seamen were liberated, June Sd 1805, after nineteen months confinement, and embarked on board the squadron. Soon after Coa)^ Sainbridge returned to the United States. After various commands in the peace establishment, at the declaration of war with Great Britain in 181S, be %vas ordered to the command of the Constellation, ;md from thence to the Constitution. In company with the Sloop of War Hornet, he set «ail on a cruise to the East Indies, and having parted with her run- ning down the coast of Brazil, fell in with the British Frigate Java, a new ship, carrying 49 guns, and up- ^vards of four hundred men. She had on board more than one hundred supernumerary ofllcers and seamen., (destined for the East India service. The action con- tinued one hour and (ifty-five minutes, when the Java was left a mere wreck, with not a spar standing. The commanding officer, Capt. Lambert, was mortally •wounded. It being found impossible to get her to the XJnited States, the prisoners and baggage were taken out, and the ship blown up. Her loss in killed, was 60, and between one^and two hundred wounded. Nine were killed on board the Constitution, nnd twenty-five Jivounded, and among the latter was the Commodore^ The victory was brilliant, and in the highest degree lionourable to Com. Bainbridge ; but not more so ihao the kindness and courtesy, which he manifested to- wards the prisoners while under his charge : and as a characteristic of our Naval commanders generally, we are proud to add, that they have given ample testimo- ny that they are as ** gentle in peace," as " dauntless m war." Having conquered, the expectations of their country are answered j and they no longer consider th^ LIFE OF PORTER, 149 conquered enemy a foe. The Constitution being in str decayed state, the Com. was induced to abandon the contemplated cruise, and return to the United States. He was soon after appointed to the command of the Eastern Station, and to the superintendance ot build- ing the seventy-four at Charlestown. He has been up the Mediterranean, in command of the Columbus 74 gun-ship, and ha* since filled responsible stations, with a reputation still unsullied. America is proud to enroll him among the first of her sons. LIFE OF PORTER David Porteb, was born at Boston, Feb. Ist, 1780. His father was an officer in the Navy, during the Revolutionary War, and was distinguished by his courage and daring spirit. The first vogage undertaken by the subject of this sketch, was in a -trading vessel, commanded by his father, to St. Domingo. Whilst at the port of Jeremiea in that island, a press-gang attempted to board and were gallantly repelled, with the less of several killed, on both sides. Young Porter, who was then but six- teen, had his share in the engagement. One man was shot down by his side, and the affair reflected much praise upon the Capt-ain, and his crew. In his second voyage, he was twice impressed by the British, bat effected his escape; and returned home, in the winter season, in a suffering condition, for want of clothing. Soon after this, he entered the United States Navy, s^s Midshipman; sailed in ths Constellation with Com. Truxton, and in the action with the French Fri- gate Insurgente, distinguished himself, by the gallan- try of his conduct. When advanced to the rank o£ Lieutenant, it was by dint of merit, having no friends ^0- bring hiia into notice, Joining ths 17. S, Sehofiues' i 5# LIFE OF PORTER. Experimeftt, commanded by Capt. Maly, they pro-^ ceeded on a cruise to the West Indies, fell in with ia- number of Brigand barges, when he was again brougliC ante honourable notice. He was likewise employed in boats, cutting out vessels, where he greatly distin- guished hinxsclf by good judgment and personal prowess. Whilst on that station tie took charge of a small Pilot-boat, mounting five small swivels, taken from {he tops of the Constellation. Fallmg in with a French Privateer, mounting a Song twelve pounJer, with several swivels, and having forty men he determined to engage her. The contesS was for some cime doubtful, but the Privateer at length feurrendered, having lost seven killed, and fifteen, wounded. Porter had several killed, but none wound" (cd. A prize vyhi<:h the Privateer had. in company, %vas likewise taken. His conduct on this occasion Hvas , highly spoken of by his commander. In his second expedition to the West Indies, with Capt. Charles Stewarif they were likewise successful in ope- rating against the Privateers. In the first squadron to the Mediterranean, Porter was first Lieutenant of the Enterprise, Capt. Stewart^ sind rendered himself vevy conspicuous, in an engage^ went with aXripolitan Corsair, of much greater force^ which, in the event, was compelled to surrender. On another occasion, with an expedition of boats^ hs entered the harbour of Tripoh, to destroy a num- ber of vessels laden with wheat, which service was performed efTectuaHyi but in the engagement, he re- ceived a ball through his thigh; Nothing of consequence occurred after he received Hs wound, until the 31st Oct. 1803. Porter had l>een previously' transferred to the Frigate Philadel- phia, as first iaeutenant under Capt. Baiobridge ; and was on board when she ran aground, at that date* near ftbe harbour of' Tripoli I was taken possession of by ^g enemy J and Jh^ crew made prisocers. It will be LIFE OF PORTER 152 unnecessary to detail the particulars of that disastrous aiTnr, as the facts are generally so well known. It is sufficient to add, that during a long and dreary con- finemtnt, he never suffered himself to sink into de- spondency, but applied himself closely to his study ; thus preparing the way to become a still more useiul niember of his country and of society. A ireaty of peace having at length been concluded with Tripoli, the officers and crew of the Philadelphia were set at liberty, and sailed to join the squadron at Syracuse* Porter having been appointed to the command of the U. S. Brig Enterprise, proceeded, to cruise in the Mediterraneani Passing the streights of Gibraltar, he was attacked by twelve Spanish Gun- Boats, pretending to suppose she was a British Brig. Although their weight ok metal was vastly superior, he soon compelled them to sheer ofirV After an arduous service of five years, he returned to the United States, was married to Miss Anderson of Pennsylvania; and afterwards took command of the Flotilla on the New Orleans station, where he rendered impo-rtant services in enforcing the embargo and non-intercourse laws» In this service he likewise ferretted out, and captured a French Piratical schoon- er, which had so long infested the Chesapeake, as to attract the attention of Government. At the declaration of War, with Great Britain, in 1812, he sailed from New York, in command of the Essex, fell in with, and after a short engagement, cap= tured the British Sloop of War Alert, Capt. Laug° barne. Returning to the United States, to refit, he again put to sea Oct. :^ih, 1812, and proceeded to thecoasJ; of Brazil, agreeably to instructions from Con . Bain- bridge, where places for rendezvous had been agreed upon betM'een them. On that Coast he ftJl in with bis majesty's Packet Nocton, out of whi h he took 2ll^OQO,.8t€Tling in speck, About.this.time he heard im LIFE •{" PORTEK, of the capture of the Java, by Com. Bainbridge, and* of his return t6 the U. S. 5 likewise that the Hornet had been taken by the Montague, and that the British force on that coast wa& considerably increase d, and were in pursuit of him. He thtrefore abandoned his ground, and ran down as far as liio de La Plata ; from thence to the Pacific Ocean, and reached Valparaiso, March I4th, 1813. Sailing from thence down the coast of Chili, and Peru, he brought too a Peruvian corsair, and found on board twenty -four Americans held as prisoners, whom he liberated throwing her guns and ammunition into the sea. He continued cruising for several months in the Pacific, capturing great numbers of British vessels. Two were given to the prisoners ; three sent to Vylparaiso, and three to America. Most of the ships taken mounted several guns. He therefore equipped one with twenty guns, and-gave thecnnunand to Lieutenant Downes, calling her the Ess;: x, jr. T\w numerous prizes taken, furnished him abun» dantly with provisions, clothing, and naval stores? so that, without inconvenience, he was enabled to keep at seni for a long time. From the spoils of his enemy he had now under his command a Ihtle squadron, which spread devastation, and became the terror of those seas. Merchants not only in the ports of the Pacific, but in Great Britain, groaned under the weight of losses ; everv arrival bringing a catalogue of captures. AIthouj>h ships were sent after him into the Pacific, the China Seas, o^ New-Tsmor, New-Holland and the river La Plata; still the manner in which ho cruised, completely eluded their vigilance. Shunning the American coast, he was either lying among the desolate groups which form the Gallipagos islands, or in the open seas. At length, Lieut. Downes re- turned from Valparaiso, whither he had sailed to convoy the prizes, and brought intelligence, that Com. Hiliyer was expected at that place with the Fri- ^te Phosbe, oi 36 guos, aoU two Sloops of War. B^ LIFE or FOliTER, 10S; had become glutted with spoils, and th-e easy captures o-f Merchantmen were not calculated to raise him to that zenith of fame, after which he aspired. As an opportunity now appeared to present, in v/hich it was probable he might meet the enemy on equal terms, he determined to embrace it; and after running into the Island of Nooaheeva, to repair, proceeded to Valpa» raiso. While here^ at anchor. Com. Hillyer arrived, btit contrary to anticipation, with a Frigate superior in size to his, and accompanied b) the Cherub, Sloop of War, both fitted out with picked crews, expressly for this enterprise. Their force amounted to 81 guns, and 500 men, whh the crew of a Letter of Marque, 1 hat of the Essex of 46 guns, and 255 men. The Essex Jun. being designed for a store ship, mounted ten 18 pound carronades, and ten short sixes, v.ith buS SO men. This disparity of force would not permit the veoturs ©fa general action. He therefore endeavored to pro- voke a challenge from.ihe Phoebe, although vastly su- perior to the Essex^ but without effect. P'earing an addition would be made to their force, he wished if possible to make his escape. On the 28th March, a gale came on, and the Es- sex parting her cable, the Com. thought that a niore f^avourable opportunity would not occur, to pass the enemy, and sail was therefore ordered to be immedi- ately made. On- clearing the harbour, a sudden squal! carried av;ay the main-top-mast, and finding it impos- sible to return, he ran into a bay at some distance fiom his former anchorage, expecting that the enemy >vouid respect the neutrality of the port, but in this he was disappoiutedo Both ships now dnw rp, and com- menced an attack upon the Essex. Capt. Porter succeeded three different times in getting springs upon his cables, but they were as often shot away, leaving him exposed to a raking fire from the enemy. In diis situation, his chief dependance was upon three long t\veh'es from her stern, which were managed socles:.' ^54< HFE OF POUTERS. terously that the enem) were obliged to hall off, ar.d-' repair. His crew were not, however, disheartened, although morally certain ot being conquered. The conflict was sustained with unabated fury, ui> til resistance was ineffectual, when the fittg was struck, and the ship resigned to an overwhelming force. Ou-t of 255 men, 58 vvere killed, CQ wounded, and 31 missing; making in ail 154. The spectacle was truly horrid; and when the officer came on board, to take possession, he turned from the spectacle, as if sicken- ed at its sight. It was with difficulty that either the Essex or Ph:3- be, could be got into the liarbourof St. Salvador, both being very much injured, the latter having 18 shots in the hull, and some of them three feet under water. Capt. Poiter and His crew were soon after paroled, and returned to New York. On landing, a carriage was provided for him, and drawn by the populace, to ■ Lis lodgings, with shouts and acclamations. The mere loss of the Essex, could hardly be con- sidered unfortunate, as she bad done more injury to the ene^y^s commerce than the rest of the Navy to- gether. Since the close of the war, Captain Porter has been in various commands, he has been one of the Navy Gommissioners, and is at this time, in command ^ the Squadron among the West India Islands, to suj press the pirates, and enjoys alike the confidence c Governrasntj and the love of his Country. LIFE OF Li WHENCE. James Lawrence, was born at Burlington New Jersey, October Ist, 1781. His father, John Law- rence. Esq. was an eminc-nt counsellor at hivv of the same place. By the death of his mother he was left in infancy in the charge of his sisters. Affectionate in disposition and ardent in his attachments, he ever entertained towards them the warmest gratitude, for their tenderness and care sn his early youth. He en- tered as midshipman in the service of his country, at about the age of sixteen, where his strict attention to tlie discharge of his duties, and his endearing manners gained him the esteem of both officers and seamen. At the declaration of war with Tripoli, he was piomotcd to a Lieutenancy, and volunteered his ser- vices as first Lieut, under Decatur in destroying the irrigate Philadeldhia, one of the most brilliant and gallant enterprises ever undertaken and executed by man. After continuing in the Mediterranean three and a half years, he returned to the U. S, and was .Mgain sent on that station, in command of Gun Boat No. 6, where he remained sixteen months. After that time, he commanded the Vixen, Wasp, Argus arid Horneto At the commencement of the war in 1812, he sailed in the Hornet Sloop of War, under Commodore Rodgers. His second cruise in the Hornet was in company with Com. Bainbridge, who commanded the Constitution. While coasting off the Brazils, he fell in with the Bonne Ciioyenne, a British ship of war, and chased her into St. Salvador. Notwithstanding she was of superior force, Lawrence sent her a chal- lenge, which was refused, although he pledged hrs honour that no other American vessel should inter- fere. Leaving St. Salvador, on the morning of Feb. 24th^ jsT Demarara, he fell in with the British Brig Pea- xock, Capt. Peake, of equal force. The contest xoni'' 156 %\¥F. 05^ LAWRENCE. menced within half pistol shot, and in fifteen minutes the Peacock hoisted signals of distress, being in £ sinking condition from the fire ot the Hornt-t. Eve- ry exertion was made to keep her afloat until the pri- soners could be removed, but notwithstanding she went down with thirteen of her crew, and three Ame- rican tars, who nobly perisht- d i i relieving a conquer" ed foe. Among the slain, was Capt. Peake. He re- ceived two wounds: ihe last proving mortal. He was laid in the cabin, and with his icig for a shroud, and ship for a sepulchre, this brave sailor sunk to rest; an interment worthy of so brave a man. The treatment of Lawrence towards his prisoners was such as to draw from the ofRccrs the expression, that *^ they ceased to consider themselves prisoners." "Finding that the crew had lost all their clothing, to the honour of our tars, a subscription wiis made, and each man supplied from his own wardrobe two shirts, a bluejacket and trovvsers. Capt. Lawrence was received with great applause on his return to this courjtry, having in the interim been promoted to the rank of Post Captain. Soon after his return he was appointed to the command of the Frigate Constitution; but the next day to his >3;reat chagrin, the order was countermanded, with di- rections to take the Chesapeake then lying at Boston. This ship was considered the worst in the Navy, and the circumstance of her having been disgraced in the affair of the Leopard, acquired for h«r, among sailors the reputation of being an unlucky ship; so much so, that it was with difficulty crews could be recruited for her. Four successive letters were written by Lawrence to the Secretary of the Navy, requesting to be con- tinued in the command of the Hornet, but receiving no answer, he v;as under the necessity of complying with the order. Being nearly ready for sea at Boston, the British Frigme Shannon j Capt, Broke Commander, appear- LIKE OF LAWJaENCE, ^^J -r.i off the harbour, hoisting signals expressive of a t hallenge. The Shannon was one of the best ships in the British Navy, e<3uipped in the best manner, and manot-d with a picked crew for the express pur- pose of fighting our largest Frigates. The Chesa- peake was not only an indifferent ship, but manned Diostly by Rew recruits. Lawrence however determined to accept the clial- lenge, although sensil/le of the disparity under which he laboured. - lis had formerly challenged the Bonne Citoyenno, and should he now decline, it might occa- sion public remarks to his discredit. To his crew be was a stranger, and even in the midft of the customa- ry harangue previous to the engsgement, murmurs of •dissatisfaction were heard from them. A Portuguese replied to Capt. Lawrence, complaining that they had ijot receive their prize money. It was a critical monjent, and the Captain there/ore thought it advisable to order the purser to give them checks. Under theee. embarrassing circumstances the action was feoght, June 1, 181 So The vessels manoeuvred until within pistol shot^ when both at about the same instant opened their broadsides. The Chesapeake had the advantage, un- til unfortunately by the death of three men, shot from. 'the helm, successively, the vessel lost her way and caughi by the anchor, in one of the Shannon's after ports. In this srituation the enemy's guns were brought -'into a raking position, killing or wounding the great- er part ot the crew. Capt. Lawrence had at this time received a mortal wound, and although destruction appeared inevitable, exclaimed, '^douH give uji the ship" The enemy soon after boarded and the strife -was at an end. Lawrence languished in great bodily Jpain for four davs, and expired. He was wrapped in •the flag of the Chesapeake, and conveyed to Halifax .f)n board the Shannon. At his interment the British •ufEcers crowded to yield the last sad honours to bina VH'ho so bravtly fought, and who new no longer wus. dSB LIFE OF M'BONOUGIT. their foe. By order of government^ a vessel was soou after dispatched to Halifax, in which his remains were convcyd to his native state, and deposited with his fathers. Deeply as maybe regretted the fate of the engage- ment, we have no cause to lament, as nothing of ho° nour was lost in the conflict. The name of Lawrenco with his worthy associates who fell on that eventful -.dssy^ is immortalized in the records of fame. LIFE OF MACDONOUGHe THE father of Capt. Thomas Macdonough, resi* ded in the county of New-Castle, Delaware, on a farm called the Trapp. He was conspicuously eminent in the practice of Physic, and in the year 1775, was ap- pointed Mi^^Y in Col. John Hasletfs Regiment, rais- ed b# the State af Delaware, but did not long con- tinue in the servise. After the close of the revolu- tionary struggle, he received the appointment of Judge which office he held until 1796, at which time he died. His eldest son, James, was with Com. Trux- ton in the engagement between the Constellation and Insurgente; at which time he lost his leg and which rendered it necessary for him to retire from service. Thomas Macdonough, the subject of the present sljetch, entered the United States' service, under a IMidshipman's warrant, not long after the death of his father. After serving some time in our Navy, he sailed with the little licet up the Mediterranean, where he (with other young officers,) rendered himself con- spicuoy'j in the wars with Tripoli. He v:?,% reaiarkable for his gravity and circumspec- LIFE OF M'D0NOUGH. 1B9 don, and at the same time evinced a dauntless invin* cibility of spirit, which was not to be counteractedj, even by Mahometan prowess. The following incident displays his firmness and decision of character. A merchant's Brig, came into port, whilst Gapt. Smith was on shore, and anchored ahead of the Syren. A short time after, a British Frigate, then lying in port, sent a boat on board the Brig and came off with one man more than she went with. Macdonough le.arning that they had impressed an American, overtook her with an armed gig, and rescued the man, along- sid6 of the Frigate. The Englishman, after threatening to take the man by force says, **you are a very indiscreet young man, what would you have done if I had been in the boat?" *^I would have taken the man, or lost my life.'* ''Whar, Sir, would you attempt to stop «ie, were I nov/ to un- dertake 10 impress men from that Brig?" ' *'To con- vince you I would, you have only to make the at- tempt.'* Soon after, seeing the Englishman bearing down for the Brig, Macdonough manned, and got in- to his boat, in readiness for pursuit. I'he English- man, after sailing around the Brig, returned again to' his Frigate. Syracuse, once the seat of all those virtues which adorn the human mind and render men good and great, is now unhappily one of the most vicious and depraved on earthj robberies and assassinations are considered as mere pastime. While at this place., Macdonough was detained on shore one night, till the ship's boat had returned to the Fleet, He then hired a boat, but finding three men, instead of two, (the usual complement,) going in it, he suspected them of some evil design and refused to go, whereupon thev drew their poniards and attacked him. By spirited exertions he succeeded in wounding two, while the other took to his heels. Macdonough pursued him to the roof of the Barracks, from whence he ihrcv/ himself, with the loss of his life. .i &0 LrFE OF M'DONOUGH. No incident of consequence occurred in tnjs Wtt ut aVIacdjRough betvveen the Tripolitan war, and that which commenced with Great Britain in 1812. lie was then appointed to the commaud of a small Naval fo.rce on Lake Ghamplain, for the purpose protecting our frontiers. This w^as considered an irrrportant point of defence, as there v/as reason to suppose that if the enemy had been successful in the affair at Baltimore, an attack would have been undertaken upon New York, by the fleet then on our coast, and on Albany by the Noi^ thern Army« Thus stood affairs, when Sir George Prevost, with 14,000 men, took up his march, intending to dislodge Gen. Macomb from his post, at Pittsburgh. Cap^o Downie, commanding the British Squadron, was or- derrid at the same tirAe to attack the American force, ivhich was believed to be of consequence in their plaii of operations. Macdonough was apprised of their intentions, anJ tlecided to receive them at anchor. On the 11th of Sept. ISl^, the enemy anchored in line, 300 yards from the American. The action commenced at nin^ A. ivi. and after a hard fought battle, the enemy's ship Brig, and both sloops struck: — Three Gallies were sunk, and the remaining ten made off in a shat- tered condition. The loss of the Americans was 52 killed, and 58 wounded: that of the British 84 kill- ed, and 110 wounded. Immediately after the action commenced, a game cock on board, flew up the fore-hatchway, lighted on the bell, and crowed with all his might, until the bell was struck by a shot and knocked in pieces, lie then flew into the rigE;ing, and continued crowing until the action ceased. Many of the seamen considered it as a prelude to victory. A precipitate retreat was made by the British arnw leaving our troops in quiet possession of the country \7hich they had vainly essayed to conquer. The tv;o EWE OP.M'DONOUGIL i6i contending armies and thousands of spectators^ ^vere 2n full view of the engagement, awaiting «^ith breath- less anxiety, the issue of the battle. The occasion was pregnant with importance, it was to decide, whether the inhabitants should be driven from their houses in beggary, or remain in peaceable possession of their fire-sides. The result was all that couid be desired or expected. Prevost made a precipitate retreat — The American Eagle rode triumphant, and the country was restored to tranquility. In consequence of this achievement, the thanks of Congress with appropriate medals, vvt-re presented to Com. Macdonough, with medals and swords to the- under officers, and three months' extra pa), to the pet- ty officers, seamen and marines. The State of New York granted him 1000 acres of land, and the State of Connecticut, a brace of pistols, not only in testimony of his brilliant achievement on the Lake, but for thq exalted opinion entertained of his private character. The numerous, and flattering demonstrations of res ^ pect, which the gallant and accomplished Macdonough has received from Congress, the State- Legislatures and Corporations, are known to most readers. No one could hardly be more gratifving, than the presen- tation of a splendid sword from the Lcgislatnre of New- York, which was delivered in the city of Hart- ford, Conn, Bat the present of a sword from the offi- cers and seamen whom he commanded in the Medi- terranean^ was the most unequivocal evidence of res- pect that can be conceivedo It speaks volumes of eu- logy. The expense of it was SlSOO, but its pecunia-' Ti^ value is forgotten, when it is looked upon as a to- ken of respect. The arrest of Com. Dacdonough by Com. Stewart, produced great excitement. But the correctness oi the procedure was acknowledged by the ingenuoaa Macdonough; and he v/as appointed to the commaacT^ i5f the OhiOj74, which command he now sustains. LIFE OF DECATUR. The grandfather of Corrs. Stephen Decatur was or- jginally from Rochelle in France, and married a lady of New;port, R. I. His father, Stephen Decatur, was born in Newport, but removed from thence to Phila- delphia, where he married an Irish lady by the name of Pine. He was bred to sea in the merchant service^ and was afterwards appointed to the command of the Delaware sloop of war,* then of the frigate Philadel- phia, where he remained until peace took place with France, when he resigned his commission, retired to bis residence Dear Philadelphia, where he died in 1808. His son Stephen, the subject of this sketch, was boni on the Eastern shore of Maryland, Jan. 5th, 1779^ whilst the British had possession of Philadelphia. Af- ter the city was evacuated, they returned to their for- stier residence, where Decatur received his early edu- .gation. In March, 1798, he entered the navy as a midship- XYian, joined the frigate Unitt-d States, ur>der Como Barry, where he remained until promoted to alieuten° ancy. He then entered the brig Norfolk as first lieutenant?- perlormed a cruise to the Spanish Maine, and on his return to port, resumed his station on board the Uni- ted States, she having undergone repairs, where he continued until peace was concluded with France. He then sailed in Com. Dale's squadron up the IVIediterranean, as first lieutenant of the Essex. Re^ turning with that squadron, he was ordered to the New York, in the second Mediterranean expedition, in the squadron commanded by Com. Morris. Re« burning to the United States, he again sailed in corn- nrjand of the Argus, joined Com. Preble's squadron in the Mediterranean, and agreeably to orders, resigned command to lieutenant Hull, aodtook the schooner jEnterpriz€. He then proceeded io Syracuse, the ren,- icz7ou3 of the sauadrouj aod jherc k^rnt thatih^i^' LIFE OF DECATLM. mii iVi'gate Philadelphia had run aground on the Barbary Goast, and was ia the possession, of the Tripolitans. On Com. Preble's arrival a few days alter, Deca- tur suggested to him a plan for recapturing or destroy- ing the frigate. The enrerprize was- frar.ght wuh peril, and of such a desperate and daring nature that the commodore's consent was obtained with the greatest reluctance. Decatur selected for the expedition the ketch In- irepid, which he had captured but a short time pre\i- ous from the enemy, manning htr with seventy vo- lunteers, and sailed Feb. Sd, 1804- The brig Syren, Lieut. Stewart, accompanied him to aid in the enter- prize, should it be found necessary. After fifteen days tempestuous weather, he arrived at the mouth of the harbour at about sunset. It had been agretd that the ketch, with the Syren's boats, should enter the harbour at about 10 o'clock that nighu but as the Syren had been driven several miles from her course by change of wind, Decatur apprehended it might be too late for the attack that night should be wait for the boats: he therefore determined to enter the harbour alone; which he did at about 8 o'clock. Tlie boldness of the undertaking may be conceived of from the following description. The frigate hiy directly under the Bashaw's castle, and within half gun shot of his principal bittt^ries. Two of their cruisers were stationed on the starboard quarter, their gun boats on the larboard how, and all the guns of the frigate mounted and loaded. They had but three miles to sail from the entrance of the harbour, but from the lightness of wind did not get within hail until 11 o'clock. They were then I:ail- vid and ordereti to anchor, or they would be firrd upon. A Maltese pilot onboard was ordered to answer that they had lost their anchors^, and could not. Whea within 50 yards of the frigate, the wind subsided er> tirely, and Decatur ordered his boat to m^ike fast t3 ^,e frigate's fore ch^ins^ Thia being, donr, wilhoiit,. iM OFfr OF DECATUr;. any suspicion en the part of the enemy, the ketch waz warped alongside, and Decatur, with midshipman Monisj (now captain,) mounted her deck. It was nearly two minutes before any of the ketch's crew ap- peared on deck to their assistance, the Turks standing astonished and aghast, without resistance. So soon as a sufficient number gained the deck to form a front, they commenced the assault, killing twenty on the spot.^ otKers jumped overboard, and the remainder were driven into the hold. The enemy soon began firing from the batteries, and from the castle and tw^o corsairs^and perceiving :i number of launches rowing about the harbour, Deca- tur ordered the ship to be set on fire in different places, and sc effectually and-^fiih such promptness was the order cxtcuted, that it was with great difficulty the ketch could be saved. Providentially at this critical moment^ a breeze took them, blowing directly out oF the harbour, carrying then) from the enemy's reach in a few minutes, v;ith the loss of but one killed and four wounded. For this achievement, Decatur was promoted to the rank of post captain. In the ensuing spring. Com. Preble made an attack upon Tripoli, with his squadron, consisting of the Gonstiiuiion, Syren, Nautilus, Vixen, six gun boats, and two bombards* The attack commenced at 9 o'clock, August Sc\, The gun boats advanced in a line ahe-ad, led on by C ipt. Decatur, covered by the frigate Constitution, and the brigs and schooners. The ene- my's gun boats were moored within musket shot ef the batteries. Their sails had been taken from them, and they were ordered to ^ink rather than alter their position. They were likewise covered by a brig of IQ and a schooner of 10 guns. The enemy's boats, as also the American, had 40 men erch. Decatur drevv up with all posoible dispatch, boarded a gun boat, and m 10 minutes cleared the deck; three Americans only lyere wounded^ Conning out with his prize, the feo?^- LIFE OF DEC.\TUKi ^^^ larhich his brother, Lieut. James Decatur commanded, came under his st«rin, and informed that he had been treacherously shot by the commander of the boat he had taken. He immediately tacked^ came alongside ot the Turkish boat, and with but eleven men^ instant- ly boarded her. For 20 minutes the fate of the contest was doubtful — seven of the Americans were wounded. Decatur singled out the commander, and broke his sword by the hilt in attempting to cut off his espontocn. The Turk at this moment wounded him in the arm and head. They closed; Decatur fell up- permost — the Turk drew his dagger — Decatur seized his arm, drew a pistol from his pocket and shot binS'^ Decatur could then with difficulty extricate himself from the dead and wouaded which had fallen oft him during the struggle. A noble hearted tar seeing a deadly blow aimed at Decatur's head, and having lost the use of his arms by wounds, rushed between, and received the blow on his own head. His. scull was fractured, but happily he survived to receive a pension from governmcnta Decatur succteded i^n reaching tlie squadron with both prizes. At the conclusion of peace, he came home in the Congress — afterwards was snperintendant of gun boats, and at the affair of the Cheseipeake, superceded Com. Barron, and was put in command of the souihern squadron. When the Uintev. States, was agaui put in comnsissipn, he was removed to that frigate. In the late, war with Great Britain, and on the 25th Oct. 1812. he fell in with and captured the British frigate Macedonian, Capt. J. S, Garden, mounting 49 guns — 36 killed, and 68 wounded. l"ne UuUcd States had 4 killed, and 7 wounded. The Muced.o- niifti was a prime ship, manned and equipped in the best manner, and but two years old. On the unhappy controversy between Com. Deca- tur and Com, Barron, which terminated in the death of the former, we forbear to comment. Our readers '4A!e re.^er.red to the correspondence which passed be- LIFE OF PIKE. tween them, and from which they will gather a fuJl^ view of the subject. Suffice it to say, that in his death, our navy is deprived of one of its bravest and most tfficient ofEcers, and society of an accomplished and imeiiigent gentleman. LIFE OF PIKE. Zebulon Montgomeby Pike, was born at Lamo berton in the state of New- Jersey, January 5th l'?79. His father was a respectable ofScer in ihe army of the United States. His family had for styeral genera- dons resWed in New Jersey, and were descended from a Captain John Pike, whose name is preserved by tradition as having been a gallant and distinguish- ed soldier in the early Indian wars ot the colony. He enteied the army v/hile yet a boy, and served for some time as a cadet in his father's company, which vvas then stationed on the western fronuers of the United States. At an early age he obtained the com- mission of ens'gu, and some time after that oi' Lieu- tenant in the Ist regiment of infantry. He was thus alajost from his cradle, trained to tb» habits of a mil- itar\' life. And by constant activity and exposare he invigorated his constitution, and prepired himself for deeds of hardihood and adventure. At the same time he endeavored to supply the deficif^n'^y of his earlv education by most ardent, though probably of? ten desultory and ill regulated application to every branch of useful kno^-vledge. Nor %vere these studies directed solely to the improvement of the mind ; he endeavored to m;.ke them subservient to a much higher end. Frotn bis youth he seduously cultivated- Jn himself a generous spirit of chivalry; not th?«- LIFEOPPiKE, 167 punctUious and barren honour which cheaply satisfies itself with the rcputaiion of ptrsonal courage and frecdon-i from disreputable vice, but the chivalry of the ancient school of European honour — that habit of mitny and virtuous s ntitnentj rhat spirit of patriotisnn and self devotion, which, while it roots out from the heart every other weakness of nature, spares and cherishes " that last iniirmitv of noble minds," the love of glory, and in every great emergency iti which man may be called upon to act, sends him forth into the service of his country or his kind, at once obey- iDgthe commands of duty, and elevated and animated by the warm impulse ^.f enthusiastic feeling. In March 1801, he married Miss Clarissa Brown, of Cincinnati, in the state of Kentucky. By this marriage he had several children, only one of whom, a daughter, survives hinu In 1805, a new career of honourable distinction was opened to this active and aspiring youth. Soon after the purchase of Louibiana, the government of the United States determined upon taking measures to explore their new teriitory, and that immense tract of wilderness, included within its limits. Besides ascer- taining its geographical boundaries, it was wished to acquire some knowledge of -its soil and natural pro- ductions, of the course of its rivers, and their fitness for the purposes of navigation and other uses of civil- ized life, and also to gain particular information of -the numbers, character, and power of the tribes of Indians who inhabited this territory, and their several dispositions towards the United States. With these views, while Captains Lewis and Clarke were sent to explore the unknown sources of the rvlissouri, Pike was dispatched on a similar expeiiition ft^r the purpose -of tracing the Mississippi to its head. On the 9th o^ August, 1805, Pike accordingly em- 4Darked at St Louis, and proceeded up the Mississippi, with twenty men, in a stout b^at, provisioned for four .jpjonthsj but they were soon obliged to leave their f#S LIFE OF PIRE. boat and proceed on thtir journey by land^ or in ca noes, which they built alter leaving their boat, and carried vviih them on their march. For eight months and twenty clays this adventurous soldier and his faith- ful band were almost continually «'xposed to hardship and peril, d.^pending tor provisions upon the precarious fortunes of t'le chase, enduring the most piercing cold, and cheerfully submitiinu; to the most constant and harassing toils. They where soaielinies for days to- gether wiihout food, and they freequanily slept without cover on the bare earth, or the snow, during the bit- terest inclemency of a northern winter. Pike had no intelligent companion upon %v.bom he could rely for advice or aid, and he literally performed the duties of astronomer, surveyoT, commanding officer, clerk, spy, guide, and hunter, frequently preceding the party for manv miles, in order to reconnoitre, or rambling for whole days in starch of deer or other gan.e for provision, and then returning to his men in the eve» Ding, hungry and tatigued, to sit down in the open air, to copy by the li.gnt of the fire the notes of his journey, and to plot out the courses of the next day. In addition to the other obj>:cts of Pike's mission^ as specifically detailed in his instructions, he con- ceived th.u his duty as a soldier required of him an investigation of the views and conduct of the British traders within the Umits of our jurisdiction, and an enquiry into the e:sact limits of the territories of the United States and Grvith the disinterestedness of a man of honour, and the abiiily and discretion of an enlightened politician. He found that the north west company, by extending their establish Tients and commerce /ar within the bounds of the Unite^^ States, and eVen into the very centre of Louisiana, were thus enabled to introduce *heir goods wiihout dut\ or licence into our terrJU:; UFE OF PIKE. ^^^^ lies, to the very great injury of the revenue, as well as to the complete exclusion of our own countrymen from allcompetion in this trade. He perceived,, be- sides, that these establishments were made subservient: to the purposes of obtaining an influence over the sav- ages dangerous to the peace, and injurious to the hon- our and character of our government^ and he thought it evident, that in ca5e of a rupture between the two powers, all these posts would be used as rallying points for the enemy, and as places of deposite for arms to be distributed to the Indians, to the infinite annoyance, il: nut total ruin, of all the adjoining territories. By means of veprimands and threats to the inferiox: traders, and a frank and spirited remonstrance to the* director of the Fond du Lac department, he succeed^ ed in procuring a stipulation, that in future no at- tempts should be made to influence any Indsan on poI» itical affairs, or any subjects foreign to trade, and thac measures should be immediately taken to prevent the display of the British flag, or any ether mark of power, within our dominioni together with a promise thac such representations should be immediately made to the company, and such an arrangement e-ffected with regard to duties, as would hereafter set that question at rest. Within two mofiths after his return from this expe- dition, Pike was selected by General Wilkinson for a second perilous journey of hardship and adventure. The principal purpose of this expeditson was, like thafi of the former, to explore the interior of Louisiana^ He was directed to embark at St. Louis with the Os- age captives, (about forty in nuoiber,) who had been rescued from their enemies, the Potowatomies, by the interference of our government, and to transport them to the principal v'rllage of their nation; and he was in- ctructed to take this opportunity to bring about inter- V lews between the different savage nations, and to en- deavour to assuage animosities, and establish a perma- nent peace among them. He was, after accomplishini? 1.5 iyO LrFE OF PIKE. these objects, to continue his route into the interior, and to explore the IVlississippi and its tributary streams, especially the Arkan&aw and the Red River, and thus to acquire such geographical intcrmaticn as inight enable government to enter into definitive ar- rangemtntsfor a boundary line between our newly ac- quired territory and Nordi Mexico. In the course of this second journey, our adventu- rous soldier, after leaving the Osage village, encoun- tered hardships, in comparison ol which the severities of his former journey seemed to him ease and luxuiy. Winter cveitook the party unprovided with any clothing fit to protect thtm front ccld and storn.s. Iheir horses died, and for weeks they were obliged to explore their way on foot through the wilderness, carrying packs of sixty or seventy pounds weight, beside their arms, exposed to the bitterest severity of the cold, relying solely on the produce of the chase for subsistence, and often for two or three days alto- gether without food. Ihis part cf his journal*con« rains a narrative of a series of sufferings siyfficient to iDake the ^* superfluous and Inst-dieted" son of luxu- ry shudder at the bare recital. Several of the men had their leet fro2:en, and all except Pike, and one other, were in scn^e degree injured by the intensity of the cold. He thus relates the history of one of these dreary days: 19th January, Monday. — We again took the field, aud after crawling about one mile in the snow, got Dear enough to shoot eight times at a gring of buffa- loes, and could plainly perceive two or three ol them to be badly wounded, but by accident they took the wind of us, and, to our great mortification, all were rible to run ofT. By this time I had become extremely weak and faint, it being the founh day since ve had received sustenance, all of which we were marching hard, and the last night had scarcely closed our ejes to sleep. We were inclining our course to a point of Y^oods; determined to reuain absent and die by our- LIFE OF PIKE^ ■*' selves, rather than return to our camp and behold the misery of our poor lads, when we discovered a gang of buffdloes coining along at some distance. With great exertions 1 made out to run and place myselt behind some cedars, and by the greatest good luck the first shot stopped one, which v/e killed in three more shots, and by the dusk had cut each of us a heavy load, with v/'hich we determined immediately to proceed to the- camp, in order to relieve the anxie- ty of our men and carry the poor fellows some food. We arrived there about twelve o'clock, and when I threw my load down, it was with difficulty I prevent- ed myself from falling; I was attacked with a giddi- ness of the head, which lasted for some minutes. On the countenances of the men was not a frown, rror a" desponding eye, but all seemed happy to hail their of- ficer and companions, yet not a mouthful had they eat for four days. in the- course of this long, toilsome, and perilous march, Pike displayed a degree of personal heroisra and hardihood, united with a prudence and sagacity which, had they been exerted on some wide theatr«- of action, would have done honour to the most re- nowned general. '« 4th January, Saturday. — We sallied out in the nr.orning, and shortly after perceived our little band, marching through the snow, (about two and a half feet deep,) silent and with down cast countenances. We joined them, and learnt that they, finding thci snow to fall so thickly that it was impossible to pro- ceed, had encamped about one o'clock the preceding day. As I found all the buffaloes had quilted the plains, I determined to attempt the traverse of the mountains, in which we persevered until the snow be- came so deep it was impossible to proceed, whtn I again turned my face to the plain, and for the first lime in the voyage found myself discouraged, and for the first lime heard a man exnress himself in a sedi- tious manner; he exclaimed, " that it was more than » ^7l^ MFE OF PIKE, buman nature could bear, to march three days whhou-: sustenance, through snows three feet deep and carry burdens only fit for horses," &c, •* As I knew very well the fidelity and attachment of the majority of the men, and even of this poor fal- low, and that it was in my power to chastise him when I thought proper, I passed it by for the moment, de- termined to notice it at a more auspicious time. We dragged our weary and emaciated limbs along until about 10 o'clock. The doctor and myself who wer? in advance, discovered some buffaloes on the plain, when we left our loads, and order v/ritten on the snow, t^ proceed to th«3 tasarest woods to encamp. V/e weni in pursuit of the buflVioea which were on the TOove. " The doctor, who was then less reduced than m}'- self, ran and got behind a hill, and shot one dowDj which stopped the remainder. We crawled up to the dead one, and shot from him as many as twelve or fourteen times among the gang, when they removed out of sight. We then proceeded to cut up the one we had shot, and after procuring each a load of the ameat, we marched for the camp, the smoke of which was in view. We arrived at the camp to the great joy of our brave lads, who immediately feasted sump= tuously. After our repast, I sent for the lad who iiad presumed to speak discontentedly in the course of the day, and addressed him to the following effect; **Brown, you this day presumed to make use of lan- guage which was seditious and mutinous^ I then passed it over, pitying your situation, and attributing at to your distress, rather than to your own inclination to s6w discontent among the party. Had I reserved provisions for ourselves, whilst you were starving^ had we been marching along light and at our ease, whilst you were weighed down with your burden, then you would have had some pretext for your ob- servations; but when we were equally hungry, weary, emaciated' and charged with burden^ which I bel5ev;e LIFE OF PIKE, : 17 S my natural strength is less able to bear than any man's in the party; when we were alwajs foremost in break- ing the road, reeonnoitering, and the fatigues of the chase, it was the height of ingratitude in you, to let an expression escape which was indicative of discon- tent, your ready compliance and firm perseverance I had reason to expect, as the leader of men, and my companions in miseries and dangers. But your duty as a soldier demanded your obedience to your officer, and a prohibition of such language, which for this time I will pardon, but assure you, should it ever be repeated, I will revenge your ingratitude and punish your disobedience by instant death. I take this op- portunity, likewise, to assure you, soldiers, of my thanks for the obedience, perseverance, and ready contempt of every danger, v/hich you have generally cvincedj I assure you, nothing shall be wanting on my part to procure you the rewards of our government, and gratitude of your countrymen. " " fhey all appeared very much affected, and retired with assurances of perseverance in duty." Amidst these distresses, after a three month's win- ter's march, they explored their way to what they sap- posed to be the Red River, Here they were met by a party of Spanish cavalry, by whom Pike was in- formed, to his great astonishment, that they, were not on the Red River, but on the Rio del Norte, and ia the Spanish territory. All opposition to this force would have been idle, and he reluctantly submitted to accompany the Spaniards to Santa Fe, to appear before the governor. Though, to his great mortification, his expedition was thus broken off, all hardship was nov/ at an end. He was treated on the road with great respect and hospitality, though watched and guarded with much jealousy; but he still insisted on wearing his sword, and that his m^n retain their arms. In- deed, it was his resolution, liad he or any of his people been ill used, to surprise the guard, tarry off their hor^ ses, and make the best of their way to Apaches. 15^- i74f LIKE Of PIKE When he arrived at Santa Fe, his whole dress wns a blanket coat, blue trowsers, mockasons, and a scar- let cloth cap lined with a fox skin; his men were in leather coats with leggins, &c., and not a hat in the whole party. But he appeared before the governor with his usual spirit, and insisted on being treated with the respect due to an American officer. From Santa Fe he was sent to the capital ot the province of Biscay, to be exannined by the commandant general, where he was well received and entertained for some time, after which he was sent on his way home, under the escort of a strong party of horse. He arrived with his little band at Natchitoches, on the 1st of Jul>,180r. The most vexatious circumstance attending this un- expected sequel to his expedition, was the seizure of all his papers, except his private journal,, by the Spanish government. He had beenstfitled out with a complete set of mathematical and astronomical instru- Wients, and had made frequent and accurate observa- tions. He had thus ascertained the geographical situ- ation of the most important points, with much preci- sion, and had collected materials for an accurate map of a great part of the country he traversed. The sei- zure of these papers is a real loss to the cause of sci- ence. It is, however, in perfect conformity to that aarrovv and purblind policy which the old Spanish gov rnment uniformly manifested in the administra- tion of its co.onies. Pike, upon his return, received the thanks of the government; a committee of the house of representa- tives expressed their high senceof his **zeal, persever- ance, and intelligence," and the administration, much to its honour, bestowed upon him a more solid testi- mony of approbation, by a rapid promotion in the ar- my. He was immediately appointed captain, shortly after a mnjor, and upon the further enlargement of the aroiy in 1810, a colonel of infantry. Im^TiKdiately afa^r the decoration s?f war, Fiks was LIFE OF Pint;. 4 75 Stationed with his regiment upon the northern frontier, and upon the coiDmencement of the campaign of 1813, was appointed a brigadier general. There was a tincture of enthusiasm in Pike's char- acter which communicated itself to his whole conduct: in whatsoever pursuit he engaged, he entered upon it with his whole soul. But the profession of arns had been always his favourite stud)' — his life's employ- ment, and his leasure's charms/ Having served through every gradation of rank, almost from a private up to a general, and very often employed in seperate and independent commands, he was intimately ac- quainted with all the minutise of discipline. The vete- ran of a peace establishment is too apt, from the want of greater objects, to narrow his mind down to the little details of a military life, until, at length, every trifle swells up into ideal importance, and the cut of a coat or the tying of a neckcloth, seems big with the fate of nations. Pike was extremely attentive to all the particulars, even to the most minute points of dis- cipline and dress, yet he gave them their duQ impor- tance, and no more. — He did not degrade the soldier into a mere living machine, and whilst he kept up the strictest discipline, he laboured to make his men feel ?hat this severity arose not from caprice or ill t&mpef , but from principle, and that it had for its sole object their own glory, their ease, their health, and safety. Careless of popularity, and negligence of the arts by which good will is often conciliated, where there is no real esteem, by the unassuming simplicity and frankness of his manners, and the undeviating honour of his conduct, he bound to himself the hearts of all around him with the strong ties of respect and affec- ticn. Thus self formed, and thus situated, the eyes of the army were anxiously cast toward him as the cho- sen champion who was to redeem their re; utation from that disgrace with which it had been stiuiied by ii long series of disasters, The day for w.hich his 176 MPE OF PIKE. heart had long panted at length arrived — a bright day of glory tor the hero, of gloom and sorrow to has country. He was selected for the conimand of the land forces in an expedition againt York, the capita! of Upper Canada, and on the 25th of April, sailed from Sackett's Harbour in the squadron commanded by Commodore Chauacey. On the 27ih of April, Gen. Pike arrived at York, with about seventeen hundred chosen men, and im- mediately prepared to land. The spot which was se- lected for landing, was the site of an old French fort called Torento, of which scarcely any vestiges nov/ remain. The plan of attack was formed by General Pike himself, and clearly and minutely detailed in his general orders, which were directed to be read at she head of every corps; every field officer was also directed to carry a copy of them in order that he might at anv moment refer to them, and give expla- nations to his subordinates. Every thing was ar- j-anged, and every probable exigency provided for, %vith admirable method and precision. There is one paragraph of these orders which j^reathes so much of his own spirit, that I cannot for- bear extracting it. It is deeply stamped with that unity of character which was visible throughout al! his actionsp and which is, in truth, one of the strong- est marks of a powerful and original ndnd. *' No man will load until ordered, except the light troops in front, until within a short distance of the ene- my, and then charge bayonets; thus letting the enemy see that we can meet them with their own weapons. Any man firing or quitting his post without orders must be put to instant death, as an example may be necessary. Platoon ofHcers will pay the greatest atten- tion to the coolness and aim of their men in the fire; their regularity and dressing in the charge. The field officer will watch over the conduct of the whole. Courage and bravery in the field, do not more dis- tinguish the soldie^r than humanity after victory; aod LIFE OP PIKE. 177 ^T-hatever examples the savage allies of our enemies cnay have given us, the general confidently hopes that the blood of an unresisting or yielding enemy will never stain the weapons of the soldiers of his column. Property must be held sacred^ and any soldier who shall so far neglect the honour of his profe&sion as to be guilty of plundering the inhabitants shall, if con- victed be punished with death. But the commanding general assures the troops, that should they capture a large quantity of public stores, he will use his best endeavours to procure them a rev/ard from his gov- ernment.*' As soon as the debarkation commenced, a body of British grenadiers was paraded on the shore, and the Glengary Fencibles which had been disciplined with great care, and has repeatedly proved itself fully equal to any regular force, appeared at another point. Large bodies of Indians were also seen in different directions, whil© others filled the woods which skirted the shore. General Sheaffe commanded in person. Forsythe's rifiemen were tht* first to land, which they effected under a heavy fire ot musketry and ri- fles from the Indians aad British. As soon as the fire from the shore commenced, Major Fors}the had ordered his men to rest a few moments upon their oars, and return the fire. At this moment Pike was standing upon the deck of his ship. He saw the pause of his first division, and, impatient at the delay, exclaimed, ** I can stay here no longer, come juinp into the boat;'' and, springing into it, followed by his staff, was immediately rowed into the thickest of the fire. The infantry had followed the riflemen, and formed in platoons as soon as they reached the shore. — Gcno Pike took the command of the first platoon which he reachrd, and ordered to prepare for a charge. They mounted the bank, and the enemy, after a short con- flict, broke at once, and fled ia disorder towards the work?* At that moment the sound of Forsythe's ba? ^ ' ® LIFE OF PIKE. gle was heard, announcing his success at another \ioitit. Its edect upon the Indians was almost electrical; they gave a horrible yell and fied in every direction. The whole force, being now landed was again formed and led on by General Pike in person, to attack the enemy's works. They advanced through the woods, and after carrying one battery hy assault, in the most gallant manner, raoved'on in columns towarks the main work. The fire of the enemy was soon silenced by our artillery, and a flag of surrender was expected, when a terrible explosion suddenly took place from the British magazine, which had been previously pre- pared for this purpose. Pike, after aiding in remov- ing a wounded man with his own hands, had sat down on 'he stump ot a tree with a British Serjeant, who had been taken, and was employed with Captain Nich- olson and one of his aids, in examining the prisoner^ 1 he explosion was tremendous; an immense quantity of large stones were thrown in every direction with incredible force, and scattered destruction and confu- sion around among our troops. The general his aid. Captain Nicholson, and the prisoner fell together, all except the aid, mortally wounded. General Pike had been struck on the breast by a heavy stone. Shortly after he received the blow, he said to his wounded aid, *' I am mortall) wounded — write to my friend D and tell him what you know of the battle, and to com- fort my -^ — ." In the same broken manner, he af- terwards added several other requests relating to his private affairs. The troops were instantly formed again; as a body of them passed by their wounded general, he said " Push on, brave fellows, and averge your general.*^ While the surgeons were carrying him out of the field, a tumultuous huzza was heard from our troops; Pike turned his head with an anxious look of enquiry; he was told by a sergeant, ''The British union jack is coming down general — the stars arc: going up." He heaved a heavy sigh, and smiled. He was then ear- I LIFE OF PIKE. ly^ Vied on board the commodore's ship, where he lived for a few hours. Just before he breathed his last the British standard was brought to him; he made a sign to have it placed under his head, and expired without a groan. The death of General Pike, at such a period, was a great public misfortune; his countrymen did not know half the extent of their loss, Ciallant spirit! It was thine to "wash out with thy life blood the foul remembrance of our country's shame — of those disgraces which had blasted her ho- nour, and tarnished the ancient glories of her arnis. It was thine in life, and in death, to give to your companions in arms a great example of chivalrous honour and heroic courage; — it was thine to lead them to the threshold of the temple of fame, and bid them enter on a long career of glory. Gallant spirit! thy country will not forget thee; thou shah have a noble memory. When a greatful nation confers upon the heroes of Niagara ana Erie ihe lau- rels they have so nobly earned, she v^ill bid them re- neember that those laurels were first gathered on the shores of York, and were watered by the blood of a heroe; and hereafter when our children and childrens children shall read the story of patriots and heroes who have gallantly fallen in the arms of victory; when their eyes glisten and Jheir } oung hearts throb wildly »t the kindling theme, they will close \he volume which tells of Epaminondas, of Sydney, or of VV^olfe, acd proudly exclaim, «* And we too, had our Moct- ^ornery and our Pike," LIFE OF HAEHISON. William Heni^y Harrison, was born in Vir^i. B*u, at a place called Beckley, on the James river, twenty miles below Kichmond, and his descent is from one of the oldest and most respectable families of that state. He was destined by his lather to the study and practice of physic. Accordingly, after receiving a suitable school education, he commenced the study with Doctor Liepcr of Richmond, and was on his way to Philadrlphia, with a view to finish his studies, when he heard of his lather's death It was a profession not congenial with his views, and ha therefore at that juncture, abandoned it, and took a commission in the United States' army. After spending a few weeks in the recruiting ser- vice at Philadelphia he proceeded to the North-west- er territory, and joined his regiment at Fort Wash- ington, a few days after St. Clairs defeats. He was then but nineteen vear^ of agej a stripling, to appear- ance wretchedly qualified to endure tiic latigues of a campaign in the viilderness. His first enterprise was with a detachment of twen- ty men, ordered to escort some pack horses to Fort Hamilton. It was attended^ with great dangers and privations, but was executeci so satisfactorily as to draw from Gen. St. Clair the warmest public thanlcs. Soon after, Gen. St. Clair returned to Philadelphia, and Wilkinson took command in his place. The year following, (1792) vvas occupied in raising and discip* lining a new army, which descended the Ohio and encamped near Cincinnatti, in Jone 1793, under com- mand of General Wayne. Here Harrison joined them and was appointed second aid-de-camp to the commander in chief, and from that place they march- ed to Greenville and took up winter ,quarte«-s. In Jane 1794, they took up a Hue of march against the Indians, and on the 20th of August came into an en- gagement with them at the foot of the Miami Rapids. and soon routed them. Here Harrison a5:ted a Con- LlVI^ OF HARIUSON. =^8^ . icuous part, and acquitted himself with honour l his bactle had the desired effect; the Indians sued for ptacc; and a tieaty w.ss effected the year following. In 17j5 he was coinmissioned captain, and in tb« avitunin (*f the same year, married a daughter of John C'oeeves Symnes, Esq. a judge of the north- western trrritory. Gen. Wayne having retired to the Atlan- tic States, left him in command of Fort Washington, where he continued until 1797, and as the country- was at peace, retired from the army, and was sooa afterwards appointed Secretary of the north- vvestersa territory. In the year 1799, he was st?nt Delegate to Congress from that territory, and at the formation of the Indi- ana territory w^^ appointed first Governor of it, to the capital of which, ( Vmccnnes,) he removed witk his famil), in 1801. The civil administration of G^^n. Harrison, although i^.ot marked with sucli brilliant circumstances as his ndlitary operations, was notwithstanding, managed with equal judgment. At the celebrated battle of Tippacanoe, in 1811, Gen. Harrison,, as Governor, was at the head of the troops and directed the action, which terminated in completely routing the Indians, and of destroying a treacherous and formidable conspiracy against the tei- ritory. The war with Great Britain gavne him another op- portunity of displaying his military character. At the capture of General Hull and his army, and the surrender of the Michigan territory, in 1812, Gen, Harrison, was called to the command of the north- western army, and ordered to collect what forces he could; and if possible advance to Detroit avid reduce ?vialdcn during that fall. Accordingly he hastened to the frontier, Si after surmouniing the greatest difficul- ties, arrived at the foot of the Miami rapids. — A pre- mature movement had, however, been made by Gen, Winchester, and which ended in the defeat and cap- 16 ^BB LIFE OF HARmSON. ture of himself and army. In consequence, all nop°B of effecting the objects ot the campaign, during that season, were at an end. He thereiorc took up winter quarters on the Miami, at Fort IVleigs, where he was attacked in the spring by the British army, under Gen. Proctor, with a force vastly superior. The British general opened his batteries and continued firing irom the 1st to the 5th of August, and finding it impossi- ble to carry on the siege to effect, made a precipitate retreat, on the 9iho Gen. Harrison's army being aug- mented to about 3,S00, he prepared to follow the ene- my, and passing Maiden and Detroit, which ihcy h-id abandoned, crossed the Thames at Arnold's Mills, and soon after came into engagement. His backwoods horsemen were drawn up, and charged the enemy's line at full speed. This had the desired effect: shtir Tanks were immtdiateiy broken, and the arnty surren- dered to Gen. Harrison, Gen. Proctor having made his escape with a few dragoons and mounted IndianSo The defence of Fort Meigs, and the subsequent capture of the British army, n)ay be fairly considered the most brilliant and extraordinary events of the late war. T^ese were his last military achievements. A trea- ty of peace was concluded with Great Britain, and his services being no longer wanted, he retired, with *« blushing honours thick upon him." to the bosom of his friencls, and to the enjoyment of domestic happi- ;£oess. LIFE OF JACKSON. Andrew Jackson, is of Irish parentage. His faiher and mother emigrated to South Carolina, in the year 1765, with two sons, both young, and pur- chased a tract of land, on which they settled, in vvhat^ was then called the Waxaw scttlennent, about fotty- five n/iles above Camden. Here was born, on the 15th JNlarch, in the year 1767, Andrew, the subject of the present sketch. His lather died soon after, leaving the three children to be provided for by the mother, a woman who would seem to have possessed excellent feelings and considerable strength of mind» The scantiness of their patrimony allowed only one of them to be liberally cnducatedj and this was Andrew, whom she destined for the sacred ministry. He was sent to a flourishing academy in the settlement, where he remained, occupied vvi^.h jhe dead languages, until the revolutionary war brought an enemy into his neighborhood, whose approach left no alternative but the choice of the British or American banners. The intrepid and ardent boy, encouraged by his patriotic mother, hastened at the age of fourteen, in company with one of his brothers, to the American camp, and enlisted in the service of his country. The eldesi; of the three had already lost his life in the same ser- vice, at the battle of Stono. The survivors Andrew and liobcrt, having been suffered to attend the county drill and general musters, were not unacquainted with the manucl exercise and field evolutions. After retiring into North Carolina, before the Brit- ish army, with their corps, they returned to Waxaw settlement, and found themselves suddenly engaged with a superior British force, who surprised a gallant band of forty patriots, to which they belonged, routed it and took eleven prisoners. Andrew Jackson and his brother escaped from the field, after fighting brave- ly; but, having entered a house, next day, in order to procure food, they fell into the hands of ^ corps of i^B-^ LIFE OF JACKSON. British dragoons, and a party of torij«, that v/e.^ marauding together. Andrew, when under guard., was ordt'ied by a British officer, in a haughty man- iicr, to clean his boots; the youth perennptorily refiis- cd to do so, claiming, with (irmntss, the treatment doe to a prisoner ot war. The officer aimed a blow at his ht?d with a sabre, which would have proved fatal, had he not parried it v/ith his left hand, on xvhic|h h^ received a severe wour.'d. His brother, at ihe same time, and for a similar offtnce, received a gash on the head, which afterwards occasioned his death. Thus, did hh only relatives, two of this es- timable family, perish m the spring of life, martyrs to iheir pairiotlc aod courageous spiriL Audrtw awd his compaciun were cons'irx.cd lo jasl, ia separate apartments, an«i treated w'nh the ut .chi harshoesSp ■^nVil, through the exertions of their fond o. ether, they nycre exchanged, a few days aftt;r the b^ule. Th: %vorthy woman, worn down by grief, and the fatigue- she had undergone in seeking clothes and other com- forts for ail the prisoners who had been taken from her Sieighbourhood, expired in the course of the foliowint month, in the vicinity of Charleston. At the period of this melancholy loss, Andrew was languishing un> <]er sickness, the consequence of his sufferings in pri- son, and his exposure to inclement weather en his re- turn home. The small pox supervened and nearly terminated his sorrows and his life. But a constitu- tion originally good, and vigorous tone of mind, ena- bled him to survive this complication of ills. He re- covered, and entered upon the enjoyment of his pat- rimony, which, though it might have been sufficient for the completion of his education, with judicious management, soon dwindled to very little in hands unused to such a charge. He returned to his classi- cal studies; as a means of his future subsistence, with increased iniustryj and, at the age of eighteen, in the winter of 178 1, repaired to Salisbury, in North Caro- lina, to a lawyer's office, in which he prepared himsfli ior the bar. la the winter of 1736, he obtaiced a li LIFE OF JACirSON- 18^ cense to practice, but finding this theatre unfavorable for advancement, eniigrate(i to Nabhville in 1788, and there fixed his residence. Success attended his indus- try and talents; he acquired a lucrative business in the courts, and ere long was appointed attorney-general lor the district; in which capacity he continued to acC tor several years. Tennc-jsee being at that time exposed, even in the heart of the settlements, to the incursions of the Indi- ans, he became like all around him, a soldiev^ and one whose activity and resolution soon made him as conspicuous as he was useful. The progress which he made in public estimation, by his abilities and ser° vices, is marked by his election, in 1796, to the Con- vention assembled to trame a constitution tor ihe state* In this body he acquired an additional distinction, which placed him, the same year, in Congress, in the House of Representatives, and the following year ia the Senate of the United States. He acted invariably with the republican party in the National Legislature, but grev/ tired of an unavailing struggle in a small mi- 2iority, and of a scence of discussion and intrigue for which he did not deem himself as well fitted as the auscessor, for whose sake, no less than for his own gratification, he resigned his post in 179^. ^^e have heard some gentlemen who were members of Cor«» gress during the time he remained in it, remark that he was generally esteemed for the soundness of his understanding, and the moderation of his demeanour.. Though steadfast and earnest as a party politician, he manifested neither violence nor illibrrality. While a senator, he was chosen by the fit-ld officers of the Ten- nessee militia, without consultation with him, m jjor- general of their division, and so remained until 1814, when he took the same rank in the service of the U. States. On his resignation as- senator, he was ap- pointed one of the judges of the siipreme court of Tennessee. He accepted this appointment with reluc« ivace, and withdrew from the bench as soon as posis** ♦ iS€ LIFE OF JACKSON. ble, with the determination to spend the rest of hi^ lite in tranquility and seclusion, on a beautiful farm belonging to him, and lying on the Cumberlnnd rivtt* about ten miles from Nashville. In this retreat he passed several years, happy in the indulgence of his fondness for. rural occupations, and in the society of an affectionate wife and a number of honest friends. His quiet felicity was, however, broken up by the occurrence of the war with Great Britain. It roused his martial and patriotic temper; and when the act of congress (of the 6ih of February, and July 1812) which authorized the president to accept the services of fifty thousand volunteers, were promulgated, Jack- son published an energetic address to the militia or' his divison, drew two thousand five hundred of thenrj ito his standard, and tendered them without delay to 'the federal government. In Nf-vember he received -orders to descend the Mississippi, for the defence of ihe lovver country, which was then thought to be \n 'dani^er. In January, in a very inclement season, he •tconductfrd his troops as far as Natchez, wnere he ■%vas instructed to remain until otherwise directed, ^Here he employed himself indefatigably, in training I and preparing them for service. But, the danger which was meant to be repelled, having ceased to exist, in the opinion of the secretary of war, he received instruc- tions, from the latter, to dismiss, at ore;?, from service, thr.se under his comnr^and. The number of sick in his camp was great, and they were destitute of the fiieans of defraying the expenses of their return hornet The rest of his troops, from the same dearth of resour- • tes, must have enlisted in the regular army, under General Wilkinson. Jackson felt himself responf:ibI,2 for the restoration of them to their families and friends, and therefore, resolved to disobey the orders of the 'depart:nen? of war, whose head could not be acquaint- •@d with the circumstances of the case. He retained IS much of the public proptrty in his possession, as MYAS n^c.easary to his nurpost; of marching thtm back. LIl'E OF JACKSO-V 187'- Vilkinson remonstrated and admonished in vain« Jackson replied that he would beiir the rtsponsibility ^ — he refused to allow Wilkinson's ofHcers, vvheia com- niissioned, to recruit from his fvrm^ ; seized upon the waggons, required for the transportation of hia sick, and set out' with thi3 whole of his force. He gave up his c^vn .horses to the infirm^ and shared in all the hardships of the soldiers in a long and arduous march. It was at the time of \ear w-hen the roads ond swamps, to be trodden were in the worst condition. His ex- ample silenced all complaint, and endered him the more to his companions. On his arrival at Nashville he communicated to the president of the United States what he had done, and the reasons by which he had been guided. His conduct vvas approved of at Wash-=- ingtoh, and the expenses, which he had incurred, di- rected to be paid. V/e have mentioned thi^ affair particularly, because it is the most remarkable among the first instances in his history, of that lofty inde- pendence in judgment and action, and that disdain of conseqaences in the discharge uf a paramount duty, v;h^eh have since signalia^^d his career botli military and civiL We have now reached what may be called the second principal era of his life. The British and the celebrated Tccumsch had stor- ed up the Greek nation of Indians, parties of wh-^m made irruptions into the state of Tennessee, commit- ting the most barbarous outrages opon defenceless ^srd insulated families. Having obtained a supplv of am- munition from the Spaniards at Pensacoli, a band of six or seven hundred warriors assaulted Fovt Jlimms^ situated in the Tensaw setdement, in the Mississippi territory, succeeded rn carrying it, and butchered nearly all its inmates; three hundred persons, inchid- 3ng women and children. Ordy seventeen of the whole number escaped to spread intelligence of the dreadful catastrophe. The news produced the strcng- sstsensation aq Tennessee; and ail eyes were, atonsej. iSS Li't't OF JACKSON. turned lo J^ickson as the leader of the force uhic/, mast be sent forth to overtake and punish the rtiiscrc anvs. He was, at this time, eonfined to his chauibtr with a fractured arm and a wound in the breast, inju- ries received in a privat rencontre, it was resolved by the legislature to call into service thirty-five hun- dred ci the miliiia, to be marched into the heart of the Creek nation, conformably to the advice of Jack- son, who, riOtvvithstanding the bodily ills under which he laboured, readily undertook the chief command iu the expedition* He issued an eloquent and nervous address to the troops, on the day of the rendt zvous, in which he told them, among other things — ''We niu'^i and vj\\\ be victorious— we must conquer as men who owe nothing to chance; and, who, in the midst of victory, can still be mindful of what is due to huii);,-.nity." On the 7ih October, 1813, he reach- ed the encampment, although his health was far from bting restored, h would require too much space to follawjiim in all the moverrevits of a campaign, in which he appears as a most skilful commander, vigi- lant disciplinarion, and dauntless soldier. He had to contend not only with a formidable enemy, but with raw and mutinous followers aud the severest personal hardships. The most fatiguing and prolonged mar- ches over mountaii.s & throngh morasses; the frequent- and almost total want of food of any kind, the failure of contractors; the inefficierjcy or defection of higher offirers, and a protracted and perilous absence from home, extenuate the occasional despondencv anH dis- obedience of the privates of his division. Under the worst circum.stances, he displaved the utmost resolu- tion and fortitude, and by his indexible spirit and tone of perseverance, he brought the enterprise to the most satisfactory issue. The first battle v/hich he fought, in person, on this occasion, was that of Talladega, a fort of the friend- ly Cherokee Indians, distant about thirty miles below Fort Sirothcr, on the north bank of the riyer CoQ6a*^^ LIFE OP JxVCKSOX. 189 Tiie Creeks were posted within a quarter of a mile of i^ort Talladega, in considerable force.. At seven o'clock in the morning, Jackson's columns w§re dvs- played in order of baitle. At about eight, his ad- vance having arrived within eighty yards of the ene- my, received a heavy fire, which they inbtaiitiy return- ed, and the engagement soon becanse gei^cral. In fif- teen minutes the Creeks were seen flying in every di- rection, and were pursued uniil they reached the Diouniains, at the distance of about three miles. Their irumbers amounted to one thou&and and eighly, of whom two-hundred and ninety-nine were left dead on the ground. Their whole loss, in the engagement & re- treaty as since stated by themselves, was not less thau six hundred. On the side ol the Americans, fitieea %vere killed and eighty wounded, and several of tiie latter soon died. The fort was full oi friendly Indi- ans, who had been besieged for several days, and would have been massacred; but for the arrival and victory of General Jackson. Wa»-.t of provisions compelled him to hasten back, after collecting his dead and wounded, to Fort Siroiher. He particularly la- mented the necessity of this step, as it gave the enemy time to recover from their consternation and recruit thtir strengih. At Fort Sirother, no stores were found by the fam^ 35hed army on thtir return, owing to the delii quency tfthe contractors, jickson distributed all his own supplies to the suffering soldiers — tripes constituted Ills &ole diet for several days. Scarcity engendered discontent and revolt in the cair^p. The (.fficcrs and soldiers of the militia determined to abandon the S:rr- vice. Ou the morning when ihey were to carry thtir inieuiion into effect. General Jackson drew up the vo- lunteer compcjnics in front of them, with a mandate to prevent their progress— ihcy had not courage to advance. They returned to their quarters, but, ou the next day, the very volunteers who had been so ip.^ployed, mutinied in thf;ir turn and designed to '■^^^ LIFE OF JACKSOiN. move off in a body. Their surprise was not slight when, on attempting this, they iound the same men whom they had mtercepted the day before, occupying the very position which they had done, for a similar purpose. The militia were glad to retaliate, and the result was the same. J on account of his manifold emharrassments and inadequate means. Jackson replied to him, re- ptlling his suggestion, and urging him to lend assis- tance to sustain the honor of Tennessee, and piroteet the frontiers from thousands of exasperated sav<}geSo This wise and urgent remonstrance finally procured for him reinforcements, or rat*'er, sulistitutes fur the companies, which he deemed it advisable to dismiss in consequence of their disaffection. Once more, in the middle of January, 1814, he was un his march, bending his course to a part of the Tallapoosa river, near the mouth of a creek called Emuckfaw. On the 21*^t^ he discovered that he was in the neighorhood of the enemv. About midnight his spies came in and reported that they had^iscover- cd a large encampment of Indians, at abrut three miles distance, who, bv their whooping and dancing, were, no doubt apprised of his arrival upon the emi- nences of Emuckfaw. At the dawn of day the alarm guns of the sentinels, and the shrieks and savage yells of the enemy announced an assault. The action raged for an half hour, when the Indians were put to the route. G*fneral Coffee, with four hundred men, was detached to destroy the enemv's encampment, Ke found it too strong to be assailed wi.'h that force, and -had scarcely returned when the savages renewed their attack with increased numbers and the greatest im- petuosity. The whole day vvas spent in severe fight- ing, attended Ijy the destruction of a multitude of the assailants. Thev were quiet during the night; hut, Jackson perceiving that his provisions were growing scarce, and that his wounded required immediate care, 'determined on the next day to retrace his steps. The -retreat began at ten o'clock, and was continued with- out interruption, until night, when the army was en- camped a quiirter of a mile on the south side of Eno» ^ichopco cree4;, im the direction of the ford by which IDB LIFE OF JACKSON. it lay and by which they bad already passed. Th-:, next day, after the front guard and part ot the columns had crossed, the enemy who had, been in pursuit, rushed iron coverts upon the rear and ihrc:w the guard into contusion. Jackson was just passing the stream when the firing and ytUing commenced. He repaired instantaneously to the plaoe of action; form- ed the cohumns anew, and nut theuv in motion, in the midst of showers ot balls, The savages, being v/arm- ly pressed m their turn, broke and fled; and, in a chase of two miles, were entirely dispersed. At one mo- nFient, the destruction ot the whole Tennessee band appeared, almost inevitable. The total loss on the American side in the several er*gagements which we have just nr^entioned, was only twenty killed and seventy- five wounded. The lifelt;-'^ bodies of one hundred and nincty-nine of the enemy' H'aniors were found; the number of their wounded cculd not be conjectured. On the night of the 26th, Jackson encamped within three miles of Fort Strother; having acconfiplished the several objects of this peril- ous expedition; which were a diversion in favor of General Floyd, who was advancing with the army from Georgia; the prevention of a meditated attack upon Fort Armstrong by the savage bands, a consid- erable part of whom he either destroved or dispersed; and the counteraction of discontent in his ranks, for which activitv^and battk were the best remedies. In February he discharged the volunteers and his artillery company, receiving in their stead fresh mi- litia drafted for the occa-^ion. One private of these he caused to be executed for mutiny, before the end ot the month— an example of severity which had the happiest effect in regard to general subordinatiouc He suffered again, in an extreme degree, frotn the scarcity of provisioas; but having at last by constant exertions, removed this obstacle to his plan ot pene- trating further into the enemv\s countrv, he set ou' OF. the 16th of March from Fort Sirother, and haltec Lft'E OP JACKSGNo a the 2'1st at the mouth of Cedar Creek. Here ie.irning that the savages were still embodic'c], and were strongly posted not far frotii New Youcka on the Talfapoosa, he resolved to march upon them, as soota ars the proper arrangements could be made for pre- serving his rear in safetVo On the 24th he proceeded v»rith his whoie force, which was less than three thousand effective men, and in the morning of the 27ih, after a march of fiity three miles reached the village of Tohoptka„ The enemy having gained intelligence of his approach, collected in considerable numbers with a view to give him bat- t-le. Their position was admirably calculated for de- fence. Surrounded almost entirely b} the river, ic was accessible only by a narrow neck (;f land, ol S50 yards in width, which they had taken much pains to secure and defend by placing large timber and trunks of trees horizontally on each other, leaving but a single place of entrance. From a double roiv of port hole© formed in it, they were enabled to direct their fire with a sure aim, while they appeared to be secure be- hind. We need not follow out the details of this briHianr. ^iTair, so well known by the name of the battle of Tohoptlia or Hovi<€ Shoe. 1 he contest was obsti- nate and bloody. Jackijon^s troops finally scaled the ramparts of the savages, who, disdaining to surrender^ leaped down the banks of the river, when they could no longer defend themselves from behind the timber and brusho The carnage continued until night sepa- rated the conriibatants. The general result was the destruction of the bravest of the Indian warriors and the ruin of their cause, ^Five hundred and fifty se vera ef them were left dead on the peninsula. A multi* fade perished in the river. Three hundred women and children were taken prisoners, ai^d treated with humanity. The loss of the victors, including the %kndly Indians, was fiftv-five killed and onehuRdre^ iit^ LIFE OF JACESGN. and forty-six wounded; among the former were somt gallant ufficers. Having thus struck a decisive blow, Jacks<3n re- turned with his wounded, to Fort WilUanns. On the 2d of April, -he published an address to his army, in which he comphmented their courage and conduct, but told them that more remained to be done. Un* derstanding that the eaemy was yet strong at Hcrth- lewalee, a town situated not far Irom the J-lickory ground, or that part of the Creek country lying in the forks near the junction of the Coosa or Tallapoosa, he was anxious to resume operations as soon as possi- ble, and unite With the North Carolina and Gv;orgia iroops, who were announced to be at no great dis- tance, somewhere south af the Tallapoosa. On the minth of April, he was on his march, with all his dis- TDOsable force, but did not reach Horthlewalee until the 13th, owing to heavy rams which had sivollen the streams that were to be crossedc— The delay afforded ^n opportunity to the savages ^o escape by flight frorn their pursuer, who soon afterwards ciFectcd his junc- tion with the Georgia detachments At the Hickory ground, the principal chiefs of the hostile tribes sued for peace«--those who rt^ected this measure, had sought jefuge along the coast and in Pensacola. Jackson prescribed to those who were disposed to renew their "friendly relatioub with the United States, that they should retire and occupy the country about Fort Wil- liams and to the east ol the Coosa^ a condition which was readily accepted; and which put it out of thtir power to renew hostilities with advantage at an\ time« Strong parties ot -militia were sent out to range the country and receive the submission of the natives. Much of the .property plundered by them at Fort jMimms and along the frontiers was brought in and delivered up» All resistance being at an end, and there being.no longer «ny necessity formaintriiniiig an army in the fields orders were issued on the Sl^^t of April, for the Tennessee troops to be marched bon>£ aod dischargeda MFE OF JACKSOlTi i9&^ Such is the mere outline of the famous Creek war^ m which Jackson, by the celerity of his movements, the inflexibility of his will, and the confidence with which his genius and demeanor inspired his associates, accomplished as much within a tew months as could be thought posbible, consistently with the nature and number of his army. The complete and final discomfiture of so formi- dable a foe as this confederacy of Indians, dre\r the attention of the general government to the Tennessee commander, and produced a speedy manifestation o£ respect entertained for his services and character, in bis appointment as brigadier and brevet Major-gene- ral in the regular army. A conr.mission ot Major- general was fowarded to him in May, 1814;. The government deemed it advisable to enter into a treaty with the vanquished Indians, for the purpose chiefiv of restricting their limits so as to cut oft their commu- nication with the British and Spanish agents. Gene- ral Jackson was deputed wiih Colonel Hawkins as commissioner to negotiate with the Creeks; and orv the 10th of July, he reached Alaba^n^ on this errand, and by the lOih of August aecomplibhed an agreement, under which the Indians bound themselves to hold no communicaison with the British or Spanish garrisons^ or foreign eniiHsaries, and conceded to the United States, the right of erecting military posts in their country. The contraction and definition of their ter- ritorial limits were attended with considerable difE*- culty, but Jackson peremptorily and successfully in» sisted upon what he deemed necessary for the future security and permanent benefit of the United States. During this transaction his mind was struck with the importance of depriving the fugitive and refractory savages, of the aid and incitement which were admin- istered to them in East Florida, and he at once urged on the President the propriety of attacking and dis- mantling Pensacola. He studied particularly^ to ob- tain iaformation of ;he designs which the British might ^m> i^lFJEi OF JACKS^O:^?. liias'.eufarimedi against- the southern parts of the Unicoi Wh: alrfi.Rd|v anticipated the. attack, on New Orleans*. Hh addressed^ on his own accord, connplaints to the GoveruQrof.PensaGola^ and summoned hiai to deliver up tht chiefs of theihostile Indians, w-ho were harbour- ed; in the fortress. The Governor refused and re- criminated^ The American olficer whom Jackson, despatched to^ Pensacola with his, expostulations, re- ported on his return^ that he saw there nearly two hundred British officers and^ soldiers,, and about five- liundred. Indians under the training of those officers, armed with new muskets, and dressed in English uni- fornip Jackson repeated his instances with the gov- ••ernment, to be allowed ** to plan: the American Eagle" on the Spanish walls. He addressed the governors to him and to every kind ot miikary service. The enemy were abundantly active on their side though at first ignorant of his situation and designs. They brought up in the direction of their encampment, their artillery, bombs and ammunition. By means of a battery which they erected in the night of the 27th, they destroyed the American armed schooner Caroline, lying under the opposite shore. Gathering hardihood from this circumstance, which in fact, deprived Jack- son of a material aid, the) left their encampment and moved towards the American lines. Their numbers- had been increased and sir Edward Packcnham, their commander in chief, led them in person on the 28tb' December, to storm the works.. Their heavy artilery discharged showers of bombs, balls, and rockets. These it v/as thought would t-nsure success; and they were moving forward with all the pride and pomp o0 war, when the American batteries opened and caused their advance to halt. The conflict continued in seve- ral quarters until the assailants, being too roughly handled, abandoned for a time, the general attack which' they meditated. One hundred and twenty of them were killed and wounded; the loss of the Americans did not ; exceed nine killed and eight or ten wounded. While Jackson and his comrades were thus bravely^ fepelling the foe, a panic seized the legislature of New Orleans, Apprized that it was secretly agitated to-^ oflFef terms of capitulation, he directed the governor to* arrest the members and hold them subject to his fur- ther orders, the moment the project of surrendering should be fully disclosed. The governor at once placed- an armed force at the door of the capitol; prevented the members from convening, h thus stiEed whatever schemes might have been proposed. Various and- 3cl rewd devices were practiced by Jackson to conceal from the enemy the comparative paucity of this force. ?.Lid the miserable dearth ol arms in his camg. Ero:* UiFE OF JACKSON. ^ag ■ tne gei-icral government no supply of arms and ord- nance had been received, except one boatload brought down the Mississippi by general Carroll. Skirmishes tilone, by advanced parti -s, occurred for several days after the attack of ih^. ^8th Dec. The British were encamped two miles below the American army, oo a perfect plain, and in full view. In the interval between the period just mentioned and the 1st of January, they were busy in prcparis^g for another assault on an enlarged scale. An iinpcnetrai^le fog prevailed during the night of the 31st, a>id until nine oVlcjck the following morning: when that was dis- pelled, there stood disclosed to the Americans, several heavy batteries, at the distance of six hundred yards, mounting eighteen twenty-four pound <:arrunades.o These were immedEateJy opent:d by the British, and a tremendous discharge' of anilltry, accontpanitvd by Congreve rockets, -was masned uniill near noon. A vast number of ball|> were directed against the building in which Jackson ivas believed to be in. It was bat- tered into a heap of ruitvs, but the general, accordmg to his custom, had repaired to the line as soon as he heard the sound of the enemy's cannon. The roar of the American guns proved that there would be a vig~ orous defence: and with such effect were they man- aged, that the British batteries ^ese disabled; and the assailants compelled to retire, by three o'clock, despairing of a breach in the line, and astonished at the precision with which the ^'Yankees" threw their shut. An advance was made upon -general Cc ffee-s brigade, in order to turn the left, but with no better success. To be prepared against all contingenrles Jackson had established another lin<* oi d«^fence about two miles in the rear, and where his unarn^ed troojTS ^no inconsiderable number) were stationed as a shew of strength. On the 4th oT January, arri-ved the long espe-cted reinforcement from Kentucky, amountmg to two thou» ■sand two hundred and fifty men, of whom about five 'liundred had muskets, and the rest ^unsp Ixom wlvicl^ •^OJ OFE OF JACKSJ3N. ^little or no service could be anticipated. New OrlesiiS had been previously searched for weapons and strip° vpfcd of whatever were discovered. The British were at the same time reim^orce'd in a much more satisfac- tory way for them. Now approached the great ane! last struggle. General Jackson, unmoved by appear- atices, anxiously desired it — he st-ldem slept — he was always at his post, that theyc might be no relaxation of vigiiance on any sine* Oq the memorable 8th of Jamicm}, the signals, in- tended to produce concert in the enemy's move-ments, were descried at'drivvn: They were prepared to storm the line, and the charge was made with so much celer- ity that the American soldiers at the out posts had starcely time to fly in. Showers oi bombs and balls were poured from new batteries. The two Brit- ish divisions commanded by Sir Edward Packenhami in person, pressed forward. A thick log enabled them to approach within a short distance of the 'm- trenchments before they were discovered: but this cir- cumstance ensured ihem defeat and deslruction. The American artillery and small arms, discharged in a continual volley, mowed down thtir works and ar- rested their progress. The fatal aim of the western marksmen was never €o tenibiy exemplined. Sir Edward Packenham, seeing that his troops wavered and receded, hastened lo the front, but quickly fell mortally vv^ounded, in the arms of his aid-de-carr p„ <7enerais Gibbs and Keene were also dangerously hurt and borne from the field, which by this time was strewed with dead and dying. The British columns, often broken and driven back, were iepeatedlv formed and urged forward anew. Convinced at last that nothing could be Hccomplished, ^hey at>andoned the contest, and a general and dismderlv retreat ensued. One American redoubt was carried by superior n urn- 'foers, but quickly evacuated under the fire of the rifle- men at the line. So great w is the carnage of t'bi: SfiiisJa; so perilous the disorder into which they Vf-^tt iilFE OF JACKSON. 2§M ^hr6wn, fhat had arms been possessed by -that large portion of the American militia who had remained inactive and useless for the want of them, the ivhotc British force must have s^irrendered. But, under the peculiar circumstances of the case, Jackson was unable to attempt, without extreme rashness, a pursuk of the vanquished. He adopted the safe alternative of continuing in his position. According to General Lambert^s official report of the afFiiir of the ^ih, the British loss, in the main at« tack on the left bank of the river, amounted to up- wards of two thousand men, in killed, wounded and prisoners. It may be estimated at nearly t/ir€e thoU" sand^ while that of the Americans was but thirteen^ The fffectite force of the latter at the line of the left bank, was three thousand seven hundred — that of the enemy at least nine thousand. The whole force land- ed from the British ships in Louisiana is believed to bave been about fourteen thousands The British Commander in Chief, and Major General Gibbs died of their wounds, besides many ot the most valued and distinguished British officers. On the ninth the enemy requested and obtained an armistice of some hours to bury their dead^ After the action ot the 8th the American batteries were continually throwing balls, and bombs, into the British camp. Harrassed, dismayed, and enfeebled, that once powerful army which was to arrive at New Orleans by a prtmrose path, and hold in subjectionr all the lower region of the Mississippi, took a final and furtive leave in the night of the 18th of January, and embarked in their shipping for the West Indies^. Thus ended the mighty invasion, in twenty -six days after the foreign standard hadlbeen exultingly planted on the bank of the Mississippi. Thus triumphed General Jackson^ by a wonderful combination of bold" oess and prudence; energy and adroitness, desperate fortitude and anxious patriotism. Though the enemy had withdrawn from NtW Qr- MO'B LIFE OF JACHSOl.. leans in the manner which has been stated, Jackson could not be sure that they would not return. Against this contingency, he prepared himself by cautious ar- rangements ill the distribution of his force and the construction of new defences at assailable points, be- fore he returned to New Orleans. In that city he was received as a deliverer — almost every mind was Icindled to enthusiasm from the consideration of the evils which he had averted, as well as of the victories which he had gained. The most solemn and lively demonstrations of public respect and gratitude suc- ceeded each other daily, until the period of his de- parture for Nashville soon after the anunciation of the peace concluded at Ghent bevwcen Great Britain and the United States. Though honoured and cherished by the larger part of the citizens, he was not, however without occasion to display the energy and decision of his character in a way that favoured the ends of jeal- ousy and detraction. Anonymous articles calcukted to excite mutiny among the troops and aiTord the enemy dangerous intelligence, having appeared in one of the newspapers of New Orleans, he caused the author to be revealed to him by the editor of the paper. He found that the offender was a meraberof the Legislature, but this circumstance did not prevent him from ordering his arrest and detention for trial. Application was made to one of the Judges for a writ of Habeas Cor° pus and it was immediately issued. We have already mentioned that Jackson arrested the Judge also and sent him from the city. We new advert again to-this incident, in order to relate the sequel. The General had not yet raised the edict of martial law, there be- ing no certain intelligence of peace or of the departure of the enemy from the coast. Within a few days the cessation of hostilities was officially announced. The iudge was restored to his post and the exercise of his functions. V/ithout loss of time a rule of court was granted for General Jackson to appear and show cause why an attachment Jorconteinpt should not issuc^ oc LIFE OF JACK30W. %0T ;hte ground that he had refused to obey a writ and im- prisoned the organ of the law. He did not hesitate to appear and submit a full and very able answer, jus« tifying his proceedings. After argument before the Court, the rule was made absolute; an attachment sued out, and Jackson brought up to answer interrog- atories. He declined answering themj but asked for the sentence, which the Judge then proceeded to pass. It was a fine of one thousand dollars^ The specta- tors who crowded the hall betrayed the strongest in- dignation. -As soon as he entered his carriage, ie was seized by the people and drawn by them to the coffee house, amid the acclamations of a large con<» course. When he arrived at his quarters, he put the amount of his fine into the hands of his aid*de-camp2> and caused it to be discharged without delay. He was scarcely beforehand with the citizens, who in a short time raised the sum among themselves, by con- tribution, and w^ere anxious to be permitted to testify at once their gratitude and shame. What was thus collected was appropriated at his request to a charita- the powers which the exigency of the times forced hini to assume, had been exercised exclusively for the public good and that they had saved the country. In 1821, the Corporation of New Orleans voted fifti^ thousand dollars for erecting a marble statue appro- priate to his military services. The same body gave also one thousand dollars for a portrait of him painted by Mr. Earle of Nashville. Thus the miserable fine may be said to have been obliterated. On his return to Nashville — a journey of eigh^ hundred miles — he saw on every side marks of exul- tation and delight, it must be within the memory oi most of our readers, what was the sensation produced ^hroughoutkhe union by the tidings from New Orleans,, and what the popular enthusiasm concerning the mer" atsof ^* Old Hipkory." For twoy^ars afterwards he remaiaed on his farm. 1§S MFE OF JACKrSOl^. arsLta^iug bis rank in the arTrvy, but chiefly occupied ^itlhiifEral pleasures and labors. la this interval, tha pQStionSi of the Stjnvinoks who we?e driven into Fieri- fia, eombining with fugitive negroes from the adjoin- inj^ states, atid instigated by British advemurers wliosa ©bjects were blood and rapine, becanoe fornnidable in jQunfibers and hardihood, and began to execute schemes ©f robbery and vengeance against the Americans cf the frontiers. It having been represented to the Ame- rican government that naurders had been committed t a general rupture with the deluded savages. Such smurders having been ascertained to have been coni- «»itted, attended wkh aggravating circumstances O'f arapine and cruelty, General Gaines, in conformity with his orders, made the demand. The savages through the deceptive representations of foreign inr «endiaries, were led to believe that the strength of the United States was not sufficient to subdue them; ot\ if their own forces, were incompetent to sustain the conflict, they would receive assistance from the Brit- ash. The promises made by unauthorised agent;?, were founded upon a pretence that the United State.s Jiad bound themselves, by the treaty of Ghent, to le- store the lands which the Indians had ceded at FoH Jackson, previously to that treaty; and that the Brit- ish government would enforce its observance. Under this infl'ience they not only refused to deliver the maurderers, but repeated their massacres whenever opportunity oifered; and, to evade the arm of justice,, took rtifuge across the line, in Florida. In this SLtat^ LIFE 0¥ JACKSON* ^09 of aftairs in November 1817", Lieut. Scott, of the Uo 3. army under Gen. Gaines, with 47 persons, men, wo- men, and children, in a boat, on the Appalachicola river, about a mile below the junction of the Fhnt and Cohatahoochie, v/as surprised by an ambuscade of Indians, fired upon, and the v/hole detachment, killed and taken by the Indians, except six men v^ho es- caped by flight. Those v^ho v;ere taken alive, were wantonly murdered by the ferocious savages, who seized the little children and dashed out their brains against the side of the boat, and butchered all ihc helpless females except one, who was afterv/ards re- taken. General Gaines v/as not yet authorised to cross into Floridaj to enforce a compliance with his demand for the delivery of the murderers, while \he Indians v/ere collecting in large numbers upon the 3ine, which they seemed to think a perfect safeguard, and from which they continued their predatory excur- sions. A letter from the Secretary of War, of the 9th of Dec. 1817, authorised General Gaines, in case ^his state of things should continue, and it should be- come impossible b> any other means, to prevent their depredations, to exercise a sound discretion as to crossing the Florida line, in order to break up theisr establishments! and on the i6th of the same month^ the Secretary of War, by Iciter, directed to General Gaines, fully authorised him to cross the line, and at- tack the Indians within the Spanish territory, should they still refuse to make reparation for depredataons already committedo Intelligence being received by the war departmenS of the massacre of Lieutenant Scott and his compan- ions. General Jackson was directed, by letter of the SSth December, J.817, to repair to Fort Scott, and Sake command of the forces in that quarter^ with au- thority, in case he should deem it necessary v toeall' upon the executives of the adjacent states for addition- 5il force/- He vtras referred to the pre^ioGs orders giv- CJ3 $G ^aeralGaiaesj., and directed so coaeoa^jstei^iife ^iO LIFE •F JACKSON. forces^ and adopt ''the measures necessary to terminNati? a conflict which had been avoided from considerations of humanity, but which had now become indispensa- ble, from the settled hostility of the savage enemy.*' In January following, the Secretary of War, in a let- ter to general Gaines, said, *'The honor of the United States requires,, that the war with the Seminolcs should be terminated speedily, and with exemplary punishment for hostihties. so unprovoked." Under the^e orders, and in this critical state of affairs, gener- al Jackson, having first collected Tenoessee volunteers, with that zeal and promptness which have ever mark- ed his career, repaired to the post assigned, and as- sumed the cammand» The necessity of crossing the line into Florida was no longer a subject of doubt» A large force of Indians and negroes had made that territory their refuge, and the Spanish authority was either too weak or too indifferent to restrain them^ and to comply with orders given him from the depart- ment ol war, be penetrated immediately into the Sem- inole townsj, driving the enemy before him, and reduc- ed them to ashes. In the council house of the king of the Mickasukians, more than 50 frtsh scalps, and m an adjacent house, upwards of 300 old scalps, ol all ages and sexes, were, found; and in the centre of the public square a red pole was erected, ^crowned with scalps, known by the hair to have belonged to the (Companions of lieut. Scotr^ To inflict merited punishment upon the barbarians, and to prevent a repetition of these massacres, by bringing the war to a speedy and successful terminal tion, he pursued his march to St. Marks: there he found, conformably to previous information that the Indians and negroes demanded the surrender of the post to them; and that the Spanish garrison, accord- ing to the commandant^s own acknowledgment, was too weak to support it. He ascertained also that the <8nemy had been supplied with the means of carryinij on the war, from the com^mandant of the post; thaS: -%s%a mGendiariesj insii^aiing^ the savages^ had free tiFE OF JACKSU^N. ^ii^ arities; under the influence of some foreign incendiaries, more crimmal than the unciviliz- ed natives, t^llexander AvhutUnot^ who avowed him- self a British subject and resided among the savages as an Indian trader, was taken at St. Marks, to which place he had withdrawn as danger approached, and was living as an inmate in the family of the comman- dant. It appearing that he had been a zealous advo- cate for the pretended rights of the savages, and in this respect the successor of the notorious Colonel Nich- ols, of the British Colonial Marines? that he had re- peatedly written in their behalf to the Spanish Gover^ iior of St. Augustine, the Governor of Bahamas, the British minister in the United States, and to Colonel Nichols, endeavouring to prorure aid from both tho.se governors against the United States,* that he S ad re- peatedly advised the Indians not to comply with the treaty of Fort JacksoDj assuring thera that the laads JLIFE OF JACKSON: cede^ to the United States by them in 1814, were to be restored by virtue of the treaty of peace with Greae Britain. Gen. Jackson ordered him to be tried by a Court ot Enquiry, consisting of IS respectable officers, uith Major Geii. Gaines, as president. Upon satis=> factory testimony, he was convicted of inciting and stirring up the hostile Creeks to war against the Unit- ed States and her citizens,' and of aiding, abbettingo and comforting the enemy, supplying them with means of war; and by the Court was sentenced fo h& hung. — Rohert C. Amhrisl€i\ late a Lieuienant of the Sritish Marine corps, and with the hostile Indians and fugitive negroes the successor of Woodbine, of aotorioas memory, was taken near the mouth of Suwa ney river., It being well known that he had been a leader and coRjmander of the hostile Indians and fugi- tive slaves, Gen. Jackson ordered him to be tried by the same Court Martial. Upon abundant evidence he also v/as convicted of having aided and comforted the enemy, supplying them with the means of war- by giv- ing them intelligence of the movements and operations of the army of the United Stales, j^nd by sending the Indians and Negroes to meet and fjght against them; and upon his own confession, as well as the clearest proof of his having ltd and commanded the lower Creeks in carrying on tke war against the United States, he was by the Court sentenced to he shot. One of the members hov/ever requesting a reconsider^ ation of the sentence, it was agreed to| ard on a revi- sion, the Court sentenced him- to receive BO stripes on his bare back, and be confined with a ball and chain to hard labour for 12 calender months* Gen, Jackson approved the sentence in the cas<; of Arbuthnot: and, in the case of Ambrister, he disapproved the recon- sideration, and confirmed the first sentense^ They were both executed accordingly^ Having thus far effected his object^^ Geti. Jackscra considered the v/ar at an end9. St. Marks being gar^ arisosed by aa AmeriGas^ forcej. the Miac towas al LIFE OF J ACKSONC. ^ ^ ^ Miekasulcy and Suwaney destroyed; the fwo Indian chiels who had been the prime movers and leaders o£ the savages, one of whom had commanded the party who murdered Lieutenant Scott and his companions, and the two principal foreign instigators, Arburihnot and Ambrister, having been taken and executed, the American commander ordered the Georgia militia, who had joined him, to he discharged, and was aboul to return t© Tennessee* But he soon learned that the Indians and negroes were collecting in bands west of the Appalachico'a; which would render it necessary for him to send a detachment to scour the country in that quarter. While preparing for this object, he was informed that the Indians were admitted freely by the Governor of Pensaccla; that they were collecting in large numbers, 500 being in Pensacola on the 15th o£ April, manv of whom were known to be hoitile, and had just escaped from the pursuit of our troops; that the efiemy wasfurished with ammunition and supplies^ and received intelligence of the laovemeats of our for- ces, from thaiplace; that a number of ihem had sallied out and murdered 18 of oar citizens, settlers, upon the Alabama, and were immediately received by the Go° vernor, and by him transported across the bay, th»ir they might elude pursuit. These facts beiag ascertained by gen, Jackson from unquestionable authority, he immediately took up his line of march towards Pensacola, at the head of a de- tachment of about 1200 men, for the purpose of coun- teracting the views oi the enemy. On the 18th of May, he crossed the Appalachicola at the Ocheese village with the viev; of scouring the country west of that river; and, on the 23d of the same month, he re- ceived a communication from the government oi U'est Florida, protesting against his entrance into that pro- vince, commanding him to retire from it, and declar- ing that he would repel force by force, if he should not obey. This communication, together with otbei* iijdicationsof hostility in the governor, who had bce^. ^^'^'- LIFE OF JACKSON' well advised of the object of general Jackson's opers* tions, determined the measures to be pursued. He marched directly for Pensacola, and took possession of that place on the fallowing day, the governor having flA^d to fort Carlos de Barrancas: which post, after a feeble resistancej was also surrendered on the 28th. By these events, the Indians and fugitive negroes were effectually deprived of all possible means of con- tmaing their depredations, or screaning themselves from the arm of justice. They were so scattered and reduced as to be no logger a formidable enemy; but as there were still many small marauding parties sup- posed to be concealed an the swamps, who might make sudden and murderous inroads upon the American frontier settlers, Jackson called in two companies of volunteer rangers, with instructions to scour the country between Mobile and Appalachicola rivers. Thus ended the campaign and the seminole war. The severest hardships were undergone by the troops and their general with the utmost fortitude. They did not encounter any considerable bands-©f the foe, though the latter had been embodied to the number of two thousand; but the kind of warfare which they were compelled to wage was on that account the more ex° haustingand arduous. Jackson returned to Nashville in June, 1818, to the beloved retirement of his farm. New acknow- ledgments and new marks of ad.niration were be- stowed upon him in every part of the Union. If the general government deemed it expedient to restore St. Marks and Pensacola to the Spanish authorities. it yet applauded aixl defended what he had done. The British cabinet, after full inquiry, resolved to abslaio, from all complaint respecting the execution of Ar- buthnot and Ambrister. They declared that these culprits had leagued with the Indians, and acted at their own peril. The conduct of the Tennessee war- s-ior was, however, destined to the most vehemently arraigned and rigidly scrutinized in another quanci^- ■IIVF. OP JACKSON. 21 S Parties were formed in different parts of the country respecting the propriety of the occupation of the Span- hh fortrber moved another resolution, con- demning thi? itrm^r of them. These resolutions gave rise to a most elaborate debate, which was pro- tracted tbroivgh many weeks, and in which Jackson and the executive department were attacked and de- fended vv'ith the utmost zeal and signal ability. Every proposition to condemn cither was finally rejected by a sonsiderable majority of the house, arid reprobated by a much larger majority of the people, 1 he most eloquent of the orators who supported the resolutions, proclaimed that *'he most cheerfully and entirely ac- quitted the general of any intention to violate the laws of his countrys or the obligations of humanity," Who- ever studies Jackson's ample and argumentative deS" patches^ and the speeches delivered in his behalf, must be convinced that he did neither, and that in making an example of th;; t»vo instigators and confederates of the savages, and seizing upon fortresses, which were only used for hostile purposes, he avenged and served the cause of humanity and the highest national interest. His desire of explaining his transactions in person-, to the government, and defending himselt -on every side, carried him to Washington at this period. Thence he came to Philadelphia, and proceeded to Kew'York. Wherever he appeared, crowds attend- ed with unceasing plaudits. In each ot these cities public dinners and balls were given in his '^onor; mil- itary escorts provided; addresses delivered by deputa^ tions; and to these his ans\vers were uniformly perti- nent and dignified. At New York, on the 19rh Feb- ruary, be received the freedom ol the city in u gold boxj and there as well as in Baltinore, the municipal c©ijncils requested, and obUiiied his portrait, to b«^ ^ i S LIFE OF JACKSON. placed in tbeir halls. While he was on this excursibn, ^ report, connected with the history of the Seminote war, and extremtly hostile to his character, utjs madti frosn a Co.nmittee of the Sdiiatc ot the United States. It had not the concurrence of the ablest members of the comtriittee, and it was brought forward at tob laie a period of the session of Congress to be discuss- edy Nothing more was supposed to be meant by its author than to cast an indictment before the public. It was repelled triumphantly, in a defence which was published in the National Intelligencer, on the 5th of March, and which has been ascribed to gt-neral Jack- son. He f^lt deeply imputations which he knew to bs not only false but utterly irreconcilable with his nature. The issue of all the reports and harangues was such as -might give additional comfort to his domestic hours on his return to his farm» where he enjoyed again a period of repose. When the treaty wltli Spain ceding the Florid&s was finally ratified, Congress passed a law empoweY- ingthe President to vest in such person or persons as he might select, all the military civil and judicial au- thority exercised by the officers of fhe Spanish govern- ment. The president, under this law, appointed gen, Jackson, to act first as commisaioner for receiving the Provinces, and then to assume the government of them. It was intended atad expressed that the Ame- rican Governor should exercise all the functions be- longing 10 the Spanish Governors, Captain Generals, ^nd Intecdants, until Congress should provide a sys^ iem of administration as in the instances of thp other territories. The selectionof JaclcsfCn was not a mere mark of ho- nour, 6r testimonial of public gratitude. His intimate -acquaintance with the country and the energy of his nature recommended him specially for the post of Governor. Florida was over run with desperadoes of every description; it was a resort of ^ motley hordt of speculators, smugglers ©f negroes, -and advetfttar^ LIFE OF JACKSON, '•^IJ ers of^ali nations; it had become the theatre of com- plicated intrigue and misrule. His personal reputa- nion was calculated to overawe corruption and vio- lence; his infiexibiUy and activity in repressing all disorder and spoil were sure grounds of reliance for the President. It was not without reluctance he ac- cepted this nev/ and almost absolute civil command invoh ing an arduous task and a delicate responsibility. But having acceded, from a sense of duty, to the nom- ination, he repaired to bis station with his usual promptitude. On the first of July, 1821, he issued at Pensacola, his proclamation announcing that pos° session had been taken of the territory, and the au- thority of the United States established in it under his commission. He adopted at once rigorous measures for the introduction of a regular and efficacious ad- ministration of affairs. Courts were organized; a polirc was instituted, and such a scheme of territorial division adopted as was required for the convenience of the inhabitants and the speedy execution of the laws.. An occasion arising out of the previous and prescrip- tive laxity of prmciple and perversion of right in the provinces, soon presented itself for the exertion of his official powers and gc-nerous sympathies. The treaty with Spain prescribed that all documents relating to property or sovereignty shx)uld be left in possession of the American authorities. On the 22d August, a petition was submitted to the Governor, in his capacity of the highest judicial magistrate from the American alcade, or keeper of archievcs, that certain public documents or records, required by in- dividuals to enable thenr) to prosecute their elaims to property, were unlawfully detained in the hands of a person of the name of Sousa. The governor issued his commission to three officers, to wait on Sousa and request him to exhibit and deliver yp all such docu- ments in his possession. Sousa exhibited two open boxes of papers which he affirmed had been entrustt<2 to iiis care for safe keeping by the late Spani&h gov^ 19 "^iS LIFE OF JACKSCm. ernor, colonel Callava. The boxes when examined were found to contain the documents wanted and oth- er records of suits for property between individuals. All t^ese were demanded by the oiEcers, but refused by Sousa, who promised, however, to consult colond. Callava, These facts being reported to general Jack- son, he issued a summons to Sousa to appear before liim, in case he persisted in retaining the papers. The answer given was, that the papers had been sent to ■colonel Callava, and were in the latter's house. Two of the official family of the American governor were then directed by him to repair with the alcade to Cal- lava's dwelling, to demand the papers, and if they were refused, to require both Callava and his steward v/ho had received them from Sousa, to appear before the Governor. The Spaniard insisted at first upon retaining the papers, and eftt^r promising to surrender them, when a list was furnished, and tailing to do so, and obstinately refusing to obey the summons in any manner, he was finally conducted under guard to ihs office of the Governor. When there he was informed of the nature and propriety of the demand made upon him, and apprized that the further v/ithhclding of the papers would be regarded as a contempt of the Gov- ernor's jtidicial authority; and subject him to impri- -sonment. He would do nothing but dictate proteste, %vhen the patience of Jackson being exhausted, he, his steward and Sousa were committed to prison, until the papers should be obtained. The next morning the boK in which the papers had 'been seen was seized and opened by officers specially commissioned. It had been carefully sealed by Cal- lava, and was found to contain what was sought. Cal- lava and his companioa were then released from jail. Th« records thus recovered relattd ta the estate of a person who died at Pensacola, about the year 18Q7, having made his will, and bequeathed his property to several orphan females, who had never receuved any ^portion of it, owing to the ilishonesty of the individa- LIFE OF JACKSON, a!tj, who were at the same time its depositories and debtors. Callava himself had made decrees in iavour of the heirs, which were discovered in the box and had been suppressed under corrupt influtnce. It was hh object to carry off all the evidence necessary for re- dress. He afterwards published in the American pa° pers an exposition of the treatment vz-hich he had esj^ perienced, and was convicted in due time of various misrepresentations by the counter statements of the re- spectable gentlemen who were employed in the afFarc by the governor. H^ claimed for himself the immu^ nities of an ambassador, having acted as the deputy of the Capram General of Cuba, in surrendering the Floridas. But as his quality of com-missioner had ceased when the surrender was completed, Jackson could view hinr only in the light of a private indi- vidual charged with violating both public and private rights, and determined to set the supreme judicatory at defiance. To have allowed the wrong which was designed to be committed, would have been utterly inconsistent with what was due to the dignity and power of the United States, and the claims of op- pressed individuals whose sex and situation particular- ly entitled them to protection and sympathy. The just language of Jackson, narrating and justifying his proceedings to the President, was=~" When men of high standing attempt to trample upon the rights of ihe weak, they aie the fittest objects for example oc punishment. In general the great can protect them- selves; but the poor and humble require the arm and shield of the law." Among the civil officers sent to Florida, by the President, was a former senator of the United States, Elegiua Fromentin, who went in the capacity of a judge, with a jurisdiction limited to cases that might arise under the Revenue Laws, and the acts of Congress prohibiting the introduction of slaves. This gentleman consented rashly, at the in- stigation of some of the friends of Callava, to issue the writ of haleas corpys to extricate the Spaniard ^^0 MFE OP JACKSON.. from confinement. The general Judiciary Act forthe^ United Slates under which alone the Judge could claim the right of thus intt^rfering, had not been ex- tended to the Floridaso Jackson displayed his char- acteristic decision and intelligence m this case — he cited the Judge to appear beL^re him and answer to the charge of a contempt of the superior court and a serious misdemeanor. The prisoner was released, the papers having been obtained, before Mr. Fromen- tin vvas able to present himself pursuant to the sum- mons. The General was then content with deficing to him the limits of his competency as Judge, and ut- tering a severe rebuke of his precipitation. Very bit- ter complaints were afterwards made by both parties to the executive department at WashingtoOo This event was not the end of the Callava case, as it has been called. Several Spanish officers who had remained with the ex-governor in the province ven- tured to publish in a Pensacola paper, an article with their signatures, in which they accused the general of violence and tyranny. It was stipulated in the treaty of cession, that all the Spanish officers should be with- drawn from the territories ceded, within six months after the ratification of the treaty. More than this ternr. had elapsed. Jackson issued his proclamation without delav, commanding them, as trespassers and disturbers of the public peace, to depart in the course of a week. They had not the folly to remain. About the same period, important documents and archives, which the Spaniards had no right to detain, were at- tempted to be withheld by the ex*governor of East JFlorida, Jackson, on hearing of this attempt, trans- mitted, by mall, his orders to take forcible possession of them, which was done accordingly. The ex-gov- crnor protested; but upon insufficient grounds, and with personal disgrace* These occurrences produced much discussion in the newspapers, and vehement remonstrances from the Minister Fienipotenuary of Spsin in this country. LIFE OFJACKSGN. Jackson's interpretation of his own powers, and those of Judge Fromentin, and his measures to prevent the abduction ot the papers, were ratified and full) vindi- cated by the American gr>vernmento The undue in- fluence which the Spanish officers contrived to raise in iheir favour, with the assistance of the General's personal enemies, soon subsided after the facts and re** spective rights became better known* On the 1th ok October, Jackson delegated his powers to two gentle^ jnen, the sectaries ol his government, and set out on his return to Nashville, In his dignified and argu° mentative valedictory address to the citizens of Flori= - da, he informed them he had completed the temporary organization of the two pro\inces» He stated, and justified his motives for acting as he had done in the case of Gailava. "With the exception ol this instance'^ added he, " I feel the utmost confidence in sayings that nothing has occurred, notwithstanding the nu° merous cases in which I have been called upcr '(in- terpose m) authority, either in a judicial or 'executive capacity, to occasion any thing like distrust or dis«» content. The injury which his health had suffered; from the " personal hardships, inevitable in his campaigns, for- bade him to protract his residence in Florida.' Before bis departure he re<:eived from the citizens spontanea - ous public manifestations of esteem and gratitudco ^ Attempts were made at the ensuing session of Con^ gress, to obtain a condemnation of his conduct towards Callava, but they utterly failed, both with the Legisla° tare and the people. On the 4ith of July, 18-22, the governor of Tennessee, by order of the Legislature^ , presented him with a sword as a testimonial *onv to iha geBerr^lmildpess of his carriage «nd th€ kindness of his disposiiion^ , fjt is- certain hjs^ ^ iospired.hJs. spjijiisrs, his. railkary hoi^sehflldj^^^.^^^^^ LIFE Oy JAGivSON« SS3 dorirestic circle, and his neighbours, with the most af- fectionate sentiments,^ 1'he iiiinetuosity ol his nature, his impatience of wrong and.eDcroachment, hib con° tempt for meanness, and his tenaeioustiess ot just au- thority, have involved him iu bitter altercations and sanguinary quarrels: — his resentments have been fiercely executed, and his censures harshly uUcred; yet- he cannot be. accused of wanton or malicious, vioicutje the sallies which may be- deemed intemperate can be traced to strong provocation, operating, in most In- stances, upon his patriotic zeal and the vsry generosi- ty and loftiness of his spirit. . He sacrificed the ene- mies of his country,.vvhere he deemed that signal ex- amples cf^rigQur wera necessary for the public wel- fare and, the-lasting suppression of murder and rapine ' — he was never found wanting inclemency and hu- manity towards those whom essential justice and para- mount duty allowed him to spare and relieve. Thus, after the battle, ofthe Hnrse. Shoey'm the Creek war, every Indian warrior- was spared who surrendered himself — several of his cwnmea lost their lives in endeavouring, by his ordersj-to save some obstinate in^- dividu-iUs. who refused to surrender^ although his own troops were-: suff^ying,. with hunger, he forbade the corn of the Indians to be taken from them^ and caused the wounded, among the- lattei' to be dressed and nursed as his own. men.. At the battle of Tohopeki>, an infantv was. found alive on the breast cf us lifeless Indian mother: Jackson directed it to be brought to him, and not being al)k to prevail upon any one ol ths Indian womeja to undertake the care of it, adopted it into his family, and , has ever sines proved a Jcind pro* tector to the. orphan* , In the various erltieal' Situations ir* which he was • placed by cinergencies and the unlimited discretion cast up^on hina, he appears^ to have been governed by gentiral and solid, priaciples which -he- kn1;who^w :o ap-? ^'f. satisfactoril)s in. explaining: hj& raeaoarcss. Tha: •s^r^ salutary encrg}r aad-decisioawitfe which he ^u^,* ^^^ LIFE ftp JACKSON. sued the course, that he had deliberately concluded io be right and necessarv, subjected him to the belief or charge of having acted merely from a vehement over- bearing, or arbitrary disposition. If his feelings were strongly roused and displayed against the timid or traitorous portion of the inhabitants of New Orleans who would have given the enemy an easy and fatal triumph — against the Spanish authorities in Florida who served the British and supplied the Seminoles-— against Arbuthnot and Ambrister, the unwearied in- stigators and inskJious confederates of the Savages thirsting for American blood — against the impostor prophets, who had directed the butchery of white vvo° men and children, and whose occupation it was to in- cite dtr^predation and murder — against a Spcwish Gov- ernor who would have violated a treaty and despoiled orphan females of their inheritance — we may sav that both the warmth of those feelings, and the ligour with which they were manifested, will not only be excu&ed, but even admired by generous minds. The copious despatches which General Jaclfson had occasion to write to the government, detailing his cam= paigns and official proceedings; his numerous address- es to his troops, and the statements and arguments, which the charges preferred against his ofiicial con- durt, compelled him to publish for his justification, 'vvould altogether, form a sizeable volume. They are marked with great energy and fluency of expression^ cogent reasoningj* apt reference to general principles, and the utmost earnestness and apparent rectitude of intention. He v/rites nervously and conspicuouslv^ he speaks with facility and force, Grace and refine- ment, he ha?> not studied either in composition or de- livery. Those qualities are not to be expected in one whose life has been chiefly passed in such scenes as we have sketched. He is artificial in nothing. His reading cannot be supposed to be extensive nor his application to books very frequent. In regard to hll^i" "^i^S he has been always fouod inddatigable and sa» LIFE OF ADAM3. a^B ^acious. He possesses a competent estate, and lives hospitably in the manner of a substantial farmer. He is without children. His amusements have consisted in the management of his domestic concerns, the sports of the turf and social intercourse. He is tem- perate in his diet and in all respects enjoys a good pri- vate reputation. His public character is to be known from the history of his public career, which we have regularly, though very imperfectly traced. LIFE OF ADASiS. John Quincy Adams was born at Braintree, Mass. July 11, 1767. In the 11th of year his age, 1778, he accompanied his father, John Adams, late Presi= dent of the United States, to France, the father being joint commissioner with Dr. FranUin and Arthur Lee to that Court. After residing about 18 months in France, he returned home with his lather. In 1779, the father of Mr. Adams was again sent to Europe, with a commission for negotiating peaces, and a treaty of commerce with Great Britain. He took again his son J. Q. A 'tion of the Futomac bridge, his defence of the occupa- tion of West Florida by Mr. Madison, and his oppo^ sition to the renewal of the Bank charter. In the House of Representatives he retracted his former opinions respecting the Bank charter, ranged himself on the side of that illustrii/us phalanx which supported vhe second war of Independence, and proved himsttf the able advocate of the Navy, Internal Improvements, and Domestic ManrJactures. His ejForts in favor of South American Independence, and on the Missouri -Question, have placed his name in conspicuous con« nexion with those important events, v/hich so power" fully excited the feelings of every class of the Ameri- can community. The high estimation in which the talents of ^i^rc Clayare held by the House of R^pre- 20 sentatives, require no other evidence than the fact^-that he has been elected Speaker, at the commencement of every session when he had a seat in the House, and that his decisions ha^e been uniforml\ concurred ino This unvarying result is to be attributed, principally, to his perfect acquaintance with the rules of the House^ and secondarily, to the peculiar weight and .uuhority of manner with which he delivers his opinions. To the former, the old and experienced, render submis- sion; while the latter awe and control the new mem- bers unpractised in the established routine of legisla- tive proceedings. In 1814, Mr. Clay was appointed, in conjunctioo. .with Mr. Adams and Mr. Bayard, to meet the BrU» ish Commissioners at Ghent, for the purpose of ar- ranging all matters^in dispute between the two coun- tries; and thence he proceeded to London and comple- ted his diplomatic miss-ion. The opportunities which this personal intercourse off red him ot making him- sell familiar with the oratory of Europe could not, by a mind impregnated with honorj^ble ambition, be al- lowed to pass unimproved. Those masters ot elo- -quence, Pitt, Fox, Burke, Windham, and Sheridan^ had indeed, passed away, and the places which they had filled with such sijrprising splendor were occupied by talents of an inferior order; yet the spirit ot orato- ry survived, and within the walls of St.. Stephens wer€ to be heard voices which could discourse sweet nnusic the ear, and fascinate the soul with energy of argument and the excursiveness of imagination, chastised by a discreet tasie, and arrayed in all that fancy can con- ceive of (he affluence of languttge.. In Mr. Clay's elo ution, however, we find nothing imitative. It is peculiarly his own, and partakes laigtly ot the charac- ter of our country; it is always bf Id, and frequently -impassioned; disdairing the rules ot art, it is regulatf d entirely by inipulses, ard relies i( r son e of its most powerful effects on its cspability cf awakening respon- fi^ive inypulses in the breast of its audit^rsj in its selec- LIFE OF CLAY. t^% don of words and phrases, it prefers power to orna- ment^ and on this account, frequently falls discordantly upon the ear; its imagery is never remote or ostenta- tious, nor of too frequent occurrence; sometimes it creates sympathy by the pow«r of pathos; sometimes, frying from premisrs unsustainable, and illogical con- clusiDns, it appeals to the sterner feelings in lofty tori«s of declamation; always avoiding the error of making thoughts subservient to words, the course of his lan- guage uniformly obeys the index of hia mind when- ever it may point, ranging with libertine carclessnesa through all the boundless sphere of expression. Mr. Clay's manner is ardent and forcible. There is no fastidious delicacy in his choice of phrases; there is no reservation of thought; there is no sacrifice of gense to sound. He floats out into his subject vvilh Apparent indifFrrence, not unfrequently, indeed, Vv'iih- a negligence which p4:oduces an imfavorable impres- sion on his hearers: but, when he approaches his ar- gument, he suddenly springs. from this unnatural apa- thy, summons his whole soul to the conflict, throws himself into the tide of ideas, and surrenders himself up to an impetus which he seems to want both ability and disposition to resist. His style, although tar from chasti' , is commonly free from ambiguity; but it wants conciseness and concentration; and we are not: convinced that it is always under the guidance of a sound judgment, The figure of Mr. Clay is favorable for oratorical display. Tbil and well-proportioned his countenance? strongly marked, his gestures unrestrained and unar- tificial; his tones of voice, though few, yet flexible ami irusical; and add to. aU these.^ his manner enthusiastic and impressive, it cannot be matter of surprise that bis eloquence has attained for hia) so extensive a pop- ularity. Every muscle of his counten.^nce indicates the working of his mind: every moti ^n of his is cor" responsive to a movement within; and every acticai fec^ifcs i's direciion from-the sanrie legitimate source. ■^S'Sc UsB OF LAFAYETTB. If, therefore, Mr. Clay cannot be set down as one oi the n^ost finished, his powers of eloquence entitle hiin to rank among the most impressive orators of the age, In 1825, after J. Q. Adanns, was inaugurated pre- ^sident of the United States, Henry Clay, was nomi- laated and appointed Secretary of State, v^hich high and responsible station he now fills with dignity and bonor to hiniself and credit to the nation. LIFE OF LAFAYETTE. Gilbert Motier Marques db Lajayettej- was born at Auvergne, in France, in t year 1757. The inhabitants of that province, f r > - ea? y times, have been distinguished for their boldness and love of independence; and the family of Lafayette were equal- ly distinguished for their tearless spirit, and chivalrous contempt of danger. With these feelings, though but a youth, his attention was early directed ta this coun- try, while engaged in our revolutionary struggle with ♦he giant power of Great Britain. He resolved to visit us and draw his virgin sv/ord in our caose; and at the age of 19, be embarked in a ship furnished at Iiis own expense, and landed at Charleston, S. C. in January, 1777. He was not a desperate adventurer, whose embarrassed affairs at home deprived him oi the means of enjoying life, and, therefore, was willing to risk all under a selfish hope of bettering his own private condition. He was born to a princely fortune. He was surroun*^ed by relatives and friends, and had been blessed even thus early in life with conjugal love. He bid adieu to his native land, to relatives and friends ajnd to the tender and interesting partner of his bo- som; to all the pleasures and amusements which were presented to him in the '* gay regions and vine-cover- ed hills of France," to join -in the gloriora^s epRts-t, LIFE OF LAFAYETTE. S3& for liberty in the colonics of America. He immedi- ately entered'the army and served as a volunteer, un* til the 31st of July following, when he was commis- sioned by congress a major general, " in consequence of his zeal and hrs illustrious family connexions.'" He distinguished himself on various occasions, and particularly at the battle of Brandy wine, where he was engaged in the hottest of the combat, and when wounded refused to quit the field. On the 25th of November following, he attacked and repulsed a body of Hessians with an inferior force, for which he was entrusted with a suitable command. In 1779 he returned to France, on a visit; and soon r,fter reaching Paris, a sword was presented him by ihe American minister, in the name of congress. While there he used all his influence with the Govern- rr.ent in the cause so near his heart, and succeeded m gaining their countenance and assistance. He return- ed again, and landed at Boston, with large reinforce- ments, in 1780. In 1781 he was ordered to the south with a separate and independent command, for the purpose of driving Arnold out of Virginia; but failed :n his object; for want of the co-operation of the French Heet. He was of great service, however, in checking- ihe marauding expedition of General Phillips; and was soon afterwards opposed to Cornv/allis, the ablcsg general sent by the mother country to subdue us, Oe nrst hearing that Lafayette was to be opposed to himj, the British commander had exultingly said, *' the boy shall not escape mej" but he found himself so of« tea ba.?ied by his young enemy, that it became neces- sary to use the greatest vigilance to prevent his own army from being, surprised. His mancsuvreS; were - masterlva The army was in want, and he supplied those wants from his private purse, paying 10,6oad'dlars at one- time for clothings At the siege of Yorktown he act- ed a brave and conspicuous part; in short, he comina-- 3d actively engaged in our service till the doss of th^^ ^5S¥ UFE gr LAFAYETTE. ^ar; saw our independence sealed, and our co-un!*^' free and happy, with a brighter prospect of fniur^^ greatness spread before us thun ever had blessed the. struggles of any nation on earth. In 1784 he ennbarked again for his native country, loaded with honor and the gratitude of the American people. He vvas: received in France in the nnost en- thusiastic K^anner; and when the French revolution broke out,.he took sides again in the cause of freedom, and was elected to the States Generctlf by his native province. In 1789 ha came forward in that body with his celebrated declaration of the Rights of Man, and, for his firmness in opposition to the court, was elected president of the assembly and commandant of the National G,uard« He did not, however enter into all the sanguinary measures of the revolutionists, and , all his efforts were to preserve order in the capital. When ordered by the commune of Paris to proceed to Versailles, with his army and take possession of the outposts, he. re&trained t!>e violeivce of his soldiers, assured the king snd q^ieen of their safety, and saved the lives of fifteen of the household troops who had been selected as the victims of the infuriated assail- ants. He also advised the Duke of Orleans to leavg the kingdom, as his presence gave countenance to mar ivy sanguinary prpcedureSo His popularity continued to increase, and in 1790 he was created general in chief of the National Guards of France. Occupying this important post at that interesting, crisis, thti- eyes of the world were turned upou himo His whole energies were excited an the cause of liberty, and at the same time for tha afnaintenance of the public tranquility^ He ht-ld as it were a magnanimou.^ neutrality between the different parties wheobeyond tbs laws of justice and modera- tion. He g?ive his vote.for the trial by jury and tha emancipation of the people of color^ But in.th^ spring of 1791, the tide "of public feeling began to,. ^shangci He wa& cruelly and unjustly susgectgd b)^. MPB OP LAFAYETTE. t'iS iU^ naiicinal assembly, and his troops were even affect- ed by the intrigues of those tumuttuoos times. Anti when the uiiforianate Louis wished to vi^it St. Cloud, he gave orders to let him pass, and was for the first time disobeyed! When the king. finally fled, his fligl>t was attributed to him. And thcking having been tcv ken at Varennes, the royalists turned- on liim from one side, and Marat and his party accused him of treachery on the other.'. Hashfe was even attempted by a ruffian, who was suO'ered to escape unpunished. When the consutution was adapted, he resigned h:« command, on which occasion a gojd medal and a busc of Washington were presented to h:m bv the city of Paris. He was offered, in addition, a fuli remunera?' tion for his losses by the revolution, and this he m^^^ nanimously declined. In 1792 he was given the command of the army of the centre, near Ardennes. Observing, however^ the wanton and unnecessary indignities offered the king, he caused remonstrances to be forwarded from th« different corps of the army-. These producing no cf* feet, he wentio person to Paris to makeJ^is complaints. The military once more, opened their arms to receive him, and asked to be led againat the Jacobin Club, tha authors of all the injuries of v^thich he complained. This offer, from a generous desire to prevent the ef- fusion. of blood, he refused, while he proposed t<> tha king, at the same time, to trow himself upon the army for protecti 'nj but the imbecility and distrust of Lois- is prevented him from acceding .to the offer. On tha sn«morahle lOth of August, and on the flight ofth3 royal family to the national ass^embly for safety. La-?* fayette was deprived of his command, after vainly endeavoring to prevent the outrages of the mxjb. Tha Swiss Guards were all- massacred, a/ur a.gallant re« sistancc; and the noble-hearted Lafayetle^ " s com=» pelled to fly before the madness and fury of his counw trymen. A price was set upon his head, and the go!-* den medal befoj« him broken in pieces by Wx coiaJiiG^ 256 ■■ MEE 5f LA-FAY-ETTE.- He therefore mounted his horse, wiih sevejit^ea companions, among whom wtre I^.atour Maubourg, the friend of his youth; Alexander Lamath, formerly the most bitter of his adversaries, but now determined toparticipiite in his misfortunes; Bureau de Pusy, three fnius president of. the constituting assemblv; several ot his aids-de-camp; and, in short, all thob'; who drea- ded the wrath of the triumphmg party. None of them attempted to seduce a single battalion to desert, and, by such base and inglorious means, ensure the favor of the enem.y: on the contrary, it was their sole wish to retire to some distant country, and wait for better days and a more auspicious fortune. Having abandoned the French territor)-, they travclk-d several leagues without encountering any difficult} t They were dressed in their respective tmifojms; and, in the course of their journey, frankly announced themselvts as officers, who, having leit the army, were now repairing to Switzer- land. At length they were met by an Austrian pat= role, and being interrogated, they delivered in an ac- count of their names and rank; adding, at the same lime, the reasons which had induced them to fly from their own country. On this they v/ere arrested, ancH declared prisoners to the king of Prussia. - Lafavette, Vv'hen he first determined to abandon his troopsj was well aware that he might he exposed to pre- •jdice and enmity, scarcely leos implicable than thaG from U'hich he was obliged to shelter himself; yet both he and his friends still hoped that this nionarch would, in their persons, respect the rules of war, and the rights of misfortune. But the leaders, now on their march to restore the ancient monarchv of France, equally ne- glecting the voice of policy and of justice, were ren° dered presumptuous by the hope of succesSj and steel- ed to pitv on iK'aring of those divisions %vhich presen- ted them with the means of gratif\ing the reveries of ambition and revenge. Detesting every thing con= nected with the revoluiion, Frederick William was noS a^sple^edto have one of its first promoters. JQ-hiG LiFE OF LAFAYEETE, ^^^ :por;er. Lafayette was, therefore, with three other constituents, (Latour iVlaubourg, Alexander L«n)ath, and Burenux de Pusy,) conducted to Luxemburg, from whence he was pernriillcd to address a ktttr to- the Duke of Saxe Teschen, governor gemral of the low countries. That prince not only signified his re- fusal in the most peremptory manner, but addtd, wi'.h a degree of bitterness wholly unsuitable to the occa- sion, *- that they should be reserved for the scaffold." Immediately after this, a correspondence took place between the courts of Berlin and Vienna, relative to those prisoners; and as it was at length determined that the monarch who commandt-d the combined army, should be entrusted with the custody of Lafayette and bis companions, they were accordingly conducted un- der an escort, and imprisoned at Wesel, where they were confined separately, and constantly superintended by non commisioned ofiicers, who received strict orders never to permit them to remain, for a single-pioment, out of sight, nor, to answer any questions that were pu: by them. Lafayette, overvv-helmed whh chngrin and mortifi^ cation, fell sick, and became so dangerously ill, that' his life was de.«^paired of; While in. this condition, Maubough was refused permission to visit his friend, now supposed to be on his death bed. But a salutary crisis having occurred, and the king of Prussia thinkingjhat he might be able»to profit by his convalescence, caused it to be intirr^^ted ihat his situation would be ameliorated, provid^l he would draw up his plans against, France, But Lafayette ex- hibited, by means of an energetic answe^, his scorn of such a proposition. On this, the rigors ol his con- finement were increased, and he and iTis companions soon after throv^a into a wagon, and conveyed to Mag- del^urg, care being taken that they should learn noth- ing respectiiig their families, concerning whose fate they experienced the most lively err.itioap, in conse- quence of 'the proacriptions that prevailed in France-, tm LIFE OF LAFAYETTE. By removing them in this manner, it seems to ha^c been the intention ^^f ihcir persecutors to aggravate their miseries, and excite the public indignation; but if such were their mjtives, they were greatly disap- pointed, as they every where experienced th^i interest and compassion, produced alike by the injustice of of their detention, and the constancy of their cptly join him, if possible, if rot, to n>a^re the best ot his way to the frontier. IheMarquis was out cf sight ^Q a i;noment. The cSicer recoyersd frc/su his panic. LIFE OF LAFAVETTE. &w and fled towards Olmutz; the doctor and Mr. Hugeu v/ent to the horse which had escaped, and obtained him from the peasant for a piece of gold, but Rnding he would not carry double, Mr. Huger instantly said^ *' This will not doj the Marquis wants you, push 005 I'll take my chance on foot, across the country." The: doctor then galloped off after the Marquis, and sooa reached HolT, but did not find him there; he, there- fore, ordered the post boy to drive on; but little con« cerned for himself, and anxious to fall in with, or re- ceive son^e intelliger\ce from the Marquis, he kepG Ravelling along the frontier, and was finally overtaken and arrested, towards evening on the second-day after his departure from Olmutz. Mr. Huger did not re** 5«ain at liberty so long; within sight of Vne people in the fields, before whom the v/hole transaction had ta- ken place, when geneVously telling the doctor to pro- ceed, he was followed by them, seized, and conducted to Olmutz. The Marquis remained unpursued, bu& having mistaken the road, he followed it to within a few miles of the fromier; perceiving then that his horse became excessively tired, and v/as near giving over^ he accosted a man whom he had overtaken on the road not far from a village, and under some pretext en- deavored to prevail on him to procure him another horse, and to attend him to the froniier> The man apparently agreed, and v/ent to the village for horses^ but soon returned with a force to arrest the Marquis and conduct him before a magistrate, and, finally to the fortress at Olmutz. Alter a formal trial, and an imprisonment of more than eight months, the doctor and Mr, Huger were released, but their triumph was embittered by the con- tinued captivity of the ?>iarquis, lo order to aug^* nient the horrors experienced by Lafayette, he was m^deio believe that the two gentlemen, who so nf>bly interested themselves in his favor, had perished on a scaffold. While thus tortured in his dungeon at OI- si'.utz, and apprehending daily 10 be delivering up to 12^. LIFE OF LAFAYETTE. the hands of the executioner, his unhappy wife, wnc "tvas confined in a dungeon at Paris, also txpeciejd every hour to suffer the same disastrous fate which had attended the greater part of her family. The fall of Robespierre at length saved her life, but it was long afterwards before she gained her libert}', aqd the necessary strength to execute the design she had for some tinne meditated. Having found means to leave France, she landed at Altona, September 9rh 1795, and set out immediately for Vienna, under the name of Moltier, with an American passport, and ar- rived there with her two daughters before her desigr^ had been divulged*. The i rince d^ Rosenberg, af- fected by her virtues, and her misf) nes, obtained an audience from the Emperor, and '. .ve to partici- pate in the captivity of a husband and a f^thtr, but ab- solutely refused to make any promise relative to the liberty of Lafayette, During two years this interesting famify continued immured within the walls of the prison, treated with unnecessary rigor — inhaling, in those chambers, or rather dungeons an almost pestilential air. The health of Madame Lafayette was destroyed, and that of her daughters greatly injured., Maubourg, Pusy, and La= fayette, had already been imprisoned during three years and five months, in the same gallery, without seeing or being acquainted with the fate of each other, and entertained no prospect whatever of their libertVj when the French Directory, by means of their ambas- sador, Barthelmi, interfered in their behalf. But this was, at first attended with no beneficial effect; and it was not till the conquerer of Italy had sent Louis Ro- meuf, formerly one of Lafayette's Aids- de camp, to solicit this favor, that the court of Vienna would con- sent to their deliverance. The Austrian niintsters endeavored on this occa- sion, to obtain conditions from the prisoners, which thev were determined not to accede to; and it w^s €iven required, by a nobleman employed for that pur- LIFE OF LAFAYETTE. SSB- pfGSe, that Lafayette should quit Europe immediately. ih a spiritedly reply, transmitted by the latter, he says: '^' His Majesty the Emperor and Ki-ng wishes to be assured, that/immediately after my deliverance,. I will set out for America, This intention has been often manifested on- my part j but as. my consent at the pre- sent moment would seem to recognise the right of im- posing this condition, F do not deem it' proper to ac° cede to it." He thus cnntinuess "There are certain^ duties which I can never abandOiia By these I am connected with the United States, and more especially with France; and I cannot enter into an engagement whh any one, in contravention to the claims which my country possesses, in respect to my persoa." This» unexpected resistance greatly irritated the Austrian cabinet, and the doors of their dungeons were once more shut upon them, while Bonaparte was given t©' understand that they had been restored to their liberty, . Biit, at length; having received intelligence of whar had occurred, he sent Romuef to Vienna, and they were ntiall)^ liberated in the month of Septeirvberv 1797. Immediately after this event had taken place, they repaired to Hamburg, and Madame Lafayette having- obtaint;d leave to return to France, her husband was- permitted by Bonaparte to repair thither also, sooa after the revolution that occurred in November, 179©', liatour IVTaubourg, as weir as his sen and , brother j. were recalled by Bonaparte in 1800j and their friend- ship for the family of Lafayette has been stifl. further cemented by a marriage between young Maubourg and a daughter of the Generak Alexander Eamath, after having, obtained his liberty by the influence of his mother,, went to England in 1T96, and did not till j1800 obtain a permanent residence in Franc&o - Isafayettc vvas now oirered the protection of Bona- parte; but unwiltin^to atrSGciate ia his gcyernment, he declined it.. E:ver v/atchfui of the cause of liberty, he. voied against the consulship for life, re^edbcicg a^6- LtFE dC^ LAFAYETTis. made a senator, and, dissatisfied with the state of po- litical 'nfFairs, retired to Hamburgh where he hved privately till after the overthrow of the Directory. He then returned to France, and employed himself on bis estate, like another Cincinnatus, in agricultural amprovtmentSo, On tl^e approach of the allies, he offered himself as a candidate, was elected a member of the House of Deputies and chosen their Vice President. After the batcle of Waterloo^ at the time when Bonaparte was about to dissolve the Legislature and usurp the dicta- Itorship, Lafayette appeared at the tribune, and raising the old tri colored flag of 1789, exclaimed: " Liberty^ 3^qiialHij^ and, Public Order. ^^ He caused the shting of the house to be declared permanent, and any one who should attempt to dissolve it a traitor to his , country, and to be brought to immediate judgment. He also caused a declaration to be passed, that the army and national guards, ^vho had fought, and were still fighting for the defence of the territory and inde- pendence, deserved well of their country. He insist- ed en the abdicatioD of Bonaparte, v/aa a member cf the embassy ordered to demand of the allifid powers a suspension of hostilities, which was refused them.. He found, at his returnp and, as it waa said, to his great regret, the capitulation made, and the army removed^ Afjer the final restoration of the Bouibons, he once more retired to his beloved retreat. La Grange^ when he was elected a deputy from La Sar- Ithe. The influence of this old champion of liberty was so much dreaded by the ministry, and others of their party, that every possible means was taken by ahem to prevent the re-election of Lafayette as deputy^ He therefore has remained in the bosom of his family foi a number of years, enjoying that philosophic ease so desirable to a mind of his elevated cast, the delight^ ful conter4iplation of a lif< .^pent in the service of man- t.ndy and the gratitude^ friendship, and admiration o£' AmericaBs, in a degree only second to that which k LIFE OF LAFAYETTE. at The United States congress of 1824, invited Gen- eral Lafayette to visit this country; and they had au- thorised the President of the United States \o have a frigate of the first chiss in readiness to convey General Lafayette, as soon as should be known he" wished to visit his adopted counfrVo On the 15th of September, of the same year without any further iniormaiion, General Lafayette arrived at New York, in the Cad- mus, one of the New York packets, from Havre, after a passage of thirtv-one days, he was accompanied by his son George Washington Lafayette, and l^ss private secretary, M. Augusta Le V"asseur, all in good health. On his landing he v/as conducted to the residence of Vice President Tompkins, on- Staten Island, where he remained until the following day when he was re- ceived in the city of Ntvv York, with unspeakable demonstrations of joy and veneration. He has visited ail the states, with no less enthusiasm of gratitude shev/n him wherever he came to=, He has travelled since he arrived iu this country, in one year about 18,000 miles. He was present at the inauguration of President Adams, at laying the corner-stone of the Bunker Hill Monument^ hco In 1825, the Congress of the United States appro- priated to him by an almost unanimous vote (there being but one dissenting voice) itvo hundj'ed thon^ sand dollars^ in United State's six per cent stock— « and an entire township, of land,' left optional with hina "o locate where he savv proper, from any of the unsold and5 belonging to the United Stateso Bec\aYa\io!\ o£ InA^petideiice. IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776 Tkb XJnanhnous Declaration of the Thirteen UnUed Sta tes • of ^America, WHEN, in the course of human events, it becomec accessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume, among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of iiature and of natures God entitle fnem, a decent respect to the cpin» ions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separaiiona We hold these truths to be self-evident:- — that all men are cr-sated equal, that they are endowed by their Creator direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these states. To prove this^ let facts be admitted to a candid world. He has refused his assent to laws the most, whok' some and necessary for the public good. He has forbidden his governors to pass laws of ina° mediate and pressing impurtance, unless suspi^ndcd in their operation, till his assent should be obtiiined; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them. He has refused to pass other laws for the ac.eommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of representa- tion in the legislature — a right inestimable to tbtnij and formidable to tyrants only. He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the reposito- ry of their public records, for the sole purpyise of fa= tiguing them into compliance with h-is measures^ He has dissolved representative houses rejjeaterJly, for opposing, with manly fira^ness, his invasions en the rights of the people. He has refased^ for a long tmie after such dissolu- tions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the legis» iative powers, incapable of annihilation, have returned to the people at. large, for their exercise, the state re- maining, in the mean time, exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within. He has endeavored to prevent the population of these slates; for that purpose, obstructing the laws f^>r naturalization of foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migration hither, and raising the con- ditions of new appropriations of lands. He has obstructed the administration of justice, by refusing hia assent to laws for establishing judiciary , t50^ DECLARATION OF INDEPENDBNCB. He has made judges dependent on his will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and pay- ment of their salaries. He has erected a multitude of nev/ ofHces, and sent hither sw"arni&^ of officers, to harass our people, and ear out their substance. He has kept among usj in times of peace, standing armirs, without the consent of our legislatures. He has affected to render the military independent of, and superior to^ the civil power. He has combined with others to subject us to a ju- risdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowl- edged by our laws; giving his ussent to their acts of pretended legislation: For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us: For protecting them, by a mock trials from punish- ment for any murders which they should cotnmlt on ^he inhabitants of these states: For cutting off our trade with all parts of the wotld; For imposiog taxes. on us v/ithom our consent: For depriving us, in many cases, of the benefits of •rial by jury: For transporting us beyond seas to be tried for pre- tended offences: For abolishing the free system of English laws in a neighbouring province, establishing therein an arbitra- ry government, and enlarging its boundaries, so as to render it at once an example and lit instrument for in- troducing, the same absolute rule into these colonies: For taking away our charters, abolishing our most valuable lav/s, and altering^ fundamentally, the forms of our governments: For suspending our own legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us ii^ all cases whatsoever. He has abdicated government here, by declaring us out of his protection, and waging war against us. M: has plundered our seas, ray aired our coaSiS., BECLAUATION OF INDEI*ENDENCE, ?Si burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our peo° He is at this time transporting large armies ot for- eign mercenaries to complete the works of death, de- solation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstan- ces (if cruelty and perfidy, scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the head of a civilized nation. He has constrained cur fellow-citiztns, taken cap- tive on the high seas, to bear drnis against their coun- try, to become the executioners of their friends and brethren, or to tall themselves by their hands. He has excited domestic msurrertions amongst us, and has endeavoured lo bring on the inhabitants of OUT frontiers the merciless Indian savages, whose known rul-r of warfare is an undistmguishcd destruc- tion of allagesj sexes, and conditionso In every stage of these oppressions we have peti" tioned for redress in the most humble terms* our re- peated petitioi>s have been answered only by repeated injury. A prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people,. Nor have «/e been v^anting in attentions to our Brit- ish brethren. We have warned them, from lime to time, of attempts by their legislature lo extend an un- warrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circunnstances of our emigration and set- tlement here. We have appealed to their native juS"* tice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the tics of our common kindred to disavow these usur- patioiis, which would inevitably interrupt our connex- ions and correspondence. They too have been deaj to the voire of justice and of consanguinity. We niust, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity w^iich de- noui:cts our separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind — enemies in war, in peace friends. We, therefore, the reprtsentatives of the United "States of Americaj in general congress assembled- an- %a DEGLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, pealing to the Supreme Judge of the world, for tht rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name and by the authority of ihe good people of these colonies, solemn- ly publish and declare, th.it these united colonies are and of right oughi to be, free anci indc pendent states^ th u they are absolved frojr> all allegiance to the Brit- Hh crown, and that all political connexion l)et\veeii them and the state of 'Great Britain, is, and ought to be, totally dissolved; and that, as free and indepen- dent states, they have full power to levy war, conclude p.f ace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do ail other acts and things which independent states may of right do. And for the support of this decla- rv»tlon, with a firm reliance on the protection of Diyine Providence, we mutualiy pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor. JOHN HANCOCK. NEW HAMPSHIRE. Josiab Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton. MASSACHUSETTS BAY. Samuel Adams, John Adams, Kobert Treat Paine, Elhridge GcrrVc RHODE ISLAND, &C. Stephen Hopkins, WiUiam Ellery. CONNECTICUT. Roger Sherman, William WilliamSy Samuel Huntington, Oliver Wolcott. NEW York. William Floyd, Fra«cis Lewis, • Philip Livingston, Lewis iM orris. NEW JERSEY. Richard Smckton, John Hart, j John Witherspoon, Abraham Clarke Francis Hopkinson, , 2>ELAWABE. Cesar Rodney, Thomas M'K^alsi. ; ^George Heady DECLARATION OF INDEPENDEKClE. PENNSYLVANIAo Robert Morris, James Smith, Benjamin Rush, George Taylorj Benjamin' FrankHn, James Wilsoin, John Morton, George Ross, George Clymer, MAPYLAND. S'<».K"iUel Chase, Thomas Stone, William Paca, Charles Carroll, VIRGINIA. George Wythe, Thomas Nelson, jr. Richard Henry Lee, Francis Lightfoot Lee^ Thomas Jefferson, Carter Braxton. Benjamin Harrison, NORTH CABOLINA. William Hooper, John Penn, Joseph Hewes, SOUTH CAROLINA. Edward Rutledge, Thomas Lynch, jro Thomas He} ward, jr. Arthur Middleton, GEORGIA. Burton Gwinnett, George Walton. Lynvan Hall, ■ %2 'm^ TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UJ^ITED STATES, AKNOUNCING HIS INTENTION OF RETIRING FROM P«B« Lie SERVICES. Friends ami Fellow-Citizens, election of a citizen to ad-^/j Dvernmtnt of the United ] The period for a new iminister the executive governm< ^l . States, being not far distant, and the time actually ar r yived, when your thoughts must be employed in desig- xiating the person, who is to becloathi^d with that ini- , portant trust, it appears to me proper, especially as it \ Enay conduce to a more distinct expression of the \ public voice, that I should now apprise you of^the y.\ resolution I have formed, to decline being consid'ered " among the number of those, out of whom a choice is to be made. I beg you, at the same time, to do me the justice to he assijred, that this resolution has not been taken, without a strict regard to all the considerations apner- tairfing to the relation, which binds a dutiful citizen to his country^ and that, in withdrawir.g the tender o service which silence in my situation might imply, I am influenced by no diminution of zeal for your fu- ture interest; no defrtiency of grateful respect for your past kindness; but am spppoTfed by a full con- viction that the step is compatible with both. K.-^ The acceptatvce of, and continuance hitherto in the office to which your suffrages have twice called me, have been a uniform sacrifice of inclination to the opinion of duty, and to a deference for what appeared to be your desire. I constantly h^ped that it would > WASHINGTON'S FAREWELL-ADDRESS. ^^^ have been much earlier in my power, consistently with motives, which I was not at liberty to disrec;ard, to return to that retirement, from which I had been re- luctantly drawn. The strength of my inclination to do this, previous to the last election, had even led to the preparation of an address to declare it to you; but mature reflection on the then perplexed and critical posture of our affairs with foreign nations, and the unanimous advice of persons entitled to my confi* dence, impellad me to abandon the idea. I rejoice, that the state of your concerns, external as well as internal, no longer renders the pursuit of in- clination incompatible v;uh the sentiment of duty, or" propriety; and am persuaded vvhat«sver partiality may be retained for my services, that in the present cir- cu nstances of our country, you will not disapprovti of m\ determination to retire. The impressions with which I first undertook the arduous trust, were explained on the proper occasion* In the discharge of this trust, I will only say, that Z have with good intentions, contributed towards the organization and administration of the goverment, the best exertions of which a very fallible judgment was capable. Not inconscious, in the outset, of the infe- riority of my qualifications; experience in my own eyes, perhaps stiil more in the eyes of others, has strengthened the motives to diffidence of myself; and every day the increasing weight of years admonishes me more and more, that the shade of retirement is as necessary to me as it will be welcome. Satisfied that if any circumstances have given peculiar value to my services, they mere temporary, I have the consolation to believe, that while choice and prudence invite me to ^< quit the political scene, patriotism does not forbid it. ,/- '^» In looking forward to the mc^ent, which is intend- ed to terfninate the career of my public life, my feel- ings do not permit me to suspend the deep acknow- ledgment of that debt of gratitude which I owe to my beloved country, for the many honors it has conferred ^Bs WASHINGTON'S FAREWELL-ADDRESS. Upon me; still more for the steadfast confidence \vnh \vhich it has supporfSd mt; and tor the opportuf^ities I have thence enjoyed of manifesting my inviolable -attachment, by services faithful and persevering, though in usefulness unequal to my zeal. It benefits have resulted to our country from these services, let i^t always be remembered to your praise, as an instruc- tive example in our aRm^ls, that under tircumstances in which the passions, agitated in every direction, were liable to mislead, amidst appearances sometimes du'oi^ ous, — vicissitudes of fortune often discouraging, — in situations in which not unfrequently want ot success has countenanced the spirit of criticism — the con* Btancy of your supp-jrt was ine essential prop of the efmrts, and a guarantee of the> pia !s by which they were effected. Profoundly penetrated with this idea^j I shall carry it with me to my grave, as a strong inci*.o anent to unceasing vows that Heaven mav continue to you the choicest tokens of its beneficence — that your union and brotherly affection may be perpetual — that the free constitution, which is the v/ork of your hands maybe sacredly maietained — that its administration in every departtiient may be stamp¥(J^visdom and virtue —that, in fine, the happiness of the people of these states, under the auspices of liberty, may be made complete, by so careful a preservation and so prudent a use of this blessing as will acquire to them the glory of recommendfng it to the applause, the affection and adoption of every nation which is yet a stranger^to it. Here, perhaps, I ought to stop B\n a solicitude for your welfare, which, cannot end but with my life, and the apprehension of danger, natural to that solicitude, urge me on an occasion like the present, topfFcr to your solemn contemplation, and to recommendto yout frequent review, some sentiments; which are the result of much reflection, of no inconsiderable obser- yaVion, and which appear to me all-important to the permammey-^.f your felicity as a people. These will be offered to you with the m,Qre freedomj as you cai*. WASHINGTON'S FAKEvVELL-ADDRESS. %Q% only see in them the disirr^reste 1 warnings of a part- ing friend, who can possibly have no personal motive to bias his coancil. Nor can I forget, as an encourage- ment to it, your indulgent reception of my sentiments > on a former and not dissimilar occa!»ion, J^': / Interwoven as is the lov^ of liberty with erery lig^- I ment of your hearts, no recomraend^ion of mine is \ necessary to fortify or confirm the attach'ment. / The unity of govtrnment which constitutes you one ' people is also now dear to you» It is justly so; for it is amain pillar in the edifice of your real independence, the support of your tranquility at home, your peace adroad; of your safetyj of your prospentyi of that very liberty whfch you so highly prizeo But as it h easy to ioresee, thaft from differtnt causes and from different quarters, much pains will be taken, many artifices employed to weaken in your" minds the con° viction of this truthj as this is the point in your poli- tical fortress against which the batteries of internal and external enemies will be most constantly and acrtvely (though often covi^rtly and insiduously) direct^ ed, it is of infinite moment, that you should properly estimate th2 immence value of your national LJnion to your collective and" individual happiness; that youi should cherish a cordial, habitual and immovable at- tachment to it; accustoming yourselves to think and speak of it as the Palladium of your political safety and prosperity! watchipg for its preservation withjeal° - ous anxiety; discountenancing whatever may suggest ? eyen that a suspicion that it can in any event be aban- doned^ and indignantly frowning upon^the first dawn- ing of every attempt to allienate any portion of our ' country from the rest, or to enfeeble the sacred tiee i which now link together the various parts. For this you have every inducement of sympathy? and interest. Citizens bv birth or choice, of a com-- lYion rountrv, th «t country has a rrght to concentrate^ yoGr affections. - The name of American, which be-- !:Dg«. to yen. in vour national capacitv, biueV al^arsa^ ^S8 WASHINGTON'S ^AREWELL.AD1>REBS. exalt the just pride of patriotism, more than any appeh Ijition-derived from local discriminations. With slighs shades of difference, you have the same religion, man- ners, habits and political principles. You have in a common cause fought and triumphed together; the independence and liberty you possess are the work of joint councils, and joint efforts, of common dangers^, sufferings and successes. ,^, But these considerations, however powerfully they address themselves to your sensibility, arc greatly out- weighed by those which apply more immediately to your interest.- — Here every portion of our country finds the most commanding motives for carefully guarding and preserving the Union of the whole. >The Jforlhy in an unrestrained intercourse with the . South, protected by the equal lawa of a common gov* ernment, finds in the productions of the latter, grea?; additional resources of maratime and commercial en- terprise and precious materials of manufacturing in- dustry.— The Soulhin the same intercourse benefiting fey the agency of the Jforih, saes its agriculture grow and its commerce expand. Turning partly into its own channels, the seamen of the JV'VjHIi, it finds its part' ;ular navigation invigoratedj- and while it contri- butes indifferent w^ys, to nourish and increase the ge- neral mass of the national navigation, it looks forward to the protecnon of a maratime sirecgih to which itseli is unequally adapted. — The East., in a like inter^ course with thtt West^ already finds, and in the pro- gressive improvement cf interior communications, by land and water, vvill more and rr ore find a valuable '^ent for the commodities ivhich it brings from abroad^ ^r manufactures at homeo— Th'^ West derives from the East, supplies requisite to its gro\y;h and com- 4brt — and what is pttrhapsof still grtaie-r consequence^ it must of necessity owe the secure e-joyment of in- dispensable outlets for its own productions to the iveight, influence, and the future maratime strength 'f^rf she Atlanu&sids of the Union^, directed by ^n k- WASHING TON'S FAlJli\\TiLL-ADDnES3. ^m^ dissoluble community of interest as one nation. Any other tenure by which the IVebt ciui iiokl this essential advanl?gc, whether derived trom its own separate; i strength, or from an apostate and unnatural connection with uoy foreign power, must be intrinsically precari- ous. While then every part of our country thus feels an immediate and particular interest in Union, all the parts combined cannot fail to nnd in the united mass of means and efforts greater strength, greater resource, proportionably greater security from external danger, a less frequent intcrruptian of ihe"!f lieace by foreign nations; — and what is of inestimable vdlue, they must derive from Union an exemption from these broils and wars between tliemselves, which so frequently afflict neighbouring countries, not tied together by the same government; which their own riv«lships alone would be sufficient to produce, but which opposite foreign alliances, attachments and intrigues would stimulate and embitter. — Hence likewise they will avoid the necessity of those overgrown military estab- lishments, which under any form of government are inauspicious to liberty and which are to be regarded as part'cjlarly hostile to Republican hibe-rty; in this sense it is, that your union ought to be considered as a main prop of your liberty, and that the love of the one ought to endear to yoa the preservation of ths other. These considerations speak a persuasive languag*; to every reflecting and virtuous mind, and exhibit the continuance of the Union as a primary object of a patriotic desire. Is there a doubt, whether a commoa government can embrace so large a sphere? — Let eX' perience solve it. To listen to mere speculation in 3uch a case were criminal. We arc authorised to hope that a proper organization of the whole, with the auxiliary agency ©f governments for the respective subdivisions, will afford a harpy issue to the experi-r- zw^nu. h is. wtii worxh a. fair and fuU 'xp;tri.-ieiit>. 2^0 WASHINGTON'S FAREWELL-ADDRETSS. With such powerful and obvious motives to union.;, affecting all pans of our country, while experience shall not have denionstated its impracticability, there will always be reason to distrust the patriotism of those, who in any quarter may endeavour to weaken its bjnds. In contemplatingthe causes which may disturb our Union, it occurs as matter of serious concern, that any ground should have been furnished for characterising parties by Geographical discriminations — JS^orthtni and SouUiern-^Mlantic and IVesterii; whence de- signing men may endeavour to excite a belief that there is a real difference of local interests and viewso One of the expedients of party to acquire influence, within particular districts, is to misrepresent the opi- nions and aims of other districts. You cannot shield yourselves to»pring of our own choicr-, uninfluenced and unawed, adopted upon full inrvcstigation and mature deliberalior, completely free in its principles, in the distribution of its powers, unit- ing securityvvith energy, and containing within itself a provision for its own amendment, has a ju^jt claim to your confidence and your support. K^r'spect for- its authority, compliance with its laws, acquiescence in its measures, are duties enjoined by the fundament- al maxims of true Liberty. The basis ofourpuliti- caljsystems is the right of the people to miake and to alter their Constitutions of Government — But, the Constitution which at any time exists, ^ill changed by an explicit and iuuhentic act of the whole people, is sacredly obligatory upon ali. 7'he very idea ot the power and the right of the people to establish Govern- ment, pre-supposes the duty of every individual to obey the established Government. . All ob t; uctions to the execution of the Laws, all combinations and associations, under whatever plausi- ble char-r^cter, with real design to direct, controul, counteract, or awe the regular deliberation and action of the constituted authorities, are destructive of this fundamental principle, and, of fatal tendencv. They serve to organize faction, to give it an artiliclal and extraordinary force— to put in the place of the dele- gated will of the nation, the will of a party, often a small but artful and enterprizing n^inority of the com^ znuniJyj aad- according to -the alternate triumphs' of tm WASHINGTON'S FAREWELL-AETDRES^* different parties, to make the public administratio'3 the mirror of the ill-concerted and incongruous projects of fashion^ rather tban the organ of consistent and whole- soTfie plans digested by coiiamon councils, and modi- iitd by mutual interests. However combinations or associations of the above description may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people, and to usurp for themselves the reins of Governmen?;^ destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion. '• Towards the preservation of your Government, and the" permancncv of your present happy state, it is re- quisite, not only that you steadily discountenance irre- gular oppositions to its acknowledged authority, but also that you resist with care the spirit of innovation ypon its principles however specious the pretext. — One method of assault may be to effect in the forms' of the constitution alterations which will impair the en- ergy of the system, ani-» thus to undermine what can- uiot be directly overthrown. In all the changes to which you may be invited, remember that time and ha'oit are at least as necessary to fix the true charac- ter of Governments, as of other human institutions — ■ that experience is the surest standard, by which to test the real tendency of the existing constitution of a country — that facility in changes upon tde credit of mere hypothesis and opinon, exposes to perpetual change, from the endless variety of hvpothesis and opinion; and remember, especially, that for the effi- cient management of your common interest, in a country so extensive as ours, a government of as much vigour as is consistent with the perfect security of li- berty, is indispensable. Liberty itself will hod in such a government, with powers properly distributed and" adjusted, its surest guardian. It is indeed littfe else ihaQ a name, where the gpvenimeat is too feeble to TVASmNGTON'S FABEWELL-ABDBESS. S63 Withstand the enterprizes of faction, to confine each membtr of the society within the Unfits prescribed by the laws, and so maintain all in the secure and tran- quil enjoyment ot the rights of person and properly.?!^.' 1 have already intimated to you the daiiger of par- ties in the state, with a particular reference to the founding of them on geographical di^criminationSo Let me now take a more comprehensive view, and warn you, in the most solemn manner, against the baneful effects of the spirit of party generally. This spirit, unfortunately, is inseperable from our nature, having its roots in the strongest passions oT the human mind. It exists under different shapes in all governments, more or less stifled, controuled, or repressed; but in those of the popular form, it is seen in its greatest rankness, and is truly their worst enemy. "^ The alternate domination of one facvion over ano- ther; sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissention, which, in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself « frightful despotism — But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries, which generally result, gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and rtpose m the abso- lute power of an individual: and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his convpetitors, turns this disposition to the purpose of his own elevation^ on the ruins of public liberty. ^ Without looking forward to an extremity of this iind, (which nevertheless ought not to be entirely out of sight) the common and continual mischiefs of the spirit of party are sufficient to make it the interest and duty of a wise people to discourugc and restrain it- It serves always to distract the public counsels, and enfeeble the public administration. It agitates the community with ill- founded jealousies and false alarms; kindles the animosity of one part agaiost ano- %%% WASHfNGTON'S FA^EWELL-ADBRESS, ther; foments occasionally rio": and insurrection. It opens the door to foreign influence and corruption, which find a facilitated access to the government itself, through the channels of party passions. Thus the policy and the will of one country are subjected to the policy and will of another. There is an opinion, that parties in free countries are useful checks upon the administration of the gov- erninenl, and serve to keep alive the spirit of liberty. This, uiti'in certain limits is probably true; and ia governmenis of a monarchical cast, patriotism may look with m^lulgence, if not with favour, upon the spii it of party. But in those of the popular character, in govermnents purely elective, it is a spirit not to be encouraged. From their natural tendency, it is certain there will always be enough of that spirit for every salutary purpose. And there being constant danger of excess, the effort ought to be, by force of public opinion, to mitigate and assuage it. A fire not to be quenched; it demands an uniform vigilance ^o prevent its bursting into a fiame, lest instead of warming it should consume. It is important Vikewist;, that the habits of thinking in a free ct^untry should inspire caution, in those cn- tfusted with its administration, to confine themselves within their respective constitutional spheres, avoid- ing in the exercise of the powers of one department to -encroach upon another. The spirit of encroach- irient tends to consolidate the powers of all the de- partments in one, and thus to create, whatever the form of. governmcntji a real despotism. A just esti- mate of that love of power, and proneness-to abuse it, which predominates in the human heart, is sufficient to satisfy us of the truth ofj this position. The ne- cessity of reciprocal checks in the exercise of political power, by dividing and distributing it into different depositories, and constituting each the guardian 6f the public weal, against invasions by others, has been evinced by experiments ancient and modersj; some df WASHINGTON'S FAREWELL-ADDRESS. im tbem in our country, and under our own eyes. To pre- serve them, must be as necessary as to institute them. If, in the opinion of the people, the distribution otT modification of the consiiiutional powers be in any particular wrong, let it be corrected by an amendment, in a way which the constitution designates. But let there be no change by usurpation^ for though this ia one instance, may be the instrument of good, it is the customary weapon by which free governments are destroyed. I'he precedent tiiust always grcady over- balance in permanent evil, any partial or transient be° nefit which the use can at any time yields ""^ Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to po° iitical prosperity, Religion and Morality arc indispen- sable supports»*-In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism, who should labour to subvert ) these great pillars of human happiness, these firmese I props of the duties of Men and Citizctns. — The mere Poliiicfan, equally with the pious man, ought to reS" pect and to cherish them, A volumn could not trace > -all their connections with private and public felidtyo •Let it simply be asked where is the security for pro- perty, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religions obligation desert the oaths, which are the instruments of investigation in Courts of Justice? And let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever ma> be con- ceded to the influence of relined education on minds of peculiar structurei reason and experience both for- bid us to expect that national morality can prevail iia exclusion of religious principle. 'Tis substantially true, that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government. The rule indeed extends With more or less force to every spe- cies of free government. Who that is a sincere fricndl to it can look with indifference upon attempts to shake the foundation of the fabric? Promote, then, as an object of primary importance, -EDEtitutions for the general diffusion of knowlcdgc-^Ito 83 tee WASHINGTON'S PXREWELL-AGDRESS. proportion, as the structure of a government giveg^ force to public opinion, it is essential thatpublic opia- ion should be enlightened. As a very important source of strength and security, cherish public credit. One method of preserving it; is to use it as sparingly as possible; avoiding occa- tsions of expense by cultivating peace, but remember- ing also that timely disbursements to prepare for dan- ger frequently prevent .much .greater disbursements to repel it; avoiding likewise the accumulation of debt, not only by shunning occasions of expence, but by vig- orous exertions in time of peace to discharge the debts %vhich unavoidable wars may have occasioned, not un- generously throwing upon posterity the burthenwhith we ourselves ought to bear. — The execution of these maxims belongs to your representatives, but it is ne^ cessary thatpublic opinion should co-operate. — To facilitate to them the performance of their duty, it is essential that you should practically bear in mind^that towards the payment ot debts there .must be revenue, that to have revenue there must also be taxes; that no taxes can de devised which are not more or less in- convenient and unpleasant; that the intrinsic embar- rassment inseparable from the. selection of the proper objects (vyhich is always a choice ofdifficulties) ought to be a decisive motive for a candid construction of the conduct of the government in making it, and for a spirit of acquiescence in the measures for obtaining revenue which the public exigencies may at any timjs dictate. ">- Observe good faith and justice towards all nations, cultivate peace and harmony with all; religion and morality enjoin this conduct; and can it be that gcojd policv does not equally epjoin it? It will be worthy of a free, enlighte,ned, and, ai no distant period, a great nation, to give to. mankind the magnanimous and too novel example of a people always guided by an exalted justice and benevolenee. Who can doubt that, in the course of time and things, the fruits of such a plajti would richly repay any leinporary advantages whij^ ■'^'ASHtNGTON'S FAREWELL-ADDliESS. ast wight be lost by a steady adherance to it? Can it be^ that Providence has not connected the permanent feli- city of a nation with its virtue? The experiment, at least, is lecommeoded by every sentiment which en» nobles human nature. Alas! is it rendered impossi- ble by its vices! V ^ In the execution of such a plan, nothing is more es- sential than that permanent, inveterate antipathies against particular nations, and passionate attachment© for others should be excluded; and that in place of thenji just and amicable feelings towards all should be cultiva- ted. The nation, which indulges towards another art habitual hatred, or an habitual fondness is in sonve degree a slave. It is a slave to its animosity or lis affection, either of which is sufficient to lead it astray from its dutv and its int^.rest. Antipathy in one nation against another disposes each more readily to off-:;r insult and injury, to lay hold of s-iight causes of umbrage, and to be haughty and intractable, when acci-= dental or trifling occasions of dispute occur. Hence frequent collisions, obstinate, envenomed and bloody- contests. The nation, prompted by ill will and re- sentment, son>etimes inrvptls to war the government^ contrary to the best calculations of policy. The gg- vernmetit somstimes participates in the national pro- pensity, and adopts through passion what reason would reject; at otbar times, it makes the animosity of the nation subservient to projects of hostility instiga° ted by pride*, ambition, and other sinister and perni- cious motiveso The peace often, sometimes perhaps' the liberty, of nations has been the victim* "">?\ So likewise, a passionate attachment of one natiotx ^ for another produces a variety of evils. Sympathy for the favourite nation, facilitating .the illusion of aa imaginary cornjnon interest, in cases where no rea'i common interest exists, andirvfusing into one the en- mities of the other, betrays the former into a partici- pation in the quarrels and wars of the latter, without adequate inducement or justification. It leads also to aoncessioas to the favourite nation of privileges dg- ^6S" WASHINGTON'S FAREWELL»ADDREbS. med to others, which is apt doubly to injure the tva-. sion making the concessionsj by unnecessarily parting with what ought to have been retainedi and by excit- ing jealousy, ill-will, and a disposition to retaliate, in the parties from whom equal privileges are withheld: and it gives to ambitious, corrupted, or deluded citi- zens (who devote themselves to the favorite nation) facility to betray or sacrifice the interests of their own country, without odium, sometimes even with popu- larity; gilding with the appearances of a virtuous sense of obligation, a commendable deference for pub- lic opinion, or a laudable zeal for public good, the base or foolish compliances of ambition, corruption, or Ipfatuation. A-' As avenues to foreign influence in innumerable ways, such attachments are particulari; alarming, to the enlightened and independent patrio How many opportunities do they afford to tamper w'vh domestic factions, to practice the arts of seduction, to mislead public opinion, to influence or awe the public councils! Sach an attachment ot a small or weak, towards a great and powerful nation, dooms the former to be the satellite of the other. Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence (I. conjure you to believe me fellow-citizens) the jealousy of a free people ought to be conslaiithj awakt; since history and experience prove, that foreign intluence is one of the most baneful foes of republican govern- ment* But that jealousy, to be useful must be impar= aial, else it becomes the instrument of the very influ- ence to be avoided, instead of a defence against it« Excessive partiality for one foreign nation, and ex- cessive dislike of another, cause those whom they ac- tuate to see the danger only on one side, and serve to veil and even to second the arts of influence on the other. Real patriots, who may resist the intrigues of the favourite, are liable to become suspected and odious; while its tools and dupes, usurp the applause and confidence of the people to surreiider thtir in- terests = WASHINGTON'S FA RE WELL- ADDRESS. 26&^ The great rule of conduct for us, in regard to fot- e^gQ nations, is in extending our commercial relationSj, to have with them as little political connexion as pos- sible. So far as we have already formed engagements^ 3et theni be fululted with- perfect good faith — Here let us stop. ^ Europe has a set of primary interests, which to us- laa've none, or a very remote relation. Hence she must be engaged in frequent controversies^ the causes ^ of which are essentially foreign to. our concernso Hence, therefore, it must be unwise in u-s to impli- cate ourselves, by artificial ties* in the ordinary vicis- ^ situdes of her politics, or the ordinary con[ibinatiQn&'^ .<^or collisions of her friendships, or enmities. "QUr detached and distant situation invites and en- ables us to pursue a different courseo^ If we remain^ one people, under an efficient government, the period^ is not far off, when we may defy material injury fronn externaliannoyance: we may take such an attitude. asr« will cause the neutrality, we may at any time resolve upon, to be scrupulously respectedi when belligerenS; nations under the impossibility of making acquisions- upon us J wirfnot lightly hazard the giving us provo-- cation; when we m^y choose peace or wat, as our in-»' terest, guided by justice, shall counseL> ■>r ^Vhy forego the advantages of- so peculiar a situa- tion ? Why qurt our own to standi upon foreigcu ground? Why, by interweaving our destiny, with that: o) 4ny part of Europe, entangle our peace and pros- perity in the toils of European ambition,, rivakhip, ia-^ tlerest humour or caprice? *Tis our true policy to steer clear of permanent a!» liaiices with any portion of th^ foreign world; so far, Tmean, as "we are now at liberty to do its. for let me not be understood as capable of patronising infidelity ito existing engagements. . 5 hold the matxim no less appiicahte to puhlic than to private sfFairs, that l^ones* 'vis always the best policy. F repeat it therefore, let :ife39-en5agciW2i5ts be observed in thtir genuine a-essaei ^TO- WASHINGTON'S FAREWELL«ABDEIiS£, Bat in my opinion, it is unnessary and would be un^^ wise to extend them: Taking care always to keep ourselves, by suitable establishments, on a respectable defensive posture, we may safely trust to temporary alliances for extraordU Bary emergencieso Harmony, liberal intercourse with all nations, are recommended by policy, humanity, and interesto But evtn our commercial polky should hold an equal and impartial handi neither seeking nor granting exclu- sive favours or preferences; consulting the natural course of things; diffusing and diversifying by gentle means the streams of commerce, but forcing nothings establishing, with powers so disposed in order to give trade a stable course, to de line the rights of our mer= chants, and to enable the government to support them^ conventional rules of intercourse, the best that present circumstances and mutual opinion will permit, bus temporary, and liable to be from time to time aban-* doncd or varied, as experience and circumstances, shall dictate^ constantly keeping in view, that 'tis folly •in one nation to look for disintesested favours from anotheri that it must pay with a portion of its inde- pendence for whatever it may accept under that char° acter; that by such acceptance, it may place itself in ihe condition of having given equivale'nts for nominal favours, and yet of being reproached with ingratitude for not giving more. There can be no greater error than to expect, or calculate upon real favours from na» 4ion to nation. ^Tis an illusion which experience muse cure, which a just pride ought to discard. "2^ In olFering to you my countrymen, these counsels of an old tmd affectionate friend, I dare not hope the strong and lasting impression i couid wishi that they *vill controul the usual current of the passions, or pre- vent our nation from running the course which has jhitherto marked the destiny of nations: But if I may (Even iatter myself, that they may be productive ot ^ome partial beneit, soijie oeeasionil good^ that the^ WASHINGTON'S FAHEWELL-ADDaESS. Stl. Liiay now and then recur to moderate the fury of p.irty spirit, to warn ag4inst the mischiefs of foreign intrigue, do guard against the impostures of pretended ]:wjtrio- tism; this hope will be a lull recompemce fur the soli- citude ot your welfare, by which they have beeti dic- tated. How far sn the discharge of my official dutie<;, I have been guided by the prmciples that have been de- lineated, the public records and other evidences of my conduct must witness to you and to the world. To mysself, the assurance of my own conscience is, that I have at least believed myself to be guided by them. "' ™ ' In relation ro the still subsisting war in Europe, my proclamation of the 22d of April, 1793, is the inde^i to my Plan, Sanctioned by vour approving voice and by that of your Kt-presentatives in both Houses of Congress, the spirit of that measure has continually governed me; uninfluenced by any attempts to deter or divert K^e from it. After deliberate examination with the aid of the best lights 1 could obtain, I was well satisfied that our country, under all ihe circumstances of the case, had a right to take, and v/as bound in duty and interest, to take a neutral position. Having taken it, I determine ed, as far as should depend upon me, to maintain iZ with rat>deration, perseverance and firmness. The considerations which respect the right to hold this conduct, it is not necessary on this occasion to detail, I will only observe that according to my un- derstanding of the matter, that right, so far from being denied by any of the belligerant powers, has been vir- tually admitted by alL The duty of holding a neutral conduct may be in- ferred^ without any thing more, from the obligations which justice and humanity impose on every nation, in cases in which it is free to act, to maintain invio- late the relations of peace and amity, tov/uds other isations. The inducements of interest for observing that coa- n ^1^ WASHiNeiTO>rS I'AREWELL.ADDRESsv duct, will best be referred to your own reflections and?* experience. With me, a predcminant motive ha&- been to endeavour to gain time to our country, to set- tle and mature its yet recent instiutioBS, and to pro- gress without interruption, to- that degree of strength arid consistency, which is necessary to giye it, human- ly speakings the command of its own fortunes. Though in i-eviewing the incidents of my adminis- tration, I am unconscious of intentional error: I am, nevertheless, too sensible of my defects not to think \l prc»bable that I may have committed many errorsa Whatever they may be, I fervently beseech the Af» mighty to avert or mitigate the evils to which they may tend. 1 shall also carry with me the hope iha£ my country will neyt^r cease to view them with indul- gence; and that after forty- five years of my life dedi- cated to its service, with an upright zeal, the faulta of incompetent abilities will be consigned to oblivion, as- myself must soon be to the n.ansion of rest. Reh ing on- its kindness in this, as in other things^ and actuated by that fervent love towards it, which is so natural to a man, who views in it the natural soil of hims^^lf and his progenitors for several generations^ I anticipate with pleasing expectation, that retreat in tvhich I promise myself to realize without xlloy, thd sweet enjoyment of partaking, in the midst of my felloW'citizens, the benign influence of good laws un-» der a free government; the ever favorite object of my heart, and the happy reward as 1 trust, of our mutual cares, labours^ and dangers." G. Washingten^ 0jriT£D States, irth Sept;. 1796, EUL0G1«JM'< Mn Fax*s Enloginm on General Wcishingtoni intlw Brilhh rarliamtnl — 1 794. How infinitely superior must appear the spirit and principles oi General Washington, in his late address, to Congress, conQpared with the policy of modern: Eurcipei'.n courts! Illustr'jous man! derivmg honor less from the spUndor of his situation than from the dig- nity of his mind; before whom all borrowed greatness, sinks into insignificance, and all the princes and poten- tates of Europe become little and contemptiblt! He has no occasion to have recourse to any tricks of po- licy or arts of alarm; his authority has bten sufficient- ly supported by the sume means by which it was ac- quired, and his conduct has uniformly been character- ised by wisdom, moderation, and firmness. He, feel- ing gratitude to France for the assistance received from her in that great contest which secured the inde- pendence of America, did not choose to give up the system, of neutrality in favour oi this country. Hav- ing once laid down that line oi conduct, which both gratitude and policy pointed out as the most proper to be pursued, not all the insults or piovocation oi the French minister Genet, could at all put biiu out of his. way, or bend him from his purpose. Entrusted with the care of the welfare of a great people, he did noc allow ihe misconduct of an-ther, with respect to him = self, for one moment to interrupt the duty which he owed to them, or withdraw his attention frotn their interests. He had no fear of the JMCohins; he felt no alarm from their principles, and considered no precau- tion as necessary in order to stop their progress. The people over whom he presided, he knew t^> be acquaint- ed with their rights and their duties. He trusted to their own good sense to defeat the effect of those arts which might be employed to cnfiams or mislead thek- EULOGIUM, minds,* and was sensible that a governnnent could be an no danger, while it retained the attachment and confidence ofits subjects — attachment^ in this instan&e, not blindly adopted, confidence not implicitly given, but arising from the conviction of its excellence, and the experience of its blessings. I cannot indeed help admiring the wisdom and the fortune of this great man? not that by the phrase forlinie I mean in iHe smallest degree to derogate from his merit. But, not- withstanding his extraordinary talents and exalted in- tegrity, It must be considered as singularly fortunate, that he should havt; experienced a iot^. which so sel- dom falls to the portion of humanity, and have passed through such a variety of scenes, without stain and %vithout reproach, it must indeed create astonish- ment, that placed in circumstances so critical; and fill- ing for a series of lime, a station so conspicuous, his character should never once have been called in ques- tion; that he should in no one instance have been ac» cused either of improper insolence, or of mean sub» mission, in his transaciionj with foreiga nations. It- has been reserved for him to run the race oi glorf , without experiencing the smalWst intt^rruption to the brilliancy of his career. The breath of censure has not dared to impe^ich the purity of his conduct, nor the eye of env) to raise its malignant glance to the ele- vation of his virtues. Such has been the transcend- ant merit and th-e unparalleled fate cf this iilustrious- man! But if the maxims now held forth were adopt- ed, he who now ranks as the asserter of his couniry^s freedom, and the guardian of its interests and h6nor, woul i, be deemed to have disregarded and betrayed that country, and to have entailed Upon himself indel- ible reproach. How did he act when insulted by Genet? Did he consider it as- necessary fo avenge himself for the miscondi\ct or madness of an individual, by in- Vf'lving^ •« whole continent in the horrors c>f war? No| he contented himself with procuring satisfaction for lbs insulJj by causing Genet to be recalled; aod thuc ■: EtJLOGm*L 2.% at ones consulted bis own dignity and the interests of bis country. Happy Americans! while the whirl- wind files over on^ quarter of the globe, and spreads every where desolation, you remain protected froiti its baneful effects, by your own virtues and the wis° dom of your government. Separated from Europe by an immense ocean, you feel not the effects of those prejudices and passions which convert the boasted seat of civilization into scenes of horror and blood- shed. You profit by the folly and madness of the contending nations, and afford in your more congenial clime an asylum to those blessings and virtues which they wantonly contemn, or wickedly exclude from their bosom! Cultivating the arts of peace under the influence of freedom, you advance by rapid strides to opulence and distinction; and if by any accident you should be compelled to take part in the present unhap» py contest, if you should find it necessary to avenge insult, or repel injury, the world will bear witness tc the equity of your sentiments and the moderation of your views; and the success of your arms will lio doubt; be proportioned to the justice of your- cause? LIBRARY OF CONGRESS