1

YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE

OF

GEORGE READ.

.AND A. I'MV AMl'li; Uh' 'I.'! I I'i Cr.iWH'1'l'i.'irii (.1 U ul'

LIFJi; AND CORRESPONDENCE

GEOEGE BEAD

3m6v af tUi §(sUuilm at %n&(iiim^m(t

WITH

NOTICES OF SOME OF HIS CONTEMPORARIES.

BY HIS GRANDSON
WILLIAM THOMPSON READ.

PHILADELPHIA:
J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO.
1870.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1870, by
WILLIAM T. BEAD,
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

TO THE

CITIZENS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE

THE

LIFE OF GEOEGE EEAD,
A SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE,
BY THE AUTHOR.

PREFACE.

In the year 1821 the author of the " Life of George Read," at the
request of the heads of his family, wrote a " Sketch" of his life for the
"Biography of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence," then
being published, which, being approved by them, was printed in the
third volume of that work. Upon the decease of the father of the
author, in 1836, the papers of George Read came into his possession.
A careful examination of these papers showed that the sketch of Mr.
Read's life was an imperfect and inadequate record of his services and
character. The author felt it to be his duty to attempt a fuller one, but
shrunk from the task, diffident of hia ability to execute it as he wished
it to be executed, and was diverted from it by duties and avocations
which could not be put aside, until a recent period, when, warned by
his near approach to the ordinary term of human life, he felt that this
attempt, if to be made by him, could no longer be deferred. Besides
the papers of Mr. Read, above mentioned, letters — valuable materials
of this work — have been obtained and incorporated in it. Mr. Read's
correspondence comprises letters of the most eminent of his contem
poraries, now first published, except eight printed in the " Sketch" of
his life, in the "Biography of the Signers." The author considered it
impracticable to write the life of Mr. Read as he thought it ought to be
attempted, without writing at the same time, to some extent at least,
the history of the deeply-interesting period with which, as a public
man, Mr. Read was closely connected ; but, as well he might, recoiled
from repeating the narrative of events familiar to all, and which he
could not even hope to invest with interest.
The letters of Mr. Read's eminent contemporaries seemed to require,
while they gave opportunity for, the brief notices of their writers in
these pages, and it appeared to be a duty to preserve facts which
(vii)

viii PREFACE.
might be valuable for the history of Delaware yet to be written.
Opinions of men, of measures, of events, and on questions which
claimed consideration, have been expressed in this book, the author
will not dare to assert without error, but, where he has erred, without
intentional injustice. The meagre sketch in the "Biography of the
Signers of the Declaration of Independence" has been expanded to
this volume, which, with this necessary preface, is submitted to the
public. Nbw Castle, Delaware,
November 15th, 1870.

LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE

GEORGE READ.

CHAPTER L
Mr. Read's birth — Account of bis parents — Tbeir removal from Maryland to
Delaware — His education — His school-fellows — Ur. Allison— He commences tbe
study of tbe law — Mr. Moland — His confidence in Mr. Read — Mr Read's .id-
mission to the bar — His letter to bis parents as to his settlement — Relinquishes
his right to a double portion of his father's estate — The law as to double portion
— Settles in New Castle, and practises in the three lower counties ( n Delaware,
and one or more in Pennsylvania — His competitors— Succeeds .lohn Ross as
Attorney-General — Resigns attorney-generalship in 1774 — Eminent as a special
pleader — His influence great — His almanacs and bets — Letter from .1 ohn Dickin
son to Mr. Read — Notice of John Dickinson's first speech, and ol' Galloway's
reply thereto, and of the prefaces to- these speeches — Mr. Read's marriage, and
notice of Mrs. Read — Mr. Dickinson's congratulatory letter to him on his
marriage — Mr. Read elected to the General Assembly of Delaware — Applies for
the office of collector of New Castle, and fails to receive it — His letters and
those of Franklin — Letters of Mr. Neave on the troubles of the mother-country
and her colonies, and part of rough draft of a letter of Mr. Read in reply — Letter
of Mr. Wharton — Mr. Read's farm — Colonel Bedford — His marriage with Mr.
Read's sister — Colonel Read — Mr. Read advocates the observance of the Sabbath
— His rules to preserve health — Result of election in 1769 — Colonial lotteries,
and remarl?:s on the subject of lotteries — Correspondence of Mr. Read with his
brothers — Notice of Captain Thomas Read — Frigate Alliance — Appendix A,
notice of John Ross — Appendix B, roll of militia company, 1757 — Appendix C,
notice of Rev. George Ross — Appendix D, notice of John Dickinson — Appendix
E, Thomas Read.
George Read was born in Cecil County, in the Province
of Maryland, September 18th, in the year 1733, and was
the eldest of six brothers. His father, John Read, was the
son of a wealthy citizen of Dublin, and having emigrated
to America, settled in Cecil County, where he became
a respectable planter. Soon after the birth of his eldest
son he removed to New Castle County, in the Province of
Delaware, and established himself on the head-waters of
the Christiana River.
The parents of Mr. Read determined, at an early period,
to confer such an education on their son as would enable
2 (9)

10 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
him to pursue one of the learned professions. The small
number of schools was at that period a serious obstacle to
the dissemination of knowledge. The nearest reputable
seminary to the residence of Mr. Read's parents was at
Chester, in the Province of Pennsylvania, where he was
taught the rudiments of the learned languages. Prom this
school he was removed to New London, in the same Prov
ince, and placed under the care of the Rev. Dr. Allison, a
man eminently qualified for the arduous task of imparting
instruction to youth. Deeply versed in the dead languages,
his mind was free from the alloy too often mingled with
the pure gold of classic lore; he explored the mazes of
science, in solitary study, without being ignorant of the
world, without despising the beauties of elegant literature,
and without neglecting the decencies of society. His
knowledge of human nature enabled him quickly to dis
cern the bent of a pupil's genius, his master vice, and
dominant foible.*
Among the fellow-pupils of Mr. Read were Charles
Thomson, Secretary of Congress, Hugh Williamson,-]- a
member of that body from North Carolina, and Dr. Ewing,
Provost of the University of Pennsylvania, eminent as a
mathematician and astronomer. The meeting, in after-life,
of the first three of these distinguished men must, under
any circumstances, have been, pleasing, but to meet, as it
occurred in the present instance, in the American Congress
of 1774, .a body endued with Roman spirit and Roman vir
tue, and political knowledge such as no Roman ever attained,
— to meet in that illustrious assembly the guardian of the
rights of three millions of their fellow-men, must have been
to thera a source of deep-felt gratification.
Mr. Read diligentlyj pursued his studies, under the care
* " Dr. Francis Alli'sofa was afterwards Yice-Provost and Professor
of Moral Philosophy in the University of Pennsylvania, and justly
entitled, from his talents, learning, and discipline, the Bushy of the
Western Hemisphere." — Hosack's Biographical Memoir of Hugh
Williamson, in the Collections of the New York Historical Society
p. 131, vol. iii.
f Volume iii. Collections of New York Historical Society, p. 132.
X So diligently, or rather ardently, that, as his sister, Mrs. isedford,
related, when his candle was taken from him at bedtime, he studied his
grammar-lesson by fire-light.

OF GEORGE READ. H
of Dr. Allison, until his fifteenth year, at which early age
he was removed from school, and, on the 28th day qf Sep
tember, 1749, commenced the study of the law with John
Moland, Esquire, an eminent lawyer of the city of Phila
delphia. An education terminated at so early a period of
life, must, necessarily, have been incomplete; but the dis
advantage of being forced into the world with a scanty
stock of knowledge was common to his contemporaries,
who, having their bread to earn, because their parents had
large families and moderate estates, entered on the study and
practice of professions at ages which must have appeared
to Europeans immature indeed. Mr. Read actively applied
himself to the study of his profession. It required more in
tense application at that period than it does at present to
qualify a young man for admission to the bar. The student
was not then assisted by digests, abridgments, and excellent
elementary treatises on every ramification of the law. The
great toil which at that day was requisite to the attainment
of legal knowledge was best calculated to form habits on
which were founded the most certain presages of eminence
at the bar and erudition on the bench. Hence Mr. Read
was conspicuous in after-life for research and accuracy, and
the margins of almost every book in the extensive law-
library he possessed are covered with his notes, so true it is
that the foundation of industrious habits is always laid in
early life. The confidence reposed by Mr. Moland in the
abihties, integrity, and steadiness of his young student was
so great that long before his apprenticeship expired he
intrusted him with his docket, and confided to him all his
attorney's business. Indeed, the talents, industry, zeal, and
uprightness of Mr. Read, while in the office of Mr. Moland,
generated an attachment towards his pupil stronger and
more permanent than the relation of lawyer and student
usually produces. Mr. Moland in his will enjoined his
family to consult Mr. Read on all occasions of difficulty,
and to repose implicit confidence in his advice.* John
* It may be inferred from the following letter that this injunction was
obeyed :
" Sir, — I assure you, I seldom take a pen in my hand but it is to give
some of my friends trouble. I have teased good Mr. Dickinson till he
is weary of me; and now, to make a beginning with you, 1 send, in
closed, a parcel of notes of hand, to see if you can get the money [due

12 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
Dickinson was one of his fellow- students, and the friendship
contracted between the young men, nurtured by the recip
rocation of good offices and growing conviction of each
other's worth, was only interrupted by the death of Mr.
Read, a few years anterior to the decease of the distin
guished author of the "Farmers' Letters." In a letter to
Messrs. Read and Wharton, without date, but written by
Mr. Dickinson just before he embarked for England, whither
he went to complete (in the "Temple") the study of the law,
and while Mr. Read was yet in Mr. Moland's office, and
therefore before or early in 1753, Mr. Dickinson takes a
most affectionate leave of his late associates. He is evidently
much excited and elated by the prospect of his voyage, and
if passages of the letter be written with undue levil^y, his
youth and, circumstanced as he was, almost unavoidable
exhilaration may excuse it, and a warm and kindly feeling for
Mr. Read and other friends pervades it, which exhibits him
very advantageously. He begs to be remembered to Groves,
Oldman, and other friends who may inquire for him, and
especially to Mr. Moland and family; and in the postscript
asks his friend to order the printer's boy to leave his paper
with the "sheriff" I may be pardoned for a brief notice
of this letter, as it is the first of the letters of this eminent
man to Mr. Read found among his papers, and covering a
period of more than forty years.
It appears from the following letter written byMr. Read,
at Philadelphia, to his parents, June 27th, 1753, that he
had then been admitted to the bar :
" Honored Parents, — In discoursing with Mr. Moland
lately, I told him my intention [of] settling at New Castle,
but he seemed to think it would be better staying here, and
upon them]. If my papa has received any money upon these notes,
there will certainly be receipts to show such payments.
"I dare say, as Mr. Read has always professed a friendship for our
family, he will be pleased to hear how we go on in this troublesome
world, but I will leave that to Mr. Dickinson, and have no doubt but he
will tell you. And now give me leave to join with mamma in. wishing
you many very happy years.
" E. Moland.
"George Read, Esquire, January 29th, 1762 "
On the back of this letter is written, "Miss Betsy Moland's letter
now Lady St. Clair."

OF GEORGE READ. 13
attending as many of the courts in this Province, together
with New Castle, as I might think convenient, and that he
would as.sist me all that lay in his power, — he intending to
decline Lancaster and New Castle. His Lancaster business
he has resigned to rae already, which will be of great service
in introducing me to his clients and the people in general,
and I suppose I shall attend the August court at Lancaster,
and also at New Castle. His reasons for my not settling at
Newcastle were that the county was poor, and not able to
support more of the fraternity than were in it already, and
not fit for any person [to] live in, but I might by attending
there make near as much as if settled ; and, by my going from
hence I should lose the acquaintance I had acquired, and
get quite out of knowledge. That while I thought proper
to stay in Philadelphia, I should be welcome to his table
and my lodgings, as at present, but at the same time would
not advise or persuade me to go or stay, but would leave me
entirely at my own disposal, as he thought it difficult to tell
what might be most for my advantage. I think, under the
circumstances, it would be prudent to follow his advice, at
least for awhile, to see how matters will answer, as it will
undoubtedly be in his power to assist me both in this and
the other counties in the Province. But you will be pleased
to let me know your sentiments in this respect as soon as it
shall be convenient, and you will very much oblige
"Your loving and obedient son,
"George Read.
"Mr. John Read, Christeen Bridge."
By then existing laws of Maryland and the " Three Lower
Counties oh Delaware" Mr. Read was entitled to a double
portion of his father's property.* His first act after his ad
mission to the bar was to relinquish, by deed, all claim on

* This right to a double portion was anciently peculiar to the Jews.
(2d Blackstone's Commentaries, p. 214 ; Tucker's edition, chap, xiv.,
Of Title by Descent, Rule 3.) In Deuteronomy, xxi. 17, it is declared
to be the right of the first-born, and was his in the patriarchal age, to
support his dignity as the ruler of his family, and, probably, its priest.
It was the law in Delaware, as to personal estate, from 1683 to 1742,
and as to real, from 1683, when it was, as far as appears, first enacted
as to both, till January 29th, 1794, when it was repealed. Appendix,
Delaware Laws, vol. i. p 16, etc., and Delaware Laws, vol. i. chap. cxix.
a, p. 119. It was also, at the time of the Revolution, the law in New

14 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
his father's estate,* assigning as the reason for this relin
quishment that he had received his full portion in the ex
penses incurred by his education, and it would be a fraud
upon his brothers not to renounce his legal right.
In the year 1754t he settled in New Castle, and com
menced the practice of the law, in the then three lower
counties on Delaware, and the adjacent ones of Maryland.
He found himself in the midst of powerful competitors,
men of undoubted talents and able lawyers, among whom
were John Ross, then Attorney-General.J Benjamin Chew,
Joseph Galloway,§ George Ross,|| John Dickinson, and
Thomas McKean. To have rapidly obtained full practice
among such competitors is of itself sufficient praise.^ On

England, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. — Hildreth's History of the
United States, vol. iii. p. 388.
* Part of which was a fai'm of one hundred and eighty acres, with a
spacious brick house, and barn, and other buildings and conveniences
adjacent to Christiana Bridge, with a store-house and wharf used as a
landing, from whence an extensive trade was long carried on with Phila
delphia and other places. John Read died in 17.56, aged si.xty-eight
years, and his wife, Mary Howel, September 22d, 1784, in the seventy-
fourth year of her age. Both are interred iu the Presbyterian burying-
ground of Christiana, and have substantial marble monuments over
them. t In an almanac for 1754, which I found among his papers, is this
entry in his handwriting, " Came to New Castle 6th March, 1754."
I See Appendix A.
§ " Of Galloway's manner I have no personal knowledge. Prom
inspection of the docket, his practice appears to have been extensive.
He adhered to the royal cause, and migrated to England, where, after
exciting considerable public attention by his attacks on the conduct of
Sir William Howe, in America, he remained till his death."— i?awZe's
RecoUections ofthe Philadelphia Bar; Watson's Annals of Philadel
phia, pp, 267, 268.
II " The talents of George Ross were much above mediocrity. His
manner was insinuating and persuasive, accompanied with a species of
pleasantly and habitual good humor. His knowledge of law was suffi
cient to obtain respect from the court, and his familiar manner secured
the attention of the jury. But he was not industrious, and his career
after the commencement of the Revolution, was short " He was a
sig-ner of the Declaration of Independence.— i?aM)Ze's Recollections;
Wa,tsun's Annals, p. 270.
I " But in those times the sphere of the lawyer was somewhat limited
In the provincial courts no great questions of international law were dis
cussed. There were no arguments upon the construction of treaties
and no comparison of legislative powers with constitutional restrictions'
Even admiraky cases had little interest. Everything great and im'

OF GEORGE READ, 15
the SOth of April, 1763,* he succeeded John Ross as At
torney-General for the three lower counties on Delaware.
He was the first Attorney-General expressly appointed for
these counties, as before this period the Attorney-General
of Pennsylvania was the prosecuting officer in Delaware.
Mr. Read held this office until soon after he was elected a
delegate to the Congress of 1774, when, believing it incom
patible with the right discharge of the arduous duties of a
representative in that august body that he should continue
to be trammeled by an office held under his Britannic
Majesty, he resigned it.
Mr. Read was particularly eminent as a deep-read lawyer,
and he was versed in special pleading, the logic of the law.
His elocution was neither flowery nor rapid, unlike that of
one of his ancestors, who, as I have heard from my father,
was styled "silver-tongued McMullin;" on the contrary, he
was somewhat slow in his speech, and negligent in his
manner ;f but his profound legal knowledge, his solidity of
judgment, and his habit of close and clear reasoning, gave
hira an influence with juries and judges which the graces
of the most finished oratory would have failed to gain for
him. His conclusions were always founded upon calm and
cautious deliberation, and seldom led him into error. His
legal knowledge and judgment were so conspicuous that his
opinions were in high and general estimation, and he had
given such evidences of his integrity that he was called the
" honest lawyer."
There are a number of Mr. Read's "Almanacs" among
his papers, in size very small, — about four inches by two.
In that of 1779 I find noted several works of science and
literature, no doubt for purchase as he might have oppor
tunity, and the terms of membership of the Philadelphia
Library Company, — from which I infer that his reading was
not that of the mere lawyer. In the "Almanac" of 1758
posing was reserved for the mother-country." — Rawle's Recollections of
the Pennsylvania Bar before the Revolution, p. 267.
* In an almanac, found among his papers, for 1769, is this memoran
dum : "At a levy court of Kent, held 14th November, 1768, George
Read, as Attorney-General, was allowed for his past services £70, and
for the ensuing year, £15."
f Showing his picture to an aged neighbor, he remarked, " I have
often, when young, heard Mr. Read speak." " He was slow," said I.
"Yes," answered he, "but sure."

16 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
he notes a bet of John Vangezel with him, "that the ^s?«'^jj
Battery is in possession ofthe English on Sunday, the ^°}'\^
of that month," and on the llth of August, a bet with
Charles Gordon, "that we do not hear of the surrender ot
Cape Breton by this day week." The British army, under
General Amherst, effected a landing on the island of Cape
Breton June Sth, and in a few days invested Louisbourg.
A very severe fire was maintained against the besiegers
from the town and from the battery at Light-house Point,
on the northeast side of the entrance of the harbor. On
the raorning of June 12th, an hour before dawn, General
Wolfe was detached with two thousand men (light infantry
and Highlanders) to seize that post, which he took by sur
prise, the enemy abandoning it on his approach, and a number
of smaller works were successfully carried. Several strong
batteries were erected on this point, from which the ships
in the harbor of Louisbourg were greatly annoyed. Louis
bourg capitulated July 27th:* so that Mr. Vangezel won,
while I think it almost certain, as there were neither elec
tric telegraphs, nor railroads with their locomotives, at that
day, but intelligence was very slowly transmitted, Mr. Gor
don lost his bet. These entries in the "Almanac" carry
us back almost a hundred years, and set us down in the
groups of colonial quidnuncs, anxiously discussing the then
engrossing topic, — the expedition against the French pos
session. Cape Breton, — just as quidnuncs are disputing and
betting now upon the invasion of the Crimea, and the siege
of Sebastopol; and a hundred years hence, I ara afraid,
they will not be without a similar subject of speculation.^
Mr. Dickinson writes to him as follows from
" PniLADELPmA, October 1st, 1762.
" Dear Sir, — I took the liberty, a few days ago, to make
you a troublesome request to try a cause between Williams
and Humphries, Huested and Boles, and another between

* Smollett's History of England, vol. ii. pp. 387, 388, 389 ; Holmes's
Annals, vol. ii. pp. 80, 81 ; Bancroft's History ofthe United States vol
iv. p. 297.
f That Mr. Read partook of the martial spirit at this time pervading
many, if not all, of the North American Colonies, I infer from finding his
name in the roll of the militia company subjoined to this chapter, Ap
pendix B. When the above paragraph was written the war in the
Crimea was in progress.

OF GEORGE READ. 17
Dennis and Campbell, at your adjourned court, as I shall
be prevented from attending by several causes of conse
quence in our Supreme Court, to be tried at that time. My
letter, with a short state of each case, I presume you have
received, and hope you will be so kind as to favour rae with
an answer.
"Another request I have to make to you is that you will,
if you approve of it, propose the inclosed law* to the Assem
bly, at the next session, as useful and necessary to be passed.
"It is almost an exact copy of the Pennsylvania law to
this purpose, and I wonder how it has been so long neglected.
My reason for desiring this law to pass is that I know it will
contribute to the advancement of justice, particularly in one
instance, and I believe every Colony besides yours has made
provision in such cases.
"I assure you, upon my honor, that I have not the least
interest in promoting such a bill. But I know sorae persons
would industriously oppose it if they could find out that ray
head or hand or even my little finger had been employed in
framing it.
"I am imagine modicum manet alta in mente repositum.
"I shall, therefore, be greatly obliged to you if you, will
be so good as to entirely suppress my name.
"You can introduce the matter very well by mentioning
the propriety of such a law to our worthy friend, Mr. Van-
bebber, who, as a judge, may, with great consistence of
character, desire leave to bring in such a bill; so might Mr.
Rice. I don't know which has most influence in the House.
"You may congratulate me on my salvation, for I am,
certainly, araong the elect, and may enter into the Assembly
of righteous men. '
"My pleasure is that this happens without opposition, or
the discontent of those I esteem, which I regard as a great
happiness. Mr. S. W  made a candid, manly declara
tion of his reasons for opposing me last year, which were
the same you once mentioned to me, and I think sufficient.
It would have given me great pain to have been the occasion
of uneasiness to a man I so much respect as I do Mr. B  .
But now I flatter myself with coming in with the general
approbation of good men.
* What this law was does not appear, the draught inclosed in this
letter not being with it.

18 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
"We have received a disagreeable piece of news by the
way of New York, that the Emperor of Russia is dethroned,
and, what is still more extraordinary, that imperial author
ity is conferred on his consort.
" We expect particulars every moment. If this is true,
who, in his senses, would take those great blessings— an
empress and a wife together ? Is it not better to receive a
subsidy from an honest farmer to recover his wheat-field
from some usurping neighbor, and march gallantly at the
head of four-and-twenty jurymen to attack him in the re
doubts of his forcible detainer, than to make half Europe
turn pale with letting loose thirty thousand Russians to
secure Silesia to the King of Prussia?
"'I confess I should like to make an immense bustle in the
world, if it could be made by virtuous actions. But, as there
is no probability of that, I am content if I can live innocent
and beloved by those I love, in the first class of whom you
are always esteemed by, dear sir, your most affectionate
friend and very humble servant,
"John Dickinson.
"Please to have the law copied over, lest ray clerk's hand
should be known."
Mr. Dickinson's desire of distinction, so playfully ex
pressed, honorable and generous because to be won by vir
tuous actions, was to be gratified sooner than he probably
anticipated. His election, announced in the foregoing letter,
introduced him into the political arena under highly favor
able circumstances. Having devoted to severe study those
years which too many waste in dissipation, he showed him
self, at his first entrance on public life, possessed of a knowl
edge of the laws and constitution of his country which
seldom falls to the share of gray hairs, and had the great
advantage of independence of spirit and fortune.* His
first laurels were won by his speechf against the proposed

* Preface to the Speech, pp. 5 and 6, by Provost Smith, of the Uni
versity of Pennsylvania.
f Joseph Galloway replied to this speech, and both were published,
Galloway's, with a preface by Franklin, and Dickinson's, with a preface
by Provost Smith, and it is stated by Rawle (" Recollections of the
Pennsylvania Bar," p. 167) as remarkable, that the prefaces were more
admired than the speeches. I have them in pamphlets, published in

OF GEOEGE READ. 19
change of the governraent of Pennsylvania from proprie
tary to royal, provoked by the selfish attempts of the pro
prietaries, through their governors, to exempt their lands
from a fair share of taxes necessary for the common defence
of the Province. His speech was well argued, in a style
clear, forcible, and rhetorical, and was well received, es
pecially as he stood forth the champion of the Penns, un-
tramraeled by previous connection with them or their

Philadelphia in 1764, before me. The Provost and Dickinson write like
men who have beeu formed in the study, among books, Franklin like one
whose mind has been developed and furnished in the turmoil of busy
life. The former are more polished and ornate in style, illustrated by
historical examples and adorned with classical quotations, while Frank
lin discusses his subject just as no doubt he talked it over with his neigh
bors, upon chance-meetings in the street, the market, or the coflfee-house.
He quotes from neither historians nor poets, except two lines from Pope,
but from the Bible and primer; fromthe latter a couplet of the verses
under the picture of John Rogers, amidst upcurling flames, his wife
and nine children near, which has drawn tears from many an infant eye.
It is written in a masterly manner, with great terseness, simplicity, and
caustic wit. While his hits at the sons of the great Proprietary are
hard and unsparing, at every open point, he treats Mr. Dicldnson with
great respect, refraining from any attack upon him. I may be pardoned
for one sample of this preface. The Provost constructs very ingeniously
a paragraph highly laudatory of William Penn and his charter, with
extracts from addresses of the House of Assembly of Pennsylvania to
his sons ; Franklin, from votes ofthe same Assembly, writes an epitaph
for a monument to them as depreciatory. He represents the Assembly,
when addressing the sons, as ever lauding their father, because there
was nothing praiseworthy in them, and slyly adds, " till they were dis
gusted, and exclaimed, ' We have too much of our father 1' " It seems to
me, however, that Smith and Dickinson have the advantage in the main
argument, showing, as they do very clearly, the inexpediency and folly
of relinquishing the existing charter, inasmuch as, from the temper of
the British Parliament to the Colonies, so far from its being likely that
new privileges would be conferred, it was unlikely that those enjoyed
would be retained. Besides the preface to Galloway's speech, there is
prefixed to it an " Address," evidently fro.m the pen of a mere partisan. -
Its charges against Mr. Dickinson betray petty malignity. " He at
tempted to deliver his sentiments on the petition for the change of gov
ernment from proprietary to royal oretenus, but, making no impression,
retreated to his written speech, which he read in a manner not the most
deliberate," insinuating a want of self-possession, "and, after solemnly
promising to leave his speech with Mr. Galloway, declining to do so,
and not leaving it on the table of the Assembly for examination till the
petition was put on the third reading." From Mr. Dickinson's charac
ter I have no doubt that, while the first charge may be true, the second
was either a downright falsehood or originated from mistake.

20 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
governors. His pamphlet against the " Regulations respect
ing the British Colonies," and the bold resolutions of the
Congress of 1765, frora his pen, gave him a continental
reputation, and the publication of his "Farmers' Letters in
London and Paris, with a preface by Franklin, soon enlarged
it to one in a measure European.*
In the year 1763t Mr. Read married the daughter of the
Reverend George Ross,| for almost fifty years rector of Ira
nian uel Church, New Castle, Delaware. It was one of his
favorite maxims that men ambitious of arriving at the acme
of their professions should never marry; but his good sense
taught him that the sacrifice of domestic enjoyment would
be inadequately compensated by the highest honors. The
understanding of Mrs. Read, naturally strong, was carefully
cultivated by her father, who bestowed more attention upon
her instruction than it was the common lot of females at
that period to receive. Such is the advance in the educa
tion of the women of our country that her letters, a few
of which I have, in the points of orthography and penman
ship would suffer on comparison with those of the present
day. Her person was beautiful, her manners elegant, and
her piety exemplary. During our Revolutionary struggle
her trials were many and severe. The enemy, constantly
on the maritime borders of Delaware, kept the State in
perpetual alarm by predatory incursions. The British army
at different periods occupied parts of her territory or raarched
through it. Frequent change of habitation was not one of
the least evils which accompanied the war of the Revolu
tion. Mrs. Read was almost constantly separated from her
husband while he was engaged in the public service. She
was often compelled to fly from her abode, at a moment's
warning, with a large and infant family. But she never
desponded. Instead of adding to the heavy burden of a
statesman's cares by her complaints, she animated his forti
tude by her firmness. §
* For a notice of John Dickinson, see posf, Appendix C.
f Register of Marriages of Immanuel Church, New Castle, Delaware.
J For a notice of the Rev. George Ross, see Appendix D.
§ She survived Mr. Reed four years, dying in 1802 in the mansion
they had long occupied, which was destroyed by fire in 1824, with
almost the whole of the most compactly-built and commercial part
of New Castle.

OF GEORGE READ. 21
The following congratulatory letter was written by Mr.
Dickinson to Mr. Read on the happy occasion of his mar
riage :
" With the warmest wishes, my dear sir, for your happi
ness and Mrs. Read's, I congratulate you on the very valuable
acquisition each of you has lately made. May Providence
be pleased to bestow upon you all the blessings of which life
is capable; and may life, as it wears away, be spent in such
a manner as to prove a sure source of future felicity. No
man will see your happiness with greater joy than I shall,
because it will always be a great addition to my own, unless
one thing happens of which I am a little apprehensive. I
mean that your affections will be drawn into so small a circle
that you will forget to love your friends. Pray don't give
me any reason to think this. If you do, I will revenge
myself upon you (if you are not too happy to think, that any
revenge) by taking a wife, and ceasing to be, if my heart
will permit it, Mrs. Read's and your very affectionate,
humble servant, "John Dickinson.
"January 23d, 1763."
Mr. Read enjoyed the felicity his friend so fervently de
sired for him and his amiable partner, but the contest which
(in 1765) commenced between Great Britain and the -Colo
nies soon interrupted his domestic enjoyments. As Mr.
Read held an office under the British government, and pos
sessed great and acknowledged influence, his adherence to the
English ministers would, no doubt, have insured him a
share in the preferments and pecuniary rewards lavishly
bestowed on those who supported the schemes of oppression
which they had planned ; but his patriotism and integrity
induced him to take a decided part with those who opposed
the aggressions of the Parliament as soon as the dispute
between the Colonies and the mother-country commenced.
It was not vanity, but a proper estimate of his own abilities,
and the knowledge that they were duly appreciated by his
fellow-citizens, which assured him that he would be called
upon to act an important part in a momentous drama as
soon as he declared himself He well knew that the post
of leader, whether civil or military, was at once the post of
danger and the place of honor. Success was problematical.

22 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
and he could not doubt that the British ministers,_ em
bittered by opposition and flushed by victory, would single
out as victims those who had been most active and influen
tial in resisting their designs. Clemency was little to be
expected where vengeance could be inflicted under the
guise of just punishment. But neither interest nor fear
could divert him from taking the course he believed to
be right, and once taken, inflexible in faith, he never
swerved from it.
In October, 1765, he took his seat in the General Assem
bly of Delaware as one of the representatives from New
Castle County, which station he continued to occupy for the
twelve next ensuing years.* Mr. Read was a member of
the committees who reported the addresses made to George
III. by the Delaware Legislature on behalf of their constit
uents, and which merit the encomiums so deservedly be
stowed on our Revolutionary state-papers. In a letter of
September 23d, 1766, to Mr. Read, chairman of the Com
mittee of Correspondence of that body, Dennis de Berdt,
agent of the three lower counties, in London, acknowledges
the receipt of an address, which was " very graciously re
ceived," and adds, "I told Lord Shelburn that it appeared
written with the most natural [and] honest simplicity of
any I had seen. He said 'it did;' and ' [that] the king was
so well pleased with it that he read it over twice.'" This
was an address of thanks to George III. for the repeal of
the stamp-act.
It appears from the following correspondence that Mr.
Read was an applicant for the office of collector for the port
of New Castle, Delaware. In answer to a letter to him, a
copy of which is not preserved, Mr. Wharton writes as
follows from "Philadelphia, April 14th, 1166, Monday.
"Dear Friend, — I have received yours, and immediately
waited upon Governor Franklin, and showed it to him.
"He is fearful that the office is engaged. But assures me
he will write to his father, in the strongest terms, in favor
of you, and therefore desires that you will immediately
write him a letter, and request his application to the Lords
* See post.

OF GEORGE READ. 23
of the Treasury in your behalf. Which letter inclose to
me by the bearer.
" The packet is momentarily expected. But a ship went
down last night for New Castle, in England, wherefore, by
all means, get a letter also on board of her to Dr. Franklin.
Pray by no means neglect this, as he will [thus] have the
earlier intelligence of your application.
" I have hired the bearer to carry this, as I cannot find
another opportunity.
"As soon as I receive your letter, be assured that I will,
with the greatest pleasure, press it with Dr. Franklin, as it
will always afford me the greatest joy to minister to the
happiness of my dearest friend.
" Pray remember Mrs. W  to Mrs. R  , and believe
me to be, in the greatest haste, dear George,
"Yours affectionately, "S. Wharton.
"Excuse this blundering epistle." "New Castle, April 14th, 1766.
"Sir, — From your known goodness, and the knowledge
you have of rne and my family, I have presumed to beg the
favor of you to apply to the Lords Commissioners of the
Treasury on my behalf, for the appointment of Collector of
the Port of New Castle, made vacant by the death of Mr.
William Till yesterday morning. My pretensions to this
post are solely founded on your good offices in my favor,
for which I shall have no other return to make than a
grateful remembrance of the service done me, and this, I am
well assured, will be satisfactory to your generous raind.
Should this appointment be obtained for me, I am persuaded
1 can give very satisfactory security for the due execution
of the office in the city of Philadelphia. Among others, I
can venture to name Mr. Rees Meredith and Captain John
Mease, whose very independent fortunes, I do suppose, you
are well assured of.
" Good sir, pardon the freedom I have taken to address
you on this occasion, and you will much oblige your raost
obedient, humble servant, "George Read.
" To Dr. Franklin."

24 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
"London, June 12th, 1766.
"Dear Sir,—! received your letter of April 14th, and
immediately raade an application in your favor. It will be
a pleasure to me if it succeeds. But the Treasury have so
many to provide for that we must not be surprised if we
are disappointed. My regards to your good mother, and
believe ine, with sincere regard, your assured friend and
most humble servant, "B. Franklin.
"George Read, Esquire."
To this letter Mr. Read replied as follows:
"Sir,— I now return you my most sincere thanks for the
immediate application you were so good as to make at the
Treasury on my behalf, as I am informed by your letter of
the 12th of June, and should the event be otherwise than
successful, to me it will not prove a matter of much disap
pointment. I am but little troubled with that passion for
offices so generally prevalent. This is the first I ever
sought after, the execution of which, answering my situa
tion, tempted me to voiy on your-well-known disposition to
assist those you may think worthy. My mother desires
her best compliments may be made to you for your kind
remembrance of her, and 1 am your rauch obliged and most
obedient, humble servant, "George Read.
"Doctor Franklin."
This application was unsuccessful. This office could not
have been refused because Mr. Read opposed the stamp-act,
for Thomas McKean, conspicuous for his opposition to that
act in the Legislature of Delaware, and in the Congress of
1765, and on all occasions an ardent and active Whig, was
appointed (a.d. 1771) collector of the port of New Castle.*
The cause of this disappointment appears from the letter
next inserted.
" PniLADELPmA, November 14th, 1766.
"Dear Friend, — I have not had leisure until this minute
to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 7th inst.

* " Biography of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence '
vol. iv. p. 10. '

OF GEORGE READ. 25
"You may readily judge how I was chagrined when I
found you had lost the office. Dr. Franklin writes that
' he had an absolute promise of it for you from the Mar
quis of Rockingham; but w^hen he was in Germany there
was an unfortunate change in the ministry, and Alderman
Trecothick applied to the Duke of Grafton, and obtained it
for Mr. Walker.'
"The excursion to Germany has restored Dr. Franklin's
health, but it occasioned your loss of what your friends ar
dently hoped you would have obtained. I know you have
philosophy enough to bear the disappointment with temper.
It is only, if I may be allowed the liberty to say this, a loss
of what never existed, and not like the real rubs of the poor
unfortunate merchant.
"I have no news to send you, except that Dr. Franklin
is in high spirits with respect to the change, and says the
ministry are favorable to America.
" If he does not succeed next year I shall lose nil hopes ;
but it must be recollected that many unexpected and un
toward incidents have occurred — two removes in the min
istry, the national alarra about the stamp-act, etc.
"Adieu. I am, in much haste,
"Your faithful, affectionate friend,
"S. Wharton.
"George Read, Esquire."
The letters and part of a letter next inserted are interest
ing, — those of Mr. Neave as indicating the feelings and
opinions of a London merchant in regard to George Gren
viUe's scheme for taxing the British colonies in America,
and the opinion of Mr. Read as to the internal taxation for
revenue of these colonies by the British Parliament, by the
stamp-act or any other mode. "London, March 24th, 1764.
" Dear Sir, — I wrote you a few lines the beginning of the
month by the 'Dragon' to cover the bill of lading for the
silk, etc., which I hope raay reach you safe.
"I do not remember whether I acknowledged the receipt
of yours by Tillett. If I did not, I very sincerely thank
you for your very kind and friendly congratulation on my
Safe arrival. I presume you will have heard ere this reaches
you how near we were of being all lost, twice after making
3

26 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
the land, [and] that it was the greatest miracle we were
saved, when we did not expect it,— once between the island
of Guernsey and Jersey; a second time between Dover and
Calais, when we expected to be cast on the Fren,ch shore
presently, and both times in the night. The last was a
violent gale of wind, that did incredible damage all over
England. " It gave me sensible pleasure to find that I was yet in
your remembrance, and the more so to see that you had
taken the first opportunity to convince me of it. Poor
Tillett, who had the misfortune to lose the 'Britannia,' on
the coast of France, on the 29th of January last, brought
me your letter with others that were for our house. I
tremble to think of the danger we escaped. I suppose we
were not ten miles from the rocks where the "Britannia"
was, in ten minutes after her boat and crew were safe on
shore, beat to pieces.
"I was much shocked to hearof the death of poor Smith,
- — a sudden .transition, indeed. God send that we may ever
live [so] as to be always ready when his good providence
shall please to call us. But enough, you will say, of this
melancholy subject, wherefore I will proceed to acquaint
you with one that is very interesting indeed to the North
Americans. You are no doubt well acquainted with the
enormous debt this kingdom is loaded with by means of the
last war. The Comraittee of Ways and Means for raising
a fund for the supply of this year, and paying the interest
of the national debt, have fallen upon a scheme to tax
North America and the Islands. They have framed an
act consisting of nineteen articles, some of which lay a
heavy duty per ton on all wines except French, and on
foreign sugar, coffee, molasses, etc. To be brief, every ar
ticle has passed the House except the 18th, by which it was
j proposed to take off the drawback which is now allowed
on foreign linens and calicoes exported. This, if it had
been effected, would have been a mortal wound to the trade
of this country. Immediately on hearing that such a scheme
was on foot the merchants and traders had a meeting, when
they came to aresolution of waiting on Mr. Grenville Chan
cellor of the Exchequer, to endeavor to apprise him of what
would be the consequence should this act pass as it stood.
All the satisfaction they could get was, that if they would

OF GEORGE READ. 27
not Oppose any of the other duties passing they should have
a fair discussion of the latter. Yesterday it came on, and
after examining several witnesses, particularly Gibson and
Clayton, of Philadelphia, they contented themselves with
retaining a small part of the drawback, usually allowed on
calicoes. If I can get a copy of the votes in tirae I will
enclose you one. How you Americans will relish the new
taxes I don't know, but I am satisfied there are a great
number can afford to pay thera as well as we can. Only
consider, there is hardly a thing we eat, drink, or wear that
is not taxed! If the above article had passed it would have
"been a heavy burthen on the poor among you, because it
would fall heavy on the low goods.
"I have shipped on board of the ship 'Friendship,' for
Philadelphia, a trunk containing the books agreeably to the
list you sent me, which I hope may arrive safe and prove
agreeable. Enclosed you have the bill of lading and in
voice, amounting to , which I have charged to your
account. Whenever you have occasion to send to London
for anything, I beg you will freely send to me, as I shall
always take pleasure in executing your comraissions.
"My good friend. S. Wharton, acquainted me with your
being 'regenerated' in a son and heir, and that Mrs. Read
was very well.
"I am joined by my father and mother in our best com
pliments to you and your lady, and lam, with great esteem,
dear sir, very much yours, "Richard Neave, Jr.

a"

'P.S. — I had a letter lately from Captain Tom; I suppose
he is on his voyage home.
"George Read, Esquire." "London, July llth, 1765.
"Dear Sir, — As I think the old proverb 'of it's being
better late than never to mend' a very good one, I am con
strained to make use of it on this occasion in sorae measure
to apologize for my so long neglecting your very esteemed
favor of the 25th of June, 1764, wherein you acknowledged
the arrival of the goods sent you. It gave me great pleasure
to hear that Mrs. Read approved of the silks, because the
choice depends so much on fancy that I was doubtful of
pleasing.

28 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
"I was sorry to hear of the complaint of the second-hand
books, and am much obliged by the information of the
bookseller's base conduct in packing them up so faultily.
If you will be at the trouble of returning them by any ship
we have a concern in, you may depend we will make
hira change thera for better. I am extremely obliged by
your kind congratulation. The danger I escaped was, no
doubt, enough to make me afraid of trusting myself so far
on the water; but I own that a good errand would get the
better of my fear, but my mother would not easily consent.
I like America, and could with a great deal of satisfaction
reside there.
"You judged right about the severity of the winter that
was approaching, for by all accounts from thence you had
it extremely severe. I am sorry to say your lively picture
of the distress the farmers and tradesmen were likely to be
reduced to was a true one. We merchants find the ill
effects already of the conduct of the late weak ministry.
They are, thank God, removed from all power within these
four days. You will see by the papers what a difficulty
there has been to get this great affair accomplished. Many
are of opinion that the riot- of \the silk-weavers, in Spital-
fields, opened the eyes of his Majesty and council so as to
make them think seriously of a change. The late ministry
have not only burthened the colonies with many heavy
taxes and impositions, but have laid more duties on us here,
and new regulations as to doing business in the public
offices, than ever before were known, since I can remember,
in so short a time. All our manufactories experience the
ill effects of the late severe regulations against the Ameri
cans, for trade has not been at so low an ebb this many
years. In short, there is scarcely a person to be met with
but complains, more or less, of the badness of the times,
and the number of poor wretches that are starving in
the country for want of employ. A disagreeable situation
this, when all kinds of provision continues extremely
dear. "Your brother Tom is once more sailed in the Tartar.
He left us a month past for Cork, where he arrived ; and
sailed, the 2d instant, for Newfoundland, where we design
him to load for Lisbon. He will proceed from thence to
Port Royal, in South Carolina, to load for London or Lisbon,

OF GEORGE READ. 29
w-'.iichever raay suit the ship best. His further destination
I cannot at present acquaint you with.
"I am joined by my father and mother in best compli
ments to yourself and Mrs, Read. I am greatly obliged by
your kind remembrance.
"Pray favor me with a line frequently, and do not take
example from my negligence, for it will always give me
pleasure to hear of your welfare, being with great esteem
and regard, dear sir, your sincere friend and humble servant,
"Richard Neave, Junior.
"Will you present my best compliments to our friend
Samuel Wharton and to Mrs. Wharton, and tell them they
are not forgotten by me, for we seldom miss an oppor
tunity of drinking the health of our particular friends in
America. "George Read, Esquire."
With the letter of Mr. Neave of July, 1765, I find part
of the rough draft of Mr. Read's reply to it, as follows :
" Dear Sir, — The scene in America has greatly changed
since you left us. Then political disputes were confined to
parties formed in the respective colonies. They are now
all resolved into one, and that with the mother-country.
The stamp-act you made on your side of the water bath
raised such a ferment among us — that is, among one and
all of the colonies on the continent — that I know not when
it will subside. Before you will receive this I doubt not
but you will see in our public papers the opposition gener
ally made to the distribution of the stamp-papers, and to
these publications I shall refer you for particulars. How
the disturbances raised here will be received in England, I
know not. I sincerely wish the furious zeal of the populace
may not be resented by your people in power [so] as to
prevent them from lending a candid ear to our just com
plaints, and repealing a law so destructive to the liberty of
the subject in America, and which, in time, will prove det
rimental to the trade of the mother-country. As to this I
shall explain myself to be understood, viz., if this law
should stand unrepealed, or, indeed, any other enactment
in lieu thereof imposing an internal tax for the purpose of
revenue, the colonists will entertain an opinion that they

30 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
are to become the slaves of Great Britain by the Parlia
ment's raaking laws to deprive them of their property with
out their assent, by any kind of representati»n. This will
naturally lead them into measures to live as independent
of Great Britain as possible, [and] they will, gradually, go
into the making of woollens and ironmongery, your two
great branches of manufactory; and, although from the high
prices of labor in general among us they will be greatly
impeded in the first attempts, yet the necessity of persever
ing will surmount and possibly remove that difficulty. The
spirit hath seized them already, and prevails surprisingly.
Home-spun cloth is worn as well by the beaux as the men
of gravity of all ranks, and though only fashion with the
first, it will soon grow into habit, which, when once fixed,
will not be readily changed. From this consideration alone
every friend to the mother-country and the colonies ought
to wish and to afford a helping hand to obtain an altera
tion in the late system of politics in England."
Mr. Wharton writes to him as follows from
"Philadelphia, August 2d, 1766.
"Mt dear Friend, — It was with the sincerest pleasure
I received yours of the 1st instant, as I impatiently longed
to know how you, Mrs. Read, and the little one were.
"I have had a long and tiresome excursion, but I never
enjoyed more real health. Now and then, indeed, I was
obliged to trespass [against] the laws of sobriety, and drink
a cheerful potation with the military gentlemen whom I
could not deny, as I daily received the highest marks of
their kindness and hospitality.
" The situation and country of Fort Pitt are beautiful and
rich. I verily believe there is not finer land in the world.
The banks of the Alleghany and Monongahela must, in
time, be a great vineyard, as the adjacent territory is filled
with remarkably fine vines, much larger and more spread
ing than any on this side the great mountains. But I con
trol my pen with respect to the nature of my journey, the
peculiarity of the soil, and the importance of the Indian
negotiations, as. I assure you, I never was so engaged in
hurrying business as at present.
'_'I have the pleasure of teUiifg you our peltries are safe-
arrived at the Illinois, and we have no one to interfere with

OF GEORGE READ. 31
us or our traffic. On the whole, our affairs to the westward
are in a blooming way. At one store, at Fort Pitt, in eight
months, out of.a cargo of only £2500, we have, bona fide,
cleared at least £3000; nay, received the peltries, whicli are
better than cash. I mention it [because] I know it will be
joyous to you.
" I am pained to hear that your little boy is so afflicted.
I ardently hope that he will shortly recover, to the ineffable
pleasure of his parents, who, with unutterable solicitude,
watch over his tender constitution. This is certainly a
most_ proving world we breathe in. Scarce a day opens but
it brings with it some new subject of painful sighs. Cer
tainly the great and good Author of our creation intends
them as so many checks to terrestrial happiness, and to in
cite us to rely upon a more enduring inheritance in the
realms above. What incites my pen to this meditative
strain is the melancholy scene I have just returned from
mixing in. My brother Thomas has two fine children, one
six years old, the other about nine months, now breathless.
They fell victims to the rage of an excruciating flux. One
of them was the teeming prospect of great joy to them.
" I much fear that your attention to your meadows will
be an injury to your health, as I am persuaded the exhala
tions of such grounds are not friendly to the most athletic
constitutions, — of consequence not to yours. Since Provi
dence, therefore, has been pleased to form you of delicate
and tender materials, why will you endanger them by an
anxious pursuit after the things of this world ? Where is
all the boasted acquiescence to the practice of your profes
sion? I fear, dear friend, it is almost forgot, and that you
are become so infatuated with the prospect of meadows, etc.,
that you seldom now thumb my Lord Coke. I expect soon
to see published the lucubrations of George Read, Esquire^
on the manner of draining cripple-land, feeding horn-cattle,
etc. Pray let me early bespeak one of them for your brother
Galloway.* * This meadow is part of a farm called " Stonum," which runs up
nearly to the southwestern boundary of New Castle. This marsh fronts
on the Delaware, there nearly three miles wide, and expanding into a
reach below it, and is much exposed to storms from the northeast, but
especially to those from the southeast. The embankment of this marsh
was twice broken and repaired, at great expense, by Mr. Read while he

32 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
"As to public affairs, your brother has wrote to you prop
erly. Dr. Franklin says, positively, that the Proprietary
letter contained a shameful falsehood in saying ' that the
petition was dismissed for ever and ever.' It was, to adopt
his own words, 'no more than a mere postponing until the
general affairs of America were outof hand; it now hes
ready to be taken up, and we shall shortly proceed upon it.'
How ashamed ought the Proprietary partisans [to] be at
their repeated, nay daily, lies. They certainly tend to
lessen their credit with men of truth and candor. _ How
confidently did the giant assert, even last session, in our
House that Mr. Franklin was the chief promoter of the
stamp-act (for which, be assured, he will meet with [what]
his demerits [deserve] at the next session), and that he
could prove it. We have letters from persons of the first
character in England breathing the utmost thanks for the
unwearied pains he took in laying the true state of America
before the Ministry and Parliament, and yet no faith is to
be given to his services. But since the arrival of his most
sensible, firm, and patriotic answers to the Parliamentary
examination, I will give the base calumniator and his ven
omous faction so much reputation as to say, they are dumb,
and have the characters of conscious guilt strongly ex
pressed in their countenances. I cannot possibly send you
the 'examination.' There is only one copy in town. But
I give you a small extract from it, by which you may judge
of its importance.*
"There are 173 questions, all answered with the same
judgraent, spirit, and independency. At Chester you will
see the whole of them. In the mean time these [I send
held it, and he erected, besides, a substantial barn on " Stonum," and
made otber improvements. After the second breach of his embankment
(in 1789), he sold " Stonum," and counselled his sons never to buy
marsh. If he did not suffer in health from his meadow, as Mr. Whar
ton feared, he certainly did in purse. Twenty thousand dollars has
lately been paid for " Stonum," its embankment being now much pro
tected by accumulations of sand, and marsh is less valuable than when
Mr. Read owned this farm, in consequence of upland having been made
available for grazing by the introduction of clover.
In a letter to his brother, Colonel Read, dated Sth of April, 1769, he
writes: "Every moment I have to spare frora my office I spend among
some people at my marsh, which may now be properly called my
hobby-horse, that I every now and then ride at a great rate."
* Here follows the extract.

OF GEORGE READ. 33
you] will gratify you a little, and enhance your thirst after
the others. You are at liberty to read these [to whom you
please], but neither give a copy nor mention how you got
them, as possibly I may be blamed.
"My Sally continues very weak, although she is much
better than she usually is after lying in, but the weather is
dreadful for all weakly persons. Remember me particularly
to Mr. Williams. I wish his son was now fit to come into
our counting-house. But he may rely upon our keeping a
vacancy for him. My compliments to my old friend Van
Gezel. Is he in love now? Adieu, my dear friend. I
anxiously pant to spend a few hours t^te-a-tete with you.
Our affectionate regards to Mrs. Read.
"I am yours, truly, "S. Wharton.
"Poor Galloway has been very ill, but he is recovered.
There are no hopes of Peggy Ross, but the poor Counsellor
(who supped with me last night) still flatters himself —
'Hope springs, eternal, in the human breast.'"
Lawyers were evil spoken of in 1767 as they are at
present. I have a pamphlet before me, published in that
year, on the eve of an election of Assemblymen in the three
lower counties. It is in folio, and anonymous. It treats
of topics of local and temporary interest, is poorly written,
and has this pithy motto, —
" Lawsuits I'd shun with as much studious care
As hungry dens, where greedy lions are." — Pomfret.
Will the following passage of family history be thought
irrelevant, or trivial, or of too delicate a character to be
brought to light? Some of my readers may so regard it;
but it seeras to me illustrative of my grandfather's charac
ter, and can offend or harm no one living.
He writes to his brother James, 20th March, 1769 :
"When I was at Christeen on Saturday, mother told rae
Gunning Bedford had applied for her consent to marry our
sister Polly. As she had not heard of this before, nor [had]
any suspicion of its being in agitation, and but little ac
quaintance with Bedford, she gave him 'an absolute denial.
She asked my opinion. I gave it in favor of Bedford, if his

34 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
father would make over the plantation he lived on to him,
and I am apt to believe our mother may be induced to per
mit the match if this is done. I yesterday had Bedford to
dine with me, intending to open the matter to him, but he
went away before the opportunity offered. I understand
he is going to Philadelphia, and will, perhaps, open his mind
to you ; and if he should, let him know that it is for his own
interest that the father should give him the land." Mr.
Read writes to his brother James, 15th April, 1769: "I
was very desirous to have your sentiments about Bedford's
pretensions to our sister Polly, and do agree with you in
your opinion of the man, but know not well what to con
clude. He has never mentioned the subject to me, though
I have given him some opportunities so to do. I have in
vited him several times to my table, when Polly was with
me, and I have been unwilling to raention the raatter to him,
in the first instance, lest such a step might be deemed an
over-fondness for the connection, and prove a disservice to
Polly. I should be glad you would sound old Mr. Bedford
on the subject of making over to his son the plantation on
which he lives, as I am determined to open the whole raatter
to the son the next opportunity I have. It would give me
great satisfaction to have her well settled in life, and it is
incumbent upon us all to contribute what may be in our
power to accomplish this, and I think she is arrived to such
an age that the sooner the better, if done with prudence.
As to certainty, there is no such thing. in matrimony, for,
after the best caution, there is some risk which all are to
run that engage in it.". He again writes to James Read,
22d April, 1769 : "G. Bedford was with me yesterday, and
mentioned my sister's affair and his to me. I then told hira
I did not disapprove of the match, but my mother did, but
believed she would get over all her objections if his father
would secure the plantation he lived on to him. He could
not say how this would be, but expected he would, and that
he would be down next week. But mother to-day is more
outrageous than ever. I intended to say more [to her than
I did], but we soon got warra. This must subside." Mr.
Read writes to his brother James, 16th May, 1769 : "All
application to our mother for her consent in favor of Bed
ford proves fruitless, and from what I hear from Mrs. Read
the two young people are determined to go together. He pro-

OF GEORGE READ. 35
vided himself with some clothes when he was in Philadel
phia; and that Poll raight have something new I this day
gave her a brown mantua, a color not very comraonly used
on such occasions, but such a one as will be serviceable to
her hereafter; and Mrs. Read has told her, from me, that
they may be married at my house, which I thought it pru
dent to offer, as the marriage was to be. If the match should
not answerour wishes, the blame, of course, will be laid upon
me. Be this as it may, I believe I have done what was best,
and therefore think I ara doing the duty of a brother in thus
countenancing their intentions, which I learn will be carried
into execution the next week or the week following." They
were married then or soon after, and though under circum
stances in one particular inauspicious, the match did "an
swer the wishes of their friends." Mr. Bedford was a native
of Philadelphia. He served in the war of 1755, with the rank
of lieutenant,* in the Pennsylvania levy, and as lieutenant-
colonel of the Delaware regiment shared in the campaign
of 1776. He was wounded in the battle of White Plains,
October, 1776, at the head of his regiment; and after filling
with ability and fidelity several important offices, was elected
Governor of Delaware, dying Septeraber 30th, 1797, while
holding this office. His integrity, coupled with great benevo
lence and with very bland and kindly manners, made hira
highly popular. My grandfather was a good judge of char
acter, and I cannot, I think, be mistaken in the conclusion
that the mother in this case was unreasonable, and his course
at once wise and kind. Colonel Bedford and his friend Col
onel Grantham were married the sarae evening, and raade
an agreement that to the one of them who should have a
child first born to hira the other should send a quarter-cask
of wine, and, as I have heard, neither had issue! It does
not appear that the farm was made over to Colonel Bedford,
* " Among the names subscribed to the petition of officers of the three
Pennsylvania battalions who served in this war to the U. S. House of
Representatives, 1806, for leave to locate their claims, under the procla
mation of George IIL, a.d. 1763, on United States Western vacant land,
is that of ' John Stockton, for Lieutenant Gunning Bedford.' He was
elected lieutenant-colonel ofthe Delaware regiment by Congress, Janu
ary 19th, 1776." — Journals of Congress, vol. ii. p. 30 ; Folwell's edition,
.A.D. 1800. "He was afterwards appointed Deputy Muster- Master-Gen
eral, and then promoted to the office of Muster-Master-General." — Ibid.,
vol. ii. p. 210.

36 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
but I think it probable that it was; however, he died seized
of it.
In a letter of April 15th, 1769, to a near kinsman, Mr.
Read urges upon hira the duty of observing the Sahhath, which,
like too many others, in the hurry of business, he had some
times, on the specious plea of necessity, infringed. I extract
the following paragraph from this letter with great pleasure,
firmly persuaded as I am pf the connection between the ob
servance of the Lord's day and the prosperity and happiness
of individuals, families, and nations, and feeling that I give
ray grandfather- an additional claim to gratitude and rever
ence by adding his name to the long list of men, the wisest
and best that have lived, who have advocated the observ
ance of Sunday, — among them Sir Matthew Hale, who de
clared "that no temporal business which he commenced on
the Sabbath ever prospered :"
"I have your letter ofthe llth inst., and am sorry to be
told by you that for want of time in the six days of labor you
break in upon the Sabbath, and do that which upon no sound
reasoning can be deemed a necessary work on that day of
rest. Permit me to say this as I have considered this matter
well, and was too long in the comraission of like breaches
of that day, and as soon as I gave reason and conscience
fair play I became convinced of my default. Believe me,
it is dangerous to indulge ourselves in small breaches of that
duty we owe to the Divinity, as one is apt to bring on others,
and I am persuaded that when you come to recollect the
parts of each day of the six, you will find that some of those
parts might have been employed upon this necessary work.
It has frequently been my case. Take not amiss this hint;
it truly proceeds frora brotherly love towards you, and be
assured it will be pleasing to me that you take the like lib
erty whenever an occasion offers, which, I confess, would be
frequent, if you were nearer to me."
The kinsman thus reproved immediately thanked Mr.
Read for his reproof, and added that no admonition from
him would ever be taken amiss, which probably encouraged
him to give, on the 26th of the same month, this additional
advice :
" More colds are contracted by wetting the feet than in
any other way. It is an old maxim in favor of health 'that
you keep your head cool and feet dry,' and a very just one;

OF GEOBGE READ. 37
but I suspect chewing tobacco, especially so much as you do,
is very hurtful; it draws off too much of the saliva frora the
stomach, which is necessary for digestion. I apprehend it
useful if taken before your breakfast in the morning, but
not after; but it must be particularly hurtful when used
immediately after a meal. Leave it off by degrees. The
disorder you have been attacked with is a most violent one,
and to prevent returns of it you must carefully attend to
your constitution, to discover the cause, and, when dis
covered, take pains to remove it. I do think that with a
little attention most men raay be their own physicians in
the general, and health is so pleasing that every one ought
to make the attempt. Good water is the best diluent, and
assists digestion more than any other liquid; when the
weather becomes cold it may be right to put a toast in it.
A draught of it, as soon as one rises in the morning, is good
for sedentary, studious persons."
He announces to Colonel Read* the result of an election,
* Colonel Read, several years the junior of Mr. Read, established
himself in Philadelphia as a merchant, and retired, after prosecuting his
business for a long period, with a competency, the just reward of his
fvrobity, industry, and enterprise. He informed me that he was present
(with the rank of lieutenant) at the battle of Princeton, and also at the
battle of Trenton, being a volunteer; that his blanket overcoat was
pierced by balls, and that a Hessian, charging upon him, he, after vainly
signing to him to surrender, was compelled to fire in selfdefence,
wounding him in the side. He directed him to a place where he sup
posed he could be assisted, but as he never saw him agaiu, did not
know whether his wound was fatal or not. Colonel Read participated
also in the battle of Germantown with the rank of major. James Read j
received from Dr. Williamson the information as to the way in which .
the celebrated letters of Hutchinson, Oliver, and others were obtained, '
and communicated it directly, and also through Bishop White, who was
his neighbor, to Dr. Hossack of New York. The Bishop writes, 14th
October, 1819 : " The Mr. Read, mentioned in this letter, is brother to
the late George Read, Esquire, of New Castle, member of the first
Congress, and since senator for Delaware. I have no doubt of the cor
rectness of the communication of Mr. James Read, independently of
the character he has sustained through life, and to a great age. Dr.
Williamson and he were born within twelve miles of each other, and
were companions from their boyhood." — Collections of the New York
Historical Society, vol. iii. pp. 145-152, and 177, 118.
" Colonel Read died 31st December, 1822, in the seventy-ninth year of
his age. He was a member of the Supreme Executive Council of Penn
sylvania (Hogan's State Trials, p. 56), and a Paymaster of the Con
tinental navy, and a Commissioner of that navy." — Cooper's Naval
History, vol. i. pp. 100, 101 ; Journal of Congress, 177'?-8, p. 460.

38 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
which had just been ascertained, in the letter which
follows: „„^
"3d October, 1769.
"Dear James,— I write this after being up all night
waiting the event of the election, which closed after day
light this morning, occasioned by the greatest number of
voters that ever appeared here before. The old Assembly
continues, rayself the fifth man, with 1005 votes; B. Noxon,
the sixth, with 675 votes; T. Duff, highest in return for
Sheriff, by 213 votes; Alexander Porter, second, who has
told me, this morning, he will not go up to the Governor;
Henry Vining, of Newport, [is] highest for Coroner by 201
votes'; one Thomas Morton, second, who declines going up
also. By this the Governor loses his choice. The electors
were computed at 1500. Evan Rice, at the head of the
Assembly-list, had 1348, W.Armstrong, 1246, J. Evans,
1222, and T. McKean, 1021. There were three candidates
for the Sheriff's office, viz.. Duff, Porter, and Van Bebber,
the highest of whom had but 664 votes, so that ^ch can
didate had almost in every ticket a single clear vote. Por
ter says he is satisfied, nnd tuill go home ayid mind his mill,
which really is a mark of prudence. Mrs. Read and Bed-
fi)rd got down in good time on Sunday evening, all well.
You are to buy a card- or side-table, with a leaf that folds
over, when opportunity offers. I have sent Philip Wirt
down to Dennis's Creek to bring me up one thousand cedar-
rails, promised to be very good. My masons are laying the
last stretch of wall along the bank, and will nearly finish
this week, and I shall be sincerely glad. A hurry of busi
ness begins with rae the last of this week, when the Dover
Supreme [Court] happens, and [I] shall continue employed
in Courts and Assembly till the beginning of December, —
but a disagreeable prospect. Mrs. Read gives her love to
Mrs. Wharton, yourself, and all friends, and I am, detir
James, yours very sincerely, ' " George Read."
I wish, from my heart I wish, that every disappointed
office-seeker may have the wisdom of Porter, one of the
defeated candidates for the Sheriffalty in the foregoing letter
mentioned. If, when defeated, instead of trying their luck
again in the political lottery, like prudent Porter, they

OF GEORGE READ. 39
would go home and mind their mills, or farms, or work
shops, there would be fewer of our yeomanry degraded to
be office-hunters, ready to do the dirty work of demagogues:
then they might thank God, in every day of after-life, for
defeat: then, earning their bread with the sweat of their
brow, owing no one anything, and scorning to vote at the
beck of any man or party, they could walk abroad with the
port of independence and honor.
Mr. Read, who practised in Kent and Sussex counties,
Delaware, as well as New Castle, writes to Mrs. Read from
Sussex, as follows : "5th May, 1770.
" My dear G  , I sit down to converse with you at
this distance from necessity, as our separation must con
tinue, at least, these eight days to come. This is Saturday
evening, and I am at Mr. KoUack's, much fatigued with the
two past weeks' service. At Dover, I was in court all one
night and the greater part of another; this brought on an
attack of my old complaint, which has continued upon me,
more or less, ever since. I came to Lewis on Saturday
evening last. Sunday and Monday I did not stir out. On
Tuesday I went into court, was up all night; Wednesday
we did nothing; Thursday the dispute between the Justices
and Grand Jury was heard, and determined in favor of
the former. Yesterday we went into the trial of an eject
ment, and did not leave the court till sunrise this morning.
In all these matters I have had my share of success, — of
the two at Dover, both went in ni}' favor; of the three at
Lewis, I succeeded in two. This is a short account of m}--
self and works. To-morrow I set off for Prime-Hook neck,
and expect to be there on Monday evening, if possible. Mr.
KoUack's family are well, and desire to be remembered to
you. They have been extremely kind. Miss Armitage
came here with Mr. Rodney, and returns to-morrow raorn
ing. Rodney has had the asthma ever since he came, — at
particular times very ill, — but made a shift to attend the
courts on the hearing of the affair of the Grand Jury, of
which Clowes was the foreman, and this was a case of
great expectation in the county, and drew great numbers
in; but Clowes, the WilJies or McDougal of Sussex, was re
manded to prison, to the moKtification of the party. Mr.
William and Rodney being of this opinion. Hall against it,

40 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
who seems to be under rather more uneasiness than Clowes.
As this is the only topic here, I have been thus particular
about it. Pray kiss our Httle ones for me. Take care of
yourself and them, and believe me your very affectionate
husband, "George Read.
"I have taken six tickets in St. James's Church Lottery."
I find in Mr. Read's "Almanack" for 1771 a ticket in a
lottery for the benefit of the New Castle and Christiana
Presbyterian Church, having his signature, with hlank writ
ten on the back of it.*
I find among Mr. Read's papers a file of copies of his
letters to his brothers William, John, James, and Thomas,
and their letters to him from 1762 to 1772. I read them
with interest because they exhibit strong fraternal attach
ment, and afford glimpses of his private life during that
period. In 1763 James announces the murder of William,
settled as a merchant in the West Indies; and his brother
Thomas,-]- commanding a ship, writes from Jamaica, "that
he had a narrow escape from being taken by a Spanish
privateer, his crew of fifteen raen not being such as he could
rely upon, except three or four, but he got clear of the out
landish devils, the wind blowing a gale." Mr. Read is
much occupied with his profession, practising law in the
three lower counties on Delaware and in one or more in
Pennsylvania. He tells his brother James, 9th December,
1768, " I rode your horse to Chester, but he proved so very
unruly for the first three miles (rearing as many times) that
I was forced to dismount. With spurs he might have been
pushed on. This is a bad habit." All the time Mr. Read
can spare from his profession is devoted to his fiirm
'Stonum.'" April Sth, 1769, he tells James, "Parson Mont-'
gomery, late of Georgetown, Maryland, preaches to-morrow
on trial." May 7th, 1769, he is in great anxiety for his two
little boys, who had been inoculated; and as I read his ex
pression of uneasiness, I feel how great is our debt of grati
tude to Jenner. July 7th, 1769, his wife presents him with
a fine boy, and is doing well: and 15th of September, Mrs.
Read, Mrs. Bedford, and Miss Armitage embark, in James's

"= See post, Appendix E. -f- See Appendix P.

OF GEORGE READ. 41
shallop, from Christiana, and arrive, wind and tide favoring,
at Philadelphia the same day;* and he tells his brother
James "he will have little to do for some time, as most of
the mills, frora whicli he received flour for sale, had their
dams carried away by the late flood, and he had lost some
of his second crop hay, and there had been rauch destruc
tion, in all parts of the country, in tiraber and apple-trees
blown down, with fences inclosing them, and cattle killed
by eating the apples, and the stage-boat had gone adrift in
the late storm, and has not been up since, and it might
have been lucky if it had been beaten to pieces, as probably
the present owner could not have procured another vessel,
and sorae person more fitting would have supplied his place
— he and I are on bad terms at present, and it is probable
will continue so till he becomes more careful and industri
ous. James must get him cedar rails, and the wall before
his bank is progressing, and will be finished by the election ;
but the persons who furnish stone worry him hy delays.
His brother Thomas has met with some ill luck, which is
too frequently so with him." And 9th August, 17 TO, Tom
writes, "The intelligence that James intends taking a mess
mate gives me great satisfaction." February 9th, 1770,
James writes, " I inclose a statement of the prices of the
books you spoke to me about from the original invoice, and
the prices they will be sold at, and not a farthing less.
They are all in exceeding good order, and the latest and
best editions, and purchased by Dr. Franklin for the Union
Library. The first and second volumes of the 'Debates of
the House of Commons' have been used the most, though no
ways abused, the rest appear all new, and are, I think,
much better than those I saw with you. If you should
think to take any of them, I should be glad of your direc
tions as soon as possible, as Mr. Dickinson has been speak
ing about them, but has not said whether he would take
them or not. Hughs, whose possession they are in, thinks

* This, when the mighty agent, steam, had not made the traveller
independent of wind and tide, was a very good passage.
Mr. John Holmes, of Baltimore, announces, September 4th, 1807, in
a letter to George Read, Esquire, the arrival there of Mrs. Read, after
a pleasant passage by packet-boat of only seventeen hours from New
Castle to that city! Travellers now pass daily the whole distance be
tween Philadelphia and Baltimore in five or six hours.
4

42 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
you will never have an opportunity of getting them on so
good terms. I would only add, that they are in such order
that you need not be ashamed of seeing them in your
library. They are lettered on the back with the years they
belong to, in a neat manner. There is nothing talked of
here but the will of Colonel Flower, by which he left his
whole estate to his widow, a woman of most infamous char
acter, who, by the assistance of the devil, or some worse
power (if any worse there be), obtained such an influence
over him as to make him, in the disposal of his effects, re
ject his children by his former wife in such a manner as to
leave them scarce a support. There has been a hearing
before the Register-General for several days, and a number
of witnesses have been examined on each side. This case
will be concluded to-morrow, when the gentlemen of the
law are to speak; but I am told the pleadings are to be in
private, which I am very sorry for, as I should be glad to
hear them. The counsel for the children are Messrs.
Tilghman, Dickinson, and Galloway; those for the widow,
Messrs. Ross and Hunt, who have quite the unpopular side
of the debate. The public seem greatly to interest them
selves on the side of the children. I can have no oppor
tunity to speak to Mr. Ross about the wine until this affair
is over." Mr. Read is the point where the affections of his
brothers centred. As I read, almost a century after they
happened, these occurrences, the like to which make up the
lives of most men, they are invested with interest by the
reflection, that when they were written, nigh, at the very
door, was that great crisis which called Mr. Read from his
profession, his farm, and his family, to the public service,
and that of the tranquil pursuits and happiness of private
life he was never more to have but fitful enjoyment.

OF GEORGE READ. 43

APPENDICES TO CHAPTER I.

NOTICE OP JOHN ROSS.
John Ross was the son of the Reverend George Ross, rector of Im
manuel Church, New Castle, Delaware, and was born in the year
1714.* Where, and to what degree, he was educated does not appear. His
father, a graduate of the University of Edinburgh, and more competent
than any teacher he could have emplo\'ed, may himself have under
taken the task of instructing the son, at least in the Latin and Greek
languages. He studied law, and practised it with great success, in Philadelphia,
for many years, acquiring by his practice a large property.
The scanty information in reference to John Ross that I have been
able to obtain, is contained in the following brief extracts:
" The manuscript correspondence of Secretary Peters with the Pro
prietaries [of Pennsylvania] often speaks disparagingly of the Phila
delphia bar, whether truly or from umbrage is not made out, as they
are but simple declarations of opinion without any reason assigned. In
1743 he speaks of John Ross as successful beyond his merits, by en
grossing as much as all the others, Hamilton only excepted. In 1749
he says of them generally, ' all of whom, except Francis and Moland,
are persons of no knowledge, and, I had almost said, of no principle.'
John Ross acquired a large estate, and had his dwelling well out of
town." " When lawyers practised in the -old court-house, lawyers Ross and
Lawrence had their offices in the small alley called Chancery Lane, a
name derived from them. It would now be deemed an ignoble place
for such an honored profession [as the legal] ; but it marked the day of
small things, and verified the toast called for by the same John Ross of
Mark Wattson (both being professed jokers), ' the day he hoped for,
when two lawyers would have to ride on the same horse.' "f
"When the disputes between Great Britain aud her North American
colonies commenced, ' the lawyers, who, from the bent of their studies
and their habit of speaking in public, were best qualified to take the
lead iu the various assemblies which became necessary, were little
unanimous in the Whig cause. A few, indeed, of the most conspicuous
* John Ross, son to George Ross (infant), was baptized 21st October. 1714. —
Register of Christening in the Parish of Immanuel Church, New Castle, Delaware,
p. 1.
f Watson's Annals of Philadelphia, p. 266.

44 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
practitioners in Philadelphia were either disaffected or lukewarm.
Among them, Mr. Joseph Galloway, though a member of Congress,
was known to be a disapprover of the measures then pursuing. i< rom
Mr. Chew, Mr. Tilghman, and Mr. Shippen no activity was expected,
thev being proprietarv-men, and in the enjoyment, under that interest,
of offices of trust and importance. Their favorable disposition to the
American cause was to be inferred from the sons of the two first having
joined the military association.'"
"Mr. John Ross, who loved ease and madeira much better than lib
erty, declared for neutrality, saying, he well knew 'that let who would
be king, he should be subject.' An observation which, judging only
from events, may be thousrht by some to contain as much intrinsic wis
dom as the whole of the 'Farmers' Letters,' with all the legal, political,
and constitutional knowledge they display."*
The next paragraph, an extract from the deposition of the late George
Read, Esquire, in a suit brought for the recovery of property in New
Castle, Delaware, by a party deriving title from John Ross, exhibits
him, as he was, delighting his friends by his wit or humor, and winning
their warm affections by his amiableness.
" To the 10th interrogatory this deponent saith that his first knowl
edge of John Ross was in his early youth, and among the first re
collected impressions made on his mind. It was in the summer of the
year 1773 or 1774 that he was standing atthe front door of the late resi
dence of his father, in New Castle, with his mother late in the after
noon, looking with amazement and terror upon an approaching s-torm,
which had thrown a deep gloom upon the surrounding scenery. His
mother pointed out to him a pilot-boat coming down the Delaware, aud
which the violence of the wind appeared to have almost set over, ex
pressing apprehension for the safety of the people [on board of it].
Soon after the sails of this vessel were lowered, and a small boat put
off from it, with persons on board, towards the shore, and run in upon
the mud at low water-mark, the tide then having ebbed. That imme
diately two persons jumped out of this boat, and took from thence two
other persons upon their backs, and walked with them towards the
river-bank. One of the carriers, however, had not proceeded far with
the person on his back before he fell with him in the mud. In a few
moments after they came up to the place where the deponent's mother
was, and were her brother John Ross and Captain Swanwick. The
latter was the man who had been tumbled in the mud, as appeared
from much of it sticking to his garments. He was a very corpulent
man. This occurrence excited much mirth at this time, which was
heightened by Mr. Ross, who was a man of great vivacity, wit, and
humor. And this deponent's impression of John Ross, at that time,
was deepened and strengthened by the notice he took of him during
the evening, telling him various stories, calculated to interest and amuse
children. Mr. Ross was the maternal uncle by the half-blood of this
deponent." In the year 1760 Mr. Ross took a leading and active part in the good
work of organizing a new Protestant Episcopal congregation in Phila
delphia, as appears liy the subjoined extract from the sermon of Dr.
* Graydon's Memoirs, p. 105, first edition.

OF GEORGE BEAD. 45
fj'ephen H. Tyng, preached 1st January, 1831, at the consecration of
St. Paul's Church, Philadelphia, then recently improved and repaired.
"Mr. McClenachan had officiated for a year as assistant minister in
Christ Church, Philadelphia, when a disagreement arising between him
and the other ministers of that church, his duties in that capacity ter
minated, and a portion of the Christ Church congregation, who favqred
Mr. McClenachan, wishing still to enjoy the advantage they had re
ceived from his doctrine and example, withdrew with him, and formed
themselves into a separate congregation under the title of St. Paul's
Church. They assembled for the first time for worship, as a new con
gregation, on Sunday, 22d June, 1760, in the State House, where a
congregation of from four to five thousand persons assembled, so e.^-
tensive was the excitement produced by these events when they occurred.
The use of this spacious building was granted them by the colonial
authorities until their church could be completed, wliich was immedi
ately undertaken. On the 24th of June, one week after the separation
of Mr. McClenachan from Christ Church, the articles of agreement were
signed by ninety-seven members of the congregration, which constituted
them as the congregation of St. Paul's Church, and which still forra the
basis of their congregational charter and laws. This document is said
to have been written by Mr. John Ross, a distinguished counsellor of
that day, who had been a steadfast friend of Mr. McClenachan ; who
also was elected the first warden of this church, and whose remains still
lie beneath the floor on which you are now assembled. From the same
pen, also, proceeded the' able address from the new vestry to the Bishop
of London, and most of the early correspondence upon our records."*
If by reason of the extract from Graydon's "Memoirs" it should be
thought that Mr. Ross was a mere voluptuary, a little consideration
must show that this opinion is wide of the truth ; for a lawj'er, who
has made a large fortune by his practice, must have been a hard-working
man for the greater part of his life, and a gentleman who employed his
wealth, and influence, and efforts to establish a new congregation of
Christians, and to build them a house of worship, and then accepted
one of its offices and discharged its duties, must have felt a lively in
terest in the spiritual welfare of his fellow-raen, such as no man, solely
studious of his ease and sensual gratification, could have felt.
While some indulgence may be claimed for the neutrality of an old
man in a doubtful contest, in which, if he engaged, he would risk much,
it must be admitted Mr. Ross was not the stuff out of which martyrs
and patriots are made.f
Mr. Ross died the 8th of May, 1776, and Elizabeth, his wife, nee
Ashe, on the 7th of October of that year.
* Sermon of Dr. S H. T3rng, preached at the consecration of St. Paul's Church,
Philadelphia, January 1st, 18:^1, pp. 8, 9; Dorr's History of Christ Church,
Philadelphia, pp. 119, 120.
f "September 2.5th, 177-5, Thursda}'. — Made an excursion with Congres.s, etc.,
in the new row-gallies On our return, Dr Rush, Zebly, and Counsellor Ross
joined us. Ross, a lawyer of great eloquence, and heretofore of extensive prac
tice ; a great Tory, but now, they say, beginning to be converted. Ho said 'the
Americans were making the noblest and firmest resistance to tyranny ever made
by any people. The acts [of Parliament] were grounded in wrong, injustice, and
oppression. The great town of Boston remarkably punished without being
heard.' " — Works of John Adams, D'lary, vol. ii. p. 429.

46 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE

LETTERS OE DR. FRANKLIN TO ,TOHN ROSS.
Mrs. Marcia G. Ross, widow of David Ross, a grandson of the
Reverend George Ross, gave to the author, 6th May, 1852, four letters
of Dr. Franklin to John Ross. One of the letters, that of 14th May,
1768, may be found in volume vi. of Dr. Franklin's Works, page 278;
but as the remaining three of these letters do not appear in his printed
correspondence, it is concluded they are unpublished, and they are
therefore subjoined to the foregoing notice of John Ross.

No. 1. "London, February 14th, 1765.
"Dear Sir,— I received your obliging favor of Decembei»20th, and
am glad to find that, though so distant from them, I still live in the
remembrance of my friends.
"We have been of late so much engaged in our general American
affairs that it was necessary to let what related particularly to our
Province to sleep a little for the present; but it is nevertheless working
gradually to its point, and will, I believe, end as we wish it. For the
Quakers, who, to show their moderation as regards the proprietors,
have (of themselves) undertaken to persuade them to reasonable meas
ures, will, on finding them obstinate, give their whole force and weight
to procure a happy event to the petition, especially as they dread no
thing more than what they see otherwise inevitable, their friends in
Pennsylvania falling totally under the domination of Presbyterians.
"The changes you mention in the magistracy indicate the measures
intended, and manifest the means by which they are to be brought about.
The hasty setting aside such unexceptionable magistrates merely for
their political opinions was not, however, a step the most prudent, for
I think it will have different effects from those proposed by it.
"The stamp-act, notwithstanding all the opposition we have been
able to give it, will pass. Every step in the law, every newspaper,
advertisement, and almanac is severely taxed. If this should, as I
imagine it will, occasion less law and less printing, it will fall particu
larly hard on us lawyers and printers.
"The Parliament will, however, ease us in some particulars relating
to our commerce, and a scheme is under consideration to furnish us
with a currency, without which we can neither pay debts nor duties.
" It is said here among the merchants that North America owes them
no less than four millions sterling. Think what a sum the interest of
this debt amounts to ! — pay them honestly.
" Be pleased to present my hearty respects to our friends Potts, Paw-
lin, and Morton. They do not, I dare say, sleep a jot the worse for
their dismission. There are times in which
' The post of honor is a private station.'
But those times will not, I think, long continue. At least nothing in
my power shall be wautiug to change them.
"My respects to Mrs. Ross, and my young friends of your family;

OF GEORGE READ. 47
and believe me, with sincere regard, dear sir, your most obedient, hum
ble servant, "B. Franklin.
"John Ross, Esquire, Philadelphia.
" P.S. — I send you a pamphlet, wrote, I have reason to believe, under
the direction of the ministry, with a view to make us Americans easy,
which shows some tenderness for us."

No. 2. " London, June Bth, 1765.
" Deae Sir, — If, according to the custom here, I congratulate you on
your having a severe fit of the gout, I cannot avoid mixing some con
dolence with my congratulation, for I too have lately had a visit or
rather visitation from the same friend (or enemy) that confined me near
a fortnight. And notwithstanding the salutary effects people talk of to
comfort us under our pain, I fancy we should both of us willingly haz
ard being without them, rather than have these means of procuring
them too frequently repeated. I may possibly be, as they tell me,
greatly obliged to the gout; but the 'condition of this obligation is
such' that I cannot heartily say I thank ye. I hope, however, your slow
recovery proved at length a perfect one. And I pray that your estab
lished health may long continue.
" The outrages committed by the frontier people are really amazing !
But impunity for former riots has emboldened them. Rising in arms
to destroy property, public and private, and insulting the King's troops
and fort, is going great lengths indeed. If, in Mr. Chief's opinion, our
Resolves might be called rebellion, what does the gMtleman call this?
I can truly say, it gives me great concern. Such practices throw a dis
grace over our whole country that can only be wiped off by exemplary
punishment of the actors, which our weak government cannot or will
not inflict. And the people I pity for their want of sense. Those who
have inflamed and misled them have a deal to answer for.
" Our Petition, which has been becalmed for some time, is now get
ting under way again, and all appearances are for us. I hope before
Captain Friend sails .to give you some account of our progress.
" My respectful compliments to Mrs. Ross, and my friends, the young
ladies, to whom I wish every felicity.
"I am, dear sir, j'our most obedient, humble servant, " B. Franklin.
"John Ross, Esquire, Philadelphia."

No. 3. "London, April llth, 1767.
" Dear Sir, — I received your favor of December Sth and February
22d, and thank you for the particular accounts you send me of affairs
on your side the water, which are very agreeable to me to read. .
"Here public affairs are in great disorder; a strong opposition
against the ministry, which, at the same time, is thought not to be well

48

LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE

united ; and daily apprehensions of new changes make it extrenvly diffi
cult to get forward with business. We must use patience. This satis
faction we have, that there is scarce a man of weight, in or out of the
ministry, that has not now a favorable opinion of the proposed change
' of government in the Proprietary colonies ; but during the present vio
lent heats, occasioned by some conduct of the Assemblies of New York
and Boston, and which the opposition aggravate highly in order to dis
tress the friends of America in the present ministry, nothing so little
interesting to them as our application can get forward.
" Your messages on' the subject of the Circuit-Bill are not yet arrived.
I much want to see them.
" I send you a little essay of an inscription to the memory of my
departed, amiable young friend, whose loss I deplore with you most
sincerely. If it has been long coming to your hand, I hope that has
occasioned your being furnished with another and a better. The style
is simple and plain, and more proper for such things than affected orna
mental expression.
"I am looking out for a chariot for you, which I shall send you as
soon as possible.
" With great esteem, I am, dear friend, yours affectionately, "B. Franklin.
"John Ross, Esquire, Philadelphia, per packet via New York."

We who have hereunto subscribed our names do acknowledo-e to be
duly enlisted, pursuant to an Act of the General Assembly of this
Government, m Richard McWilliams' company of foot, in the'regi
whereof William Armstrong, Esquire, -is Colonel, in New C
County, 28th December, 1757.

ment
Castle

Samuel Van Leuvenigh,
Wm. Spenser, Jr ,
John McClughan,
Peter Jaquet,
Jacob Colesberry,
Thomas McKean,

John Patterson,
John Humes,
William Creath,
James Lefever,
Isaac Janvier,.
Stephen Enos,

Jno. Thompson
Joseph Enos,
Richard Eves,
Wm. Blackburn,
Jas. Boggs,
John Stewart,
Thomas Sprout,
.Joseph Jaquet,
Magnus Kettle,
Joseph Tatlow,
Israel Stalcup,
John Moody,
William Humes,

Attorney at Law, George Peterson, Jr.,

John Silsbee,
Wm. Walker,
Jacobus Haines, Jr.,
Daniel MoGennis,
Siimuel .Janvier,
Robt. SCc.Mann,
John Dowal,
John Stoop, Jr.,
Thomas Sankey,
Philip Janvier,
John Booth,
Raynolds Ramsay,
Cornelius Garret'son,

James Craig,
Christopher Stoop,
Jam?s Eves,
John Makel,
Matthew Cannon,
Peter .Jaquet,
John Jaquet,
John Brock,
Michael Blew,
Allan Wilson,
Thomas Stidham,
William Slebev,
Wm. Hunt.
Richard Derham,
Philip Van Leuvenigh,
Jacob Janvier,
I.saac Dowell,
Patrick Hughes,
John McNamee,
Wm, Clark,

OF GEORGE READ.

49

Peter Morton,
John McFarland,
Jeremiah Pratt,
William Spencer,
David Campbell,
James Dyer,
Robert Furniss,
George .James,
Richard .Janvier,
Samuel McMullin,
Jacob Ross, M.D.,
George liead, Att.,
Townsend Matthews,
John Boyd,
Samuel liick,
John Harris, his
William x Peterson,
mark,
David Finney, Attor.,
William Nesbit,
Tho. Jaquett,
Abraham Pratt,

Charles Springer,
Cornelius Devining,
Cornelius Heines,
David Whittito,
Henry Horan,
Hector McNeil,
Jno. Anderson,
John Kius,
Jno. Eves,
Jasper Clawson,
John Clawson,
Maken McNeight,
Peter Stidham,
Patrick Yeates,
Peter Sufridus Alrick,
Robert Scott,
Robt. Harthorn,
Thomas Pike,
Wm. Floyd,
Wm. Ervin,
Wm. Marchent,
John McNoltey,
Peter Vinov,

Wm. Devers,
Wm. Stafoi'd,
Walter Hughes,
Jacob Kroock,
Joseph Kirk,
Morton Morton,
John Chatham, .Jr.,
John M. Moreland,
Stephen Bennett,
Frederick Smith,
David Biddle,
Jflo. Hall,
Isaac Justice,
Wm Conynghani,
Wm. Crawford,
Baston Malgold,
Daniel Graham,
Philip. Stoop,
Samuel Johnston,
Wm. McDowell,
James Patterson,
Michael King,
William McKenney.

The foregoing "List" was taken, with other public papers, by the
British, soon after the battle of Brandywine, from New Castle County,
Delaware, to New York, from whence they were brought back by James
Booth, secretary of said State, among whose papers this " List" was
found by his grandson, Mr. Joseph Henry Rogers, who has kindly per
mitted me to copy it as above.
William T. Read.

O-

NOTICE OF JOHN DICKINSON.
John Dickinson was the eldest son of Samuel Dickinson and Mary
Cadwallader, his second wife (descended from one of the first settlers
of Pennsylvania), and was born in Maryland in 1732. His father,
several years after his birth, rem'oved to the vicinity of Dover, in Kent
County, Delaware, and was presiding Judge of the Court of Common
Pleas there. He owned a large estate in land in Kent County. Chan
cellor Killen, originally a carpenter (as I have been informed), was,
when still a young man, tutor to John Dickinson. Where Mr. Dickin
son completed his education does not appear, but it may safely be con
cluded, from the extent of his knowledge (especially of the classics),
and his style of writing (characterized by elegance, purity, copiousness,
and vigor), that his instructors were competent and faithful. In addi
tion to the " Farmers' Letters," by which he is most extensively known,
he wrote nine letters, signed "Fabius," advocating the ratification of
the Constitution of the United States, and fourteen under this signature,
to inform his fellow-citizens in regard to the French Revolution, still in
progress, and foster and increase friendly feeling for the French people.

50 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
His latter years were spent in Wilmington, Delaware, whither he re
tired from public life. There his style of living was liberal, as suited
his ample fortune, but not inconsistent with the simplicity of the sect
of Quakers to which he belonged, and he found occupation and amuse
ment in his books and the society of friends, and consolation under the
inevitable ills of old age in acts of benevolence and the duties of reli
gion.* " Christianity," in a note to the second series of his " Letters"
signed " Fabius," he styles " the divine religion of our blessed Saviour."
He died in Wilmington on the fourteenth day of February, 1808, and
was interred in the Friends' burying-ground. No stone marks his grave.
His political writings were published in Wilmington, Delaware, in 1801,
in two octavo volumes. By his purity, patriotism, and benevolence,
his statesmanship, his oratory, and chiefly by his writings, he is entitled
to be ranked with the most eminent of his contemporaries. f
John Adams (Diary, Works, vol. ii. p. 360), meeting with Mr. Dick
inson (31st August, 1774) at the lodgings of General Ward, thus de
scribes him : " Just recovered from an illness, he is a shadow : tall, but
slender as a reed, pale as ashes ; one would think, at first sight, he
could not live a month, yet, upon a more attentive inspection, he looks
as if the springs of life were strong enough for many years."
An intercepted letter of John Adams (July 24th, 1775) to General
Warren contained this paragraph : "A certain great fortune, and pid
dling genius [meaning John Dickinson], whose fame has been trumpeted
so loudly, has given a cast of folly to our whole doings." — Diary, pp.
411, 412. Mr. Dickinson was justly offended, and expressed his resent
ment because of this disparaging opinion of him, as appears by this
further extract from Mr. Adams's Diary, p. 423: "Friday, September
15th, 17*75. — "Walking to the State House, this morning, I met Mr.
Dickinson on foot in Chestnut Street. We passed near enough to touch
elbows. He passed without moving his hat, head, or hands. I bowed
and pulled off my hat. He passed haughtily by. The cause of his
offence, no doubt, is the letter which Gage has published in Draper's
paper. I shall for the future pass him in the same manner; but I was
determined to make my bow, to know his temper. We are not to be on
speaking or bowing terms for the time to come."
"I saw John Adams," said Dr. Rush, "after the publicatiop of this
intercepted letter, walk the streets of Philadelphia alone (in 1775), an
object of nearly universal scorn and detestation." This statement is
corroborated by other witnesses. J
I met, accidentally, in " Niles's Register" (vol. xii. p. 300, of January
3d, 1818), with the following anecdote, so remarkable that I extract it
from i;his voluminous work, where it will probably escape the notice of
most persons, and append it as a note to the foregoing sketch of John
Dickinson. "A circumstance once happened to me that showed the power ofthe
mind abstracted from personal sensibilities. Fifteen or sixteen years
ago, then residing at Wilmington, Delaware, as I passed the house of

* Reminiscences of Wilmington, pp. 290, 291, 292.
t Delaware Register, vol. i. pp. 178 to 189 inclusive ; BnoyclopaBdia Americana,
vol. iv pp. 227, 228. .
% 2d Adams's Writings, pp. 423, 513.

OF GEORGE READ. 51
the late venerable John Dickinson, at twelve o'clock in the day, he was
standing in the door, and invited me in. After reproving me for not
having called to see him, for he had been a little unwell, he said he
would have a glass of old wine with me, the first that he had drank for
six weeks. After taking a couple of glasses of wine in instant succes
sion, he suddenly sat down, and abruptly asked me what I thought of
the discussion then going on in Congress on the great question about
the judiciary. Having very briefly given my opinion, he said in a
sprightly manner, 'I'll tell thee mine,' — on which he began an argu
ment, soon became animated, and was uneasy in his seat. As he pro
ceeded, he elevated his voice, and finally, rising slowly and unconsciously
from his chair, he put forth his hand, and addressed me as if I had been
the chairman of a legislative body with all its members present. I never
have heard a discourse that was comparable to his speech, for its fire
and spirit poured forth in a torrent, and clothed in the most beautiful
and persuasive language. The graceful gestures of the orator, his fine
and venerable figure, interesting countenance, and locks ' white as wool,'
formed a tout ensemble that riveted me to my chair with admiration.
His delirium, if it may be so called, lasted for nearly half an hour, when
it was interrupted by one of the family entering the room. He stopped
instantly, with a word half finished on his lips, and sat down in great
confusion ; apologized for his strange behavior, and entirely dropped
the subject. Mr. Dickinson was an eloquent speaker, and pne of^ the
most accomplished scholars that our country has produced; but, per
haps, he never pronounced a speech so eloquent, so chaste, and so
beautiful as that which he delivered before me, as stated. It was his
soul, rather than his person, that acted on the occasion, and a master
spirit it was. The argument was in favor of a repeal of the judiciary
act."

ID.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF THE REV. GEORGE ROSS.
The following autobiography ofthe Reverend George Ross, with the
letter prefixed to it, was copied by the author, August, 1835, from an
ancient manuscript (itself a copy) in the possession of his brother,
George Read, Junior, the words contained between hooks or brackets —
thus, [ ] — having been supplied by him as suggested by the context.
"My very good Son, — You have, inclosed, an answer to your re
peated request, wherein you may observe the easy and regular steps [by
which] Providence conducted me to settle in this country. If my pos
terity contract any blemish, it must be from themselves : no original
guilt can be imputed to them. It is well the rise of many families in
these parts, like the head of the Nile, is unknown, and their glory con
sists in their obscurity. It is your satisfaction that it is otherwise with
you: your escutcheon is without blot or stain. Contend, therefore, for
the honor of your family by a kind and generous behavior towards
the several branches of it, relieve them from contempt by your benefi-

52 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
cence, and put thera above the world by exercising that ability towards
them which God has blessed you with, which, if you do, God^ will
gather you, in his good tirae. to your honest and worthy progenitors.
I have a quick sense of your filial favors, and you may be assured, dear
son, that 1 ara your raost obliged and affectionate father, "George Ross.
"John Ross, Esquire."
George Ross, Rector (as he is styled in his presentation) of the
Church in New Castle, was second son that carae to man's estate of
David Ross, of Balblair, a gentleman of moderate fortune but of great
integrity, born in the north of Scotland, in the Shire of Ross, in the
Parish of Fern [near the town of Tain], about four or five miles [from
that part of] the shire between two friths, the one the Frith of Murray,
the other the Frith of Dornoch. The land lying between the two friths
terminates in a noted point called Tarbat-Ness.*
He was put to school very early, and made some progress in the
Latin tongue under the care of the school-master [in Tain], and being
of a promising genius, his father asked him, as they were going to a
farm a little distance frora home, " What he would be?" to which he
answered, "A scholar." Young as he was, credo inspiratione. "A
scholar you shall be," replied his father.
When he was about fourteen years of age, his eldest brother, Andrew,
requested his father to send him to hira to Edinburgh. Accordingly
he was sent, but for the first twelve raonths little to his advantage, for
instead of advancing him in his learning, he made hira attend his office,
and write from morning till night, — often without his dinner, — to his
great disappointment ; not through want of affection to his brother, but
hurry of business and much company. His father, being inforraed of
this low, or no education, ordered him to be put to school and fitted for
the University. Andrew lost his slave, and George was once more put
in the way of being a scholar.
He took his degree of Master of Arts, in Edinburgh, in 1700. With
this feather in his cap he returned home, and became tutor to the Lord
of May, his son, for which [tutorship] he was allowed ten pounds ster
ling per annum, — great wages in that part ofthe world, and at that
time of day.f
[Having some] cash of his own, and somewhat anxious to see Edin
burgh again, and taking [leave of his father] the [last tirae he ever saw
him], not without sorae coolness on the son's side, for that the father
did not add weight enough to his blessing, as the son expected,  nnd
even at that tirae he was not without the thought of foreign countries,
— I say, taking leave of his father, he proceeded on his journey to
Edinburgh, and there entered his narae araong the students of divinity,
worthy Mr. Meldrura being the professor. There was great hope of
seeing worthy Mr. George mount the Presbj^terian pulpit.'but, alas! the
closer he applied himself to reading, the stronger his aversion grew to
the party then uppermost in Scotland. He observed the leadin"- men

* Ness, a termination common in Scandinavian geographical names, and sio-ni-
fying promontory. See page 65. ^
¦|- See page 66.

OF GEORGE READ. 53
of that side to be sour, censorious, and hypocritical. He could not
digest the ministers' odd gestures, grimaces, dry mouths, and screwed
faces in their pulpits. He could not comply with their practices even
to save him from want of bread. Their " horrible decretum (as Calvin,
the author of it, calls it) of reprobation" gave him a surfeit of their
principles, and as to their church-government, he was satisfied, it was a
spurious brat (the genuine product of Core's rebellion) of proud pres
byters [revolting] against their lawful bishops. While he passed
araong the students for an orthodox brother, he was diligently inform
ing himself of the principles of the Church of England, which [he]
approved of so well that he was resolved, as soon as he could find en
couragement, to set out for England. Mr. JEneas McKenzie, chaplain
to the Earl of Cromarty, Secretary of State for Scotland, was then at
London, to whom he wrote on this subject. Mr. McKenzie, [being of
the] same way of thinking, [answered that] he might depend upon
[being provided for during the] war, "the least," says he, "you can
expect." Mr. McKenzie's letter he communicated to his brother, who.
upon mature deliberation with some ofthe leading raen of the Episcopal
party in Scotland, procured hira a bill of exchange for £18 lis. 9cZ.
sterling. Thus strengthened and provided, and honored with a recom
mendation from the Bishop of Edinburgh, then ousted by the revolution,
he bid adieu to his native country (after suffering much in the flesh by
college diet among a set of canting Pharisees), and went to London by
sea ; and, upon his safe arrival, waited on the Bishop of London, who
received him very kindly, and ordered hira to attend the next ordination,
at which he and his friend McKenzie, with several other candidates,
were put in deacon's orders. This happened nine days after his arrival
at London, which proved no sraall mortification to the [dominant]
pari}' at Edinburgh, and triumph to those of the contrarj^ party.
He was soon promoted to a chaplaincy of eighty pounds sterling [per
annum] on board a man-of-war. But the captain being a haughty fel
low, he soon grew sick of that station, and resolved to quit it as soon
as he could be otherwise provided for. Returning to London, he found
his friend .McKenzie making application to the Society for Propagating
the Gospel in Foreign Parts, then newly incorporated, for a mission.
He was easily prevailed [upon] to join with hira in so commendable a
design. Upon the Society's being satisfied, after full trial of their char
acter and abilities, they were both adu)itted missionaries: McKenzie
for Slaten, in Ireland, and Ross for New Castle, who arrived thore in
1703 [and continued], save for a few years, when he removed for his
health's sake, till this time, being in his seventy-third year. How he
behaved is known from the constant regard [of the Society for him].
George Ross.
New Castle, to which Mr. Ross was appointed a missionary of the
Church of England, has borne more names than any other town in the
United States." It was called " Sandhoec," " New Amstel," and " Fort
Kasimer," by the Dutch ; "Grape Wine Point," and (in 1675) "Dela
ware Town," and (in 1664) "New Castle," by the English. It was laid
out by the Swedes in 1631, and called by them " New Stockholm."
The Dutch built Fort Kasimer in 1651. The Dutch West India Com
pany, being much indebted to the city of Amsterdam and other persons.

54 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
to relieve themselves (a.d. 1656), ceded to that city Fort Kasimer, with
the territory extending from the Christiana River (including it) to
Bombay Hook, and as far west as the land of the Minqnas extended, and
was formally transferred by Governor Stuyvesant, in behalf of this Com
pany and the States-General of the Netherlands. Immediately after
wards the city of Amsterdam sent forth a colony to this territory,
which was called " New Amstel." In the spring of 1656 a number of
families from New York migrated to this territory, and the Governor-
General gave seventy-five deeds for land, chiefly lots in New Amstel,
upon condition that sixteen or twenty families should settle together for
safety. This condition was only complied with at Port Kasimer. This
was the beginning of New Castle. — Hazzard's Annals of Pennsylvania
from 1609 to 1682, pp. 220, 227, 228. The Swedish Governor Pointz
resisted to the utmost of his power the occupation of the Dutch. He
first protested against it, and then sent troops to recover possession,
under Risingh, who took Fort Kasimer by stratagem. In 1655 the
Dutch Governor Stuyvesant directed an expedition against the Swedish
territory on the Delaware (seven hundred raen in two sloops), who con
quered it, destroying its public buildings (the fort at Tinicum included),
and carried its chief inhabitants to New York, from whence they were
deported to Holland. The common people, however, were permitted to
remain, but under the laws of their conquerors. This territory was
then annexed to the " New Netherlands." It w^as included in the grant
ofthe " New Netherlands" to the Duke of York. In 1672 New Castle
was incorporated, its officers being a bailiff and six associates, with
power to try causes, not exceeding ten pounds, without appeal ; and
a sheriff to be annually elected, whose jurisdiction was over the town,
and also extended along the river. The inhabitants of New Castle
were further granted free trade, without making entry at New York,
as previously required of them. In this state it continued until in the
war which ensued between England and the States-General, the " New
Netherland" territory was recovered by the Dutch, and again subjected
to their laws, but for a brief period; for, at the termination of this war,
the "New Netherlands" were exchanged, by an article of the peace of
Breda, for Surinam, in 1667. From that tirae the three counties on
Delaware were held and governed as an appendage to New York.
William Penn landed at New Castle in 1682, assembled the inhabitants
at the court-house, raade them a speech, and was received with joyful
acclamation, Possession of New Castle and "the three lower counties
on Delaware" was symbolically delivered by handing him " turf and
water."* Gabriel Thomas, in his "Account of Pennsylvania," a.d. 1697,
states, " both in Philadelphia and New Castle there are curious wharves
and large and fine timber-yards." In 1699 Penn returned to Pennsyl
vania after an absence of fifteen years, and remained there two years,
during which one hundred laws were passed, the Legislature sitting, to
please the lower counties, chiefly at New Castle. In 1708 James Logan
states some reasons why New Castle did not prosper, and was not more
considerable then than thirty years before, — to wit, the unhealthiness of
the place, and disorderly way of living which prevailed, — the Finns
* Watson's Annals of Philadelphia, pp 9, 10, 16, 45, 46, 85.

OF GEORGE READ. 55
and Dutch there being addicted to drinking spirituous liquors overmuch ;
but as he charges the "lower counties" wit;h having designed and
effected a separation from Pennsylvania, with a view to divert the trade
of Philadelphia, in part, to New Castle (in which they failed), evidently
looking upon her, as a would-be-rival of his city, with no friendly eye,
prejudice may have exaggerated both the unhealthiness and intemper
ance he attril3uted to her.
The following extract from Hawkins's " History of the Society for
Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts" (pp. 118, 119, 120) furnishes
the history of the first period of Mr. Boss's mission : " Another rising
town in Pennsylvania, which the Society determined to furnish with a
clergyman, was New Castle, originally built by the Dutch, and contain
ing a population of 2500. The Reverend George Ross was accordingly
sent there in 1705. There, as elsewhere, the proportion of churchmen
was inconsiderable, the Presbyterians having a meeting in the town,
and the Anabaptists another in the country. His congregation was
principally made up of those who came a considerable distance to
church, some above twelve miles, seldom missing, zealous raen, and of
substantial piety. A church was built by the contributions of several
gentlemen in the place, — a fair and stately building,' and one of the
largest in the government.* After he had been about three years in his
mission, whether frora the unhealthiness of the situation or the little
encouragement he received, with both of which he was dissatisfied, Mr.
Ross left New Castle and went to Chester, from whence the Reverend
Mr. Nichols had withdrawn. This liberty of changing their stations,
which this and other of the early missionaries assumed, is here men
tioned as furnishing a practical proof of the detriraent which the infant
church in the Colonies suffered for want of a presiding head. The only
step which the Society could take was to suspend their stipends. Mr.
Ross went home to vindicate his conduct before the Society, and after
a full inquiry into all the circumstances of the case ivas restored to his
charge. On his voyage back to America, he was taken prisoner b}' a
French man-of-war (February llth, 1711), and carried into Brest,
' where,' he says, ' I, as well as others, was stripped of all ray clothes
frora the crown of ray head to the sole of my foot ; in a word, I was
left as naked as when I was born, and that by means of the greedy

* "August 1st, 1703, Sunday. — I preached at New Castle on Hebrews, v. 9, and
had a large auditory of English and Dutch. They have had a church lately built,
and the Reverend Mr. Ross, a missionary from the honorable Society, has lately
been sent to them." — Journal of George Keith, Missionary, p. 42. " In Pennsylva
nia, upon our .arrival there (llth January, 1703}, there was but one Church of
England congregation settled; now, blessed be God (June Sth, 1704), there are
five, — viz., at Philadelphia, Chester, Frankfort, New Castle, and Appoquinimy."
—Ibid., pp. 47, 50.
" 1 preached at New Castle the beginning of December last, where I found a
considerable congregation, considering the generality of the people were gained
over from other persuasions. Their minister, the Reverend George Ross, is
esteemed a person that is ingenious and well-learned, as well as sober and prudent,
and I doubt not but, by the blessing of God upon his good endeavors, the church
at New Castle will continue to increase." — Memorial of the Reverend Evan Evans,
Missionary at Philadelphia, submitted by the Bishop of London to the Society
for- Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts (a.d. 1707), cited in Hawkins' s His
tory of the Church of England Missions in North America, p. 110.

56 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
priest who was chaplain of the ship. He perceived that ray clothes
were better than his own, and therefore he never ceased to importune
his captain till he got leave to change, forsooth, with me, so that I am
now clothed with rags, in testimony of my bondage.' He was ulti
mately released, and returned to Chester, in which settlement he reports
there were, by modest computation, twenty Quakers, besides other dis
senters, for one true churchman."— //awfe'rJ.s's History of the Church of
England Missions in North America, pp. 118, 119, 120.
• Mr. Ross continued at Chester* until he was transferred to New
Castle, entering the second tirae upon the charge of the church there
(29th August, 1714.— Minutes of the Vestry of Immanuel Church,
New Castle, Delaware, p. 5). The following proceedings of the
Vestrv of this Church appear on their minutes (page 7) of their
meeting 26th October, 1714, the Vestrymen present being Jasper
Yeates, Joseph Wood, Gunning Bedford, John Land, John Ogle, and
Richard Clark ; and the Wardens Richard Halliwell and James Robi-
son: "A letter from the Honorable the Society for Propagating the
Gospel, etc., directed to the Rev. George Ross, was laid before the
Vestry, by which letter it. appeared the Society were pleased to appoint
the said Mr. Ross to serve the cure at New Castle as their missionary,
with the salary of twenty pounds per annum. Which appointment
being well liked of by the Vestry, they unanimously agreed, for the
further encouragement of the said Mr. Ross, their minister, that he
should be eased of the burden of house-rent during his ministry among
thera ; aud that, if the subscriptions for his support should exceed the
sum of forty pounds, the overplus shall be supplied to the payment of
his house-rent. It was further agreed, that in case the said overplus
should prove too inconsiderable to defray the said charge, then the said
rent should be paid out of the collections at the sacrament, and at the
church-door." The history of George Ross, and his mission is brought down to a
later period of it than the foregoing one by the following extract from
Huraphrevs's " History of the Society for Propagating the Gospel in
Foreign Parts," pp. 151, 156, 166, 167:
" New Castle, the capital of the county of that narae, is finely seated,
standing high upon the Delaware. This county is the uppermost of
the thi'ce lower. New Castle, Kent, and Sussex, which run 120 miles
along the coa.st, and are about 30 miles deep towards Maryland. These
counties comprehend all the marshes on the great bay ofthe Delaware,
as commodious and fertile as any in the world. The town was first
built and inhabited by the Dutch, and called 'Amstel,' from the river
whi' h gives name to .Imsterdam, in Holland. It is a large place, con
taining about 2500 souls. The Reverend George Ross was appointed
missionary here in 1705 by the Society. He was received with great
kindness by the inhabitants, and had a very regular congregation. Not
only the people of the town, but a very considerable number of the
country-people, though they lived a good way off the to\vn, some above

* "Mr. Ross came from New Castle and ofiioiated at Chester, at the people's
desire, and was very industrious and acceptable to them. However, the Society
did not continue him there, though he behaved himself entirely to their satisfac
tion." — Humphreys's History of the Society fur Propagating the Gospel, p. 414.

OF GEORGE READ. 57
twelve miles, yet seldom missed coming to church when there was no
sermon in the country. The congregation has continued still increas
ing through Mr. Ross's assiduous care. He extends his labors further
to the churches at Appoquinimy and White-Clay Creek. The latter,
indeed, is reckoned as a chappl-nf-ease to his own church ; the other, a
distant cure. When Appoquinimy had no missionary, he used to
preach on two Sundays at New Castle, once a mouth at Appoquinimy,
and once at White-Clay Creek. This, truly, was a very painful service,
but he performed it with a willing raind, aud good success. Sometimes,
however, he did represent to the Society that the people of New Castle
seemed to lay claim to alj his services, and to take it somewhat amiss
when he was employed abroad on Sundays; and adds, 'I would not
willingly disoblige them, nor yet see, if I could help it, the church at
Appoquinimy, which is as frequent[ed] as that at New Castle, quite
destitute and forsaken.' Indeed, the people of New Castle have showed,
from the beginning, a due regard to their worthy minister, and sub
scribed voluntarily to him about forty-eight pounds per annum, and
some other benefactions have been raade to the church ; particularly
Mr. Richard Halliwell, a gentleman of piety and virtue, made a bequest
as follows : ' I give and bequeath unto Immanuel Church, standing upon
the "green," in the town of New Castle, the sura of 60 pounds, due to me,
over and above my subscription, towards building thereof Item. — I
also give and bequeath all my marsh and plantation, situate near the
Broad Dyke of the town of Burlington, containing and laid out for 67
acres of land and marsh, together with all the houses, and orchards, and
other improvements, to the proper use and behoof of the minister that
shall from time to time serve the said Immanuel Church forever.' Mr.
Ross has continued in this mission until the present time, irreprovable
in his conduct, and very diligent in his labors, which he has not only
employed in his own parish, but in several other places occasionally,
and very much to the satisfaction of the people where he officiated.
"In August, 1717, Colonel William Keith, the Governor, resolving
to visit the lower counties, the Reverend Mr. Ross, missionary at New
Castle, was invited to accompany him. Mr. Ross very readily em
braced this kind invitation, hoping by this opportunity to make himself
acquainted with the state of the church there, and in sorae measure
supply her present wants by his ministry. He embarked with the
Governor, and several other gentlemen, at New Castle, and set sail for
Lewistown, in Sussex County, which lies upon one of the capes of the
river Delaware, and in two days arrived there. On the 7th of August
he preached before the Governor aud Justices of the county, in the
court-house of the county, and had a very numerous audience of the
peuple, who appeared very serious, and desirous of the sacraments of
the church ; and he baptized that day thirty children that were brought
to hira. On the 9th of the same month Mr. Ross preached again before
the Governor and other gentlemen, had a large audience of the people,
and baptized twenty-one children. On the 10th the Governor left this
place in order to go to Kent County. Mr. Ross set out before him to a
place of worship about sixteen miles from Lewis. It is a small build
ing erected by a few well-disposed persons, in order to meet together
there to worship God. Mr. Ross preached once here, aud baptized
twenty-five children and several grown persons. On the Sunday follow-
5

58 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
ing he preached to a very large congregation in the upper parts of this
county, where the people had erected a fabric for the church, which
was not quite finished. Here he baptized twenty-six children, so that
the whole number of the baptized, in one week's stay among this people,
amounted to one hundred and two.
"Mr. Ross observes thus to the Society: 'By this behavior of the
people, it appears plainly they are truly zealous for the Church of Eng
land, though they have had but few instructions from some clergymen
passing through these parts, and some visits from the Reverend Mr.
Adams of Maryland.' As the Governor returned home through Kent
County, Mr. Ross attended him, and preached before him and the
magistrates on the 14th of August. He had'a very full congregation,
and baptized thirteen children and one grown person. In April follow
ing (1718) Mr. Ross resolved to make a second visit, by himself, to the
people of Sussex County. He was so much pleased with his former suc
cess among them, that he was desirous to improve further the good dis
position of the people.- He went to Sussex County, continued there six
days, preached on every one of them, at different places, and baptized
one hundred, seven of whom were of an advanced age. Lastly, he
opened there a new church, which the poor people had built, notwith
standing so great a discouragement as their having no minister.
"Mr. Ross sent this account of his labors in these two counties to
the Society in the form of a journal, and the missionaries of this colony
made a full representation of the state of the church in those parts.
The Governor was further pleased to write a letter to the Society, and
to transmit several applications made to him by the clergy, relating to
the church affairs, and a copy of the above-named journal of Mr. Ross.
His letter runs thus: 'According to my duty, I presume to lay before
you the application of your missionaries, the clergy of this Province
and neighborhood, relating to the church here, and also a copy of the
Reverend Mr. George Ross's journal of his services done in the coun
ties of Kent and Sussex. It is a great satisfaction to me that I can
assure this venerable board of the great pains and diligent care which
the reverend gentlemen, within named, take in all the parts of their min
isterial function ; and herein I cannot but in justice particularly recom
mend Mr. Ross's capacity, pious and exemplary life, and great industry
to your favorable notice and regard. But I must observe that the duty
here increases daily at such a rate, and the laborers are so few, that
without your pious and immediate care to relieve and supply this lan
guishing but valuable branch of the church, all our endeavors will be
to no purpose.' "
The following rough draft of a letter from Mr. Ross to the Reverend
Mr. Bearcroft, preserved among Mr. Read's papers, carries the reader
forward to an advanced period of Mr. Ross's life and mission.
The North American colonies had just been stirred, by the wonderful
eloquence of Whitefield, to an unwonted and earnest attention to reli
gion, with the great admixture of fanaticism and extravagance, that
have been too often the concomitants of such revivals. Effects — the
results of mere human instrumentalities — of questionable character as
to their propriety, were, with strange ill judgment and shocking impiety,
ascribed to the Divine Spirit, and that without waiting to have them
tested by time. This marvellous excitement, which had passed from

OF GEOBGE READ. 59
man to man with something of the rapidity with which fire spreads in
the dry grass of our vast prairies, reached Mr. Ross's parish, where
this man of God had been so long doing his Master's work, by his
Master's appointed means, diligently, unremittingly, and soberly ; and
his picture of its evils, though dark, is not overcolored.
" New Castle, August 5th, 1740.
"Reverend Sir, — Your agreeable letter, of the llth of March last,
came safe to my hands, and very opportunely, too, when our northern
levies began to be carried on for prosecuting the intended expedition
against the Spanish West Indies. I say opportunely, because your let
ter proved the happy means of preventing my son [jEneas] from en-
gaging.in this hazardous attempt. His patience was quite spent, and
he was resolved to push his fortune by the sword, since he saw no
probability of coming at the gown by his frequent application. He is
now making ready for his voyage, and would have crossed the seas in
the ship by which I send you this, had we [received] timely notice of
her altering her first-appointed course. In the mean tirae, if a vacancy
happens, you will remember hira, I hope, that his stay in London may
not be long, or prove too heavy for me.
" The church here enjoys a profound calm after being threatened with
a mere tempest of enthusiasm. We felt this storm in this village* in
its decline. When its fury was almost spent, I was never so much
astonished as when I saw the fluctuating humors of our people ; the
sea indeed roared, and the waves were so exceeding high that to face
them was present shipwreck. I stood amazed, and dreaded the conse
quences of so unexpected a shock. But he that thus stirred up the
people, and inflamed them against the missionaries with the most
opprobrious language, — I mean the mischievous Mr. Whitefield, — lost
himself, and ruined his credit with thinking people by his malicious
letter against Archbishop Tillotson, and by his weak but ill-natured
attack qpon the author of the ' Whole Duty of Man.' The storm is not
quite allayed at Philadelphia, where I bore my testimony in a sermon
preached against the proceedings of.this indefatigable impostor in gown
and cassock. When he could or would not stay longer in these quar
ters, he deputed two or three fiery Presbyterians to pursue his game,
whose assiduity terminated at last in distraction in some, in chains in
others; despair in some, in extremo articulo and laying violent hands
on themselves in others. These were sorae of the sad effects of what
the party call convictions, — but in truth diabolical possessions. The
raain incendiary, 'tis expected, will return into these parts ere long, but
his principles, pride, and spite are so fully discovered, and particularly
* "On Thursday last the Reverend Mr. Whitefield left this city, and was
accompanied to Chester by about one hundred and fifty horse[men], and preached
there to about seven thousand people. On Friday he preached twice at Willing's
Town [Wilmington] to about five thousand, and on Saturday, at New Castle, to
about two thousand five hundred, and the same evening, at Christiana Bridge, to
about three thousand ; on Sunday, at White-Clay Creek, he preached twice, rest
ing about half an hour between" the sermons, to about eight thousand, of whom
three thousand, it is computed, came on horseback. It rained most of the time,
and yet they stood in the open air." — Franklin's Pomsytvania Gazette, published
in Philadelphia, 1739.

60 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
his amassing such vast sums, and therewith supporting a company of
young fellows and gadding young women, who followed him to Georgia,
instead of applying the charities for his little Orphan-House to their
proper end, has given so general offence that I am persuaded his con
duct in this point will sink his credit as fast as his plausible talent for
haranguing the populace has raised him in the opinion of the giddy
multitude. Some in my congregation became unsettled, among others,
in running and flocking after our new preacher, and when the sacrament
was celebrated here, in those hurrying days, I had not above half of ray
usual number of communicants; but, thanks be to God, the snare in
which they were catched is broken, and they are delivered, and now we
live in peace and love. My 'notitia,' etc. you shall have by my son,
who hopes to sail for England sorae time in September next, or perhaps
sooner. "I am, reverend sir, your truly obliged and humble servant,
"George Ross."
The last memorial of Mr. Ross, araong Mr. Read's papers, is the
letter, which follows, to the first husband of his daughter Gertrude,
whose second husband was Mr. Read. When this letter was written,
Mr. Ross's long and useful life was drawing to its close, and he was
about to realize (we may hope, from his faithful discharge of his duties
as a minister of the Gospel) the glorious promise that they who turn
raany to righteousness shall shine as the stars forever.
"New Castle, October 29th, 1752.
"Dear Son, — When I received your affectionate letter, and that of
your dear spouse, I was in a very low state of health ; but the ease and
comfort I had in the many very kind expressions in both your letters,
are only to be felt. Please, therefore, to accept my most hearty thanks
for so seasonable a relief in my most dangerous illness. In point of
affection you cannot exceed " Your most loving and obliged " George Ross.
"I am just recovered from a quartan ague, which, had it continued
much longer, I believe would have carried me off; but, by the blessing
of God, and the endeavors of your brother Jacob, I am recovering.
"Mr. I. Till, Prime Hook, Sussex County, Delaware."
George Ross died in 1754, in the seventy-fifth year of his age. No
stone marks his grave. He was twice married, and had thirteen chil
dren. Among the children by his second wife, Catherine Van Gezel,
were George, a signer of the Declaration of Independence; Gertrude,
wife of George Read ; and Catherine, who married General William
Thompson. The tomb of his first wife, Joanna Williams, of Rhode Island, near
the eastern gable of Immanuel Church, bears this inscription, no doubt
written by Mr. Ross :
"Memor virtutum Johannse, conjugis, honesto genere natse, hoc
sepulchri monumentum Maritus, Georgius Ross, Evangelii Prseco, ex-
truendura curavit. Anno acquievit ilia setatis trigesimo septimo, 29th
September, 1726.

OF GEORGE READ. 61
" Dixit ei Jesus ' quisquis vivit et credit in me non morietur in eter
num.' " Calcanda semel via lethi."
A few feet frora this tomb is the monument of the Reverend Walter
Hackett, the first husband of Margaret, daughter of George Ross,
whose second husband was the Reverend Mr. Curry, of Philadelphia.'
This monument is thus inscribed :
''Sub hoc cippo conduntur reliquiae Reverendi Viri Gualteri Hackett,
qui titulo Missionary insignitus, pastoritium munus, apud Appoquini-^
mensis, circiter quinquenium feliciter exercuit.
"Natus Fraserburgium, Bamff, Scotise Provincise, ex vetusta ac gene-
rosa familia Hackett ortus.
" Fuit vita incorrupta, ingenio leni pectore, fido in officio, fungendo
summa industria.
''Multis ille flebilis bonis occidit,* nulli flebilior quam charse conjugi,
qui in memoriam digni viri hoc monuraentura sepulchri condere libuit.
" Obiit nonis Martijs Anno MDCCXXXIII., ^tatis XXXIII."
I am indebted to the Reverend John B. Spottswood, D.D., a descend
ant of the celebrated Governor Spottswood, of Virginia, for the follow
ing translation of this epitaph :
"Under this stone are buried the reraains of the Reverend Walter
Hackett, who, while a Missionary, discharged, with great success, the
duties of the Pastoral Office, at Appoquinimy, about five years. He
was born in Frasersburg, in Baraff, a province of Scotland, and was
descended frora the ancient and respectable family of Hackett His life
was blameless : in spirit meek: in office faithful: in labors abundant.
He died, lamented by many good, but by none more than his beloved
wife, who is pleased to erect to the meraory of her worthy husband this
sepulchral monument. He died March 7th, 1733, aged 33 years."
There are extant the following pictures of the Ross faraily:
No. 1.
A picture of the Reverend George Ross, painted in wig, gown, and
band, seated, with an open volume before him, doubtless the blessed
Gospel, of which he was so able and faithful a minister; his face oval,
eyes hazel, complexion florid, features regular, and sufficiently strong to
indicate the intelligence and energy, which were certainly his, without
the harshness, not to say homeliness, of the Scottish physiognomy.
The gravity expressed by the countenance seems to me to have been
from a sense of the sacredness and dignity of his profession, superin
duced over a natural hilarity of temper and humorousness which lurk
under it, and over which it with difficulty holds the mastery. It does
not appear by this picture when and by whom it was executed, but, as
it represents Mr. Ross of about middle age, it raust be, I suppose, at
least one hundred and thirty years old. It is iu good preservation and
well painted.
 • 
* " Multis ille bonis flebilis, occidit,
Nulli flebilior, quam tibi, Virgili." — Quinti Horaiii Flacci Opern,
Ode 24, ad Vir-gitium, de Morte Quinciilii Vari.

62 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
Nos. 2, 3, and 4.
Nos 2 and 3, portraits of John Ross* and his wife Elizabeth ;t No.
4, another picture of John Ross,— all well painted and in good order.
Nos. 5 and 6.
Portraits of Catherine and Margaretta, daughters of John Ross,
painted by Alexander, a Scotch artist, who visited the North American
colonies about the middle of the last century, and was the first master
of Gilbert Stewart. Catherine,| in the rich, full dress of her day,
thinking perchance of her bird, her lover, or her flowers, unconsciously
touches the keys of the harpsichord by which she is standing; and
Margaretta, a comely girl, with hair dark as the raven's plume, and
eyes of deepest blue, points to an urn, with this inscription: " Marga-
ritta Ross, obiit 20th August, 1766, M. 19.—' Si queris animan meam,
respice coelura, si forman en est.'" Nos. 7 and 8.
Portraits of Joanna, first wife of George Ross, and her brother Jaco
bus Williams, — pronounced by judges of pictures to be fine ones, and
in the style of Sir Godfrey Kneller. As he had a pupil Hesselius,§
who resided near Annapolis, Maryland, he may have executed these
portraits. The bearing of Joanna is queenly, her drapery very taste
fully disposed, and the sad expression of her large, dark eyes betokens,
perhaps, presentiment of her early death.
Nos. 9 and 10.
Pictures of children. No. 9, a portrait of Margaret Ross, wife of
the Reverend Mr. Hackett; and No. 10, of John, son of Mr. Ross's
eldest son David, who died while a missionary of the Church of Eng
land, at Albany, New York, evidently both executed by the painter of
Nos. 7 and 8. No. 11.
Portrait of Catherine, daughter of George Ross, and wife of General
Williara Thompson, which was sent to ray raother from Chambersburg,
Pennsylvania, upon the death of Mrs. Thompson there, in 1808, is that
of a very young and handsome girl, of oval countenance, and delicate
and regular features, with black eyes and hair, her dress very much in
the stj^le of the present time. She holds in one hand a peach, and in
the other a flower, and her attitude is stiff and ungraceful. In the back
ground of this picture is the faint outline of a Grecian temple, and its
coloring, still unfaded, must have been originally very good. The tradi
tion in my family has been that this picture was painted by Benjamin
West before he went to England, at the house of her uncle, George
Ross, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where she, being not raore than sixteen
years of age, was on a visit, and West was engaged in taking the por-
* Obiit 5th May, 1776, aged sixty-one.
t Obiit 7th October, 17713, aged sixty-two years,"
j Wife of Captain Gurney of tho British army, died 27th August, 1782, aged
thirty-two years.
5 Encyolopsedia Americana, article " C. W. Peale," vol. ix. p. 591.

OF GEORGE READ. 63
traits c^f his faraily. This tradition is confirmed by the following extract
from "The Life and Studies of-Benjamin West prior to his Arrival in
England," compiled by John Gait, from materials furnished by himself
pp. 47, 48:
" Among the acquaintances of Mr. Flower (the early friend of West)
was a Mr. Ross, a lawyer in the town of Lancaster, a place at that
time remarkable for its wealth, and which had the reputation of possess
ing the best and most intelligent society to be then found in America,—
capable of appreciating the merit of essays in art. The wife of Mr.
Ross was greatly celebrated for her beauty, and she had several children
so remarkable in this respect as to be objects of general notice. One
day, when Mr. Flower was dining with thera, he advised his friend Mr.
Ross to have their portraits taken, and raentioned that they would be
excellent subjects for young West. Application was, in consequence,
made to old Mr. West, and permission obtained for the little artist to go
to Lancaster for the purpose of taking the likenesses of Mrs. Ross and
her family. Such was the success with which he executed this task
that the sphere of his celebrity was greatly enlarged, and so numerous
were the a.pplications for portraits that he found it difficult to satisfy the
demands of his admirers."
As West embarked for Italy in 1760, and never returned to the United
States, this picture was painted before that year.
No, 12.
A picture, it is supposed, ofthe Reverend JSneas Ross, in possession
of William T. Read.* No. 13.
A "picture, it is supposed, of George Ross, the signer of the Declara
tion of Independence, but certainlj^ of one of the sons of the Reverend
George Ross.
After George Ross withdrew from- New Castle to Chester, the
Reverend Robert St. Clare was appointed missionary to New Castle,
and on the 26th day of July, 1710, presented his credentials to the
members of Immanuel Church, and was received by them " with all
due respect and satisfaction." — Minutes of the Vestry of Immanuel
Church, p. 1.
The first Minute of the Vestry of Immanuel Church is dated 7th
August, 1710. — Ibid. A letter was addressed by this body to the
Bishop of London, November 6th, 1710, as follows:
"Right Reverend Father in God, — We, the Vestry and Church-
Wardens of Immanuel Church, in the town of New Castle, Delaware,
being truly sensible of your Lordship's fatherly care in various consid
erable instances and on all opportunities manifested towards us, now
humbly entreat your Lordship's favorable acceptance of our repeated
thanks, and crave leave to express our dependence upon your Lordship's
favor for our church's further growth and support, and would particu-

* Of these pict\ires, Nos. 1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 are in possession of
W. T. Read, and the others of J. M. Read, Esq., Philadelphia.

64 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
larly, at this juncture, submissively implore your Lordship's patience
with'us while we lav before you those difficulties and disadvantages we
some tirae have, and still do labor under, by reason of the late and
present disregard of our now Lieutenant-Governor, which has been, and
now is, to the encouragement, if not support, ofthe dissenting Presby
terian interest, whose conventicle he so far countenanceth as to build a
pew therein, to which he hath resorted ; and they, under his Honor's
umbrage, use the common bell of our town according to their own con
venience, and many times interfering with those stated times appointed
by our minister, the Rev. Mr. St. Clare, for our public assembling to
divine worship.* Moreover, not to insist upon his Honor's refusal to
subscribe anything for the encouragement of our minister, though hum
bly requested thereto by some of us, his Honor has been very lately
pleased to disown our Vestry, and discouraged their sitting, to concert
what might be for the advantage of our church, merely because such
persons as his Honor was pleased to norainate for vestrymen were not
chosen, so that our proposed measures are not likely to have that good
effect that might be expected. Yet furthermore we humbly lay before
your Lordship our deplorable want of encouragement for the education
of our children in this town, where there are sundry inhabitants and
children, but what by reason of our lamentable divisions, and the
poverty of many, no one master, who is capable of being truly service
able in good literature, will come or stay among us; whereas, were
there the additional advantage of a stated stipend frora Enarland, we
should be forthwith provided ; wherefore, we earnestly solicit your
Lordship's influence upon the Honorable Society for a certain annual
salary to such a person as we shall find proper for that service. Thus,
may it please your Lordship, having laid before you our too unhpppy
difficulties, in hopes of having them in due time, by your Lordship's
means, reraoved, and to receive frora your Lordship such further injunc
tions and spiritual advice as your Lordship, in your fatherly wisdom
and consideration for us, may think further meet and necessary for us,
and most heartily wishing, and earnestly praying, for your Lordship's
health and happiness, we humbly subscribe ourselves to be, as in duty
bound, your Lordship's most obedient, very hurable servants,
" Robert St. Clare, Minister. Samuel Lowman,
Richard Halliwell, James Robinson,
Joseph Wood, Thomas Ogle,
Richard Clarke, John Cann."!
¦* " Which bell formerly belonged to the Dutch while they had the control, but
upon the surrender of their authority, was transferred to the English, and ordered
to be used by our church by the Hon. Mr. Evans, our late Governor, which we
humbly beg may be continued to us, the right of it being, we humbly suppose,
in her Majesty.''
f This Lieutenant-Governor, against whom were made such grave complaints,
was Colonel Gookin, of whom I find this notice in "Watson's Annals of Phila
delphia," p. 355 : " Colonel Gookin disappointed Penn and his friends, on account
of his conduct during a considerable part of his administration. He was much
under the influence of his brother-in-law, Birmingham. At one time he removed
all the justices in New Castle County for doing their duty in an action against
the said Birmingham, thus leaving the county without a single magistrate for
six weeks. At another time, when the judges of the Supreme Court at New
Castle would not admit a certain commission of his to be published in court, he

OF GEORGE READ. 65
It does not appear from the minutes of the Vestry of Immanuel
Church whether or not Mr. St. Clare continued in charge of their
church during the whole time of Mr. Ross's absence from it, as there is
no record of their proceedings from March, 1711, .to the 26th of Octo
ber, 1714.
As the foregoing letter shows the disadvantages under which Mr.
Ross's, parish was suffering a short tirae before he returned to it, and
which, upon resuming his charge in New Castle, he probably still found
besetting it, its insertion may not, perhaps, be considered irrelevant.
" On the 28th of July, 1755, the Reverend Clement Brooks presented
to the Vestry of Immanuel Church, New Castle, Delaware, his creden
tials as successor therein of the Reverend George Ross, and resigned
26th October, llb&."— Minutes ofthe Vestry of Immanuel Church,
pp. 44, 45.
His successor was the Reverend Mr. Cleveland, who, on his journey
to Norwich, Connecticut, for his family, to enter with thera upon his
mission, died at the house of his friend, Dr. Franklin, in Philadelphia,
Augu.st llth, 1757.* The Reverend ^neas Ross was appointed to
supply his place, and his appointment announced by the Secretary of
the Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts to the Vestry
and Wardens of Immanuel Church by a letter, dated 3d May, 1758,
stating that "as his father was long their worthy missionary they ima
gine he will, upon that account, be acceptable, and hope he will prove a
worthy successor to his father." — Minutes of ihe Vestry, p. 46.
The Reverend -(Eneas Ross filled this mission until his decease, in
the year 1782.
"The long, low promontory of Tarbat-Ness forms the northeastern
extremity of Ross-shire. Etymologists derive its name from the prac
tice which prevailed among mariners, in the infancy of navigation, of
drawing their light shallops across the necks of such promontories in
stead of sailing around them. On a moor of this headlaud may be
traced the vestiges of an encampment which some have deemed Roman,
and there is a cave among the low rocks by which it is skirted, which,
according to tradition, communicates with another cave on the coast of
Caithness. The scenery of Tarbat-Ness is sublime. A wide expanse
of ocean here encircles a narrow headland, — brown, sterile, solitary,
edged with rocks, and studded with fragments of stone. On the one
hand the mountains of Sutherland are seen rising out of the sea like a
volume of blue clouds; and on the other, at a still greater distance, the
hills of Moray stretch along the horizon in a long undulating strip, so
faintly defined in the outline that they seem almost to mingle with the
firmament. Instead, however, of contracting the prospect, they serve
to enhance, by their diminished bulk, the immense space in which they
are included — space, wide, interminable space! in which he who con
sent for one of the judges and kicked him. In truth, his best apology seems to
have been that he was partially deranged. In fact, he afterwards, in 1717, made
his apology to the Council for several acts by saying, ' his physicians knew he had
a weakness in his head,' wherefore J. Logan remarked to Hannah Penn, 'Be
pleased to consider how fit he was for the commission he so long wore.' "
* Annals of the American Episcopal Pulpit, p. 165.

66 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
templates it finds himself lost, and is oppressed by a sense of his own
littleness,— is at all times the circumstance to which the prospect owes
most of its power. But it is only during the storms of winter, when
the firmament, in all its va.st.ness, seeras converted into a hall of the
tempest, and the earth, in allits extent, into a gymnasium for contend
ing elements, that the ocean assumes its full sublimity and grandeur.
On the north, a chain of alternate currents and whirlpools howl, toss,
and rage, as if wrestling with the hurricane. On the east, the huge
waves of the Gerraan Ocean corae rolling against the rocky barrier, en
circling it with a broad line of foam, and join their voices of thunder to
the roar of current and whirlpool. Cloud after cloud sweeps along the
brown promontory, flinging on it their burdens as they pass: the sea
gull shrieks over it as he beats his wings against the gale : the distant
hills seem blotted frora the landscape: occasionally a solitary bark, with
its dark sails furled to the yards, and its topmasts lowered to the deck,
comes drifting over the foam ; and the mariner, anxious, afraid, and
lashed to the helm, looks anxiously over the waves for the headlands
of the distant haven." — Scenes and Legends in the North of Scotland,
by Hugh Miller, pp. 260, 261.
At the time ofthe Reformation, or near it, the largest salary in Scot
land for the principal of a college was thirty-five pounds sterling, with
board and lodging. The highest bursary was about four pounds ster
ling. In 1583 chambers were let in Edinburgh College at forty shillings,
and two to be in one bed. Rolloc.k, principal of this seminary, was
allowed forty pounds sterling for salary, and one hundred and forty
pounds' (Scotch) for board. "The stipends of city ministers were about
seventy pounds sterling. The fees of Rollock from students were two
pounds (Scotch) from the sons of burgesses, and three from others,
but the fee was raised as the pound (Scotch) depreciated. Twenty
pounds was thought, in 1565, a large benevolence from a rich citizen of
Edinburgh to Queen Maiy. The account-book of Archbishop Sharp
(1663 to 1666) affords information in regard to college expenses in Scot
land. His son Williara, then a student at St. Andrew's, paid for a
pocket-inkhorn five pence; for candles, four shillings and tenpence; for a
pair of arrows, ten pence ; to his regent or tutor, five pounds, nineteen
shillings, and two pence; for a Virgil, one shilling and four pence; for
Ovid's Works, six shillings; for a Hebrew Grammar and Psalm-Book,
two shillings and four pence; and for "Buchanan's Nomenclature," six
pence. These sums are given in sterling money. Scotland, anterior to
the union, having progressed little in improvement and wealth, and her
circulating medium not much increased, the Scotch pound had probably
not depreciated, nor charges for board and tuition of students and sala
ries of teachers increased, when George Ross, at the close of the
seventeenth century, was a student at Edinburgh, and a tutor in Lord
May's family, so that his salary in that capacity, of ten pounds sterling,
was not the paltry sum it might, without the foregoing inforraation, be
thought, but the usual salary of a tutor.'*

* Autobiography of Mr. James Melville, Minister of Kilrenny, in Fife, and
Professor of Theology in the University of St Andrew's; North British Review,
article Baden Powell's Order of Nature.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 67
" New Castle, Delaware, a.d. 1679.
" Sand-Hoek has always been the principal place on the South River,
as well in the tirae of the English as of the Dutch. It is now called
New Castle by the English. It is situated upon the west side of the
river, upon a point which extends out, with a sandy beach, affording a
good landing-place, better than can be found elsewhere on that account.
It lies a little above the bay, where the river bends, and runs south
from there, so that you can see down the river southwardly. The
greater portion of it presents a beautiful view in perspective, and
enables you to see, from a distance, the ships come out from the great
bay and sail up the river. Formerly all ships wbyh accustomed to
anchor here, for the purpose of paying duties or obtaining permits, and
to unload when the goods were carried away by water, in boats or
barks, or by land, in carts. It was much larger and raore populous at
that time, and had a small fort called Nassau; but since the country
has belonged to the English, ships may no longer come here, or they
must first declare and unload their cargoes at New York, which has
caused this little place to fall off very much, and even retarded the set
tlement of plantations. What remains of it consists of about fifty
houses, raost all of wood The fort is demolished, but there is a good
block-house, having some small cannon erected in the middle of the
tiiwn, and sufficient to resist the Indians or an incursion of Chris
tians, but it could not hold out long. This town is the capital of
justice, where the high court of the South River is held, having
three other courts subordinate to it, from which appeals lie to it, as they
do from it to New York, and from New York to England. These three
minor courts are established, one at Salem, a small village of Quakers,
newly comraenced, qn the east side of the river, not far from New Cas
tle ; another is at' Upland, on the west side, above New Castle, a
Swedish village ; and the third is at Burlington, a new Quaker village,
on the east side of the river, above New Castle. New Castle is about
eighty miles from the falls [at Trenton], and the same distance from
the mouth of the river or the sea. The water in the river, at New
Castle, at ordinary flood-tide, is fresh, but when it is high spring-tide
or the wind blows hard from the southeast, it is brackish ; or if the
wind continues long, or it is hard weather, it becomes saltish. With a
new or full moon it makes high water at New Castle at five o'clock.
The principal persons we have seen are Mr. Moll and his wife, Ephraim
Herman and his wife, Peter Aldricks and his wife, and Domine Tesse-
maker."* LOTTERIES.
During the colonial period of our history, the frequent mode in many,
or at least in several, of the colonies of building and endowing colleges
and churches was by lotteries. For example, the college of Nassau Hall,
founded by Presbyterians, had the benefit of two lotteries about the
* Journal of a Voyage to New Tork, and Tour in several American Colonies,
by Jasper Dankers and Peter Sluyter, a.d. 1679-80, pp. 227, 228. Prom the
original manuscript, in Dutch, found in a bookseller's shop, Amsterdam, by H. C.
Murphy, and by him translated, and published by the Long Island Historical
Society.

68 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
year 1765,* and the privilege of drawing a third was granted to it by
the Puritan State of Connecticut, but it is uncertain whether or not it
was ever done.f The steeple of Christ Church, Philadelphia, was fin
ished and a ring of bells and a clock purchased for it by a lottery, in
1752,t and a supplementary lottery in 1753, § which Dr. Franklin pro
moted with his great influence. || A petition to the Legislature of the
Province of Pennsylvania for liberty to draw a lottery, to pay off the
balance of the debt due for building St. Peter's Church, Philadelphia,
was authorized by its Vestry in 1765. It was a facile way of raising
money when it could not be done by direct tax; the burden was self-
imposed, and the contributor seeraed beneficent, when, in truth, he was
selfish,  in part, at least. No political economist, no moralist, and no
divine uttered a warning word against the lottery as a costly mode of
improvement, because raising, besides the sum necessary for its object,
another for prizes,— as left to be assessed by chance, — as fostering, if
not creating, a gambling propensity, as tempting to fraud and breaches
of trust, and a reliance for the attainment of competence or wealth on
luck instead of industry and frugality. Its results have often been a
hideous brood of evils,— idleness, penury, drunkenness, dishonesty,
superstition, despair, insanity, and suicide. Even Dr. FranklinTf failed
to perceive the latent evils of lotteries. The colonies, looking with
blind reverence to the mother-country as their pattern in morals and
manners, found her imperial Parliament for a long period annually
voting a lottery, as part of the ways and means for the supplies
granted.** If scruples were ever felt as to the morality of the lottery,
its object, the benefit of a church or college, was an opiate to conscience.
If additional evidence ofthe state of public opinion in the North Amer
ican colonies in regard to lotteries were needed, we have it in a proposed
raeasure of the Continental Congress in 1776. That body was alarmed
by the depreciation of the Continental money. Taxation could not be
ventured, and the resolution of Congress, that all persons refusing to
take the Continental bills at par should be held enemies of their country,
failed to arrest the growing evil, as we think the merest tyro in politi
cal economy must have anticipated it would do. Other expedients
were resorted to by Congress, and among them the raising a million
and a half of dollars by lottery. — Marshall's Life of Washington,
vol. iii p. 421.
The iraproved public opinion on this subject has slowly grown up
* Dr. Green's Historv of Nassau Hall, pp 807, 359, 369.
t Ibid., p. 306.
j History of (Jhrist Church, Philadelphia, pp. 100, 101.
§ Ibid., p 102.
II If' ignorant of this fact, I might have expected to find a warning to young
men against adventure in lotteries among the pithy aphorisms of "Poor
Richard." ^ History of Christ Church, Philadelphia, p, 151.
¦** For instances of these votes, see Smollett's History of England, vol. i. pp.
128, 500; vol. ii. pp 17, 176, 148, 595; and for a later one, European Magazine,
vol. xli. p. 400, as follows : " The Chancellor of the Exchequer stated the contract
for the lottery for the service of this year, — advantage to the nation five hundred
and fifty-five thousand pounds, one hundred thousand tickets, at fourteen pounds
eleven shillings each ; entire sum to be raised, one million four hundred and fifty-
five thousand pounds I" The tirst lottery in England was drawn January llth,
1569, aud lotteries were therein abolished A D. 1826.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 69
during the present century, and been sufficiently strong to effect the
prohibition of lotteries in several of the States of our Union, whilst
those authorizing them, debauching the morals of their own citizens,
bring upon their neighbors, besides the usual evils ofthe lottery, viola
tions of their statutes, which impair that great safeguard of corarauni-
ties,— reverence of law. The lottery is one forra of the lot, and the
decision Ijy lot is not wrong in se. The lot has been used in ancient
and modern tiraes, I believe, by all nations for various purposes. The
application of the lot raay be right or wrong according to its purpose
or consequences. In sorae instances it prevented evils, or at least in-
convenieuces ; but in the lottery it camses mischief, its opponents hold,
so great as to outweigh any good resulting from it, aud to make it
necessary to prohibit it always and everywhere.*

CAPTAIN THOMAS READ.
That the name of Thomas Read may justly be placed in the list of
bold, and skilful, and successful navigators, appears by the following
extract from the "Life of Robert Morris," volurae ii. " Biography of the
Signers of the Declaration of Independence," p. 431:
" Mr. Morris made the first attempt to effect what is termed an out-
of-season passage to China. This passage is effected by going round
the south cape of New Holland, thus avoiding the periodical winds
prevalent at certain periods in the China Sea. In prosecution of this
object the Alliance (ship). Captain Thomas Read, equipped with ten
twelve-pounders and sixty-five men, sailed frora the Delaware on the
20th of June, 1787, and arrived in safety on the 22d of Deceraber at
Canton, where considerable inquiries were raade by the European com
manders respecting the route that had been taken, as it was wholly a
novel thing for a vessel to arrive at that season of the year. As no
ship had ever before made such a passage, great astonishment was
manifested, and the Lords of the British Admiralty subsequently ap
plied to Mr. Morris for information as to the track of the ship. It is
said that her intended route was traced out by Mr. Morris, with the
assistance of Mr. Gouverneur Morris." See, also. Encyclopaedia Ameri
cana, vol. ix. p. 51.
* Since writing the above paragraph, I have found tickets, signed Samuel
Patterson, in the following lotteries: 1st, Newark Land and Cash Lottery, in
New Castle County ; 2d, New Castle Lottery, for the encouragement of the
American china manufacture, in 1771 ; and 3d, the Second New Castle cm Dela
ware Lottery, for the benefit of the United Presbyterian churches in the city of
New York, the Seceding Church in said city, and the Presbyterian church in
Richmond County, in 1772.

70 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
THE FRIGATE ALLIANCE.
" The Alliance was the only one of our first navy of the class of
frigates which was so successful as to escape capture or destruction
during the war. In 1781 she and the Deane frigate were the only two
of our forraer frigates left in the service. She was iu many engage
ments, and always victorious. She was a fortunate ship, and a remark
ably fast sailer. She could either fight or fly away,— beating her adver
sary either by flight or fight.
" Twice she bore the fortunes of Lafayette across the ocean. Wben
presented with a relic of her tirabers, he was delighted with it.
"Her hull, when she becarae unseaworthy, was for many years
stretched along Betty's Island, opposite Philadelphia, an object of in
terest to passengers on the river Delaware.
" She was built up the river Merrimac, at Salisbury, Massachusetts,
and launched in 1778: was 125 feet long, about 35 feet beam, and
about 900 tons burthen, and thought to be [too] long [and] narrow,
shoal and sharp, and [to be] oversparred." — Watson's Annals of Phila
delphia, pp. 692, 693.
Thomas Read was appointed a captain and commander in the navy
ofthe United States, June 6th, 1776, by Congress, and when their rank
was settled by resolution of that body (10th October, 1776), he stood
eighth in the list of these officers, and was assigned to the frigate
Washington, of 32 guns.* He was at Trenton the day before the battle
of Princeton, and directed the guns which raked the stone bridge over
the Assanpink. When appointed to a Continental frigate, he was in
command of the Montgomery, one of the vessels provided by the Com
mittee "Of Safety of Pennsylvania to defend the Delaware Bay and
River, and resigned that command to take this appointment, — his resig
nation being accepted. He was (29th May, 1776) chief in command
of the Pennsylvania fleet. — Force's American Archives, vol. vi. pp.
667, 1279, 1698, 1699.
* Goldsborough's U. S. Naval Chronicle, vol. i. pp. 8, 9.

OF GEORGE READ. 71

CHAPTER II.
Restrictions on trade and manufactures of tho British colonies of North America
— Reflections thereon — -Transportation of criminals to America — Duties on
sugar and other articles — Synopsis of the arguments for and against the right
to tax the British North American colonies without their consent — Opposition
to the stamp-act, its repeal, and the happy results — Delusive expectations of
the colonists — Right to tax them not renounced — Tax on glass, paper, tea, and
painters' colors, and great alarm it caused— Theories as to the political relation
of Great Britain and her North American colonies — Jtr. Jefferson's and Mr.
Dickinson's remarks thereon — Troops ordered to Boston — Non-importation
agreements — Circular letter of Mr. Read recommending one for New Castle
County — Soon generally adopted — Measures for detecting and punishing viola
tions of it — -'Repeal of all duties but that on tea — Drawback to Ba.st India
Company on tea. exported to America — Tea exported there, how received and
treated — Boston port-bill, arguments for and against it — Opposed universally,
and money given for relief of sufferers from it — Meeting in New Castle County
for both these objects, and Mr. Read's share in proceedings — Csesar Rodney's
letter informing hira of like proceedings in Kent, and proposed ones in Sussex —
Delegates appointed from Delaware to the Congress held first Monday of Sep
tember, 1774 — Its meeting and proceedings — Mr. Read a delegate thereto, and
his letters while attending it — Character of the state-papers of the Congress,
and different opinions as to their efl'ect — Recommendations of Congress univer
sally adopted — No pains spared to make colonists aware of their rights and to
stir them up to maintain them — Mr Read one of the Committee in New Cas
tle County to receive contributions for the sufferers under the Boston port-bill
— Nine hundred dollars raised and remitted — Correspondence relating thereto
— British Parliament dissolved, and state of parties in England — New Parlia
ment meets, king's speech, address in reply, hearing refused to the colonial
agents, Lord Chatham's motion for the recall of troops from Boston and repeal
of obnoxious act of Parliament, rejected — Massachusetts declared to be in re
bellion, and increase of land and naval forces recommended — Lord North's
conciliatory plan — Mr. Burke's — Battles of Lexington and Concord — Congress
meets 10th May, 1775— Mr. Read a delegate to this body — Letters of Mr. Read
— Capture of Ticonderoga — Proceedings, measures, and state-papers of Congress
— General Washington elected commander-in-chief — Recess of Congress —
American army before Boston — Members of Mr. Read's family in the public
service — Letters of Colonel Thompson — Expedition to Canada — Letter of Major
Macpherson — His death, and repulse and death of Montgomery before Quebec-
Letter of Mr. Read — Adjournment of Congress — Appendix A, notice of General
Thompson — Appendix B, notice of Ethan Allen — Appendix C, notice of Major
Macpherson — Appendix D, Provost Smith.
As soon as the North American colonies, conquering
what would have been to courage, enterprise, and industry
less than their own, insuperable obstacles, had established
a commerce, not only considerable, but capable of a vast
increase, the selfish policy of their parent state sought to
monopolize their trade and manufactures, and to this end
subjected both to restrictions. The British Parliament, by
the act of 12th Charles II. , enacted that sugars, tobacco.

2 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE

cotton, wool, and other articles, should only be carried to
England, Ireland, Wales, or other British plantations, from
the American colonies. But not content with the monopoly
of their exports, this nursing mother, as she was pleased to
style herself, in 1663, by another act of Parliament, com
pelled them to purchase from her merchants and manufac
turers every article of foreign production or fabric they
needed, except salt for their fisheries, wine from Madeira
and the Azores, and provisions frora Scotland. In 1672 a
further step was taken in this unjust and illiberal system
by imposing duties on certain productions of the colonies,
exported from one to the other, thus no longer leaving the
trade between them free. These acts took from them the
right to seek the best market for their exports, and of re
ceiving directly from the place of production their imports,
and so burdening them, for the benefit of England, with the
difference of expense between a direct and circuitous route
for their trade. In 1750 the erection of mills or other en
gines for slitting or rolling iron, or plating-forge for making
steel, were prohibited, and declared nuisances, to be abated
by the colonial governors under heavy penalty, within thirty
days after information that they were erected.* "Not a
' * " Is there in any of the ' acts of trade' the smallest consideration of
the health, comfort, wealth, growth, population, agriculture, manufac
tures, commerce, fisheries of the American people? All are sacrificed
to British commerce, manufactures, growth, and domination, and their
navy used as the best instrument to accomplish this object. Apt scholars
of Tacitus, whose fundamental principle of philosophy, morality, and
religion was that all nations and all things were to be sacrificed to the
grandeur of Rome." — Adams's Writings, vol. x. p. 340.
" Mr. Otis, in his argument against ' writs of assistance,' examined
the 'acts of trade,' and demonstrated that if they were to be considered
as revenue laws, they destroyed all our security of property, liberty,
and life, the English constitution, and the charter of Massachusetts. He
considered the distinction between internal and external taxes at that
time a popular and commonplace distinction, but asserted there was
no such distinction in theory, ur upon any principle but necessity. The
necessity that the commerce of the empire should be under one direction
was obvious. The Araericans were so sensible of this necessity that
they had connived at the distinction between internal and external
taxes, and had submitted to the acts of trade as ruguliitioiis of com
merce, and never as taxations and revenue laws, nor had the British
government until then ever attempted to enforce them as such. They
had been dormant in this character for almost a century. The naviga
tion act he allowed to be binding on Massachusetts because, by her

OF GEORGE READ. 73
hob-nail," said a member of the British Parliament, " should
be made in America."* This system of monopoly would
have been intolerable had it been entirely submitted to or
enforced, but these tyrannical statutes were disobeyed, as
far as they could be, without open resistance to authority,
and evasions of them were winked at. But it would be
unfair not to notice the advantages derived by the colonies
from the parent state. They were encouraged to produce
new articles, especially those which Britain was obliged to
import, by bounties, which were allowed on tar, pitch, tur
pentine, hemp, raw silk, flax, indigo, staves, masts, and
yards, it is apparent, for her own benefit rather than theirs,
though benefited they were. Her protection and assists
ance, too, were experienced in her wars, especially the
French, which extended to them, but which were waged
not for their benefit but their own security or aggrandize
ment. The restrictions upon the commerce and manufac
tures of the American colonies were alike selfish, illiberal,
and unjust, but not alike injurious. Where there were vast
quantities of land to be settled and cultivated, where capital
was small and labor high, agriculture, not manufactures,
was the proper because the remunerative occupation. For
the colonists to become manufacturers, even to the extent
of supplying their own wants, was an impossibility. They
possessed neither the capital nor the skill needed for fabri
cating machinery. If by miracle, availing themselves of
their magnificent water-power, they could have erected
factories upon their streams, and diverted labor into a new
channel, and provided sufficient raw materials, and manu
factured goods, and brought them into market, they would
have been met and driven out by better and cheaper arti-
cles.f Every statute of the British Parliament restraining
or prohibiting manufactures in the American colonies raight
Legislature, she had consented to it. In 1675, after' letters and orders
from the king. Governor Winthrop candidly informed him that the law
had been unexecuted because it was thought unconstitutional. Parlia
ment having no power to enact it." — Writings of John Adams, vol. x.
pp. 316, 317.
* This narrow spirit was ridiculed by another member ofthe British
Parliament, when he said, " The colonists should be compelled by an
act of that body to send their horses to England to be shod." — John
Adams's Writings, vol. x. p. 350.
t Nor could they protect their infant manufactures by high tariff.
6

74 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
have been repealed without injury or risk of injury to the
manufacturers of the mother-country. The enactment of
these statutes evinced either a strange want of sagacity in
statesmen of that day or an unworthy deference to the nar
row views and prejudices of a large, rich, and influential
class of their fellow-subjects for selfish ends. The colonists
could not have become manufacturers, nor was it their in
terest, in that stage of their progress, to become so. For
alraost forty years, after every employraent was open to the
industry, the enterprise, and the capital of the colonists, in
their new and happy condition of citizens of an independ-
dent country, agriculture and commerce continued to be
their pursuits.* The limits of the regal and parliamentary
authority over the colonies were undefined, and various
controversies arose.f The colonies, notwithstanding these
* The transportation of criminals to the colonies was enumerated
araong the wrongs done thera by their unkind parent. But we may,
with good grounds, deny that it was a grievance. The great want of
the colonies, as of all newly-settled countries, was population, which a
little consideration will show this transportation, in a degree, supplied..
At flrst view it raay be thought criminals could be no gain to a com
munity, but the burglar, the footpad, the thief, or even the homicide, in
England, would not necessarily nor probably be such, and, in fact, was
not such, under circumstances entirely different from those which made
him a criminal .at home. In the colonies he found hiraself in comrau
nities industrious, moral, and religious, where labor was in demand,
wages consequently high, living good and cheap, and therefore without
the motives to crime which beset him in the land of his birth ; in short,
it was more to his interest to be an honest man than a rogue, and an
honest man (with exceptions), by the force of circumstances, he became.
Sold for no long time, as a servant, the enforced labor and restraints of
his condition were necessary to put him in a right course. His servi
tude ended, he was, in a great majority of cases, reformed in morals,
vigorous, healthy, and industrious; and a few years more of labor,
where land was cheap, made hira a freeholder. The colonists might
then well have welcomed the transported criminal to their shores, and
treated with contempt the taunt that "their Adam and Eve came out
of Newgate."
f In 1757 Lord Granville said to Dr. Franklin, "The king is the
legislator of the colonies." Franklin replied, "This was new doctrine
to him. He had always understood from their charters that the laws
of the colonies were to be made by their Assemblies, to be presented,
indeed, to the king for his approbation, but that being once given, he
could not alter nor repeal them. Twenty years before," he adds, "it
was proposed by a clause in a bill, brought into Parliament by the min
istry, to make the king's instructions laws in the colonies, but this clause
was thrown out by the Commons, for which the colonists adored them

OF GEORGE READ. 75
clogs, wonderfully prospered. Each year saw new tracts
of wilderness reclaimed by the hardy Americans, and new
seas whitened by the swelling sails of their shipping. The
treaty of peace signed in Paris in 176-3 put an end to the
Gallic power on the Araerican continent, which, if it re
strained England from some stretches of her authority over
her colonies, also bridled their spirit of independence. With
this peace came a new policy. The plan of taxing America,
suggested from tirae to tirae by officials to different minis
ters, had never been seriously entertained unfeil, in an evil
hour for England, a minister, skilled in the details of finance,
but without the comprehensive views of a statesman, of
which he was incapable, resolved to adopt and execute it,
prompted by the augmented debt of the nation, the neces
sity for new sources of revenue, the difficulty of discovering
them, and the opposition to every new tax he had proposed.
In 1764 Parliament, by an act passed April Sth, continued
and perpetuated the duties on sugar, molasses,* and certain
other articles imported into the North Araerican colonies,
towards raising a revenue, and enacted that all penalties for
violations of the acts of trade in Araerica might be re
covered in any colonial Vice- Admiralty Court.f In 1765,
March 22d, the stamp-act was enacted, as in its preamble
declared, "to raise further revenue in America." The uni
versal opposition to this measure, the proceedings of the
first General Congress of the colonies, those of the colonial
Assemblies and popular meetings, the newspaper articles
and pamphlets, so effective in enlightening the people on
this momentous question, and stirring them to resistance,
are familiar to my readers, with the non-iraportation agree
ments, the consequent stagnation of trade and clamor

as their friends, and the friends of liberty, until from their measures in
1765 it seemed that they had refused this point of sovereignty to the
king only that they might reserve it for themselves." — Autobiography
of Dr. Franklin, Bigelow's Edition.
* "The tax on molasses and sugar would raise twenty-five thousand
pounds, enough to pay the salaries of the governors and admiralty-
judges of all the colonies." — Adams's Writings, vol. x. p. 349.
f The judges of these admiralty courts were dependent, and their
forms of proceedings according to the civil law, without juries, and open
examination of witnesses, and the publicity of procedure of the common
law.

76 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
against the government, the change of ministry, and repeal
of the stamp-act.*
* The following is a synopsis of the principal arguments urged for
and against the claim of Great Britain to tax her North American colo
nies without their'Consent : PRO.
1. The colonies have been planted and nourished by British care and
indulgence. 2. Defended at great cost.
3. Reasonable, therefore, that they should contribute to the general
wants of the empire, of which they are a part, and especially aid in
paying a debt contracted to protect them, and ungrateful in them to re
fuse so to do.
4. The navigation acts, the palladium of British commerce, had been
relaxed in their favor.
5. The colonists were virtually represented in the British Parlia
ment. 6. The alleged connection between taxation and representation could
not stand the test of historical inquiry.
7. Various taxes had been raised without laws by forced benevo
lences, ship-money, etc.
8. Representation arbitrary, and possessed, actually, by but a small
part of the British, or any people, while taxation was a part of the
general power to legislate.
9. The navigation acts cramped and cut off the colonial trade, and
the distinction between internal and external taxes was unfounded for
taxes levied on articles at ports, as much felt as if raised in the interior
of the colonies, yet the legality of the navigation acts was never ques
tioned. 10. Ifa practice has long and generally prevailed and not been ques
tioned, as a number of precedents proved was true of tbis, it became
law and constitution by the very admission.
11. Various statutes were quoted taxing Chester and Durham with
out representation.
12. If the colonists by migrating did not lose their right to vote for
merabers of the British Parliament, yet by their own act they have
niade its exercise impossible, and cannot on this ground evade their
liability to be taxed in common with all British subjects.
CON.
1. If the colonists owed the same allegiance to the king, and subor
dination to the Parliament, as the people of Great Britain:
2. They were entitled to the same privileges, rights, and immunities
which were confirmed by charters and usage.
3, No taxes could be imposed on free-born Britons— and such were
the colonists — without their consent by their representatives.
4. That the colonists were not, and could not be, represented in the
British Parliament,— not actually nor virtually.
5. The perfection of representation is when "the delegate is bound, as

OF GEORGE READ. 77
The stamp-act was repealed. There was the calra, which
alike succeeds agitation of the elements or human passions.
Trade resumed its ancient channel. The colonial merchant
sent his orders liome; the British manufacturer, the old
market restored, again found employment; and along the
quays of Philadelphia, New York, and Boston, the chief
well as the constituent, by the laws he has a share in enacting, and
suffers equally from mischievous ones ; and when this is true, subjects,
though deprived of the elective franchise, are still virtually represented ;
but of a Parliament taxing America this could not be triie, since, as it
imposed burdens on the Americans, it relieved its own constituents.
6. The colonists, ex necessitate, have exclusive power of legislation
in all matters of internal polity, subject only to the royal veto in the
accustomed manner.
7. The only representatives of the colonists, those chosen by them
selves. 8. The right "of binding the colonies in all cases whatsoever," if
conceded, or successfully asserted, would leave them in truth without
property. 9. All supplies of the crown were/Vee gifts, money-bills originating
in the Comraons, being only sent to the Lords for the form of legisla
tion, being returned to the Commons to await the royal fiat, and the
king thanking, not the Lords and Coraraojjs, but his faithful Commons
alone, for supplies.
10. No lapse of time or accumulation of precedents could make that
just which was unjust, or constitutional which was unconstitutional.
11. As to Chester, Durham, Wales, and Lancaster, Parliament, by
giving them representation, most emphatically, in the language of
Burke, "recognized the equity of not suffering any considerable district,
where British subjects may act as a body, to be taxed without their
own voice in the grant."
12. If Ireland and Wales have been taxed, and otherwise legislated
for, without representation, they were conquered countries, and treated
as such : but Ireland has her Parliament.
. 13. The wars, alleged to have been waged for the colonies, were, in
fact, Great Britain's own wars to preserve or extend her power, and the
colonists liberally contributed both men and money to aid in carrying
thera on, and thus compensated whatever benefit they incidentally re
ceived ; besides being heavily taxed by the burdens and restrictions on
their trade.
14. The object of the trade acts was not taxation. The power of
Parliament to regulate trade was not disputed, because this body alone
could exercise it, but this tacit assent involved no admission of the right
to tax the colonies without their consent.
15. The colonial charters were forfeitable, but only for good cause,
after hearing in defence, and judgment. The colonies were not merely
corporations :• they were communities, dependent, indeed, but with
political rights, of which no forfeitures or revocations of their charters
could deprive them.

78 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
marts of America, were again heard the cheering sounds of
business. But were not the colonists rejoicing prematurely?
Was the solemn declaration by the imperial Parliament, of
"their right to bind them in all cases whatever," unmean
ing' ? Height they not, at any future session, exercise that
power to tax them without their consent, which would rob
them of all property in their goods, their chattels, and their
lands ? Had the eloquence and the logic of Pitt, and Burke,
and Caraden, and Barre wrought conviction in the raind of
England that this power was at war with the eternal prin
ciples of justice and its faraed constitution, or did they still
hope and purpose to relieve themselves, in part, frora their
burden of taxes by imposing some of it upon their trans
atlantic fellow-subjects? These questions were, no doubt,
put by reflecting men, but the mass of the colonists, ready,
as men have ever been, to believe what they wish, con
sidered the repeal of the stamp-act the renunciation of the
claim of right to tax them without their consent, and the
declaratory act but a salvo for the wounded pride of the
parent state.
The Rockingham mini,^try, by not coupling the repeal of
the obnoxious stamp-act with the renunciation of this claim,
lost the opportunity, which was never again presented, of
removing by this single concession all discontent and all
distrust. The Grafton adrainistration soon succeeded. The
act of Parliament laying duties on glass, paper, pasteboard,
white and red lead, painters' colors, and tea, was passed.
The colonists were more exasperated by this measure than
by the stamp-act, and they were more alarmed because
troops were ordered to Boston to overawe disaffection.*
* They had to determine on what ground they should rest their cause.
Mr. Jefferson's theory, which found no advocate, even in Virginia, but
Chancellor Wythe, was that Great Britain and the colonies were co
ordinate people, with no tie but that of a eoramon executive, their rela
tion being that of Great Britain and Scotland before their union, or
tbat of Great Britain and Hanover after the accession of George I.
{Writings of Thomas Jefferson, vol. i. pp. 8, 10, 11.) This theory
was sustained by no facts in the colonial history. Great Britain had
certainly never legislated, before the union, in restraint of the trade or
manufactures of Scotland, and not at any period in restriction of those
of Hanover, while she had monopolized the commerce of the colonists
frora the date ofthe navigation acts, and almost prohibited their manu
factures, and this, too, with their tacit assent, with the single exception

OF GEORGE READ. 79
Massachusetts sent forth circulars to all the colonies, warn
ing them of their danger, and again exhorting them to
mentioned by Mr. Jefferson of Virginia, when she capitulated to the
Commonwealth, stipulating for free trade, which stipulation was disre
garded. The dissentients to this theory, had it been received, would
have been numerous, and so the unanimity essential to success would
have been lost. Happily for his countrymen, John Dickinson, in his
"Farmers' Letters," had propounded and ably maintained the theory,
so accordant with the history of the colonial relation to the mother-
country, and so moderate as not to shut the door to accommodation,
which, while it denied the right to tax the colonies without their con
sent, admitted the power of the parent state to regulate their commerce
and restrain tbeir manufactures for the benefit of the whole empire,
provided the acts for so doing should be bona fide for such purpose, and
not to raise a solid revenue. That this was the proper theory at that
stage of the contest* there can be no better evidence than the fact that
it was, with extraordinary unanimity, at once adopted, from Massachu
setts to Georgia. The colonies differed so rauch in their constitutions,
religion, laws, customs, and manners, their intercourse with and knowl
edge of each other were so little, that to unite them in the sarae prin
ciples in theory and system of action was, John Adaras tells us, most
difficult, and its accomplishment wonderful. "Thirteen clocks," he
adds, " were made to strike together, a perfection of mechanism which
no artist had ever before effected.". — Letler of John Adams, Niles's
.Register, No. 340, 7th March, 1818, vol xiv. p. 13.
A compromise on this basis might be proposed, with reasonable hope
of success, and if rejected, all would be convinced that they raust choose
between an appeal to arras or unconditional submission. However
strong the array of arguraent from reason and justice against this the
ory, which Jefferson sneeringly calls the half-way house of John Dickin
son, the expediency of then adopting it was, I think, manifest. By
adopting the Jeffersonian theory, the colonists would have lost to their
cause a party in the mother-country, powerful not from its number but
the great abilities of its leaders. How does this theory consist with, this
passagefrom a speech of Williara Pitt ? " Let the stamp-act be repealed,
etc. ; at the Same time let the sovereign authority of this country over
the colonies be asserted in as strong terms as can be devised, and be
made to extend to every point of legislation whatsoever, and it be de
clared that we may bind their trade, confine their manufactures, and
exercise eyery power whatsoever, except that of taking their money out
of their pockets without their consent." Pitt's championship, and the
support ofthe party of which he was the niost renowned leader, would
have ceased upon the announcement of pretensions so extravagant as
those holding the above-cited opinion would have considered them.
Jefferson proposed no better terras of compromise than Dickinson's, —
they were in truth the same. "Place us," said he, in answer to the
objection that his theory would make void the navigation acts, "place

* The question being not what ought to be the relation of the colonies to the
mother-country, but what it had been and then was.

80 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
unite with her in resistance, and, as before, successfully.
The people? rose everywhere in their might, the press was
active, the colonial Assemblies again remonstrated, and
resolutions were almost universally adopted by the colonists
to discourage the use of British manufactures and foster
their own. There were dissensions between the colonial
Assemblies and their governors.
An agreement of the colonists not to import from the
mother-country was the measure that seemed best calculated
to extort from her redress of grievances, for to all her mer
chants it was injurious, while to many of thera it was ruin
ous. The export trade of Great Britain to her North
Araerican colonies amounted to six millions of pounds ster
ling, being more than one-third of her whole exports^
Might not the colonists be with reason hopeful of the potent
effect of a measure which would disturb and lessen, if not
cut off, so rich a traffic? It was, perhaps, impossible to
convince Great Britain that they were in earnest in their
opposition to her arbitrary acts, unless they proved their
sincerity by subjecting themselves to some great privations.
The following extract frora a circular letter, addressed
by Mr. Read to his fellow-citizens in the lower part of New
Castle County, explains why the inhabitants of Delaware
entered into this agreement at a later period than their
brother colonists. "In the present struggle made for liberty
by the colonists around us I hope this government will not
be pointed out as unconcerned in the common cause. Hith
erto the representatives of the people, in Assembly, have
us, if Britain will not have the basis of her assumed power scrutinized,
in the condition we were [in] when George III. a.scended the throne,
and we will be satisfied." This seems to me an abandonment of this
theory, and but an impotent conclusion from bold premises. When
Jefferson characterized John Dickinson "as a lawyer of more ingenuity
than sound judgment, and still more timid than ingenious," he did great
injustice to this eminent man; and history, I believe, has not ratified,
and will not ratify, this disparaging opinion. " In the Congress of
1775," Mr. Jefferson, in volume i. of his Writings (p. 8), states that
"the declaration of the causes for taking up arms" — which he drew —
"was, out of indulgence to John Dickinson, permitted to be rewritten,
almost, by hira," and adds, "he was so honest and able that he was in
dulged and yielded to by those who did not have his scruples." Which
of these opinions did Thomas Jefferson really hold?
* Burke's Miscellaneous Works, vol. ii. pp. 27, 28. (Boston Edition,
1806.)

OF GEORGE READ. 81
contributed their mite with other bodies of the like kind
through the continent; it now becomes more particularly
the business of the people, in general, to consider their
present situation, and what may be further done in support
of measures apparently necessary: I mean the non-impor
tation agreements entered into from time to time since the
last act of Parliament, imposing duties on tea, paper, glass,
and painters' colors. \From our local circumstances it
seemed unnecessary for the people of this government to
enter into resolutions of non-importation from the mother-
country, as we had no traders among ms who imported goods
from Great Britain, except in very small quantities, and in
vessels belonging to Philadelphia, which was sufficiently
guarded by the agreement of her own citizens. Lately it
has been discovered that a few of the traders of that city
have become tired of what they call virtuous attempts to
restore freedom to America, and endeavored to dissolve the
Philadelphia non-importation agreement. One of the prin
cipal arguments made use of is the probability of losing the
trade of this government. They say that the Maryland
non-importation agreeraent having excepted many raore
articles of merchandise than that of Philadelphia, the peo
ple here will form a connection in the way of trade with
the Marylanders, introduced by going there to purchase ex
cepted articles, which trade may continue after all contests
with the mother-country are over. This is a plausible and
forcible arguraent, and to remove all the weight it may
have, the inhabitants of the upper parts of this county,
particularly in and about the towns of New Castle, Wil
mington, Christiana, Newark, Newport, and Hamburg
Landing, have resolved to support the Philadelphia agree
ment. J It is now in the power of the people of this govern-
menfto lend a helping hand, and be of real use in the
general causej Some of the people of New York haye
deserted it, but, it is thought, will be brought back to their
duty. To prevent the like accident from taking place in
Philadelphia, we ought to destroy the argument alleged be
fore. Let us be content to confine our trade to its former
channels; there is our natural connection; let us forego
some trifling conveniences in hopes of greater advantage;
resolve not to purchase any goods out of the government
but such as are excepted in the Philadelphia agreeraent.

82 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
and fall upon some effectual measures to support this
conduct."
~^ The agreement recommended by Mr. Read was soon very
generally adopted. It was dated the 17th day of August,
1769, and was framed with much ability and vigor. After
stating, in energetic language, the grievances which com
pelled thera to co-operate with their fellow-colonists in the
measures best calculated to invite or enforce redress, these
patriotic citizens "mutually promise, declare, and agree,
upon their word of honor and faith as Christians" —
"1. That from and after this date we will not import,
into any part of Araerica, any goods, wares, or. merchandise
whatsoever, from any part of Great Britain, contrary to
the spirit and intention of the agreement of the merchants
of the city of Philadelphia.
"2. That we never will have any dealing, commerce, or
intercourse, whatever, with any man residing in any part
of the British dominions, who shall, for lucre or any other
purpose, import into any part of America any article con
trary to the said agreement.
"3. That any one of us who shall wilfully break this
agreeraent shall have his name published in the public news
papers as a betrayer of the civil rights of America, and be
forever deeraed infaraous, and a betrayer of his country."
It is a curious fact that no measure was devised for de
tecting violators of this agreeraent until nearly a year after
it had been entered into. Such was the confidence in the
virtue of the community that an infraction of this compact
was little, if at all, apprehended. But when the enthusi
asra, which gave aniraation and effect to this patriotic act,
was, in some measure, abated by the privations — certainly
not trivial — to which it subjected those who had signed it,
some individuals basely forfeited their word, their honoj,
and their Christian faith by violating this solemn pledge.
Those who led the van of these covenant-breakers were
shopkeepers; they had not, perhaps, less patriotism than
other classes of their fellow-citizens, but their virtue was
assailed by stronger temptations. Nor were they the only
apostates, for if there were sellers of interdicted merchan
dise, there must also have been purchasers. To arrest this
evil, which threatened the virtual dissolution of the com
pact, a measure was adopted as simple as it proved effica-

OF GEORGE READ. 83
cious. On the 4th of June, 1770, Mr. Read expressed
himself on this subject as follows, in a letter addressed to
one of his friends: "Several towns in this coimty have
chosen two committeemen, each to adopt such resolutions
respecting trade as the pre.sent emergency seems to require.
They met lately at Christiana, and were unanimously of
opinion that the Philadelphia agreement should be sup
ported, and for this purpose two persons were appointed in
each town a committee of inspection to watch the trade. The
duty of these persons is to examine what goods are brought
into this government, and in case they discover any sales
by shopkeepers of articles not excepted, to report the same
to the general committee, who shall determine what shall
be done thereupon." Mr. Read was elected chairman of
this general committee. The subordinate committees per-
rmed their duties with such diligence and activity that
they equalled the agents ofthe best organized police in the
discovery of delinquents. Every section of country was
subjected to a system of espionage so inconsistent with
American notions of liberty that nothing but the urgency
of the case, and benefits it produced, could have induced the
citizens to tolerate it. The adherents of Great Britain
were too few to shield the violators of the compact from its
penalties. When information was given against thera, they
generally appeared before the general committee, who in
flicted no other punishment than requiring a public declar
ation from the offenders of sorrow for the offence, a promise
not to repeat it, and payment to the committee ofthe proceeds
of sales of non-excepted articles for the use of the poor of the
county. The delinquents, however, were not numerous.
The prime minister, the Duke of Grafton, proposed and
urged the repeal of all the duties for raising revenue in
America ; but the British Parliament, considering that this
total repeal would be the relinquishment of their asserted
right of supremacy over the colonies, while by the act of
the 5th of March, 1770, they repealed the other duties, re
tained that on tea, in the vain hope that the trifling sum
thus imposed would be paid, and not yet aware that the
contest was for a principle the colonists would never sur
render, and that they believed the whole property of
America was involved in this small tax, just as their ances
tors did that the whole property of England was in the suit

84 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
against John Hampden for twenty shillings; for, they rea
soned truly, if Parliament could, on every ounce of tea bought
by a colonist, levy, without his consent, a tax of even one
farthing, they might at pleasure take every shilling of every
man in America. In 1773 wae passed the act of Parlia
ment allowing the East India Company a drawback on tea
exported to the American colonies, cargoes of which were
shipped thither. At Philadelphia and New York it was
not permitted to be landed, at Charleston it was stored in
damp cellars where it perished, and in Boston harbor it was
emptied into the sea. Had England then receded, she
would have been wise and magnanimous; but, listening
only to the language of passion, she hastened to vindicate
the outraged dignity of Parliament and the wounded honor
of the nation. On the 31st of March, 1774, the bill was
passed "for discontinuing the lading or unlading goods,
wares, and merchandises at Boston, and for removing the
custom-house from thence to Salem," till it should be de
clared by the king in council that she had returned to obe
dience, and compensation was made for the tea destroyed
and injury done to private property when it arrived m
America. Then was passed the bill, assented to by the
king 10th of May, which subverted the charter of Massa
chusetts, giving to the crown the appointment of members
of the council, and of judges, magistrates, and sheriffs, who
were authorized to summon and return juries. This bill
further prohibited the selectmen from calling public meet
ings without the consent of the Governor. Then it was
enacted that should it appear to the Governor that any
person indicted for a capital offence, the act so charged
being done in suppressing riots and tumults, who could not
probably be fairly tried in Massachusetts Bay, might be
sent to Great Britain, or any other colony, for trial. These
measures of vengeance were completed by the bills passed
for quartering soldiers on the inhabitants, and enlarging
the province of Canada, and changing its government, by
providing that a council, to be appointed by the crown,
should exercise all legislative power except that of taxation
(Roman Catholics being admi.ssible), and by securing tithes
to their priests, establishing their religion, besides abolish
ing trial by jury.
By the advocates, in the British Parliament, of the

OF GEORGE BEAD. 85
Boston port-bill, it was urged that Boston was selected for
punishment, because most guilty. For seven years she had
been the originator of the seditions which, during that
period, had disturbed the colonies. She would suffer, doubt
less, by this act, but she deserved such and greater suffer
ings, as a great delinquent, and could at any tirae terrainate
this merited punishment by reparations to those she had
wronged, and return to obedience. The vigorous assertion
by Britain of her authority over her colonies was necessary,
for otherwise the seditious might with reason conclude it
could be set at naught with impunity, and the dependence
of the colonies would cease at no distant time. It was
alleged that to fine communities for neglecting to punish
crimes coramitted within their jurisdiction, was just in itself,
and sustained by precedents, — that of the city of London,
fined in 1640, in the case of Dr. Lamb,* that of Edinburgh
and Captain Porteous, with which all who have read (and
who has not?) the "Heart of Mid-Lothian" are familiar,
and that of Glasgow, whose revenues were in part seques
tered, to indemnify a Mr. Campbell for the destruction of
his house by a mob. The act would require no great force
to execute it, for a few frigates would suffice. The colo
nists would generally approve this just punishment, or be
awed by it to subraission ; should they not, but, on the con
trary, give their sympathy and their aid to Boston, they,
and not the rainistry, would be responsible for the deplora
ble results.
Petitions, only one of which was heard, on behalf of the
Bostonians, set. forth, and her advocates maintained, that
before they were condemned it was an undeniable maxim
of justice that they should be heard; that the only evidence
against them was the report of the Governor of Massachu-
setTs Bay, their prejudiced and partial enemy; that the
offence charged was committed out of the jurisdiction of
Boston, in her harbor, which was under the control of the
Governor, and that in the precedents cited, the cities fined
were represented in Parliament, heard by council, and their
* Dr. Lamb, patronized by the Duke of Buckingham, who, like other
overo-rown favorites, was inclined to favor astrology, was, in 1640,
pulled to pieces in the city of London by the enraged populace, and his
maidservant hanged, thirteen years afterwards, as a witch, at Salisbury.
—Scott's Demonology and Witchcraft, Letter X.

86 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
witnesses admitted; that this bill went far beyond these
precedents, which inflicted mulcts, but did not cruelly stop
the trade and cut off' the livelihood of a community; that
in two of the cases cited, atrocious murder had been, beyond
doubt, coramitted, and not punished; in this, disorders,
which could not be denied, were provoked by arbitrary and
unconstitutional acts of the government, which could not,
perhaps, have been successfully resisted without thera. It
was, indeed, a paltry way of handling a case which might
involve the dismemberraent of a raighty empire, to rest it
at all on precedents so insignificant as these, and which did
not sustain it. Why, it was asked, select Boston for pun
ishment, other cities in the colonies being equally guilty ?
For the tea of the East India Company, which all had re
fused to receive, was as much destroyed in the damp cellars
of Charleston as in her harbor, and when reshipped at other
ports, deteriorated greatly by the return-voyage to England.
Why adopt a measure which would starve alike the inno
cent and guilty of this doomed city? If any measure could
induce the other colonies to make common cause with
Massachusetts, this bill would do so.
The Boston port-bill, which received the royal assent
March 31st, 1774, did not arrive in America until the 13th
of May, and intelligence of its passage preceded its arrival
only tliree days. It was justly charged, as enhancing its
injustice and cruelty, that, going into operation June 1st, it
really did not give time, as it professed to do, for the doomed
city to make her peace, if so disposed, with her incensed
sovereign. On the sarae day arrived in Boston harbor four
men-of-war and Governor Hutchinson's successor. General
Gage. It is honorable to the inhabitants that his landing
was marked by no outbreak ofthe people, but his reception
was respectful, though cordial it could not have b^en.
The Boston port-bill, printed, like a funeral notice, on black-
bordered paper, was hawked through her streets, and sent
with great expedition to the sister colonies of Massachusetts.
Instead of awing to submission, it awakened the raost lively
indignation, and was denounced by the citizens of Boston,
the day after its arrival, in town meeting, as "impolitic, in
human, unjust, and cruel beyond their power of expression,"
— with a solemn appeal to God and the world, and the re
commendation of non-importation and exportation agree-

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 87
ments till the act should be repealed, " which," they declared,
"if adopted by all the colonies, would prove the salvation
of North America and her liberties." The colonies, with
out exception, perceiving that this act was intended to en
force obedience to the right claimed of taxing thera without
their consent, considered it as aimed at them all, and there
fore were unanimous in denouncing its injustice and uncon
stitutionality in the strongest terms of abhorrence, while
they admired and sympathized M'ith those who were to
suffer by the closing of their harbor, and raade common
cause with them. The Virginia House of Burgesses ap
pointed the 1st of June to be observed as a day of fasting
and prayer, "that the calamities of civil war and the ruin
of their rights might be averted, and that they might have
granted them one heart and mind to defend them." This
was so observed, not only in Virginia, but generally through
the other colonies; and was, as anticipated by Mr. Jefferson,
who suggested it for this purpose, and, I fear, for none
higher,* a raost effectual means of warning them of the
danger which menaced thera and arousing them to resist
ance. But something more than the expression of indigna
tion and sympathy was due to this wronged and suffering
city, for the fire must go out on the hearth of every poor
man there on the first of June, and his children, as they
* "Mr. Henry R. H. and Frederick L. Lee, rayself, and three or four
others, — the lead being no longer in the old members, — agreed that we
must take a bold and unequivocal stand in the line of Massachvvsetts.
Convinced of the necessity of arousing the people from their lethargy
as to passing events, we thought the appointraent of a day of general
fasting and prayer would be most likely to call up and alarra their at
tention. There was no exaraple of such solemnity since the days of
our distress in 1755, since which a new generation had grown up. ^Vith
th^help therefore of Rushworth, whom we rummaged for the revolu
tionary precedents and forms of the Puritans of that day, we cooked
up a resolution, somewhat modernizing the phrases, for appointing the
1st of June, when the port-bill was to commence, for a day of fasting,
humiliation, and prayer, to implore Heaven to avert from us the evils
of civil war, to inspire us with firmness in support of our rights, and
to turn the king and Parliament to moderation and justice To give
greater emphasis to the measure, they requested Mr. Nicholas, whose
grave and religious character was raore in unison with the tone of our
resolution, to move it, which he did, and it passed without opposition.
The day was observed throughout Virginia, and the effect was like a
shock of electricity, arousing every man, and placing him erect and
solidly on his centre." — Writings of Thomas Jefferson, vol. i. pp. 6
and 7.

88 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
cowered around it, cry in vain to him for bread, and the
colonies, without exception, I believe, sent with their re
solves, lauding the patriotism and firmness of Boston in their
common cause, liberal aid to her starving inhabitants.^ Mr.
Read's part in the measures fbr raising and transmitting
such aid from "New Castle County on Delaware" makes it
necessary and proper for me to insert the following resolu
tions, adopted at a general meeting of the freeholders and
inhabitants of that county on the 29th of June, 1774, of
which meeting Thomas McKean was chairman :
"1. Resolved, That the act of Parliament for shutting up
the port of Boston is unconstitutional, oppressive to the in
habitants of that town, dangerous to the liberties of the
British colonies, and that therefore we consider our brethren
at Boston as suffering in the common cause of America.
"2. That a congress of deputies from the several colonies
in North America is the most probable and proper mode of
procuring relief for our suffering brethren, obtaining redress
of Araerican grievances, securing our rights and liberties,
and re-establishing peace and harmony between Great Bri
tain and these colonies on a constitutional foundation.
"3. That a respectable committee be immediately ap
pointed for the county of New Castle, to correspond with
the sister colonies, and with the other counties in this
government, in order that all may unite in promoting, and
endeavoring to obtain, the great and valuable ends men
tioned in the foregoing resolution.
"4. That the most eligible way of appointing deputies
would be by the representatives of the people of this govern
ment, raet in their legislative capacity, but as the House of
Assembly hav^ adjourned themselves to the 30th day of
September next, and it is not expected his Honor the
Governor will call them by writs of summons on this occa
sion, having refused to do the like in his other province of
Pennsylvania, therefore, that the speaker of the honorable
House of Assembly be desired by the committee now to be
appointed to write to the several members of Assembly, re
questing them to convene at New Castle on any day not
later than the first of August next, to take into their most
serious consideration our alarming situation, and to appoint
deputies to attend at a general congress for the colonies, at
such time and place as shall be generally agreed on.

OF GEOBGE READ. 89
"5. That the committee, now to be chosen, consist of
thirteen persons, to wit, Thomas McKean, John Evans,
John McKinley, James Latimer, George Read, Alexander
Porter, Samuel Patterson, Nicholas Van Dyke, Thomas
Cooch, Job Harvey, George Monroe, Samuel Platt, and
Richard Cantwell, and that any seven of them may act.
"6. That the said committee immediately set on foot a
subscription for the relief of such poor inhabitants of the
town of Boston as may be deprived of the means of subsist
ence by the act of Parliament, commonly styled the Boston
Port-Bill. The money arising from such subscription to be
laid out as the committee shall think will best answer the
end proposed.
"7. That the inhabitants of this coxmij loill adopt and
carry into execution all and singular such peaceable and
constitutional measures as shall be agreed on by a majority
of the colonies, by their de'puties, at the intended congress,
and will have no trade, commerce, or dealings whatsoever
with that city, province, or town in the British colonies on
this continent (if any such should be), or with any individual
therein, who shall refuse to adopt the same, until the before-
mentioned act of Parliament, and two other bills respecting
the province of Massachusetts Bay, depending in Parliament
(if passed into acts), are repealed."
The following is the earliest of the letters of Csesar
Rodney to my grandfather which I have found among his
papers. It communicates the success of his efforts for the
adoption in Kent County of the measures recommended by
the foregoing resolutions, and of his further efforts to have
them adopted in Sussex: "Dover, July 21st, 1774.
"Sir, — Yesterday we had a very full meeting of this
county. Upward of seven hundred inhabitants, some think
more than eight [were present]. With this (agreeable to
promise) I have sent you a packet, inclosing a letter from the
committee of this county to the committee of yours, as also
a copy of our resolves, and a letter to Bradford, the printer,
inclosing another copy of them for the press, which I hope
you will forward to him as quick as possible. Some people
were much displeased with your having appointed New
Castle as the place of meeting, and it was not without sorae
7

90 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
difficulty that some others reconciled the people to the
place. More of this another time. The meeting of the
people of Sussex County is to be on Saturday next, and
there is a report prevails here that they are so offended
at your fixing the mode and place, but more especially the
place, that they are determined not to fall in with your
plan, but that the people, at their meeting, shall or will
choose a deputy for that county. However, I shall despatch
an express early to-morrow morning, to Thoraas Robinson,
with a very pressing letter from the committee here, to
adopt your measures; and that, if they do not, they will
defeat the whole business. The express will have orders
to be there before the meeting of the people, and to wait
for a full account of what they shall do. I shall write a
private letter to Robinson, enjoining him to use his endeavor
to have the plan of the other two counties adopted. I have
sent circular letters to all the members of your county.
You'll be pleased to have them delivered. I have also sent
circular letters to the members of this county, who desired
me to inform you that they would be in New Castle, ready
to enter upon business, by ten o'clock, on the first of
August, and hope your members will give their attendance
by that time. Further, with respect [to] Sussex, I have
prevailed on Clarke to ride to Cropper's, to persuade him to
use his interest in bringing about the proposed measures,
and also have got Jacob Stout to write to Wiltbank. I do
most sincerely wish the worthy members of Sussex may be
prevailed on to adopt the measures proposed. I expect to
hear from them by Sunday evening, and, if I find it will
avail, will call them in due time for the convention.
"I am yours, truly, "C^SAR Rodney.
"To George Read, Esquire, per John Bullon, Express."
Mr. Rodney was too wise a man, and too zealous in the
good cause of the colonies, to countenance the dissatisfaction
of the freeholders of Kent and Sussex with the fourth
resolution of those who met at New Castle, because they
thought, I suppose, it fixed the mode, time, and place of
choosing deputies to the proposed general congress (which
it only suggests as the best), and which, being done without
their having a voice in it, was arrogant and dictatorial. As

OF GEORGE BEAD. 91
the Congress was to meet September 4th then next, there
was no time for consulting these over-sensitive persons, — the
Asserably would select better delegates than popular meet
ings could do. New Castle was the place of meeting of the
Assembly of the province theretofore for the convenience of
the Governors, who resided in Philadelphia, and though a
central town would have been generally raore convenient,
yet it would have been open to the objection of being an
unusual one. The praiseworthy efforts of Mr. Rodney and
others overcame the opposition, which threatened to defeat
this measure. He, being speaker of the Assembly, sum
moned the merabers of that body to meet at New Castle
August 1st, 1774. They met accordingly, and chose Caesar
Rodney, Thomas McKean, and George Read delegates to
the General Congress, which met in Philadelphia Septem
ber 5th, 1774, as appears by their credentials produced to
this body, as follows :
"The three Counties of New Castle, Kent, and Sussex
ON Delaware.
"August 1st, 1774, A.M.
"The representatives of the freemen of the government
of the counties of New Castle, Kent, and Sussex on Dela
ware, met at New Castle, in pursuance of a circular letter
from the Speaker of the House, who was requested to write
and forward the same to the members of Assembly by the
committees of correspondence for the several counties afore
said, chosen and appointed for that, among other purposes,
by the freemen and freeholders of the said counties respect
ively. And having chosen a chairman, and read the resolves
of the respective counties, and sundry letters from the com
mittees of correspondence along the continent, they unani
mously entered into the following resolution, viz. :
"We, the representatives aforesaid, by virtue of the
power delegated to us, as aforesaid, taking into our most
serious consideration the several acts of the British Parlia
ment for restraining manufactures in his majesty's colonies
and plantations in North America; for taking away the
property of the colonists without their participation or con
sent; for the introduction of the arbitrary powers of excise
into the customs here; for making all revenue causes tria
ble without jury, and under the decision of a single judge;

92 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
for the trial in England of persons accused of capital crimes
committed in the colonies; for the shutting up of the port
or Boston; for new-modeling the government of Massachu
setts Bay, and the operation of the same on the property,
liberty, and lives ofthe colonists; and also considering that
[the] most eligible mode of determining upon the premises,
and of endeavoring to procure relief and redress of our
grievances, would have been by us assembled in our legisla
tive capacity, but as the House had adjourned to the SOth
day of September next, and it is not to be expected that
his Honor the Governor will call us by writs of summons
on this occasion, having refused to do the like in his other
province of Pennsylvania; the next most pxoper method of
answering the expectations and desires of our constituents,
and of contributing our aid to the general cause of America,
is to appoint commissioners or deputies in behalf of the
people of this government, to meet and act with those ap
pointed by the other provinces in general congress; and
we therefore do unanimously nominate and appoint Caesar
Rodney, Thoraas McKean, and George Read, Esquires, or
any two of them, deputies, on the part and behalf of this
government, in a general Continental Congress proposed to
be held, at the city of Philadelphia, on the first Monday in
September next, or at any other time and place that may
be generally agreed on, then and there to consult and advise
with the deputies from the other colonies, and to determine
upon all such prudent and lawful measures as may be judged
most expedient for the colonies immediately and unitedly
to adopt, in order to obtain relief for an oppressed people
and the redress of our general grievances.
" Signed by order of the convention,
"CiESAR Rodney, Chairman."*
Mr. Read represented the State of Delaware in Congress
during the most interesting period of the Revolutionary war,
excepting a short interval, when, by virtue of his office as
Vice-President of Delaware, he acted as her chief raagis
trate, in consequence of the capture of President McKinley,
immediately alter the battle of Brandywine.
* Journals of Congress from 17t4 to 1716, vol. i. pp. 8, 9. (Published
in Philadelphia, 1800.)

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 93
The Congress of 1774— no one of the colonies being
unrepresented but Georgia — commenced its session Sep
tember 5th, at Carpenter's Hall, in the city of Philadelphia.
Peyton Randolph was chosen President. They determined
that each colony should have one vote, and their proceed
ings should be secret till a majority should authorize their
publication. Without questioning the propriety of this re
solve to sit with closed doors, we may be pardoned in
regretting that by reason of it the debates of this august
assembly are lost to history. The delegates were chosen
generally by the colonial assemblies, the exceptions being
New Jersey and Maryland, where they were appointed by
county committees chosen to do so, and New York, where
they were elected directly by the people. Their instructions
generally authorized them to consult on the best measures
for the redress of grievances, the ascertainment and security
of colonial rights and restoration of harmony, but some of
the colonies restricted their deputies to measures that would
bear on their coramercial relations to Great Bfitain, while
others gave them unlimited discretion.* This Congress lost
no tirae, but entered at once upon the discharge of their
high duties.f All eyes, from New Hampshire to Georgia,

* Marshall's Life of Washington, vol. ii. p. 168.
f I subjoin the following notices of members of this Congress and
their opinions :
"I dined September 12th [17*74]," wrote .lohn Adams in his
" Diary," vol. ii. of his Writings (p. 379), " with John Dickinson, at his
seat near Philadelphia (Fair Hill), with fine gardens, and a beautiful
view of the city, the Delaware River, and country A good library, —
the books principally collected by his wife's father, Mr. Norris. Mr.
Dickinson, very modest, ingenuous, agreeable, with an excellent heart,
and the cause of his country near it. Pull and clear for allowing Par
liament the right to regulate American trade upon principles of neces
sity and mutual interest. Gadsden violently denies this, saying, power
to regulate is power to ruin trade, aud that admitting power to regulate
trade is tantamount to admitting universal power [i.e. I'ight] to legis
late, [inasmuch] as a right in one case is a right in all. Galloway
proposed a plan of union between Great Britain and her Araerican colo
nies, [providing] for a British-American legislature, and that no act
should be passed [affecting them] without the assent of both. Duane
approved, also Jay and Rutledge, [but] Henry opposed it. Galloway
accepted a seat in Congress — having extensive interest on the popular
side, but [being] at heart disaffected — to sit in the skirts of Araerican
advocates, that is, erabarrass and defeat their measures. At first, five
colonies were for the power of Parliament to regulate trade and five

94 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
were fixed on Philadelphia. Mr. Read wrote from time to
time, during the session, which terminated October 26th,
to Mrs. Read, and some of these letters I insert, with ex
tracts from others of them. They were presented to me,
with those inserted jposi (in all thirteen), in July, 1839, by
Mrs. Anna G. McLane, second wife of Dr. Allen McLane,
of Wilmington, Delaware, who received them through her
mother, the wife of Matthew Pierce, of Poplar-Neck, Cecil
County, Maryland, and only daughter of George Read.
Soon after the session of Congress commenced, he writes :
"The day is consumed in this way, — shaving, washing,
breakfasting, waiting an hour for the barber's coming, near
half an hour under his hands, hurrying to the Congress,
sitting there till three o'clock, then hastening to dine, — on
invitation, waiting an hour before dinner appears, and walk
ing quickly home to avoid the night-air. Not a moment to
spare is disagreeable, yet there is very little in all this bus
tle. We are wide of our business. I dine to-day at Gur-
ney's, where I expect to meet Mr. Biddle, to-morrow at Mr.
Dickinson's a second time, and Wednesday at Mr. Richard
Penn's. This is tiresome duty."
On Sunday, September 18th, my birthday, he writes: "I
against, and two divided, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Duane
grounds it on compact, acquiescence, necessity, and protection, [and]
not merely on consent. Lee, Henry, and Hooper are orators. Chase
is violent, boisterous, and tedious on frivolous topics ; so E. Rutledge,
and uncouth and ungraceful, and so his brother John. Dyer, long-
winded, roundabout, cloudy and obscure, but honest and worthy, means
well, and judges well. Sherman, ungraceful (but with a clear head and
sound judgraent), generally stands with his hands before him, the fingers
of his left hand clinched into a fist, and the wrist of it grasped by the
right, — Hogarth could not have invented a position more opposite to
grace. Dickinson's air, gait, and action are not much more elegant."—
Writings of John Adams, vol. ii. (Diary) pp. 387, 379, 397, 393, 423.
" The two great points labored were first, whether we should base
our rights upon the law of nature as well as the British constitution
and colonial charters, or exclude the first. Galloway and Duane for so
doing, John Adaras contra, [maintaining] it to be a resource to which
Parliament might drive the colonies ; second, what authority should be
allowed Parliament, whether [admit] any control over internal affairs,
or deny it in all cases; whether it be allowed to regulate trade, and, if
so, with or without restrictions. [It was] agreed, after much discus
sion, to admit the power to regulate trade from the necessity of the
case, but excluding all right of taxation, internal or external." — Ibid.,
314, 539.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 95
flatter myself that I am rid of my intermittent, though I
had a slight fit on Thursday last, the day I wrote by Captain
Young, since which I have taken fourteen doses of bark. I
shall take a short ride on horseback this raorning. ... I
long to be with you, but dare not hint a time lest I could
not keep it, but you may be assured, if I can discover a few
days that I can with propriety be absent, I will seize the
opportunity. If I had been able to have travelled through
yesterday, I should have blamed rayself for being absent,
as two matters were debated which I would have chosen to
appear in, — to wit, a resolve of approbation of the conduct
of the people of Boston and county of Suffolk, which in
cludes Boston,* since the operation of the port-bill; and

* Pitkin's Civil History ofthe United States, vol. i. p. 283 ; Marshall's
Life of Washington, Appendix xii., pp. 45, 47, Journal, 19, 20, 14.
The resolves of the people of Suffolk are suitable to the crisis ; but
their preamble, I think, is not, as a composition, equal to other Revolu
tionary state-papers. Its tone is too angry to be dignified, and its style
diffuse, and somewhat grandiloquent. Under the pressure, as the
author was in common with his fellow-citizens, of the port-bill, he may
be pardoned for the indignation he manifests, and for thinking little or,
perhaps, not at all of his style. Great had been the sufferings of Bos
ton, notwithstanding the aid afforded her, which was not stinted. The
troops commanded by General Gage were reinforced gradually by regi
ments from Ireland, and the whole encamped on Boston Coraraon. Re
ports, unfounded however, that it was contemplated to starve the city
into submission by cutting it off from communicating with the adjacent
country, caused arising in arms to prevent it. The new judges were
not permitted to hold courts, and the new counsellors forced most of
them to resign. Upon the fortification of Boston neck by General Gage,
the extreme measure of burning the town was suggested, and the Con
tinental Congress was consulted upon the proposition to reraove the
inhabitants to the neighborhood of that city, but, declining to decide
upon it, they referred it to the Massachusetts congress, declaring that if
executed it ought to be at the expense of all the colonies. General
Gage took possession of military stores at Cambridge and Charleston,
and the colonists seized powder in New Hampshire and Rhode Island.
Disregarding the writs of the Governor for the election of members of
Assembly, the freeholders of Massachusetts elected them on their own
authority, and as a provincial congress they assembled and acted, all their
acts being recognized as lawful, and receiving prompt obedience. Such
was the state of affairs when the Suffolk resolutions were sent to Con
gress. To the letter of that body expressing their concern at his hostile
acts, and cautioning against persistence in them. General Gage replied
that under great provocations great care had been taken by his officers
and soldiers to avoid offence, and that the communication between Bos
ton and the country was and had ever been open and unobstructed,

96 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
another resolve for a further contribution from all the colo
nies for the support of the poor of Boston, both of which
will be published to-morrow. These were suddenly done
in consequence of an application from Boston to the Con
gress for their advice upon the late measures of General
Gage, in fortifying the neck of land that leads into Boston.
John Penn made, and Richard Penn accepted, the offer of
the naval office on the day of Hackley's death."
The iiext of these letters is dated 16th October, 1774:
" My dear G  , It is now brought to Sunday morning
again, and no certainty yet of the time I am to return to
you. The Virginians give out they will go off this day
week, but I doubt the business before us will not be in that
state it ought by that time. Mrs. Biddle left us on Friday,
and that evening her husband was made Speaker of the
House of Assembly of this province. I have not seen him
since. I am told the chair went a begging. Galloway was
named twice or thrice to it, John Morton, of Chester County,
once, and Mr. Dickinson once. Galloway and Dickinson
excused themselves for want of health, and unexpectedly a
meraber for Northarapton County got up, and prefaced
his raotion very well, it is said, taking notice of the diffi
culties the House was under, and said he had a person in
his eye who had both health and abilities equal to the
service, and as soon as he named Mr. Biddle the House was
in an uproar, refused to hear any apology from him, and as
many as could lay hold of him did, and forced him into the
chair on a unanimous vote. Though I am pleased with the
distinction that is paid him, I am afraid it will be prejudi
cial to his interest. I dined at the Governor's yesterday
very agreeably ; the set were Mrs. Elliott from New York,
Mr. Gibson and his wife. Miss Oswald, John Wilcocks, and
myself; and last night I went to club with Mr. Hamilton,
whom I met with at the coffee-house, but our company there
was not so sprightly. I am told there are letters in town
from Boston, mentioning General Gage's declining state of
expressing in conclusion his hope that, to the disappointment of their
common enemies, the disputes between the Americans and Great
Britain might, like the quarrels of lovers, end in the increased affections
of both.

OF GEORGE READ. 97
health, supposed to be owing to uneasiness of mind, and
that he is now actually confined to his bed. Most persons
who wish for peace wish his recovery. It is also said that
there are some letters in a late vessel from Liverpool men
tioning that the American cause is gaining ground in Eng
land, and that Hutchinson and Barnard will be made the
scape-goats by the ministry. I hear of nurabers of persons
having intermittents, so that the Philadelphians must leave
boasting of the healthiness of their town. Mr. Paca, of
Annapolis, was seized with it yesterday, James Allen has it,
and others I do not now recollect. I have felt nothing of
it since you left me. Eating and drinking distress me most;
however, I was moderate yesterday; the ladies were the
means of it, in sorae measure, and the wine at the tavern
at night was bad. All are well at James Read's, and send
their love to you. I yesterday delivered my resignation, in
writing, of the Attorney-General's office to the ^Governor,
when he told me he would order a commission to be made
out for Jacob Moore, as Mr. Rodney had strongly recom
mended him. Mr. McPherson came to me on Thursday
and asked me to go with him to the Governor, but I was
obliged to decline it, as Moore was the person I had in view
to succeed me, though I have a very favorable opinion of
McPherson. Moore very luckily came to town on Wednes
day last. He and his wife lodge at Mrs. Vining's. I do
not know when they will be down.
"The Governor goes to Chester Wednesday afternoon, and
to your town next day. We propose to get Mr. Rodney down.
"Yours, most affectionately, "George Read.
"16th October, 1774."
Two days before the adjournment of Congress, Mr. Read
writes thus:
" My dear G  , I am still uncertain as to the tirae of
my return home. As I expected, the New England men
declined doing any business on Sunday, and though we sat
until four o'clock this afternoon, I am well persuaded that
our business can by no means be left till Wednesday even
ing, and even then very doubtful, so that I have no pros
pect of being with you till Thursday evening. Five of the
Virginia gentlemen are gone. The two remaining ones

98 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
have power to act in their stead. The two objects before
us, and which we expect to go through to-morrow, are an
address to the king, and one to the people of Canada. This
last was recommitted this evening in order to be remodelled.
Your brother George* came to Congress this afternoon. All
your friends are well. No news but the burning of the
vessel and tea at Annapolis,! which I take for granted you
will have heard before this comes to hand. We are all well
at my lodgings, and send their love to you.
"I am yours, very affectionately, "George Read.
"Monday evening, ten o'clock, 24th October, 1774."
The Congress of 1774 having adopted a petition to the
king, and addresses to the people of Great Britain, to the
inhabitants of the province of Quebec, and to the colonies
represented in the Congress, dissolved itself, recommending
that another Congress should be held in Philadelphia on
the 10th day of May, 1775. These state-papers are char
acterized by perspicuity, cogency of argument, moderation,
* George Ross, a delegate from Pennsylvania.
f " When the brig Peggy Stewart imported into Annapolis a quantity
of tea (an article forbidden by the delegates of Maryland, June 22d,
1774), the irritated populace, then collected from the neighboring coun
ties at the provincial court, threatened personal violence to the master
and consignees of the vessel, as well as destruction to the cargo. The
committee of delegates immediately met and appointed a sub-committee
to superintend the unloading of the vessel, and to see that the pro
hibited article was not landed. Still the excitement of the popular
feeling continued unabated, and the friends of Mr. Anthony Stewart,
the owner ofthe vessel, applied to Mr. Carroll, as one most able to pro
tect hira from violence. His advice was concise and deterrained: — 'It
will not do to export the tea to Europe or the West Indies. Its impor
tation, contrary to the known regulations of the convention, is an offence
for which the people will not be easily satisfied, and whatever be my
personal esteem for Mr. Stewart and wish to prevent violence, it will
not be in my power to protect him, unless he consents to pursue a more
decisive course of conduct. My advice is that he set fire to the vessel,
and burn her, together with the tea she contains, to the water's edge.'
The applicants paused for a moment, but they saw no alternative, and
Stewart, appearing immediately before the committee, offered to do
what Mr. Carroll proposed. In a few hours after, the brigantine Peggy
Stewart, with her sails set and her colors flying, was enveloped in
flames, and the immense crowd, assembled on the shore, acknowledged
the sufficiency of the satisfaction." — Biography of the Signers of the
Declaration of Independence, vol. iv. pp. 159, 160.

OF GEORGE READ 99
and dignity. The members of this body, for themselves
and their constituents, signed non-importation and non-ex
portation agreements, the latter to take effect after Septem-
iDer, 1775, should the obnoxious acts of Parliament not be
repealed in the mean time. The major part of this Congress
were confident that these measures would be successful, but
some doubted, while a few were of opinion that they" would
be ineffective.*
The colonies, while anxiously awaiting intelligence of the
effect of their proceedings in England, with wonderful
unanimity approved and executed the recommendations of
Congress. The suspension of labor and of business, which
* "When Congress had finished their business, as they thought, in
the autumn of 1774, 1 had with Mr. Henry, before we took leave of each
other, some familiar conversation, in which I expressed a full conviction
that our resolves, declarations of rights, enumeration of wrongs, peti
tions, remonstrances, and addresses, associations, and non-importation
agreements, however they mifiht be expected in America, and however
necessary to cement the union of the colonies, would be but waste
paper in England. Mr. Henry said they might make some impression
among the people of England, but agreed with me that they would be
totally lost upon the government. I had just received a short and
hasty letter, written to me b}' Major Joseph Hanley, of Northampton,
containing ' a few broken hints,' as he called them, of what he thought
proper to be done, and concluding with these words, — ' After all, we
must fighl.' This letter I read to Mr. Henry, who listened with great
attention, and as I pronounced the words 'after all, we must fight,' he
raised his head, and with an energy and vehemence I never can forget,
broke out with, ' By  , lam of that man's mind!' I put the letter into
his hand, and when he had read it, he returned it to me, with an equally
solemn asseveration that he agreed entirely in opinion with the writer.
I considered this as a sacred oath upon a very great occasion, and could
have sworn it as religiously as he did', and by no means inconsistent
with what you say, in sorae part of your book, that he never took the
sacred name in vain. The other delegates from Virginia returned to
their State in full confidence that all our grievances would be redressed.
The last words that Mr. Richard Henry Lee said to me, when we
parted, were, ' We shall infallibly carry all our points; you will be com
pletely relieved ; all the obnoxious acts will be repealed ; the army and
fleet will be recalled, and Britain will give up her foolish project.'
Washington only was in doubt. He never spoke in public. In private
he joined with those who advocated a non-exportation as well as non
importation agreeraent. With both he thought we should prevail,
without either he thought it doubtful. Henry was clear in one opinion,
Richard Henry Lee in an opposite opinion, Washington doubted between
the two. Henry, however, appeared in the end to be exactly right." —
Letter of John Adams, Niles's Register, vol. xiv. p. 258 ; No. xvi. July
13th, 1818.

100 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
was consequent, caused wide-spread distress, and while
sorae were in want of the necessaries of life, others suffered
not a little from loss of its luxuries which habit had raade
essential to their comfort. Not alone the rich responded
to appeals to their generosity in behalf of their poorer
brethren, but all who had aught beyond their own necessary
expenses. The colonists were informed, by every means
of addressing thera, of the grounds of the controversy with
the parent state, and incited by constant appeals to the
noblest principles of man's nature to resist all attempts to
crush their liberty; though hopeful of redress of all their
grievances, they were preparing fbr the worst, by military
training, by manufacturing gunpowder, and procuring, when
ever they could do so, arms and military stores. This mar
vellous change in the habits of three millions of people was
wrought by their love of liberty, which was enthusiastic.
The committee appointed to receive donations from the
people of New Castle County for the sufferers under the
Boston port-bill, remitted for their benefit nine hundred
dollars, which occasioned the following correspondence :
"New Castle, February 6th, 1775.
" Sir, — I take the liberty to address this to you, as you
have subscribed a letter per order of this committee of
donations, now before me, dated the 25th of August last,
and directed to the committee of correspondence of the
county of New Castle, and I am to inform you that Nicho
las Van Dyke and myself were appointed to receive the
donations of the people of this county for the relief of the
poor of Boston, and that we have now in our hands upwards
of nine hundred dollars, which we have endeavored to re
mit to you by way of bills to be drawn by mercantile per
sons in Philadelphia, who transact business with your
colonists, and were safe hands; but upon a strict inquiry
we can find none amongst them willing to draw any bills
for some time to come, lest they should distress their corre
spondents by drafts too early for the season of business.
Upon this disappointment we had thoughts of purchasing
English bills, but upon reflection doubted whether you
might not be losers by the exchange; therefore, I must
request the adVice and direction of your committees as to the
most speedy and acceptable mode of remittance. Perhaps

OF GEORGE READ. ¦ Id
some amongst your townsmen may with convenience give
orders to their correspondents at Philadelphia to draw for
the amount of our small sum, which it is hoped will not
come to you out of season, though late. You may be
assured that it is from a people who sincerely sympathize
with you in your distresses, and are anxious for your relief.
Please to present my compliments to Messrs. Cushing,
Adamses, and Pain, and I am, with esteem, your most obe
dient and humble servant, "George Read.
" Mr. David Jeffries." "Boston, February 24th, 1775.
"Sir, — By your letter of the 6th instant, directed to Mr.
David Jeffries, the committee of this town appointed to re
ceive and distribute the donations made for the employment
and relief of the sufferers by the Boston port-bill, are in
formed that a very generous collection has been made by
the inhabitants of the county of New Castle on Delaware,
and that there is in your hands upwards of nine hundred
dollars for that charitable purpose. The care you have
taken with our worthy friend Nicholas Van Dyke, Esquire,
in receiving these contributions, and your joint endeavors
to have them remitted in the safest and most easy manner,
is gratefully acknowledged by our committee, and they
have directed rne to request that you would return their
sincere thanks to the people of New Castle County for their
great liberality towards their fellow-subjects in this place,
who are still suffering under the hand of oppression and
tyranny. It will, I dare say, afford you abundant satisfac
tion to be informed that the inhabitants of this town, with
the exception only of a contemptible few, appear to' be ani
mated with an inextinguishable love of liberty. Having
the approbation of all the sister colonies, and being thus sup
ported by their generous benefactors, they endure the most
severe trials with a manly fortitude, which disappoints and
perplexes our common enemies. While a great continent
is thus anxious for them, and continually administering to
their relief, they can even smile with contempt on the fee
ble efforts of the British administration to force them to
submit to tyranny by depriving them of their usual means
of subsistence. The people of this province behold with

102 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
indignation a lawless army posted in its capital, with a
professed design to overturn their free constitution. They
restrain their just resentment, in hopes that the most happy
effects will flow from the united applications of the_ colonies
for their relief. May Heaven grant that the councils of our
sovereign raay be guided by wisdora, that the liberties of
America may be established, and harmony restored between
the subjects in Britain and the colonies !
"I am, sir, your sincere friend and fellow-countryman,
"Samuel Adams.
"P.S. — The committee have the prospect of negotiating
this matter with some friends in Philadelphia.
"George Read, Esquire."
It appears by the receipt of Samuel Adams, chairman of
the 'Boston coramittee of donations, that the sum of three
hundred and seventy-five pounds, Pennsylvania currency, —
being one thousand dollars at seven shillings and sixpence
each, — was received by hira from Mr. Read, llth May,
1775; and the additional sum of one hundred pounds was
subsequently received by the New Castle County committee,
as further appears by the following letter and receipt, and
was no doubt remitted to Boston :
"Sir, — I received yours, attended by fifty pounds, part
of the Boston subscription, by Mr. Tatlow, but have heard
nothing from Mr. Tybout, though I .sent your letter the day
after I came up.
" It is said an express came to town last evening with an
account that some Connecticut volunteers, under the com
mand of a Captain Arnold, had taken possession of the fort
at Ticonderoga, or Crown Point, in which there are near
two hundred cannon, etc.; this, to prevent the Canadians
marching down into the New England colonies. Upon the
payment of the one thousand dollars to Mr. Samuel Adams,
as chairman of the committee of donations at Boston, he
desired that I should, in the name of that committee, give
thanks to the contributors.
" In haste, your most humble servant,
"George Read.
"18th May, 1775.*
' This letter was kindly sent to me, 2'Ith January, 1865, by a lady,
a descendant of Governor Van Dyke, who found it among bis papers.

OF GEORGE READ. 103
" We know not how long we raay stay here. All secret
as before.
"Received, this 17th July, 1775, of Nicholas Van Dyke,
Esquire, fifty pounds, for so rauch of the donations of the
inhabitants of New Castle County towards the relief of the
poor of Boston.
"^50.00. George Read."
On the 30th of September, 1774, by proclamation, the
British Parliament, after an existence of six and a half
years, was dissolved, and a new one summoned by writs
returnable November 9th. The majority of the people,
coinciding with the ministry in their policy towards America,
were certain almost to elect a Parliament favorable to
measures of coercion; the ministers, therefore, did not risk
office by this appeal to the nation, while the result they
anticipated would much strengthen them. The new Parlia
ment raet November SOth. In the House of Comraons
were raembers of great ability, knowledge, and experience,
and some of transcendent genius and oratorical powers.
While Chatham, in the House of Lords, was closing his
brilliant career by efforts of his matchless oratory in behalf
of freedom and justice, Charles Fox astonished the Com
raons and the nation by the display of power in debate
which eclipsed veteran speakers. The king's speech stated
in strong language the attitude of opposition to law and
authority of his American colonies, and, claiming the right
to tax them without their consent and without regard to
their opinions and habits, expressed the determination to
resist every attempt to curtail the authority of Parliament,
and recommended vigor and harmony, with the assurance
that his ministers would persevere in the policy they had
pursued. The address of Parliament responded affirma
tively to the speech. The king had refused to receive the
petition of the Congress of 1774, on the ground that it was
an unlawful and seditious assembly. Three colonial agents
prayed Parliament to hear them in regard to this petition,
but were denied a hearing on the same ground. Lord
Chatham, in the House of Lords, moved the recall of the

and was written in Philadelphia, where Mr. Read was in attendance on
the Continental Congress.

104 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
troops from Boston, but his motion, though sustained by a
speech memorable for its force and eloquence, was rejected
by a large majority. He then proposed the repeal of all
the obnoxious acts of Parliament, asserting at the same
time its supremacy, excepting the right to tax, but with
the like result. An address to the king (February 3d) was
moved in the Commons, and carried there and in the upper
House, declaring Massachusetts to be in rebellion and aided
and abetted by combinations in other colonies, and beseech
ing him to take efficient measures to reduce them to obedi
ence. In reply, the king recommended an increase of the
land and naval forces, which was voted. In the same
month the act was passed which restricted the trade ofthe
northern colonies to Great Britain and Ireland, and pro
hibited thera from fishing on the banks of Newfoundland;
the last, an especially cruel raeasure, for it deprived thou
sands of poor, hardy, and industrious men of their only
means of gaining a living for theraselves and farailies.
Then was adopted Lord North's conciliatory plan, as it was
called, which conceded nothing, for it only changed the
manner without renouncing the right to tax. On the 29th
of March, 1775, Mr. Burke offered his plan of conciliation,
which, in substance, was that Great Britain, abandoning a
novel and doubtful — if not detrimental — policy, and re
curring to the ancient one by which she had so greatly
prospered, should leave the colonists to tax themselves, as
theretofore, by their own representatives, and repeal all the
acts of trade enacted to raise revenue. This plan was re
jected, by the determined ministerial majority. Then the
act restricting the trade of the northern colonies was ex
tended to all but New York, where the tories were numer
ous, and which, therefore, from policy was thus favored.
Thus was completed the ministerial plan of coercion, the
effect of which was awaited anxiously but with great con
fidence in its success.
In the beginning of April were received the acts of Par
liament, which completed what has been aptly termed '¦Hhe
hlaclc catalogue" of measures which constituted the ministe
rial plan of coercion. Instead of intimidating, it produced
the conviction everywhere, "after all, we must, fight." The
provincial congress of Massachusetts, which exercised ex
ecutive as well as legislative power, announcing this in-

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 105
telligence, warned the colonists that great reinforcements
of the British troops already in their colony were soon to
be expected, and exhorted them to redoubled efforts to
prepare, by military training, to encounter these invaders
of their soil. Blood had been shed at Concord and Lex
ington, and the wavering in New York — convinced that ap
peals to the justice or generosity of Britain were fruitless —
coalesced with the Whigs, and this province from that tirae
made common cause with her sister colonies. The middle
and southern colonies, while they still believed that the
conflicting pretensions of Britain and America might be
accomraodated, — and earnestly desired reconciliation, — with
one voice declared their preference of war in its worst form
— even civil war — to submission, and the royal governraent
in all of them was at an end. In Virginia, the seizure of
powder at Williamsburg, by Lord Dunmore, caused a rup
ture, which was preceded by acrimonious contests between
that nobleman and her Assembly; and his calumny, that
the Virginian planters rebelled to escape payment of their
debts to British merchants, his intrigues with the Indians
to gain them to the royal cause, and, above all, his atrocious
offer of freedom to the slaves who should rise against their
masters, provoked most violent indignation. The governors
of North and South Carolina, having endeavored to incite
the slaves of those colonies to insurrection, and intrigued to
bring their back-settlers to the royal standard, fled inglori
ously from the storm of wrath these measures awakened.
Such was the state of public affairs when the delegates
from the colonies organized the General Congress of 1775,
on the 10th of May, of that year, by the choice of Peyton
Randolph, of Virginia, for president, and Charles Thomson,
of Pennsylvania, for secretary. Mr. Read, Mr. Rodney,
and Mr. McKean represented the lower counties on Dela
ware in this body. Their credentials were as follows :
"Lower Counties on Delaware, in Assembly, March
16th, 1775, A.M.
^^ Resolved, That the honorable Caisar Rodney, Thomas
McKean, and George Read, Esquires, be and they are hereby
appointed and authorized to represent this government at
the American Congress, proposed to be held at the city of
Philadelphia on the 10th day of May next, or at any other

106 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
time or place, with full power to them, or any two of them,
together with the delegates from the other American colo
nies, to concert and agree upon such further measures as
shall appear to them best calculated for the accommodation
of the unhappy differences between Great Britain and the
colonies, on a constitutional foundation, which the House
most ardently wish for, and that they report their proceed
ings to the next session of the General Assembly.
" True copy of minutes of Assembly.
"David Thomson,
" Clerk to the Assembly."*
I regret that but four of Mr. Read's letters, written in
1775, have come into my possession; the first of them is
addressed, as they all are, to Mrs. Read, and dated at Phila
delphia. "May 18th, 1T75.
"My dear G  , You too justly hint at my inattention
to this kind of correspondence, but the life I lead here will
in some measure account for it. I prepare in the raorning
for the raeeting at nine o'clock, and often do not return to
my lodgings till that time at night. We sit in Congress
generally till half-past three o'clock, and once till five
o'clock, and then [I] dine at the City Tavern,f where a few
of us have established a table for each day in the week,
save Saturday, when there is a general dinner. Our daily
table is formed by the following persons, at present, to wit:
Messrs. Randolph, Lee, Washington, and Harrison, of Vir
ginia, Alsop of New York, Chase of Maryland, and Rodney
and Read. A dinner is ordered for the number, eight, and
whatever is deficient of that number is to be paid for at two
shillings and sixpence a head, and each that attends pays
only the expense of the day. I have dined there thrice in
this way, as I find it very disagreeable to keep a table
covered for me at these late hours at my brother's.
" I am so apt to put off the beginning to write to the last
moment that I miss my opportunity. I must break through
* Journals of Congress, ITti, '75, and '76, vol i. p. 72.
f The City Tavern was situated upon Second and Walnut Streets,
was erected a.d. 17*10, and was a distinguished eating- and boarding-
house. — Watson's Annals of Philadelphia, p. 403.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 107
this practice or I shall not mend. At this moment the sun
is rising [and I am writing], though I got into my bed the
last night just as the clock struck twelve, being told that
the stage sets off at six this morning.
" I drank tea with Mrs. Vining yesterday, having seen
her at the commencement of the college in this place,
where the members of Congress attended by special invi
tation. "As to news, you will see the depositions relating to the
attack of the troops in their expedition to Lexington and
Concord. These were sent to Congress, and by them or
dered for publication in Bradford's paper, which you get
by the post.* I inclose the 'Evening Post.' Last night an
express came to town from one Colonel Arnold, informing
that, with a detachment of men from the colony of Connec
ticut, he had taken possession of the fort Ticonderoga,f an
important pass on Lake Champlain, which, if kept, will pre
vent any army from Canada. I have not heard the par
ticulars. It is reported that Dr. Cooper, President of the
College at New York, and J. Rivington, have retired on
* These depositions were sent to the Continental Congress by the
Provincial Congress of Massachusetts, and declare that the British
troops were the aggressors at Lexington and Concord. It is true,
depositions of British officers were published : according to which the
Americans fired first, but to which they replied, it was improbable
undisciplined militiamen would attack a far more numerous body of
trained soldiers. Admitting these depositions to be equally reliable,
and neutralizing each other, or putting them aside as irreconcilable,
there reraains no evidence but the circumstance of improbability in this
case, which must decide it in favor of the Americans. The American
depositions show that British soldiers on their return behaved with
great barbarity, plundering and burning houses, killing helpless and
aged men, and turning women in childbed into the open air.
One of these deponents, Hannah Bradish, sets forth her loss with
great particularity. This is the list of articles she missed when the
British soldiers left her house, and which she verily believed they took
with them : one rich brocade gown, called a negligee, one lutestring
gown, one white quilt, one pair of brocade shoes, three shifts, eight white
aprons, three caps, one case of ivory knives and forks, and several other
articles. — Journals of Congress, 1774, '75, '76, pp. 72-89.
¦f" Fort Ticonderoga, now in ruins, is situated on an eminence on the
west side of Lake Champlain, just north of the entrance into it of the
outlet from Lake George, fifteen miles south of Crown Point, which
were taken by Generals Allen and Arnold, then colonels, 10th May,
17*15. These posts have been called the "gate" and "key" of Canada.
— Encyclopaedia Americana, vol. xii. p. 252.

108 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
board a man-of-war there; that James Delancey, Peggy
Allen's husband, is scouting through the by-roads, towards
Colonel Johnston's, in the Mohawk country; and that Oliver
Delancey, captain of a troop of horse, that is coming over,
has been on a visit to his father, but secretly retired, and is
travelling in disguise through the back parts of the country
towards Boston, and [I shall be] much [surprised] if he is
not interrupted before he gets to his journey's end.
" Your friends here are all well. I dined at Gurney's
last Sunday. "Most affectionately yours, "George Read.
"George must trust for an answer to his letter."
Mr. Read writes again, May 23d :
" My dear G  , That you may not charge me with in
attention, I take pen in hand, at a late hour, to chat with
you, before I retire to my nest, as Mr. Van Luvenigh, whom
I met on the Common this evening, returns to your town
to-morrow, and promised to call upon me.
" I really begin to tire of my confinement. I attended
at nine o'clock in the forenoon [to-day], and did not stir
till after five; this is common; could we separate at three,
I could bear it tolerably well. On Monday I dined with a
select company of two or three persons at Mr. Dickinson's,
where you were inquired after. He was, and indeed still
is, much affected with the loss of his j^oungest child — the
surviving one is a fine, hearty girl. I had an invitation to
dine at Mr. James Allen's the same day, but subsequent to
the other. An invitation is sent me this evening by Andrew
Allen to dine on Saturday; but we distress these people by
our late hours, though there is but little entertaining at this
Congress compared to the last. The delegates are not such
novelties now.
" There is a paragraph in the New York paper, brought
by this day's post, that the regiment of horse, expected from
England, had refused to embark, and also that the troops
from Ireland were stopped on occasion of some disturbance
there, — very lucky for America, if this be true ; as it was
our great dependence to save fighting here that the people
at home would rouse and exert themselves to prevent a
civil war here ; however, no great dependence can be put on

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 109
this intelligence. A private letter from New York mentions
that one regiment was detained, but the rest were coming,
which, or whether either is true we cannot learn with any
certainty yet.
"James Read had the ague yesterday; the rest of the
family and all your friends here are well.
"I bid you good-night, and am yours, most affectionately,
"George Read, Philadelphia.
"Kiss our little ones for rae.
" Per Mr. Van Luvenigh."
The next letter was written 13th July, 1775.
"My dear G  , I did expect you would have been
agreeably surprised by a visit from Mrs. Biddle, as she, with
her daughter, Mr. Biddle, and your brother, John Ross, set
off in a pilot-boat on Friday morning, got to Chester that
evening, and were to have proceeded on, but upon examin
ing the pilot's boy, discovered that he had his master's order
to return the next day, at all events; this, and a very warm
night, determined their return here yesterday; and I find
Mr. Biddle has determined to proceed home upon the first
alteration of the weather from the extreme heat that pre
vails now, and this I think is right.
" In the present situation of the members of the Congress,
and the state of the business before them, it is highly proba
ble that we shall adjourn for some time. This is but just
talked of; the major part of the six middle colonies are for
it; however, sorae new business may frustrate the expecta
tion of sorae persons of an early adjournment.
" The Parliament was prorogued on the 26th of May for
two months. The king's speech upon that occasion has
corae over; there was nothing particular in it. The news
of the Lexington battle had not got home then, but it is
reported came two days after, — to wit, the 28th. This is a
mere verbal account.
"Your nephew, James Ross, will command a company
of riflemen, — one company only had been ordered to be raised
in the county of Lancaster; however. Jemmy undertook to
raise the second, and they have been accepted of by Con
gress. I have heard nothing from Colonel Thompson, — we
expect him every day.
"The Congress have received no letter from General

110 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
Washington since his arrival at the camp. The account of
their reception there, mentioned in Bradford's paper of yes
terday, is said to be wrote by Griffin, General Lee's aid-de
camp. The list of the slain* on both sides, as mentioned
in the same paper, came from Joseph Read, the lawyer, of
this place. He went from hence with the general, and now
acts, as his secretary.
"Your friends are all well. I wish to share the cool
breezes of New Castle with you. I grow impatient, but
this only increases my uneasiness. Kiss our little ones, and
believe me yours, most affectionately, "George Read, Philadelphia."
The Congress recommended the training of the militia,
and the raising of Continental troops, for which the neces
sary measures were adopted, and provided for the organiza
tion of the higher departments of the army, and adopted
rules for its government, though as yet raised under the
authority of the colonies, who furnished the quotas which
composed it. They agreed to a manifesto or declaration of
the causes and necessity for taking up arms. They author
ized the issue of three millions of bills of credit for the ex
penses of the war. They adopted a petition to the king,
and addresses to the inhabitants of Great Britain, to the
Assembly of Jamaica, and to the people of Ireland, having
previously approved a letter to the oppressed Canadians,
reported by a committee of their body, and ordered it to be
translated into French, and distributed.f
* At Bunker's Hill, I suppose.
t "I took ray seat in the Congress of 1775 (June 21st), and was
added, with Mr. Dickinson, to the coramittee appointed to prepare 'a
declaration of the causes of taking up arras.' I prepared a draft of -the
declaration (which had been previously drawn, and recommitted because
unsatisfactory). It was too strong for Mr. Dickinson. He still retained
the hope of reconciliation with the mother-country, and was unwiUing
that it should be lessened by offensive statements. He was so honest
a man, and so able a one, that he was greatly indulged, even by those
who could not feel his scruples. We therefore requested him to take
the paper, and put it into a form he could approve. He did so, prepar
ing an entire new statement, preserving of the former the last four par
agraphs, and the last of the preceding one. We approved, and presented
it to Congress, who accepted it.
"Congress gave a signal proof of their indulgence to Mr. Dickinson,
and of their great desire not to go too fast for any respectable part of
our body, in permitti'ng him to draw their second ' Petition to the King'

OF GEOBGE BEAD. HI
On the 15th June George Washington was unanimously
elected, by Congress, commander-in-chief of all the forces
raised or to be raised for the defence of American liberty,
and on the 16th of that month accepted this high and re
sponsible trust with the modesty and disinterestedness
which distinguished him. He took his departure immedi
ately for the army, and arrived, about the beginning of iuly,
at Cambridge, its head-quarters, where he assumed the chief
command. Congress took a recess from the 1st of August to the 5th
of September, but did not, for want of a quorum, recom
mence business till the 13th of that month. (Journal, vol. i.
pp. 180, 181.)
General Washington was at the head of about fourteen
thousand five hundred men, but disorganized, and inade
quately supplied with powder and arms, especially bayonets,
tents, and clothes, and without engineers, and with a small
supply of working-tools. The American army occupied
both sides of the Charles River, its right on the high
grounds near Roxbury, extending from thence towards Dor
chester; and its left was protected by the river Mystic or
Medford. The space thus occupied was about twelve railes.
Boston stands on a neck of land which extends northeast
ward into the ocean, and is joined by a narrow isthmus
to the continent, which isthmus is bounded by the Atlantic
to the south, and the Charles River to the north. -The
American and British armies labored on their works to
strengthen them, with some skirmishing, but with little loss.
General Washington was anxious to attack the works of
the enemy, being strongly inclined to think they could be
stormed, but a council of his officers not advising an attempt
so hazardous, the blockade of Boston was continued.
While Mr. Read and his brother-in-law, George Ross, a
according to his own ideas, and passing it with hardly any amendment.
The disgust against this humility was general, and Mr. Dickinson's
delight at its passage was the circumstance that reconciled them to it.
The vote being passed, — although further observation upon it was out of
order, — he could not refrain from rising and expressing his satisfaction,
and concluded by saying, 'There is but one word, Mr. President, in the
paper I disapprove, and that is the word Congress.' On which Ben.
Harrison rose and said, 'There is but one word in the paper, Mr.
President, which I approve, and that is the word Congress.' " — Writings
of Thomas Jefferson, vol. i. pp. 10, 11.

112 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
signer of the Declaration of Independence, in conjunction
with the sages of Congress, were giving tone and direction
to the ardor of our armies, four of their family were assert
ing the liberty of their country in the field : Colonel Bedford,
afterwards Governor of Delaware; Colonel Read, of Phila
delphia, who a few years since was gathered to his fathers,
aged almost fourscore years; James, son of George Ross;
and Colonel, afterwards General, Thompson, who had mar
ried a sister of Mr. Read. The following letter from Gen
eral Thompson, who, at the head of the first rifle regiment
raised in Pennsylvania, joined the American army besieg
ing Boston, indicates the sprightly courage of the Irishman,
while it exhibits in pleasing characters the naivete of the
soldier. It was written from the American camp, 10 th of
September, 1775:
" Dear Brother, — I would have written to you before this
time, but was prevented by being very rauch hurried when
I first came here, and I knew you had accounts every day
from the people here, who had much raore tirae to write.
"I am fixed at present on the most beautiful spot of
ground in the world, as I can see from the door of my tent
all our well-regulated array from Roxbury to Winter Hill,
and at the same time look down upon the enemies of our
country, confined within the narrow bounds of Boston and
Bunker Hill, and further, you raay depend, they shall not
pass, had they Lord North and [all] the troops in the pay
of Great Britain to assist them.
"Our troops are well supplied, and in high spirits, and
long much to come to action; but I am doubtful we shall
have little to do in the fighting way.
"I am very happy in all my commanding officers. I
always had a high esteem for the commander-in-chief, and
higher now than ever. I am every day more pleased with
General Lee ; our country owes much to him, and happy
we are that a man of his great knowledge assists in the
command of our army.
"They have appointed rne the second colonel in the
Continental army, and Colonel Fry, that is the first, does
the duty of a brigadier-general : so that if my friends take
the necessary care for me, I may soon be promoted either
in Continental or Provincial Congress.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 113
"All the news is in cannonading, and a few bombs, which
are the most harmless sport in life; indeed, I have seen more
mischief done by throwing the same number of snow-balls,
but don't tell cousin Gurney* so, or he will bring over the
poor devils he killed in Germany, last war, to show that
people have been put to death by cannons in other parts of
the world, though the Americans are proof against them.
" Let me hear from you. My best compliments wait on
Mrs. Read, your dear little ones, and all friends, and
believe [me], dear George, to be your very affectionate
brother, "William Thompson.
"P. S. — My love to my brother John [Ross]. I know
he will be pleased to have his liberty secured to him, what
ever he may say to the contrary."
General Thompson again wrote to Mr. Read.
"Prospect Hill, October 26th, 1775.
" Dear Brother, — I received your kind letter, for which
I return you my thanks.
" Soon after ray arrival here 1 delivered an account of
the five thousand dollars to his Excellency General Wash
ington, which he says he sent to the Congress. All the
cash I paid the officers and soldiers of the regiment, the
blankets, hunting-shirts, rifle-guns, etc., I have charged to
the respective companies, and I am certain no mistake can
arise in that quarter; and if it appears that anything is
brought in the account from the different committees, and
charged before, it -will be found out when the accounts are
compared, and I am certain I can, on seeing the state of the
whole accounts, prevent any loss to the public. The cash
I paid the wagoners I have ordered to be stopped out of
their accounts, and I believe have mentioned it on the cer
tificates which I gave them. I would not have made a
charge of ray own tent, etc., but I find that tents, blankets,
etc. are all charged to the public by the officers of the army,
so I have followed the good example.
" I shall write you and brother George fully to-morrow,
* Son-in-law of John Ross, and formerly an officer in the British
army.

114 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
by Mr. Jesse Lukens. All I can say at present in regard to
military matters, is— we are plagued keeping the regulars
in, and the poOr devils are as much put to it to keep us out,
and so ends my story, and so will end our campaign.
"And am yours, very sincerely,
" William Thompson.*
"George Read, Esquire."
The possession of Canada was a favorite object of Con
gress, who did not overrate its importance. The invasion
of New York might be anticipated from Canada, and at
tempts were actually making to that end, and a great quan
tity of military stores was deposited at Quebec. The Cana
dians were disaffected to Great Britain, in consequence of
the recent Acts of Parliament, in relation to their province,
and would probably join the standard of the colonists,
should they anticipate the British in occupying it, with an
army that could protect thera. General Schuyler was
ordered to enter Canada. This distinguished officer obeyed,
but in an early stage of the campaign was totally disabled
by disease, and the heroic Montgomery, next to him in rank,
assumed the command of the invading army. He reduced
St. John's and Montreal, and with a force, diminished to
three hundred raen by the necessity of garrisoning those
towns and Chambly, he resolved to attack Quebec. In the
mean time Colonel Arnold, detached in August by Wash
ington, with a force of ahout one thousand men, was march
ing upon that city.f After ascending the Kennebec River,
as far as the lake of St. Peter, he traversed the wilderness
between the frontier of New England and the St. Lawrence,
overcoming almost incredible difficulties, scaling rugged
and lofty hills, cutting roads through nearly impervious
forests, wading morasses, and hauling bateaux against rapid
streams. On the 9th of November, Arnold, his force di
minished one-third by the return of his rear-guard, to escape
starvation, arrived at Point Levi; but high winds delayed
his crossing the St. Lawrence, and other untoward circum-
* For a notice of General Thompson, see Appendix to this chapter.
¦f" As Charlton's force was insufficient to defend successfully both Mon
treal and Quebec, the object of Washington was to reduce him to a
painful dilemma — to choose which he should leave to be captured by
the American invaders.

OF GEORGE READ. 115
stances prevented an immediate assault upon Quebec, which
there is strong reason to believe would have been successful.
Retreating to Point aux Trembles, twenty miles above
Quebec, he awaited the arrival of Montgomery, who, as
expeditiously as possible, joined him, and advancing with
their united forces, but a handful, set down before Quebec.
Fourteen days before the assault upon Quebec, Major
Macpherson, one of Montgomery's aids, wrote the following
letter to Mr. Read :
" My dear Sir, — A few days ago I was favored with
your letter of the llth of last month. I esteem myself
much obliged by the friendly assurances it contains.
" The general's dispatches will inform you of our former
motions, which I dare say will raeet the approbation of
Congress, especially as we have been successful.
" Yesterday I was sent with a flag to try for the last
tirae if Mr. Charlton would give over an useless defence,
and thereby save the town and garrison from the distress
of a blockade, or the horror and carnage of an assault. On
my appearing before the walls a message was sent to him,
and an officer soon after informed me I should not be ad
mitted. I then asked if the governor would send some
one to receive my letter, I was told ' to make the best of
my way. off; for he would receive nothing from General
Montgomery.' To this I answered, ' that Mr. Charlton
would remeraber this by-and-by.' It was with difficulty
sorae of the people were restrained from firing on me, dur
ing this parley (which lasted a quarter of an hour), as they
had done twice on flags sent by Colonel Arnold. But the
most of those who were on the wall seemed disposed to
listen to terms, as far as I could guess from their behavior.
The officer who first appeared had agreed to my carrying
my side-arms into town. But the general rendered our
negotiation of no effect, by forbidding either me or my arms
to enter. I hope this attempt, fruitless as it was, will open
the eyes of the people to his conduct, and show them the
folly of suffering his madness or pride to sacrifice their lives
and properties by not hearing terms, which, if he did not
like, he might refuse. But the truth is, that he is afraid of
their receiving information of our conduct, or intentions, as
he well knows the inhabitants do garrison duty only be-

116 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
cause he and his emissaries have told them that we have
plundered every place which we have pas.sed through ex
cept Montreal, which they say was redeemed for £16,000
sterling. "Notwithstanding the advanced season, I hope we shall
carry the resolve of Congress, of the llth of November,
into execution, by taking Quebec,* though considering you
did not then know that we were in possession of St. John's,
it might be thought you rated our abilities too high. But
to willing minds nothing is difficult, and to a victorious
army nothing is impossible. You see I have learned to
gasconade a little. The air of the country is infectious in
that particular. If the French could but do what they
say, their attempts for universal empire would not have
been so fruitless.
"I ara happy to hear New Castle is not a deserted village,
and hope my friends there will be free from apprehension
of men-of-war during the winter. My best corapliraents
attend them all, and particularly your connections. Be
pleased to make my respects to Mr. McKean, Brigadier
McKinley, and Brigadier Rodney, and believe me ever your
most faithful, humble servant,
"John Macpherson.
"Before Quebec, 16th December, 1775.
" George Read, Esquire.
"I had almost forgot to mention to you General Mont
gomery's writing to General Schuyler to recommend me for
a majoi'ity in the new levies in Pennsylvania, or our govern
ment. I am tired of leading a life of so much ease, while
other officers are exposed to hardships almost double what
I experience. Head-quarters are extremely agreeable, but I
wish for the roughs as well as the smooths of a soldier's
life."t Before Mr. Read received this letter Quebec was assaulted
by the American, army unsuccessfully, and the brave Mont-
* "November llth, 1775. Resolved, That the fortifications of Que
bec, in case it comes into our hands, be repaired, and furnished with
such provisions, arms, ammunition, and artillery as may be necessary
for its security." — Journals of Congress, 1771, '75, '76, vol. i. p. 230.
f See Appendix C, notice of Major Macpherson.

\
OF GEORGE READ. 117
gomery, with Macpherson and Cheesman (his aids) num
bered with the dead.
Mr. Read, 17th Deceraber, 1775, writes as follows:
"My_ dear _G  , I have yours of the 14th, which I
was waiting with impatience for, as I began to suspect that
Tatlow would have laid up his boats. As soon as this shall
happen you must make use of the post for the conveyance
of your letters. I find that the news of raising a battalion
in our government has spread among you by the persons
you mention as intending to apply for offices; perhaps,
when they come to know that their service will not be con
fined to the government, but [they] may be ordered to the
most distant parts of the continent, and that as soon as they
are raised, it may repress the ardor of sorae of them.
"We have had no certain accounts from any part of
Canada since the capitulation of Montreal, therefore what
you see in the papers is not to be relied on.
"I doubt you Vill not see me in the beginning of the
holidays. An adjournment of Congress is much talked of,
and wished by some, but really there is so much that must
be done before a separation that I cannot give a hint of the
time. "I was yesterday put upon a coramittee that is to meet
every evening at six o'clock, which may be obliged to sit
regularly for ten days to come, and as I am considered
a great absentee heretofore, I must attend constantly for
awhile.* "Your friends are all well. My love to our little ones,
and believe me yours, most affectionately, "George Read."
On Saturday, December 30th, 1775, Congress adjourned to
Monday, January 1st, 1776, when they met, in ignorance of
the repulse and death of General Montgomery, and hope
ful of his success. , 'i'\\Qy would have been startled indeed
could they have raised the curtain which hid the future,
and descried events which were to make the new year, on
* Mr. Read, December 14th (not 16th), was appointed by ballot, with
others, on the committee of thirteen, to carry into execution the resolutions
of Congress for fitting out a naval armament. — Journals of Congress,
17*74, '75, '76, vol. i. p. 273.

118 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
which they entered, one of the most remarkable in our
annals, — the evacuation of Boston, the Declaration of Inde
pendence, the battle and defeat of Brooklyn, the loss of
Long Island and the city of New York, the capture of Fort
Washington, the evacuation of Fort Lee, the retreat of our
army through Jersey, and the sudden irradiation, as the
year ended, of the gloom of disaster by that brilliant stroke
of generalship at Trenton, which revived the waning con
fidence of his countrymen in the American commander-in-
chief and restored hope when their cause seemed lost.

OF GEORGE READ. 119

APPENDICES TO CHAPTER II.

NOTICE OF GENERAL THOMPSON.
William Thompson was by birth an Irishman. He emigrated, at
an early period of the last century, to Pennsylvania, and settled on a
farm he subsequently called "Soldier's Retreat," near Carlisle, in Cum
berland County, of that State, then a frontier settlement. Agriculture
did not afford sufficient occupation for a man of his active and intrepid
temper, he, therefore, while a farmer, was also a surveyor; and to be a
skillful one, as he was, must have received at least a good education in
the common branches of learning. The surveyor, in the frontier settle
ments of the last century, was a very different person from the surveyor
of the present time. Instead of a justice of the peace, a country school
master, or a scrivener running the lines of farms in long-settled districts,
with no more hardship than being occasionally incommoded by a sum
mer's sun or winter's wind, or having to wade a swamp, or being
wetted by a thunder-gust, he was employed to locate grants of land in
unsettled territory. He required a party of men, not only sufficient for
the work of surveying, but others for their protection, hunting, cutting
roads, felling giant trees, bridging streams, and camping ; and must
have been qualified to lead them by bravery, activity, enterprise, vigi
lance, prudence, and providence, with the eye quick to perceive the
character of the country he traversed. For weeks or months he threaded
forests never before penetrated by the white man, exposed to the deadly
fang of the rattlesnake, or spring of the panther, or arrow of the red
man, lurking to add to his trophies more scalps of the pale-faces. The
influence of the grand and beautiful in ,the scenery of the solitudes he
explored was salutary, for it purified and elevated.
With such training, it excites no surprise to find William Thompson
serving in the war between France and England, prosecuted in America,
for the magnificent prize of western territory each coveted.
Fort Granby, on tbe Pennsylvania border, had been surprised by the
French and Indians, and its garrison, tottering under its stores with
which their exultant captors loaded them as beasts of burden, were
hurried away captives. More than a thousand whites had fallen beneath
the tomahawk, their humble but happy dwellings given to the flames,
their wives and children sharing their fate or made prisoners. A place
of rendezvous of these devilish Indians was Kittanning, on the Alleghany,
a river which has its highest sources in Potter County, Pennsylvania,
and like a coy girl, — affecting to shun the youth of her choice, — running
there a few miles, it enters New York, but after a short course in that

120 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
State, again turning into Pennsylvania, flows through a mountainous
and romantic region, till, mingling with the Monongahela, they form the
Ohio, which the French, charmed by its limpid waters and the beautiful
scenery of its banks, loved to call the "belle riviere." An expedition
of three hundred provincials, under command of Colonel Armstrong,
was concerted against' Kittanning. His troops rendezvoused at Fort
Shirley, on the Juniata River, one hundred and fifty miles frora Philar
delphia, frora which post he moved August SOth, 1756. Their march
through a wilderness was conducted with secrecy and celerity. Arm
strong joined the party he had sent in advance, with his main force,
at Frankstown, and they arrived at a point distant six miles from Kit
tanning in the evening of September 7th. Discovering a party of In
dians, Armstrong did not attack thera, fearing, if he did so, he should
alarm those at Kittanning; but passing them unnoticed, left, twelve
men under Lieutenant Hogg to assail them on the morrow at daybreak.
Continuing his march with skill, equal to that of the stealthy red men,
he struck the Alleghany one hundred perches below Kittanning at three
o'clock in the morning of September 8th, guided by the whoops of the
Indians, who were celebrating by a scalp-dance their recent successful
marauds. That the reader may have the whole scene before him, let
him picture to hiraself a clearing, thronged with Indians, warriors,
squaws, and children; the braves first dancing singly, and chanting
their exploits, and as they ended striking the war-post in the centre of
the asserably; then all dancing together, flourishing their knives, with
whoops and yells truly demoniac. The dogs, offered in sacrifice, had
been eaten, and the exhausted revellers had sunk into slumber in the
false and fatal confidence that their manitous, whom they had propitiated
and invoked would keep around them sure watch and ward. The night
was warm and beautiful, moonlit and calra, and a mist from the Alle
ghany, like a veil of gossamer, softened, without hiding from view, the
hills, and vales, and forests. The setting of the moon — so poetically
termed, by sorae Indian tribes, the " sun of night" — was the signal for,
the attack. The Indians were divided, part being with their chiefs.
Captain Jacobs and " Shengis," in the village, and the rest in an open
corn-field, which the heat of the night made them prefer to their houses
for a sleeping-place. The attack began by the provincials charging the
Indians in the corn-field, through which, having killed several of the
eneray, they entered Kittanning. The Indians, though completely sur
prised, defended their houses bravely. Armstrong fired thera. They
refused, though offered quarters, to surrender. The chiefs chanted their
death-songs, while the horror of the scene was enhanced by frequent
explosions of gunpowder, of which there was a large quantity recently
received frora the French, — "with which explosions," Armstrong wrote,
" he and his men were agreeably entertained." Of the Indians, a few,
who burst through the windows of the burning houses, were shot,
among thera Captain Jacobs, and the king's son, a chilli of Anak, said
to have been seven feet high. The victory. was coraplete. Thirty or
forty Indians were killed, Kittanning destroyed, and eleven prisoners
released. Colonel Armstrong was wounded in the shoulder, and Cap
tain, afterwards General, Mercer wounded in the arm, and left behind,
though he reached the settled country afterwards. The provincials,
fearing an attack from Fort Du Quesne,— about forty miles from Kittan-

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 121
ling, — immediately after their victory regained their horses, which they
bad left secured in their rear, and, moving rapidly, arrived safely at Fort
Cumberland. General Thompson was a commissioned officer of this
expedition. A silver medal was struck by the city of Philadelphia, and
given to Colonel Armstrong and each of his commissioned officers, to
express the public joy and gratitude for this success, 'and to commemo
rate their exploit. I have before rae General Thompson's medal, which
was given to me by my raother because I was named after him. It is
blackened by time. Its device is "an officer. followed by two soldiers;
the officer pointing to a soldier shooting from behind a tree, and an In
dian prostrate before him. In the background Indian houses are seen
burning. Its legend is 'Kittanning destroyed by Colonel Armstrong,
September Sth, 1156.' Its reverse, the arras of "Philadelphia, with the
legend, ' The gift of the corporation of the city of Philadelphia.' "*
I have before me the coraraission of William Thompson, Esquire, as
captain of a troop of light horse in the first battalion of the Pennsyl
vania regiment, in the pay of this province, given under the hand and
seal of Lieutenant-Governor Denny, at Philadelphia, the fourth day of
May, 1758.
" On the 7th of October, 1763, at the close ofthe war between Great
Britain and France, in America, the King of Great Britain issued his
proclamation, testifying his sense and approbation of the conduct and
bravery of the officers and soldiers of his armies, and, to reward the
same, comraanded and erapowered the Governors of his three new
colonies, and all others the Governors of the several provinces of the
continent of North America, to grant, without fee or reward, to such
reduced officers as had served in North America during the war theu
lately preceding, and to such private soldiers as then had been, or should
afterwards be, disbanded iu America, and were actually residing there,
and should personally apply for the same, the following quantities of
land, subject, at the expiration of ten years, to the same quit-rents as
other lauds were subject to in the provinces in which they should be
granted, and also subject to the same conditions of cultivation and im
provement: viz., to every person having the rank of field-officer, 5000
acres ; to every captain, 3000 acres ; to every subaltern or staff-officer,
2000 acres; to every non-comraissioned officer, 200 acres; and to every
private man, 50 acres ; which proclamation was transmitted by the
King of Great Britain to his several Governors in North Araerica, and
by them published, in order to give full information of this gracious
decree. Inconsequenceof this information, a number of the officers of the
three Pennsylvania battalions who served during the war terminated
in 1763, met in Lancaster in 1773, and deputed General Thompson to
locate the quantities of land to which they were severally entitled, under
the proclamation of the British king, in one of the royal governments,
as they could not be obtained in Pennsylvania or any other proprietary
government, and to secure their titles thereto in the usual manner. On
the 16th of December, 1773, an order was made by the Governor and
* Holmes's Annals, vol. ii. p. 73 ; Collections of the New York Historical Society,
vol. iii. pp. 337, 398, 399, 195; Western Annals, pp. 139-146 ; Irving's Life of
Washington, vol. i. pp. 221, 222, 223 ; Lewis aud Clark's Travels, p. 66 ; Flint's
Geography, vol. i. p. 395. 9

122 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
Council of "Virginia, pursuant to the before-mentioned proclamation,
ordering that the officers and. soldiers therein named should be at liberty
to locate their lands wherever they should desire, so as not to interfere
with legal surveys or actual settlements, and that every officer should
be entitled to a distinct survey for every thousand acres, and defining
who should be deemed settlers. In 1774 General Thompson proceeded
down the Ohio, with a large number of men to protect him from the
Indians, and, with great expense and with great danger to himself, made
surveys on the Salt Lick River— then in Virginia, now in Kentucky,—
an uninhabited country, free of claims by settlement or prior grant— of a
large body of land, and divided tbe same into tracts sufficient to answer
the claims ofthe said associated officers. General Thompson received
a deputation from the College of William and Mary— holding the office
of surveyor-general in Virginia — to make these surveys, and when he
had completed the draught of them, and had made all the necessary
arrangements with the officers for the completion of their titles, went
to Richmond, Virginia, in 17T5, for the purpose of returning these
surveys and having them accepted ; but the preyious condition was re
quired of him that he should take an oath of allegiance to the King of
Great Britain, which, as a patriot, and about to take the command of a
rifle-regiment, at Boston, to act against the troops of the British king,
he could not possibly comply with : consequently the surveys could not
be accepted and patents issued." Thus he lost his land, but kept
his honor. " General Thompson and many of the officers, claimants
under the proclamation of- 1763, serving in the American armies in the
war of our Revolution, could not prosecute their claims until after the
peace of 1783, when the survivor^ of them met, and, having learned
that a law had been passed by the Legislature of Virginia, in 1779,
declaring that all surveys made under the royal proclamation of 1763
not returned to the land-office thereof within twelve months after the
enactment of the law, should be void and forfeited, and that the lands
covered by their surveys had been granted to other applicants, deputed
Dr. John Morgan to represent their case to the Legislature of Virginia,
for redress, either by a repeal of this law, most unjust under the circum
stances of their case, or by the grant of other lands as an equivalent;
but a committee of the House of Delegates of Virginia, after fully
recognizing the facts before stated, in their report to the House recom
mended the rejection of the petition presented for the relief of these
officers, without assigning any reason therefor, and their report was
adopted by the House.'"''
The following duly certified copy of the resolution and proceedings
thereon ofthe Virginia House of Delegates, on the application for relief
ofthe officers claiming lands under the proclaraation of 1763, establishes
80 indubitably the facts set forth in the foregoing extract from their
* From the Petition of "sundry officers, who .served in the British army during
the war between France and Great Britain which originated in 1755, to the
United States House of Kepresentat.ves, February, 1806, for a law to'authorize
them to locate their claims in the western unsettled territory of the United States,
the lands ceded to them by the States being equitably thereto subject." This peti
tion was referred, 2d April, 1806, to the committee on public lands, who made a
report on the 9th of that month, which was read,' agreed to, nnd the consideration
of the petition postponed indefinitely. The petition, thus indorsed, is before me.

OF GEORGE READ. 123
petition to the United States House of Representatives, that I insert it,
though thereby subjecting the reader to the repetition of somewhat that
has been already stated.
" Virginia, General Assembly, begun and held at the public buildings,
in the city of Richmond, on Monday, the 20th of October, in the year
of our Lord 1783, being the 2d session of the present General Assembly.
"Mr. Mann Page reported from the coramittee of propositions and
grievances that the committee had, according to order, had under con
sideration the memorial and petition of sundry officers of the Pennsyl
vania Line, who served in the war which commenced in America in the
year 1755, to them referred, and had agreed upon a report, and had
come to a resolution thereupon, which he read in his place, and after
wards delivered in at the clerk's table, where the same was again twice
read and agreed to by the House, as followeth :
" It appears to your committee that officers of the State of Pennsyl
vania, by Dr. John Morgan, their Agent, and one of the said officers,
made application in the year 17'14 to the Governor and Council of Vir
ginia for leave and permission to survey and lay off the portions of land
which they were respectively entitled to, under the proclamation of the
King of Great Britain, issued in the year 1763 : that the Governor and
Council were of opinion that the claim of the said officers to lands,
under the said proclamation, was well founded, and a comraission was
thereupon granted by the masters of William and Mary College to
Captain William Thompson, afterwards General Thompson, of tbe
American army, appointing him ei.ther a priYicipal or deputy surveyor,
for the purpose of making the said survey within this State, for as much
land as would answer the claims of the said officers ; but the disputes
commencing about that time between Great Britain and America, and
the said Thompson, frora principles of attachment to his country, re
fusing to take the oath of allegiance to the King of Great Britain, the
said surveys were refused to be received by the surveyor of the county
wherein they were made, and the said Thompson quitted this business,
and shortly after joined General Washington at the head of a regiment,
and that most of the said officers also entered into the service of the
United States :
" Resolved, That it is the opinion of this committee that the memorial
and petition of the said officers, praying that their claims may be con
firmed, be rejected. " Extract from the Journal.
"Teste. J. Pleasants, CZerA;.
"For copying the above, 100 cents."
The following letters relate to the survey of lands claimed under the
royal proclamation of 1763. The first of them is from John Randolph
of Virginia.
" Sir, — The President and Masters of our College have delivered to
me the commission you desired. I have inclosed it to you, by Mr.
Tilghman of your Province.
" Our Assembly has been this day* dissolved, on account of a resolu-
* May 25th, 177i.— Wirt's Life of Patrick Henry, p. 113.

12-1 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
tion of theirs, in relation to Boston. They had directed a fast to be
observed on the first of June, in hopes by that means to avert the
danger impending from the vengeance of the Parliament. Perhaps you
did not think, when in Virginia, we had half so much devotion araong
us The Governor for their piety dissolved them. I hope you are
safely returned to Philadelphia, and there enjoy your health after your
fatiguing journey. " I am, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,
"John Randolph.'''
" Our newspapers will inform you ofthe resolutions ofthe Governor
with respect to granting land to the officers, etc.
"To Captain William Thompson in Philadelphia."
The next letter is that of Dr., afterwards General, Mercer, who was
killed in the battle of Princeton, written from
"Fredkricksbtjrg (Virginia), 9th June, 1773.
" Dear Sir, — Your favor ofthe 28th of May, together with the certi
ficate I requested, came to hand just now ; please to accept my hearty
thanks for your ready assistance in expediting that affair. The officers
this way have been very dilatory as to securing their lands. Last fall
some steps were attempted to be taken, but, I fear, to little purpose.
Bullit,f who is appointed surveyor on the Ohio, is in no great estima-
¦* "John Kandolph held tlie office of the King's Attorney-General for the
Colony of Virginia. He was a gentleman of the most courtly elegance of person
and manners, a polished wit, and a profound lawyer." — Wirt' s Lif e of Patrick
Henry, p. 34.
f In 1758 the expedition against Fort Du Quesne, which resulted in its cap
ture by General Forbes, was concerted. In the middle of September, Colonel
Bouquet was detached with nearly 2000 men to open a new military road for the
array advancing upon this celebrated post When more than fifty miles from
Fort Du Quesne, he detached 200 men under Major Grant to reconnoitre. This
officer conducted his enterprise with foolhardiness and ill judgment truly aston
ishing. Arrived in the vicinity of the fort, he posted his men on a hill, sent out
a party of observation, who burnt a house close to the fort, and at the dawn of
the next day beat the reveille, and tjien sent an engineer to take a plan of it, in
full view of the garrison. Not a gun was fired, and profound silence was main
tained, which the British ascribed to fear, and they were betrayed by their arro
gant folly into a fatal security. A sudden and unexpected attack was made by
the garrison, rallying frora the fort, on their front, while the Indians, ambushed,
assailed their flanks, and they were completely routed, with terrible slaughter.
Captain Bullit, detached by Major Lewis, commander of the Virginia troops,
to protect the baggage, rallied several of the fugitives, and made a stand. Hav
ing sent off' tho most valuable part of the baggage, he formed a barricade of
wagons, and stationed his men behind it. He displayed both courage and
judgment — he suft'ered the Indians to get close to his barricade before he ordered
hi.f men to fire, which they did so fatally aa to check the savages — but only for a
moment, for after a brief pause they again advanced— then Bullit and his men
made signal of their wish to capitulate, and moved forward as if to surrender,
and when within eight yards of the enemy gave them a most destructive volley,
and then charged with the bayonet. The savages fled terrified, which gave
Bullit opportunity to retreat to Colonel Bouquet's camp, which he did rapidly,
collecting in his march tho wounded and fugitives.
The bravery of the Virginia troops, and BuUit's behavior, were much ad
mired, and he was soon rewarded with the commission of Major.*

* Irving's Life ofWashington, vol. i. pp. 283, 284, 285, 286, and 287.

OF GEORGE READ. 125
tion with the superior officers, and from thence it happened that but few
came in to his proposals, which were to join him early this spring at
the mouth of the Scioto, from which boundary of the N  * Govern
ment he proposed to look out for and survey the officers' lands, down
wards, along the Ohio. Colonel Peachey and myself, with a few
others, have agreed with one Heinrich Taylor, who traversed that
country some years ago, to look out for and survey our claims, under
the authority of Bullit, for which services we give one-fifth ofthe land,
and ten pounds Virginia curreu'cy, besides paying Bullit's legal fees as
surveyor. We were induced to this expensive method by the hazard
and raany other difficulties attending this attempt. Thus far I had gone,
when Dr. Walker, who knows raore of the country in question than
any other of my acquaintance, inforraed rae by letter that the claims of
the Cherokee Indians on the Ohio have not yet been settled, and that
to him it was matter of doubt whether the Governor and Council of
Virginia would think theraselves at liberty to grant lands. Hereupon
I thought of West Florida, and wrote to Mr. James Wood, of Winches
ter, who was employed by Colonel Washington and others to locate
their claims in West Florida, to take the proper steps for rae also ; but
he had left Winchester, and was on his way to Fort Pitt before ray
letter could reach him. As soon as I have any intelligence from Bul
lit, Taylor, or Mr. Wood, I will let you know. As there are a great
number of officers in these middle colonies unprovided for in the lands
they claim, I should think West Florida the most likely place to secure
good lands, with the chance of their being soon settled, under due
regulations of governraent. Should we succeed on the Ohio, our lands
will be unconnected with any government, they lying without the
Northern government, and being too reraote frora Virginia [for her] to
receive any advantage frora thera, so that the people inhabiting them
must soon be in a lawless condition, and of course property altogether
insecure. The post hurries me so that I have only time to assure you
that I remain, with unfeigned esteem and regard, your much-obliged
and obedient servant,
" Hugh Merger.
" To Joseph Tilghman, Junior, Esquire."
The writer of the letter next inserted was a colonel, I think, of one
of the regiments of Pennsylvania that served in the war of 1755.
"Camp on the Ohio, oppositb the Mouth of [the] Scioto,
" 10th July, 1773.
" Dear Colonel, — I came out with Captain Thompson in order to see
the lands aurveyed for the Pennsylvania officers, and on our passage
hither frequently went on shore with some of our best woodsmen to
view the country, but could find none worth our notice, the bottoms
being chiefly overflowed at times, and the lands back very hilly, [andj
the whole very ill watered. We have been detained here several days,
waiting for some horses, which we sent by land, in which tirae we sent
out Mr. James Smith and sorae of our best woodsmen to view the
country. They have returned, and have been in the country we want
* Sic in the original letter.

126 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
to be at ; it is called the Blue Lick country, and is on the waters of a
river called Kentucky, and they say it is tbe finest country they ever
beheld, and [they] \vill, with their friends, corae out and settle in it
next spi'ing, so that I raake no doubt the land there in one year will be
as valuable as the lands in Sewickley, which are now selling for twenty
shillings per acre. We expected to have met with Captain Bullit here,
through whose hands I understand the surveys must pass before they
are accepted ; but he was gone. We sent a canoe with sorae hands 40
or 50 miles down the river to find his camp ; but they returned unsuc
cessful, since which we have seen some Virginians who had been with
him, who say he has gone down as far as the Falls, or Big Bone Lick,
and won't return till next spring. Should this be the case, it would
greatly delay a confirmation of these lands to us, and perhaps such a
change in the government might take place as would entirely frustrate
our expectations. As \ye have a valuable interest depending, I think
it would be necessary for you, with any of the gentlemen concerned,
to make application to the College of Virginia for a comraission to
Captain Thompson to survey and return these lands, which I think may
be obtained, and which, for the reason before mentioned, I think very
necessary. I know that several gentlemen in Virginia, who have ob
tained grants, have also had surveyors of their own nomination, par
ticularly Colonel Washington, who had Captain Crawford appointed,
and had 175,000 acres surveyed, for which he has obtained patents. I
beg you will write to Colonel Shippen and any other of your friends
that can be of any service in this case. I ara, with the greatest respect.
Dear sir, your most obedient, humble servant,
"Patrick Work.
" Colonel James Btjbd, Lancaster County.
"Received Sth August."
The last letter of those in my possession in relation to the survey
and location of lands under the proclamation of 1763 is the following
one of Hugh Mercer, from "Fredericksburg, Sth September, 1773.
"Dear Sir, — Captain Woodford, of tbe late Virginia regiment, in
tending for Philadelphia, furnishes rae with an opportunity of acknowl
edging your favor of the 31st of August, which came to hand yesterday.
Please to accept my congratulations upon your safe arrival from Jamaica,
and be assured that everything in my power shall be attempted to facili
tate the land affair in which Captain Thompson is engaged. Unless our
Governor and Council can be prevailed upon to pass over the usual forms
in granting patents, I fear we must await the arrival of Captain Bullit,
to give authority to the surveys. The College of William and Mary has,
as you have heard, the sole authority of appointing surveyors, some of
the fees [for surveys] passing into its funds. The person applying for
such place is obliged to be examined by the professor of mathematics
[of the college] and have some gentleman of fortune joined with him
in a penal-bond for the faithful discharge of the office. As soon as I
have sounded our great men on the subject, you shall hear from me.
Captain Woodford will inforra you of such steps as have been taken
here in prosecution of the same affair. We did not agree in any general
method, partly through want of due information as to the country in
view, partly through want of confidence in the surveyor. Since Bullit

OF GEORGE READ. 127
and those who wereto survey under his authority set out from this place
in March last, we have heard nothing of their proceedings. Your letter,
and some others from Pennsylvania, furnish all the intelligence we have
of them. It gives me very sensible concern to have done nothing in the
recovery of your debt from Heaton. Mr. Jones can find no traces of the
suit, or who were securities or bail, such has been for some years past
the irregularity in the court business of Frederick County.
" Give me leave now to recommend to your good offices the gentleman
who delivers you this, both as a stranger in your city, an old campaign-
acquaintance, and a very particular friend.
" Dear sir, your affectionate, humble servant,
"Hugh Mercer.
"Dr. John Morgan, Philadelphia."
The fear expressed by Colonel Work, in his letter tp Colonel Burd,
that a change of governraent might frustrate the expectations of the
officers claimants under the royal proclamation of 1763, w^s prophetic.
This change, to which the patriotism of these officers much contributed,
lost them the lands to which they were equitably entitled, and they or
their representatives have failed in every attempt to obtain indemnity
for them. The claims of their descendants, not upon the generosity,
but ihe justice, of their country, may yet be heard.
Colonel Thompson, on the eve of marching with his regiment of rifle
men for Boston, wrote as follows to Colonel Montgomery.* This letter
indicates his zeal in the good cause in which he had engaged, and his
sensitiveness when the honor of his county was affected :
" Carlisle, 30lh June, 1775.
" Dear Sir, — I am very sorry to inform you that the companies asked
of this county are not near complete, nor can I say when they will be
filled, as it is in the heat of harvest, and I doubt arguments are rather
used to keep the men here than to forward the service. But what sur
prises me most is that the resolves of Congress were not publicly made
known till Thursday, though the express arrived here on Saturday,
nor a single thing said or done in a meeting of upwards of seven hun
dred men under arras. Indeed, Colonel Magau has done everything in
his power to forward the business, but great tirae was spent before he
received an order. The York County corapany is quite complete, and
has received ray orders to raareh this day. Everything shall be done
on ray part, but you raust feel for rae when you know that I must march
without my full complement of men from, this county. As the honor of
the county is greatly at stake, I hope in future that all public orders
will be* directed to gentlemen that will do their duty and not retard the
service of the country by taking long time in contriving the private
interest of a few particular friends.
"1 beg you may raention these things to Colonel Wilson. I am cer
tain he will do everything that is right, and I hope the county will
never be found in the like situation when orders of such consequence
are sent amongst us. * So written in the original letter.

128 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
"My best compliments to everybody, and am, my dear sir, yours,
very sincerely, " William Thompson.
" To Colonel Montgomery."
He wrote, 10th September, 1775, a few weeks after he joined the
Araerican array before Boston, to his brother-in-law, George Read:
"I am fixed in the most delightful spot in the world, as I can, from
the door of my tent, see all our well-regulated army from Roxbury to
Winter Hill, and at the same time look down upon the eneraies of our
country, confined within the narrow bounds of Boston and Bunker Hill,
and further, you may be sure, they shall not pass, had they Lord North
and all the troops in the British pay to assist them. Our troops are well
supplied and in high spirits, and long much to corae to action; but I am
doubtful we shall have little to do in the fighting way this campaign.
I am very happy in all my commanding officers. I always had a high
esteem for the commander-in-chief, and higher now than ever. I am
every day more pleased with General Lee : our country owes rauch to
him ; and happy we are that a man of his great knowledge assists in
the coraraand of our army."*
" On the 10th of November, 1775, the British, taking advantage of a
high tide, landed frora Boston at Lechmere's Point. Colonel Thompson,
with his rifleraen, and Colonel Woodbridge, with part of his regiment
and part of Colonel Patterson's, was ordered to attack them ; who
gallantly waded through the water, and soon obliged the enemy to em
bark under cover of a man-of-war, a floating-battery, and the fire of a
battery on Charlestown Neck. We have two of our men dangerously
wounded by grape-shot from the man-of-war, and we are informed by a
flag, sent out this day, that the enemy lost two of their men."f Gen-
* See the letter frpm which the above extract is made, in chapter ii. of the Life
of George Bead, p. 112.
f - "Braintree, 12th November, 1775.
"A number of cattle were kept at Lechmere's Point, where two sentinels
were placed. In a high tide it is an island. The regulars had observed this, and
a scheme was laid to take oflF the cattle which were kept there. Accordingly,
last week a number of boats and about four hundred men were sent. They landed,
it seems, unperceived by the sentinels, who were asleep; one of whom they
killed, and took the other prisonev. As soon as they were perceived, the cannon
on Prospect Hill were fired upon them, and sunk one of their boats ; but as soon
as the tide was very high it was difficult getting over. A Colonel Thompson, of
the riflemen, marched instantly with his men, — and, though a very stormy day,
they regarded not the tide, nor waited for boats, but marched over neck-high in
water, — and discharged their pieces, when the regulars ran without waiting to
get ofl' their stock, and made the best of their way to the opposite shore. 'The
general .sent his thanks in a public manner to the brave officer and his men." —
Letters of Mrs. Adams, wife of John Adams, pp. 61, 62.
Colonel Thompson's riflemen are thus described by Thacher (Military Journal of
the American Revolution, pp. 37, 38); " Several companies of riflemen, amounting,
itis said, to more than fourteen hundredmen, have arrived here from Pennsylvania
and Maryland, a distance from 500 to 700 miles. They are remarkably stout
and hardy men; many of them exceeding six feet in height. They are dressed
in white frocks or rifle-shirts, and round hats. These men are remarkable for
the accuracy of their aim, striking a mark with great certainty at two hundred
yards distance. At a review, a company of them, while on a quick advance, fired
their balls into objects of seven inches diameter, at the distance of two hundred

OF GEORGE READ. 129
eral Washington adds: "The alacrity of the riflemen and their officers,
on this occasion, did them honor, to which Colonel Patterson's regiment
and some others were equally entitled, except in a few instances; but
the tide at that time was so exceedingly high as to corapel a large cir
cuit before our men could get to the causeway, by which means the
enemy, except a small covering party, distant from the dry land on this
side near four hundred yards, had retreated or were about to embark.
All the shot, therefore, that passed were at a great distance ; however,
the men went to and over the causeway spiritedly enough."*
In March, 1776, Congress contemplated ordering an officer to take
command in Virginia, and General Washington, having heard that
Colonel Thompson was spoken of for this command, thus wrote on the
lOfh of this month to Joseph Reed: "I am of opinion that Colonel
Armstrong, -if he retains his health, spirits, and vigor, would be as fit
person as any they could send to Virginia, as he is senior officer to any
now there, and I should think could give no offence ; but to place Colonel
Thompson there in the first comraand, would throw everything into the
utmost confusion, for it was by mere chance that he became a colonel
upon this expedition, and by a greater chance that he becarae first colo
nel in this army. To take him, then, from another colony, and place him
over the heads of several gentlemen under or with whom he has served
in a subordinate character, would never answer any other purpose than
that of introducing endless confusion. Such a thing surely cannot be
in contemplation ; and, knowing the mischiefs it would produce, surely
Colonel Thompson would have more sense, and a greater regard for the
cause in which he is engaged, than to accept of it, unless sorae uncom
mon abilities or exertions had given him a superior claim. He must
know that nothing more than having been a captain of horse in 1759
(I think it was) did very extraordinarily give him the start he now has
when the rank was settled here. At tlie same tirae, he raust know an
other fact, that several officers now in the Virginia service were much
his superiors in point of rank, and will not, I am sure, serve under him.
He stands fii-st colonel here, and may, I presume, put in a very good
and proper claim to the first brigade tbat falls vacant; but I hope more
regard may be paid to the service than to send him to Virginia."f
Colonel Thompson was not appointed to this command in Virginia,
and it does not appear that he sought it. The objection that his supe
riors more than twenty years before in a different service raight refuse
to serve under him, was, I suppose, not without foundation. Questions
of rank embarrassed General Washington throughout the Revolutionary
war, and impeded the public service. The sensitiveness of officers in
regard to rank, when just and reasonable, ought to be respected ; but
whether it would have been just and reasonable for officers in service in
Virginia to have refused to serve under Colonel Thompson, had the
comraand there been conferred upon hira, may be questioned. When
it is added that he owed his colonelship of his rifle-regiment to chance,
and fifty yards. They are now stationed on our lines, and tbeir shot have frequently
proved fatal to British officers and soldiers who expose themselves to view, even
at more than double the distance of a common musket-shot."
* Writings of Washington, vol. iii. pp. 156, 157; Diary of the American
Eevolution, vol. i. p. 167.
f Writings of Washington, vol. iii. pp. 309, 310.

130 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
and his rank of second colonel in the American army to the start given
him by his captaincy of horse in 1759, I am sure this is the language
of prejudice or ignorance. The reader of this notice has evidence that
he was a man of ability, energy, and courage, and so zealous in the
cause of his country as to sacrifice, to his sense of his duty to her, lands
which would have been a princely estate to his children, to which he
had acquired an inchoate .title by months of exposure, hardship, and
danger in a wilderness. He was trained to be a soldier in the sarae
profession which Washington had not disdained, and which did much
to qualify him for the comraand of our armies, and was high in the con
fidence of his brother officers in the war which began between England
and France in 1755. Well and widely known, as I have described him,
in Pennsylvania and other colonies, it seems not unreasonable to ascribe
his military preferment not to chance, but to his merits.
" Besides the eight brigadiers first appointed. Congress had, 10th Jan
uary, 1776, appointed two others, Arnold and Frye, and on the 1st
March of that year they elected six more, namely, John Armstrong,
William Thompson, Andrew Lewis, James Moore, Lord Stirling, and
Robert Howe ; they at the same time ordered General Thompson to
New York," and, as" he took rank of Stirling in the order of appointment,
the command there consequently devolved upon him. He arrived in
New York on the 20th of March, and assumed the command in that
city, which he retained till ordered to join the expedition to Canada.
He embarked for Albany with four regiments under his command on
the 21st of April.
Upon the illness of General Thomas, which ended in his death, the com
mand of the American army in Canada devolved upon General Thomp
son. He ordered Colonel St. Clair to attack the British at Three Rivers ;
but this officer, finding the enemy too strong for him, halted for a rein
forcement. General Sullivan then arrived and assumed the comraand of
the American array, and ordered General Thompson to reinforce St. Clair
with thirteen or fourteen hundred men, take the command ofthe whole
force, and attack the enemy at "Three Rivers." The plan of attack
was judicious, and it was made and supported bravely, "bat, requiring
the concurrence of too raany circumstances, failed," and General Thomp
son was not only defeated, but taken prisoner. A full account of this
attack and its result, so unfortunate for General Thompson, who was
made prisoner, is given in the third chapter of the Life of George Read,
to which the reader is referred.*
General Thompson was not exchanged until the year 1780. f In the
beginning of 1777 General Thompson was with his family, his zeal for
the American cause undiminished by his recent misfortune, impatient
to be restored by exchange to active service, and his sound judgment
* Writings of Washington, vol. iii. pp. 318, 319, 365.
f " 1780, October 20. — It has long been the desire of General Washington to
make some arrangement with General Clinton for an exchange of prisoners, but
many difficulties have attended to prevent the accomplishment of the object. A
partial exchange has now been efl'ected. Major-General Lincoln, who was taken
at Charleston, has been exchanged for Major-General Phillips, captured at Sara
toga. General Thompson and a number of other officers who have long been pris
oners are also liberated by exchange." — Thacher's Military Journal of the American
Revolution, p. 283.

OF GEOBGE BEAD.. 131
and long experience exercised in suggesting remedies for defects in that
important department ofthe army, the commissariat, and prevention of
evils he apprehended, as appears by the following letter to James Wil
son, the eminent lawyer, statesman, and signer of the Declaration of
Independence. "Carlisle, 29th January, 1777.
"Dear Wilson, — A quartermaster and commissary is much wanted
at Carlisle, and indeed in every town where the militia pass through.
Wagons are taken up at will by the officers at a very great expense,
many not half loaded, and much longer detained in the service than
there is occasion for them. The troops kept at taverns at two shillings
and three pence per day, when rations may be found them for one shil
ling and two pence. I clearly see there is a loss to the public of one
hundred per cent, for want of those officers, besides the desertion of
troops ou their march.
" But what alarms rae most is that the high price of whisky at this
time induces the distillers to purchase up all the wheat they can get,
and I am certain every bushel of wheat in the country will be wanted
before next fall. Indeed, I have my doubts that bread will be a very
scarce article, and the army be in want, without care is taken imme
diately to buy up all the wheat that can be got in the country. Some
time since I wrote to the commissary-general to appoint John Davis,
Jr., his deputy, with orders to purchase all the provisions he could get
in the counties of York and Cumberland ; and I also wrote to General
Mifflin to appoint a deputy to purchase forage, etc., and raentioned Mr.
Stevenson, but have received no answer. Grain is now fifty per cent.
higher than when I wrote, and I am almost sure it will be one hundred
per cent, higher before the 1st of April. I know the general officers in
every department have been so much employed lately that it is impos
sible for them to think of anything but what is immediately wanted for
the array. I think as those matters [I have mentioned] are so essential
towards carrying on the next carapaign, a hint from Congress to have
people appointed to do this duty will be absolutely necessary, and also
to direct our council of safety to issue their order forbidding the distilling
of wheat within this State; and perhaps the like order to the back
counties of Virginia and Maryland may not be amiss.
"I was told that part of General Armstrong's business up the coun
try was to establish magazines in different parts of the country, but
have not learned that anything is yet done in that way.
"The bearer waits. I shall write you more fully in a day or two
(your Mrs. Wilson and family are well), and am, dear sir, yours,
" William Thompson.
" Colonel Wilson."*
The change of residence which it appears by the letter of General
* " When military movements were first made, Mr. Wilson, then resident in
Carlisle, was chosen colonel of a regiment of militia raised in the county of
Cumberland. He acted in that capacity when occasion demanded his services,
and the public stores and magazines in Carlisle were committed to his charge;
but he was never in active service, owing, probably, to his very frequent civil
appointments." — Life of Wilson — Biography of the S'lgners of the Declaration of
Independence, vol. iii. p. 262.

132 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
Thompson, next presented to the reader, he thought of, did not take
place. "Carlisle, 26th September, 1778.
" My dear Brother, — I have been Informed that there is an excellent
grass-farm to be sold in the neighborhood of Wilmington, and, as I in
tend leaving this part ofthe country, would wish to fix on sorae healthy
spot near you. I have advertised a few tracts of land for sale, and can,
I believe, without touching on the best part of my lands, raise ten thou
sand pounds, which I would wish to lay out on some pleasant situation
near the banks of the Delaware. A grass-farm I like the best. Write
if such a place can be got, and I will take Mrs. Thompson down to see
it. She now writes to Mrs. Read, and her letter is herewith inclosed.
My best compliments wait on Mrs. Read, your dear Polly, the boys,
and all my New Castle friends, and am, dear George, your very affec
tionate, hurable servant,
"William Thompson.
"Hon. George Read, New Castle."
He announces, in the letter which follows, his safe return, with Mrs.
Thompson, to their home — from a visit, I suppose, to their friends' in
New Castle. " Carlisle, 6lb September, 1779.
" My dear Brother, — We got safe home yesterday, and found the
family well, and house clean, and everything in good order, to the great
satisfaction of Mrs. Thompson.
"Poor Mrs. Biddle and Miss Abby we raet, and brought back with
us. She is in very great distress, indeed, but we shall do everything
to relieve her, in our power, and hope a few days will in some measure
restore her peace of mind.
" The bearer, Mr. John Holmes, uncle of Parson Thomson, is going in
quest of the Reverend Mr. Rankin, to be the pastor of our parish, and, as
my salvation is a little interested in the appointment, I would be glad
to know the character of the man, and how far you think him capable
of the task. As to his preaching, I don't care so much about it, pro
vided he is a gentleman, and a man of honor, and has lived in charity
with the world. Tell Holmes what you know of the man, and, if you
have time, write me a line.
"Mrs. Thompson, and the family, and Mrs. Biddle, join in love to
you, and Mrs. Read, and all our New Castle friends, with, dear George,
your very affectionate " William Thompson.
"George Read, Esquire, New Castle."
It appears by this letter that General Thompson was of the Protestant
Episcopal Church, and was interested and engaged In the business of
his parish. He writes on the all-important relation of a pastor to his
people with sprightliness, but not, it seems to me, with levity, which
would be unbecoming such a subject. How true to nature was it that
the veteran soldier should desire the same qualifications in the parson
of his parish that he once valued in the chaplain of his regiment ! But
he did not think lightly of the pastoral charge, for he calls it a task, — that
is, in the connection in which he uses this word, a charge, grave, solemn,

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 133
and responsible, — and deems an essential qualification for it to be the
grace which will survive hope, and even faith — charity.
In 1779 occurred the affair of " Port Wilson," as it was called. There
were then two parties in Pennsylvania, the Constitutionalists, who ap
proved and sustained the then existing constitution, and the Repub
licans, who reprobated it as wanting the checks necessary to guard
against abuses of power. James Wilson was of the Republican party,
and a leader of it. The people were suffering from a depreciated cur-
rencj', injuriously affecting them in the every-day transactions of life,
and unprincipled demagogues persuaded thera that the ills they suffered
were caused by merchants, who monopolized goods, and lawyers, who
screened tories from punishment. Wilson was especially obnoxious.
In September a committee, appointed by a town-meeting, regulated the
price of rum, salt, and other articles. Robert Morris, Blair McClen
achan, and other merchants had quantities of these commodities in their
stores, which they refused to sell at the prices fixed by the regulation.
On the 4th of October (1779) they, with Mr. Wilson and others, were
threatened in placards posted in different parts of Philadelphia, and
resolved to defend themselves in his house, a large and old-fashioned
edifice, at the corner of Third and Walnut Streets, to which they with
drew, having supplied it with arms, but having only a small quantity
of ammunition. The house was quickly attacked by a fierce mob of
two hundred armed men, having two cannons, and coraraanded by one
Mills, a captail}, of North Carolina, a tailor, a ship-joiner, and one Bon
ham, a man of no character, but what calling he disgraced is not men
tioned. They fired upon the house, and their fire was returned. With
a sledge and cross-bar from a blacksmith's shop near, they had almost
forced the front door of the house, when the first troop of city cavalry
came to the rescue and compelled the mob to retreat. As the "troop"
freely used their swords, many of the mob were severely wounded, and
one man and a boy killed. Of the garrison of Fort Wilson, Captain
Campbell was killed, and Messrs. Mifflin and Samuel C. Morris wounded.
Among the party in Mr, Wilson's house were Messrs. Wilson, Burd,
Robert Morris, George and Daniel Clymer, Allan McLane, Sharp Du-
laney, George Campbell, Paul Beck, and Generals Mifflin, Nicholls, and
Thompson. Being advised to leave Philadelphia for a short tirae, they
withdrew to a house on the Schuylkill, but upon consultation returned
at once to the city, walked about its streets as they found it necessary
or agreeable to do, and attended the funeral of their unfortunate friend
Campbell in a body.*
The last of General Thompson's letters which I have found among
Mr. Read's papers was written a few months before his decease. De
clining health, which warned hira that the " inevitable hour" of ideath
was near, could not subdue his constitutional buoyancy and cheerful
ness, which still discover themselves in this letter.
"Philadelphia, 13th March, 1781.
" Dear Brother, — This will be handed you by Mr. Patterson, a
young gentleman who is on his way to Chester to study under Dr.
* Life of James Wilson. — Biography of the Signers of the Declaration of Inde
pendence, vol. iii. pp. 281-286.

134 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
Samuel Smith. His father is a very particular friend of mine, and,
should he make any stay in New Castle, I beg leave to recommend
him to your friendly notice.
" I came to this place to endeavor to settle with the public for my
pay since I was made a prisoner. How far I shall succeed I know not,
but think it a duty I owe my family to try the matter with them, as
/they are indebted to me about £2500 — good money, not paper.
" I have been laid up with the rheumatism for upwards of a year,
and have for this six weeks or two months past been very ill, with a
pain in my breast and a bad cough. I with some difficulty got down
[here], and continue unwell, though much better than I was^a few days
ago, and hope to be restored to a good state of health.
" Indeed, I have at times some doubts that I am going to take a trip
to another country ; but I believe these fears are such as generally attend
a thin diet and a still thinner drink of small-beer and barley-water. I
thought of paying you and the parson a visit, but believe I must defer
it till May, when I intend to see you on my way to the sea-shore. If I
can prevail upon Mrs. Thompson to leave her little family, I shall bring
her down with me. I left everybody well at home, and George [Ross]
and all friends well in Lancaster. Mark Bird is here, and says all our
friends in Reading are in good health.
" My best compliments wait on Mrs. Read, Miss Polly, and the boys,
and am, my dear brother, "Yours very affectionately, " William Thompson.
"George Read, Esquire."
General Thompson died on his farm, near Carlisle, Pennsylvania,
September 3d, 1781, and was buried in the cemetery of St. John's
Church (Protestant Episcopal) in that town, — " fais grave being within
the inclosed burying-place therein of the family of Judge Hamilton,
deceased, whose wile was related to him. It is covered by a marble
slab, in good preservation, but somewhat discolored, in the lapse of
more than seventy years, by the weather."
It bears this inscription :
"GENERAL WILLIAM THOMPSON,
who departed this life
September 3d, 1781,
Aged 45 years."*
In the "Diary of the American Revolution" (by Frank Moore), vol.
ii. pp. 476, 477, may be found the following obituary notice of General
Thompson :
"September 4th, 1781. — Yesterday, at his seat, near Carlisle, Penn
sylvania, died General William Thompson. Those who knew his virtues
will remember and mention his character with esteem. At the com
mencement of the present war he took an active and distinguished part

? Extract from a letter of F. Watts, Esquire, of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, to An
drew C. Gray, Esquire, New Castle, Delaware, May 10th, 1858. The author
begs leave to thank these gentlemen for this information.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 135
in the cause of liberty. Recommended to Congress by his spirit and
military knowledge, by his great popularity, and his zeal for the interest
of freedom, he was appointed by that honorable body to the comraand
of the first regiment raised in Pennsylvania. When he joined the array
before Boston, the rank of first colonel in the service was assigned to
him. At the siege of that place, intrepidity, generosity, hospitality,
and manly candor rendered his character the object of uniform admira
tion and esteem.
" Fortune, which had hitherto smiled upon him, forsook him at a
moment when she promised to lift him to the pinnacle of fame. In a
gallant att%ck upon the British at ' Three Rivers,' in Canada, in 1775,
he was made a prisoner. His captivity was long and imbittered ; his
sensibility, generous and keen, was chiefly wounded by the reflection
that he was precluded from signalizing himself in the defence of his
country. " His death is considered a subject of universal concern and lamenta
tion. His funeral was the most respectable that has ever been known
in Carlisle. In the great number that assembled on the melancholy
occasion, scarcely was there one person to be found who did not drop a
tear to the memory of the soldier, the patriot, and the friend." — Pennsyl
vania Packet, Septeraber-4th ; Gaines's Mercury, September 10th, 1781 ;
and see, also, Thacher's Military Journal, p. 326.
For Letters of General Thompson, see Force's " Araerican Archives,"
vol. vi. (4th series), 1776, pp. 448, 593, 627, 628, 684.

DR. KEARSLEY'S DREAM.
" Carlisle, January 26, 1777.
"Dear Sir, — Last Monday night, the 20th January, 1777, be it re
membered, I went to bed at ten o'clock, and as it is common with me to
order [the] 'servant to cover up the unconsumed part of the fire with
ashes, after I had seen it done. A little before daybreak I was awakened
by an extraordinary dream, viz., that I was then in company with our
old friend John Ross, lawyer. As it then made a great impression on
my mind, it is easy for you to conceive the emotions I felt on the occa
sion, nor will you be surprised when I tell you I jumped directly out of
bed, and by the gleaming light of my fire, which bad forced its way in
a small flame through the ashes, I imagined I saw his figure, on which,
without any fear, I looked with great earnestness. At this instant the
fire burst forth into a blaze, insomuch that I could see him very dis
tinctly, with a paper in his hand, standing, in a speaking attitude, when
he began, and thus addressed me:
"'My dear Sir,— You and I, in the state of body you are now in,
ever lived in the greatest harmony and the best friendship. I have been

136 -LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
reraoved frora you by the wise and kind providence of God to a place
pf peace and everlasting felicity, while you are yet to remain some time
in a world of trouble and great confusion, where you will hear of wars
and rumors of. wars, accompanied with pestilence, already begun, and
famine, which will ensue, and continue till your sins abate. These,
my friend, are the scourges of sin, the [vengeance]^of God poured forth
on the American [people] for their ingratitude, that superlative of sin
which the Almighty — His laws just, perfect, and immutable — always
punishes.' Continued he, 'Lest you should doubt the authority of what
I now say, I pray you to take this paper,' which he held forth in his
hand, ' and, to convince you that I have really made an appearance to
you, behold ray signature — the initials of ray name and profession in
your world. These are placed first to every line, and I leave thera with
you, as my steward, to be shown to my friends, but particularly to
General Thompson, whom Hove, and wish to hint something not unlike
to what with you is termed prophecy.' On thus speaking these words,
he disappeared, leaving the matter behind him. In discharge of my
duty to the above comraission, [and] conceiving it also my duty to you
to discharge ao important a trust, I send you a copy, and whenever you
will do rae the favor of a visit you raay see the original. I am, my dear
sir, with my compliments to you and Mrs. Thompson and family, your
very humble servant,
" John Kearslet.
" A TEUE COPY.
" ' Inspired to leave with you, my trusty friend,
Old counsels, which I dare not wish to mend.
Honor to you — disgrace to C-ngress' laws, ^
Nor can their tei-rors make you join their cause,
Nor yet their prisons make you love their laws :
Kight well we lived when justice ruled the land, —
0 know you're at the would-be-kings' command,*
Sent forth to fightf as.tyrants rule their slaves, —
Still will Britain rule both land and waves.
Lawyer I was, and Magna Charta knew, —
Averse to riot, — studied to be true.
When just laws ceased. Heaven kindly gave her call.
You have felt, — I now foretell, — so will all.
Ever-gracious Lord ! avert the dreadful stroke !
Repent, ye ingrates, — nor your God provoke !'
" ' Agreeable to our many conversations about eternity that the first of
us who died, if permitted, should visit the other, — bj^ the will of the
Omnipotent who governs the universe, I am sent to comfort you under
your great and severe persecutions. Not only to comfort you, but to
redeem the land which is now overwhelmed with trouble, a sure conse
quence of sin, a continuance in which will be misery, destruction, and
death. Believe, 0 ye sinners, believe and repent ! The sins of in
gratitude, willful and corrupt perjury, persecution and cruelty, with the
sin of falsehood, [con]tinually propagated to inflame and [mi.slea]d the
ignorant, has so provoked the vengeance of Heaven that the Almighty
* All the American noblesse want to be kings ; they are, properly, vrould-be-
kings. f By force.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 137
is come forth against you with a flaming sword to burn you up, and cut
you off; and I am risen from the dead to give you this last most solemn
warning. Moses and the prophets have admonished former generations,
and some have believed and been saved. But if ye will not believe me
when risen from the dead, horrid judgments will attend you.'
" At the era of the Revolution Dr. John Kearsley, although other
wise a citizen of good character and standing, became exposed to the
scoffs and insults of the people by his ardent loyalism : being naturally
impetuous in his temper, he gave much umbrage to the Whigs of the
day by his rash expressions. It was intended, therefore, to sober his
feelings by the argument of tar and feathers. He was seized at his own
door, in Front Street, a little below High Street, by a party of the
militia, and in his attempt to resist them received a bayonet-wound in
his hand. Mr. Graydon, a by-stander, has told the sequel. He was
forced into a cart, and, amidst a multitude of boys and idlers, paraded
through the streets to the tune of the Rogue's March. The concourse
brought him before the Coffee-House, where they halted ; the Doctor,
foaming with indignation and rage, without a hat, his wig dishevelled,
and himself bloody with his wounded hand, stood up in the cart, and
called for a bowl of punch, — when, so vehement was his thirst, he swal
lowed it all before he took it from his lips. ' I was shocked,' says Gray
don, ' at the spectacle, thus to see a lately respectable citizen so vilified.'
It is grateful to add, however, that they proceeded to no further violence,
— thus proving that a Philadelphia mob has some sense of restraint. But
though the Doctor was allowed to escape the 'threatened tar and
feathers, the actual indignity so inflamed and maddened his spirit that
his friends had to confine him for a time as insane. He died during the
war, a resident of Carlisle."*
October 6th, 17T5. — "The infamous Dr. Kearsley, of Philadelphia,
not content with his late triumphal procession for his enmity to his
country, has made a further attempt to injure it, but to-day vvas, happily,
discovered. Some letters of his were intercepted in a vessel bound from
here to London, which were filled with the most villainous invectives
and scandalous misrepresentations of the first characters in this country
and the public proceedings. This so enraged the people in general that
if it had not been for the humanity of some gentleraen, who conducted
hira to jail, he would have been very roughly handled. He was sulky
as when exalted on the cart, glories in the mischief he yet hopes to do
to his country, and refuses to give any satisfaction. This ungrateful
son of Galen has acquired a considerable fortune by his practice in
Philadelphia, and in manufacturing Keyser's pills, which are sold as
genuine by a certain Tory bibliopolist."f
"Constitutional Gazette," October 14th and 21st. — "We hear that
Dr. John Kearsley is sentenced to be imprisoned, for a limited time,
in the back counties of Pennsylvania, for high crimes against his
country."! It is evident from the "letter" and "paper" that Dr. Kearsley was
still insane when he wrote them. His exile to Carlisle, then a frontier

* Watson's Annals of Philadelphia, p. 615.
f Diary of the American Revolution, vol. i. p. 148.
X Ibid., p. 148. 10

138 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
town of Pennsylvania, though seemingly a punishment, was, like his
commitment to jail, an act of humanity, for his insanity would have
been aggravated by his continued abode in Philadelphia.
John Ross was half-brother of Mrs. Thompson. General Thompson,
I have no doubt, was well acquainted with Kearsley, an intimate friend,
as he states, of John Ross. General Thompson, though he differed
from Kearsley in his political opinions, — being a decided Whig, — yet,
generous, warm-hearted, and hospitable, and commiserating his unhappy
condition, I ara sure, with his family, was kind to him. If, as is proba
ble, the insanity of the Doctor was only partial, and if, as I infer from
his profession and social position, he was a well-informed gentleman, he
may have been a pleasant guest.
The treatment of Dr. Kearsley by the Philadelphia mob was cruel,
but provoked by his imprudent violence and treasonable act, which
palliated it. The foregoing particular narrative will give the reader
a more lively idea of the too frequent cruel treatment of the Tories,
during the war for independence, than do the general histories of that
period. It has been truly said : " The charm of biography is that it
presents minor events beneath the dignity of the historian to narrate."
Could he stoop to thera, be would give liveliness and interest to his
pages, cheaply purchased by a little sacrifice of the dignified march of
his story, and save from oblivion facts very illustrative of the events
and actors he describes.
The " letter," and " paper" accompanying it, of Doctor Kearsley, were
found by me in 1839, mislaid, and recovered in July, 1867, among the
papers of George Read. The manuscript, I infer from its condition —
much worn, tattered somewhat at its sides, and separated where creases
were made by its folds — was much sought for, handled, and read. The
words worn away from the manuscript (not many) were easily supplied
by aid of the eontext, and are within brackets.*

NOTICE OF ETHAN ALLEN.
Ethan Allen was a man of vigorous but haughty and undisciplined
mind. His treatise entitled " Reason the only Oracle of Man, or a
Compendious System of Natural Religion," was the first formal publi
cation in the United States against Christianity, and was printed in
Bennington, Vermont, in 1784. It is characterized as "a crude and
worthless performance" in " American Biography," by the writer of his
" Life," in that work, vol. vi. p. 349, who treats the infidel phases of his
character with a leniency inexcusable, but which does not surprise
me in a disciple of Socinus. Passages he cites from Allen's work, show
ing his belief in the immortality of the soul and a future state of
* Thus, [ ].

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 139
retribution, to disprove his having held the doctrine of the " metemp
sychosis," fail to do so, if this belief may consist with this doctrine.
Allen was taken prisoner, September 10th, 1775, in an injudicious
and unsuccessful attack,* without orders, and with a handful of men,
on Montreal. He wished, it has been conjectured, to filch frora Mont
gomery the credit of taking Montreal, by an exploit like that of his
surprise of Ticonderoga. He was sent to England, and treated with
great barbarity.
He is a hero of the vulgar, and I conjecture sorae of the marvellous
stories told of his uncouth manners and dress, feats of strength, and
indomitable courage are to be received with some abatement.
Besides being an avowed infidel, he held very wild and ridiculous
opinions, among them the Pythagorean notion of the transmigration of
souls, saying " he would live again in a white horse."
He was imperfectly educated, and the author of several pamphlets,
among them the " Narrative of his Captivity ;" was remarkable for his
courage and fortitude, and was brave, open, liberal, true to his friends,
and loyal to his country.
Happily for his family, his wife was a Christian of great piety. She
had c'arel'ully trained their daughter in the faith she professed. This
daughter, when about to die, said to Allen, " Father, shall I believe in
the principles you have taught me, or in those my mother taught rae ?"
He was greatly agitated — paused a little while — and answered, " Be
lieve what your mother taught you."

o.
NOTICE OF MAJOR MACPHERSON.
The cheerful and hopeful tone of his letter, in a situation so dis
heartening as that of the little band of brave men with vsrhom he was
blockading Quebec, with no protection from the rigor of a Canadian
winter but the imperfect one of their tents, without artillery that could
make impression on that strong fortress, and with the prospect of a
protracted blockade or the imminent perils of an assault, and his
chivalric weariness of the " smooths," as he calls them, of head-quarters,
and his generous desire to share with officers less fortunate in position
the " roughs" of military life, awakened my admiration, and raade rae
desirous to obtain what inforraation I could ofthe gallant Macpherson.
I thought it probable that the oration pronounced by Provost Smith,
of the College of Philadelphia, February 19th, 1775, at the desire of
Congress ("Journals," vol. i. p. 38), in honor of Montgomery and the
officers who fell with hira, might afford it at least to some extent, aud
that it was probably in the Philadelphia Library. A friend found this
oration in a volume of pamphlets. No. 9115, there, and procured it very
* Diary ofthe American Revolution, vol. i. pp. 152, 158, 159.

140 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
kindly for me. From this and other sources'" I gathered the following
facts. The father of Major John Macphersonf was a Scotchman, who set
tled in Philadelphia, and raised a large faraily there, having previously
followed the sea. A brother of the major was also an officer in the
army of the Revolution, and subsequently a general of Pennsylvania
militia, and son-in-law of Bishop White. John was educated in the
colleges of Philadelphia and Nassau Hall. He studied law with John
Dickinson, and practiced it in New Castle, Delaware. His name appears
in an ancient docket in the Prothonotary's office for New Castle County
so often as to show that his practice was respectable, and upon Mr.
Read's resignation of the office of Attorney- General he was an appli
cant, though unsuccessfully, for it. " He was eminent," I quote from
the oration, "in his profession when some have scarce begun to think
of business ; but, the love of liberty being his ruling passion, he thought
it his duty to offer hiraself to the service of his country, and had soon
an opportunity of attaining the railitary pre-eminence of which he was
so laudably ambitious. Enjoying an hereditary bravery, joined to a
well-cultivated understanding and an active spirit, he soon became the
bosom friend of Montgomery, and his aid-de-camp, and was intrusted
with a share in the management of his most important negotiations,
and stood by his side in the attack on Quebec. A few days before his
death he visited the very spot where General Wolfe expired, and his
reflections in his letter on this occasion, as well as in that he left, sealed
up, for his father, in case of his death in the attack upon Quebec, were
such as became a Christian and a soldier. He bequeathed his little
fortune to his only brother, an officer in the regular army." General
Montgomery and his aids were killed by the discharge of a gun fired by
the last of the soldiers who fled from the battery they attacked. But
for this chance-shot this battery would have been carried ; and even
after Montgomery's death, had Colonel Campbell, who succeeded him
in command, beeu an officer of more enterprise, he might have taken it,
and supporting Colonel Arnold, who, with his detachment, had pene
trated the lower town, the result have been, not their surrender, but
the capture of Quebec. " Forgetting their foes in the heroes, their
adversaries," I quote again from the oration, " gathered up their breath
less remains, and committed them to kindred earth, ' with pious hands'
and ' honors meet.' So raay your own reraains, and particularly thine,
* One of them a letter from a gentleman connected with the family of the late
General Macpherson of Philadelphia
f " September 18th, 1775, Monday. — This day John McPherson, Esquire,
came to my lodgings, and requested to speak with me [John Adams] in private.
He is owner of a very handsome country-seat, about five miles out of Philadel
phia, and father of Mr. McPherson, aid to General Schuyler. He has been
captain of a privateer in the last war, [and] made a fortune in that way. He is
well skilled in naval affairs. Proposed a plan to burn all the British men-of-war
in America. Sanguine of success.
"September 25th, 1775, Monday. — Rode out of town and dined with Mr.
McPherson. He has the most elegant seat in Pennsylvania, on the banks ofthe
Schuylkill, a clever Scotch wife, and two pretty daughters. [He] has been nine
times wounded in battle. An old sea-commander, [he] made a fortune by pri
vateering. [Had] an arm twice shot off, and shot through the leg, etc." —
Writings of John Adams, Diary, vol. ii. pp. 424, 425, 428.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 141
0 Carleton ! be honored, should it ever be your fate to fall in hostile
fields."* In obedience to a resolution of the Legislature of New York, in the
year 1818 the remains of Montgomery were disinterred at Quebec, and
received by his nephew. Colonel Ij. Livingston. Montgomery's grave,
within the walls of Quebec, was readily pointed out by an old soldier
who witnessed his interment. His coffin was found entire, of rough
structure, having on its lid a silver plate, but no inscription appearing
upon it, and the skeleton within was perfect, except the lower jaw,
which was shot away. The statement of Provost Smith that Mont
gomery and all his officers who fell with him were buried " with honors
meet" is not sustained. General Carleton recognized Montgomery's
body, and gave it decent interment. — he had been his intimate friend, —
but Macpherson and Cheeseman, his aids, were thrown into a hole, in
their clothes. Cheeseman, just before the assault, dressed himself care
fully, and put into his pocket a large sura in gold, thus hoping, if he
fell, to secure the decent sepulture of his reraains. f General Mont-
goraery's remains were conveyed to Whitehall, New York, and from
thence to Albany, the people in all the towns on the route to that city
receiving them with minute-guns, solemn music, tolling of bells, and
processions, civil and military. Frora Albany they were conveyed, by
the Hudson, to the city of New York, with signal demonstrations of
respect from the people of the towns on that river, and interred July 9th,
near the monument erected to his meraory by Congress, in front of St.
Paul's Church, with soleran and imposing railitary and civil ceremonials.
The narrative of this expression of gratitude for the services of Mont
gomery is one of those passages of history on which all love to dwell.
In the words of the Governor and commander-in-chief of the State of

* Some persons may have thought Montgomery's determination to attempt
the carrying of Quebec by storm a rash one, but all have praised his plan of
attack, which was made between four and five a.m., December 31st, 1775, in
darkness and the bitter cold of a driving storm of sleet and snow. Two feints
or false assaults were made on the upper town, at St. John's and the upper gate,
and two real attacks on the lower, under Cape Diamond, at opposite sides of it,
Drummond's wharf and the Pot Ash. — Marshall's Life of Washington, vol. i. p.
329, etc.; Bisselt's Hist, of Reign of George UI., vol. i. p. 367, chap, xv.; Diary
of the Amer. Revolution, vol. i pp. 185-187.
Congress, January 9th, 1776, directed General Schuyler to appoint Mr. John
Macpherson a major in one of the battalions ordered to be raised out of the troops
in Canada, intelligence of his death not having then been received —Journals of
Congre.is, 1774, '75, '76, vol. i. p. 19.
f " Mr. James 'Thompson, of Quebec, who was one of the engineers at the
storming of Quebec, and assisted in burying General Montgomery, also assisted
in disinterring his body, making an affidavitas to its identity. ' It was,' he swore,
'taken to the house of Mr. Gobert, put in a coffin lined with flannel and covered
with black cloth. Rev. Mr. Montmollin, garrison-chaplain, performed the funeral-
service. Macpherson and Cheeseman, Aids, were buried in their clothes, without
coffins.' " Cheeseman had a presentiment of his death, saying, with a smile, when he
put the gold into his pocket, as mentioned* above, ' This will insure a decent
burial.' He was not instantly killed, but pressed forward [after he was wounded]
to the attack of the battery ; but it was a feeble eff'ort, and he fell back in a wind
ing-sheet of snow." — Lossing's PictoHat Fietd-Book of the Revolution, vol. i. p.
20l, note.

142 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
New York, " in rendering due honor to illustrious heroes and patriots
we not only reward distinguished merit, but incite to new achievements
of patriotism and glory." — Niles's Register, vol. xiv. pp. 371-315, No.
22, July 25th, 1818.

ID.
PROVOST SMITH.

"Provost Smith," wrote John Adams, September, 1774 ("Writ
ings of John Adams," Diary, vol. ii. p-358), "soft, refined, polite, insin
uating, adulating, sensible, learned, industrious, indefatigable, he had
art enough, and refinement upon art, to make impression on Mr. Dickin
son (Quaker) and Reed (Joseph, Presbyterian). Smith is looking up
to government for an American Episcopate and a pair of lawn sleeves."
"In this province, — Pennsylvania," — Mr. Adams wrote to Colonel
Palmer, June, 1775, "indeed, in Philadelphia, there are three persons,
a Mr. W  , who is very rich and very timid; the Provost of the col
lege. Dr. Smith, who is supposed to be distracted between a strong
passion for lawn sleeves and a stronger passion for popularity, which
is very necessary to support the reputation of his Episcopal college;
and one Israel Pemberton, who is at the head of the Quaker interest:
these three make an interest here which is lukewarm, but they are all
obliged to lie low for the present."*
Between the people of the Eastern and Middle States there were
strong prejudice and distrust in relation to their supposed opinions oa
religion and government. While the New Englanders believed the
gentry of the Middle and, to some extent, of the Southern States in
clined to aristocratic or monarchical polity, and those of this class who
were raembers ofthe Church of England, and of course maintained the
divine institution or expediency, at least, of Episcopacy, to be in truth
the partisans of a hierarchy, the natural ally of despotism, the gentry
thus misunderstood looked with repugnance upon the Eastern people,
and especially those of Massachusetts, as levelers in politics aud
Puritans in religion, who aimed at nothing short of independence. So
sensible were the Massachusetts delegates to the Continental Congress
of this fact that they surrendered the lead (at least in 1775) they could
have fairly claimed to Virginia, and suffered her to initiate the first
measures of that body, fearful that their introduction by the Massachu
setts representatives might, because of this opinion, delay or defeat
them.f The imputations against Dr. Smith of artfulness, adulation, and am
bition to attain a mitre may reasonably be regarded as calumnies of the
* Writings of John Adams, vol. i. pp 173, 174.
t Ibid., vob i. pp. 150-152.

OF GEORGE READ. 143
enemies ofthe Church of England and the Provost, which Mr. Adams,
sharing their prejudices, received without sifting or examining them.
In the important work of the alterations in the "Book of Common
Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments, and other Rites and
Ceremonies of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States,"
made necessary by the revolution which severed them politically from
Great Britain, Dr. Smith bore a conspicuous part, and especially in the
revision and publication of the " Book of Common Prayer" in conjunc
tion with Bishop White.*
* Journals of the General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in
the United States, vol. i. pp. 495-578.

144 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE

CHAPTER III.
Mr. Read, January, 1776, with his family — Letter of John Evans, and notice of
him — Mr. Read contemplates removal of his family to Newark — State and United
States offices not thought incompatible — People impatient at the inaction of the
American army before Boston, and its cause — Boston evacuated; its condition;
treatment of American prisoners there — Tories who retired thence with the Brit
ish — Instructions to Mr. Read and his colleagues in Congress — Colonel Arnold
before Quebec ; his condition ; disposition of the Canadians towards the Ameri
cans; character of the habitans — American army reinforced — General Wooster
takes command — Ineffectual fire opened upon Quebec — American army de
spondent and insubordinate — Part thereof entitled to discharge refuse to serve
longer — Arnold, dissatisfied, retires to Montreal; he commands there — General
Thompson ordered to Canada — Richard Howell's letter to Mr. Read — Operations
and prospects of the American army — General Thompson's letter to Mr. Read
¦ — British fleet arrive below Quebec— General Thomas takes command of
American troops — Retreats — Command of American army devolves on General
Thompson — He attacks the British at " Three Rivers," and is defeated and made
prisoner — His plan of attack judicious; why it failed — Letter of Jonathan Potts
giving particulars of General Thompson's capture — Colonel Irving captured
also — Mr. Read's family resident in Wilmington — His letters to Mrs. Read —
Attaek of American row-galleys upon the Liverpool and Roebuck British
frigates off mouth of Christiana Creek ; Mr. Read's letter to Messrs. McKean
and Rodney giving account of it ; notice of Captain Houston ; anecdotes — Mr.
Read in Congress; his letter to Mrs. Read ; items of news — Question of inde
pendence before Congress; Mr. Read's course upon it; view of thesubject;
John Dickinson in connection with it — General Howe awaits reinforcements at
Halifax — British plan of campaign — Americans determine to hold New York
and Long Island — Battle of Brooklyn — Generals Sullivan and Putnam — Retreat
of American army from Long Island — Letters of Colonel Bedford and Csesar
Rodney tb Mr. Read — Notice of the Delaware regiment — History of the " three
lower counties" or " territory," now the State of Delaware — Convention elected
1776 to frame constitution for Delaware, as recommended by Congress — Mr.
Read a member, and its president; account of its proceedings, and the consti
tution adopted ; this convention contrasted with other conventions ; other pro
ceedings ; erroneous statement as to Mr. McKean's framing this constitution ;
rough draft thereof in Mr. Read's handwriting ; its defects — Letters of Csesar
Rodney to Mr. Read, and to Messrs. Read and McKean, giving account of
public aflFairs — The "flying camp;" how composed; commanded by General
Mercer ; Delaware battalion part of it ; commanded by Colonel Patterson ; his
letters to Mr. Read — Colonel Bedford's letters to Mr. Read— Letter of Casar
Rodney to Mr. Read — Military operations after the evacuation of New York —
Battle of White Plains ; Colonel Bedford wounded — Report that Continental
troops were ordered to Lewistown, Delaware ; letters of Messrs. Read and
Robert Morris in consequence — Csesar Rodney's letter to Mr. Read; Captain
Gibson — Letter of Messrs. Wilson, Clymer, and Chase to Mr. Read, urging
march of volunteers to defend Philadelphia — Colonel Patterson's letter to Mr.
Read at the end of his service with the " flying camp" — Readiness of Delaware
militia to aid in defence of Philadelphia— Letter of General McKinley to
Mr. Read— Notice of John McKinley— Letters of Thomas Dutf and John Evans
to Mr. Read — Success of General Washington at Trenton ; happy results-
Appendix A, the second instructions to the Delaware delegates ia Congress —
Appendix B, synopsis of arguments for and against the resolution that the
United States should declare their independence — Appendix C, account of the
"signature" of the Declaration of Independence — Appendix D, biographical

OF GEORGE BEAD, 145
sketch of Cassar A. Rodney — ^Appendix E, instructions to Delaware Legislature,
A.D. 1776, for, and remonstrance against, a change of the constitution thereof
— A.ppendix F, state of parties in Congress a.d. 1776.
Mr. Read was, in the beginning of 1776, for a brief
period, with his family.
Mr. Evans, the writer of the following letter, was a
member of the committee of freeholders of New Castle
County, appointed to take measures for holding a convention
to choose delegates to the Continental Congress of 1774,
and to receive contributions for the sufferers under the
Boston port-bill (.see ante, chapter ii.), and from the first
paragraph of his letter, I think, a member — as was Mr.
Read — of the committee of safety. From his position, I
conclude he was an active and influential Whig.
Mr. Read, it seems from the second paragraph of this
letter, was contemplating the removal of his family to
Newark, a village ten miles west of New Castle, which was
entirely exposed to the landing of parties from British
men-of-war, the advent of which into the bay and river
Delaware was much dreaded by its inhabitants.
"Dear Sir, — I received yours of yesterday, and, on con
sidering the contents, would gladly oblige Colonel Bedford,
and join in the opinion with him that Mr. Holland would
be of great service in training the battalion, and could
Kirkwood or Anderson be prevailed on to give place to
him, I should approve of it highly; and as Anderson is
second lieutenant, I should be of opinion he would have
no objections to [the] alteration you propose, as being eldest
ensign in the battalion will be quite equal to his present
appointment. " Since my return home Mr. Black gave me notice that
he would not hold the house his store is kept in longer than
the 25th of March. That being the case, I have the prom
ise of it from Mr. James Anderson, though I would be
glad if your time and business would permit you to come
and see it before I should agree for it. There are four
rooms on the first floor. Being a one-story house, the rooms
on the second floor are only fit for servants. [There] is a
good cellar under the whole, a kitchen adjoining the west
end of the house, and six acres of pasture. If you or Mrs.
Read, the weather permitting, could come to Newark on

146 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
Monday or Tuesday next, I would make it niy business to
stay at home and await your coming; but if it should not,
you can let me know, [and] I will make the best terms I
can for the house.
" From your friend and humble servant, "John Evans.
"January 17th, 1776.
"George Read, Esquire, New Castle, per Lieutenant
Popham." There is, I think, scarcely an American citizen who does
not believe that the holding at the same time and by the
same person of State and United States ofiices is incongruous
and wrong, and this independently of constitutional prohibi
tions of such holding, though, no doubt, these prohibitions
have done much to produce this opinion. But at the period
of the American Revolution the strict notions of the present
day on this subject were not held. Mr. Read and Mr. Mc
Kean, delegates to the Continental Congress, were at the
same time members of the Assembly of Delaware. The
nomination of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of
the United States as minister to the Court of St. James
would now excite universal astonishment and reprobation;
and yet Washington nominated John Jay, chief justice of
that court, and the United States Senate, though not with
out opposition, confirmed him, as Envoy Extraordinary to
his Britannic Majesty.* Mr. Read and Mr. McKean were,
hy the following letter, summoned, and urgently, to attend
the Legislature of Delaware if the business of Congress
would permit. By the exercise of sound judgment, they,
and others in the same situation, were, I have no doubt,
successful in filling ofiices that seem to us incompatible. If
they left one body for another, they did so when the state
of business permitted it without injury to their constituents,
and, if all could not leave, one might do so.
"New Castle, March 6th, 1716.1
"Gentlemen, — I am ordered by the House to require
* Marshall's Life of Washington, vol. v. p. 545.
f In 1781 Thomas McKean, Delegate in the Continental Congress
from Delaware, was Chief Justice of Pennsylvania. — Hildreth's History
of the United States, vol. iii. pp. 401, 402.

OF GEORGE READ. 147
your immediate attendance, unless business of the first im
portance should make your stay in Congress necessary :
if so, you are immediately to let the House know it.
" I am, gentlemen, your very humble servant,
"C^sar Rodney, Speaker.
"George Read and Thomas McKean, Esquires,"
Through the winter of 1776 all eyes were anxiously fixed
upon Boston. Day after day and month after month passed
away without the anticipated attack upon the beleaguered
city. People became impatient, and, as the impatient too
often are, unjust. The inaction of Washington was even
charged to the mean and selfish desire to continue the war
that he might prolong his importance as commander-in-
chief of the American army. What was the true state of
the case? Let the heroic general answer this question.
"It is not," wrote Washington, January, 1776, "in the
pages of history to furnish a case like ours. To maintain a
post, within musket-shot of the enemy, for six months to
gether, without ammunition, and at the same time to disband
one army and recruit another within that distance of
twenty British regiments, is more than probably ever was
attempted." And yet, while daring and doing all this, to
be, a,s he was, assailed with murmurs, slanders, and com
plaints, must have sorely tried his patience, and it was a
still greater trial of it, to be forced to submit to them in
silence, when by a word he could have exposed their utter
groundlessness. But he could not make known to his impa
tient countrymen his want of ammunition and soldiers,
without at the same time publishing it to the British.
The fortification of Dorchester Heights by the Americans
forced upon their foe the unwelcome conclusion that unless
they were dislodged Boston was untenable. A tempest de
feated the contemplated attack upon the works on these
heights when unfinished, and when completed the strength
of the position forbade an attempt to carry it. On the 17th
of March, as the veil of morning mist was lifted from the
harbor of Boston, there were to the American lookouts un
mistakable signs of an important moveraent. The men-
of-war and transports were hove short to their anchors,
their sails were let fall, and, soon after, boats were lowered
and manned, and, impelled by the steady man-of-war's-

148 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
man's stroke, neared the quays, and received company after
company of British soldiers, the sun glancing on their scar
let uniforms and burnished muskets. The evacuation of
the city, commenced on the llth, was on the 17th to be
consummated. The capture of Boston by assault would have been a more
splendid success ; but it could not have been obtained with
out great loss of men and destruction of property, while to
have compelled the enemy, after all their vaunts, to aban
don a strong position, was a great triumph, especially as
achieved by raw troops over veteran soldiers.
By a tacit understanding, the retiring fleet was not fired
upon, and Boston was left undestroyed. It had suffered
much from the enemy's occupation. How could it have
been otherwise ? Houses had been pulled down for fuel,
when it failed, and, no doubt, fences and trees shared their
fate, grass-plots and shrubbery and flowers had perished
under the tread of rude soldiers, and the churches and other
public buildings, or some of them, were occupied as barracks
or riding-houses. If the Americans detained in Boston as
prisoners were not cruelly treated, they endured, it may be
fairly presumed, more than the garrison from want of food
and firing, and found" more intolerable than hunger and
cold the contumely of their insolent enemies. The hu
manity extended to them was extorted by fear of retaliation,
and could not therefore have been of high character or
degree. General Gage seized and imprisoned, as rebels, all
in Boston who espoused the American cause, and^ when
Washington remonstrated, replied, " that his clemency was
great in sparing the lives of those destined by the laws of
the land to the cord." There was another class of men to
be not less, if not more, pitied — the Tories, who had found
refuge in Boston, and left it with the evacuating army,
abandoning, many of them, large estates, with the faint
struggle of hope of better days against the fear that they
were leaving their country forever. Unhappy men ! they
had taken sides honestly, I believe, most of them, in an
unhappy civil quarrel, but it was with oppressors against
their countrymen.
To the delegates of the " Three Lower Counties on Dela
ware" the following instructions were at this time given :
"In the House of Representatives for the Counties of

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 149
New Castle, Kent, and Sussex, upon Delaware. At New
Castle, Friday, March 22d, p.m.:
" Instructions to the Deputies appointed by this Govern
ment to meet in General Congress :
" 1st. That you embrace every favorable opportunity to
effect a reconciliation with Great Britain, on such principles
as may secure to your constituents a full and lasting en
joyment of all their just rights and privileges; and, as the
most probable means of obtaining such desirable ends, you
are to cultivate with the greatest care the union which so
happily prevails throughout the United Colonies, and con
sequently to avoid and discourage any separate treaty.
" 2d. Notwithstanding our earnest desire of peace with
Great Britain, upon the terms aforesaid, you are neverthe
less to join with the other colonies in all such military
operations as may be judged proper and necessary for the
common defence, until such a peace can be happily ob
tained. " 3d. On every necessary occasion you are decently, but
firmly, to urge the right of this government to an equal
voice in Congress with any other Province on this conti
nent, as the inhabitants thereof have their all at stake as
well as others.
"Extract from the minutes. "James Booth,
" Clerk of the Assembly."
After the repulse and death of General Montgomery,
Colonel Arnold, who succeeded him in the command of the
American army, reduced to about six hundred men, re
treated up the St. Lawrence three miles. He encamped.
Congealed snow formed his ramparts. Wounded, with a
handful of raw troops, insubordinate under any circum
stances, and disheartened by defeat, hundreds of miles of
wilderness stretching between the frontiers of Canada and
their homes, with the cold of Siberia, the thermometer sink
ing to forty degrees below zero, Arnold commenced the
blockade of Quebec. It is situated on the northern bank
of the St. Lawrence, at the termination of the promontory
formed by the confluence of the river St. Charles with the
St. Lawrence. The Heights of Abraham, a wall of rocks
rising nearly perpendicularly from the bank of the St. Law-

150 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
rence, are an almost impregnable defence to the upper town,
built on the Plains of Abraham, which extend in width from
one to two miles from east to west. The lower town occu
pies the narrow space at the base of the Heights of Abraham.
Cape Diamond, across which, declining to the St. Charles,
the upper town is built, rises gradually to the height of more
than three hundred and forty feet above the St. Lawrence.
Arnold's indomitable spirit sustained him under discourage
ments to which most commanders would have succumbed.
Stretched upon his rude couch, with no shelter but his tent,
with, perhaps, supplemental walls of snow, and without the
comforts and attendance necessary for .the speedy healing of
his wound, he sustained the blockade through a very severe
winter, but must have combated doubts and fears of his
ability to maintain his position, of the most harassing char
acter. The cold had become intense and still, and deep
snow, the winding-sheet of nature in the deathlike embrace
of winter, covered the province. In the clear winter atmos
phere Arnold could see the walls of Quebec, impregnable
to his guns of small caliber, perhaps the half-frozen senti
nels pacing the ramparts, the flag of England drooping
along. its staff", and the tin-covered steeples, seeming, in the
glancing sunlight, to be plated with silver. Would Carle
ton attack him, or, content with his success, and fearing to
sally with a disaffected garrison, wait the reinforcements
of which, in the spring, he was certain? Would the Araeri
cans be reinforced before the expected British troops could
reach Quebec, and would their leader win the high renown
of taking it by assault? On receiving intelligence of Mont
gomery's defeat, might not his countrymen abandon the
attempt to conquer Canada, requiring, as it did, ten thou
sand men, whom they could neither spare nor equip, and
hard money they could not command? Could he e.xpect
further support from the Canadians ? It was unlikely that
they would further imperil their lives and their property by
adhesion to a defeated army with no flattering prospects of
success. The priests and the seigneurs sustained the Eng
lish authority, pleased with the Quebec bill, which gave to
the Canadian ecclesiastics an establishment, and to the
noblesse all legislative power except that of taxation. The
peasantry — the cultivators or habitans — it is true, were at
first favorably disposed to the Americans, but that inclina-

OF GEOBGE BEAD, 151
tion was not increased by familiarity with each other. The
sprightly Canadian, with the mercurial temperament, the
graceful manners, and the love for conversation, music,
the chanson, and the dance of his French ancestors, saw
little to admire in the American soldiers, uncouth in dress
and rough in manners. They seemed to him only a few
shades less repulsive, cold, and morose than their Eng
lish cousins, while the noble qualities of both they perhaps
neither perceived nor could appreciate. The American,
on the contrary, equally unable to estimate qualities so
amiable and delightful as those of the Canadian " habitan,"
contemned him as an effeminate,* fiddling Frenchman,
wasting in games and talk and song and dance and music
the long winters of his country, which he, the manly
American, would have passed in hunting, or prospecting
the wilderness around hira. The indisposition of the Cana
dians to the invaders was increased when Arnold, by
proclamation, announced that they were to be paid for
supplies to his army in the paper money of the Continental
Congress. He might as well have offered cowries or wam
pum. In March reinforcements to the American army
began to arrive, and continued to arrive till it was increased
to seventeen hundred men ; but many of them were suffering
under that loathsome disease the small-pox, and they oc
cupied a space of twenty-six miles on the island of Orleans
and both banks of the St. Lawrence : besides, they were ill
disciplined, and did not respect the property of the Cana
dians, which further alienated them. On the 2d of April
General Wooster arrived, and took command, and the next
day a fire from the American batteries was opened on
Quebec, but without effect, and Arnold departed for Mon
treal, to command there, mortified and displeased at being
overlooked, as he supposed he was. A considerable part of
the American army, entitled to discharge, could not be per
suaded to remain.
In April General Thompson announced to Mr. Read that
* Effeminate they were not : hardy, patient, and laborious, they fur
nished the engages, coureurs de bois, or voyageurs, by whose agency
the fur-trade was carried on. They were unrivaled in skill as boatmen,
and made long journeys, enduring almost incredible privations and toil,
for very small wages. The descendants from the mi.xed marriages of
the voyageurs and Indian women are an athletic and handsome race.

152 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
he was ordered to Canada. This order was unexpected,
and perhaps unwelcome ; yet he obeyed it with alacrity
honorable to him as a soldier and a patriot.
"New York, April 15th, 1776.
"My dear Brother, — This minute I have received orders
to march to Canada. I confess I did not expect to have
been ordered from here so soon, but I shall always be most
happy where I can most serve my country,
" I have wrote to Mrs. Thompson to send my boys to
Newark, where I know you will see that care is taken of
them.* " As the office of Paymaster-General is [to] be soon
vacant by the resignation of Colonel Warren, let me recom
mend, in his room, Mr. Palfrey, a gentleman of Boston,
who, from a campaign's acquaintance, I know to be a man
of strict honor, and well acquainted with business. General
Hancock and Colonel Harrison know him well, and to them
I refer you for his character.
"I have been so very kindly treated by the people of
this place that I should gladly have stayed to have rendered
them every service in my power. You shall hear from me
when I arrive at Albany.
, "My love to Mrs, Read and all friends — and am, my
dear brother, yours very sincerely, " William Thompson,
" To George Read, Esq., Continental Congress, per post,
Philadelphia," On the 1st of May arrived General Thomas, who had
been appointed to command the American army in Canada,
its effective force not more than one thousand men, so
scattered that more than three hundred men could not
be assembled at any point that might be attacked. The
following account of the American army, its operations
and prospects, just before its retreat from Quebec, will, I
think,' be read with interest. The writer of this letter was
related to Mr. Read on his mother's side, and was subse
quently, I believe. Governor of New Jersey,
* Post.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 153
" Dear Sir, — I have had information of aff'airs at home
by no person since I left Burlington. I expected, indeed,
letters through your hands, but find I am entirely neglected
or forgotten. Be that as my friends please or I deserve; but,
unless I have given you offence, I beg a line from you, in
forming me of my brother's destination, [and] the welfare
of our family and yours.
" Yesterday we reached the post assigned us before
Quebec, and I am unhappy to assert that the strength of
our army here is vastly inferior to our expectations, and I
doubt not to yours. The first evening we were called to
duty by an alarm to observe the effect of a fire-ship bearing
down on the shipping at the lower town, and to co-operate
with it, if the wind might bear the flame on the town; but
beyond all expectation there did not appear above eight
hundred men, exclusive ofthe guards, nor do I think more
can appear without calling the several parties on command in
from the detached posts, and including the guards. The New
England troops are arrived, and even at this critical period
inoculated themselves, and became unfit for duty. Their
regiments are merely nominal, some not more than two
good companies. We ardently wish for ammunition and
reinforcements, that we may try our fortune before the
town is supported by additional troops. If we do not suc
ceed before they receive a reinforcement, or we are strongly
suppofted from the southward, we shall undoubtedly be
forced to evacuate the ground. We are situated in a wide-
extended country, of uncertain and inconstant friends, and
a strong town, garrisoned by brave [and] inveterate ene
mies. They know our situation and measures, and even
ridicule our attempts. Yesterday we opened a two-gun
battery against them, and after our fire they discharged,
deridingly, a musket in return. We have very light metal
and little ammunition ; they have heavy metal and abun
dance of powder and ball. They fire very frequently, so
that we can procure their shot in great plenty. Should the
reinforcement they expect come soon, whilst the New Eng
land troops are so few and unfit for duty, surely, with
superior numbers, and a secure retreat to a strong town,
they would sacrifice this handful of us, without sufficient
ammunition and uncovered by a single line. They are
prepared for us, and surprise we cannot take them by ; I
11

00^^iii<mif'^

154 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
doubt not but that they have beams prepared to roll upon
us and our ladders, should we try it, and their walls are
illuminated to secure them from night attack. Difficult
indeed is our situation; but we encourage the men, and I
am happy to believe that my little company is resolutely
firm to my most dangerous purposes. Last night I found
them ready, obedient, and willing, though the first night in
camp. Our news here is trifling ; it is suspected that the
savages with the troops at the Forts Detroit, Niagara,
Mushinamaccanac, are coming down, and troops have been
dispatched, I know not with what propriety. Our fire-
ship, I mentioned, was repelled, as I am told, by a boom
across the river, and blew up to no purpose, while our adju
tant, who directed it, was in the cabin, whether from the fire
of the enemy, or the too sudden effect of the combustibles,
is uncertain. Poor Anderson,* however, threw himself out
of a port-hole, wretchedly burned, and by good fortune
swam to the boat. But I am in haste, though very prolix
in my letter, and conclude, with best wishes for you, your
lady and family, and am, dear sir, your humble servant,
"Richard Howell.
"May 4th, 1776.
" George Read, Esquire, Member of Congress, Philadel
phia. To be left at the Coffee-House."
Intelligence was received May Gth that the British fleet
was below, and on the next day five of their vessels entered
the harbor of Quebec. General Thomas retreated, aban
doning many of his sick and all his stores, to Du Chambeau,
and then to the mouth of the Sorel, where he was attacked
by the small-pox, and the command of the Araerican army
devolved upon General Thompson, and soon after General

* Ephraim Anderson, notwithstanding the failure of his attempt to
burn the British fleet in the St. Lawrence, and his narrow escape from
death, had the tenacity of purpose a characteristic of projectors, hap
pily for the world, but too often unhappily for theraselves. I find that
in the early part of the summer of 17 76 he was in New York, adjutant
ofthe 2d New Jersey battalion, proposing to Congress the destruction
of the British men-of-war in the waters of New York by fire-ships, that
Congress authorized the attempt, -and he was employed to construct
thera, but that the number necessary could not be prepared in season,
and the scheme was abandoned. — American Archives, 5th Series, Sec
tion 1, p. 155.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 155
Thomas died. Actuated by the laudable desire to strike
the enemy where he seemed to be vulnerable, and thus
give a happy turn to aff'airs in Canada, which were so un
prosperous to the Americans and unpromising of improve
ment, General Thompson, having been informed that eight
hundred British troops, commanded by Colonel McClean,
were stationed at the "Three Rivers," ordered Colonel
St. Clair to attack them, if he could do so to advantage,
St. Clair, thinking his force of six or seven hundred raen
insufficient, paused for reinforcement and further orders.
General Sullivan arrived, and, as senior officer, took the
comraand of the American army. He ordered General
Thompson, at the head of between thirteen and fourteen
hundred men, to join St. Clair, and, taking command of the
whole force, to attack the enemy, if there should be good
prospect of success. General Thompson, embarking his
troops in boats, coasted the St. Lawrence on the south side
of its expansion, called the "Lake of St. Peter," and joined
St. Clair at Nicollet. Believing that he could accomplish
his purpose, though his information as to the strength of
the British, commanded by General Frazer, was contradic
tory, he dropped down the St. Lawrence, under cover of
night, with the design to surprise them. The "Three
Rivers," a village of sorae length, was so called because
located where the St. Maurice diserabogues into the St.
Lawrence by "three mouths," about midway between Mon
treal and Quebec. The town was to be ass'iiled, a short
time before daybreak, by the Araerican troops, simultane
ously at each of its extremes, and two smaller bodies were
to support them. The Americans passed the armed British
boats below thera, June Sth, undiscovered, and were san
guine of success, but unfortunately arrived at the " Three
Rivers" an hour later than was proposed, so that they were
seen and the post alarmed as they diserabarked. The Brit
ish vessels opened their fire upon the Americans ; to shelter
them they were ordered to march through what appeared
a wooded point, but was really a raorass, and extending
three railes. They were so long raaking their way through
this morass that General Frazer had time to land field-pieces
and make complete preparations to receive their attack,
while General Nesbit cut off' their retreat to their boats.
The American general, under all these disadvantages,

156 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
showed no lack of courage, but ordered his troops to charge.
They obeyed, but were repelled, and retreated through a
swamp, the British pursuing for a while. The loss in killed
did not exceed thirty, but two hundred prisoners were taken,
and araong them General Thompson and Colonel Irvin.
The plan of attack was judicious, and courageously made,
and only failed because it required too many circumstances
to concur to make it successful.* The following letter gives
an account of the capture of General Thompson and Colonel
Irvin : "Fort George, July 5th, 1776.
" My dear Old Friend, — Would to God it were in my
power to give you some agreeable intelligence from this
place ! but at present it is out of my power. You will be
much pleased with Colonel Allen's account of General
Thompson's engagement, in which, as he ever will, he
acted the part of a hero and a great general. His capture
was owing to the treachery of a rascally Canadian, a captain
in our troops, who invited him, on his retreat, to take some
refreshment at his house, which the general, with Colonel
Irvin, accepted, and, while they were supping a little milk,
the traitor gave the enemy notice, who immediately came
up and took them.
"Should Howe get a drubbing at New York, it will eff'ect-
ually check the progress of Burgoyne, who is not provided
with boats to cross the lakes. You will have heard that
Burgoyne's army is composed of the foreigners we have
been threatened with. I am stationed here, and very much
hurried in building a hospital for the reception of three
thousand men, who will be down in a few days.
" I should be happy to hear from you. Make my most
respectful compliments to Mrs. Biddle, your good daughter,
Mrs. Jemmy Biddle, and the rest of your good family.
" I am, my dear sir,
"Your aff'ectionate and most humble servant,
"Jonathan Potts,
" Major Scull, Nicky, and the rest of our Reading friends
are well.
"Colonel Edward Biddle, Philadelpliia.
"Favored by Colojiel Allen."
* Marshall's Life of Washington, vol. ii. pp. 362-366.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 157
It appears from the following letter that Mr. Read's family
in May, 1776, were resident in Wilmington : ,
"My dear G  , I have this raorning wrote to Katy
Thompson,* proposing to her to send her oldest son, George,
to Philadelphia, to the college, where Ned Biddle will pro
vide him with board and lodging, and that she should send
her second son to Wilmington, where you will do the like
for hira. I presume that you will approve of this last [propo
sition] .
" The Province ship left the town yesterday, being hurried
off" in consequence of intelligence that the Roebuck, man-
of-war, was ashore near the cape. A ship, fitted out by
Congress, and called the Reprisal, is ordered down also,
with several of the gondolas, but a report prevailed last
evening that the Roebuck had got off. Little else has been
talked of since Sunday noon that the news carae. I flatter
myself that I shall see you on Saturday next. Last Satur
day the Congress sat, and I could not be absent. I saw Mr.
Bedford last evening; he has had a little gout in both feet,
attended with a fever; of this last he raost complained, but
it is gone off". This day is their election for additional raem
bers of Assembly. Great strife is expected. Their fixed
candidates are not known. One side talk of Thomas Wil
ling, Andrew Allen, Alexander Wilcox, and Sarauel Howell,
against independency; the other, Daniel Roberdeau, George
Clymer, Mark Kuhl, and a fourth I don't recollect; but it is
thought other persons would be put up. My love to our
little ones, and compliments to all acquaintances, and I am
" Yours, most affectionately, " George Read.
" Mrs. George Read, Wilmington, 1st May, 1776."
In the month of May, 1776, Mr. Read was one among
the multitude of his fellow-citizens who witnessed the at
tack made by the row-galleys upon the Roebuck and Liver
pool frigates off' the mouth of Christiana Creek. The letter
next inserted, written by Mr. Read to Mr. McKean and
Mr. Rodney, contains some particulars of that aft'air.
* Wife of General Thompson.

158 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
"Wilmington, Friday, May 10th, 1776.
"Gentlemen, — The inclosed letter* came to hand this
evening by the person employed to take the two hundred
pounds of lead to Lewistown, sent by Brigadier McKinley,
upon the requisition of Colonel Moore, which you have
seen. "The comraittee of safety have thought it highly impor
tant that you should be acquainted with the condition of
the magazine at Lewistown, to exert your influence for an
immediate supply of powder and lead, which, I suppose, must
be by land, as the Roebuck and Liverpool will probably
continue as high up the river as Reedy Island. This
morning they were in the bight below New Castle, and,
though the row-galleys have proceeded down from Christiana
Creek's mouth about two hours ago, I am apprehensive that
the high wind now blowing will not permit their acting to
advantage in that cove.
"We have had warm cannonading betweeu the ships and
galleys these two days past, — all within our view. Great;
intrepidity was shown on the part of our people, who com
pelled the two ships to retire, not much to their credit; but
it appears to me the ships were afraid the galleys would get
below them. Young Captain Houston led the van. As to
the other particulars, I raust refer you to the very many
spectators from your city, who will have returned before
this time.
" I suppose it will be thought that too much powder and
shot have been expended by the galleys in these attacks;
but I am well satisfied they have produced a very happy
etfect upon the multitudes of spectators on each side of the
river; and in that part of the colonies where this relation
shall be known, British ships of war will not be thought so
formidable. A few long-boats drove, and apparently injured,
those sized ships best calculated to distress us.
"The comraittee of safety are going this morning to New
Castle and downward, to see what may be necessary to
advise for the protection of the shore below. Truly the
people at large have shown great alacrity and willingness
on this occasion. I know not when I shall be with you, as
I may be of some little use here. I shall stay till there is
* This letter was wanting.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 159
some alteration in the appearance of things. Excuse this
scrawl. Compliments to all friends.
"I remain your very humble servant,
"George Read.*

w

'P.S. — Apothecary's paper — written in the smell of vials.
"To the Honorable C^sar Rodney and Thomas Mc
Kean," Young Houston, who so gallantly led the van in the
battle of the row-galleys, was a native of Philadelphia. He
was described to me by a venerable Revolutionary naval
officer. Captain Henry Geddes, as a handsome man, born in
the city of Philadelphia, fond of dress, of polished and
agreeable manners, and rauch admired in female society.
I was also informed by Captain Geddes that he was cap
tured, three days after the battle of the row-galleys, by the
Liverpool, Captain Billew, who was a native of Scotland.
This officer related to our informant that, in the hottest of
the fight, a row-boat came from the shore, manned with
four boys, who placed theraselves directly under the stern
of his ship, and fired incessantly into her. His officer of
marines, calling his attention to these juvenile assailants,
exclaimed: "Captain, do you see those d — d young rebels?
Shall I fire upon them?" "No, no," cried the brave old
Billew; "don't hurt the boys; let them break the cabin-
windows !"
" In the heat of the engagement," added Captain Geddes,
"the attention of the thousand spectators who lined the
Delaware shore was diverted frora the sublime spectacle of
a naval combat by a militia major riding at full speed
among them, who threw hiraself from his horse, which he
turned loose among the crowd, and i entreated to be put on
board one of the galleys. With much difficulty he per
suaded two raen to put off" in a boat with him. He steered
for the galley nearest the enemy, and as soon as he set his
feet on board he stationed himself at a gun. The cartridges
* This letter was communicated to rae by the late Ca3sar A. Rodney
(who very kindly permitted me to take a copy of it) in 1821, and was
inserted in the sketch of Mr. Read's life which I then wrote for the
"Biography of the Signers ofthe Declaration of Independence," edited
by M. Wain, and then in the course of publication. For a biographical
sketch of C. A. Rodney, see pjost. Appendix D.

160 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
failed, cartridge-paper was called for to make more cartridges,
but it was all expended: the gallant major instantly pulled
off" his boots, filled them with powder, and rammed them
into the gun. When he returned home, he bragged 'that
he had not only been in the battle, but that he had fired
his boots at the enemy,' "
Mr. Read was, very soon after the attacks of the row-
galleys on the Roebuck and Liverpool, as appears by the
following letter, in Philadelphia, in attendance on Con
gress : —
"My dear G  , I have your letter of the 12th instant,
I did expect to have been with you last evening, but was
detained by a special call of the marine committee. This
morning there is a call of Congress, owing to a letter, by
express, from General Washington, who writes that two
men-of-war and two tenders passed New York up the North
River on Friday, notwithstanding a heavy fire from several
batteries, [and] that a large ship, with a flag at her fore-
topmast head, had come to the fleet at the Narrows, and
was saluted. Supposed to be Lord Howe's — the admiral's
— ship. " We have no accounts frora the army at the lakes. Most
of the companies of militia of this city have proceeded to
Trenton, where they rendezvous. Your brother George
carae to town last evening, and says his battalion are on
their way here. Two companies of them will be in town
this morning.
" One of the smallest frigates building here, called the
'Delaware,' was launched yesterday, and one ofthe largest
was expected to have gone off" the stocks at the sarae time,
but could not be raoved, owing to the misplacing of the
ways, or some such cause, to the great disappointment of
the builder, John Warton, and a numerous set of spectators,
" I was out at Mr. Gurney's all Friday, on a message
from Mrs. Gurney the preceding night, delivered to me in
bed about eleven o'clock. I inclose the letter for the sin
gularity; and, behold! tlie cause was none other than a
notice they had that sorae associators were going about to
collect arms from the non-associators. Before 1 got there
they were gone, and the fright was over, but I was kept
the whole day. Mrs. Ross was in tolerable spirits, but
complaining as usual. Mrs. Murray is still with them.

OF GEORGE READ. 161
" As to my own health, it is not so good as I could wish.
This day week I confined myself to the house, and took
some bark, that has relieved me, and ara now better, and I
should have dined with Gurney to day, but the rain induced
me to accept of a seat in Mr. Braxton's coach, and I have
been at Mr. Robert Morris' country-house, with a set of
people who think and act alike — some consolation in these
times. "As our Assembly are to meet to-morrow week, I shall
have a proper excuse to return to you the last of this. Be
assured I wish it most sincerely. Preserve your spirits,
and an equanimity of mind, for your health's sake. Ban
ish your fears — all may be right — a few weeks may dis
cover rauch, I hope, in our favor. God preserve you and
our little ones, and believe me yours most affectionately,
" George Read.
"Philadelphia, 14th May, 1776.
" P.S. — I expect Mr. Rogers, of Maryland, to carry this.
If you see hira, treat him as ray old acquaintance. I ara
told the second frigate was launched to-day. James and
Tom Read send their love to you."
In the month of May, 1776, it was evident that Congress
would soon have before thera the question whether the
thirteen Araerican Colonies should or not, by a formal act,
throw off' their dependence upon Great Britain. Congress
took a decisive* step towards independence by recoramend-
ing, on the 6th of that month, to the colonies the establish
ment of permanent governments, instead of the teraporary
ones under which justice had been administered, order pre
served, and the contest with the common enemy main
tained. Richard Henry Lee moved on the 7th of June, seconded
by John Adams, the resolution "that the United Colonies
are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states,
and that the political connection between them and Great
Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved." This resolu
tion was debated on the Sth and 10th days of June by
Congress in committee of the whole, and, it appearing " that
New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland were
* See Appendix F.

162 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
not yet matured for falling from the parent stem, but were
rapidly maturing to that state, it was thought prudent to
wait awhile for them, and to postpone the final decision
till July the first."*
The condemnatory judgment of some of my countrymen
upon those who voted against the resolve of independence
cannot, I think, bear the test of impartial consideration.
These persons have viewed that measure frora a stand-point
different frora that of the American senators who de
liberated and voted upon it, and without the feeling of
mighty responsibility pressing upon them. Tirae has raade
what "was then doubtful certain. Was there no ground for
doubt whether the great measure was not premature ? Let
it be remembered that the question was only as to tirae.
Would not the declaration be worse than in vain if the
people were not ready to welcome it. Were they ready ?
Had not delegations of colonies appeared in Congress loitJiout
instructions to vote for independence — nay, some with in
structions to oppose it? In the brief period which had
elapsed since the election of those delegates, had so great a
change taken place in the public mind on this question as
was alleged ? Would not a premature declaration be dis
astrous ? Could foreign aid be truly counted on ? Would
monarchical governments become the patrons of democracy,
and embark their noble officers and plebeian soldiers to
fight its battles, and bring home its principles, the seed, to
be sown broadcast, of revolution there ? Had they no
colonists who would but too readily follow the example of
successful revolt from the iron rule of a parent state ? Had
the obscure English staymaker-, by a pamphlet of a few
pages, in the brief period of three or four raonths, wrought
all the marvels claimed for it, equalling those of the most
remarkable uninspired writings upon the opinions of men ?
Was it true that thousands who, on New Year's day, 1776,
still spoke of England as " home," and the king as " their
gracious monarch," misled, only for a tirae, by evil counsel
lors, had awakened from their fatuity ? When Paine pro
claimed the monstrous folly of paying the enormous price
of conflagrated towns, of countrymen slaughtered in battle
or destroyed in the foul holds of prison-ships, of other
* Writings of Thomas Jefferson, vol. i. p. 17.

OF GEORGE READ. 163
thousands reduced to widowhood and orphanage, and all
the calamities of civil war, for a mere accommodation,
which would leave them still a dependent people, he told
the truth; but were the colonists convinced that it was the
truth? When he said to those, and they were many, who
only asked, " Bring us back to the state we were in in
1763," that this was impossible, for, though obnoxious laws
might be repealed, the feelings of that period could never
be revived, he told them the truth; but were they convinced
of it ? When he said to the colonists, Unless you strike for
something higher and nobler than a raere compromise,
which at best could be but temporary, you engage in a mis
erable game, he again told them the truth; but did they
perceive that the play was not worth the candle ? The
conclusions of " Common Sense," it was urged, were true,
and his reasoning irrefutable, but the change of opinion* it
was clairaed they had wrought was so great and marvellous
that it was prudent to wait for more evidence than Congress
had of it. Independence must be declared, it was admitted,
but it did not follow that it must the7i be declared. Delay
of a few months could do no harm, on the contrary might
insure the success of the great measure. Those were over-
sanguine who expected great immediate eff'ects upon foreign
nations from the " Declaration :" France, for instance, would
hardly march fifty thousand men into Germany to make a
diversion in favor of the colonies. It was not the declara
tion of independence by the colonies, but their manifested
ability to maintain it, that would determine Prance, and
Spain, and Holland, to enter into treaties of alliance with
them. The declaration, then, would gain nothing for the
colonists abroad, and raight drive numbers, more timid or
cautious or less enthusiastic than others, into the ranks of
the loyalists and Tories, who, if not disturbed in the calm
exercise of their judgment by so strong a resolve, would in
no long time be convinced that independence was the only
measure which could insure permanent peace, safety, and
prosperity to the Araerican colonies. Did not the very
anxiety for foreign alliance indicate doubt of the ability of
America to maintain the contest unaided ? There was no
oracle to which the American senators could bring these
doubts for solution. They asked for delay of this great step,
and not for its rejection, for all were in favor of it. Was

164 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
this unreasonable, when it was admitted, in the language of
Mr. Jeff'erson, " that New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania,
Delaware, and Maryland were not yet matured for falling
from the parent stem, but were fast advancing to that con
dition"?* When the only concession to their doubts and
fears was a delay of less than one month, was it unreason
able in thera not to be satisfied ? Mr. Read, looking, as he
was especially bound to do, to the eff'ect of the Declaration
of Independence upon his own colony, where disaft'ection to
the Continental Congress was great, and the hostility be
tween the Whigs and Tories most virulent, could scarcely
hope that it would be like that of oil on troubled water.
Mr. Read's instructions of March 22d, 1776 {aiite, page
149), did not authorize him to vote for independence, but, on
the contrary, by enjoining upon him and his colleagues to
embrace every favorable opportunity to effect reconciliation
with Great Britain, impliedly forbade such vote. But on
the 14th of June, 1776, the General Assembly ofthe three
lower counties upon Delaware gave, by unanimous vote,
new instructions, which, though not directly, yet virtually,
empowered them to assent to a declaration of independence,
while they left them at liberty to vote for or against it as
they might deem best or most expedient, thus indicating
the greatest confidence in their wisdora and integrity. These
instructions are as follows :
"Instructions to the Deputies appointed by this Govern
ment TO MEET in General Congress which were approved
UNANIMOUSLY :"}¦
"First, That you concur with the other delegates in Con
gress in forming such further compacts between the United
Colonies, and concluding such treaties with foreign kingdoms
and states, and in adopting such other measures as shall be
judged necessary for promoting the liberty, safety, and in
terests of America, reserving to the people of this colony
the sole and e.vclusive right of regulating the internal
governraent and police of the same.
^¦Second, On every necessary occasion you are firmly to
* Jefferson's Writings, vol. i. p. 17.
f Pennsylvania Journal and Weekly Advertiser, No. 1750, Wednes
day, June 19th, 1776.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 165
urge the right of this government to an equal voice in Con
gress with any other province or government on this conti
nent, as the inhabitants thereof have their all at stake, as
well as others.
"Extract from the minutes of the General Assembly of
New Castle, Kent, and Sussex on Delaware.
"James Booth,* Clerk.
"June 14th, 1776."
Until the resolution declaring the colonies free and inde
pendent states was adopted, Mr. Read, being of opinion that
the raeasure was premature, was bound to oppose and vote
against it; and he did so; but when (July 2d) it was adopted
there was presented for his decision the question, "Should
he sign the Declaration, or not?" He was not opposed to
the measure, which would have been an insuperable objec
tion : therefore, why not sign ? Would his refusal to do so
rescind the resolve? No, for it was un fait accomiM; but
it would aid the opponents of the raeasure in their eff'orts
to prevent its sanction by the people, and if that should
not be given it raight be fatal to success in the struggle
with Britain. If he withheld his signature, he could not
be re-elected, it was probable, to the Continental Congress,
nor to any public station, and would thus be deprived of all
power to serve his country. Should he not, then, yield his
own opinion, on a mere question of expediency, to a major
ity of delegates, alraost a unanimity, — his own colleagues
being part of it, — when he could perceive no possible
benefit to his country from maintaining this opinion ? True,
if he set his name to the instrument which proclaimed that
the thirteen American colonies had taken their place among
the nations of the earth, his risk of life and estate would be
much increased, should the British triumph; but superior
to a consideration purely selfish, as was this, he signed the
Declaration of Independence,-j- and when Joseph Galloway
tauntingly said "he had done so with a rope about his

* See Appendix A, post, of this chapter.
These instructions were the same as those of the Pennsylvania dele
gates, June, 1776, for which see Pitkin's History of the United States,
vol. vi. pp. 263, 264.
f See Appendix (to chapter iii.) C.

166 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
neck," he replied, " I know the risk, and ara prepared for
all consequences." ^
While John Dickinson, whose services in the early
stages of the contest had been so great, and his popu
larity coramensurate, voting against the Declaration and
refusing to sign it, had fallen frora his exalted place in
the esteem and confidence of his countrymen, Mr. Read,
with James Wilson, and the great financier Robert Morris,
who voted with Dickinson, but afterwards affixed their
names to that instrument, were re-elected year after year
to the Continental Congress; and Mr. Read, in his own
county, where the Whigs were numerous and influential,
to the Assembly and Council of his State. The reason
is obvious. Those best qualified to judge them discrimi
nated between a vote against independence as premature,
and hostility to that great measure; and yet, at a later
period, men wiser in their own conceit than the constitu
ents of these patriots have classed them for this vote with
loyalists and Tories. While I maintain that contemporaries
are to be esteemed the best judges on this question, because
the best informed upon it, I do not hold they were infalli
ble, but think they judged John Dickinson hardly.* He,
with all the speakers, Mr. Jeff'erson declares, in the memor
able debate on the resolution that the thirteen colonies
ought to be declared independent of Britain, avowed them
selves in favor of that measure, and opposed it as prema
ture, and, as appears by his summary of their arguments,
urged none against independence. The difference between
Mr. Dickinson and Mr. Read, it seems to me, was that the
first was timid, the last cautious.
Whatever diversity of opinion raay have existed as to
the time of adopting the Declaration of Independence, the
strictest union and co-operation were observed when its
immediate necessity was impressed upon the rainds of the
minority. The glory of the enterprise in which they had
embarked appeared the same to all, and all regarded inde
pendence as the only security for peace and liberty. With
* "John Dickinson's opposition to the Declaration of Independence
was an example of moral courage of which there are few instances in
our history." — Hildreth's History of the United States, vol. ii. series ii.,
p. 330.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 167
them peace and liberty were indissolubly connected; "et
noraen pacis dulce est, et ipsa res salutaris; sed inter pacem
et servitutem plurimurn interest; pax est tranquilla libertas
servitus malorum omnium postremura; non modo bello, sed
morte repellendum."* Such were the sentiments of our
forefathers, and .in the fruits of their toil, their sacrifices,
and their wisdom, we enjoy the repose of liberty, and they
have merited and obtained a high and noble station among
the heroes and patriots of the world.f
After the evacuation of Boston, General Howe retired
with his army to Halifax, there to await expected reinforce
ments. But, from the commanding hill on which Halifax
is built, week after week he in vain strained his eyes to
catch the first glimpse of the longed-for fleet parting the
translucent surface of Chebucto Bay. His troops suffered
for want of fresh provisions, and impatience of inaction;
winter lingered with the murky fogs common in that season
in Nova Scotia, and every passing hour took frora the brief
period for active operations against the rebels. He deter
mined to sail for the vicinity of New York and await
reinforcements there. The plan of the contemplated cam
paign against the Americans was judicious. It had three
objects, — the recovery of Canada, with the opening, as a
consequence, of the communication with New York by the
lakes, an attack upon the Southern colonies, and the occu
pation of the city of New York, with the islands and
territory adjacent to it. The Americans were excited and
anxious, and well they might be so. Congress was debating
in secret session the question of independence, and the re
sult of this debate was momently expected, and at the same
time everywhere men watched for the jaded express-rider
with the announcement that the British fleet had anchored
in New York Bay. There was no room to doubt that New
York would be attacked. OccuxDying New York and the
* Cicero. — Oratio in Marcum Antonium, section xliv. p. 652.
•j" The Continental Congress sat with closed doors; and if Mr. Jeffer
son had not taken notes of the debate in comraittee of the whole, on
the raotion of the Tirginia delegation that the thirteen colonies should
be declared independent, this debate would have been lost to historj^.
I subjoin, as an appendix to this chapter of Mr. Read's life, Mr. Jeffer
son's " Summary of this Debate," for the reader's convenience. See
Appendix B.

168 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
islands in its vicinity, and having, as was certain from naval
superiority, command of its waters. Sir William Howe could
from that point choose his theatre of operation in the State
of New York or New England, the Middle or Southern colo
nies, while the fertile neighboring islands and country would
furnish abundant supplies for his army, and its presence
embolden the American loyalists, who were numerous, and,
having command of the Hudson, he could prevent, or at
least make difficult, the communication between New Eng
land and the Middle and Southern colonies. New York,
immediately after the evacuation of Boston, was occupied
and fortified by the American army, and Long Island, with
out the possession of which it was untenable. Should the
attempt be made to hold both ? The almost universal response
was in the affirmative. The successes of our armies, crowned
by the recent repulse of the British in their attack upon Fort
Moultrie, had inspired confidence in our troops, which Gen
eral Washington by no means shared. The inherent vices
of our military system, short enlistments and reliance upon
hasty levies of militia, the subjects of his frequent repre
sentation and remonstrance to Congress, made it but too
evident to hira that an army thus constituted could not
cope with disciplined and veteran soldiers in the open field.
But, in the state of opinion in Congress and without it, to
have retreated from Long Island and New York without a
contest would have been alraost as injurious to the American
cause as defeat; besides, as the Araerican army had defensi
ble heights in front of their fortified camp in the rear of
Brooklyn, they raight, with hope of success, venture a battle.
Washington resolved to await the attack of the British.
The Greyhound frigate, with General Howe on board, with
seven transports conveying a regiraent of Highlanders,
towards the end of June was descried from Sandy Hook,
and was soon followed by the first and rear divisions of his
army. The ink was scarcely dry of the first general signa
ture of the Declaration of Independence on the 4th of July,
when General Howe completed the debarkation of his array
on Staten Island. On the 23d of August, in the period in
tervening between that tirae and his arrival in the Grey
hound, having been every day, alraost, reinforced by troops
frora England and those detached to the Southern colonies,
he landed his army, with its artillery, except a small reserve.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 169
on Long Island, at Gravesend Bay. His plan of attack was
judicious. It was to engage the attention of the Americans*
by feints upon their center and right wing, while General
Clinton, with a strong division, should essay to turn their
left flank, and get into their rear. The engagement began
at daybreak, August 27th. General Clinton finding the pass
by the Bedford road unguarded seized it, advanced into the
plain between it and Brooklyn, and attacked and routed
the left wing of the American army, while its center, at
Flatbush, and its right, on the coast-road, were assailed and
defeated by Generals Heister and Grant, the Americans
fighting at the greatest disadvantage, when the enemy, by
Clinton's successful movement, engaged thera at the sarae
time in front and rear. There seems to me some ground
for censure of General Putnam, and perhaps of the Ameri
can commander-in-chief, for not sufficiently guarding the
Bedford road. General Sullivan commanded^ the whole
force defending the wooded heights. It is true, his force
was inadequate to defend these heights, which were pass
able everywhere by infantry, and through which led three
roads, any one of which the enemy raight choose for his
main assault; but as his only mode of remedying his defi
ciency of troops was by his immediate knowledge of the
point of that assault and prorapt reinforcement of the
division- guarding it, and he seems not to have given its
due share of attention to the Bedford road, so that the left
flank of the American army was surprised and turned,
there seems room to impute to him some deficiency of
vigilance. -But if censure attaches to him or his superiors,
it is rauch alleviated by the circumstances of the case. The
want of vedettes seems to me an insufficient excuse for the
surprise of the American left wing; for though cavalry were
* Brooklyn, where the Araericans were posted, is situated on a small
peninsula formed by the East River, the Bay of New York, and Gowan's
Cove. The Araerican lines were at the back of Brooklyn, then a village,
and looked towards the mainland of Long Island : they extended across
the peninsula, fi'ora Whaaleboght Bay, in the East River, on the left, to
a deep raarsh, on a creek, debouching into Gowan's Cove, on the right,
and in front of these lines wooded hills stretched almost the length of
the island, their rear being covered and protected by formidable batteries
on Redhook, Governor's Island, and East River, the last mentioned of
which kept open the coramunication with New York.
f Marshall's Life of Washington, vol. ii. p. 441.
12

170 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
wanting, yet, as there were horses, and men to mount upon
them, a commander of any resource would have extemporized
vedettes.* The masterly retreat of our army, in the face
of the enemy, more numerous, better disciplined, and elated
by victory,-]- consoled the Americans, in some degree, under
their defeat, was almost as creditable to Washington as a
victory, and reanimated the drooping confidence of his
countrymen in his generalship. The fog, such as had not
been known in August for thirty years, which, while it was
clear in New York, hung over Long Island and veiled tbe
retreating army till its rear was beyond the fire of the Brit
ish, was hailed, not only by enthusiastic and superstitious
but by sober-minded Americans, as a sign that God was their
ally, as He, the Lord of Sabaoth, took part with the Israel
ites when the pillar of cloud, at his comraand, went from
before their face and stood between them and the pursuing
host of Egypt. This brief notice of the movements of the
British army after the evacuation of Boston, and of the
battle of Brooklyn, seems necessary to introduce the follow
ing letters of Colonel Bedford and General Rodney, which,
now first published, furnish sorae facts additional to the
history of this battle. The biography of a public man must,
to be coherent and intelligible, have interwoven with it
portions of the general history of his times, at the risk of
wearying readers familiar with it.
" New Yoek, 27th [August], 1776.
" Dear Sir, — I should have wrote you before this, but
want of time and opportunity and nothing worth comrau-
nicating are the reasons I did not. A day or two after
our arrival at this place we were furnished with tents, and
encamped about two miles out of the city, up the North
River, till yesterday, when our brigade, which is Lord Ster-

"= This he alleged that he did. Letter to John Hancock, 25th October,
1777. f ".To do full justice to this masterly retreat, it must be considered
that they [the Americans] had been driven to the corner of an island,
where they were inclosed in a space of two square miles, with near
20,000 disciplined troops in front, and in the rear an arm of the sea near
a raile wide, which could not be crossed but in several debarkations, aud
notwithstanding these obstacles they did not lose a raan, and carried off
the greater part of their provisions, ammunition, and artillery." — Bis
selt's History of the Beign of George IIL, vol. i. p. 401.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 171
ling's, were ordered and marched to Long Island, about
three miles frora this, and within two of the eneray, at a
place called Flatbush, of which they have taken possession
with a large advanced party. Our people. I am told, are
advantageously posted, being in possession of the heights.
Our array on Long Island is said to be ten or twelve thou
sand. It is conjectured the enemy are nearly the same.
Lord Sterling's brigade consists of Miles' two battalions,
Atlee's, Smallwood's, Hechlin's, of Lancaster County,
Shutze's, of York County, and our regiment, which is
thought here to be a fine brigade, the flower of the army.
" I should have gone over yesterday, but a general
court-raartial sitting, of which I was a member, prevented
me. It was for the trial of Lieutenant-Colonel Zidvi'itz, of
a New York regiment, for correspondence with the enemy.
A letter of his to Governor Tryon was detected before the
delivery of it, in which he proposes to furnish the general
with a weekly return of our army, and to be every other
way at his service, for a proper gratuity. He was found
guilty of the attempt, and sentenced to be cashiered. He
certainly deserved raore, but the ' Articles of War' seem a
little defective, otherwise he would not have come off so
well. [Diary of the Revolution, vol. i. pp. 299, 305 ; vol.
ii. p. 157.]
"We have just received intelligence of a fleet being seen
in the sound, about sixty or seventy railes frora this place,
to the eastward, which will cut oft' the water-coraraunica-
tion with the Eastern colonies. It has been long expected.
Since our being here, every tide has given us expectation
of the enemy's approach. The fleet since their landing the
troops on Long Island is much diminished. There seems
at this time six sail of men-of-war in motion. We must
have a large array here and on Long Island, but I believe
not so many as is generally said. They talk [of] twenty-
five or thirty thousand. The Eastern regiments in general
are very small. The works here are strong and extensive,
and will require many men to occup}- them.
" The report of last night frora Long Island was that the
eneray are much annoyed by our people, they scarcely dar
ing to go outside of their breastworks at Flatbush. About
two thousand Hessians, it is said, are on Long Island, and
at the advanced post. I heard Lord Sterling yesterday say

172 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
about twenty of them are killed. We have lost two [killed]
and three wounded. He* likewise said he yesterday saw
them kill a horse, cut hira up, and dress him. Our people
are well supplied with provisions, and I hope on Long
Island they will be furnished with water, which at this
place was rather scarce and not good.
"If I should have the pleasure of hearing from you,
please direct your letter to be left at Mr. Bradford's Coffee-
House, New York. Remember me, if you please, affection
ately to James and Thomas.
" I ara, sir, your affectionate brother,
" G. Bedford.*
"To George Read, Esquire, Philadelphia."
Colonel Bedford writes again to Mr. Read from
" New York, September 1st, 1776.
" Dear Sir, — Eight days ago I wrote you, per post, in
forming you we were ordered to Long Island. Immediately
on our going there, intelligence was received that the enemy
were advancing in three large bodies. Our brigade, under
Lord Sterling, was quickly ordered out to meet them, which
they did in a short time. We found their numbers were
three to one, with a large train of artillery, and [they] had
possessed themselves of the most advantageous situations
and passes, notwithstanding which Lord Sterling would
engage. Colonel Miles' two battalions suffered much, as
did also Colonel Atlee's, having lost at least one-half of
each, with a number of officers. Colonel Parry was killed,
as is supposed, Lieutenant-Colonel Piper, with Colonel Miles
and Colonel Atlee taken prisoners. Lieutenants Stewart
and Harney of our regiment, we fear, are among the slain,
as there was no account of their being prisoners, and we
had a flag from the eneray informing who were. Major
McDonough, Lieutenant Anderson, and Ensign Course are
slightly wounded, all except Course being fit for duty the
"= The Council of Safety of the " Three Lower Counties on Dela
ware" having recommended sundry gentlemen for field-officers of the
battalion ordered to be raised in that colony, the Congress, on Tuesday,
January 19th, 1776, proceeded to an election, and, the ballots being
taken, John Haslet, Esquire, wa.s elected colonel, and Gunning Bedford,
Esquire, lieutenant-colonel. — Journals of Congress, vol. i. p. 30.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 173
next day. General Sullivan and Lord Sterling were taken
prisoners. Lord Sterling not until the last, as he kept Colonel
Smallwood's and our regiment four hours after every other
regiment had retreated from the field, drawn up for battle
in sight of five brigades of the eneray, who were surround
ing us fast, when we received orders to retreat. On our
retreat our regiment filed off [to] the left in pursuit of a
small detachment of the enemy, which we made prisoners,
— a lieutenant, twenty-three grenadiers, and three Hessians.
Sraallwood proceeded on, and fell into an arabuscade of at
least double their number. They engaged them, and lost
near three hundred men, killed and taken prisoners. I
ara just inforraed General Sullivan came up to New York
last evening to negotiate an exchange of prisoners. The
proposal is Lord Sterling and General Sullivan for General
Prescott and General Grant, who they supposed raight be
a prisoner; but our people say he fell on the field, and that
his hat, with his narae in the inside, and a bullet-hole
through it, is brought in. I don't know the certainty of it,
as I have not been out of our camp since here, and have it
only by the report now in camp. I forgot to mention that
it was thought advisable to retreat from Long Island to
this place, our lines there being but indifferent, and. our
people very sickly. We expect with our brigade to go to
King's-Bridge this day or to-morrow : part of it are gone ; it
is now General Mifflin's brigade. It is supposed the eneray
will attempt that pass next. The men-of-war; iu number
twenty, are within a raile and a half of this place. New
York. Their troops, it is supposed, are all on Long Island.
I wish it may be in my power to inforra you in' my next of
sorae agreeable news — what I have given you must be the
reverse. This opportunity has waited with sorae impa
tience ; I therefore must conclude, with my compliments to
Mrs. Read, and love to the children.
" Your affectionate brother, and hurable servant,
' " Gunning Bedford.
" To George Read, Esquire, Philadelphia."
Ctesar Rodney writes to Mr. Read, then presiding in the
convention which fraraed the first constitution of Delaware,
as follows, from

174 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
" PmLADELPHiA, September 4th, 1176.
"SiR^ — Inclosed you have a resolution* of Congress,
One of these papers was delivered to the delegates of each
colony, to be by them transmitted to their several Assem
blies or Conventions, that order might be taken thereon.
"I mentioned in ray last the arrival of General Sullivan,
and then hinted the business of his coming. The day I
wrote you last he was adraitted in Congress, and inforraed
them that he had been on board the Eagle, and there had
private conversation with Lord Howe: the substance of
which was that his lordship declared that he had ample
powers, together with the general, to settle matters between
Great Britain and colonies in such a manner as should be
for the true interest and benefit of both, and to make such
settlement permanent: that he wished for nothing raore
than to converse with General Washington, or some one or
more merabers of Congress, on that head; but that there
was a difficulty in the way which prevents it, for that his
rank and situation was attended with that kind of delicacy
that he could not treat with the Congress as such, and had
no doubt that the Congress, from their situation, lay under
the same difficulty ; therefore [he] proposed his having con
versation of an hour or two with some of the members as
private gentlemen: that he would meet them in that char
acter also wherever they pleased: that he did not doubt,
by this step, matters might be put in a train of accommo
dation ; if not, that it would only be so much time lost:
that his lordship further said, that he had staid in England
two raonths, after he was otherwise ready to come, on pur
pose to obtain those ample powers before mentioned, by
which means the Declaration of Independence had taken
place before his arrival. There was other conversation,
such as that his lordship thought this a fine country, that
he had many friends and acquaintances here, and that he
should be pleased much to have an opportunity to ride
through the country to see them, etc. You, sir, may be
desirous to know what Congress think of this message
delivered by Sullivan at the request of Lord Howe. To
satisfy your desire, I think I may venture to say that a
* For, I suppose, the enlistment of a permanent army. Marshall's
Life of Washington, vol. ii. p. 456.

OF GEOBGE READ. 175
very great majority of the members look on it as an insult,
and [1] believe a resolution will pass that no proposals for
the future be received unless reduced to writing, and signed
[by] some person who has authority to treat with the Con
gress as an assembly of the United Independent States of
America, or to that effect.
"From certain intelligence received since I wrote last.
Colonel Haslet, Colonel SmaUwood, and Colonel Bedford
were sitting on a court-martial in York at the time the
Delawares and Marylanders were engaged with the enemy:*
that those two battalions fought as bravely as men could
possibly do: that the Marylanders lost two hundred and
fifty-nine men missing, many of whom were* killed : that it
was owing chiefly to their being separated, by which means
the enemy got between them and obliged them to fight in
small parties. The Delawares, being well trained, kept
and fought in a compact body the whole time, and, when
obliged to retreat, kept their ranks, and entered the lines
in that order, frequently, while retreating, obliged to fight
their way through bodies of the enemy who had before
made an attack on our lines, where they were repulsed, and
were also retreating, and raet each other. The Delawares,
in this retreat, lost four or five men, one or two killed and
two or three drowned in crossing a creek. This would
have been all their loss; but, unfortunately, about the
beginning of the engagement a small party of observa
tion was placed at some distance, with whora they could
never again join, the eneray having got between them,
though frequently attempted. [The] greatest part of those
* Major McDonough was in iraraediate command of the Delaware
regiment, being senior officer present.
" The Assembly of the counties on Delaware, having recommended
a gentleraan to be major of the battalion ordered to be raised in that
county in the roora of John Macpherson, who fell before Quebec and
never received his comraission, the Congress proceeded to the election,
and, the ballots being taken and examined, Thomas McDonough was
elected, March 22d, 1776." — Journals of Congress, vol. ii. p. 100.
Major McDonough was a physician. He did not long reraain in the
railitary service, but returned to private life and the practice of medi
cine until after 1792, when he was appointed an associate judge of the
Court of Common Pleas, which office he held until his death, in 1795.
He was the father of Coraraodore McDonough, who, in Septeraber,
1814, captured the British fleet on Lake Champlain after a sanguinary
battle. — Delaware Register, vol. i. p. 343.

176 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
''were lost, either killed or taken prisoners, but supposed
chiefly killed. Upon the whole, the Delaware battalion
has now missing thirty-one, including two officers, to wit.
Lieutenant Stewart and Lieutenant Harney: The major
had a slight wound on the knee. This is the whole of the
daraage they have sustained. Captain Adams, of Kent,
after fighting bravely a considerable time, was seized with
a most violent colic. He was sent off the ground, and a
soldier with hira,> to conduct hira to our lines. On his way
he had to cross a deep marsh, in which, when the battalion
crossed [it], they found him fast expiring. They carried
him over on boards, [and] got him in the lines, and he is
now well. •
"Our old friend Billy Livingston is appointed Governor
of the Jersey [s], Ogden, Chief Justice. The other appoint
ments not yet come to hand.
"I am, sir, your sincere friend and humble servant,
"Cjesar Rodney.
"P.S. — You will communicate the matter relating to
Sullivan's message to Mr. McKean.
"George Read, Esquire."
The foregoing letters of Colonel Bedford and Csesar Rod
ney are especially valuable to the citizens of Delaware, for
they add another leaf to the laurels won by the gallant
Delaware regiment in many a well-fought field.
It appears from these letters that the Delawares were
associated with four hundred of Smallwood's regiment in
the brilliant attack upon Lord Cornwallis;
That the Maryland and Delaware regiments were kept
on the ground, drawn up for battle, four hours after every
0 her regiraent had retreated, in sight of five brigades of
the eneray, and were not ordered to retreat until nearly
surrounded; and '
That while Smallwood's regiment fell into an arabuscade,
and lost, after engaging double their number, near three
hundred raen, killed and taken prisoners, owing chiefly to
their being separated, the Delawares, being well trained,
kept and fought in a compact body, even on their retreat,
during which, in the face of a superior force, they captured
a small detachment of the enemy, and in that order, to the
admiration of their countrymen, entered the American lines.

OF GEORGE READ. 177
"The Delaware regiment was reckoned the most efficient
in the Continental army."* It went into active service soon
after the commencement of the contest with Great Britain,
and served through the whole of it. Co,urting danger
wherever it was to be encountered, frequently forming part
of a victorious army, but oftener the companions of their
countryraen in the gloora of disaster, the Delawares fought
at Brooklyn, at Trenton and at Princeton, at Brandywine
and at Gerraantown, at Guildford and at Eutaw, until at
length, reduced to a handful of brave men, they concluded
their services with the war in the glorious termination of
the Southern campaign.
The " three lower counties on Delaware" are part of the
North American continent discovered by John and Sebas
tian Cabot, sailing in 1697 under a comnussion from Henry
VIII. of England. The Delaware Bay, called by the Indians
"Poutaxat," and the river, by them named "Arasapha"and
"Lenape WehuUuck," or "the rapid stream,"f were discov
ered and explored, how far is uncertain, in 1610, by Henry
Hudson, who was in the service of the Dutch West India
Company, and who, it has been said, sold his right to the
Dutch, but at what time they settled on the Delaware is
uncertain; however, as early as 1623 they had a small town
at Gloucester Point and a fort at Nassau. The Swedes as
early as 1631 settled at Lewes (Swaendal), Christiana, and
other places on the Delaware, under purchases frora the
Indian sachems. The contest which ensued between the
Swedes and Dutch for the Delaware territory was termi
nated by the successful expedition of Governor Stuyvesant
from New York in 1655, to whom it was surrendered and
the principal Swedes expelled. The English under Sir
Robert Carr conquered the Delaware territory in 1664. It
was reconquered by the Dutch, but only held till 1667,
when, by the treaty of Breda, it was restored to the Eng
lish. In 1670 the Swedes, Dutch, and Fins, few in number,
were settled along the west side of the Delaware from New
Castle (the chief town of the Delaware territory) to a point
sixty miles above it.J This territory was granted by Charles
* Ramsay's History of the United States, vol. i. p. 209.
•¦ Watson's Annals.
t Hazard's Annals, vol. i. p. 381.

178 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
II. to James, Duke of York, and by him, 24th August, 1682,
to Williara Penn, who, before he left England to take pos
session of Pennsylvania and the "Territory," prepared "a
frame of government" and "fundamental laws" for both.
The Delaware territory, 7th day of Deceraber, 1682, was
by Governor Penn, with the advice and consent of the
freeraen of that territory and of the Province of Pennsyl
vania, annexed thereto,* the people of both, with one
Assembly, to be governed by the same laws and enjoy the^
same privileges, and by the act of settlementf the first
charter, dated the 25th day of the 2d month, 1682, was,
with modifications, accepted. In 1701, being found not so
suitable as it had been, in some particulars, to the circum
stances of the inhabitants, this charter was surrendered by
six parts of seven of the freeraen of the province and terri
tory, and one better adapted to their condition granted,
October, 1701, and accepted the same day. By the second
article of this charter it was provided that there should be
one Assembly for the three counties of the province and the
three counties of the territory, each to choose four repre
sentatives, and one Council, to consist of eighteen merabers,
three from each of the counties. This union of the province
and territory lasted till the session of their coraraon Assera
bly, which terminated the 28th day of October, 1701.
During that session two members of Council brought into
the House of Representatives a bill for the confirmation of
the laws passed at New Castle the year preceding, and the
vote being put, October 10th, whether this bill should pass
into a law, the Delaware raembers, except two from Sussex,
declared their negative to this bill, having never disputed
the validity of these laws, and arose and left the House;
but the bill, notwithstanding this secession, was enacted.
They returned on the 15th of October, upon condition that
they should enter their dissent to this bill, their further
proposed condition that " nothing should be carried over
their heads by outvoting them" being rejected, and rightly,
"as impracticable and inconsistent with the privileges of
Assemblies ;" but the confirmation-bill, before mentioned,
being again read, and it being proposed to read the laws it
was to confirm three times, the Delaware raembers departed
* Delaware Laws, vol. i.. Appendix, pp. 8-10. f Ibid., p. 11.

OF GEORGE READ. 179
the House again. There was immediately a conference of
the House with the Governor to endeavor an accomraoda-
tion with these seceders, and it was successful. In the
afternoon ofthe sarae day (the 15th) they came again into
the House, and a letter was read frora the Governor to the
whole House, in which he declared " he expected their peace
and accoramodation of one another, the reputation of which
was something, but the reality much more," exhorted them
^^"to yield in circumstantials to preserve essentials," and be
sought thera " not to raake him sad, as he was then going
to leave them;" and, the Governor having assured the House
"that he should offer nothing further to the House," the
Delaware representatives sat down, but, steady in their op
position, not till they again declared their negative vote to
the passing of the confirmatory bill. After the rising of
this General Assembly on the 28th of October, 1701, Penn
went to England, and the representatives of the "Province"
and " Territory" never after joined in any acts of legislation,
though the deputy-governor and Council often endeavored
to restore their union. The last of these attempts was by
Governor Evans, April, 1704, upon the ofl'er of the Delaware
representatives, who met in Philadelphia on the 10th of that
month, expecting to unite in Asserably with the Pennsyl
vania members, but, as they stated, "found themselves
disappointed by the Pennsylvanians pretending a former
separation ;" notwithstanding, fearing that disunion might
prejudice the peace and interest of the proprietary and gov
ernment, they persisted in offering to join, provided there
should be four representatives for each of the six counties,
but the Pennsylvanians would not yield, for "the Dela-
wareans had alleged yesterday that they could not act
together, because they were called together by writ, the
Pennsylvanians by charter, and because the separation could
not be called ' pretended,' seeing it had been forced upon
them by the Delaware members refusing to act with them
on several occasions." So, being settled in a separate As
sembly, they declined the proposed union, and coolly told
them, in conclusion, that "ihey too may forra themselves
into a separate Assembly, and by mutual candor and good
neighborhood the evils feared from separation, they hoped,
raight be prevented." Penn, though believing that the
legislative union of his province and territory would be for

180 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
the advantage of both, yet, after this untoward occurrence,
notwithstanding the closure and test of the charter of
1701, added thereto an article by which he granted them
the privilege of establishing, within three years, distinct
Assemblies. It is stated in the Appendix to the Laws of
Delaware, volume i. p. 49, from which I have obtained the
foregoing facts in relation to the union and separation of
the "Province of Pennsylvania" and the "Delaware Terri
tory," that these facts were extracted frora a book entitled,
"Votes and Proceedings ofthe House of Representatives of
the Province of Pennsylvania, beginning 4th December,
1682, vol. i., in 2 parts," printed in Philadelphia by Ben
jamin Franklin and D. Hall, 1752, there being no minute
of legislative proceedings of such an early period extant in
the State of Delaware, the traditional account being that
all such minutes preceding the year 1722 were destroyed
by fire in the burning of Colonel John French's house in
New Castle, where they were reposited.
The " Territory" seems during the " union" to have en
joyed due consideration, and there was a disposition in the
province to conciliate it, the joint Assembly having met as
often in New Castle as in Philadelphia. I find no reason
stated for " the confirmatory bill," the introduction of which
disturbed the harmony of the joint Assembly, and the laws of
1700, having been enacted by the Proprietary and Governor,
with the advice and consent of the freemen of the province
and territory, in conformity with the charter,* seem to rae
not to have needed it, unless the surrender of the charter
to be iraraediately restored with modifications made it neces
sary, which cannot, I believe, be shown. The blame of
originating this difficulty, frora what appears, was with the
"Province." Secession, it is true, was a strong raeasure,
but the territorial raembers did not persist in it, and en
deavored afterwards in vain to re-establish the legislative
union. Among thera were Williara Rodney, ancestor of
Caesar Rodney, who signed the Declaration of Independence,
and Richard Hallowell, the generous donor of a beautiful
* Five of these laws are in the Appendix to vol. i. Delaware Laws,
pp. 26-37, viz.: the Acts "for ascertaining descents," "for confirming
devises of lands and nuncupative wills," "for empowering administra
tors to sell lands to pay debts," " for confirming freeholders iu their
lands," and " for taking land in execution."

OF GEORGE READ. 181
farm close to New Castle, for the use of the rector for the time
being of the Episcopal church there, which has been for almost
a century and a half held and enjoyed by the ministers of
that church. Jaraes Logan, the friend of Penn, prorainent
in the early history of Pennsylvania, stated in 1708 "that
New Castle did not prosper, as the inhabitants there wished,
as the rivals of Philadelphia, because of their disorderly
way of living, and the unhealthiness of the place, and that
to make New Castle flourish they fell upon the expedient
to separate the lower counties from the province and to
make it a seat of government ; but, notwithstanding, the in
habitants below have still preferred. to bring their trade to
Philadelphia." He adds, "Much of this scheme was projected
and conducted by Jasper Yeates and J. Coutts."* Mr.
Logan was a citizen of the " Province," one of the parties
in this dispute, and may not have been exempt from the
feelings and prejudices which unfitted a man to judge im
partially in this matter; and in nothing do men oftener
mistake than in imputing motives. William Penn stated
in 1704 "that the territory sought the union with the
province, and he owes to the foul practices of Quarry the
late defection of the people there."f
The dissolution of this legislative union was fortunate, I
think, for the "Territory." In 1701 the representatives
of the " three lower counties on Delaware" were equal to
those of the " Province ;" but this equality could not con
tinue. Out of the vast territory over which the growing
population of Pennsylvania would spread, new counties
must inevitably be continually added to her original
three counties ;J but the little "Territory" could hope
for no such addition. In no long time her representatives
would be in a minority of the joint Assembly, and, in con-
* Edraundson, who was in New Castle, then called "Delaware
Town," in 1672, described its Finnish and Dutch inhabitants as very
intemperate. — Wa.tson's Annals of Philadelphia, p. 46.
f " Quarry was Judge of Admiralty, and he, with David Lloyd,
Attornej'-General, and John Moore, advocate, were the ringleaders of
the opposition to the Pennsylvania government. They were unwilling
to provide an income for Penn and his officers, created embarrassments
in the courts as to oaths and affirmations, and desired to change the
proprietary into a royal government." — Watson's Annals, pp. 37, 39.
J In 1776 there were twelve counties in Pennsylvania. — Paine's
Works, vol. ii. p. 142.

182 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
flicts of interest, at the mercy of the province; and if in 1704
she had consented to the proposed union, the province
might afterwards have established an influence potent
enough to defeat any effort to dissolve it.
The charter of 1702 was, unaltered, the fundamental
law of the " three lower counties on Delaware" during the
residue of their colonial existence.
The Continental Congress, because the colonists were
declared out of the royal protection, a deaf ear turned to
their prayers for redress of grievances, and the military
power of Great Britain, with her German auxiliaries, was
to be exerted against them, recommended, May 15th, 1776,
that all authority emanating from the crown of Great Brit
ain should be abrogated, and that the people of the United
States should establish such governments as they raight
deera best for their security and felicity. The Declaration
of Independence soon followed, and made the measure thus
recommended still more necessary, and constitutions were
adopted by all the colonies except Rhode Island and Con
necticut, where no change was necessary, the legislature
and executive being both under their charters eligible by
the people.
The House of Assembly of the " three lower counties
on Delaware" in July, 1776, recommended their constitu
ents to choose ten deputies for each of these counties, to
meet in convention and ordain and declare the future form
of government for the State of Delaware.* These deputies
were elected August the 19th, and raet in New Castle,
August 27th, and on the 29th proceeded to the choice of a
President, when George Read was unanimously elected.
On the 2d of September a comraittee, of which Mr. Read
was chairman, was appointed to prepare a " Declaration of
Rights," which on the llth was reported, debated, amended,
and adopted. On the 7th the Convention named a com-
inittee, of which Mr. Read was also chairman, to frame a
constitution. This committee reported on the 13th. Their
report was read a second time on the 15th, and, after some
debate, recoraraitted. They reported again on the 16th,
and the proposed system of governraent was debated from
day to day till the 20th, when, with some amendments, it
* See post, Appendix.

OF GEORGE BEAD. 183
was agreed to. The yeas and nays appear but once upon
the Journal (pp. 25, 26), and were called upon the question
of expunging the two last parts of the 29tli Article, which
exclude the clergy, while exercising their functions, from
holding any civil office in the State. The ayes, araong thera
McKean and Van Dyke, were but six, so that" there was
an overwhelraing raajority against the proposition. Mr.
Read's narae does riot appear in the list of votes, he not
voting, I suppose, because there was no tie.
By this Constitution the Legislature consists of two bodies,
— the House of Asserably, of twenty-one members, seven
for each county, freeholders, eligible annually by the free
holders of these counties; and the Council, of nine members,
freeholders of the age of upwards of twenty-five years, to
be chosen in like manner, to serve for three years, but one
to go out every year, and a successor to be elected with all
the powers necessary to the Legislature of an independent
state. The executive power was vested in a President, to
be chosen by joint ballot of both Houses ofthe Legislature,
and to continue in office three years tie was empowered
to draw money appropriated by the Legislature, to lay em
bargoes, but not longer than for thirty days in the recess of
the Legislature; with the assent of the Privy Council, era-
body and coraraand in chief the militia, grant reprieves and
pardons, and exercise all other powers of executive govern
ment, limited and restrained by the Constitution. The
Privy Council to be chosen by joint ballot of the Assembly
and Council, two by each. The delegates to the Conti
nental Congress to be annually chosen by joint ballot of the
Assembly and Council. The judicial authority was vested
in a Supreme Court for the State of three Justices, one of
whora to be Chief Justice, and a Judge of Adrairalty, and
four Justices of the Court of Common Pleas and Orphans'
Court (one of whom to be Chief Justice) for each county,
to be chosfen on joint ballot by the President and General
Assembly, and continue in office during good behavior, an
adequate and fixed and moderate salary being settled on
them during their continuance in office. The Secretary of
State, Attorney-General, Registers in Chancery, and clerks
of Courts of Common Pleas, Orphans' Courts, and Clerks of
the Peace, to be appointed by the President and Privy
Council for five years, if they should so long behave well.

184 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
Twenty-four Justices of the Peace to be nominated by the
Legislature for each county, from which the President, with
the approbation of his Privy Council, was to select twelve
for each county, to be commissioned for seven years, if so
long behaving well. The Chief Justice of the Supreme
Court to aj^point the clerks thereof, and the Justices of the
Courts of Common Pleas the Recorders of Deeds for five
years. Two Sheriffs and a Coroner to be chosen annually
for each county by the people, of whom the President and
Privy Council to commission one. The Assembly to ap
point all general and field officers, and all other officers
of the army or navy of the State, by joint ballot, and the
President to appoint, during pleasure, all necessary civil
officers not mentioned in the Constitution till the Legislature
otherwise direct. The Court of Appeals to consist of seven
persons, the President for the tirae being, arid three to be
appointed by the Plouse of Assembly, and three by the
Council, so long as they behave theraselves well. The
Judges, Privy Councillors, Secretary, Trustee of the Loan
Office, clerks of the Common Pleas courts, and array or
navy contractors, ineligible to the Legislature, and seats of
members thereof to be vacated by acceptance of any office
under the Constitution, except that of Justice of the Peace.
All officers to swear allegiance and obedience to the State
of Delaware, and to faithfully execute their offices, and to
make and subscribe a declaration, in writing, of their faith
in the Trinity, and the divine inspiration of the Holy Scrip
tures. The President and other officers impeachable by
the House of Asserably before the Legislative Council for
misbehavior, and punishable by removal from, or disqualifi
cation to hold, office, or subjected to such penalties as law
may direct, and all officers removable upon address of the
Assembly. The English common and statute law declared
to be in force, so far as adopted, and not repugnant to the
Constitution or Bill of Rights until altered by the Legisla
ture. No person in future imported from Africa ought to be
held in slavery, and no Indian, negro, or mulatto slave ought
to be brought into Delaware for sale, from any part of the
world, under any pretence. Freedom of elections is secured,
religious establishments prohibited, and clergymen, while
exercising their functions, excluded from office; and rash
alterations of the Constitution are guarded against by

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 185
making it unalterable except by the consent of five parts
in teft of the House of Assembly, and seven of the council.
The convention which adopted this Constitution sat
twenty-six days. Its members were farmers and mer
chants, with a few lawyers, and their work has the merits
and defects of the constitutions framed at the same time
by their sister colonies, all of which have been altered, not
always for the better. That men taken from the com
mon walks of life should so soon, so forcibly, and harmo
niously reconstruct the fundamental laws of comraunities,
and admirably suit them to secure rights and promote hap
piness, is a raarvel only to those ignorant of American
character, history, and institutions. They were already in
the enjoyraent of all the great principles of free govern
ment, and had little more to do than to provide a few new
agencies for administering it, or new names for existent
ones, and some additional securities against the abuse of
power.* This convention, "elected to ordain and declare the future
form of government for the State of Delaware," did rauch
besides exercising legislative, executive, and even judicial
functions, without hesitation and without question, then
or subsequently. Public exigencies compelled, and therefore
justified, this irregularity. The convention ordered the
raising, equipping, and raarching of the quotas of railitia
* How unlike the members of tbe conventions and assemblies of the
French Revolution, whose extravagances have excited, as they will
excite, the mirth, but oftener the horror or indignation of all who have
read, and may read, their history, — the page of it, for example, which
chronicles the work of one memorable day, August the 4th, 1789, when
there was a grand renunciation of privileges of nobles, clergy, corpora
tions, monopolists, and even of provinces ! I wonder these mercurial
Frenchmen, so fond of melodrama, did not get up a scenic representa
tion of these renunciations, each figured by an appropriate emblem of
costly material and beautiful or magnificent design, and when heaped
upon the altar, the fiaraen of liberty, in classic costume, applying his
torch to the patriotic offering. This 4th of August, first distinguished
as "the day of sacrifices," is now known as "the day of dupes." The
Constitution of 1791, a democracy having the king with little power
at its head, was overthrown by the united force of the Girondists and
Jacobins, and the well-meaning but visionary Girondists were soon
swept away by the terrible energy of the Jacobins, who maintained
their hideous despotism by the bayonet and the guillotine, and the
reign of terror has been succeeded by various governments, the present
probably no more stable than its predecessors. 13

186 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
required from the State by Congress, appointing, promoting,
and commissioning officers, and settling their accounts, and
borrowing money. (Journal, passim.) They (Journal, pp.
31, 32) order the finishing of a powder-magazine near Wil
mington, and put it in charge of a fort-major and troops
under him, and direct these troops to be raised. They
(Journal, pp. 34, 35) frame and adopt instructions to re
cruiting-officers, and (p. 36) authorize a contract for making
gunlocks. By the third of the Rules of Order (Journal,
p. 6) merabers are forbidden to go out of the convention,
after adjournment, before the President, under penalty of a
check; or to leave it, when in session, longer than half an
hour, under the penalty of five shillings. Members are
required (Journal, p. 8) to make and subscribe the declara
tion of their faith in God the Father, God the Son, and
God the Holy Ghost, one God blessed for evermore; and on
motion of Mr. McKean (Journal, p. 12), as soon as he took
his seat, after a short absence, the words, "I acknowledge
the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be
given by divine inspiration," were unanimously added.
They (Journal, pp. 21, 22), on petition of a tanner, dis
charge his apprentice, who had enlisted in Captain Dunn's
company, of Colonel Patterson's battalion. Sat (p. 23) on
Sunday, and order (p. 23) the signing of bills of credit, and
restore (pp. 28, 29) forty persons who had risen in insur
rection m Sussex County, in the month of June, 1776, to
the favor of their country, upon profession of their peni
tence, and promise of future obedience to the Assembly of
Delaware and the Continental Congress.
Among Mr. Read's papers I find a document in his hand
writing, indorsed "Original Draft of the System of Gov
ernment ofthe Delaware State, with Amendments," which
makes it certain that he framed this first Constitution of
Delaware.* These amendments are four in number,^ one
* In the "Life of Thomas McKean," page 19, volume iv. of the
"Biography ofthe Signers ofthe Declaration of Independence," is this
paragraph :
" After the ' flying camp' was completed, the associators werp dis-

¦{• In a different handwriting, probably that of the Secretary of the
Convention, who raight thus have easily furnished Mr. Read with a
copy of the Constitution adopted.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 187
of them being the paragraph of Article 22, requiring all
officers, before entering on the execution of their offices, to
make and subscribe a declaration of their faith in the doc
trines of the trinity in unity, and the divine inspiration of
the Holy Scriptures.* This constitution remained in force
charged, and Mr. McKean returned to Philadelphia, when he resumed
his seat in Congress, and signed the Declaration of Independence on
parchraent. Finding that he had been elected a raeiuber of the Con
vention for forraing a constitution for the State of Delaware, he in two
days departed for Dover, which he reached in one day. Immediately
on his arrival, after a fatiguing ride, a coramittee of gentleraen waited
on him, and requested that he would prepare a constitution for the
future governraent of the State. To this he consented. He retired to his
room in the tavern, sat up all the night, aud having prepared it without
book, or any assistance whatever, presented it, at ten o'clock the next
morning, to the House, when it was unanimously adopted."
This anecdote hardly needs formal refutation, its utter improbability
is so patent. Mr. McKean, after a journey of nearly eighty railes,
arrives'at Dover, is solicited by a comraittee to prepare a constitution
for Delaware, sets up all night, without aid frora books or men fraraes
it, and he, not the comraittee, presents it next raorning to the House,
when, that is the sarae morning, it was unanimously adopted, with a
precipitancy unusual even in parsing an ordinary Act of Asserably. He
must have large credulity ipdeed who can believe that a body of raen,
selected for the grave trust of fraraing a fundamental law for a com
munity, could. thus stultify themselves.
In this fine speciraen of glorification, ascribing even greater facility in
constitution-raaking to Mr. McKean than that of Syeyes, who had his
pigeon-holes ahvays full of constitutions, there is not a word of truth,
except that there was a convention which fraraed a constitution for
Delaware in 1776, and he was a raeraber of it. /As has been already
stated, this convention met, not at Dover, but New Castle. Messrs.
Read and McKean were merabers of it; Mr. Read was unanimously
elected its President; on the 7th Septeraber a comraittee was appointed
to frame a constitution for the State of Delaware, of which both were
merabers, and Mr. Read was chairman ; this eommittee reported a
"Frame of Governraent" on the 13th, which was recommitted on the
14th, again reported on the 18th, aud having been debated aud araended
until the 20th, was then approved.
* Men associate for their common good, therefore, unless inhibited by
constitution.s, legislatures may enact any laws necessary in their judg
ment to secure it. Religion, in se, is no more excluded from their
province than any other subject, but it seeras to be especially within it,
as its influence upon men's temporal affairs is great. On the question,
"Is our voluntary system better than an established church'/'" much
may be urged on both sides of it, and " adhuc sub judice lis est." How
ever that the evils of the union of Church and State outweigh its
benefits raay be pla.usibly, at least, argued frora the present state of the
Church of England — her bishops nominated by time serving statesmen.

188 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
till 1792, when a new one was enacted and continued till
1831, at which time the present constitution of the State
of Delaware was adopted. The amendments to this consti
tution, proposed to the people of Delaware in 1853, were
rejected by a very large majority. Of the constitutions
adopted in 1776 by Delaware and her sister colonies it may
be said " Facies non omnibus una,
Nee diversa tamen ; qualem decet esse sororura."
The greatest defect of this, the first constitution of Dela
ware, is the provision of a cumbersorae judiciary, fourteen
judges for a State of three counties and thirty-seven thou
sand* inhabitants. They were lessened by the constitution
of 1792, and reduced by that of 1831 to four common law
judges and a chancellor, and the population of Delaware
has, I believe, raore than doubled since 1776. Another
defect, coraraon to the constitutions of that period, except
those of New York and New Jersey ,f is the provision of a
" Privy Council," controlling in most cases the executive
power, and thus impairing its unity, clogging its action, and
sometimes covering its faults. A court of chancery was
not established by this constitution, nor by those of most of
the other colonies, but chancery-powers were vested in the
coraraon law courts. This I think a defect.J
her convocation striving, with what success reraains to be seen, to re
cover the power of legislating for her, wrongfully withheld, and her
ritual and doctrinal controversies judged by laymen, it may be, not of
her communion. But I do not doubt that the right conclusion as to
religious tests has been reached in the United States, because they
would, if adopted, be oftener employed to maintain error than truth,
and because education and freedom of speech and of the press are better
guarantees for its supreraacy than tests.
* Compendium of U. S, Census, 1860, p. 39. As there was no gen
eral enumeration of the people of the United States before 1790, this
estimate is conjectural, but may be accepted as at least approximating
truth. f Federalist, No. 70.
J The expense of this convention was three hundred and fifty-two
pounds, fourteen shillings, and ninepence, which, to the amount of loans
to the State in his hands, the President of the convention was directed
to pay.
I find among Mr. Read's papers the account of William Anderson for
the boarding, etc. of the New Castle County members of the conven
tion, with his receipt for its amount from John Jones. There are

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 189
Caesar Rodney writes to Mr. Read from
"PmLADELPHiA, September 7th, 1776.
"Sir, — Since I wrote last, three letters directed to you
have come to my hands. I imagine they are frora New
York, and have sent thera, with this, by the New Castle
stage. " In ray last letter to you I gave you the substance of
Sullivan's message and what I then thought would be the
determination of Congress thereon; however, the matter,
after three days' debate, has in some measure received a
different determination. The Congress have refused send
ing any of their members to confer, as private gentlemen ;
but with a view to satisfy some disturbed minds out of
doors rather than expectation of its bringing about peace,
they have appointed a committee of Congress to repair to
New York, with powers to confer with Lord Howe, to know
the extent of his powers and the terras he shall propose.
General Sullivan was furnished with a copy of this resolu
tion, certified, and returned to Lord Howe yesterday. You
will see by this that if Lord Howe receives the coramittee
thus sent he acknowledges the Congress, and of course the
independence of the States, which I am convinced he will
not do. Yet it may tend to convince the people at large
that we are desirous of peace whenever it can be had upon
those principles.
"There is no material change in affairs at New York,
except that a great part of our army are gone up to King's
Bridge, among others the Delaware battalion, and that Cap
tain Wallace is gone up the East River with his ship. She
was fired on by the fort, but not much, if any, hurt. She
proceeded up till she got to a place called Blackwell's Island,

charges every day in this account for wine-punch and toddy, and a
large one for slings and morning-bitters at sundry times, and at the
bottom of the account of the receipt of John Silsbee, barber, for thirty-
nine shillings.
I was told by an aged lady, who died a few years ago, that when a
girl she heard read a letter, in rhyme, from Francis Hopkinson, a signer
of the Declaration of Independence, and author of the " Battle of the
Kegs," in which he humorously describes citizens ofthe village, among
them " Little John SiL'bee, who hobbles about.
And takes the best man in the town by the snout."

190 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
and anchored. Our people then, with two twelve-pounders,
obliged her to slip her cable and get behind the island.
"I am, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,
"C^SAR Rodney.
"P.S. — How goes on your Convention ?
" George Read, Esquire, New Castle."
On the 13th of September General Rodney again writes
to Mr. Read: "PmLADELPHiA, September 13th, 1776.
"Dear Sir, — The whole of your tirae must certainly be
engaged in the affairs of the Convention or I should have
heard from you more frequently. I have wrote you three
letters since you went to New Castle, but whether you have
received more than one of them I cannot say. However,
this letter is a proof I am not discouraged as yet.
"The people here have been for several days fully em
ployed in forraing conjectures with respect to the conference
between the commissioners of Congress and Lord Howe.
They have been various': some. Lord Howe has full powers,
and if we have not peace it is the fault of Congress; others,
there is no doubt but they will finally settle matters, and
the army be disbanded ; others again are cursed if they
believe he has any powers at all. However, this business
is put an end to by the return ofthe committee, who report
that having sent a letter to Lord Howe, by express, to ac
quaint him of their coming, they proceeded to Amboy,
where they arrived on Tuesday evening, and there the
same evening received a letter from Lord Howe in answer
to theirs, letting them know that he would raeet them, ^n
Wednesday, at a house on Staten Island, opposite Ambo^,
that his lordship the next day sent his boat for them,
with a flag, and met them himself at the water-side, and
in a very polite manner conducted them up to the house,
where he had a dinner and plenty of good wine for them,
and that after dinner they had a conference, which, with
the time they were dining, was about three hours. Upon
the whole, it seems his lordship has no power to make a
peace, or even to order a cessation of arms; that he had a
power to confer with any person or persons whatsoever to
hear what they had to offer, and report to his Majesty, but
that previous to anything else we must return to and ac-

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 191
knowledge obedience to his Majesty. This being done, he
did not doubt, on his representing matters home, but that
the several acts of Parliament and instructions might and
would be revised and many of our grievances removed.
The whole proceedings of the committee, Sullivan's mes
sage, and everything relating to it, will be published on
Monday or Tuesday.
" One Mr. Duff, a young man, called on me for a commis
sion as a doctor's assistant in our battalion of the ' flying
camp.' Should be glad you would let me know immediately
when and how he was appointed, and whether he ought to
have a commission. They are to march on Tuesday, if pos
sible, and if there be propriety in giving him a commission
I could wish he had it, as it would be of great service in
case of his being a prisoner.
" We have letters dated in July last, from our Connecticut
friend* in Paris. There's a change of rainistry in France;
and he is the greatest man in the world except Lord North,
and has as great a levee as he has. This is a secret.
"I don't recollect anything else worth communicating
just now, except that I ara, sir, *
"Your humble servant, "C^SAR Rodney,
" George Read, Esquire."
Mr. Rodney makes known to Messrs. Read and McKean
the occupation of the city of New York by General Howe,
and the bad behavior of the American troojjs posted to
defend it, in a letter dated "Philadelphia, September 18th, 1776.
"Gentlemen, — I have sent my servant to you with the
following disagreeable intelligence. By letters frora Gen
eral Washington to Congress we are informed that General
Howe, with about six or seven thousand of his troops, took
possession of New York on Sunday last. We are not so
much astonished that he should get possession of New York
(because we have expected it for some time past) as at the
scandalous behavior of our troops that were placed to defend
the post where the enemy landed, who ran away from their
* Silas Deane.

192 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
lines and breastworks in a most dastardly manner, when not
more than sixty [men] were landed to oppose them. You
raust know that the main body of the enemy have been for
[sorae] time past on the Long Island side, opposite Harlem
Creek or River, and had erected several batteries there that
played on ours at Horn's Hook, on the New York land side
of the Harlem. A part of the main body of the enemy
had taken possession of Montresor's Island, situate at the
mouth of Harlem, and [which] is divided from Morrisania
on the east side of Harlem and Harlem Point, on the west
side by a water not so wide as Schuylkill Ferry. At one
or both these places it was expected they would attempt a
landing. General Washington, therefore, fixed his head
quarters on the Heights of Harlem, as they are called, on
the York Island side of the creek, and posted General
Mifflin, with his brigade — consisting of Shee's, Macgaw's,
Haslet's, and some other battalions — on the Heights of
Morrisania. He had also placed troops on the heights near
King's Bridge to support either the main army or Mifflin's
detachment, as the case might require. The general, find
ing that two forty-gun shi^s, two frigates, and one twenty,
had come up the East River and anchored opposite Turtle
Bay (which is four railes above the city, and three miles
or thereabouts below head-quarters), placed Brigadier-Gen
eral Parsons, with his brigade and some Connecticut militia
(in the whole near three thousand), there to defend that post,
at least till they could be supported by the main body or a
detachment from it. General Putnam, with about three
thousand, were left in the city to defend it in the best
manner he could till the stores should be all removed, in
which they had been employed for several days before, and
would have completed in one more. From all I can collect,
this was the situation of affairs on Sunday morning, when
the ships before mentioned began a very heavy firing at
Turtle Bay, to scour the country previous to their landing
the troops, but hurt nobody that I can hear of. When the
firing ceased, their troops began to land, and ours to run as
if the devil was in them. In spite of all the general could
do they never fired one gun. General Washington, having
discovered the enemy's intention to land at that place,
ordered a reinforcement, and set out there himself. How
ever, before he got to the place he met our people running

OF GEOBGE READ. 193
in every direction. He endeavored by persuasion and
threats to get thera back, but all to no purpose; in short,
they ran till they left the general to shift for hiraself.
General Putnam, who was in New York with his people,
hearing what had happened, made the best of his way to
head-quarters, lest he should be cooped up, fought his way
through the enemy's lines, and brought his men to camp,
with the loss of only three or four, as said. It seems not
one of the men who ran from the place of the enemy's
landing was from this side the North River, — all New Eng
land men. General Washington writes he is advantageously
situated at present, and if attacked should be more than a
match for the enemy, if their numbers were even more
than they are, provided his men would fight, which is raore
to be wished than expected. I have wrote on this subject
till I am in an ill humor, and ray only comfort is that by
the time you have read my letter you will be as angry as I
am. "I have inclosed Mr. McKean's order on the trustees of
New Castle, thinking it might be wanting.
"I am, gentlemen, your raost obedient, humble servant,
"G^sar Rodney.
"P.S. — My boy will return to-morrow morning.
"Messrs. Read and McKean."
The grand army under General Washington being occu
pied in the defence of New York, the shore of. New Jersey
was open to the British, who might debark a large body of
troops, and* march them into the very heart of the middle
colonies. Some measure of defence was necessary against
this danger, and Congress, therefore, called upon New
Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland to raise, equip, and march
ten thousand raen to forra a "flying carap" in the middle
colonies for their protection, and to serve till December 1st,
1776. These troops were placed under the command of
General Mercer.* The battalion furnished by Delaware
was comraanded by Colonel Samuel Patterson, -who, in the
course of this service, wrote letters to Mr. Read, which will
be inserted in the order of their dates.

* Marshall's Life of Washington, vol. ii. pp. 395, 396; Hildreth's
History of the United States, vol. iii. 140, 141.

194 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
The first of these letters was written from
"Philadelphia, Septeraber 19th, 1776.
"Sir, — This day I leave this city, thank God! Never
man has been so uneasy. Yesterday five companies went
off by water; Captain Latimer to-day; and what few re
raain of Captain Woodgate's, yesterday about twelve o'clock
had thera all paraded to embark. The whole almost lay
down their arras, [and] swore they would not go without a
bounty such as others got in Pennsylvania. I told them
such conduct I must treat in a proper manner if they did
not take up their arms, [which] sorae did after awhile. I
told them our counties were generous, and good behavior
might do much, but on no other terms [could they expect
the bounty], as they were not entitled to it. However, all
would not do. At last I told thera I would send to the
'Play-House' for two battalions, there, to disarra thera,
and raaking every soul prisoners. This had, with the other,
good effects. I got them down to the wharf, fixed bayonets
at the head of it, [and] sent them off. Captain Woodgate's
arms not [being] done, [I] kept his company along with
the others to go with me; but, to my astonishment, this
morning [I learned] his whole company deserted in the
night, but eleven men. Their officers are after them. Cap
tain Woodgate is sick in the 'barracks,' and not like to live;
and about forty men, out of the different companies, left
behind. " I hope you and all the friends of governraent will keep
a strict lookout for all these rascals and others.
"Yesterday evening [1] received Captain Mitchell's letter
as sent. I can leave no officer, but he raust march up as
fast as possible. Stores and blankets [are] at Hollings-
worth's store for him, for forty men. I shall leave a letter
for him.
" The taking New York last Sunday has cast our people
down much; but this morning an account is corae, generally
believed, that on Monday last the regulars went out to at
tack our people at a place called Bunker's Hill, when a
bloody engageraent ensued. The en6my had killed 3000,
[and] 2000 taken prisoners. Our loss 1000 men, and the
brave Putnam slain. Pray God it may be true. Our spirits
are much raised again.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 195
" I shall give you a small opinion on battalion affairs.
If ever you order one other, never sacrifice liberty to licen
tiousness by leaving the officers to be chosen as mine were.
Had I known the men in general I would not [have] went
with them. Some few excessive good; others, perhaps,
another day may be brave — not at present. In my opinion
they had better [have] staid at home. I hope I shall be
able to go through this campaign. Nothing shall be wanting
on my side. In haste, I am, sir, your real friend and humble
servant, "Samuel Patterson.*
"To the Honorable George Read, Esquire, on public
business, in Wilmington."
Colonel Patterson wrote to Mr. Read from
"New Brunswick, Septeraber 22d, 1'7'76,
"10 o'clock.
" Sir, — I am to acquainfyou that I am now setting off for
Amboy, and all the companies [are] here, except Captain
Woodgate's and Captain Mitchell's, for an account of which
I refer you to my last. If the men who deserted are not
found I should be glad you would take the remainder and
officers under your notice and order thera to join Captain
Mitchell's corapany, if coraing up, or discharge thera, and
not suffer them to pilfer the public money and all arms and
accoutrements, if agreeable to your advisement. I expect
no good from thera ; in general, rascals in principle they are.
"At this place we have every hour news from New York
and Paulus Hook about setting it on fire on Friday night.
Just now a gentleman arrived [who] seems very intelligent.
He says the regulars set it on fire in many places first, and
* Samuel Patterson owned a large grist-raill about one raile from
Christiana Bridge, in New Castle County, Delaware, and carried on
business as a miller there. The tomb over his remains in the Presby
terian burying-ground in the village of Christiana bears the following
epitaph: "In memory of Samuel Patterson, Esquire, Colonel ofthe Regiment
of the ' flying camp' of Delaware, in the army of the United States of
Araerica, Brigadier-General of the Militia of the Delaware State, Con
tinental Loan Ofiicer and Treasurer of the same ; [He] departed this
life 27th May, 1785,'aged 51 years ; was a zealous friend ofthe Ameri
can Revolution, a firm patriot, a hospitable and an honest man."

196 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
at last in general by carrying fire in one hand and straw in
the other, and that the Whigs, when New York was taken,
were confined in gaols and places so full that they could
hold no more, dragged, and cruelly used. That the city is
destroyed almost all in my opinion is without doubt, and by
the regulars, although some, not with us, want to say we did
it — absurd.
" To-day I shall be at Amboy, with the companies with
me. Our sick men are recruiting fast.
"Captain Woodgate remained [in Philadelphia]; when
I left him; [he] had but eleven men, and they mostly
sick, himself like to die, and since have heard not a word
about him I heard nothing of Captain Mitchell's company
when I left the city, or of him ; left accoutrements for forty
men at Hollingsworth's store, which he is to look out and
deliver to him.
"A deserter from Howe said this day [there] was to be a
general attack on General Washington.
• " In haste, I am, sir, your most humble servant,
"Samuel Patterson.
"My best respects to my general and all friends. Since
[they] left Philadelphia the battalion is sorry for their mis
behavior. It was owing to a rascal telling thera they were
fools to go without their bounty. As I have no time to
write more, please let my father know I am here and well.
"S. P.
"To the Honorable George Read, Esquire, in New Castle."
Answered the 3d of October.
The next letter is from Colonel Bedford from
"Camp, near Head-quarters, October 1st, 1716.
"Dear Sir, — By a letter received from Ca,ptain Read am
informed you have not received any from me, which I am
concerned for and amazed at, as I have wrote you three
times since leaving Philadelphia: the first was on the morn
ing of the action on Long Island, just before I went over,
I delivered it to my Cousin Gunning Bedford, who, I under
stood, went to Philadelphia two days after; once by the post;
and the other, I think, by some gentleman who went from
the Maryland camp. The chief part of our time, since

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 197
leaving Long Island, have been encaraped on the Heights
of Morrisania, on the other side King's Bridge, a very re
mote place, — having very little opportunity of writing. I
should be glad to use every opportunity to let you hear from
me, especially if we had anything to comraunicate. Your
intelligence must be better than lean give you as I suppose
you frequently hear from the general.
"The enemy's lines and ours are about two miles from
each other. By inforraation lately received, and which
General Washington acquainted us with in orders, they are
meditating something speedy, which has put us on our guard
for these few nights past, the array parading and raarching
down to the lines two hours before day, and when the lines
are completed (which they are very forward in) I think our
situation will be a good one ; should the enemy attempt
thera, they must suffer greatly.
"Our army in general is much reduced by sickness or
something else, as our regiment appears equal to any two I
have yet seen in the service, and we want seventy to com
plete us, and [there are] one hundred sick. Our army suf
fers much for many things, the sick especially, as there
appears to be no medicines anywhere. I know it the case
with our own regiment and many others. Upon the whole,
I think it has been a hard campaign and a discouraging one.
I have not been well since I came from Philadelphia till
within these few days. I feel now better, though I have
lost no duty. Colonel Haslet and the major are both un
well. The colonel is in the country, about five miles from
'here, and has been there these three weeks, which confines
me to the camp; otherwise I think I should go to Philadel
phia shortly to provide some winter clothing for our people,
and blankets, of which near two hundred are without. I
have very seldom heard from any of my friends to the south
ward, which has made my time rather uneasy. I expect
this will go safe to you, and shall hope to hear from you
soon. In the mean time, with compliments to Mrs. Read,
and love to the children, I am
"Your affectionate brother, "Gunning Bedford,
" To George Read, Esquire.
"Favored by Captain Spenser."

19S LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE.
Colonel Patterson writes to Mr. Read from
" Head -QUARTERS, Ambot, October 4th, 1'7T6.
" SiR^ — We are here at present, and I believe we shall
continue here during this campaign, if the Hessians will
not drive us out, who parade just before us every day, but
by some accounts our general has received there are not
more than about seven hundred men opposite to us, and on
the island about fifteen hundred. I am sorry to say I don't
think we have effective men here to turn out above one
thousand in case of an attack. If fear does not take hold
of us I think we can beat three thousand, owing to our
situation. It is whispered these few days the Hessians in
tend to try for our good quarters, but from what point I
cannot say. General Mercer is unwell with an interrait-
tent. General Roberdeau [is] at Bergen; General Dickin
son gone home for a few days. The troops here live well,
and in great plenty. As to myself, am happy, and in an
elegant house, which I will fight for before I give it up.
" Yesterday our lieutenant-colonel joined us, as also
Captain Caldwell's corapany frora Fort Constitution — mis
erable . living there. The battalion is all here now, but
what is coraing up, deserters and Captain Mitchell's re
mainder. Now here, four hundred and sixty-one men,
officers included. Two men dead — one in Captain Cald
well's, and one in Captain Manlove's. If I ever come cam
paigning again, I should never be for- bringing up the
men from below. They are not fit for fatigue, have no
constitutions, and are always dissatisfied. Almost fifty
or sixty of them every day sick and unfit for duty, and
fond of desertion, as you have seen at Philadelphia; the
forty who deserted there, were all out of the lower county
troops. " This you will receive by Colonel Latimer, who sets off
this morning to join his regiment. In my opinion it will
be of little service this carapaign; if it coraes as railitia,
and the men do not sign their enlistments, they will only
•increase the confusion here, and injure subordination, as the
militia has always done. Our general has much the same
opinion. The time of their service, if they turn out, must
be short, as they will not be here before November. In
short, the militia I have seen here are of no service — they

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 199
eat up the colonies, and the day after they arrive here are
V ever wishing to be back.
" I left at Philadelphia everything Captain Mitchell
wanted, for forty men of accoutrements, but by some fate
he did not get my letter, and came up in want of all. I
have supplied him here, and written to Mr. Hollingsworth
to sell what was left with him.
" I am, sir, your obedient servant,
" Samuel Patterson.
" Remeraber me to General McKinley, and all friends.
Pray ask how old bachelor Morris is, in ray name.
" George Read, Esquire, Wilmington, favored by Colonel
G. Latimer."
Again Colonel Patterson writes to Mr. Read frora
"Perth Amboy, October 9th, 1776.
" Sir, — I received a letter frora Mr. Rodney, dated Octo
ber 2d, wherein he says he received a letter from ray
quartermaster, M,y. Watson, wherein he complained he was
not fit for the task. I must say I think so. Mr. Rodney's
answer to rae on that head was that he had a right to re
sign, and thinks it would be proper for me to accept [his
resignation], and as our States [Assembly] are not sitting,
inclose it to the President of Congress, and they to commis
sion sorae other person, and I to name one. This I com
municated to Mr. Watson, and persuaded hira to stay. He
said he grew worse and could not perform. This raorning
he sets off frora here for home. Inclosed is his comraission,
with notes that he has settled and paid off for all his trans
actions. Thfe tirae is so short that it is hardly worth any
person coming from your place to accept of the quarter-
mastership. We have at present one George Purvis acting,
till further orders. He was adjutant in Sussex, as he tells
me, to General Dagworthy's battalion, and was a candidate
for the adjutantcy in mine.
" I now note the welcome receipt of your letter, per Major
Duff. I am much obliged to you for the resolves of our
Convention. " You will note Mr. Rodney said in his last, he was re
turning home from Congress very ill, and applied to me to
get him a medicine for his eye, which I did ; it now comes

200 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
per Mr. Watson: perhaps Mr. Watson may be tardy or sick
on his way down, if so, please to forward it by a messenger
on purpose; his anxiety for it is great, and by accounts here
it has in some instances done wonders in that way. Pray
don't fail.
" I have also, for your perusal, inclosed you a state[ment]
of my battalion, as per returns from the different captains,
and you will see by that the number of sick, but in fact I
could add as raany more, not fit to turn out to do business
— mostly the lower companies. By this you will see we
have roora for your new battalion — men, without any aVJdi-
tional expense of officers ; however, I don't expect men nor
battalion frora your place. The [winter] season always makes
men cold: were I there, I think I could convince you our
patriotism ran too high to keep up, notwithstanding £7.10
and one hundred acres of land in view, till the spring, and
then hearts will be warra. We want no help here but
what we have, for we frighten the Hessians every week.
They are erecting new works before our faces, for fear, on
every corner where our boats can land, near us ; sorae of
them we had brought down from up the Raritan, in their
sight. You cannot conceive how afraid they are at present,
as they are by desertion weak, and have not more than six
hundred men in two small encampments opposite us. We
have now here in camp, I suppose, four thousand men, and
about one I am certain is about as many as could push a
fierce bayonet. However, never fear us. A good general
we have: every man loves him; his great tenderness and
humanity have endeared him to all, — General Mercer. He
has been sick with a tertian, at present is better. My re
spects to all friends. No general here but General M  .
" I am, sir, your most obedient servant,
" Samuel Patterson.
"Tell General McKinley I will not write till he does.
Poor Captain Kain is in a very bad way with the dysentery,
about six days [ill] ; am afraid he will not recover. A noble
officer — as such he will be missed by me."
Colonel Bedford writes to Mr. Read from the
"Camp near Head-quarters, October 10th, 1716.
"Dear Sir, — When I wrote you last I informed you of
my disappointment to hear you had not received any letters
from me, as I had wrote you often.

OF GEORGE BEAD 201
"We were yesterday alarmed with the Roebuck, Phoenix,
and Repulse men-of-war passing us up the North River.
They did it without receiving much damage that we could
know of. We had no person hurt, or any damage done.
It is reported they have taken two of our galleys up the
river about two miles from this, but I have no certainty of
this. I am now convinced men-of-war can pass any place
with fair wind and tide. Lord Sterling has returned from
captivity, and our brigade he has again taken charge of, as
General Mifflin is to do quartermaster-general's duty, and
no other. We are in much the same situation as when I
wrote you last. We are strengthening our lines, — the
.enemy are also busy with theirs. Our duty continues hard,
having the lines to man every raorning before day, and
they are a mile and a half from here, and [we have] a
great deal of other duty. I ara sorry to inforra you that
many of our men have deserted to the enemy, though none
from our regiment. Many frora the York regiment, and a
few from Colonel Shee's that was, and Magaw's. We have
had none from the enemy till within these few days. The
day before yesterday I had the advanced guard on the
North River, when two of the enemy's soldiers came over
to me. There seems no probability that the Hessians will.
The deserters say the eneray are apprehensive of an attack
from us. They all, likewise, say they are healthy, and
their array strong, — above thirty thousand. The day before
yesterday two brigades of the enemy went over to Long
Island. Our army is very sickly yet. We have one hun
dred and forty of our regiment unfit for duty. We have
neither hospitals nor medicines for them, which makes them
suffer much. I am glad to hear of General Thompson's
return, — if you see him, remember me to hira. Colonel
Haslet and our major are both well, I am likewise so, and
have been for some time. Colonel Haslet is not yet come
to camp: he continues in the country. My duty has been
something the harder for it. I have sorae expectation of
going down before a long time, if it is admissible. I want
to see you much. I have no news to acquaint you of. Our
army seems in good spirits, and we think our lines are
secure, if they should be attempted. You will please give
14

202 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
my compliments to Mrs. Read, and all friends. I am your
affectionate brother, "G, Bedford.
"George Read, Esquire."
The next letter of Colonel Patterson to Mr. Read is
from "Head-quarters, October 12th, 1776.
"Dear Sir, — Your kind favor [is] received by Captain
Ruraford, and [I] note its contents for answer. This morn
ing there is a surprising change here; perhaps occasioned
by General Lee's arrival here last evening. This I leave
to the world's wise conjectures, as many such prophecies
have lately been.
" This morning [there] is not a Hessian in sight of us.
They had two encampments right opposite us, and sentries
opposite our lines two miles long. Last night they struck
[their] tents, and carts and wagons they had employed all
night; also a ship of sixteen guns lay before my door, which
skulked after them in the dark, and I do suppose the whole
are marched for the southeast end of the island, there to
cross or embark to assist General Howe in some place, for
by some accounts the British army is not very strong, as
we had iraagined, as was stated in a letter to General Mer
cer, which I saw about six days ago. I wrote you the
other day, per Hugh McCorachen, of Christiana, with a
letter and small' bundle of medicine for Mr. Rodney for his
eye. Do forward it by a special [messenger] if he has gone
home. I shall send him more, to your care, to-morrow
without fail.
"I will write you, per every opportunity, any further
movements of the enemy.
"As to the new battalion, [I] am not very sorry to hear
it will not come out this blessed year. You mention Colo
nel Latimer's not receiving your letter. He did about six
miles from this. His carrying off the drummer was not,
in my opinion, genteel; and, in fact, his coming up and
going down was to rne extraordinary, and he had like to have
broken up his company with his fair promises. Three
deserted that night, but followed by a good sergeant, who
secured them, and brought them back. His men would
hardly serve under him if he was reappointed. Major

OF GEOBGE READ. 203
Duff now waits for this letter; I cannot say much more.
My respects to all friends.
"I am, sir, your most obedient servant,
"Samuel Patterson.
"I am glad to tell you Captain Kain is recovering and
out of danger. — S. P,
"To the Honorable George Read, Esquire. Favored by
Major Duff."
Colonel Patterson writes to Mr. Read from
"Head-quarters, October 13th, 1776.
"Sir, — This you will receive per Doctor Duff, with a
paper bundle for Mr. Rodney, for his eye; the same as
some sent before, and to be used in the same way. You
will please to forward it per the first safe hand.
"I wrote you yesterday, per Major Duff, of the Hessians
evacuating Staten Island. Yesterday our people passed
and repassed all about. Not a Hessian on the island. Many
persons have also come over. As to the num.ber of the Hes
sians none agree. They are gone over to Long Island; some
say fifteen hundred men, some say four thousand; but there
was no large body [of thera] together. The inhabitants
say they in general behaved well to them, and swore them
to George. As a badge such wear white crosses on their
breast. We used to see many of them, but did not know
their order before. We cannot see any now of them, nor,
I hope, will soon. In the two camps before us, they were
so afraid of our coming over that horses were always in
harness, and for their guns also, these two weeks past. We
never could get any account of their number before, with
all our art, so well did they watch the island. In haste, I
am, dear sir, your most obedient, humble servant,
" Samuel Patterson.
"I wish they had staid here, for Fort Constitution I
don't like, I am happy here. General Lee staid only one
night here, — is gone to head- quarters, with spades, etc.
— S. P."
Colonel Patterson further informs Mr. Read of the opera
tions of the "flying camp" in his next letter frora

20-1 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
"Head-quarters, Ambot, October 17th, 1776.
"Dear Sir, — I have now just time to write you a few
lines, which I should have done before, only for this reason :
just as I returned from our excursion to Staten Island, [I]
was ordered with my battalion to march to Fort Constitu
tion, to join General Washington, but now have got a re
prieve from, as it were, death. Our general has sent others
in our room, owing to our battalion's being very sickly.
Now [I] am likely to have my good quarters yet till we
retreat. "I shall now give you a small sketch of our affair to clear
Staten Island, in the order [in which] it was conducted;
and as to our success, we sent you a sample of the Hessians
down and regulars — in all seventeen prisoners.
"On the 14th, in the evening. General Mercer ordered
part of four battalions to be ready (mine all) to march and
go on board boats at eight o'clock that evening. We did,
in the whole about six hundred men, with two pieces of
brass artillery. We crossed all about ten o'clock at night,
in order to attack a small fort at the east end of that
island, at the watering-place, and to be there by break of
day, — seventeen miles, our battalion in front, — and to march
there on all occasions. We had with us General Mercer
and General Green. When we got two miles on, an ex
press followed us for Generals Mercer and Green to attend
a council of war of General Washington's in the morning.
On this we had liked to have returned. General Green did.
At the same tirae was informed by the country people that
the fort was reinforced the day before by the arrival of
fresh troops from England, Hessians, to about twelve hun
dred men. This put us to a stand; then sent our artillery
back on consultation. Not far off we heard there were
about two hundred and fifty soldiers, as they said, at the
town of Richmond. We then agreed to pick them up.
General Mercer ordered us to divide, and sent my battalion,
with Colonel Griffin and myself, with two rifle companies,
to march about a mile below the town, by a route of near
five miles, to accomplish it, and to lay about there till near
break of day, to cut off their retreat between that place
and the main fort, about six miles [distant], [This] we
did, and a dark march we had.
"About break of day we arrived. General Mercer's plan

OF GEORGE READ. 205
was — he to attack, with his party, in three places, and we
to be ready at the same time in the other quarters. Colonel
Griffin was too eager. He ordered my battalion to attack
as soon as it came up. At this tirae the others had not a
man arrived. This then was dawn of day. We began at
it as hard as we could blaze. The few eneray there were
ready at a church and a corner of the street near there.
We should not have begun so soon, but carae near one of
their sentries, who fired at our advanced flanking-party,
[commanded by] Captain Rumford, which brought us all to
work, and not being light, had liked to have shot our own
people. It lasted about one hour in attacking parties of
the regulars that ran up the hill, and made a small stand
in the cedars, and then ran off. We killed five of theirs,
and [had] two of ours killed, and three or four wounded.
One of the killed was of my battalion. Colonel Griffin got
wounded in the first fire in the heel. [He is] now in a
good way. I then had the command. About half an hour
after the first attack the general came up, amidst smoke,
and escaped narrowly from being fired on by our own
people, as it was not light [enough] to know him. He is a
hero, and as cool in his plans as a philosopher. I love him.
We nearly catched Courtlandt Skinner,* the villain (he has
raised a company of Tories), but the cedars hid .him. I was
in his room where he has lived for some time. You would
not give five pounds for it, and a poor bed to lie on. Ships
— numbers in sight at the Hook — just arrived. This letter
you will excuse not coming sooner.
"I am, sir, your real friend,
"Samuel Patterson.
"H[onorable George Read, Esq."
We are now approaching the darkest period of the Ameri
can Revolution, when reverses were followed by reverses till
all seemed lost. Mr. Rodney expresses in the following letter
his feelings, which were those of all true patriots, at this
* Soon after the battle of Brooklyn, Oliver Delaney, the captor of
WoodhuU, brother of a former Governor of New York, and Courtlandt
Skinner, late Attorney-Greneral of New Jersey, and Speaker of the As
serably, were commissioned as brigadiers, with authority to raise four
bittalions each, to be commanded by Tryon as Major-General. — Hil
dreth's History of the United States, vol. iii. p. 153,

206 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
dark hour; he is indignant at the base men who thought
only of coining gold out of the public distress; he is sad.
but not despondent or despairing, and counsels not the
seeking safety for himself or friends, but more strenuous
efforts to save his country and more earnest thought for
means to that noble end : "Dover, October 25th, 1776.
"Sir, — Since I came to Kent I have purchased and paid
for coarse cloths to the amount of near two hundred pounds.
They come very dear; but what is worse, I have little or
no expectation that raany more can be got. The shops
throughout this- county seem to be entirely drained. Part
of those I have are home-made. Be pleased to let me know
whether you would propose that the House should take
such order in the raatter as to enable rae to raise an account
against this State for these articles procured for the Dela
ware battalion, or whether I must look elsewhere to be re
imbursed. Dear as the cloths are they will now sell for
considerably more than I gave.
"The last papers announce the almost total defeat of our
fleet, under General Arnold.* Though I greatly feel for the
loss the continent hath sustained and the many disadvan
tages we may have to labor under in consequence of it, yet
I cannot but be much pleased with [the] behavior of that
brave officer and his men. They are certainly a parcel of
fine fellows, and will, while they show such bravery, con
vince their opponents that America is not to be subdued
but by Americans. Yet the uneasiness and discontent which
too generally prevail among the common people, partly oc
casioned by the scarcity and intolerable prices of necessary
articles, is much to be lamented, as it tends more to the in
jury of the cause than anything I know. The disaffected,
by painting the distresses of the people in strong colors, will
create such a general discontent as that I fear the more un
thinking among those will, in a little time, wish to submit,
even at discretion, rather than contend. For this approach
ing evil we must find a remedy. Government must exert
itself. But what can government do with those persons
who are base enough to ingross these necessaries of life, in
a tirae of general distress, when every nerve should be
* On Lake Champlain, 4th and 12th of October, 1776.

OF GEORGE BEAD. 207
strained in the prosecution of the cause, with a desire to
accuraulate fortunes, even at the expense of their dearest
rights and privileges? To submit now is undoubtedly to be
slaves. However, I know you have turned your thoughts
for a considerable time past to these things, and your more
fruitful invention will contrive, if possible, a remedy.
" I received a letter from Colonel Patter.son a few days
ago. No news, but says Watson, the quartermaster, has,
as all quartermasters do, discovered a profit in the business,
and therefore intends to continue in the service.
"With my corapliraents to Mrs. Read, I am, sir, your
sincere friend and humble servant, "CiESAR Rodney.
" To the Honorable George Read, Esquire, at Wilming
ton, per Mr. Garmant."
After the evjicu ation of New York the British were posted
on York Island, — their right upon Horen's Hook, on the
East River, and their left on the North River, near Bloom
ingdale, the distance between these points being about two
railes. Skirraishes took place, in one of which the Araeri
cans behaved well, so recovering character and restoring,
somewhat, confidence. The American army was so advan
tageously posted — ten thousand at King's Bridge, which
was strongly fortified, and six thousand on Harlem Heights,
nearer New York — that General Howe would not risk an
attack upon it from New York, but determined to gain
their rear by moving his troops behind King's Bridge, and
for this object, embarking them in flat-boats, landed at
Frog's Neck, on the east of the Sound. While the British
commander-in-chief remained there a short tirae, awaiting
reinforceraents, guns, and stores, a council of war to counter
act his plan of shutting up the Araerican array in the island,
and forcing it to give battle on unfavorable terms or sur
render, recommended that its position should be changed
by extending its front or left up the North River towards
the White Plains, beyond the enemy's right. The Araeri
can army was accordingly disposed, having quitted York
Island. Its right or rear division remained a few days in
the vicinity of King's Bridge to cover the baggage, which
could not be quickly removed for want of wagons. General
Howe's reinforcements having been landed at Pell's Point,

208 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
where, with his army, he united with them, he, October
18th, advanced, but with very great caution. On the 21st
he was posted at New Rochelle, and General Washington
on the high grounds between it and the North River. The
British, reinforced by Knyphausen's division frora New
Rochelle, moved, as did the Americans, toward White
Plains, where a large camp was marked out and where was
posted a detachment of militia, the ground being strong.
General Washington, by degrees calling in his outposts,
occupied, October 25th, the high grounds east of the river
Brunx, where, on the 26th, Lee joined him with the rear
division. "On the 28th the American army was encamped
on a long ridge of hills on which they had hastily con
structed lines. A bend of the Brunx protected the right
flank, and another turning secured the right wing. The
left wing was posted on uneven ground, steep and rugged
in front, but affording a secure retreat in the rear. The
raost accessible part was the centre, the slope of the hill
being there gradual, the lines not fraised, and the ditches,
from the rockiness of the soil, shallow,"* General McDou
gal, with sixteen hundred men, chiefly militia, was posted
upon a hill, to the right of the American troops, distant
about a mile from them, on the west of the Brunx, to cover
their right flank. On the 28th, at an early hour, the British
advanced upon the American lines. Having driven in their
outposts, a cannonade was begun at ten o'clock and kept up
by both for some tirae with little or none effect. Howe
then determined to occupy the hill, where McDougal was
posted, and attacked it, with Lesly's brigade and Donop's
grenadiers, on the right flank and in front, the Brunx being
passable with ease. The militia fled, but the regulars,
Smallwood's Marylanders and Reitzemar's New Yorkers,
bravely advanced to meet the enemy, but were compelled
by superior numbers to retreat. The residue of McDougal's
force, consisting of his brigade, the Delaware battalion, and
a small regiment of Connecticut militia, were driven from
the hill, but for some time kept up an irregular contest from
behind the stone walls which divided the adjacent fields.
The Americans lost between three and four hundred in
killed, wounded, and prisoners. The day was so far spent
* Bissett's Reign of George III., vol. i. p. 404.

01 GEOBGE BEAD. 209
m taking the hill that the assault on the American camp
was deferred till October 29th, and General Washington
having strengthened his intrenchments and drawn back his
right to stronger ground, it was further postponed to the
30th, when reinforcements, under Lord Percy, arrived; but
rain then prevented the attack, and, on November 1st,
Washington, fearing that the loss of the hill taken from
McDougal would enable the British to gain his rear, with
drew to North Castle Heights, distant five miles. The
foregoing summary of events from the evacuation of New
York to the 1st of November, 1776, seemed to me*a neces
sary preface to the following letter of Colonel Bedford to
Mr, Read from " Camp, about five miles from White Plains,
"November 2d, 1776.
"Dear Sir, — I have just received your letter, per Cap
tain Dean, with the paper inclosed, for which ara much
obliged. " Since our leaving York Island have been in perpetual
motion. The enemy moving has caused our regiment to do
so also. I have now slept five nights without a tent or any
thing but the ground to lay on, and not a blanket to cover
us, our baggage being ten miles frora us, and our station
being advanced toward the enemy, which is always our
case. I have very little conveniency of writing at present,
being obliged to sit on the ground and use the backs of letters.*
I would inform you of the occurrences lately. About ten
days since Colonel Haslet, Major Green, of the Virginians,
and myself were ordered, with six hundred men, to march
and attack Colonel Rogersf (the famous Major Rogers for-
* On the back of this letter is written " Lieutenant-Colonel Bedford,
of the Delaware Battalion, near New York, per Captain Dean."
f Robert Rogers, born in New Hampshire, was a distinguished par
tisan officer In the war with France which issued in the loss to her of
Canada. His exploits and escapes at the head of his "Rangers" were
as daring and romantic as those of Stark and Putnam. When the
Revolution commenced, he was, or pretended for a tirae to be, neutral,
but in 1775 was in Carleton's pay as a spy. In 1776 he was in New
York, and being suspected was arrested, but set free by Congress, upon
his written engagement "on the honor of a gentleman" not to serve
against the United States while the war continued with Great Britain.
But he immediately after violated this pledge, entered the British ser
vice, received the commission of colonel, raised a corps of Tories, and

210 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
merly) and his regiment, which was supposed to be about
three hundred strong, or his outguard. Accordingly we
proceeded ; but instead of meeting with his main body our
guides brought us (it was eleven o'clock at night) on their
picket-guard, consisting of seventy men, thirty-six of whom
we brought off, and about fifty muskets and as many blan
kets; the rest, I believe, were chiefly slain, as several de
serters from that corps (they are called Royal Rangers) say
but two escaped. We had two men killed. Major Green,
who had the chief merit on that occasion, and made the
first attack, with one hundred and fifty men, was wounded
through the shoulder near the socket, but hope he will re
cover, and six or seven men wounded. The place we
attacked was about ten miles frora our carap, and called
' Mamaraneck.' Instead of three hundred we afterwards
learned they had six hundred, and fled on the alarm.*
" Last Monday the eneray advanced on our lines on the
' White Plains.' Our regiraent was ordered to reinforce
General McDougal's brigade, who occupied an advantageous
hill. The eneray soon made preparations to gain it, and
at last succeeded, after our defending it in the best manner
we could with our small number, in comparison of the
enemy, and a large train of artillery. They cannonaded
us with their whole force, which, I suppose, was as great
as any ever brought out, which forced a retreat. Our regi
ment lost about fifteen killed and as raany wounded. Cap
tain Adaras, of our regiment, we fear is killed, as he is
missing. We had an ensign. Hazard, shot through the arm,
[and which is] broke[n]. Captain Caldwell is slightly
wounded in the wrist, and myself in the arm, but am now
quite well of it, as is Caldwell, The night before last our
lines at White Plains were evacuated, and yesterday the
enemy took possession. We are about five miles frora them,
and expect them here next, probably to-morrow. You men
tion the new appointment of officers in this battalion, I
wish to see you, but at present can only inform you I mean
to decline serving any longer if you think well of it. I
at their head was now serving against his countrymen, who, while they
dreaded the courage, enterprise, and resources of this renowned partisan,
hated him intensely as an apostate and despised him for his breach of
parole. * Marshall's Life of Washington, vol. ii. pp. 500, 501.

OF GEOB.GE BEAD. 211
believe too many of our officers will also [decline serving],
as they generally talk of it. You will do as you think best.
For my part I am tired of the service. We have just re
ceived orders while I am writing this to fortify this post.
There is only Lord Sterling's brigade here. We are on the
right of the whole army, and 'tis supposed the enemy mean
to surround us, which raust be done by forcing their way
on our right. I must conclude, with my compliments to
all friends. " Your affectionate brother,
"G. Bedford.
" George Read, Esq."
Colonel Patterson gives Mr. Read further information of
the state of his battalion, asks his opinion upon a point it
was difficult to decide, and raakes some useful suggestions
in his next letter, dated
" Head-quarters, Perth Ambot, November 4th, 1776.
" Dear Sir, — I have wrote you two letters lately, [and]
as yet [have received] no answer. This comes by the
Reverend Mr. Eakin, who is now going home, by leave,
not to return. He has been an honor to your appointment.
As to news here, [there is] none material. Our battalion
is half [of] the garrison, and by some late accounts our
enemy are numerous on Staten Island. General Mercer at
present [is] supposed to be at head-quarters. My battalion
is sojnewhat mending, and this day and yesterday [I] dis
charged about thirty men — invalids, supposed not to be
able to do duty our time, at their own request, and perhaps
soon sixty more [will be discharged]. Their clothing ex
cessive thin. [It is] now here very cold. No likelihood of
[things] mending here. By deaths and discharges have
many arms. [I] have ordered chests to be made [for them],
and shall send them down to Messrs. Hollingsworths' store,
under guard, to lie there until your further orders, or I re
turn with an inventory if approved of. In discharging the
men [I] am much at a loss how to act — whether to pay
them from the day of enlistment or not. Some have done
one way, some the other, as the captains say they had some
assurance. I well know the orders, but think it hard they
should not be paid from the date. Your answer to this

212 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
point I want much, [as I wish] to do justice to all, but
those sick would give all up to be discharged, and more,
" Another affair comes under my notice, but shall only
touch slightly on it, and [it] has been hinted to me also
[by other persons] that think as the Delaware State -is to
furnish a quota of troops at the expiration of our time,
whether it would not be proper for you to send some orders
to recruit [the discharged soldiers] at £7.10 in cash to each
man, and perhaps some scheme might be adopted to make
one battalion out of both ; there is a difficulty, as one's
[term of service] is out a month sooner than the other, —
and officers hard to determine. This to your better judg
ment. '' I am sorry to inform you Colonel Bedford got wounded
in a late engagement. I am told [the wound] is slight.
"The [enemy] advance on us, but very slow[ly] yet.
The sending up troops for the 'flying camp' is absurd. As
such some arrived to-day from Maryland to stay to Decem
ber, unarmed. No arms here.
" My best corapliraents to all my friends. I am, dear
sir, your raost obedient servant,. " Samuel Patterson.
" I have sorae noble officers in my battalion I could re
commend if a door open. — S. P.
" Honorable George Read, favored by Rev. Mr, Eakin."
A false report, but not without foundation, that Congress
had ordered troops to Lewistown, no application for them
having been made by the President or Legislature of Dela
ware, then in session, occasioned the following letters of
Mr. Read and Robert Morris :
"New Castle, 5th November, 1776.
" Sir, — A report prevails here, this morning, that Con
gress have ordered four companies of one of the Virginia
battalions to Lewistown, on some intelligence supposed to
have been transmitted by Henry Fisher to the Council.
of Safety of your Province. Upon inquiry I find that Mr.
Rush, Secretary to the President, told the under-sheriff of
thfs county so yesterday morning. I must own I can with
difficulty believe that Congress would take a step of this
kind, upon any application other than from the legislative

OF GEORGE READ. 213
or executive bodies of this State, especially as the Congress
must know that the General Asserably is now sitting at
New Castle, who, it is to be presumed, are the best judges
of the necessity or propriety of such a raeasure; but if such
is the fact, take the most speedy way to prevent its being
carried into execution, otherwise it raay be attended with
bad consequences, as I well know the Legislature of this
State will look upon it as an ill-timed interference with
their internal affairs. As to Harry Fisher, he may be quali
fied for the post assigned him by your Council of Safety,
and they may give him what credit they think fit in that
line, but they ought to be careful of giving credit to his
intelligence of the political conduct or sentiments of the
people of Sussex or any other county in this government.
More injury to the common catise was done by sending
down the rifle battalion of your province last sumraer than
most people are aware of. 1 would not have it increased
by a repetition of insult. Let me hear from you by the
messenger, who is sent for the purpose, and you will oblige
yours, etc., " George Read.
" To the Honorable Robert Moeris, Philadelphia."
It is evident from Mr. Read's letter that these troops
were to be sent to overawe citizens of Sussex disaffected to
Congress. I am, therefore, not surprised at the indignation
excited by the report that troops were to be ordered there
for such purpose, upon the representation merely of an
individual. Mr. Morris replied promptly to Mr. Read's letter:
" Philadelphia, November 6th, 1776.
"Dear Sir, — You will not wonder that I should be
obliged to answer your favor of the 5th instant in a great
hurry, after detaining the bearer some time before I could
even sit down to write.
"It seems there is some foundation for the report you
heard, although not strictly true. I was not in Congress
when Dr. Rush brought the account from the Council of
Safety, but am told, he moved for some Continental troops
being ordered down, which was opposed by several members
upon the very principles you would wish, and finally the

214 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
motion was rejected; but as a Virginia regiment was ordered
up from the Eastern Shore, they were directed to halt at
Dover for the further orders of Congress, on the supposition
that your government would apply for them if they should
think it necessary.
" This I believe to be the true state of facts, and as my
sentiments are totally with you, I am ready to obey your
commands, or do anything you desire, if in my power;
being very sincerely, dear sir, your obedient servant,
"Robert Morris.
" To the Honorable George Read, Esquire, New Castle."
The next letter in the order of their dates, I find among
Mr. Read's papers, is from General Rodney, "November 17th, 1776.
"Sir, — At the request of the members of the Council
and Assembly, delivered me by Mr. Collins, I sent, to the
care of Thoraas McKean, Esq., in Philadelphia, by John
Palmer, shallopman, sixty blanket,s, and all the cloths of
any kind whatsoever that I could procure here suitable for
the Delaware battalion. They were packed in hogsheads,
and accompanied with a letter to Mr. McKean. But as
the collectors of those articles had not made me their re
turns in proper order, [I] could not send him the invoice
and account of thera. 1 have now inclosed you a general
account of them, and the charges thereon, all of which I
have presently charged to this State, as directed by Mr.
Collins. "On Monday, the 4th of this month, one George Gibson
(who says he is a captain in the First Virginia Regiment,
was sent by the State of Virginia and General Lee on an
expedition to New Orleans, and was passing through here
with letters from the Governor of that place to Congress)
applied to me to assist him with horses, and a small matter
of cash. I procured horses to send him part of the way,
let hira have six pounds, — which was all he asked, — and
have inclosed you his receipt for it.* As the money was
* Inclosed in Mr. Rodney's letter is the following note :
" Captain Gibson presents his compliments to General Rodney.
When he applied to him for horses, for prosecuting his journey towards
head-quarters, be forgot to request the favor of an article of equal im-

OF GEORGE READ, 215
advanced for the public service, [I] should be obliged to
you to procure it again for me. Before I let him have the
money he showed me his credentials, signed by Mr. Pendle
ton, and many other gentlemen of note, in Virginia. Yes
terday and the day before I received two letters from
General McKinley, by express, with copies of other letters
inclosed, informing that a great number of vessels had sailed
from New York, [and] that it was expected they intended
up Delaware to pay Philadelphia a visit. On the receipt
of this piece of intelligence, I immediately issued and sent
orders to all the field-officers in this and Sussex County, to
see that their several battalions were immediately prepared,
with their arras, accoutreraents, etc., [to move] when and
where they should receive orders for that purpose. This I
did in discharge of my duty as commanding officer; but,
between you and I, I no more believe they are coming, at
this season of the year, to attack Philadelphia than I be
lieve they intend besieging the moon. I ara rauch pleased
to find, by th'e postscript of Mr. Hancock's letter, that
General Carleton, with all his forces, has retreated. When-
iever you have anything, either public or private, worth
while and proper to coraraunicate to me, and be fortunate
enough to steer clear of those violent lazy fits that some
times seize you, [I] should be much obliged to you to let me
have it. I am, sir, with much respect, your most obedient,
humble servant, "C^SAR Rodney.
"George Read, Esquire."
Mr. Read was invoked to exert his influence to induce
the immediate march of volunteers from Delaware to aid
in the defence of Philadelphia against the apprehended
attack of the British, by Messrs. Wilson, Clymer, and Chase
in their letter, dated -

portance — cash. Would it be convenient for General Rodney to let
him have about five or six pounds. Continental currency ? If it would,
he will esteem it a particular favor, and a very essential one.
"MoKDAY, November, 1776.
"Received of General Rodney six pounds Continental currency.
" George Gibson,
" Captain, First "Virginia Regiment, on particular commission."

216 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
" Philadelphia, November 25th, 1776.
" SiR^ — The inclosed resolutions* will inform you of the
steps adopted in this State for the immediate reinforcement
of the army under the command of General Washington.
We wish for assistance from the State of Delaware, and
cannot doubt their alacrity in furnishing every aid in their
power in this hour of common danger.
"We know not to whom our application ought to be
made, but we earnestly entreat your influence and exertions
with the proper authority of your State to send a speedy
assistance of five hundred volunteers, if possible, on the
same terms and times of service with the volunteers from
this State.
"We are, sir, with great regard, your obedient, humble
servants, "James Wilson,
"George Clymer,
" Samuel Chase.
"Honorable George Read, Esquire, New Castle."
The letter I next present to the reader is the last ot"
Samuel Patterson's letters, written to Mr. Read during his
service with the "flying camp." He was, as I judge him
by his letters, a spirited and brave officer, an ardent Whig
of respectable abilities, and limited education, and of quick
temper. "Brunswick, November SOth, 1776.
"Dear Sir, — Yesterday morning I had orders from Lord
Sterling to evacuate my post at Amboy with the troops
there — about five hundred men — and the remainder of the
stores, cattle, etc., and to join him about three railes off.
This I did by sunrise, and then proceeded, with the main
body, to Brunswick, where we arrived about two o'clock —
in the whole about nine thousand men, with a good train.
But this place is miserably dirty — no entertainment. Many
of our men lay out without even tents — most distressing to
the campaign and future success of recruiting. Our men
[are] many of them sick, [with] hardly a place to put their
heads in. Here are Generals Washington, Putnam, Mercer,
Green, Stevens, and Beal, with their brigades. General
* Published in all the newspapers.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 217
Washington has wanted the 'flying camp' to stay two
weeks, but such proposal will not do with any. I do not
much wonder at this, as [the men are almost naked, with]
no place many times to put their heads in. We must do
better for the future, or give up our army.
"As to General Howe, [by] last accounts he was at Eliza
bethtown, and that yesterday. This day I think he will
be at Amboy, and, if you will have my opinion, I don't
think he will advance farther this winter, as the rains pre
vent him now and [the] badness of roads. If [he should
have] good weather, it is my opinion he will not go any
way towards Philadelphia, but through [the] Jerseys, which
there is nothing to hinder hira [from doing,] and [if he have
also] good roads. Was I in Philadelphia, and an inhab
itant, I should reraain, in my opinion, secure this winter.
Colonel Bedford is here, very poorly, but I think mending;
[his disease] is pleurisy. I shall set off in the morning for
your city. "I am, in haste, yours, etc.,
"Samuel Patterson,
"As to General Lee, [there is] no certainty, but suppose
he is coming this way, as what kept him was to attack
Rogers. By report Rogers escaped him; if so, he will soon
be here. — S. P.
"Honorable George Read, Esq., at Congress,"
The gratifying intelligence that many of the Delaware
militia discovered "a noble ardor to aid in the defence of
Philadelphia" was communicated to Mr. Read by General
McKinley in his letter from "Wilmington, 4th December, 1776.
"Dear Sir, — Last Monday the Council of Safety of this
county met here, before whom I laid the letters, of which
the inclosed are copies, who were unanimously of opinion
that the same should be referred to the whole Council for
this State, and for that and other purposes the members
should be notified to meet next Monday, being the 9th
instant, at the town of Dover, and an express was sent off
very early yesterday morning to notify them accordingly
of this proceeding, I wrote to the gentlemen who ad
dressed themselves to you, James Wilson, etc., and sent
my letter by a gentleraan traveller yesterday morning, but
15

218 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
lest it might miscarry, please to inform them thereof.
Many of the militia in this place and around have dis
covered a noble ardor to go and assist, as far as in their
power, their brethren of Philadelphia, but will not enter
for the time proposed by the Committee. Some proposed
that I should issue orders, calling forth the militia to march,
but this I could not in, the present case apprehend that I
could properly do, or tnat I could answer for the charges
and consequences that might accrue; so I thought it better
to defer any such orders until the General Council have
met, but in the mean time to renew my orders for the
militia to hold themselves in readiness to march at an hour's
notice. Pray write as speedily as possible the state of
affairs, as nearly as you can understand, with respect to the
situation and circumstances, etc. of both armies, and your
advice as to our proceedings, which the Council would be
extremely glad to have. Pray excuse haste, as I have
, scarcely leisure to read this scrawl over.
"I am, with sincere regard, dear sir,
"Yours affectionately, "Jno. McKinley,
"To the Hon. George Read, Esq., Philadelphia, per favor
of Mr. Edward Gyles."
General McKinley wrote again to Mr. Read, on the sub
ject of his letter sent by Mr. Gyles, on the same day,
"Wilmington, December 4th, 1776.
" Dear Sir, — I was favored with yours of yesterday, a
very short time after I had written a few lines to you this
morning, and delivered them to Mr. Gyles, — therein I per
ceive that you recommend the raarching of the militia from
this State even in single companies, which will greatly
encourage them, and will be properly attended to. I shall
immediately order them to get in readiness in this county,
and hope to have the concurrence of the General Council in
ordering them to march, which I expect will be done
shortly. Pray write me as frequently as possible. I write
this at your house. Mrs. Read and family are very well,
and desire their love to you.
" I am yojirs sincerely, "John McKinley.
" To the Hon. George Read, Esquire, Philadelphia, fa
vored by Mr. Gyles."

OF GEORGE READ. 219
Mr, Read, it appears by the last of Mr. McKinley's letters,
had a house then in Wilmington. He wrote to Mrs. Read
from "Philadelphia, 6th December, 1776.
"My DEAR G  , Attendance night and morning at com
mittees, and all day at Congress, puts it out of my power
to write to you so frequently as I ought, and have had op
portunities, but I have no chance of a moment but when I
retire out of Congress to the Committee-Room, where I now
ara, to write to any person; however, be assured if any
[thing] very material occurs you shall hear it. General
Washington, in his letter of yesterday, mentions the enemy's
being at Brunswick, and Lord Sterling, with two brigades,
consisting [of] 1200 men, including the Delaware battalion,
at Princeton, about fifteen miles apart, — that General Mer
cer has marched back 1200 men from Trenton to Princeton
as a reinforcement, and General Washington is to follow
this day. General Lee is somewhere in the neighborhood^
but where particularly, or [with] what force, is not pre
cisely known. The German battalion belonging to the
continent, with the city militia, have marched from here —
supposed more than 3000. I have little doubt that the
progress of the British army will be stopped — if no more.
The troops belonging to the ' flying camp,' whose term of
enlistment had expired, left the general in whole brigades,
— particularly Jersey and Maryland, — as also Colonel Pat
terson's battalion — they would [not] serve an hour longer,
so that the city is filled with the returning soldiers, though
never more needed in the field. The Delegates of Mary
land, with General Mifflin, harangued a great number, per
haps six or seven hundred of them, in the State House yard
yesterday with success, and it is expected a great part will
return for a month. G  Gurney told me, as I came by
to Congress, that she had thoughts still of going down to
you ; she is presently engaged n preparing their house in
town for Messrs. Tilghman and Carroll, of Maryland, who
are to go into it. Bedford came to town Tuesday evening,
— he is mending. Tom Read marched last evening. Jemmy
Read goes this evening ; his corapany went yesterday. Gen- .
eral Thompson is still with us. I am satisfied you will not
be disturbed in your quarters this season, therefore raake
yourself easy, and kiss our little ones. I know not when I

220 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
may see you. I cannot stir, for the non-attendance of our
representatives for times past has been severely animad
verted upon since my return.
" I am yours most affectionately, " George Read.
" Mrs. Gertrude Read."
General McKinley wrote again to Mr. Read on the subject
of the reinforcement of the American army by militia from
Delaware. " Wilmington, 7th December, 1776.
" Dear Sir, — In consequence of your letters, orders have
been issued to the commanding officers of the several com
panies of the first battalion, as likewise to the commanding
officers of the second battalion, of militia in this county, to
procure as many of those who are under their respective
comraands [as they can], to provide theraselves with every
thing necessary, and to be ready to march to reinforce the
array under General Washington as speedily as possible.
Many have shown rauch alacrity, and, in particular, a com
pany of the railitia in this place are ready to march, but
hearing that the English army has not been farther than
Brunswick, and are now retreating, and that. General Lee
hath joined General Washington, with a considerable army,
and the militia not being willing to comply with the terms
of the only requisition made by proper authority of con
tinuing in service [from] this [tirae to] the 10th of March
next, and no provision for pay or other necessary supplies
is mentioned to us, what is to be done? The militia would,
I am persuaded, readily go to the immediate defence of
Philadelphia at all events, but they object to march farther
on the terms proposed. By whom are they to be paid and
subsisted is what they require to know. The Council of
Safety for this county meet here this day, and the General
Council at Dover on Monday, The bearer will deliver you
£225 for the salt purchased by Captain Grantham. The
owners had actually agreed with Mr. Aaron Musgrave, of
this place, for twenty shillings per bushel; though they
afterwards charged Captain Grantham twenty-two shillings
and sixpence. Pray write me frequently, and excuse haste.

OF GEORGE READ. 221
I am, very sincerely, dear sir, your affectionate, hurable
servant, "John McKinley.*
" To the Hon. George Read, Esquire, Philadelphia, per
the favor of Mr. Molis Patterson."
The last letter I find among Mr. Read's papers upon the
all-absorbing subject, in December, 1776, the reinforcement
of General Washington's army to cover Philadelphia, is
from Thomas Duff, marching to join his army.
"Philadelphia, Deceraber 16th, 1776.
"Worthy Sir, — I make bold to acquaint you that we
arrived here next day after our departure from Wilmington,
and [that] on our way [we] met General Mifflin at Chester,
who received us kindly; at which time there were two ves
sels at Chester with salt, bought by some Tories from
Jersey. We stopped one, and sent the salt to Philadelphia,
and the other was under sail, but followed by a vessel
which overtook her, etc.
" I am sorry to hear that our Brigadier McKinley should
discourage the men from marching. Captain Craighead's
men, whom we sent for, and who were on their way to us,
were, it seems, sent home by hira, saying, 'they need not
proceed without they pleased,' etc. This, you must know,
was told me by the guard sent for thera, and had such
* Conjecturing from his name that President McKinley was of
Scotch or Scotch-Irish extraction, and was a Presbyterian, and interred
in the Presbyterian burying-ground in Wilmington, where he resided, I
lately* searched there for his grave, and found it covered by a mas
sive marble slab, bearing the following inscription, which, though sixty
years had elapsed since his death, I copied without difficulty :
" This monument is erected in memory of John McKinley, M.D., who
was born in the Kingdom of Ireland, on the 24th February, 1721, and
died, in this town, on the 31st August, 1796.
" He settled early in life in this county, and pursuing the practice of
physic, soon became eminent in his profession.
" He served in several important public employments, and, particu
larly, was the first person who filled the office of President of the State
after the Declaration of Independence.
" He died full of years, having passed a long life, usefully to the pub
lic, and honorably to himself."

* August 28th, 1856.

222 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
influence that some of the guard, as well as ten of Captain
Craighead's men, turned back immediately, so that his
company is reduced to a few, in so much that they who are
here of his company are almost discouraged. And further,
sir, I am ashamed that so few men from our State have ap
peared here as yet, which astonishes the officers and gentle
men here very much, as they always expected something
clever from our militia. I make what defence I can for the
brigadier, but I am afraid the backwardness which seems
to be shown by him and some others, on this alarming
occasion, will grow here, as people seem to know everywhere
of the transactions below.
"We thank you, sir, for your friendship and assistance,
which we account preferable to all that has been done for
us. We have not made use of your order as yet, not know
ing how matters may yet be fixed, [and] we would choose
to act with credit. [I] am, in haste, your most obedient,
humble servant, "Thomas Duff,
"I sent your letter to camp this day by Mr, Robert
Curry. " To the Honorable George Read, Esquire, in Wilming
ton, favored by Lieutenant Garrett."
These charges may be unfounded, but they have some
support, it seems to me, from the caution, bordering upon
timidity, manifested by the foregoing letters of General
McKinley in an emergency demanding prompt decision and
action, and the unhesitating assumption of responsibility
from which he appears to have shrunk. He must have
been soon after elected President of Delaware, for he held
this office when taken prisoner by the British, in September,
1777, soon after the battle of Brandywine.
The last of the letters, addressed to Mr. Read, in 1776,
which I find among his papers, is from his friend Mr.
Evans, in reply to his letter communicating the welcome
intelligence of General Washington's daring attack on the
enemy at Trenton, and its brilliant success.
" December 29th, 1776.
"Dear Sir, — I received yours of yesterday, and upon
reading the contents, it gives me real satisfaction to hear

OF .GEORGE BEAD. 223
ft
of the success of General Washington's army, which was
related nearly in the same terras by Mr. Joseph Carson,
who came from Philadelphia yesterday into our neighbor
hood. I hope it is the happy prelude to better times, for a
few such attacks will have the happy tendency to animate
those who were dispirited from the incursions the enemy
had made in the Jersey. If this lucky event is improved
(which I make no doubt it will be) our affairs will, I hope,
soon put on a very different appearance,
" I this moment received a letter from my brother George,
who informs me that General Heath attacked Hackensack
with success; in which [attack] he took 130 prisoners, and
a great quantity of plunder carried there by the English
army. I approve of your not going to Baltimore* until
your General Assembly have met, as some general regula
tions raay point out themselves as absolutely necessary to be
done, and I am convinced the members will expect your
aid. I should be glad we had a representation in Congress,
but under your particular circumstances make no doubt you
will stand excused for not appearing in Congress earlier, as
the business of the government was deferred over, at the
last meeting of the General Assembly, to this time, and the
people will expect something to be done, or grow very un
easy, the more especially if our affairs should take a happy
turn in our favor, which the news of the day seems to give
great reason to hope for; or should we be disappointed in
our sanguine expectations from General Washington's suc
cess at Trenton, yet, upon the return of the militia, they
will be very urgent to have a militia law established for
the recovery of the fines of the non-associators, and they
will think themselves the more entitled to such an act now
as many of the associators have been in the service at this
season of the year, I hope you will excuse my remarks,
and attribute them to the constant wish I have to see our
internal peace flourish, and the confidence of the people
established in their representatives,
"I am a little easier at present from my disorder than I
have been for some days past. My compliments to Mrs.

* Congress, being insecure from the advance of the British at Phila
delphia, had adjourned to Baltimore.

224 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
Read; and I ara, with great respect, your friend and hum
ble servant, "John Evans,
"To George Read, Esquire, Wilmington, per Captain
Samuel Evans."
The condition of America seemed desperate. New Jersey
appeared subj ugated, neutrals were declaring forthe royalist
party, thousands of timid friends of independence in the
Middle States were ready to save their lives and property
by unqualified submission, recruiting was at an end, the
soldiers, as their terms of service expired, left the American
standard, and the exulting Tories were confident that the
rebel Washington would soon be a general without an army,
and a fugitive beyond the Alleghany, should he escape the
just doom of his treason. The brilliant success at Trenton
dispelled the deep and general despondency of the Ameri
cans, and the eventful year 1776 closed upon them, more
resolved than before to maintain the independence they
had declared, and again hopeful of success.

OF GEOBGE BEAD, 225

APPENDICES TO CHAPTER III.

I WAS not aware of the instructions to the Delaware delegates in
the Continental Congress, of June 14th, 1776, until having been referred
to volume 9th of the "Writings of John Adams," page 398, I found
there the following statement in his letter of June 14th, 1776, to Sarauel
Chase :
" McKean has returned from the ' Lower Counties' with full powers.
Their instructions are in the same words with the new ones to the dele
gates of Pennsylvania. New Jersey has dethroned Franklin, and in a
letter which has just come to my hand, from indisputable authority, I
am told that the delegates from that colony will vote plump. Maryland
now stands alone. I presume she will soon join company ; if not, she
must be left alone,"
After careful examination of the Journal of the Continental Congress,
A.D. 1776, I failed to find these instructions there, while those of New
Jersey and Maryland, empowering their delegates iu that body to vote
for independence, appeared pages 224, 225, 226, and a resolution ofthe
New York Convention, approving the Declaration of Independence,
page 250. Doubt was therefore caused of the accuracy of Mr. Adams's
statement, to test which I endeavored unsuccessfully to find the Journal
of the session of the Delaware Assembly that gave, it was alleged, these
instructions. They were, however, discovered in the " Pennsylvania
Journal and Weekly Advertiser" of June 19th, 1776, by the Honorable
John M. Read, who favored me with a copy of them. Chancellor Har
rington examined a collection of journals of the Delaware Legislature
he had previously given to gentlemen in Wilmington, Delaware, but
they were posterior to 1776. He also sought for this journal in Dover,
and H. F. Rodney in Sussex, without success. Jaraes R. Booth, Es
quire, grandson of James Booth, Clerk of the Delaware Assembly, and
afterwards Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas of this State,
put into my hand several journals of the General Assembly of Dela
ware, in manuscript, but, though of years immediately before and after
1776, the one I sought was not among them, and I fear it is not extant
in Delaware. I am much indebted to these gentlemen for their kind and
ready aid in this search.

226 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE

ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST THB DECLARATION OF
INDEPENDENCE.
In Conguess, Friday, June 7th, 1776.
The Virginia delegates, in obedience to instructions from their con
stituents, moved that Congress should declare that the "United Col
onies" are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States. This
proposition was debated in committee of the whole on the Sth and 10th
days of June.
It was argued by Jaraes Wilson, R. R. Livingston, E. Rutledge, and
others. That though friends to the proposition, and convinced of the impos
sibility of the colonies ever being again united to Britain, they were
opposed to the adoption of it, —
1. Because it was not wise to take this capital step till the voice of
the people drove Congress to it ; the people were their power, and with
out them such "Declaration" could not be carried into effect.
2. The people of the middle colonies were not yet ripe for this De
claration, and soon would join in the general voice of America.
3. The ferment caused by the resolution of Congress suppressing the
exercise of all power derived from the crown, in the middle colonies,
showed that they were not yet prepared for separation from Britain.
4. That some of thera had expressly forbidden their delegates to
consent to the Declaration of Independence, and others had given no
instructions, and consequently no powers to consent to it.
5. That if the delegates of a colony could not decfare it independent,
other colonies could not declare it for them, the colonies being as yet
perfectly independent of each other.
6. That the Assembly of Pennsylvania was then sitting, its Con
vention would soon sit, the Convention of New York was then sitting,
and the Assemblies or Conventions of Jersey and Delaware would
meet on the Monday following, and it was pi'obable these bodies would
take up the question of independence, and declare to their delegates the
voice of their States.
7. That if such " Declaration" should now be agreed upon, tho
delegates of the colonies just mentioned must retire, and possibly their
colonies secede from the union; and secession weaken us more than we
would be strengthened by any foreign alliance.
8. That in the event of such a division, foreign powers would refuse
to join us, or, taking advantage of our desperate situation, would impose
hard terms.
9. That there was little reason to hope for an alliance with France
and Spain, to whom we were looking.
10. That France and Spain had reason to be jealous of us as a rising
power, who would certainly one day strip them of their American
possessions, and were more likely to form a connection with Great
Britain, who, if they should find themselves unable to subdue us.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 227
M^ould, to recover these colonies, restore Canada to France and Florida
to Spain.
11. That there would soon be certain information of the disposition
of the French court frora our agent, sent expressly to ascertain it,
and by awaiting the issue of the present campaign, which all hoped
would be favorable, an alliance with this power raight be had on better
terms than at present, and to such aid postponing the "Declaration"
would work no delay, for it was impossible for us' to receive assistance
this campaign.
12. That it was prudent to fix araong ourselves the terras on which
we would forra an alliance before we declared we would forra one, at all
events, and if we agreed upon them and had our "Declaration of Inde
pendence" ready by the time our ambassador was prepared to sail, it
would be as well as to go into a declaration of independence at this day.
On the other side it was urged by John Adams, Lfee, Wythe, and
others, —
1. That no gentleman had argued against the policy of separation
frora Britain or supposed the renewal of our connection with her pos
sible.
. 2. That the question was not that we should make ourselves by a
declaration of independence what ive are not, but whether we should
declare a fact which already exists.
3. That as to the people or Parliament of Great Britain, we had always
been independent of them, their restraints on our trade deriving efficacy
only from our acquiescence in them, and not frora their right to impose
thera ; and so far as our connection had been federal only it was dis
solved by the commencement of hostilities.
4. That as to the king, our allegiance to him was dissolved by his
assent to the act of Parliament declaring us out of his protection and
levying war upon us, a fact which proved us out of his protection, — that
these are reciprocal, the one ceasing when the other is withdrawn.
5. That James II. never declared the English people out of his pro
tection, yet his actions proved it, and the Parliament declared it, —
therefore 6. No delegate can be denied or want a power to declare an existing
truth. 7. That the delegates from the Delaware counties having declared
their constituents ready to join, there are only Pennsylvania and Mary
land whose delegates are absolutely tied up, and that these had only
by their instructions reserved the right of confirming or rejecting the
measure. 8. That the instructions from Pennsylvania might be accounted for
from the tirae in which they were drawn, near a year ago, since when
the face of affairs had totally changed.
9. That since then it was evident Britain would accept nothing but
carte-blanche. 10. That the people wait for us to lead the way, and are in favor of
the measure, though the instructions given by some of their representa
tives are not, and that the voice of representatives is not always conso
nant with that of the people, and this is remarkably the case in the
middle colonies.
11. That the resolution of the Virginia House of Delegates, of the

228 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
15th of May, by raising murmurs against it in Pennsylvania and
Maryland, and thus calling forth the voice of the freer part of their
citizens, showed thera to be the majority even in these colonies.
12. 'That the backwardness of these colonies was partly ascribable
to proprietary influence and partly to their not having been yet attacked
by the enemy, and the last cause was not likely to be soon removed, as
it was not probable that the enemy would assail them this summer.
13. That it would be vain to wait for perfect unanimity, since it is
vain to expect all men to be of one sentiment on any question.
14. That the conduct of some colonies had given reason to suspect
they meant to keep in the rear of the rest that their particular prospect
might be better in the worst event, and therefore it" was necessary that
those colonies who had hazarded all from the beginning to come for
ward and put all again to their own hazard.
15. That the history of the Dutch revolution, of whom three prov
inces only confederated at the first, proved that the secession of some
colonies would not be as dangerous as was apprehended.
16. That the declaration of independence alone could raake it consist
ent with European delicacy for European powers to treat with us, or
even to receive our ambassadors, and that till this they would not receive
our vessels into their ports or acknowledge the adjudications of our ad
miralty courts to be legitimate in cases of captures of British vessels.
17. That if France and Spain be jealous of our rising power, they
will be rauch more jealous of us if we be connected with Great Britain,
and therefore see it their interest to separate us from her ; but if they
refuse our alliance we are only where we are ; but without trying we
shall never know whether they will or not.
] 8. That the present campaign may be unsuccessful, and therefore
we had better propose an alliance while onr affairs are hopeful.
19. That to await the event of the present campaign will certainly
work delay, because during the summer France can effectually assist
us by cutting off the supply of provisions from England and Ireland,
on which the armies of England here depend, or by putting in motion
her great power in the West Indies and calling our eneray to defend his
possessions there.
20. That it would be idle to lose time in settling the terms of alliance
before we had determined to enter into alliance.
21. That we should lose uo time in opening a trade for our people
who will want clothes, and money to pay taxes.
22. That the only misfortune is that we had not entered into an alli
ance with France six raonths sooner, as, besides opening her ports to our
last year's produce, she might have marched an army into Germany,
and prevented the petty princes there from selling their unhappy sub
jects to subdue us.
"It appearing in these debates that New York, New Jersey, Pennsyl
vania, Delaware, and Maryland were not yet matured for falling from
the parent stem, but were fast advancing to that state, it was thought
prudent to wait awhile for them, and to postpone the final decision to
July 1st; but that this might occasion as" little delay as possible a
committee was appointed to prepare 'a declaration of independence,'
— Jefferson, John Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert R. Livingston, and
Doctor Franklin." — Jefferson's Writings, vol. i. pp. 12-17.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 229

O.
THE SIGNATURE OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPEND
ENCE.
The Declaration of Independence was signed July 4th, 1776, by all
present in Congress on that day, except Mr. Dickinson.
The subsequent signatures of members, not then present, and some
of thera not yet in office, is easily explained, if we observe who they
were, — to wit, of New York and Pennsylvania. New York did not sign
till the 15th, because it was not until the 9th her convention authorized
the signature of the Declaration by her delegates. The Pennsylvania
convention, learning that the Declaration had been signed only by a
minority of her delegates, named a new delegation, leaving out Mr.
Dickinson, who had refused to sign, and Willing and Humphrey, who
had withdrawn, and reappointing the three who had signed, with
Morris, who was not present, and appointing flve new ones. Rush,
Clymer, Smith, Taylor, and Ross. Morris and the five new merabers
were permitted to sign, because thus was manifested the assent of their
full delegation, which else might have been doilbted.
Mr. Jefferson did not know why Thornton, of New Harapshire, was
permitted to sign so late as November 4th, but adds, "doubtless for a
sufiicient reason."* But Mr. McKean, in his letter to the editor of the
"Freeman's Journal" (16th June, 1817), states, it was because he was
not elected to Congress till September, and did not take his seat till the
day he signed the Declaration. — National Becorder, vol. i. p. 86.
The above named are the only post signers except Mr. McKean. At
the foot of the "List of Errata" (vol. i. p. 3) ofthe Laws of Delaware,
edited by George Read, and printed by John and Samuel Adams (New
Castle, 1797), is this note: " In the Appendix (to vol. i.. Laws of Dela
ware) to the list of signatures [to the Declaration there inserted], p. 72,f
under the head of Delaware, after George Read add Thoraas McKean,
who, though not present at the first general signature, being then with
the ' flying carap' in New Jersej', had voted for the measure, and signed
the original on his return from thence, and so it happened that in the
first printed copies the name was omitted, and such was the one trans
mitted by Congress to this State."
* Jefferson's Writings, vol. i. pp. 118-121.
f It is page 78.

230 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE

ID.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF CiESAR AUGUSTUS RODNEY,
Bead before the Grand Lodge of Delaivare, by William T. Read,
Grand Master of Masons in Delaware, June 21th, 1853. Published
by order of the Grand Lodge.
CjESAR Augustus Rodney was born in Dover, in Kent County, in
the State of Delaware, on the 4th day of January, 1772. He was the
son of Colonel Thoraas Rodney and 'Elizabeth Fisher. His family is
of great antiquity in England. Sir Walter de Rodney, its founder,
having come, in the twelfth century, from Normandy as a follower of
the Empress Matilda, daughter of Henry I., and having been distin
guished in the war she waged with the usurper Stephen. His de
scendants were possessed of many manors, and were actors, and
prominent ones, in the stormy periods through which they lived. But,
at last, by divisions of its estates in several generations of the family,
lavish expenditures, advances to aid the royal cause in the time of the
great rebellion, and forfeitures upon the success of the popular party,
its wealth and importance were greatly diminished. Soon after the
settleraent of Pennsylvania, William Rodney, who had married Alice,
daughter of Sir Thomas Ctesar, an eminent London merchant, migrated
to that province, and finally settled in Kent County, Delaware, where
he took an active and prominent part in public affairs ; and was the
first Speaker ofthe first House of Assembly ofthe three lower counties
on Delaware. He died in 1708, leaving eight children, and a large
entailed estate, most of which, by the decease of nearly all of them
without issue, came to the youngest of his sons, Ceesar, who was
benevolent, unambitious, and undistinguished. He married the daughter
of the Reverend Thomas Crawford, the first missionary to Dover,
Delaware, of the venerable Society for Propagating the Gospel in
Foreign Parts, a pious, learned, and diligent minister of the church.
Among the eight children of this marriage were Csesar, the signer of
the Declaration of Independence, and Colonel Thomas Rodney.* I
have been informed by an eminent gentleman, far advanced in life, for
merly resident in Dover, Delaware, that in his youth he well knew
Thomas Rodney, — a gray-headed man, — much respected, — of small
property, — not a householder, but living with his friends, — reputed a
man of extensive reading, and having good knowledge of law, though
not a lawyer by profession, — a writer of essays for newspapers, and
somewhat eccentric in his opinions; and that he was appointed by
President ¦ Jefferson a judge in the territory of Mississippi, where he
died, in that office, having acquired considerable property.^ 'To Thomas
* His daughter Lavinia was married to John Fisher, late judge of the United
States District Court for the District of Delaware.
f Biogr.iphy of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, vol. iv. pp.
.313-318.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 231
Rodney was made the remarkable communication by General Charles
Lee "that he was the author of the Letters of Junius." Lee, with great
military talents, was vain, insatiably ambitious, and unscrupulous, and,
with some good qualities, very eccentric. Soured by the disappointment
of brilliant hopes, he became neglectful of the common decencies of life,
and terminated his career, full of romantic incidents, in fierce misan
thropy, almost like a beast of the jungle or forest in its lair. This state
ment may be found on pages 76 and 77 ofthe Preliminary Essay to the
London edition of Junius of 1812, republished in Philadelphia in 1813.
That Lee made this statement to Thomas Rodney is certain, but it has
been proved a pure fiction by the comparison of his style and political
opinions with those of Junius, and his absence from England, when
the "Letters of Junius" were published, and that writer frequently
communicating with Woodfall.
Mr. Rodney was brought up by his uncle Caasar, who was pre-eminent
among the patriots of our Revolution for ardent attachment to the cause
of his country. His talents, consecrated to the public weal, gave him
great influence in that august assembly, the Continental Congress, while
the amenity of his manners and the playfulness of his wit raade him the
darling of his friends. From this venerable man, in whom the stern
virtue of an old Roman was softened by the heaven-born influences of
our favored era, Mr. Rodney, doubtless, imbibed that adrairation of our
civil institutions which distinguished hira. IJis uncle raade provision
in his will for his education, which was completed in the University of
Pennsylvania, where he graduated' with distinction at an early age, in
1790, and soon after commenced the study of the law in the office of
Joseph B. McKean. The profession of his choice did not terapt his
young ambition with the splendid incentives of the British Barrister,
the princely revenue and the glittering coronet, but he adopted it from
inclination, and by the advice of his friends, who considered him suited
to it. He was admitted to the bar in 1793, and comraenced the practice
of the law in Wilmington, Delaware. His practice, though he was dis
couraged by failure in his first efforts, after a time became respectable,
and then lucrative. If he was surpassed by sorae of his contemporaries
in vigor and grasp and subtlety of intellect and profound erudition, they
were in the first rank of the lawyers of their day. While he brought to
the forum corapetent power as a dialectician, with extensive knowledge
of legal principles and decisions, it was in addressing a jury that he
excelled. Always fluent, he could be 'pathetic, or delight his hearers
with declamation, adorned by figures, from his prolific fancy, or by facts,
from his ample store of general knowledge. So simple and unaffected
was he in dress, and address, so kindly, and benevolent, and good-
humored, that the Court, the jury, the bar, and the by-standers listened
to him with favor, and were inclined to his side of the case. Old-fash
ioned lawyers sometimes thought he got out of bounds. Chief Justice
Read, when he quoted "Beccariaon Crimes and Punishments," stopped
him, saying, " that book was no authority in his court." Invective —
that terrible weapon of the orator, beneath which men of iron nerves
cower in dismay and confusion, I will not say he could not wield, but I
believe he never did wield it.
Seldom is the deep-read lawyer a polite scholar. Inured to grapple
with syllogisms, and to chase subtleties through the labyrinths of legal

232 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
disquisition, he disdains to frolic with the Muses. Mr. Rodney, wisely,
thought that an arguraent would not be less conclusive because clothed
in elegant diction, nor less clear because illustrated by metaphor, and
though he must cite black-lettered reporters he might quote from the
poets. He justly concluded that a man to be eminent in his peculiar
pursuit must have some acquaintance, if not with all others, at least
with kindred ones. His taste for elegant literature, perhaps first
awakened at the university, was sedulously cultivated in after-life. His
library, judiciously selected, was the largest in our State, and whoever
listened to hira was soon aware that it was not for show he accumulated
books — to accumulate them was, indeed, his passion — to love them —
what is it but to delight in converse with the wise and with the good
of all ages ?
Mr. Rodney appeared to greatest advantage — bland, gentle, and affec
tionate as he was — in the bosom of his family. Too often, could we
follow distinguished men frora the public scene of their triuraphs to the
hallowed precincts of domestic life, would we be pained by witnessing
the jocund laugh of infancy stilled at their approach, fear paling the
menial's brow, and tears on the cheeks of partners they had sworn
before high heaven to love and to cherish. Too often the man who has
inveighed, in the forum or Senate-house, against oppression, is the mean
tyrant of his own hearth.
Mr. Rodney possessed great conversational talent.
He talked much, not from ostentation, but because his mind was full
to overflowing, and because he loved to impart pleasure. He was not
one of those lovers of logomachy, who open their mouths only to do
battle, nor one of those haranguers, who make mutes of all not as vain,
selfish, and impudent as themselves. To the young and the difSdent
his manner was kind, and almost paternal, he was watchful to draw
them out, and prompt to commend when they acquitted themselves
well. His reading was so general that he could instruct or amuse on
many subjects, and frora his share in public affairs, and intimate ac
quaintance with statesmen of his day, during some of the most interest
ing periods of our history, he had a fund of valuable information. His
anecdotes, of which he had ample store, were pointed, well told, and
happily introduced. Benevolence, unfeigned, so impregnated his dis
course that it was difficult to listen to him and not to love him, and
while listening tothe wisdom and the wit of this fascinating companion
the sands of life passed unheeded, and
" Daylight would into the lattice peep
Ere night seemed well begun."
He loved to speak not of the divine attribute of power, not of Jehovah
when " Looking on tho earth it quakes.
Touching the mountains and they burn,"
but of God as love, pitying the infirmities of his creatures, opening wide
his hand, and filling all things living with plenteousness, and spreading
his protecting wings over his children, on the land and on the sea.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 233
In 1791 Mr. Rodney married Susan, daughter of John Hunn, who
survived him, and they had twelve children.*
He was at an early period of his life involved in the turmoil of poli
tics, because then, as now, it was difficult for the eminent lawyer to
avoid being a busy politician. The political contests of that period
were violent. Truth, candor, and charity were too often immolated on
the altar of party. It is a fact most honorable to Mr. Rodney, that
though an active and leading Democrat, he numbered among his warm
est friends some of the most distinguished Federal leaders — for example,
Bayard, White, and Vining. There can be no stronger evidence of his
great popularity than his election, in 1802, to the House of Representa
tives of the United States by a majority of fifteen votes over James A.
Bayard, so eminent as a statesman, f It appears, by his letter of De
cember 5th, 1803, to my father, that he was then a member of the
Committee of Ways and Means. On the 5th of Deceraber, 1804, he
was chosen, by ballot, one of the seven managers to conduct the im
peachment of Judge Chase, which, from the character of the accused,
the ability it evoked, and the deep and e.xtensive excitement of political
feeling it caused, was invested with an importance and interest which,
in sorae measure, it still retains. What was the City of Washington
at that day ? It was a city of great pretension and small performance.
The visitor there, for the flrst time, who had seen its magnificent plan,
was astonished to find its avenues and streets, fitted to be the thorough
fares of the busy throngs of a great eraporium, partially opened, and
bordered not by lofty edifices, but the stately trees of the American
forest, with groups of houses, at wide intervals, which made it, in
truth, no more than a collection of villages. The President — who
aff'ected contempt for forms, which that wily leader of a great party
knew full well would )3e lauded as republican simplicity — might be
encountered, any day, on the Pennsylvania Avenue, making his way
through its sloughs, on his Virginia pony, and hitching it to a post,
while he paid a visit. The wings of the Capitol alone were built, the
gap between them being filled by a structure of boards, which gave the
appearance of meanness to both. The trial of Judge Chase began on
the 4th of February, 1805. The beautiful Senate-chamber, which has
that greatest merit of any work of man, suitability to its object, which
its more imposing neighbor — the Hall of tbe House of Representa
tives — wants, was fitted up for this occasion with due regard to con
venience and some to effect. Aaron Burr presided, dignified and impartial,
as was universally admitted ; his hands red with the blood of Hamilton ;
his dark eye as piercing and his equanimity as undisturbed as if he had
not made utter shipwreck of fortune and of fame. Upon his right hand
* Aaron Burr, in a letter to his daughter Theodosia, of the 17th February,
1802, requests her to desire Dr. Edwards to give Mr. Alston a "line to 0. A.
Eodney, a very respectable young man." — Davis's Life of A. Burr, vol. ii. p. 145.
In a letter dated  , to A. Burr, Mr. Eodney says, " I had the pleasure of re
ceiving yours of the 10th instant. The advice you kindly give I shall cheerfully
follow. It has ever been my maxim to be moderate but firm — suaviter in modo,
fortiter in re." And in a letter dated 20th March, 1802, he informs him, " I have
purchased a little tract, adjoining Dr. Tilton's, which he showed you, and have
cut out abundant work for the season."— Ibid., pp. 102, 190.
f Hildreth's History of United States (2d Series), vol. ii. p. 480.
16

234 T^IFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
and his left sat the Senators on benches' covered with crimson cloth.
The eye of the spectator, as it glanced over these statesmen, elderly,
grave,"and dignified, dwelt longest on the men of mark; among them,
for exaraple, on our own Bayard ; on John Quincy Adams, already dis
tinguished by ability in debate, multifarious knowledge, and ungainly
manners ; or Pickering, with his bald head and cue, covering, as the
elder Adams afterward charged,* under his puritanical garb and de
meanor boundless ambition, who, retiring from office as poor as he
entered it, lived on a farm of a few acres with the simplicity of Cincin-
natus, and who has left in the archives at Washington proofs of his
ability as Secretary of State inferior to that of none of his successors,
Webster excepted. The Representatives, most of them much younger
men, were seated in front of the Senators, on benches covered with
green cloth. In front of the Representatives, on seats draped with blue
cloth, were the Managers ofthe House. Among them the most promi
nent was John Randolph, whose failure on this occasion dimmed the
splendor of his fame as a great parliamentary orator, and was poorly
covered by the lame excuse that he had lost his notes. On the left of
the President appeared the counsel of the accused. Harper — working as
a joiner while he gained his early education, and by indomitable perse
verance making his way to Nassau Hall — stood in the front rank ofthe
lawyers of his country and the statesmen of the Federal party ; Lee,
Attorney-General of the United States, set off his legal knowledge with
the fluent speech and graceful action \yhich distinguished the Virginians
in the early periods of our history ; Martin, with his profound learning
and ponderous reasoning, which, ebrius vel non ebrius, seldom failed
him ; the young Hopkinson, elated by his success in the courts of Penn
sylvania, and burning with ambition of fame coextensive with the Union,
and already extensively known as the author of "Hail Columbia,"^
patriotically composed to awaken an American feeling, which might
supplant the miserable devotion of the two great parties of that day to
the two great belligerents of Europe. Hail Columbia, though no high
place can be clairaed for it as a poetical composition, carries with it so
raany precious recollections that it will not, I hope, be consigned to
oblivion when we shall boast, as assuredly we shall, a national song
equalling or surpassing the grand lyrics of Campbell. In the arrange
ments of the Senate-chamber for this trial the ladies were not forgotten.
They were seated in a semi-circular gallery, over the benches of the Rep
resentatives, and for the most part were the wives and daughters of the
most distinguished men of the nation. Araong them, pre-eminent for
her queenly bearing, sat Mrs. Madison, receiving, as her due, the homage
paid to her bland and graceful manners rather than to her position as
wife of the Secretary of State. No Senator, I am sure, looked reprov
ingly upon these fair ones, if in parts of this solemn trial which they
could not understand, and would not have relished if they could, their
eyes wandered to the box of the foreign ministers and their young
attaches, glittering with orders and embroidery. But the object of
absorbing interest was the accused. Proclamation was made that
Samuel Chase appear and answer the articles of impeachment exhibited
* Hildreth's History of the United States (2d Series), vol. ii. pp. 37, 372.
t Ibid., p. 208.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 235
against him. When that old man eloquent addressed the court deny
ing most of the acts imputed to him, asserting the legality of those he
admitted, and denying the improper motives with which the acts charged.
were alleged to have been done, who could forget that the sonorous
voice which filled the Senate-chamber, first raised in opposition to the
stamp-act, had, through the whole period of the Revolution, stirred his
fellow-citizens in the Legislature of his native State, in their primary
assemblies, and in the halls of Congress, to resist unto death the arbi
trary acts of the mother- country ? who could forget that some of the
ablest of the great state-papers of that Congress were from his pen?
and, above all, who could forget that his name was signed to that im
mortal instrument which proclaimed to the world that the United States,
free, sovereign, and independent, had taken her place araong the nations
of the earth ? Judge Chase was declared guilty of only three articles
of the impeachment by a bare majority, unanimously acquitted of one,
and found guilty of none, by a vote of two-thirds, and, of course, pro
nounced acquitted of all, — and, I think, justly, though his ardent attach
ment to great principles of government, he thought endangered by
factious violence, led hira to touch, in his charges, on topics forbidden by
sound policy to the judge, and conscious of great ability, and by nature
overbearing, he, perhaps, exhibited on the bench somewhat of the passion
and hauteur said to have characterized many of the colonial judges.*
Mr. Rodney displayed such ability and legal knowledge as one
of the managers of this impeachment as greatly augmented his repu
tation. In 1804 three of the four judges of the Supreme Court of
Pennsylvania were impeached for their (alleged) unlawful commitment
for contempt of one of the parties in a libel suit pending in their court.
In 1805 Mr. Rodney was employed to conduct this impeachment, which
resulted in the acquittal of the accused. (Hildreth's History of the
United States (2d Series), vol ii. pp. 514, 552.) The Federal party
having regained its ascendency in Delaware, he was not re-elected to
the United States House of Representatives; but in 1807 he was ap
pointed Attorney-General of the United States, and held this office for
four years. The attorney-general was not a cabinet-officer until 1814;
but though not a member of the cabinet, from his high place in the
friendship and confidence of Jefferson and Madison, he shared, I have
no doubt, in the anxieties and counsels of that momentous period, when
our country, constantly on the verge of war with the belligerents, who
plundered her commerce, Was brought to the brink of disunion by in
ternal dissensions. I know of but one of his opinions as attorney-
general that has been questioned, — that one under which Mr Jeffer
son, applying to the case a territorial law, ousted Edward Livingston ;
and his opinion must have been required on many nice and difficult
questions which arose under the embargo and non-importation laws.
In February, 1807, in the cases of Bollman and Swartwout, brought
by habeas oorpus before the United States Supreme Court, on the ques
tions whether they should be discharged or held for trial, and, if held,
confined or bailed, Mr. Rodney, as Attorney-General of the United
States, appeared and made an able argument, the court deciding that
the accused should be discharged for want of probable cause for sup-
* Hildreth's History of the United States (2d Series), vol. ii. p. 544.

236 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
posing them guilty. (Burr's Trial, vol. i. pp. 21-30.) In 1807 the
mysterious movements of Aaron Burr induced his arrest on the Tom
bigbee, on the charge of treason, and his removal to Richmond, Vir
ginia, where he arrived on the 26th of March, and on the 80th of that
month was transferred by his military escort to the civil authority and
brought before Chief Justice Marshall for examination. In his trials
in August and Septeraber of that year, on indictments for treason and
misdemeanor, Mr. Rodney did not participate. Upon the motion that
he should be committed to take his trial on the charges of misdemeanor,
in setting on foot a military expedition against the dominions of the
king of Spain, and of treason, in levying war against the United States,
Mr. Rodney, as Attorney-General, argued in support of this motion.
His speech is not given at large, but imperfectly by the reporter from
his own recollections and information from others. (Burr's Trial,
Preface.) But with these disadvantages, it exhibits legal knowledge
and ability equal to the requirements of a case so important, in which
it was his painful duty to appear against an individual so distinguished,
and who, he remarked, was once his friend and received in his house as
such. (Burr's Trial, vol. i. pp. 1, 8, 9, 10, 20.) I have been informed
by a member of his family that he went to Richmond to take part in
the preliminary proceedings in the case, but had little share in thera,
having been prostrated by an attack of yellow fever soon after his arrival
there. Archibald Harailton Rowan, then an exile from Ireland for political
opinions, for which he had been prosecuted and convicted, though ably
defended by Curran in the most eloquent of his speeches, had been the
guest of Mr. Rodney, having been aresidentfor a short time in Wilming
ton or its vicinity. The intercourse between Rowan — highly educated
and refined — and Mr. Rodney, under circumstances that excited his
warmest sympathy, soon ripened into friendship. As soon as he heard
of Mr. Rodney's illness, this warm-hearted Irishman travelled, on horse
back, to Richmond, to minister to his friend in a disease of the most
malignant character, then generally believed to be contagious, and
which has too often scared from the bedsides of its victims their nearest
relatives and their dearest friends. The Irishman has his faults, — no
son of Adam is without thera, — but was he ever found ungrateful ? The
following anecdote I may be pardoned for recounting, upon the same
authority as the preceding one, becauses it illustrates a trait of Mr.
Rodney's character, his antipathy to titles of all sorts, and his scorn of
the fondness of some of his countrymen for such distinctions, so incon
sistent with their professed opinions :
Soon after he had taken lodgings at a hotel in Richmond, one of its
waiters (a sable one, of course), addressing him, said, " Major, will
you please come to supper ?" " I am no major," answered Mr. Rodney.
"Colonel," replied the black, "please to come." "I am no colonel,"
said Mr. Rodney, much amused with his pertinacity. The.,waiter then
retreated, but quickly returned, and addressing him, with tenfold
formality and respect, said, " General, be so good as to walk down to
supper." "My friend," replied Mr. Rodney, "I am not a general."
" You are," persisted the waiter, " for I heard men say in the bar-room
that you are the ' Eternal General.' " Office subjected Mr. Rodney, as
it has most of our public men, to great pecuniary loss. In a letter to

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 237
my father, from Washington, dated July 20th, 1807, soon after the
attack of the Leopard upon the Chesapeake, he says, "I have been
detained here, my dear friend, much longer than I contemplated, by
events as unexpected as they are unexampled. It is very uncertain
when I shall get a furlough from head-quarters, though I never was so
anxious to see horae, because I carae here unprepared for a sumraer's
residence, after having spent the winter at this place. It is extremely
inconvenient to me, at this time, to abandon, as it were, ray family and
my business at the court, for I stand in need of the profits of every
term, but at such a crisis there is no personal sacrifice I would not raake
rather than desert my post in a perilous season." He adds, " The Triumph
and Bellona, each of seventy-four guns, still remain in the Chesapeake.
In a short time Captain Decatur will give a good account of them. He
has eight gunboats complete, and in a few days he will have eight more.
With this flotilla, on a calm day, he could attack and sink seventy-
fours." From which paragraph I infer that Mr. Rodney was a believer
in one of Thomas Jeff'erson's hobbies and fallacies — the gunboat system.
In 1811 he resigned the office of Attorney- General of the United States,
probably from prudential considerations, which the claims of his large
family would no longer suffer him to disregard.
He returned to the practice of the law, in Wilmington, and must have
vividly enjoyed the transition frora the toils and disquietude of office to
the tranquillity of his happy home.
As soon as the war of 1812 was declared, he was elected captain of
a company of artillery. Beloved by his men, as he was in every situa
tion, he was a good officer, and comraanded them through that war.
They volunteered their services to the United States — were accepted,
discharged garrison duty for some time, and were encamped for a
season, being part of a body of four hundred men who marched from
Delaware to aid in the defence of Baltimore, but were arrested before
reaching it, by intelligence that they were not needed.
Careless as Mr. Rodney was of dress, his coats always having been
of the cut ludicrously, but aptly, termed the shad-belly, his military
equipment may have shocked a martinet, but if his artillery jacket was
sometimes buttoned awry, it covered as brave and patriotic a heart as
ever beat beneath a uniform.
Mr. Rodney was a member of Washington Lodge, Wilmington, and
was elected Senior Warden of the Grand Lodge of Delaware on the
24th of June, 1812.
The citizens of the United States were, from mingled motives of
benevolence and interest, anxious spectators, during the long civil
war between Spain and her South American colonies. The colonial
policy of the great commercial nations of Europe has disgraced them
by its selfishness and rapacity, and that of Spain especially. The
agriculture and manufactures of her colonists were subjected to re
straints almost incredible ; for example, the cultivation of the olive and
the vine was forbidden in districts well suited to them. The commerce
of the Spanish colonies was restricted to Spanish bottoms, and though
never granted to exclusive companies, yet being confined to a single
port (first Seville and then Cadiz), falling into a few hands, was in eff'ect
a monopoly. Even intercourse between her provinces was only par
tially permitted. Education was not fostered, and was confined to

238 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
Latin, scholastic philosophy, and jurisprudence, civil and ecclesiastical.
The Creoles were excluded from all offices but municipal ones; there
was among them no liberty of conscience, no freedom of the press, no
habeas corpus, no trial by jury, no share in legislation, and no books
but those admitted by government censors. The king of Spain, not
the Spanish nation, was the owner of these colonies, by virtue of a papal
grant, the bull of Alexander VI. His will was law. Foreign vessels
were excluded from his colonies, and intercourse with them punishable
with death ; and when he relaxed this rule, as on a few occasions he
did, it was for brief periods. But though he could shut out legitimate
trade, and though he treated intruding foreigners, who fell into his
power, with exceeding cruelty, he could not exclude the smuggler. It
was, too, part of his narrow system to make this vast region a sealed
book to all except Spain. But her own writers had delighted and as
tonished the world with narratives of the conquest of South America,
and accounts of its cliraate, its geography, its productions, and aboriginal
inhabitants, truthful in general, but with the coloring of romance, and
very far frora possessing the accuracy of such works of our time. The
royal license, but at recent periods, had opened South America to enter
prising and intelligent travellers ; for example, in 1790, to Alexander
Von Humboldt, the result of whose journeys was given to the world in
twelve volumes, illustrated with maps and drawings, a work for extent,
value, and accuracy of information unparalleled. Our trade with South
America since 1810 had greatly augmented our knowledge of this
region. In 1817 a large party of our citizens had become impatient for
the acknowledgment by our government of the South America repub
lics. Calm and reflecting men in the minorit}'^, as they have ever been,
doubted whether their citizens, misgoverned for centuries, could, in the
brief period they had been left to their own guidance, have gained the
knowledge and love of true political principles necessary to establish
and maintain free and independent governments. To solve this doubt
Mr. Monroe instituted the mission to South America, of which Mr.
Rodney was the head. This appointment was most gratifying, — true,
the duty it devolved upon him was arduous, separation from his family
was in prospect, the perils and privation of a protracted sea voyage, and
sojourn in a land of various climates, were before him, but the trust was
most honorable, for he was to leave his country, not on an ordinary
errand of diplomacy, but to solve the momentous problem whether mil
lions of his fellow-men deserved or not to be recognized by the United
States among the independent nations of the earth. In July the Com
missioners proceeded to New York, to embark in the Ontario, but their
sailing was delayed by the illness and death of Mr. Rodney's second
son, a midshipman of that vessel, and they finally declined taking pas
sage in her, considering her accommodations inadequate. They sailed
on the 4th of December, 1817, in the frigate Congress, Coraraodore
Sinclair, from Hampton Roads, In that little world — & ship of war —
there was much to interest and instruct. He had been, for the recovery
of impaired health, a voyager in early life, and ever after was an ardent
admirer of our hardy mariners, and their floating abodes. There is,
perhaps, no object which awakens so many associations, dear to the
philanthropist and the patriot, as that miracle of art, a ship. While she
equalizes the distribution nature has made of her bounties among nations,

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 239
she is the winged raessenger who diffuses the precious light of knowl
edge among millions who sit in darkness and the shadow of death.
We think, as we look upon her, anchored in sorae placid bay, in the
language of Campbell, " of her days of toil, and her nights of danger."
Every American must remeraber how often she has proudly borne the
flag of his country aloft in the hour of battle, and the halo of undying
glory with which she has encircled our name. In this voyage Mr.
Rodney's power to attract and attach was soon manifested. Often in
the delicious nights, peculiar to the tropics, while the gallant frigate
glided through the ocean, which reflected the orbs that shone in glory
above her, but among which no star of home sparkled, and the gleeful
laugh of the frank-hearted sailor alone broke the stillness, did the offi
cers of the Congress find in his conversation a delightful relief from the
ennui of a sea voyage. Alas ! many of these young men — then so full
of talen^ and courage, and hope — with Sinclair, and Grahara, and
Bland, and Baldwin* — have long since been numbered with the dead.
Haying touched at Rio de Janeiro, the Commissioners arrived after a
prosperous voyage at Montevideo, from which place, the Congress hav
ing too great draught of water to ascend the La Plata farther, they
proceeded in, a small brig,' " the Malacabada," or "Unfinished," by
name, as ill-found and dirty a craft as ever sailed, to Buenos Ayres,
where they arrived on the 28th of February, 1818, landing so unex
pectedly as to defeat.the public reception, with which it was intended
to honor thera. The "United Provinces of La Plata," or the " Argen
tine Republic," then coraprised about two-thirds of the viceroyalty of
Buenos Ayres, the area of which was about one million five hundred
thousand square miles. Watered by the grand La Plata and its afflu
ents, and other rivers, its fertile soil teemed with the productions of the
temperate and torrid zones. The heroic and successful repulses of the
attacks of Sir Home Popham in 1806, and of General Whitelock in 1807,
taught the inhabitants of this viceroyalty their strength, and the war
consequent upon the overthrow of the ancient government of Spain by
Napoleon so engrossed the parent-country that she abandoned, as it
seemed, her colonies, and the Argentine provinces, as much from neces
sity as choice, assumed and exercised in 1810 the powers of self-govern
ment, virtually independent from that year, though their independence
was not formally declared till 1816. From 1810 almost till the arrival
of our Commissioners they had been distracted by war with the old
Spaniards, who, occupying, with armies from Peru, the upper country
of the La Plata, and stained by great cruelties, strove to restore the
despotism of the mother-country. This war was succeeded and accom
panied by contests, too often sanguinary, between two great parties of
the revolutionists, one in favor of a consolidated government, adapted
to the changed state of their aff'airs, with a chief magistrate, much like
the old viceroys, the other advocating a confederacy of these provinces,
like that of the United States. There were, besides, the disturbing
elements of ambition and cupidity in unprincipled men, and intense
jealousy in the other provinces of the ascendency and leadership of
* Surgeon of the Congress — a native of Wilmington, Delaware, and eminent
as a botanist. H. M. Brackenridge, the able and accomplished Secretary of the
Mission, afterwards a member ofthe U. S. House of Eepresentatives, survives.

240 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
Buenos Ayres, to which, though it may have been unduly claimed and
attained, her superior intelligence, wealth, and sacrifices for the com
mon cause gave her pretensions, plausible at least. But on the 3d of
December, 1817, a general Congress of these provinces, at first nine,
then fourteen (the additional provinces being created out of the original
ones), enacted at Buenos Ayres a provisional regulation, to be in force
till a constitution should be adopted. This regulation provided for the
election of a Congress, and invested it with supreme legislative power,
under wise restraints, with power to appoint a chief magistrate, to be
styled Supreme Director. 'This provisional instrument, with great de
fects, has many good enactments, but is blemished by a pedantic
declaration of rights and duties, which American constitution-makers
take for granted none can question, and therefore never insert The
Commissioners, found this provisional government subsisting, Don
Manuel Puerreydon, Director, and the country tranquil, with the ap
pearance at least of stability. Their reception by this officer was, in
Mr. Rodney's words, "kind and flattering, and they received from every
citizen a cordial welcorae." Many were the novel and interesting ob
jects presented by Buenos Ayres to the Commissioners — her regular
and spacious streets, the Moorish style of architecture of her houses,
her noble plaza, her stately cathedral and churches, with their gorgeous
worship, her theatre and bull-fights, her salubrious climate, indicated
by her name, the brilliant eyes and graceful carriage of her ladies, their
sallow complexions, bad teeth, and cigarros, and the viaticum, borne by
a priest, seated in a gilded chariot, drawn by white mules, with a guard
of black soldiers. Great was the embarrassment of Protestant foreigners
when they encountered the host ; they avoided, usually, shocking the
religious feelings of the people not (as Gen. Wilkinson . is said once to
have done) by kneeling, which in them would have been idolatrous
conformity, but by turning a corner or taking refuge in a store. Who
has not heard or read of the mighty pampa stretching from Buenos
Ayres, for a thousand miles, to the Andes, without hill or tree or
house, except the occasional hut of the herdsman, depressing the
traveller with the painful sense of utter loneliness, and in its apparently
endless undulation of verdure, well likened to the long but low swells
of a great sea, arrested, in an instant, by the fiat of Omnipotence, and
fixed forever ? Every facility in their power was given by the Director
and his officials to the Commissioners in collecting the information .for
which they had been sent forth by their government, and as a mark of
very great respect, on their intercession, a soldier, under sentence of
death for insubordination, was pardoned.* It would have been in
character for some of the Roman emperors to have treated an ambas
sador they especially desired to honor with a slaughter of gladiators.
As if to give eclat to the departure of the Commissioners and their arrival
in the United States, on the eve of their leaving Buenos Ayres was
received intelligence of the decisive battle and victory of Maypu, won
Ijy its liberating army under San Martin, which secured the independ
ence of Chili. The Commissioners narrowly escaping shipwreck from
a pampero, in the port of Maldonado, near the mouth of the La Plata,
where the Congress had anchored to receive bullocks, and calling at St.
* Niles's Eegister, vol. xiv. p. 326.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 241
Salvadore and Margaretta, arrived at Norfolk, after a favorable passage,
in July, 1818. Mr. Rodney's report, communicated to Congress in
November of that year, is an able paper, and increased his reputation.
Mr. Graham made a separate report, as did Judge Bland, who, with a
spirit honorable to him, proceeded over land from Buenos Ayres to
Chili, as the instructions of the Commissioners authorized one or more
of them to do. Their reports presented the Argentine Republic in less
favorable aspect than did Mr. Rodney's, and they were less sanguine in
their expectations ofthe success ofthe South Americans in their exper
iments in self-government, but this difference of their views afforded
their countrymen better means for arriving at just conclusions than if
they had coincided.
In 1820 Mr. Rodney was a second time elected to the United States
House of Representatives, and received a respectable vote for the
Speakership of that body, and in 1822 was elected by the Legislature
of Delaware to the Senate of the United States, being the first of his
party who had received this distinction, as he was the first Democrat
chosen to the House Representatives.
In 1822 it was resolved by Congress that the "United Provinces of
La Plata" ought to be acknowledged by the United States, and in 1 823
Mr. Rodney was appointed Minister I'lenipotentiary to their govern
ment. The United States had the honor of preceding Mr. Canning in
his recognition of the South American republics, one of the three
measures on which he rested his fame as a statesman, and which was
received with a burst of approbation from every quarter of Great
Britain. The frigate Congress — Coraraodore Biddle — was ordered to
carry Mr. Rodney and his faraily to Buenos Ayres. They were con
veyed by a steamer to this ship, at anchor near the mouth of the
Christiana; an elegant dinner having been given hira, a few days previ
ous to his embarkation, by citizens of Wilmington and its vicinity, in
testimony of their respect and esteem for him, at which were present
Commodore Biddle, and Hugh Nelson, Minister to Spain, who was to
be landed frora the Congress at Cadiz. The Congress sailed from the
Delaware on the Sth of June, 1823, with a fair wind, and arrived, with
out accident, at Cadiz, from which port, having landed Mr. Nelson, she
sailed on the 3d of August. While the friends of Mr. Rodney — their
hopes that a sea voyage would renovate his declining health scarcely
predominating over their fears that they would see him no more — looked
anxiously for news of his progress, they were astonished by intelligence
that, by reason of unkind and discourteous treatment experienced from
Commodore Biddle, he had left with his family the Congress at Rio de
Janeiro, and taken passage in a merchant vessel for Buenos Ayres.
Deep indignation was excited and expressed. Commodore Biddle was
assailed in the newspapers, and defended, with little judgment, which
was his misfortune, not his fault, much stress being laid on his sacrifice
of his own comfort to that of his passengers, and on the unreasonable
extent of which Mr. Rodney had incumbered his ship with his
furniture, the homely character of which was sneered at. He was
even reproached for lumbering the Congress with agricultural imple
ments, which he had taken with him for the honor of our mechanics
and the benefit of the Buenos Ayreans. The Legislature of Delaware
(January 1st, 1824), by resolution unanimously adopted, requested

242 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
their members of Congress to use their best eff'orts to have an inquiry
instituted as to the misconduct of Commodore Biddle. This proceed
ing would have been more in accordance with justice, and much more
effective, if, instead of assuming on ex-parte evidence, as it did, the guilt
of the accused, it had alleged, as was true, that there was ground for
inquiry. In a biographical sketch of Mr. Rodney this occurrence could
not, without injustice to his memory, be omitted, but it is with regret I
raention it. I would do no wrong to the memory of an accomplished
gentleman and gallant offlcer, and therefore, from what appeared to be
the facts of the case, state it thus. Mr. Rodney was careless of forms
to a fault, and the discomfort from having ladies and many children
passengers was great, and his eff'ects incumbered the frigate ; and the
commodore, a strict disciplinarian, was fond of having things ship-shape,
and withal of irritable temperament, while his passengers may have
been too sensitive. This view palliates, but does not, in my opinion,
justify the conduct of Commodore Biddle to a distinguished citizen in
feeble health, to ladies and to children, in sorae sense his guests, the
character of which raay be inferred from the fact that Mr. Rodney left
the Congress, a thousand miles short of his destination, which he could
not have done without great inconvenience and expense. The death of
Mr. Rodney, and absence of Commodore Biddle, delayed the inquiry,
and the public mind being soon occupied by newer occurrences, though
asked, it was not pressed, and there was no further proceeding in this
case. Let us not forget that Biddle shared with Jones in the capture
of the Frolic, was the captor of the Penguin, and by masterly seaman
ship saved the Hornet from capture by a British seventy-four, so close
to hira at tiraes during the chase as to throw her shot on his deck. His
grandmother, when a British officer tauntingly said to her (in 1775),
"the Americans should not make war, for they could find none to lead
them," replied, "she had seven sons, whom, if necessary, she would
lead herself against their oppressors." Two of these sons fell in the
war of our Revolution ;* one being blown up, in command of the Ran
dolph frigate, and an officer of great promise, with his crew of three
hundred men, while attacking with courage bordering on rashness the
Yarmouth British man-of-war, of sixty-four guns.
Mr. Rodney presented his credentials as Minister Plenipotentiary
from the United States on the 27th of December, 1823, to the Governor
of Buenos Ayres, who exercised, under the constitution of the Argen
tine Republic (adopted May 25th, 1819), the function of its chief magis
trate. Addresses were delivered by both, aud the reception was cordial
and imposing.
The hopes, which Mr. Rodney shared with a great majority of his
countrymen, that the South Americans would prove their capability for
self-government have proved delusive. Revolutions, their history traced
in characters of blood, have succeeded revolutions; in their beautiful
country military despotisms have been overthrown only that others
should be erected in their stead. "Liberty," exclaimed the lovely
Madame Roland, as her ruthless murderers Jnurried her to the scaffold,
"Liberty, what crimes have been perpetrated in thy name !" I add.

Letter of Charles Biddle to Aaron Burr, Davis's Life of Burr, vol. ii. p. 235.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 243
what follies, too, and of these none greater than political institutions in
advance of the intelligence of a nation.
Mr. Rodney's health gradually declined, and on the 10th of June,
1824, at six o'clock a.m., he died tranquilly, surrounded by his family.
The Americans in Buenos Ayres iraraediately met, and passed resolu
tions appropriate to this mournful event. The government decreed that
a sepulchral monument, to receive Mr. Rodney's reraains, should be
erected at the public expense. He was interred in the English cemetery,
followed by his children, his countrymen then in Buenos Ayres, and
many of its citizens, preceded by the officers, civil and military, of the
Argentine Republic, its flag with that of the United States enshrouding
the corpse, which was escorted by a military guard of honor, and
minute-guns, during the ceremonials, were fired from the fort, and at
its close a volley frora the battalion which formed the escort. All vied
in condolence with the bereaved family and in rendering them kind
offices. On the margin of the pampa, extending in its grandeur from the La
Plata to the Andes, moulder, among strangers, the remains of C^sar
Augustus Rodney. I reiterate the wish, and the hope, before expressed
in this hall, that, by the act of his Masonic brethren, they may have
their final resting-place in Wilmington, beneath a monument worthy his
abilities, his virtues, and his public services.
Non sibi sed patriae vixit.

There was diversity of opinion in the "three lower counties on
Delaware" as to the propriety and necessity of a change in the existing
form of their government, upon the recoramendation of Congress (May
15th, 177iS), as appears by the following instructions and reraon,
strances* addressed to representatives in the General Asserably, by
which the election of the Convention that fraraed the first Constitution
of the State of Delaware was recommended :
Instructions of the Subscribers, Freemen, and Inhabitants of the
County of Kent on Delaware to the Honorable C^sar Rodney,
William Killen, John Haslet, Thomas Rodney, and Vincent
Lockerman, Esquires, their Representatives in Assembly.
Wliereas, The representatives ofthe united colonies in North America,
assembled in Congress at Philadelphia on the 15th day of May [1776],
did first declare "that his Britannic Majesty, in conjunction with the
Lords and Commons of Great Britain, has, by a late act of Parliament,
excluded the inhabitants of these united colonies from the protection of
his crown, etc., and that it is necessary that the exercise of every kind
of authority under the said crown should be totally suppressed, and all
* Pamphlet of Timsleon, pp. 12-15.

244 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
the powers of government exerted under the authority of the people
of the colonies, etc.; therefore resolved, that it be recommended to
the respective assemblies and conventions of the united colonies,
where no government sufficient to the exigency of their aff'airs has been
hitherto established, to adopt such government as shall, in the opinion
of the representatives of the people, best conduce to the happiness and
safety of their constituents in particular, and America in general ;"
And whereas, It is our opinion that our present government is not
"sufficient to the exigency of our aff'airs," and we have full faith and
confidence in the virtue and wisdom of the Congress, and being con
vinced of the propriety and necessitj^ of complying with the above re
commendation, and not doubting but it will answer the valuable purpose
thereby intended ;
We do, therefore, hereby instruct and require you to exert your
utmost virtuous endeavors, in Assembly, to have the sarae coraplied
with, always saving to the freeraen and inhabitants of this colony the
full enjoyments of their just rights and liberties, agreeable to the Con
stitution, law's, customs, and usages of the said colony, so far as the
sarae are not injurious or destructive to the union and general safety
and happiness of the united colonies.
But in case the House of Asserably should refuse or neglect to com
ply with the above recoramendation, we do further hereby instruct and
require you to exert your utmost virtuous endeavors to get the said
Assembly to direct the appointment of a convention of this colony, to
be held for the purpose aforesaid, and not to consist of less than ninety
members ; and if this shall be denied, that you then withdraw yourselves
and dissolve the said Assembly.
We trust that you will discharge your duty, as before directed, with
the greatest fidelity, and in such a manner as shall best conduce to the
happiness and safety of your constituents in particular, and America
in general.
To the Honorable the Representatives of the Freemen of the
Counties of New Castle, Kent, and Sussex, in Delaware, in
Assembly met. The Address and Remonstrance of the Sub
scribers, Inhabitants of Kent County on Delaware.
Whereas, To our great concern and surprise we have been informed
that a paper, called a "Petition, Remon.strance, or Instruction," to the
House of Assembly of this governraent, has been handed about among
the good people of this county, purporting a change in the Constitution
of this government, upon principles which we conceive must be errone
ous and unsound, and by no means supported or even countenanced by
the late resolution ofthe Continental Congress, entered into May 15th,
1776, upon which resolution, we suppose, said Petition, Remonstrance,
or Instruction is pretended to be founded, viz., "That it be recommended
to the respective assemblies and conventions of the united colonies,
where uo government sufficient to the exigency of their aff'airs has been
hitlierto established, to adopt such government, as shall, in the opinion
of the representatives of the people, best conduce to the happiness and
safety of their constituents in particular, and America in general,"
which we conceive must refer only to such colonies as are in confusion
from the prorogation or dissolution of assemblies; and in no measure

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 245
intended to affect the good people of this government, whose .Assembly
has been and still is corapetent and adequate to the exigencies of their
aff'airs; and have had all due obedience paid to their acts and resolu
tions by their constituents.
But the movers of the above Petition, Remonstrance, or Instruction,
as we understand, having taken the said resolution in a different sense
(as if the Congress had intended another mode of representation and
government than by assemblies, under which we have long considered
ourselves a happy people, and which we look up to with reverence and
the warmest affection), we should think it criminal not to declare to
your Honors our sentiments, which we are fully convinced are those of
a large majority of the inhabitants of this county, and, as we believe,
of this government.
We beg leave to observe that the present unhappy disputes, in which
the colonies are involved, were begun for the defence and preservation
of the chartered rights and privileges of the colonies, and their then
forms of government. And we humbly apprehend that the changing
the Constitution at this critical period would be acting contrary to the
avowed principles upon which the opposition was made to the oppres
sive measures ofthe British ministry, would tend very much to disunite
the people, and be productive of the most dangerous consequences.
The experience of all ages and nations clearly manifesting that con
stitutional changes never fail to alarm the people, and rouse their fears;
and unless they are gone into with the greatest delicacy, deliberation,
and caution, and with the entire approbation of the people in general,
are attended with the most violent convulsions, often fatal to their
liberty and property.
We further beg leave to say that if the honorable House should
adopt our ideas, and determine to continue to exercise the powers the
Constitution has invested them with, we are firmly persuaded they may
rely upon the support of their constituents.
We therefore humbly pray that the House may not, by dissolving
itself, or otherwise, yield up any of the powers the Constitution hath
intrusted them with, under the pretence of conveniency or necessity.
But, retaining them in their own hands, maj continue to exercise them
for the good of their constituents; and we, as in duty bound, etc.
The issue of this controversy appears by the following extract frora
"Force's American Archives" (4th Series), vol. vi. (a.d. 1776), pp.
883, 884: DBLAWAEE ASSEMBLY.
In the House of Representatives for the Counties of New Castle,
Kent, and Sussex upon Delaware, at New Castle, June 14th, 1776, a.m.
Mr. McKean delivered in at the chair a certified copy of a resolu
tion of Congress of the 15th of May last, which was, by order, read,
and is as follows, to wit : " In Conqkkss, May 15th, 1776.
"Whereas, His Britannic Majesty, in connection with the Lords and
Commons of Great Britain, has, by a late Act of Parliament, excluded
the inhabitants of these united colonies from the protection of his
crown ; and whereas, no answer whatever to the humble petition of

246 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
these colonies for redress of grievances and reconciliation with Great
Britain has been or is likely to be given, but the whole force of that
kingdom, aided by foreign mercenaries, is to be exerted for the destruc
tion of the good people of these colonies ; and whereas, it appears
utterly irreconcilable with reason and good conscience for the people of
these colonies to take the oath and affirmations necessary for the sup
port of any government under the crown of Great Britain, and it is
necessary that the exercise of every kind of authority under the said
crown -should be totally suppressed, and all the power of government be
exerted under the authority of the people of the colonies, for the pre
servation of internal peace, virtue, and good order, as well as for the
defence of their lives, liberties, and properties against the hostile inva
sion, and cruel depredations of their enemies ; therefore
" Besolved, That it be recomraended to the respective assemblies and
conventions of the colonies, where no governments sufficient for the
exigencies of their affairs has been hitherto established, to adopt such
government as shall, in the opinion of their representatives of the
people, most conduce to the happiness and safety of their constituents
in particular, and of America in general.
" Extract from the Minutes.
" Charles Thomson, Secretary."
By special order the same was read a second time, and, on motion,
resolved, unanimously, that this House do approve this resolution of
Congress. Saturday, June 15th.
The following preamble and resolution were offered, and unanimously
adopted :
Whereas, It has become absolutely necessary for the safety of the
good people of this colony forthwith to establish some authority ade
quate to the exigencies of their affairs, until a new government can be
formed ; aiid whereas, the Representatives of the people, in this As
sembly met, alone can and ought, at this time, to establish such tem
porary authority ; therefore
" Besolved, unanimously. That all persons holding any office, civil
or military, in this colony, on the 13th of June, instant, may and shall
continue, to execute the same, in the name of the government ofthe
counties of New Castle, Kent, and Sussex upon Delaware, as they used
to exercise thera in the name of the King [of Great Britain], until a
new government shall be formed, agreeably to the resolution of Con
gress of the fifteenth of May last.
" Extract from the Minutes.
"James Booth, Clerk of Assembly."

OF GEORGE BEAD. 247
IP.
PARTIES IN CONGRESS A.D. 1775.
Mr. Adams (Diary, pp. 31, 32) thus describes the two parties in
Congress at this time: the favorers of independence, himself, Samuel
Adams, R. H. Lee, Wythe, and others, and the cold party, who hesi
tated to vote for it.
Harrison, of Virginia, one of this party, he describes "as an indolent,
luxurious, heavy gentleman, of no use in Congress or committees, but
a great embarrassment to both ; a kind of ' nexus utriusque mundi;' a
corner-stone in which the walls of both parties in Virginia met. He
was descended from one of the most ancient, respectable, and wealthy
families there, and set up in opposition to R. H. Ijee, who was very
unpopular in Virginia, because, when a very young man, upon his first
appearance in the House of Burgesses, he moved and urged an inquiry
into the state of the treasury, by which it appeared that large suras
had been lent to influential families, Avho, being thus exposed, never for
gave him. Harrison was another Sir John Falstaff in all things except
his larcenies and petty robberies, and his conversation disgusting to
every man of delicacy or decorum. General Washington chose him for
his confidential correspondent. Harrison, Pendleton, and others showed
their jealousy of R. H. Lee's intimacy with Hancock (whom therefore
they courted), and Samuel Adams, and myself, and their party, with
whora we agreed, and by whora we kept a raajority of the Virginia
delegates with us. Among thera were great divisions and jealousies.
Harrison courted Hancock, and Hancock* Duane, Dickinson, and their
party, an?' leaned so partially to them that Samuel Adams becarae
very bitter against hira. Jay and Wilson, in general, favored dilatory
raeasures." — Writings of John Adams {T)\&yj), vol. i. pp. 220, 517;
vol. ii. pp. 31, 32, 35, 93.
* His sobriquets among the Tories were "Soft John," and "King Hancock,"
and " Rosy." — Diary of the American Revolution.

248 LIFE. AND COBBESPONDENCE

CHAPTER IV.
Washington recrosses the Delaware — Cornwallis advances against him — Cannon
ade between their armies — Washington marches in the night towards Princeton
— Battle of Princeton — Death of Mercer — Haslet to the officers — Eesults of this
battle — Position of British and American armies through the winter of and
until April, 1777 — Adjournment of Congress to Baltimore— Letters of John
Evans, Thomas Holland, and George Evans to George Read — Mes.srs. Eead,
John Evans, and Dickinson chosen delegates of the State of Delaware to Con
gress — Messrs. Evans and Dickinson decline serving — Mr. Dickinson's letter
to Mr. Read — Policy of Prance and Spain — Letter of Mr. Rodney to Mr. Read —
Events after Washington recrossed the Delaware, 29th December, 1776, to 23d
January, 1777 — Delaware militia, under Major Duff, fulfils its tour of duty
and honorably discharged — General Mifflin's letter to Mr. Read — -Notice of
Major Duff— Special election in Delaware ; best places for holding it — Letter
of Thomas McKean to Mr. Read — Notice of Nicholas Van Dyke ; his letter to
Mr. Read; delays his acceptance of admiralty judgeship — Congress, at Balti
more, adjourns — Nicholas Van Dyke and James Sykes elected delegates to
Congress in room of Dicldnson and Evans — Mr. Sykes takes his seat ; his letter
to Mr. Read, and distress at his absence from Congress, and reflections thereon
— Season for active military operations approaches — Disposition ofthe American
army — Mr. Eead's active part and influence in the affairs of Delaware as well
as in Congress — Letters to him of William Killen — Painful uncertainty as to
the objects of General Howe's campaign in 1777 ; Philadelphia his object ;
endeavors to draw Washington from his strong position ; fails ; determines to
move his army by sea to head of Delaware or Chesapeake Bays — British fleet
sails from New York ; no news of it for some time ; British troops disembark
at Elk; move forward; Washington advances to meet them ; subsetjuent move
ments of both armies — Battle of Brandywine — General Sullivan ; remarks upon
his conduct — Speculation in regard to this battle, and incidents — Wilmington,
Delaware, occupied by British troops — President McKinley captured — Chief
magistracy of Delaware devolves upon Mr. Eead ; then in Congress, at Phila
delphia ; his journey through New York to Delaware — Letter of Colonel
Bedford to Mr. Read — Crosses the Delaware from Salem, New Jersey — In
danger of capture by a British barge — His escape — State of parties inDela-
ware — Gloomy state of public affairs — Mr. Read locates his family in Cecil
County; Maryland; why— Thomas McKean's letter to Mr. Eead — During his
absence temporarily assumed Presidency of Delaware — John Dickinson ap
pointed brigadier-general; did not act — Incompatible offices — Letter of Theo
dore Maurice to Mr. Read ; why inserted — Alexander Porter persecuted as a
Tory ; his letter to Mr. Read — Correspondence relative to President Mc
Kinley — Mr. Eead's letters to General Washington and Speaker of Congress —
Thomas McKean's letter to Mr. Eead — Disturbed state of Sussex County,
Delaware— Armies retire into winter quarters— British at Philadelphia;
Americans at Valley Eorge ; contrast between them — General SmaUwood
with detachment of Continental troops ordered to Wilmington to command
there ; requisition on State of Delaware for militia to reinforce him ; not
obeyed ; Mr. Read's letter to General Washington ; prevalence of party strife
— Letter to Mr. Read of William Hooper, with notice of him— Letter of
President of Congress to Mr. Read— Notice of Henry Laurens— Thomas
McKean's letter to Mr. Read (12th February, 1778)— Letter of Washington
to Mr. Read— Letter of Mr. Eead to General Washington— Mr. Eead's reply
to Mr. McKean's letter cf 12th February — Mr. McKean's reply to this letter
—Articles of Confederation ; objections to them ; finally ratified— Mr. Eead

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 249
declines Presidency of Delaware — Succeeded by C;esar Eodnej- — Mr. Eead's
letter to Dr. Eeneh— Paper-money and its depreciation (note) — Letter of
Daniel McKinly — Mr. Eead's good offices to effect his exchange — Appendix A,
fairs — Appendix JJ, roll of Captain Clark's militia company — Appendix C,
occurrences after the battle of Brandywine — Appendix D, letter of a British
spy — Appendix E, Cheney Clow — Appendix F, Valley Forge — Appendix 6,
(/olonel Haslet — Appendix H, Thomas McKean — Appendix G 2, last will of
Ctesar Eodney ; extract from and letter of, and personal appearance.
The liopes of the final success of their glorious resistance
to the attempt of the British government to subjugate them
by force awakened in the American patriots by the brilliant
stroke of Washington at Trenton were increased tenfold
by the still more brilliant one at Princeton. Recrossing
the Delaware, January 1st, 1777, the troops under his im
mediate command being increased to about five thousand
men by the junction of Generals Mifflin and Cadwallader,
who were ordered from Bordentown and Crosswix, General
Washington again occupied Trenton. Lord Cornwallis,
who lay at Princeton with a body of troops, superior not
only in number, but in discipline and equipments, marched
against him. As they approached Trenton, General Wash
ington, at 4 o'clock P.M., January 2d, crossed the Assum-
pinck, a small creek flowing through Trenton, and faced the
enemy, who attempted, unsuccessfully, to cross this little
stream, a warm cannonade having been kept up by both
armies till night closed upon them. When an immediate
attack upon the Americans was advised by Sir William
Erskine, Lord Cornwallis is reported to have jocularly said
"¦ that he need not ri.sk a night assault, for the fox was
secured, and he only had to bag him, which he could surely
do next morning." Thus by his lack of promptitude and
daring this officer lost, as General Howe did at Brooklyn,
the opportunity of defeating, and probably destroying, the
American army. General Washington was in a serious
dilemma. If he kept his position a battle would be in
evitable, and the almost certain defeat of his raw troops ;
if he attempted to recross the Delaware, filled with floating
ice, probably many of his men would be lost, perhaps the
whole destroyed, Jersey would be again overrun by the
British troojos, and the enormities they had perpetrated
there re-enacted, and Philadelphia, to the preservation of
which vast importance was attached, left uncovered. It
was then Washington showed military genius of the highest
order. While his camp-fires, affording light for his own

250 . LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
movements and shrouding them from the British, were
carefully maintained, his sentries were at their posts, and
his oflficers made their rounds, he, as silently as was pos
sible, decamped, the roads so soft through the preceding
day as to have made the march of an army, with artillery,
over them diflficult and tedious, having providentially
been, just before he moved, hard frozen. Washington
marched circuitously towards Princeton, where were posted
the 17th, the 40th, and 55th British Regiments, under
command of Colonel Mawhood, hoping to beat them, and
then to move, by a rapid march, upon New Brunswick,
where were the baggage and stores, to a large amount,
of the British army, and, as the result of his manoeuvre,
to compel the enemy to forego his march upon Phila
delphia, and to recover New Jersey. The 55th and 17th
British Regiments, on their march to join Cornwallis,
were encountered by the advance of the American army,
under General Mercer, about sunrise, near Princeton,
and a spirited and severe contest ensued, in which fell
Mercer and Haslet, Neal, Potter, and Fleming. Wash
ington soon supported his advance with the main body
of his troops, and the British were defeated with the loss
of one hundred killed and three hundred taken prison
ers, the loss of the Americans being not so much. If we look
only to the nurabers engaged and the loss sustained in the
battle of Princeton, we may justly regard it as insignificant;
but if we consider the generalship of the American com
mander and its results, it may be ranked among important
and decisive battles. The early-morning slumbers of Lord
Cornwallis were disturbed, and perhaps a pleasing dream
of " bagging the fox" dispelled, by the booming of cannon
in the direction of Princeton, and trembling for the safety
of New Brunswick, he retreated there by a forced march,
and Lord Howe was compelled to relinquish all his posts in
Jersey except that town, and Amboy, at the mouth of the
Raritan, where, by concentrating his troops, he kept open
his communication with New York, and his army in a
fiworable position for a movement upon Philadelphia, should
it become expedient. Washington, through the winter, with
his fragment of an army, reinforced by the militia 'of Penn
sylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware, who went and came
as they pleased, restrained the British to the two posts

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 251
they held, skirmishing constantly with their foraging-
parties, threatening attacks on their lines, covering Jersey
from reoccupation, and animating its citizens to avenge
the outrages of the Hessians upon their persons and their
property. Such was the position of the contending armies through
the winter of 1777, and until the month of April of that
year. Congress feeling themselves insecure in Philadelphia,
which was menaced by General Howe, adjourned, in De
cember, to Baltimore. It appears by the following letter
frora Mr. Evans that Mr. Read did not immediately pro
ceed to that city, his attendance being necessary in the
Legislature of Delaware, which sat in January :
"January 6th, 1777.
" Deae Sir, — My mind is so fluctuated with the present
appearance of affairs, sometimes elevated and at other times
depressed, that I cannot form any precise judgment to
govern my own conduct by ; but upon a full consideration
of our present circumstances, notwithstanding many diffi
culties offer themselves, I think it will be advisable for the
Delaware State, at this meeting of the General Assembly,
to complete their system of government by appointing the
several executive officers; for while matters lie in their
present unsettled situation government will be weak, and
not able to use its own internal strength, and from appear
ance a vigorous exertion must be made the ensuing season
or all our past labor, with our liberty, will be in great
danger [of being lost], the people will becorae uneasy from
many causes, and attribute all to the leaders of the people :
and by having the government established upon the new
system some good may be derived that may prove of more
consequence than we are yet able to discover.
" I have wrote to Mr. Jones, informing him of m_y desire
that the General Assembly would appoint some other person
in my stead to represent them in Congress, which I hope
will be complied with. My state of health at present is
such that \ could not with conveniency go abroad. I have
likewise mentioned two or three gentlemen to Mr. Jones,
in case officers are appointed, for justices of the peace, which
he will show you, and [1] shall be pleased if it meets with

252 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
your approbation. I am, sir, with great regard, your sin
cere friend and humble servant, "John Evans."
The writer of the letter that next follows was a captain
in the Delaware regiment, and connected with Mr. Read
by his marriage with Joanna, daughter of the Reverend
jEneas Ross.
"MoERiSTOWN, 10th January, 1111.
" SiE, — General Washington has ordered me to remain
with the army some time longer, until the enemy retire
into winter quarters, when I shall immediately rejoin the
regiment at New Castle. I am sorry to inform you of the
death of Colonel Haslet, who fell at Princeton. I am the
only one here belonging to the Delaware regiment, — am
very much fatigued with the campaign, — and having lost
my baggage, shall be happy to return home to recruit. We
are just informed that the enemy are retreating for winter
quarters. " I am, sir, your most humble servant,
" Thomas Holland."*
George Evans, serving in a battalion of Delaware militia,
wrote to Mr. Read from
" Head-quaeters, Morkisto'wn, January 16th, 177T.
" Dear Sir, — After a march of four weeks our little bat
talion is now arrived at Morristown. Where we are to
march to next is not yet made known to us. We have
parties of the army stationed in different places, for five or
.six miles round this place. I make not the least doubt
that you have heard of the different engagements at Tren
ton and Princeton, therefore will omit mentioning the par
ticulars at this time, more than you may be assured that
we have taken and killed above two thousand of the enemy
;since Christmas, [and] our scouting-parties are still bring
ing in some strolling persons, which gives great spirits. A
gentleman from New York, that called at my lodging, in
forms me that the Tories there are going over to Long
^  .  1  — 
* Captain Thomas Holland ¦was a native of England, had served in
the British army, and was killed in the battle of Germantown. — Dela
ware Gazette, No. 216, Sth August, 118Q.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 253
Island, and. that the enemy had evacuated Forts Washing
ton and Lee, and had taken off" all the heavy cannon, also
that a party of General Heath's people had taken possession
of Harlem. It is generally reported here that the Hessians
are all going on Staten Island, and have refused to continue
out any longer, on account of so many of them having been
taken and Idlled, and one hundred and fifty wagons have
been sent from Brunswick to Amboy, with their baggage,
under guard of three hundred men, and that a party of our
people had fallen on their rear, scattered the guards, and
taken several of the wagons. It is generally expected that
the English troops will evacuate Brunswick, and leave us
in quiet possession of Jersey. Our little battalion is much
diminished : some have deserted shamefully when ¦we had
gained great advantage over our enemies, and others are
disabled for service by sickness, [so] that out of two hun
dred and sixty men we have not more than one hundred
and twenty left. I have had the good fortune, through
God's mercy, to be very hearty and well ever since I left
home, and hope to see you in a few weeks. My compli
ments to you, Mrs. Read, and all our friends, from your
friend and humble servant, etc., " George Evans.
" George Read, Esq., New Castle."
The llth article of the Constitution of Delaware, adopted
20th September, 1776, provided that the delegates to the
Congress of the United States should be chosen annually by
joint ballot of both Houses of the General Assembly, and
in January, 1777, George Read, John Dickinson, and John
Evans were thus chosen by that body delegates to the
Continental Congress.* Messrs. Dickinson and Evans de
clined this high and honorable trust. Mr. Dickinson's rea
sons for so doing appear in the following letter.
"New Castle, January 20th, 1111.
" My dear Sir, — The principal reason of my coming to New
Castle from Kent was personaUy to acknowledge to the Gen-
* Journal of Congress, April 4th, 1777.

254 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
eral Assembly of this State the deeply grateful sense I feel
of the honor they have conferred upon me by their appoint
ing me a delegate to Congress, and to inform them of the
reasons that have prevented me from taking.my seat.
"When I lately went to Philadelphia I expected to re
turn so quickly as to find the Assembly still sitting. _ I
have received advice from home that my house has been in
danger of being burnt by an accident, and that Mrs. Dick
inson is in great distress of mind. I myself am exceedingly
indisposed, with a violent cold, and therefore think it neces
sary to hasten down immediately, so that I hope I shall
stand excused for not expressing, in the most respectful
manner I could think of, my very great obligations to
this government.
"I beg of you, sir, to acquaint both Houses that when I
received notice of their appointment I was in a very low
state of health, which continued till the removal of the
Congress to Baltimore. I then was forced to attend my
wife and child into tl\e country, where I was of necessity
detained to provide them conveniences absolutely requisite
till my journey to this place, and now it will by no means
suit me to be absent from them in Baltimore.
"In addition to these reasons, I will mention to you, my
friend, that I know it to be impossible for me to render any
essential service to my unhappy country at this time. More
blood must be poured out, and more calamities endured,
before truth and sound policy will have any weight where
they ought to prevail. I therefore beg leave, with all possi
ble regard, to resign my place as a delegate. I have con
versed on this subject with two of our friends in this town.
They will speak to you upon it. Mr. M  will inform
you of the news, and of what relates to, my dear sir. your
affectionate friend, "John Dickinson.
"Please to present my compliments to Mrs. Read. I
gave Hines a letter for you."
Mr. Dickinson writes very soon after to Mr. Read in a
desponding tone, caused or increased, it is probable, by his
sickness and the late unpleasant occurrences in his family,
from

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 255
"Kent, January 22d, 1777.
"My DEAR Sir, — This winter is the only time that will be
allowed us to think of peace before we suffer indescribable
calamities. It ought not to be neglected. I beg leave to
press this upon you. Do exert yourself The event will
certainly prove that France and Spain are more afraid of
our becoming a great and flourishing empire than of our
being conquered by Great Britain, — perhaps they may try
to prevent both these events. I think the very vigor of
our resistance in this our infancy will alarm those two
powers. " God bless you ! I am forced to conclude, being very
sick. "Your ever affectionate, "John Dickinson.
"George Re.4^d, Esquire, in New Castle."
The sagacity of the last of Mr. Dickinson's above sur
mises is proved by the facts that France and Spain, hating
Great Britain, and jealous of her power, did try, and suc
cessfully, to prevent her subjugation of her colonies, and
then endeavored, during the negotiations for peace in 1782,
"to coop them up," as Franklin said, "within the Alleghany
Mountains,"* and to deprive them of the fisheries, design
ing to secure them and the western country to themselves,
or to barter them to England for equivalents, thus prevent
ing the colonies from being formidable. This selfish and
unworthy design was defeated by the sound judgment,
patriotism, and boldness of our envoys in signing the pre
liminary treaty with Enghand, without consulting the Count
de Vergenes, as they were instructed to do.
CjBsar Rodney, hoping to encourage the Delaware militia
that had marched to reinforce General Washington, was on
his way to them; when at Philadelphia, he was ordered to
Trenton to take command there,t and from that town wrote
as follows to Mr. Read :

* Pitkin's History of the United States, vol. ii. p. 149.
f Biography ofthe Signers of the Deelaration of Independence, vol.
iv. pp. 331, 332.

256 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
"January 23d, 1177.
" Mt deae Sir, — If I may judge of you by myself, I dare
venture to say that you are anxious to know what is going
on in this part of the American world, and as it gives me
pleasure to satisfy the anxious mind, [1] would have wrote
to you long ere this, but accounts of everything that
happens are so various and perplexing that a man who
would wish to support any degree of credit dare relate
hardly anything he hears. The first engagement between
us and the enemy, after the retreat from the North River,
was at Trenton, where I am not only playing the general
but commander-in-chief. It happened the day after Christ
mas, and you well know the circumstances attending it.
On the Sunday following, which was the 29th of the same
month. General Washington passed the Delaware to Tren
ton again, and on Thursday, the second of January, had
an advanced post of three or four field-pieces, covered with
six hundred musketry, attacked on the hill next towards
Princeton by (as the inhabitants of this town think) a body
of about five thousand English and Hessians. In this
attack there was very little done but discharging field-pieces
at each other. Washington continuing to retreat in and
through the town ; the others, commanded by General Lord
Cornwallis, endeavoring to flank them, till Washington got
over the bridge in the town, and on the side where the
main body of his army lay, and where, by his order, they
had, during the time of his retreat, been fixing a number
of cannon. As soon as these cannon were discharged, the
enemy retreated quite back to the first-mentioned hill, where
they remained till nine o'clock the next morning, expect
ing to be reinforced, and then to fight it out. Washington
with his army lay in the field and woods, between the town-
creek and the river, till about two o'clock in the morning,
and after having caused the fires to be well made up,
marched his army round the head of the creek into the
Princeton road, and so to Princeton, where, a little on this
side the town, they met the party coming to reinforce those
at Trenton. Here a warm engagement came on, first with
General Mercer's brigade, who were far advanced, and
being overpowered with numbers, were obliged to retreat,
after haying pushed bayonets. This gave the remainder
of Washington's army time to form, and, after giving the

OF GEORGE BEAD. 257
enemy two rounds, obliged them to retreat and immediately
after to run. By this means they lost all their baggage,
and only saved themselves by our people being so fatigued
as not to be able to keep pace with them. Washington,
after following them a little beyond Kingston, filed off to
the left, and then made for Morristown. Mr. Tucker, of
this town, told me he never saw men so filled with astonish
ment as the English officers on finding that Washington's
army was gone. [They] wondeied how he could have got
over the river without being discovered, etc. He says that
between eight and nine o'clock that morning two of the
British oflficers came to his house, asked for breakfast, and
just as they had poured out a dish of coffee heard the can
non, and immediately left it, thinking, as they heard the
cannon so very plain, that Washington had engaged their
body. However, [they] very soon marched off. In this
last-mentioned engagement we took about two hundred and
thirty prisoners, and at Trenton, the day before, thirty.
Since this General Maxwell has taken, at Elizabethtown,
one hundred and twenty prisoners, and all their baggage,
to a considerable amount. Soon after he took Spanktown,
about four miles from Elizabethtown, towards Amboy, on
the Sound, where he took a few prisonex's, a thousand
bushels of salt, and some baggage of value. Colonel Gur
ney, who was sent by General Putnam, with five hundred
men, on to Monmouth, has taken a very large quantity of
stores that were lodged there and guarded by Skinner's
Jersey volunteers. Forty wagons' load of them have
arrived at Princeton, and a great quantity of cloths and
other English, goods. There was a skirmish on Monday
last between one of our outposts and a superior number of
the enemy [in which] our people drove them, and took
thirty-one wagons and sixty-five horses, and have brought
them safe in. It is said by those who come from the camp
every day that our army increases very fast. I believe it
does increase some, though great numbers are leaving it.
Sure I am, if none would leave it for three weeks to come,
there would be enough to eat the enemy up. Our Dela
ware militia, in number two hundred and thirty-eight, I
sent to Princeton the day before yesterday, and yesterday
[they] were ordered from there by General Putnam to
head-quarters. I shall leave this to-morrow, and have the

258 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
pleasure to inform you that I have not been in the least
unwell since I left home, not even with the asthma. In
short, I every now and then conceit I grow fat. You may
readily suppose there is nothing very pleasing in a cold
winter campaign, and yet, if I could but see those Parlia
mentary robbers off, and my old friend Livingston restored
to his government, I should be happy. Good God, what
havoc they have made ! He that has not seen it can have
no idea of it. The deac^ bodies of Colonel Haslet* and
Major Morris are here, on their way to Philadelphia for
interment. Thus ends a history [to rea,d] which, perhaps,
will give you much more trouble than real satisfaction.
However, be that as it may, you must take it as the poor
man took his wife, and permit me to say, I am, with the
greatest respect, your most obedient and most humble
servant, "C^SAR RODNEY.f
"George Read, Esquire, at New Castle."
Major Duff returned home in the winter of 1777 with
the detachment of Delaware militia that had completed
their term of service in Jersey, bearing the very honorable
testimonial of their good conduct in the following letter
from General Mifflin to Mr. Read :
Philadelphia, 31st January, 1777.
" Dear Sir, — I have the pleasure to inform you that the
detachment of Delaware militia, commanded by Major
Duff,! from your State, have served the term of their en
listment with credit to themselves and satisfaction to me,
under whose command, in New Jersey, they happened to
serve.

* For a notice of Colonel Haslet, see Appendix G.
f See Appendix G 2.
i On the march of General Howe from the head of Chesapeake Bay
to Philadelphia, in 1777, a skirmish occurred between an advanced party
of his army and a detachment of Delaware militia, at Cooch's Bridge,
in New Castle County. I have heard, when very young, an old bachelor
uncle give an account of this affair, at which he was present, and which
he called the " battle of Cooch's Bridge." I recollect nothing of the
account, e.xcept that Major Duff was in the battle, behaved with much
courage, and had his horse shot under him. He rose to the rank of
colonel in the Delaware militia, and was sheriff of New Castle County.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 259
" The oflficers in particular deserve the thanks and esteem
of their country for the readiness shown by them to turn
out on all occasions. Major Duff, by a mistake of orders,
was prevented from joining me in the march to Trenton ;
but I have every cause to believe that he exerted himself
on all occasions when his duty and my orders were clearly
made known to him, and I do not recollect one single in
stance in which his spirit and zeal were not equal to those
of any other oflficer of my brigade.
"I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient
servant, "Thomas Mifflin, Brigadier- General.
"To the Honorable George Read, Esquire, at Wilming
ton." As the 27th article 181 the Constitution of Delaware
adopted in 1776 provided that the elections for members of
the General Assembly should be held October 1st in every
year after 1777, the elections, as to the time of holding
which Mr. McKean asked Mr. Read's opinion in the fol
lowing letter, were, I suppose, special ones, to fill vacancies
in the General Assembly (as provided in article 5 of the
above constitution), made, I conjecture, by the acceptance
by members of that body of offices incompatible with their
seats therein :
" Deae Sir, — I have waited with impatient expectation
a letter from you respecting the elections in the several
counties. I have thought that it would be best to have
them all on the same day, and would propose Friday, the
25th day of April next. In this appointment we shall
avoid all fairs,* courts, etc., which appears to me proper.
" Please to write to me by the very first opportunity
whether you approve of my proposition, and inform me
how you expect to forward the writs to the sheriflfs of
Kent and Sussex ; if by express one may answer.
" I am, dear sir, your most obedient servant,
" Thomas McKean.
" Newark, March 29th, 1777."
Nicholas Van Dyke, the writer of the letter which next
* See Appendix A.

260 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
follows, was of Dutch descent, a lawyer of eminence, after
wards Governor of Delaware, and recently appointed dele
gate to Congress and judge of admiralty. I have heard
from my father that his attendants offering, when he was
dying, to raise him, he motioned to them to take the pillow
from his head.
" Sir, — Your favor, by Colonel Cantwell, was handed me
last eve [ning]. I find by the section of the Constitution
you refer to an acceptance of [my appointment as] judge
of adrairalty would vacate my seat in Council. This I did
not attend to before the election ; but soon after I examined
that section, and thereupon was immediately determined
what part to act : to wit, not to accept, and for this reason,
that as the electors of this coun^ have thought proper to
confide so much in me as to elecrtme to a seat in Council,
I do not choose to accept any office, however lucrative,
which would vacate that seat, unless I was convinced that
I could in some other department render more important
service to my constituents, which I am persuaded I cannot
do as judge of admiralty; but as some trouble may be
saved hy your not issuing a writ for an election of a mem
ber of Council at present, if I was determined to accept,
you may, if you choose, consider my answer as a delay of
acceptance, and then when the Assembly meets I shall
regularly give them my answer to their appointment.
"I am pleased to hear Mr. Sykes is gone to Congress.
The very distressing dispensation of Providence to me since
I saw you, and the unavoidable necessity I have thereby
been reduced to, has hitherto prevented my leaving home,
nor can I possibly go until the first of the week after next.
" I am, sir, your very humble servant,
" Nicholas Van Dtke.
" 7th April, 1777.
" To the Honorable George Read, Esquire."
Congress adjourned at Baltimore, February 27th, to meet
in Philadelphia on the 4th day of March.
John Dickinson and John Evans having declined to serve
as delegates to Congress from the State of Delaware, Nicho
las Van Dyke and Jaraes Sykes, Esquires, were appointed
in their room, and Mr. Sykes appeared in Congress, and

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 261
presented his credentials on the 4th of April.* He wrote
to Mr. Read, in almost intolerable distress, from
" Philadelphia, April 10th, 1777.
" Dear Sir, — Yesterday it was agreed in Congress that
the subject of the Articles of Confederacy should be taken
up on Monday next, and that two days in each week should
be employed therein, until that work should be completed.
As this is a matter of the utmost importance, it is certainly
necessary that our State should be fully represented, espe
cially as I am by no means competent to the task. I there
fore most ardently wish you would give your attendance in
Congress, and beg you would write to Mr. Van Dyke, press
ing his immediate repair hither. I am in a most disagree
able situation, a stranger to every person, unable to speak
•Qiy sentiraents in Congress, and no colleague to confer with
on any subject that may concern our State. There has
already a matter been determined which, I am afraid, will
throw the whole county of Sussex into confusion and dis
order: I think it is the report from the Board of War that
an independent company shall be raised in that county, to
be stationed at Lewistown, that Harry Fisher shall have
the comraand; [and] if he refuse, he shall have at least the
appointment of the subaltern officers. This was brought
in immediately on my taking my seat in Congress, and
though I utterly disapproved the measure, as far as respected

» In Council, February 22d, 1777.
Whereas, Nicholas Van Dyke and James Sykes, Esquires, have been
chosen by joint ballot of both Houses of the General Assembly to repre
sent the Delaware State in the Continental Congress, in the room and
stead of John Dickinson and John Evans, Esquires ;
Besolved, That they, together with George Read, Esquire, or any one
or more of them, are hereby fully authorized and empowered, for and in
behalf of this State, to concert, agree to, and execute any measure which
they or he, together with a majority of the Continental Congress, shall
judge necessary for the defence, security, interest, and welfare of this
State in particular, and America in general, with power to adjourn to
such times and places as shall appear most conducive to the public
welfare and advantage. Sent for concurrence. Eodem die, in Assembly
read and concurred. Extract frora the Minutes.
Slaytor Cl-^t, Clerk of the Council.
Journal of Congress, vol. iii. p. 87.

262 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
Fisher, I could not open my mouth in objection.* This,
sir, shows the necessity of some person being here who has
the inclination and power to object to and show the im
propriety of such appointments. I am totally unfit for it,
and am miserable on the occasion.
"From what we hear from head-quarters it seems to be
the prevailing opinion that the enemy intend to [move] to
Philadelphia in a very short time, that the fieet are coming
into this river, and that boats are preparing for the army to
cross the sarae.
"I should be exceedingly sorry to press you upon a sub
ject that I know at this time is disagreeable, — I mean your
attendance here; but it appears to me to be indispensably
necessary to our State that you should be in Congress: with
respect to rayself it is so rauch so that without your attend
ance I cannot think of staying, — alone I will not. I hope
you virill excuse this incoherent scrawl. Please to preserit
my best corapliraents to Mrs. Read. It would give me great
pleasure to receive a line from you. I am, in the mean time,
dear sir, your most obedient, humble servant, "James Sykes.
"For George Read, Esquire, Wilmington.
" Favored by John Evans, Esquire."
Mr. Sykes, judging from his letter, — its style, orthography,
and penmanship, — was well educated, and we must believe,
from the fact of his appointment to Congress, not only
highly respectable but influential. His constituents, per
haps, thought that, as his colleagues were lawyers, his not
being a speaker would not matter. If they so thought,
they were mistaken; but he might, and I have no reason
* " The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into
consideration : Whereupon, Besolved, That blank commissions be sent
to Henry Fisher of Lewistown, with orders to raise, on the Continental
establishment, an independent company, for the safeguard ofthe pilots,
and the persons and goods of other well-affected inhabitants and sub
jects of the.se States, residing or being near Lewistown, and the coasts
of Delaware Bay; and that Mr. Fisher be informed that if he chooses
to accept the command of the corapany, Congress will confirm him
therein ; but if he should decline the acceptance thereof, that he should
be requested to nominate a proper person to fill that station, and that
in either ca.se he nominate the subalterns." — Journal of Congress, vol.
iii. p. 89.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 263
to doubt he did, by voting with judgment and integrity,
and on committees, serve them well. Still, his situation, as
he describes it, — that of a man out of place, — is pitiable in
deed. He was in an assembly more imposing (august may
not be too strong a word) than any he ever before hiid sat
in, without colleagues, knowing no one. A measure was pro
posed, he disapproved it, because it would probably disturb
a -whole county of his State; all eyes were turned to the
delegate from Delaware as the member from -whom they
had a right to expect full and reliable information on the
pending resolution, his self-possession was utterly lost, his
tongue was paralyzed; ashamed and mortified, he sat mute,
and the resolution was adopted. Thoraas McKean, in a
letter to Mr. Read of December 6th, 1777 {^Qepost), says,
"The honorable attachment of James Sykes, Esquire, to
the virtuous and glorious cause in which his country is
engaged, will no doubt induce him to give his immediate
attendance iu Congress." From this passage I infer that
Mr. Sykes was an ardent Whig. Mr. Read was in his
seat in Congress April 25th,* when he was appointed
with Messrs. Roberdeau and Sergeant "to confer with the
President and Council of Delaware, and enforce the nece.s-
sity of calling out fifteen hundred of the militia of that
State."t The season for active operations had now come. What
would be the enemy's plan of campaign ? Would Burgoyne
transport his army, by sea, to New York, or, capturing
Ticonderoga, force his way to Albany, and get the comraand
of the Hudson? and would General Howe co-operate with
hira, or would he move against Philadelphia? It was
necessary that the Americans should be prepared to defend
Ticonderoga, the Highlands of New York, and Philadelphia
against two armies, superior not only numerically, but in
discipline and equipment. Washington so posted his troops
as to make thera available for the defence of the points the
British might choose to attack. The northern army was
posted between Ticonderoga and Peekskill, and there was
a detachment at Peekskill from which the northern army
could be reinforced, while the junction of this detachment
* And he may have been in it sooner.
¦\ Journal of Congress, vol. iii. p. 124.

264 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
with the troops under Washington's immediate command
could be effected without diflficulty. Washington's army,
which he had endeavored to increase by every means in his
power (its effective men being about five thousand), was in
May drawn out of its winter quarters, and posted in a
fortified camp at Middlebrook, behind and near the road
that led from New Brunswick to Philadelphia. Painful
was the suspense in which, for several weeks, the Americans
were held.
Mr. Read, while sharing with his colleagues in Congress
the burden of Continental affairs, was at the same time
taking an active and leading part in those of Delaware.*
The organization of the courts constituted by the Constitu
tion of Delaware adopted in 1776 had been delayed by its
disturbed condition, and the next following letter shows
what had been done towards accomplishing it:
"Dover, July 19th, 1777.
"Dear Sir, — General Rodney, last evening, delivered
me a comraission from the President, constituting me Chief
Justice of the Delaware State, as also another appointing
me, with Messrs. Evans and Cook, Justices of the Court of
Oyer and Terminer and General Jail Delivery of the same
State, by the last of which I flatter myself Mr. Evans has
agreed to accept of a seat in those courts ; and, therefore, I
shall take without delay the necessary qualification, and
enter upon the performance of the duties of the places
assigned me; but how reputably for myself or advantage
ously for the State I shall execute the arduous task. Heaven
only knows. However, the scarcity of proper persons to
fill every department, if it does not make my undertaking
those affairs absolutely necessary, will, at least, justify the
measure. "The President, in his letter to General Rodney accom
panying these commissions, mentions the necessity of hold
ing a Court of Oyer and Terminer speedily for the trial of
some State criminals now confined in Dover jail, and I am
informed that there are some others confined in the jail at
* His name appears in the " List" (Appendix B) returned June 24th,
1777, by Captain Clark, of able-bodied associators "ready and willing
to march" against the enemy.

OF GEOBGE BEAD, 265
New Castle, charged with other capital oflfences. I shall,
therefore, take order forthwith for the removal of those in
Dover to New Castle, in order to their being tried in that
county where they are said to have coraraitted the offences.
But previous to the holding a court for this purpose, I shall
be obliged to you for informing me when will be the most
proper time to hold it, in regard to the oflficers and the in
habitants ofthe county in general? Will Monday the 4th
of next month be too soon? Pray give me your opinion
by the first opportunity of a conveyance. Or if you will
mention the business to Mr. Evans, I shall agree to any
time he may think proper to appoint for holding this court,
and for that end he may make out the precept, returnable
what day he pleases, and send it to me in order to my
signing it.
"You will please also to consult Mr. Yeats whether he
would choose to be appointed, or rather continued, clerk of
the Supreme Court for the county of New Castle. I have
already had an application for the appointment to this
oflfice from another gentleman, to whom I have given a
grant of it in case Mr. Yeats should not incline to be con
tinued, but if he should, I am very willing to give him the
preference. "We have been for some time past apprehensive of being
rudely disturbed, on some unlucky night, at Dover by some
of those bullying, swearing fellows belonging to the men-of-
war, encouraged thereto by bad men among ourselves, but
General Rodney is now taking some measures for our better
security. Ever since the apprehending the criminals in
our jail, mentioned above, we have been threatened by the
men-of-war's people with the most direful vengeance, through
resentment for confining their friends in prison.
"I am, sir, your most humble servant,
" William Killen.
"George Read, Esquire."
The letter next introduced, and indeed Mr. Read's cor
respondence, indicates his influence, the confidence reposed
in the soundness of his judgment, and his readiness to ex
ercise it for the benefit of his friends and the public.
18

266 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
"Dover, August 9th, 1777.
"Dear Sir, — Your letter of the 20th ult., if the whole
tenor of my conduct through life has not sufficiently evinced
it, informs me that Mr. Theodore Maurice, of your town,
was perfectly right when he told me, about seventeen years
ago, 'that I was not a cunning man.' I will explain myself.
Some weeks since a commission appointing me Chief Justice
of this State, and another, constituting myself and Messrs.
John Evans and John Cook Justices of the Courts of Oyer
and Terminer and General Jail Delivery, to be held for the
several counties of this State, came to General Rodney's
hands; with which he acquainted me. tfpon seeing Mr.
Evans's name in this letter, I took it for granted that he had
agreed to this appointment, and I therefore, without hesita
tion, accepted of both commissions, took the necessary
qualifications, and got to dealing with the Tories, and have
been engaged with them almost ever since. Now, sir, you
know that I had made Mr. Evans's acceptance a condition
precedent to that of my own, and yet without any other
evidence of his acceptance than barely seeing his name in
the comraission of Oyer and Terminer, I xmcthnningly swore
lin, and have fully proved that Mr. Maurice was not mis
taken in his opinion of me mentioned above; indeed, your
'letter not only satisfies rae that Mr. Evans has not yet
¦qualified, under those cornmissions, but has caused a great
doubt in me that he never will.
" This new task is really too arduous for me. In essaying
to execute it I find both a want of knowledge and firmness
:of mind — the latter most. There have been about forty
persons, men and women, apprehended in the Head of Sus
sex and the lower part of New Castle on suspicion of trading
with the men-of-war in Delaware [Bay]. Some of these I
^discharged, after examining of them, some I let go upon
bail, others I committed, but have since adraitted them to
bail, except two, now confined in New Castle jail. As to
<one of these two last, namely, Jonas Edingfield, I am much
importuned by his sister and other relations to admit him
to bail also. His offence is furnishing the men-of-war with
fresh provisions. He has confessed the fact. Is not this
act an aiding and comforting the enemies of the State ? I
have ventured to call it so in my proceedings with these
offenders. I have no friend here of whose knowledge I can

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 267
avail myself in an}^ diflficulty that occurs to me in my new
office, and I find myself often at a loss in endeavoring to do
the duties of it. Add to this that a milkiness of disposition
bears down the little understanding I have, and they main
tain a perpetual war between thera. Pray inform me whether
I ought to admit Edingfield to bail. He has an old mother,
a wife, and seven children, and his circumstances but low.
Also, what offence is he guilty of who is apprehended with
live stock and sundry other provisions on his way to traffic
with the enemies of the State, and acknowledges that that
was his intention? Your answer to these questions will
much oblige a quondam brother in distress. I intend to pro
pose the holding of a court of Oyer and Terminer for Kent
County, about the first week in next month, to my brother,
I wish I could say my brethren. The apprehending these
Tories is really like cutting off the hydra's head. I hear
Colonel Richardson has seized several of them. Captain
Murphy has raade prize of a Tory's boat, who had given
out that the enemy had taken her, loaded with grain, going
to Philadelphia, some time last June ; but it has lately been
discovered to me, on oath, that he voluntarily fell in with
a man-of-war's boat at the mouth of Mispillion, has made
a voyage to New York with her since, and carried on a
constant trade with the enemy. I have also made out pre
cepts for seizing a number of those trading-gentry in Sussex.
I intend to send herewith the commission of Oyer and
Terminer, and earnestly request you to write to Mr. Evans
to qualify and urge him thereto by putting him in mind of
the distraction and anarchy that prevail in our little State
for want of the due execution of the laws. Sure he cannot
be indifferent to a measure so interesting to his country.
" I am, dear sir, your most humble servant,
" William Killen.*
" George Read, Esquire."

* My lack of information in regard to William Killen has, in some
measure, been lately and unexpectedly supplied.
In the grave-yard of the Presbyterian church, Dover, Delaware,
which I lately visited, to see the monuments of two distinguished citi
zens of my native State, recently erected there, while scanning with
interest (July 5th, 1859) the torabs around me, I carae upon an an
cient stone, which covers the grave of William Killen, and read upon
it that "he was born in Ireland a.d. 1722 ; landed in America a.d. 1737 ;

268 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
Sir William Howe's object in the campaign of 1777 was
Philadelphia. His first plan was to march to that city
through Jersey, fighting the American army, if it attacked
or could be forced to engage him. He deferred opening the
campaign till the country could afford food and forage for
his soldiers and horses, and was delayed until the latter end
of May by the non-arrival of tents and carap-equipage from
Europe. Early in June, with the British troops, less those
left to garrison New York, he moved from that city to New
Brunswick, and on the 14th of that month marched, in two
strong columns, towards the river Delaware, intending and
hoping, by awakening fears for Philadelphia, which would
by this movement be shown to be his object, to- draw Gen
eral Washington from his strong position at Middlebrook
to oflfer him battle, but the wariness of the American cora-
raander foiled him ; he remained on the strong ground he
occupied, and General Howe, being of opinion that there
would be too much risk in his atterapt to cross the Dela
ware, with a strong force, on its west bank, in front, and
Washington's army in his rear, determined to move his
army by sea to the Delaware or Chesapeake Bays, from
either of which great estuaries Philadelphia could be reached
by a march of a few days through a country traversed by
no rivers of magnitude and in general of level or undulating
surface, and therefore offering no strong positions to the
army that might oppose his march.
Early' in July the British fleet stood to sea from New
York, with the British army on board, their destination
being carefully concealed from the Americans. The his
tory of the period of their uncertainty as to the point to
which the winds were wafting their foe, has to me a thrill
ing interest. The storm of war must fall somewhere; but
what portion of their goodly heritage was to be devastated?
None could answer this question — the suspense was that of
a people — the common current of thought was interrupted
— there was a pause in the business of life — the timid quailed,
"the boldest held their breath for a time." This suspense

was first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Delaware under her
Constitution adopted a.d. 1776, and until the adoption of her second Con
stitution A.D. 1792; and then Chancellor of Delaware until he resigned
this office A.D. 1802. Died October 5th, 1807, aged 85 years."

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 269
was removed, July SOth, by intelligence that the British
fleet was within the Delaware, but only to be renewed by
inforraation that it had left that bay, and stood to the east.
It was next descried, August 7th, a short distance south of
the capes of the Delaware, and from that day until almost
the end of that month nothing was known of its movements.
How terrible must have been this uncertainty ! Howe
might have intended to draw Washington to the Delaware,
and then, retracing his course, ascend the Hudson, surprise
the posts in its vicinity, in order to co-operate with the ex
pected army of Burgoyne, or he might menace the Eastern
States, or, transferring the war to the South, attack Charles
ton. The British fleet entered the Chesapeake August 16th,
sailed to the head of that bay, where, on the 25th of that
month, the British army was landed unopposed. General
Howe, with one division, marched on the 27th to Elk, and
on the 28th his vanguard occupied Gray's Hill, two miles
east of it, while Knyphausen moved by Cecil Court House,
with two brigades, within eight miles of the Christiana, and
Grant was left with six battalions to guard the baggage and
keep open communication with the fleet. Generals Corn
wallis and Knyphausen united their divisions on the 3d of
September, at Pencader, and on the Sth General Grant,
having shipped the tents and baggage left in his charge,
joined them. A large araount of stores had been removed
from Elk by a detachment of Delaware militia. General
Washington in the mean tirae had not been idle. As soon
as he received intelligence of the arrival of General Howe's
army in the Chesapeake he raarched his army, August 24th,
through Philadelphia, to encourage his friends and intimi
date the disaffected by its number and martial appearance.
He halted for a short time at the Brandywine, and thence
moved to Wilmington and encamped on the hills around it.
General Maxwell's light corps had been attacked by Corn
wallis, and forced to retreat over White Clay Creek. On
Sept. 5th the American army was posted behind Red Clay
Creek, with its right wing on Newport, and its left on
Hockesson, the Maryland and Delaware militia having pre
viously been ordered to annoy the enemy's rear, and that
of Pennsylvania to co-operate with the American array in
front. General Howe endeavored by a feigned attack in
front to mask his movement to turn the American right.

270 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
As this moveraent, if successful, would have inclosed Wash
ington in a narrow strip of territory, where he could have
been forced to fight at disadvantage, or the enemy might
occupy the heights of Brandywine, and cut him off from
Philadelphia, and capture it without a battle, he therefore,
soon after nightfall, marched to the Brandywine, crossed
it the day after, and posted his army on the high grounds
north of it, leaving Maxwell's light infantry on the southern
side of this stream to skirmish with the British. Works
were hastily thrown up on a hill north of Chad's Ford,
where Wayne's artillery corps was posted. At the lowest
ford, Pyle's, two miles south of Chad's, was stationed one
thousand Pennsylvania militia under General Armstrong,
and the right of the army, Sullivan's division, of three
thousand men, was so extended as to cover, it was expected,
the fords above, of which there were several, while the
centre. Green's division (the brigades of Weedon and Muh
lenburg), was on the hills in the rear, whence it could rein
force the wings as might be necessary. His army thus in
order of battle, Washington awaited, with his characteristic
equanimity, the onset of the British. A thick fog covered
the country for some hours.* General Knyphausen moved
about nine a.m. from Kennett Square, and was attacked by
Maxwell's troops, who, after fighting bravely, were driven
by superior numbers across the Brandywine. Knyphausen
then kept up a heavy cannonade, under cover of which he
raade feigned attempts to pass Chad's Ford, the object of
these feints being to divert the attention of the Americans
from the real point of attack. Two small streams, rising
in Pennsylvania, after a course, generally from Avest to east,
of about five miles, unite and form the Brandywine. At
the confluence of these streams the Brandywine flows from
west to east, about seven miles, to Chad's Ford, and thence,
about twelve miles more, to the point where it empties into
the Christiana, two miles below Wilraington. The great
water-power of the Brandywine before the American Revo
lution was only applied to the manufacture of flour, from
the wheat of Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland,
esteemed the best raised in the colonies. The main body
of the British, led by Cornwallis, Howe being with it,
* September llth.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 271
marched up the Lancaster road, at dawn of day, to pass
Trimble's and Jeflferis Fords above the point of confluence
of the branches of the Brandywine, and so turn the right
of the Americans, while Knyphausen amused them with
his bluster. This stratagem, skilfully devised and executed,
was completely successful, screened as the movement was
by the fog and the wooded hills along the Brandywine, and
aided by the neutrality, or disaffection to Congress, of the
Quaker population of this region, who withheld information
of the raovement of the main body of the British army. At
last, about mid-day, this movement was reported by Colonels
Bland and Ross to Washington, who at once boldly deter
mined to pass Chad's Ford, and attack with his centre and
left wing Knyphausen, while Sullivan was ordered with
Sterling to cross the Brandywine, and assail the left of
Cornwallis's column ; but before this plan could be carried
into effect Sullivan received and communicated intelligence
that the enemy were not near the Forks of Brandywine,
and that therefore Cornwallis's raoveraent was a feint to
draw the American array across the creek, there to find
itself engaged, not with a division, but the whole British
army. It was not until two o'clock p.m. that the uncer
tainty produced by contradictory intelligence was dissipated.
The eneray had turned the American right, and were mov
ing eastwardly. Sullivan's, Sterling's, and Stephens's divi
sions were ordered to change front, so as to face the ad
vancing column of the British. Wayne was ordered to
remain at Chad's Ford, and with Maxwell's light troops
hold Knyphausen in check, and Green's division, with
General Washington, was stationed as the reserve between
them. As the British advanced toward Birmingham Meeting-
House they were surprised and amused by a number of
Quakers mingling with and moving forward with them.
The spectacle was magnificent, — a great body of disciplined
troops marching in military order, the scarlet uniforras, and
muskets and bayonets, bright as silver, gleaming in the sun,
which shone unclouded. It had a fascination for these
simple rustics, who followed on, all fear swallowed up by
curiosity, till the battle began, about 4 o'clock p.m. They
were surprised by the smooth and white skins of the British
officers, mostly short and portly men, neat and clean, and

272 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
elegantly attired, in strong contrast to the dingy uniforras
and gaunt forms of the Americans, who had passed the
preceding winter under privations and discomforts to which
ordinary patriotism and fortitude would have succumbed,
while their enemies were housed, warmly clad, and well
fed. They came upon a group of mounted oflficers, flashing
in scarlet and gold ; one of these is prominent, evidently a
general, of large body, on a stately charger, but reduced in
flesh, his features coarse and large, and his mouth fallen in
from loss of teeth ; it was Sir William Howe. The fields
before them were red with the British regiments raoving
rapidly forward, and covered with the knapsacks and blan
kets of which they had disencurabered themselves.*
The troops under Sullivan, unfortunately, to prevent
Duborre's brigade frora being on the right of thera, made
such a wide circuit as to delay so much his getting up his
men that they were not formed when attacked. The fight
was animated for some time, but the right first wavered
and then gave way, followed by the left wing; and the
centre, though it fought bravely, could not long endure the
whole fire of the British, and broke also. General Green,
with his division, moving forward so rapidly as to clear five
miles in fifty minutes, most gallantly covered the retreating
Araericans, opening his ranks for them to pass behind, and
then closing ; and about dusk, at a defile near Dilworthtown
(chosen by Washington for making a stand, if necessary, on
a previous reconnoissance), after a gallant fight, much of it
with the bayonet, checked the farther advance of Howe,
and then withdrew his division in good order. His able
and brave stand diverted the main body of the enemy frora
Wayne, who had resisted the attacks of Knyphausen until
the enemy appeared on his right, when, knowing from
this fact Sullivan's defeat, he took the road to Chester,
where the whole American army remained through the
night of September llth, and retreated the next day to
Philadelphia. The American loss in the battle of Brandy
wine was about nine hundred, killed, wounded, and prison
ers, and that of the British, as stated by themselves, five
Jiundred. General Sullivan was unjustly censured for sending the
* Townsend's Account of the Battle of Brandywine, pp. 21, 24, 26.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 273
false (as it proved) intelligence which induced the counter
mand of the order that he should cross the Brandywine and
attack the enemy, for had he withheld it, and Washington
passed that stream, as he would have done, to encounter
not Knyphausen alone, but the whole British army, in case
of defeat, his men being pushed into the Brandywine in his
rear, a total rout raust have ensued. Though Sullivan re
tained the confidence of Washington, and was by him and
other -superior officers acquitted of the charge of defect of
vigilance and activity in guarding the fords of Brandywine,
yet I cannot diT^est myself of the inclination, at least, to the
opposite opinion. General Sullivan, I think, was too much
occupied with the responsibility of his charge, and how he
should screen himself from censure, and was not of that
high order of men who forget self when great public in
terests are at stake. He posted troops at several fords and
was careful to comraunicate all intelligence he received
to Washington, but made no extraordinary effort, as he
should have done, to obtain it, especially as he expressed
and repeated the opinion that the attempt would be made
to turn the American right.* As the fords by which the
British crossed were distant from him but five miles, an
officer vigilant and enterprising as the emergency required,
might have terminated the uncertainty as to their move
ment in one hour. He with a blamable facility concluded,
upon the statement of an utter stranger, that there were
no fords above Buffington's, and by Dr. Darlington's letter, re
cently published by the Pennsylvania Historical Society, it
appears he left a ford unguarded, over which a party of
British passed, this ford being above Buffington's.
I cannot refrain from the speculation " what would have
been the result had Washington's bold plan of crossing the
Brandywine and attacking the British been executed." He
would, I think, have beaten and driven Knyphausen before
him, being numerically so much superior, and then all
further good result would have depended upon his being
able to restrain the pursuit of the flying Hessians in time
to recross in good order and form on the best ground to re
ceive the attack of Cornwallis. In any case, most likely,
such was the superiority of the British in number, but much
* In his letter to John Hancock, October Gth, 1777.

274 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
more in discipline and equipment, that they would have
won the battle, but the Americans would have retired suffer
ing less loss and inflicting greater than they did suffer and
inflict, and the success over Knyphausen would have been
a set-off against Howe's victory.*
On the 18 th of September, Wilmington, in the State of
Delaware, was occupied by a detachment of the British
army.-)- Dr. McKinley, the President of that State, made
prisoner; and the chief magistracy, vacated by this un
toward event, devolved, by virtue of article seven of the
Constitution, upon Mr. Read. He was in his seat in
the Continental Congress when he received intelligence of
this event, which constrained him to enter upon a new
sphere of duty, made arduous by the number of Tories and
refugees in his little State, and the British armed ships in
her waters. It was impracticable to pass from Philadelphia
to Delaware on the western side of the river, because the
British occupied the whole pass from thence into the penin
sula. Mr. Read was therefore compelled to take his journey
along the Jersey shore of the river Delaware, and brave the

* The Quakers I have mentioned, their curiosity still overpowering
their prudence, after having viewed the contest afar off, as soon as it
ceased, with strange temerity, ventured on the field of battle to gratify
their morbid desire to scan its horrors. They soon aided in carrying
the wounded to Birmingham Meeting-House, a simple building, of a
single story, with a steep roof, adjoining its burying-ground, the declin
ing sun illuminating the green mounds of the dead, distinguished by no
tombstones, then, as now, proscribed by the Friends as worldly vanities,
especially out of place in grave-yards. The spectacle of suffering within
this teraporary hospital no doubt strengthened their faith in the tenet of
their sect that all war is unlawful. They were especially attracted by
the grim preparations for an amputation. The tourniquet was applied,
and the surgeon grasped his knife, when he paused to ask for wine or
brandy to adrainister to the patient, a British oflficer. " I need neither,"
exclairaed this brave man, "for my spirits are enough excited." At
that moment one raore prudent than the other Quakers warned them
that the picket-guards were being set, and if they lingered longer their
egress from the battle-ground would be cut off. I cannot but wish they
had stayed till the amputation was performed and reported its result. I
hope the brave EnglishTuan survived to be gladdened by the sight of
the white cliffs of Albion, and long shared the provision the wise policy
of the British government, with no niggard hand, has made, whenever
health or limb or life has been lost in her service. — Townsend's Account
of the Battle of Brandywine, pp. 25-27.
f See Appendix C.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 275
risk of crossing it. He left Philadelphia Septeraber 26th,
as the British army entered it, and joined his family, then
in New Jersey, and soon afterwards they commenced their
homeward journey. While prosecuting it, he received the
following letter from Colonel Bedford. This letter is with
out date, but must have been written in the beginning of
October, as the election, which he mentions, must have been
held (as provided by article twenty-seven of the Constitu
tion) on the first day of that month:. " Salem, Saturday evening.
" Dear Sir, — On our arrival at this place, ibund a craft
ready to receive goods, and convey them to Port Penn,
which opportunity we made use of, and had our wagons
unloaded at the wharf, and [the goods] put on board the
vessel, [which] set off about four o'clock, and [1] expect by
this time she is got over. Early to-morrow morning we
shall set off, in a row-boat, from this place, if the weather
permits. A Mr. Harris, ship-builder, from Wilraington, is
the owner of both boats, and if you corae here inquire for
him. "I have just heard, by George Parker, that Mr. McKean
and Colonel Patterson have retired from our county on
hearing that some attempts were preparing for making thera
prisoners. "The election was opened, and held at Newark* by a
very few people, and [I] have just seen a ticket which I
inclose you.
" Two or three boats, at different times, have come over
this day from the other side. There is no news from our
army. I understand eight ships-of-war are at Billingsport.
The Lizard frigate lays at New Castle, on board of which
Thomas Clark, of New Castle, is a prisoner. He was taken
out of his house about midnight and carried on board.
"I shall endeavor to let you hear from me as soon as I
arrive on the other side the river, after making sorae inquiry
of the situation [of affairs]. Mr. Bail, who takes this,
promises to forward it to you. I leave my horse here.
* Instead of New Castle, as by law appointed, because the British
men-of-war off that place, or near it, made it unsafe, if not impractica
ble, to hold this election there.

276 LIFE AND COBBESPOi^DENCE
I have no opportunity of getting him over at this time.
[I] expect in a day or two he will be sent. I am at Mr.
Burrow's, and think, if you come here, it will be the most
suitable house for you. Please remember us to all our
friends. "I am your affectionate brother, "G. Bedford.
"To George Read, Esquire.
"At Mr. Howell's, near Roadstown."
On the 13th of October, 1777, Mr. Read arrived with his
family at Salem, New Jersey, and procured a boat to con
vey them across the Delaware, there about five miles wide.
At this time there were several British men-of-war lying at
anchor oflf New Castle. The boat had almost reached the
Delaware shore, when she v/as descried by the enemy, who
immediately despatched an armed barge in pursuit of her.
The tide being unfortunately low, the boat grounded so far
from the beach that it was impossible for Mr. Read and his
family to land before their pursuers were upon them. There
was only time to efface every mark on the baggage which
could excite any suspicion that Mr. Read was not, as he
represented himself, a country gentleman, returning to his
home. The oflficer who commanded the boat was of no
higher rank than that of boatswain, and the presence of
Mr. Read's mother, wife, and infant children, gave sufficient
probability to his story to deceive sailors, who, guileless
themselves, are not prone to suspect deception. The honest
and kind-hearted tars assisted, with great glee, in land
ing the baggage, and carrying the ladies and children on
shore. Wherever there has existed government, unless despotic,
there have been parties, owing sometimes to honest diflfor-
ence of opinion, sometimes to oppression, ambition, disap
pointment, or a factious spirit. It may, I think, be assumed
that the parties in Delaware up to the time of the stamp-
act were proprietary and anti-proprietary. In support of
that act there was so insignificant a minority that the voice
in favor of its repeal may with truth be called unanimous.
This unanimity existed until the great measure of inde
pendence was proposed and adopted. The opponents to
independence were slow, even after it was proclaimed, to

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 277
abandon all hope of accoramodation with the mother-
country, to which frora habit they looked with aflfection,
and which, frora extravagant notions of her power and
resources, they regarded as invincible by a power so feeble
as that of Congress. Sorae of the opponents of independ
ence, but they were coraparatively few, openly or covertly
sided with Great Britain, but the majority of thera were
only lukewarm in suggesting, adopting, and executing meas
ures of defence or attack against the enemy. These were
treated by the violent Whigs with the usual injustice of
parties : they were branded, as if they were undoubted
royalists, with the opprobrious epithet of Tory, when they
assumed to be, and, I believe, truly were, moderate Whigs.
They were sorae tiraes subjected to violent and cruel treat
ment : for example, Clark, a member of Assembly for Kent,
and afterwards Chief Justice of the Court of Coraraon Pleas,
was pilloried and egged for expressing in the Comraittee of
Safety of that county, the opinion " that accommodation
with Britain was possible." And subsequently on his way
to New Castle was forcibly prevented by a militia company
frora taking his seat in the General Assembly. In April,
1777, John Hancock in a letter, a copy of which is araong
Mr. Read's papers, inforras President McKinley "that the
danger of an immediate insurrection in Sussex County, Dela
ware, from the inimical spirit manifested by a considerable
portion of the inhabitants, has induced Congress to desire that
those among them who have shown disaflfection to America
may be secured, in hopes that their wicked designs may be
thereby defeated." Insurrection had not only been appre
hended but had repeatedly occurred both in Kent and Sus
sex Counties, but especially in Sussex, where the disaffected
to Congress were most numerous. With the British armed
vessels in the Delaware Bay and River the royalists were in
constant and close comraunication, and concealed and aided
eraissaries from these vessels, who deceived or corrupted
ignorant persons, and instigated them to rebellion ; while
payment in hard money for cattle, grain, and vegetables
was an almost irresistible temptation to illicit traffic in these
articles. The ardent and active Whigs were exposed to a
great peril. The' State was infested with spies* who fur-
* See Appendix D.

278 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENGE,_
nished lists to the British of the most forward Whigs, and
these, at least in the vicinity of the bay and river, were
liable to be seized by armed parties from the English men-
of-war, and carried from their beds to these floating prisons.
Mr. Read's influence with the moderate Whigs was great,
and was ever wielded by him wisely, desirous as he was to
lessen party bitterness, to protect the weak from oppression
and cruelty, and unite all his fellow-citizens in defence of
their rights, — a diflficult task, when, as was the case, obsti
nate men, of opposite opinions as to the expediency of laws,
chose to obey such only as they thought proper, while
others, delighting in the petulance of censure, shrunk from
the exertions necessary to reform and amend.*
Such was the state of affairs in Delaware when Mr. Read
was summoned from his seat in Congress to take the helm
of government, and when he looked beyond his own depart
ment he found little to encourage him, 'for the aspect of
things in general was gloomy. These were, in4eed, in the
classic language ofthe Revolution, the times that tried men's
souls : the battle of Brandywine had been lost, Philadelphia
occupied by the British, the attack at Germantown, though
almost a victory, had failed, and the fathers of their coun
try having fled before their triumphant enemy, were de
liberating at York, in Pennsylvania, then a small and
obscure village.
Mr. Read located his family in Cecil County, Maryland,
not only because it was a place of security, but because it
was the residence of his brother-in-law, the Reverend Wil
liara Thompson, Rector of St. Stephen's parish, in that
county .•]¦
Thomas McKean, unquestionably patriotic and bold, but
sometiraes, perhaps, severe and intolerant, soon after the
battle of Brandywine took upon him, as Speaker of the
House of Asserably, agreeably to article seven of the Consti
tution, the presidency of Delaware, vacant by the capture of
Dr. McKinley and the absence of Mr. Read. In his letter
to Mr. Read, ofthe 26th September, 1777, he informs him

* See Appendix E.
t Two of the sons-in-law ofthe Reverend George Ross had the same
name, the clergyman, above mentioned, and General William Thomp

son, though not kinsmen

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 279
of this step, and the reasons for it, details his official acts,
and resigns the office.
" Sir, — The captivity of the President, your absence at
Philadelphia, and not hearing from you, the. distressed
situation of the Delaware State, being without a head or
body (the militia being dispirited and dispersed), and the
love I bore the virtuous part of the people, added to a sense
of duty, induced me on Monday last to take the command-
in-chief as President. With the approbation of the Privy
Council I have ordered the whole of the militia to be in
readiness to march at an hour's warning, and one-half thereof
to be called out into actual service to continue for seven
days, the last of which to be relieved by the other half, and
to be posted at such places as the colonels or commanding
oflficers of each battalion should direct : and to continue this
rotation until further orders from the commander-in-chief.
When thus collected, being the easiest service, and the
most inviting, and of course most likely to be complied with,
I had it in view to reduce the number of posts, and to
strengthen a few, so as to have a respectable body of men
near the enemy, etc. I have with the like approbation
issued a proclamaition to insure the holding an election of
Assemblymen, etc. for New Castle County. With a pros
pect of deriving advantage from it, we made a promotion
in the militia, by making Mr. Rodney major-general, [and]
Messrs. Dagworthy, Dickinson, and Patterson brigadiers,
and passed a vote, from the necessity of the case, to borrow
upon the credit of the State three thousand pounds from
Congress, or any person or persons who may be willing to
lend it. This is the sura of what has been done in Council.
I have given general orders to the militia accordingly, wrote
to General Rodney for the Dover Light Hoi*^e, or at least
six of them, to join General Patterson, and by letter spirited
up General Dagworthy. This, except riding through the
county, and private letters written, is all I have been able
to effect, except taking deserters, and a few Tories ; the
last either escaped or were discharged on giving caution.
"As you are now, I am told, coming into the State, I
must beg leave to resign my comraand, nothing being more
distressing to my private affairs, or to my mind, as Chief
Justice of Pennsylvania, than to continue longer in it.

280 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
Wishing you all manner of success in saying our country
in general, and the Delaware State in particular,
"I remain, dear sir, your most obedient, humble servant,
" Thomas McKean.
"Lunn's Tavern, September 26th, 1777.^^
" The Honorable George Read, Esquire."
I have found among Mr. Read's papers the commission
of John Dickinson, as brigadier-general of Delaware militia,
with this indorsement in Mr. Read's handwriting:
"Mr. Dickinson resigned this commission the 19th of
December, 1777, not having acted under it.
"G. Read, V. P."
The student of the hisitory of the American Revolution
is startled when he reads of offices, which appear to him
incompatible, held by the same person, and of assumptions
of power by public bodies which, accustomed as he is to the
careful and accurate description and separation of powers
and their depositories, seera to him to have been usurpa
tions, — for example, Mr. Read was at the same tirae Presi
dent of Council and delegate to the Continental Congress,
and Mr. McKean Chief Justice of Pennsylvania and Speaker
of the Delaware House of Assembly. The convention that
framed the first constitution of Delaware, besides what they
were appointed to do, did other things proper to the execu
tive and judicial departments of governraent, and, in the
language of a recent historian,* "the Congress of 1775
entered upon the exercise of a comprehensive authority, in
which supreme executive, legislative, and in sorae cases
judicial functions were united, authority without formal
sanction or fixed limits except the ready obedience of a large
majority in most of the colonies." These anomalies may
have been tolerated as necessities, and necessities they were;
and the people, I think, were neither shocked nor surprised
at assumptions of power by office-bearers, because they had
no fears that these fiduciaries, the champions of their rights,
would betray the confidence they had reposed in them.
I venture to insert the next letter, though I anticipate
objection to it as altogether without interest or importance.
* Hildreth's History of the United States, vol, iii. p. 77.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 281.
It is, to be sure, only an urgent request of a benevolent
person for the interposition of Mr. Read's good offices in
behalf of a good, useful, and inoffensive man, taken forci
bly and without excuse (being a non-combatant) frora his
family and business, and who would be ruined if not imme
diately released. This case produces a more vivid feeling
of the evils of war than general descriptions, however
highly wrought, of the calamities of which it is the prolific
parent, although deduced from many examples.
"Sir, — The Light Horse, as I understand, took, yester
day. Captain Nicholls, master of one of the packets, whose
universal benevolence and charity have recommended [him]
to all who knew him. He has long sailed in the employ
of the post-office to Carolina, where he is well known to
Mr. Gadsden, and most of the gentlemen there. His em
ploy [ment] makes him neither a member of the array or
navy; and as he has a large family his detention here
(which can be of no service to the general cause) will be
his utter ruin, as his place will be immediately filled with
another. I do therefore earnestly beg and entreat you, if you
have any friendship for rae, that you will endeavor to effect
his release, for which the enlargement of Mr. Patterson, then
a member of the Legislature here, may serve as a precedent;
but if this cannot be obtained, I hope you will permit such
necessaries as he may want may be sent hirri. I would not
urge this request did I not know the goodness of his heart,
for good men only are the objects of my good wishes. Your
heart, I am sure, will excuse this trouble from, sir, your
sincere friend, and much obliged humble servant,
"Theo. Maurice.
"November 5th, 1777.
"George Read, Esquire."
On the back of this letter is written: "Letter from Theo.
Maurice, Esquire, etc. Note. Captain Nicholls was sent to
camp before this was delivered to me. "G. R."
Mr. Read's little State, lately traversed by a "hostile
army, her chief town occupied by the enemy, and her
whole water-front incessantly annoyed by tlieir armed
19

*282 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
vessels, was now startled by intelligence that the British
fleet had sailed, steering for the bay and river Delaware.
"Sir, — His Excellency General Washington informs me
that a fleet of thirty-six sail has left Staten Island to join
General Howe, and requests that I would endeavor to get
the earliest information of their arrival in the river, and
transmit it to his Excellency or to me. I am, with esteem,
your raost obedient servant,
"James Potter.*
"Camp, November 10th, 1777.
"To George Read, Esq., President of the Delaware State."
This letter has indorsed upon it : "From General Potter.
Answered forthwith."
Many persons, I have no doubt, suffered the injurious
treatment of which the writer of the next^inserted letter
complains, and it is proof of the disturbed and unhappy
state of society in the neighborhood of this unfortunate
man. He does not state the charges against him, but they
probably were correspondence with the enemies of his
country, and supplying them with fresh provisions.
" Sir, — I am sorry to trouble you at this time, but the
. public good in this unsettled state of affairs, to which you
have always paid the strictest attention, will be a s^ufficient
reason for my communicating my grievances to you, re
questing an opportunity of a hearing respecting crimes
[which], I am told, [are] laid to my charge, that if guilty
of any breach of the law I may be punished, if otherwise,
my character may be cleared from any aspersions unjustly
cast upon it. I have been told that some persons have
threatened to take whatever they can get of mine as free
plunder, and take me prisoner, [and] that they had orders
[to do so], and that if I did not submit to their will and
pleasure, or raade any resistance, to hang me. This might
seem like idle report to those who are strangers to our
calamitous situation, but those who are in the least ac
quainted with transactions for some time past must be
* Of Pennsylvania. "A very active and vigilant militia officer." —
Marshall's Life of Washington, vol. iii. p. 362.

OF GEORGE READ. 283,
sensible there is but too much truth to be apprehended
from it. I came horae this day from Kent, in Maryland,
where I had been providing places for cattle that were
drove away some time ago, lest they might fall into the
enemy's hands. [I] have taken the earliest opportunity
to inform you that I will attend, at any time and place you
will please to appoint me, to have a hearing before any dis
interested and unprejudiced judges you may think fit. Gen
eral Patterson, perhaps, may be acquainted with what I
am charged with. Please to inform, by a line with the
bearer, of the tirae and place you would have me attend.
"From your very humble servant,
"Alexander Porter.
"Hamburg, November 21st, 1777.
"George Read, Esquire, Vice-President of the Delaware
State." On the back of this letter it is noted that Porter came
before George Evans, Esquire, who took his recognizance to
appear at the next Court of Oyer and Terminer.
Mr. Read evinced great solicitude in relation to President
McKinley, then in the hands of the eneray, and made every
exertion practicable to ascertain his situation, provide for
his wants, and procure his exchange, requested the inter
ference of General Washington in his behalf, and addressed
a communication to the British commodore, Griffith, for the
purpose of learning his wants, and asking such indulgence
and kind treatment as his character entitled him to expect.
All which appears from the letters to be next presented to
the reader. The letter to General Washington treats, how
ever, of other matters besides this. 25th November, 1777.
"Sir, — Your friend, Mr. Latiraer, has most readily offered
to wait upon Commodore Griffith for permission to see and
converse with you upon the subject of your present situa
tion and wants, and to be informed if they be such as I or
any of your friends may with propriety relieve, and whether
you can propose any plan for the obtaining your liberty
speedily upon honorable terras. My absence from the State
at the time of your captivity and long after has prevented
an application of this sort sooner, though true it is that
such vague accounts as we have of your treatment are

284 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
favorable. I wish to be satisfied of this, and to know if I
can, in any unexceptionable way, render your unfortunate
situation raore tolerable to you, and I am, with the greatest
respect and esteem, your most obedient servant, " George Read.
" President McKinley." " New Castle County, 25th November, 1777.
" Sir, — The fortune of war having put his Excellency
John McKinley, Esquire, the President of this State, into
your hands, I take the liberty to send the bearer, George
Latiraer, Esquire, one of the Privy Council, with this, for
your permission to deliver the inclosed letter to Mr. Mc
Kinley, wishing to know his present wants, and whether
they be such as may be supplied with propriety. Be as
sured, sir, that your prisoner is a character that will merit
every indulgence and kind treatment your humanity may
induce you to afford him, though it too frequently happens
in contests such as we are now engaged in that the parties
exercise less of this moral duty towards each other than in
foreign wars. I am induced to believe that such a conduct
is not consistent with your sentiments ; believe me that it
does not correspond with mine. I fixed upon Mr. Latimer
for this business as one well known to the President, and a
man of probity and honor. If it shall be in my power I
will return the favor, and ara, with much respect, your
obedient servant, " George Read, Vice-President of Delaware.
"Commodore Griffith."
" Sir, — Your letter, with the inclosed, is come to my hands,
and I am to inform you that your friend, upon the Solebay's
sailing from this anchorage, was conveyed in one of the
ships to Chester, where, I believe, he now is. While in the
Solebay I will venture to say he was treated with every
indulgence he wished and desired, and [in] his present
situation I doubt not is equally so. Your letter to him I
shall send to the Admiral, from whose example (as well as
the native feelings of our own hearts) we imbibe the liberal
sentiments of humanity you profess.
"I am, sir, your most obedient servant, " W. A. Griffith.
"Nonsuch, November 26th, 1777.
"George Read, Esquire."

OF GEORGE READ. 285
"New Castle, November 25th, 1777.
" Sir, — I was honored with yours of the 8th instant, de
livered to me the 15th by Colonel Pope, by whom I irarae
diately wrote to persons in authority in the counties of
Kent and Sussex to give him every assistance in procuring
clothing and blankets for the use of our battalion with you.
I know not what may be the success, but have hopes that
sufficient for their immediate use may be obtained. The
State had made some provision in this way at the time of
raising the battalion, in the beginning of the year, a part
of which was then only expended ; but upon the march of
General Howe's army through this county the greater part
of what remained was sent by a person, in whose custody
it was, with his own effects, in a vessel, into Manito Creek,
in [the] Jerseys, near to Red Bank fort ; whether it is at
present safe I know not. I know it consisted of three hun
dred and fifty yards of cloth, of different kinds, in rem
nants, the gleanings of many shops. I have ordered an
inquiry to be made respecting it. 1 luckily laid my hands
upon one hundred and fifty yards of linen, of the public
store, saved from the enemy's searches, in Wilmington,
which is made into shirts, ready for Colonel Pope on his
return. The county of New Castle has heretofore been so
stript of blanketing that we have not a sufficiency for the
few militia we have now in service guarding the shores of
the Delaware. The manufacture of this State ever was
inconsiderable in proportion to the number of its inhab
itants, depending principally on foreign goods purchased
at Philadelphia. That part of the State which did most in
this way was severely pillaged by General Howe's army,
both as to the clothing of the people and their sheep, so
that their distress is great at this season. To give you
some idea of the amazing prices necessaries have arisen to, a
man next door to me has just purchased a little American-
made linen for family use at fifty shillings per yard, such
as but three years since sold for four shillings. I have a
tanner's bill for leather for my own use now before me, in
which sole-leather is charged at ten shillings per pound,
two calf-skins at seventy shillings each, and a third at
ninety shillings, the three not weighing altogether six
pounds. Shoes are selling from six to eight dollars per
pair. How to remedy these things I know not. They

286 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
make unfavorable impressions. I have the pleasure to in
forra you that we have greatly checked and put almost
entire stop to the intercourse that was had with the enemy's
ships since they came into our river. This requires all the
militia we can procure, as we have a water-communication
of more than one hundred and twenty miles in our front,
and too many of our people disposed to supply themselves
with salt, sugar, coffee, etc. at lower rates than [they] can
be had within the State. We have been peculiarly unlucky
in the captivity of our President [and capture of] our pub
lic papers, moneys, and records, [which] damped the spirits
of our people. They have not got over the effects of it.
While on- this subject I must entreat your Excellency's at
tention to procuring our President's release, by exchange,
as soon as it may be in your power. His usefulness was
such that his loss is severely felt through the State, and
particularly by myself, upon whom the business [of the
executive department] devolves, as Speaker of the Legisla
tive Council. I am truly inadequate to either station, but
especially to that of Vice-President, and such is the pro
vision in the Constitution of the State, [and] it cannot be
altered without doing a worthy man, our President, injus
tice. Be assured that in procuring his speedy return here
you will do a great favor to the State as well as to your
Excellency's most obedient humble servant, " George Read.
"His Excellency General Washington."
On the sarae 'day Mr. Read wrote as follows to the
President of Congress : " Newark, 25th November, 1777.
" Sir, — Yours of the 1st instant, inclosing the resolve
of Congress of that day, recoramending the 18th of Decem
ber next to be set apart as a day of thanksgiving through
out the United States, was handed to me, as Vice-President
of the Delaware State, and you raay be assured that I will
take such raeasures as are necessary to carry the sarae into
effect. " This State having been so unfortunate as to have the
President thereof made a prisoner, with all the public
papers under his care, I ara at a loss to know what requisi
tions have been made by Congress upon this State, from

OF GEORGE READ. 287
time to time, and what steps have been taken to carry the
same into execution; therefore I raust request the favor of
your directing a review of the Minutes of Congress, and
copies of any such resolves as may be expected to be acted
upon in the Delaware State, and particularly I would ask
to have the original or copies of the testimonies upon which
a resolve of Congress for the iraprisonment of a Thoraas
Lightfoot and Thoraas Cockayne, of Sussex County, was
founded, as the Chief Justice of the State tells me he has
been applied to for a habeas corpus to relieve them from
that confinement. The resolution probably passed some.
time in August last, as they were taken into custody about
the 25th of that month. " I am, etc. etc.,
"George Read.
" President of Congress."
The letter which follows is the last of those addressed to
Mr. Read in 1777, which 1 find among his papers, and is
characteristic of its writer.
" Sir, — Having now an opportunity by the bearer, Mr.
Holmes, none having offered before, I transmit you a re
solve of Congress, which I received on Wednesday last,
under cover from the Honorable Henry Laurens, President
of Congress, in which he informs me ' that it leads to an
inquiry into the State of Delaware, and requires the dele
gates from that State to attend Congress, and requests of
me the needful answer.' Mr. President!s letter to me had
visited General Washington's head-quarters, thence took a
tour to Newport, from whence Colonel Duff sent it inclosed
to me. It has been directed to me, supposing that I still
continued to act as president of your State. You will be
pleased therefore, as commander-in-chief, to give the answer.
" It gives me great pleasure to find that the Congress are
determined to support the Whigs in the Delaware State,
and, of course, you will be happy in receiving such a proof
of it.
" The warm attachment of the Honorable James Sykes,
Esquire, to the virtuous and glorious cause in which his
country is engaged, will no doubt induce him to give his
immediate attendance in Congress, and the more especially

288 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
as he is at present engaged in no public business that can
prevent it.
" I am, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,
" Thomas McKean.
"Paxton, Deceraber 6th, 1777.
" Honorable George Read, Esquire."
On Tuesday, 2d of December, " a representation from
Captain William Peery, of Lewistown, Delaware, to the
Board of War was laid before Congress and read, where
upon Congress came to the following resolution : Whereas,
the situation of the enemy's ships and forces and the arts
and numbers of the malignants in the county of Sussex, in
the State of Delaware, have rendered the operation of the
civil authority utterly ineffectual, whereby it has become
essential not only to the preservation of the independency
of that State, but likewise to the general welfare of the
United States that the most rigorous measures should be
forthwith pursued for repressing the arts and violence of
the open and secret enemies of these States ; therefore
Resolved, That the Board of War be authorized to pursue
such measures for the support of the friends of Araerica in
the county of Sussex, in the State of Delaware, and for
curbing the spirit and checking the evil designs of the dis
affected, as they shall deem effectual."*
From this resolution, to which the one mentioned by
Judge McKean was preliminary, it appears there was no
change for the better in the disheartening condition of Dela
ware, at least in Sussex County, at the close of 1777 ; but
if there was little to encourage Mr. Read in his own State,
there was, I think, upon a review of this eventful year,
much to inspire confidence in the final success of the cause,
which was truly "glorious" and "virtuous." True, the
battle of Brandywine was lost, and Philadelphia captured,
and the brave defence of Fort Mifflin ineffectual, but Wash
ington, judiciously occupying strong ground in the vicinity
of Philadelphia, west of it, harassing the foraging-parties of
the enemy, and, wherever he showed himself in force, pre
senting a bold front, had cooped up the British in that city,
and made Sir William Howe's success, on the preceding
* Journals of Gongress, vol. iii. p. 432.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 289
llth of September, a barren triumph, and to all the dis
asters of the American arms in 1777 the victory of Saratoga
was a brilliant and sufficient set-off.
New Year's Day (1777) had dawned on our forefathers,
gladdening them not with the prospect of peace. The at
titude of the belligerents was unchanged, the Americans
. abating nothing of their stern resolve never to lay down
their arms till they had conquered peace upon the basis of
their independence, acknowledged by their haughty adver
sary, and Britain as resolved never to sheathe the sword
till she had reduced her rebel colonists to unconditional
submission. It seems as if Providence had inflicted upon
this great people and their government, as a punishment
for their injustice to their American brethren, blindness to
their true interest, and to the impossibility of enslaving
three millions of men, offshoots from their parent stock,
loving liberty as passionately as they loved it, and in no
wise inferior to these proud islanders in courage, intellect,
and knowledge of their common constitution and laws.
History has seldom recorded an infatuation greater than
the persistence of Britain in her attempt to effect an im
possibility, nor a severer punishment than that she incurred
by her folly, even the loss of thirteen colonies, the noblest
gems in her monarch's diadem.
Hostilities were suspended between the contending armies,
retired to their winter quarters, the British well housed,
and fed, and clothed, and the Americans at Valley Forge,*
under the imperfect shelter of rude huts, pervious to winds,
and rains, and snow, often on the verge of starvation, thou
sands of them barefooted, and the luxury of a blanket
enjoyed by few. General Washington, after stating that
the soap, vinegar, and other articles, ordered by Congress,
had not been seen by his soldiers since the battle of Brandy
wine, sarcastically adds : " The first we do not need, for few
of my men have a shirt, some merely a moiety of one, and
some none at all." The hospitals were so destitute of medi
cines, and stores of every sort, that a large number of the
sick soldiers entered them only to die.f
General Washington had ordered General SmaUwood,
* See Appendix F.
¦j- Marshall's Life of Washington, vol. v. pp. 344, 345.

290 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
with a detachment of Continental troops (Marylanders), to
Wilmington, and made a requisition upon the State of Dela
ware for militia to reinforce him.
Mr. Read made known to the commander-in-chief of the
American army the result of this requisition in the follow
ing letter. He had, as he informs him, just recovered from
an attack of disease of three weeks' duration while on^ a visit
to his family, his State was convulsed by party strife, the
executive was not sustained, and all his efforts to induce the
Legislature to take the measures essential to the public wel
fare had failed; but, instead of the language of despondency,
we find him determined to renew his endeavors to bring this
body to a sense of its duties, and to acts consonant with it :
"January 19th, 1778.
" Sir, — I am sorry to inform your Excellency that our
Legislature has not made any provision for filling up the
battalion allotted to this State. One of our three counties
is yet unrepresented in the House of Assembly, owing to
the interference of the military on the day of the election.
This step occasioned such a division among the representa
tives of the other counties that it was impracticable to allay
the ferment at two sittings, which have been had since. I
have issued writs for calling them together a third time,
[which] I would fain hope will be attended with better
effects ; but I cannot venture to promise for thera, though
you may be assured of every exertion on my part. Pre
vious to your letter of the 19th ultimo, handed me by
General Sraallwood on the 25th, I pressed General Sraall
wood to order out three recruiting-parties, one for each
county, as the whole corps of our battalion officers could
not be necessary for the command of about two hundred
privates. I had two things in view, the chance of picking
up some recruits, and the means of convincing the Legisla
ture that this mode of filling the battalion would be inade
quate. Such parties were sent out the beginning, of this
week. I am well convinced that drafting is the most
effectual mode, and the least burdensome to the State, but
in times like unto the present the assent of very many
[persons] is necessary to public measures.
"As to clothing, — I haye heretofore stated to your Ex
cellency that its manufacture within this State always was

OF GEOBGE READ. 291
and still is inconsiderable.* We lost many of our small
stocks of sheep by the British plunderers, and the last
year's crop of flax failed very generally. Fortune threw
sorae cloths in our way lately, which will be sufficient for
more than our battalion consists of at present; if you do
not order otherwise. They were taken from a schooner,
deserted by her crew, and after forced on our shore by the
ice. Several of our people, as well as others from Jersey,
were busily employed in gutting her, when a detachment
of the Delaware battalion, upon the request of Brigadier
Patterson, were sent to take into possession such [part] of
the cargo as might be of use to the army. Cloths and
spirits were the only two articles. A dispute arises between
the State and those of its members who saved the goods
from this wreck, as to the property, but in whorasoever it
may be determined to be, I apprehend our battalion should
have the preference as to such part of the clothing as suited
their uniform, and, at the request of the field-officers, I
wrote to General Sraallwood, raaking claira to thera. As
he declined to allow the claim until he should receive your
direction therein, I have sent you a copy of my letter to
him, and his answer, lest, in the multiplicity of business,
he should delay stating that claira to your Excellency. If
decided by you in our favor the cloths raay be immediately
made up by a number of workmen whora Colonel Pope has
collected at Dover. I do not raean by this step any dis
trust of General SmaUwood, or wish for your determination
but through him, yet I know how much his tirae is taken
up with supplying the defect of duty in others, particularly
the coramissary of purchases department, of which, I be
lieve, he has great reason to cora plain, as well as the in
habitants of New Castle and Chester Counties. The person
I particularly allude to is a Mr. Higgins, whose credit
araong the graziers was very low long before General Small-
wood came to Wilmington. His certificates, his mode of
pay[ment], may be purchased at a considerable discount.
, This is such a discouragement that a great part of the sup-
* The population of Delaware in 1775 was estimated at thirty-seven
thousand. As there was no general enumeration of the people of the
United States till 1790, this estimate is conjectural, but may be accepted
as at least approximating the truth. — Compendium of the United States
Census, p. .39.

292 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
plies lately have been gotten by stealth or force, and it is
the raore so as a Mr. McGarmont, in the neighboring county
of Kent, pays regularly for the like articles within his dis
trict. I expect the number of our graziers will be greatly
diminished in the ensuing season, as well from the situation
of many of our feeding-grounds on the shore of the river
as the irregular conduct of the purchasing commissary, and
his agents.
"I issued orders, immediately on the receipt of your
letter of the 19 th of December, for the march of General
Patterson's brigade, consisting of thirty-one hundred of the
militia of New Castle County, to join General SmaUwood
at Wilmington, agreeably to your requisition, but true it is
that a very few obeyed, the penalty prescribed in the militia
law being so sraall, and the mode of punishment for such
refusal is so tedious, that we have little power to exercise
over delinquents. I have repeated the orders as to this
county, and included the county of Kent therein, and shall
urge the Legislature, on their meeting (the 17th instant), to
devise some more speedy and effectual way than the present
to compel their immediate service.
"My situation is rather an unlucky one, in a government
very deficient in its laws, and those greatly relaxed in their
execution, and a Legislature as' yet incomplete, and not dis
posed to unite and give aid to the executive authority. I
should have inforraed your Excellency of the fate of my
¦ orders before, but I was taken unwell on a visit I made iio
my family, near to the Susquehanna, in Cecil County
[Maryland], and confined there for three weeks, and on
my return I was told by General Sraallwood that he had
written to you on the subject, which I hope you will accept
as an apology for this late report of mine, and
"I am, with great respect, your most obedient servant,
"George Read.
"General Washington."
WUliam Hooper, the writer of the letter next to be,
brought to the reader's notice, was a native of Massa
chusetts, and graduate of Harvard University, who removed
to North Carolina, as a better field for the practice of the
law, soon after the disputes between Great Britain and her
North American colonies began, in which he took an active

OF GEORGE READ. 293
part. He was a member of the Continental Congress from
1774 to 1778, in which he held a respectable rank, a signer
of the Declaration of Independence, and universally re
spected for his integrity and generous sacrifice of private
interest to public duty. Of good standing as a lawyer, hia
literary taste and acquirements were considerable, and he
was fluent, graceful, and agreeable as a speaker and in con
versation. He died in 1790, aged forty-eight years.* Mr.
Read may have smiled when he read his friend's congratula
tions upon his promotion to the chief magistracy of Dela
ware, thrust on him by an event unhappy and unexpected,
and in administering which he anticipated and encountered
much diflficulty and disappointment from the distracted
condition of his State. It was not from want of ability
and will to exert it to the uttermost* that Mr. Read was not
as successful as he wished in restoring harmony among his
fellow-citizens, heated and alienated by party feuds, and
uniting them in vigorous efforts for the great cause in which
he was periling all he held most dear. He had too much
equanimity to be much disturbed if censure, the due of
others, fell upon himself.
"Mt dear Sir, — I was favored with yours by Colonel
Foster, and should have been happy to have rendered him
essential services. From your friendly mention of him, as
well as his own personal merits, he has pretensions to any
civilities in my power. Your letter was doubly acceptable,
as it gave me information that in the general bustle you
had escaped uninjured, and frora Colonel Foster I heard of
your late promotion, upon which I beg leave to congratulate
you. In that, and every station of life, public or private,
no man more earnestly wishes you honor and happiness
than does,
" My dear sir, your obedient, humble servant,
" William Hooper.
"Cape Fear, January 22d, 1778.
"His Excellency George Read."
The President of Congress wrote to Mr. Read as follows
from
* Biography of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, vol.
V. pp. 109-130.

294 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
"Yorktown, SOth January, 1778.
"Sir, — Upon receipt of your favor of the 18th, I trans
mitted by Captain Lewis twenty blank commissions for
private ships of war together with instructions and bonds.
The latter, when duly executed, you will be pleased to
return to Congress. I have received no particular com
mands in reply to the letter above mentioned, nor to a
forraer of the 25th of November.
" Your Honor will find, under cover of this, nine Acts of
Congress, of the following' dates, together with five extra
copies of the two last mentioned : of the 31st July, 14th
and 22d November, 3d, 19th, 29th, and 31st December,
1777; 8th and 21st January, 1778. These are the whole
which have been sent to me from the secretary's office, and
I have waited much top long even for these. If there are
any deficiencies I shall soon discover and supply them by
the aid of Mr. McKean, whom I consider a valuable acqui
sition in Congress.
" The House has of late been so reduced it has shown on
some days no more than barely nine States on the floor,
represented by writs. This criminal delinquency in the
States may very speedily work our disgrace, for whatever
evils may betide our army at Valley Forge may fairly be
imputed to want of sufficient numbers of able citizens in
Congress. There have not been for some months past
members equal in numbers to the common drudgery of
comraittees. You would be as deeply affected, sir, as I am
were I to give you a detail of consequent evils — the certain
loss of millions of money is, in my estimation, far from
being the raost deplorable.
" You will also receive a letter, directed to your Honor,
which I found, a few days ago, in the window of the court
house. " I ara, with great esteem and regard, honorable sir, your
obedient and humble servant,
" Henry Laurens, President of Congress.
"The Honorable George Read, Vice-President of Dela
ware." Mr. Read, with little to encourage him in the state of
public affairs, was separated from his family, and with no
fixed dwelling-place, as appears by the letter next inserted :

OF GEORGE READ. 295
"New Castle, January 31st, 1778.
"Sir, — This being the first direct conveyance I have had
by which I could send you a line, since my landing on this
shore, I embrace it to acknowledge the sense I have of your
hospitality and kindness to rae when in your neighborhood
and under your roof. The extreme hurry attending the
removal of my family from Mr. Shinn's to Mr. Howell's
prevented Mrs. Read's waiting on Mrs. Greenraan agreeably
to your kind invitation. Since that time Mrs. Read has
discovered that they were acquainted with each other in
the early part of their lives. In our passage over [the]
Delaware we were visited by a boat's-crew, belonging to one
of the enemy's tenders ; but there being no oflficer with them
no other questions were asked than whence we came and
whither we were going. Immediately upon gaining this
shore I removed my family westward, near to the river
Susquehanna. I am obliged to separate myself from them
and spend most of my time in this and the neighboring
county of Kent. I have been but a short time in this
place, and must leave it soon, as the river is clearing of ice
and the enemy's vessels of war daily expected up. We have
a detachment of the Continental army at Wilmington, cora
raanded by General Sraallwood, who took post there about
the raiddle of Deceraber, and will continue at least until the
carapaign opens, by which tirae I hope each State will fill
up their respective regiments in the Continental army, so
that a decisive blow may be given to the enemy at Phila
delphia before they are reinforced ; it is ground for reproach
against the Middle States that so inconsiderable a force
should have held that city so long. I am, very respect
fully, yours, "George Read.
"Reverend Nehemiah Greenman, Pitt's Grove, New
Jersey. " I have sent the bearer for my carriage at your neighbor
Newkerk's, etc."
The President of Congress wrote again to Mr. Read from
"Yoektown, 9th February, 1778.
" Sir, — I had the honor of addressing you the 30th ultimo.
In that packet I omitted to inclose a letter which I had taken

296 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
up for you in the room where Congress meets, but I have
now delivered it to the Honorable Mr. McKean.
" This is intended to convey you an Act of Congress of
the 3d instant, and five copies of the same, for obliging
persons who hold appointments under Congress to qualify
themselves for acting in their several offices by taking cer
tain oaths therein prescribed. You are requested, sir, to
take the most effectual measures for publishing this act in
the State of Delaware.
" I have the honor to be, with great regard, sir, your
most obedient and most hurable servant,
" Henry Laurens,* President of Congress.
"The Honorable George Read, Esquire, Vice-President
of Delaware."

* Three prominent members of the Continental Congress, Hancock,
Robert Morris, and Laurens, were merchants.
• Henry Laurens, born a.i). 1724, was descended from Huguenots, who,
when the edict of Nantes was revoked, sought and found in South Caro
lina the freedom of conscience denied them in France. By his ability,
diligence, enlightened enterprise, and integrity he acquired an ample
fortune, with the respect and esteem of his contemporaries. At the out
set of the controversy between Great Britain and her North American
colonies, being in London, for the education of his sons, he took a decided
and active part with his countrymen. Upon his return horae he was
immediately appointed Chairman of the Committee of Safety, and was
one of the most devoted, active, zealous, and trusted of the Whig leaders.
In 1776 he was elected to the Continental Congress for two successive
years, and was the President of that august assembly. In 1780 he
was appointed envoy to Holland, on his passage to that country cap
tured, with his papers, among them the plan of a treaty he was to
propose, and carried to London. Committed to the Tower, his treat
ment was at first lenient, but he was soon after consigned to close im
prisonment because he was accosted by the madman. Lord George
Gordon, from whom he retired at once. This, the assigned reason for
an act of cruelty, is so frivolous that it may justly be considered a mere
pretext. Attempts were made, without success, to frighten or seduce
him from his allegiance to his country. His constitution was broken
and his life shortened by his confinement. Upon his release, by exchange,
he signed, with Adams and Jay, the preliminary treaty between Great
Britain and the United States. His appointment as one of the envoys
on this occasion being a testimonial to the world of his eminent services
to his country, and her gratitude for them, honorable to both, and if
it was one drop more in the cup of humiliations Great Britain was
then forced to drain to its dregs, it was a just retaliation for the indig
nities and wrongs he had endured at her hands. After this service he
lived in retirement till 1790, when he died.
His body, as directed by his will, was burned, — from misapprehension

OF GEORGE READ. 297
Mr. Greenman wrote to Mr. Read as foUows from
"Pittsgrove, February 9th, 1778.
"Honored Sir, — Yesterday I received your good letter,
dated February 2d, 1778. I sincerely acknowledge my un
worthiness of your notice, and accept it as a token of un
merited favor. We are very apprehensive that the enemy
design a visit to this and the neighboring counties ; indeed,
the Reverend Mr. Eakin informed me that the people at Had
donfield and Burlington were packing up last Friday ; the
storm of snow may retard their motions, but if good weather
succeeds, their appetite will be keener for plunder. I am
grieved for your unsettled state, which I expect will soon
be mine and numbers raore in this Western division. May
the Lord who governs the world prevent us frora falling
into their hands ! I fear the person you sent will raeet with
diflficulty in getting your carriage over, as the snow is deep,
and as yet there is no beaten road. Mrs. Greenraan has
found out by the person you sent who Mrs. Read was, and
is much the more grieved that she had not one short inter
view with her while in this State, but submits to Providence.
You, sir, kindly wished my health ; I can inforra you that
and misapplication of some texts of Scripture, and from fear of being
buried alive, because one of his children, when apparently dead from
small-pox, was revived when the air was admitted freely to the supposed
corpse, having been excluded, during the illness of the child, in accord
ance with the wrong and irrational medical treatment of that loathsome
and fatal disease, then universal. Such a disposition of the body, after
death, may be justly condemned, because it is a departure from the
usage of Christian communities in this matter which offends and dis
turbs them, and wants the solemnity, impressiveness, and consolation
of their accustomed funeral rites. But it is not without its advantages.
Cremation quickly dissolves the body, deserted by its immortal tenant,
without the revolting circumstances of its decomposition in the grave ;
and had cremation been universal, there would have been escape from
one source of pestilence and death in the hearts of great cities, and from
the careless and sometimes shocking disinterments, which have been too
frequent, when the greed of gain has appropriated .church-yards or the
necessities of the living have compelled encroachment upon the man
sions of the dead. Cremation was never universal in any nation, being
too expensive for the poor. It has been estimated that not less than
three hundred pounds of wood were necessary to burn a corpse. The
expense, too, increased as the country was denuded of wood, and crema
tion was gradually disused. Christians have always committed their
dead to the earth, because this disposition of them seemed more accord
ant vvith the doctrine of the resurrection than burning them.
20

298 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
I am much better, and, through the tender mercy of my
God, my family are in usual health. Mrs. Greenraan de
sires to be affectionately remembered to Mrs. Read, and
joins in the most cordial respects to yourself, with, honored
sir, your grateful, much obliged, and most obedient hurable
servant, " Nehemiah Greenman."
I have not found among Mr. Read's papers the rough
draft of his letter to which Mr. McKean replied as follows:
" Sir, — Your favor of the 29 th of December did not reach
me until the 24 th of January, when, duly reflecting upon
every circumstance, I thought it my duty to come here,
though, I confess, I am almost tired of serving my country
so much at my own expense. I left home on [the] 29th
of last month, and went into Congress next morning, where
I found only nine States represented, and, including myself,
but eighteen members, though five, now at the camp, and
some others are expected in a few days. I hope General
Rodney and Major Van Dyke will come as soon as possible;
but don't tell thera that I lived in a little Dutch tavern, at
an enormous expense, for ten days, before I could get other
lodgings, and that I still am on sufferance.
" The situation of Delaware gives me constant anxiety.
The choice of representatives in October, 1776, and their
choice of officers, have occasioned all its misfortunes.
Nothing but effectual laws, vigorously executed, can pos
sibly save it, and there seeras to me not the least prospect
of the former, and when I learn that not a single step is
taken towards collecting the fines under the present inade
quate militia law, or to punish the most irapudent traitors,
or even the harboring of deserters, I despair of any law,
tending to support the freedom, independence, and sove
reignty of the State, being executed, especially in Kent and
Sussex. The conduct of the General Assembly, having
neither imposed a tax for reducing the paper bills of credit,
nor pas-sed the laws necessary even in times of profound
peace, much less for completing their quota of troops, put
ting their militia on a respectable footing, etc. etc., is too
conspicuous not to cause the disagreeable animadversions I
am obliged continually to hear.

OF GEORGE READ. 299
" I shall endeavor to procure the account against the
State, from the Auditor-General, as soon as possible. The
votes of Congress, since January, 1776, printed by Aitken,
are not yet come to hand, though they have been sent out
of Philadelphia. I shall send you all that can be got, not
knowing to what time they are printed up.
" Who can I propose in exchange for the President ? Do
inform me, if you can think of any one. None occurs to
me but Governor Franklin, and hearing a gentleman say
that he could do more mischief than the President could do
good, and for other reasons, which will readily suggest
themselves to you, I have little hope of success frora that
proposition. I was told the other day that he lodged at
widow Jenkins's, along wi;th his old friends Robinson and
Manlove, and seemed very happy ; these observations, and
many others, from different gentlemen, whenever I name
him in private to any member, almost discourage me; how
ever, after I hear from you, I shall attempt to have him
released (though I could wish my colleagues to be present
and assisting) , lest it should be thought that I was indiffer
ent about the event.
" Notwithstanding all the diflSdence you so modestly ex
press of yourself, the State of Delaware think themselves
happier, and I ara sure they are in wiser hands than those
of your predecessor.
" In answer to your favor by your brother you will receive
ten thousand dollars to be expended in recruiting only, as
Congress have lately purchased clothing, to a very great
amount, at Boston, etc., and the battalion will be furnished
by the Clothier-General. If more should be wanted you
will be pleased to write to me again, but I should advise
that the recruiting oflficers should first render you an account
of the expenditure of this sum. No letter from General
Sraallwood has yet appeared in Congress ; when it does, I
shall attend to it. The whole affair, in ray opinion, respect
ing the schooner, rests with the Judge of Admiralty in the
first place, and must be decided upon the resolves of Con
gress (there being none but what you have relating to this
subject) and the laws of .England. An appeal lies to Con
gress. The case is undoubtedly in favor of the State, and
not the first possessor, whether a wreck or dereliction.
"I have no news but what Major Read can tell you, and,

300 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
therefore, shall conclude with my best compUments to Mrs.
Read. " Sir, your most obedient, humble servant,
" Thomas McKean.*
"York, February 12th, 1778."
The Commander-in-Chief wrote as follows to Mr. Read
from " Valley Forge, February 18th, 1778.
"Sir, — For reasons that will be obvious to you it is
thought the publication of the inclosed ' Address' may an
swer valuable ends; and I beg leave to submit to you
whether it may not serve to increase its effect if it were
ushered into the papers, in your State, with a recommenda
tory line from yourself. If you should suppose there would
be any impropriety in this, you will be pleased, notwith
standing, to commit the 'Address' itself to the printer.
" I have the honor to be, with great respect, sir, your
most obedient servant, " Geo. Washington."
On the letter is written "Proclamation" received 28th
Feb. 1778, per Col. Blane. Answered.
General Washington again addressed the letter to Mr.
Read, next inserted, from "Head-quarters, 2 2d February, 1778.
" Sir, — Your favor of the 5th instant, inclosing a copy
of a letter from you to General SmaUwood, dated the 26th
ultimo, and the substance of his answer, did not reach me
till the day before yesterday.
"It gives me great concern to find that the Legislature
of your State has not taken timely and effectual means for
completing the battalion belonging to it. However desira
ble the mode of volunteer enlistment might be, if it offered
any adequate prospect of success, our circumstances evi
dently demand raeasures of more prompt and certain execu
tion. It is incurabent therefore upon your legislative body,
as a duty which they owe both to their own State and the
continent at large, to pursue with energy the method of
drafting, which has been successfully practised in other
* For notice of Thomas McKean, see Appendix H.

OF GEORGE READ. 301
States; indeed, I expect you will shortly be called upon
by Congress for this purpose.
" The property of the clothing taken in the prize-sloop
will, I presume, be deterrained by certain resolutions of
Congress, copies of which were sent to General SmaUwood,
in order to settle a dispute of a similar nature; but how
ever this matter be decided, you ought undoubtedly to
secure a sufficient quantity of this necessary article to sup
ply the wants of the Delaware battalion.
" I am totaUy ignorant of any interruption having been
given by the railitary to the election of representatives in
your State. It is rauch to be lamented that, at a season
when our affairs demand the most harmony and greatest
vigor in all public proceedings, there should be any languor
occasioned by divisions. Your efforts cannot be better em
ployed than in conciliating the discordant parties, and
restoring union.
"The complaints against the commissaries of purchases,
I fear, are too well founded. Such orders shall be given to
the principal of the department for this district as will, I
hope, in some degree remedy the evils complained of.
"I have the honor to be, with great respect, sir, your
most obedient servant, "Geo. Washington.
" The Hon. George Read* Esquire, Vice-President of the
State of Delaware."
The next letter from Mr. Read to the Commander-in-Chief
was written from "Dover, March 2d, 1778.
"Sir, — Your favor of the 26th of February was handed
to me by Captain Lee, who was mistaken in his representa
tion that there was no law in the State to punish the har
boring of deserters. Such a law was enacted in February,
1777, upon your recommendation, and the mode of recover
ing the penalties therein is both easy and expeditious. It
may be said, and I think with justice, that these penalties
are now too small, owing, in some degree, to the rapid de
preciation of the currency of the States, and you may rely
on my laying this before the General Assembly, who, un
doubtedly, will remedy this defect. What may be the
number of deserters among us, or the conduct of the people

302 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
generally towards them, I will not venture to say positively,
but upon the best information I have as yet obtained, I
suspect the representation made to you is exaggerated. So
far as this may extend to Captain Lee, he is no otherwise
chargeable than [for] relying on the information of some
of the military that were here before him, who speak and
act at random.
"Your favors of the 18th and 22d February were de
livered to me by Colonel Blane. I have ordered copies of
your inclosed 'Address' to be made, and circulated through
out the State, as we have no newspapers printed within it.
At the first meeting of the General Assembly I laid before
them your favor of the 19th of January, recommending
the method of drafting as the only effectual one to complete
their battalion, but they have not adopted it. Instead
thereof they increased the bounty to the recruit by adding
forty-five dollars, and gave a premium of thirty-five more
to the oflficer who enlists him. In this I learn the mem
bers were very unanimous. Could this have been done in
November last, it might have answered the end, but I think
it inadequate now. The officers, since this vote, have en
listed about fifty persons. You had just cause to express
your concern that the Legislature had not taken timely and
effectual means for raising their quota of troops, as you
knew it had been specially required by Congress in their
resolutions of the 17th of October last, but neither those
resolves nor any others, passed since the battle of Brandy
wine, were transmitted to us till the I Oth of February last;
all those transmitted before fell into the hands of the
enemy, with our President, which I made known to Con
gress in November.
"As to clothing, — I have reason to believe we shall
have a sufficiency for the beginning of the campaign, in
cluding that taken from the wrecked schooner I mentioned
to you in my last letter, but my intelligence from Congress,
ofthe 12th of February, is that they have lately purchased
clothing to a very great amount at Boston, and the battalion
will be furnished by the Clothier-General. I doubt the fact,
and know well such accounts have fatal effects, lulling the
people at large, who are inclined to credit everything of the
sort, into inaction, — so it has frequently happened as to the
numbers bf your array.

OF GEORGE READ. 303
"Your Excellency could not be supposed to know of the
interruption given by the military to the election of repre
sentatives, raentioned in my last, as the corps which occa
sioned it have been raised, and continued under the imme
diate direction of Congress. Had it been otherwise, I should
have explained the conduct to you. An election hath been
ordered [by the Legislature] at their [late] meeting, and
this is the day for the holding of it. I have hopes we shall
do better.
" Believe me, sir, I feel for your situation : it is a delicate
one, and I well know that you have not that support
which it is our (I mean the Middle States) duty and inter
est to afford you ; however, I shall use my best e^ideavors
in this small department to further it, and I am, with great
esteem and respect, your most obedient servant, " George Read.
" General Washington."
Mr. Read replied as follows to Mr. McKean's letter of
the 12th of February, 1778, from "Dover, March 4th, 1778.
" Sir, — Your favor of the 12th ultimo was delivered to
me by Major Read, with ten thousand dollars for the re
cruiting service, which I immediately put into the hands
of General Rodney to distribute among the oflficers now out
upon that business, who have orders to state their expendi
tures, and report them upon their next application for
moneys. You have inclosed a copy of some resolutions of
the General Assembly for the more speedy filling up of our
battalion, by an addition of bounty, and a premium to the
oflficers, in which I am authorized to apply to Congress for
a loan of forty thousand dollars. Such is the state of our
funds [as you well know] that this must be the mode of
supply, therefore I request you to obtain that sum, and
deliver it to the bearer. Lieutenant William Frazier, who
I send for the purpose. A less sum will not do, as much
will be expended in the subsistence [of the recruits], and
the expense of these special expresses is great. By report,
some of the officers have had considerable success already
in recruiting — in the whole about fifty men. Yet I cannot
believe the number wanted will be made up in this way ;
the General Assembly have thought otherwise, and would

304 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
not consent to the mode of drafting, though warmly recom
mended by General Washington, as the only probable
and effectual way, and on this occasion I am told members
were very unanimous. A bill for holding an election in
Sussex, on the 2d instant, being passed, the Assembly ad
journed over to this day. The situation of this State is
much to be lamented, though I think you have heightened
it in your coloring. I doubt all your intelligence respecting
it is not well founded ; bad we are, and too many affect to
screen themselves by railing at what is and what is not
done, without contributing to a remedy, — for instance, as to
the militia law. Not the warmest Whig, or raost violent
complainer of the times (being an oflficer of the militia) , has
taken one step to carry any part thereof into execution,
which will have this bad consequence, that much greater
difficulties must attend the carrying any future law of the
sort into execution, as well as a total loss of the fines, under
the present law, however inadequate, which by this time
would have made a useful fund. S A great mistake among
many of us has been to set at naught such acts of legisla
tion as do not exactly tally with our own sentiments; this
has a fatal tendency at all tiraes, but particularly at the
present, making each individual a judge of what he ought
and of what he ought not to submit to. /Not a single reso
lution of Congress was transmitted to m4 since I came into
the Presidency till the 10th ultimo, but the two you sent
relating to the trade carried on by the disaffected, a want
of representation in Congress, and the appointraent of a day
of thanksgiving, though I wrote to the President of Con
gress, on the 25th November, for copies of such as this
State ought, or was expected to act upon ; every public
paper transmitted to President McKinley being lost to us.
Mr. President Laurens (to whora I beg you to present my
compliments and thanks) did at last obtain some copies
from the Secretary's oflfice, which he inclosed with a line of
the SOth January, delivered to rae by Parson Montgomery
on the 10th ultimo, as mentioned before; but he omitted a
very essential one, the Plan of Confederation, though he sent
a copy of the recommendatory resolve to invest the dele
gates with power to assent thereto. For my own part, I
had not seen it till I accidentally laid my hands on a printed
copy belonging to Cecil County, where my family are.

OF GEORGE READ. 305
[ Mentioning this, leads me to ask what you think of some
particular expressions therein, to wit : ' provided also that
no State shall be deprived of territory for the benefit of the
United States,' — in the last of the second section, article
nine; and in the same article, section fourth, 'regulating
the trade, and managing all affairs with the Indians, not
members of any of the States, provided that the legislative
right of any State, within its own limits, be not infringed
or violated.' In the 8th article, providing for a common
treasury, in proportion to the value of all land within each
State, granted, or surveyed by any person ; query. What
ought to be the extent or limits of the territory of Virginia
or Massachusetts? if not the absurd claim to the South
Sea, is it not necessary to be settled now? Query, Is it a
practicable scheme to value the lands of the continent for
taxation ? If so, query, if the States who have known and
very small liraits ought to have every foot of their land
rated for the protection of the ungranted lands in these
boundless empires? Query, If such a fund may not be
formed in the boundless States from the grants of lands as
will tend to diminish the present inhabitants of the other
States by migrations there, and discourage European set
tlers from fixing in the bounded States ? Query, If they
[the boundless States] may not prove dangerous to the
liberties of America from their extent and internal strength?
I will not add to this list ; these are terrifying to me, and
suflficiently account for the speedy approbation, as published,
from those two States ; and, besides, I, with a multitude of
others, have been taught to expect that all lands not pur
chased from or ceded by the Indians to the king of Great
Britain, as the proprietor of the colonies, were to be con
sidered as belonging to the United States generally, and
might procure for them a fund to pay our great debt with?
I have my doubts as to the whole of the third section,
article nine : will it not have a bad effect upon our State ? /
But to return to the subject ofthe resolves of Congress, and''
particularly those relating to our quota of troops, and their
clothing, they could not be acted upon till made known,
and the same may be said of laying a tax, for sinking our
proportion of five millions of dollars, in the present year;
with this that the military in Sussex, established by Con
gress, independent of any authority in this State, prevented

306 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
a representation from a third of the taxables thereof, for
the time past, and according to the American creed repre
sentation is necessary for taxation. Much more might be
added to lessen the charges made against us; yet I am
satisfied much must be done to wipe off such as are justly
founded. I own the prospect is rather gloomy, but we are
not to despair. No man is in a raore diflficult and unlucky
situation than myself. Without any fixed habitation in the
State, with little assistance or prospect of assistance, [and]
in want of health and ability of body, I will not add of
mind, though also true, lest I be suspected of seeking a
corapliment. "I showed Generals Rodney and Patterson that part of
your letter which related to President McKinley; neither
of them or myself had heard of his lodging with  , and
General Rodney thinks it cannot be, for he has been told
by those who knew, and might be relied on, that  was
at  , and  at one  's, a shoemaker, and had lodged
there from the time of his going into Philadelphia. General
Rodney says the President now lodges at one  's, oppo
site Christ Church. I cannot pretend to point out a person
to exchange for the President, but subrait it to you, on a
review of the list of prisoners on the civil line under the
immediate direction of Congress, which General Washing
ton seems to refer to in a paragraph of his letter to me on
that subject, an extract from which, I think, you have in
mine of the 29th of December last. As to the presence of
your colleagues on this or any other occasion, shortly, you
are not to expect it. Mr. Rodney is very necessary here,
and as to Mr. Van Dyke, the situation of his family will
keep him for awhile. For my own part, I think it a
piece of justice due to every captive to procure his release
as soon as practicable, upon honorable terms ; and as to the
President and his unlucky captivity, I am convinced he
meant to support the cause of America to the utmost of his
power, and I therefore wish you success in the application.
"The bad weather we have had has delayed the express
to this day (the 9th of March), which enables rae to inclose
you a list of the raembers for Sussex. The most of them
came to town last evening, and only three merabers from
New Castle County, so that we have not had a House since
the 25th ultimo. Mr. Rodney says that he has nearly

OF GEORGE READ. 307
paid the ten thousand dollars to the recruiting oflficers, one of
whom. Lieutenant Brown, came in yesterday frora Marshy
Hope Bridge, where he had enlisted fourteen men on the
Friday preceding, all volunteers, who came in for the pur
pose, so that our prospect is very flattering in this way at
present. Fail not to obtain the loan, and give despatch to
the messenger, a lieutenant in the troop of horse of this
county, and you will oblige hira, as well as your most
obedient servant, "George Read.
"Honorable Thomas McKean."
Mr. McKean replied as follows to this letter, from
"Yorktown, April 3d, 1778.
"Sir, — When I attended the General Assembly of this
State, in December last, they obtained a promise that I
would give a little assistance in drafting some bills, at
their adjournment in March, at which time I accordingly,
in pursuance of a letter from the Speaker, went to Lancas
ter, and, having stayed there ten days, returned to York on
the 19th. During the interval your favor of the 4th of
March, by Lieutenant Frazier, arrived at York, and by the
advice of the express, was opened by the President, and
read in Congress. It was well there was nothing private
in it, and I must confess you gave me more agreeable pros
pects of our little State, and more sincere pleasure, than
anything relating to it had done for three years past. I
congratulate you on the Whig election in Sussex. With
such a General Assembly as the present, what could I have
done, or rather, what could I not have do? Sure I am you
will make a proper use of this most fortunate occurrence,
in which there appears visibly the hand of Providence,
which can alone save this deluded State. Though the re
solve for completing the quota of troops by drafting in the
several States passed against ray consent, yet as Virginia,
Maryland, Pennsylvania, the four New England States,
etc. have agreed to it, I should have been glad even if the
General Asserably had proceeded no further in this business;
this would have showed a respect for the recommendation
of Congress, encouraged the recruiting service by making
it the interest of every individual in the State, and pre-

308 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
vented an opinion that I had wrote to the General Assem
bly against the measure, which I never did, nor, indeed,
did I ever hint the matter to any person whatever.
"As to the proviso in the second section of article ninth
of the_CQnffidej;:ation, quoted by you, to wit, 'provided that
no State shaHrWHSprived of territory for the benefit of the
United States,' my opinion is that it raust be referred to the
subject-matter of the preceding paragraph, and may, by a
fair construction, mean that in a contest between two States
respecting boundaries, the territory taken from the one
shall be added to the other, and not adjudged for the benefit
of the United States; and yet, I confess, I have apprehen
sions that it raay hereafter be insisted to mean what you
seem to fear. Some gentlemen with whom I have con
versed on this affair say, if the intention of Congress was
that Virginia, etc. should be deemed at present to extend
to the South Sea, yet no injury could arise from thence to
any of the United States, for that Delaware, for instance,
has a right to apply for one or more townships for their
troops, to be laid out equally with Virginia in that State,
without paying any purchase-money, or any other expense,
more than that of surveying, which Virginians themselves
must pay; and that if that State increases its inhabitants
it will have more to pay towards the support of the govern
ment of the United States, and in the same proportion
lessen the burden of the other States; but if Virginia, etc.
grow too large, the people theraselves will insist upon a new
State or States to be erected, even if Congress should be
passive, and no good reason can be assigned for refusing
such a requisition whenever it may be proper to grant it.
The Stockbridge Indians in New Harapshire and Connecti
cut, the Oneidas in New York, etc., were, I suppose, the
objects of the fourth section of the same article. The
third section of the ninth article seems to have been cal
culated for the disputed lands of purchasers under Maryland
and Delaware, and Maryland and Pennsylvania; b'ut upon
the whole, it may not be an iraproper method of adjusting
such controversies. If Delaware had been represented in
Congress at the time the finishing was given to thfe Confed
eration it would, I am persuaded, have been a public benefit
as weU as a particular one to that State; but matters are
too far gone, I fear, to procure any alterations, so many

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 309
States have already empowered their delegates to ratify it;
however, I will exert every nerve to accomplish any meas
ure which shall be recomraended by my constituents, who
may think it advisable to direct their deputies to endeavor
to procure any explanation of certain doubtful expressions
in different articles, if they should not think it proper to
do more.
" Nothing has been effected with regard to President
McKinley ; but as the cartel for the general exchange is
now debating and settling between three commissioners on
the part of General Washington and the like number on
the part of General Howe, in Germantown, where they raet
on the last day of March, I hope in a few weeks something
favorable for him may be done.
" If you can procure any clothing for the Delaware bat
talion it raay be useful, but I am confident there is suflficient
for the whole army already purchased by Congress for above
a year, and yet I am told the most of the troops are naked.
Peculation, neglect of duty, avarice, and insolence in most
departments abound, but, with the favor of God, I shall
contribute my part to drag forth and punish the culprits,
though some of them are high in rank, and characters I did
not suspect.
" You will also receive a little pamphlet of the Earl of
Abington, which is worth your perusal. General Rodney
is not yet arrived, nor could I procure a lodging for hira in
town when he comes ; indeed, when I return I shall be at
an equal loss for myself. This is discouraging, but we must
not expect much comfort during this great and glorious
struggle. It is reported Howe is recalled, and is to be suc
ceeded by Lord Townshend. This will be an active and,
I fear, a bloody carapaign.
" I find you give up the comraand-in-chief to General
Rodney, so that perhaps it may suit you to come to Con
gress. " I am,- sir, your most obedient servant, " Thomas McKean.
"Hon. George Read."
As the persistence of the mother-country in her measures,
short-sighted and mistaken, as they were selfish and unjust,
widened the breach between her and her colonies, the Con-

310 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
tinental Congress, elected to obtain redress of intolerable
grievances, was compelled to assume the powers of a con
federacy of States, without waiting for the formal grant of
them, to levy armies, issue and borrow money, appoint
diplomatic agents, and generally to regulate the internal
and foreign affairs of their country. This loose connection
of thirteen independent communities sufficed only for a
brief period, for its inadequacy for home government was
soon apparent, and it was in no long tirae evident that for
eign nations, whose aid was necessary to secure independ
ence, would not treat with a confederacy existing only by
force of circumstances or tacit understanding. A formal
and written compact between these thirteen coramunities
was therefore indispensable. "Articles of Confederation"
were repoi'ted by a coramittee of Congress, 12th July, 1776.
They were, after earnest and protracted debates, from time
to time, adopted, 15th November, 1777, and transmitted by
Congress to the Legislatures of the several States, with its
earnest and eloquent recommendation that they should
authorize the ratification of these articles. It was next to
irapossible that any plan of coraraon governraent could be
fraraed for thirteen independent States, who, though having
so many things in common as to be one people, — Chris
tians, Anglo-Saxons by race, inheritors of the British Con
stitution, common law, language, literature, and high
civilization, — yet differed in climate, productions, customs,
manners, religious tenets, and forms of worship. The
wonder was not that there were points of difference, but
that there were not more. There were several objections
to the "Articles of Confederation," but the principal ones
were — 1st, to the mode of voting in Congress, some States
holding that it should be by States, others according to
population and wealth; 2d, to the rule for apportioning
taxes among the States; and 3d, to the disposition of vacant
and unpatented western lands. The phrajpeology of the
charters, upon which were founded the extravagant claims
of States to lands from the Atlantic to the Pacific, is ob
scure, indefinite, and contradictory;* but these claims were

The western boundary in several of the charters of the North Ameri
can colonies is the South Sea, and the great extent of these grants was
a matter of profound policy, the object being to appropriate as much

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 311
reduced within narrower limits by the treaty of Paris, of
1763, by convention between the colonies in regard to dis
puted boundaries and decisions of the home government.*
It was contended that the title to these lands west of the
then western frontier of the United States was never in
any of the colonies, but had always been in the king, and
so far as not alienated by hira was the property in common
of all the colonies through right of conquest effected by
their common blood, money, and sacrifices. From fear of
the disastrous consequences of disunion, interest, necessity,
and from, no doubt, patriotic motives, the States objecting
to the Articles of Confederation withdrew their opposition
soon after July, 1778, and by their delegates signed the
" Articles," except New Jersey, who ratified them in No
vember of that year, Delaware, who ratified in February,
1779, and Maryland, that ratified in 1781. This bone of
contention was removed, as many difficulties threatening
great perils have since been, by compromise — the cession
of these lands, upon conditions, to the United States for
of the North Araerican continent as possible (a settlement on one part
of a grant being held to give the possession of the whole), and so to
strengthen the claim of England against Prance or any other nation.
Three things were required to render the title to lands perfect, — 1st,
a grant or charter from the king ; 2d, a purchase of the soil from the
Indians ; 3d, possession.
" If all the colonies in North America,'' wrote Pratt, afterwards Lord
Camden, " were to remain bounded, at this day, in point of right, as they
are described in their charters, I do not believe there is one settlement
there that has not been encroached upon or else has usurped upon its
neighbors, so that if the grants themselves were the only rule betweeu
contending plantations, there would be no end to disputes, jwithout un
settling large tracts of land, where the inhabitants have no better title to
produce than possession or posterior grants, which would be, in point
of law, superseded by charters." "Hence many other circumstances
must be taken into consideration besides the parchment boundary, for
that may at this day be extended or narrowed by possession, acquies
cence, or agreement, and by the situation and condition of the territory
at the time ofthe grant. " — Miner's History of Wyoming, pp. 66, 67,79, 80.
In the charter of the " Great Plymouth Council" and the charters of
Massachusetts and Connecticut carved out of it, there is an express
grant of the land {Ibid., pp. 64, 66, 67) within their limits, and the
South Sea is their western boundary; and so in the charters of several
of the Southern colonies.
* In the case of Virginia, for example, to the lands bounded north by
the Lakes and west by the Mississippi.

312 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
their common benefit. New York leading in this generous
and truly patriotic measure.
The share of Mr. Read in the ratification by Delaware
will hereafter appear.
Mr. Read was, as appears by Thomas McKean's letter of
April 3d, 1777 (ante, p. 309), relieved from the Presidency
of Delaware in that month or about that period, Csesar
Rodney having been elected to this oflfice (which Mr. Read
declined) and entered upon the discharge of its duties.
The following letter is characteristic of Mr. Read, who
was not only of the strictest integrity, but scrupulously
avoided everything which might bring into suspicion his
dealings with public men : "New Castle, August 25th, 1778.
"Sir, — I am now applied to byMr. Davis, of Kent County,
on your behalf, to attend the Court of Oyer and Terminer
and General Jail Delivery, to be held the 7th of next
month at Lewistown. He inforras me that you left with
him one hundred pounds, to be given, as part of a fee, for
this service, and that you have authorized him to say that
you will give me as much more as I shall think I ought to
have. Mr. Davis also mentions that he has heard that
Dorman Loffland expects to apply to rae to defend him at
the sarae court. The last part of your proposal is by no
means satisfactory to me, as I do not wish upon this or any
other occasion to be considered my own carver, or bringing
persons into such a situation as that I raay exact unreason
ably from them. I choose to let you know my terms so
long beforehand that if you do not approve of them you
may have the opportunity of applying elsewhere. My
terms are that I shall receive from you five hundred pounds,
certain, for my attendance at the court, and for this sum I
will, if necessary, defend you, as counsel, in any one or
two indictments that may be exhibited to that court against
you, though if more I shall expect some further allowance ;
but if you have only one charge to apprehend I would for
this sum also engage to defend, as counsel, Mr. Loflfland on
any one indictment or charge against him, under the act of
Assembly commonly styled the Treason-Act, and specially
referred to. in the Oblivion or Pardon-Act, in which he is
excepted by name. I have included Mr. Loffland in this
proposal that you may have it in your power to lessen the

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 313
expense with respect to yourself, if you shall think fit.
I have been particular in confining my defence of him to
charges under the Treason-Act, because I know there is a
charge of another nature I will be at liberty to decline un
dertaking, if I shall choose so to do, upon a further and
better information. The situation of my business and
affairs at this place is such that it will be extreraely incon
venient to me to go such a distance from thera, and there
fore I cannot engage my attendance upon more moderate
terms, so that if you expect rae I must know it some days
before to be prepared for the occasion. This from yours,
etc.,
" George Read.
" To Doctor Rench, Sussex County."
On this letter is indorsed, " Draft of a letter delivered to
Mr. Davis, a representative in Assembly for Kent County,
to be delivered by hira to Dr. Rench."
As the fee proposed in the above letter would be paid in
depreciated bills of credit, which creditors could not refuse,
if tendered,* it is much less than its nominal amount, and
was not immoderate for defending two, and perhaps three
or four, cases of the gravest character, and making a long
journey to do so, with the inconvenience and loss by reason
of absence from his home.
Dr. McKinley, who had been permitted to return to his
home on parole, solicits, in the following letter, Mr. Read's
good offices to effect his exchange :
"Wilmington, 29th August, 1778.
" Dear Sir, — I am still of opinion that the application
to Congress for my exchange had better be made by the
Council, who are best acquainted with my conduct and pro-
* Congress resolved that whosoever should rate gold or silver coin
higher than bills of credit ought to be deemed an enemy to the liberties
of the United States and to forfeit the money of which this difference in
value was made, and Congress recommended the States to pass laws tb
this effect, and to make bills of credit a legal tender in payment of debts,
which should be forfeited by refusal to so receive them, which was done
by the States. — Marshall's Life of Washington, vol. iii. pp. 43, 44.
The depreciation of this paper-money was shown by the enormous
prices of articles. See Mr. Read's letter to General Washington, ante,
page 285. 21

3l4 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
ceedings, and therefore may express themselves with less
reserve and caution than the President thought it necessary
to use in the letter he intended for the President of Con
gress according to the copy he showed me ; and considering
the pains my old friends have taken to prejudice Congress
against me, perhaps it might be proper to give a detail of
my services. I was in hopes of being able to wait upon
you to consult upon the mode of applying, and I am certain
all the Council would be glad of your assistance, but my
lameness prevents ; in the mean time I have drawn a rough
sketch of a resolution, for your amendment, or rather to
furnish you with sorae hints to draw a better, which I am
well assured you can easily do, especially as you may have
some leisure to-morrow. Pray oblige me herein, as you
have often done before on other occasions, but never in one
wherein I was so much interested. If in my power I will
gp and see you on Monday morning, and then I may be
able to express my meaning much better by word of mouth
than in so short a letter, but in the. raean time pray proceed.
" I am, with sincere esteem, yours affectionately, "John McKinley.
" To the Honorable George Read, Esquire, New Castle,
per favor of Colonel Bedford."
Mr. Read, being relieved not only from the chief magis
tracy of Delaw^are, but frora attendance upon the Continental
Congress, had now respite from public engagements, to which
he had been devoted from the beginning of the disputes be
tween the colonies and parent-country. I find nothing more
of his correspondence for the remaining portion of 1778, and
conjecture that it was devoted mainly to professional and
private business, though being still a member of the Council
of Delaware he must have taken some part in public affairs.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 315

APPENDICES TO CHAPTER IV.

PAIRS.

Without the retail trade the richer class of a community could obtain
necessary commodities at greatly enhanced prices, but the poor, not at
all. In newly-settled territories the retail trade would be very limited,
for two reasons, — the scarcity of capital, and its being attracted to the
purchase of land, which, being cheap and virgin, would offer the best
investment. But the wants of sparsely-inhalDited regions have been
supplied, in the absence of stores, by piedlars and fairs. In the very
infancy of territories the pedlar was the only means of supply ; in the
defect of roads and bridges, he made his way into the very heart of
these countries, threading the forests by bridle-paths, and crossing the
streams on fallen trees, his stock in trade on his back, and his yard
stick in his hand. At every farm-house he met a hearty welcome, for
in every one there were wants to be supplied and superfluous articles
to be sold or bartered, if not of too much bulk for him to carry away ; for
example, — mittens and stockings, into which the industry of wives and
daughters had manufactured the fleeces of the few sheep upon each farm.
The good wives of every farm-house replenished, as was needed, their
stocks of pins and needles, threads and bobbins and buttons, and
scissors and thimbles. Besides, there would be knives for the men, and
perhaps pipes, and buckles for their shoes and stocks ; with clumsy
broaches, and gaudy calicoes and ribbons, to terapt the damsels. And
when his sales were raade, the pedlar, after sharing, with hearty wel
come, the abundant and wholesome and maybe coarse meal of his rustic
customers, ensconced in the capacious chimney-place, opened his fardel
of news, and, with the latest gossip of the neighborhood, recounted
occurrences in the colonies and events abroad, pregnant often with great
results. But the main provision for the retail trade was the establish
ment of fairs. In Pennsylvania and Delaware, soon after their settle
ment, fairs were allowed (as is declared by the aet of Assembly
abolishing them in Kent and Sussex, by charters or letters-patent
from their governors or proprietaries, or by acts of their assemblies,
for lack of stores and markets for the produce of the country.* The
sales at these fairs must have been by the importers, through their
agents, or by men who bought the goods from the importers, and
sold them on their own account. I have found among my grand
father's papers, an almanac for 1747, which appears to have be-
* Delaware Laws, vol. ii. pp. 818, 819.

316 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
longed to one Ezekiel Sykes, so small (it is four inches long by
two broad) that it might have been felt for and not readily grasped
in the capacious pockets of Ezekiel's day. This almanac has appended
to it tables of the births ofthe royal family of England, of the tiraes of
holding courts in Pennsylvania, Jersey, Maryland, and New England,
of Quaker meetings, of roads, weights of coins, and of times of holding
fairs. They were held in Wilmington, Delaware, April 28th and
October 24th; New Castle, 3d of May and 3d of November; Chester,
5th May and 5th October; and Philadelphia, 16th May and 16th
October, etc. By almanacs of my grandfather's it appears there were
changes in the days of holding these fairs.* In 1758, 1767, and 1769
they were held at Wilmington, May 9th and November 4th ; New
Castle, May 14th and November 14th ; Chester, 16th May and 16th
November ; Philadelphia, 27th May and 27th November, and Dover,
April 21st and 12th October, etc. To these fairs came the people for
miles around the towns where they were held, the young generally on
horseback, but the farmers and their dames, with the superfluous pro
ducts of domestic industry, in their rude wagons, to supply the wants
of the next six months, and all in their best attire to enjoy the holi
day. There was a tempting display, in the booths built for the occa
sion, ofthe various articles from "home," suited to their wants and
their tastes. There were puppet-shows and jugglers, no lack of penny-
trumpets, drums, and wooden guns for the boys, and dolls for the girls.
The young men were soon contending in athletic sports, — pitching bars,
jerking bullets, running, boxing, and wrestling, with many hard blows
and hard falls and rough jests, while their sweethearts, in their rustic
finery, and with the coquetry natural to the sex, admiringly looked on.
The merry tunes of many fiddles soon lured the young men and maid
ens to the dance ; and, alas 1 there were booths where liquors were sold,
with the usual consequence, drunkenness and brawls. While the elders
bargained, the young ones courted. It was, indeed, a strange scene of
business and frolic. With general fair dealing ^ihere was some over
reaching. These fairs long survived the necessity for them, for they
were holidays dear to the people ; at last the sense of their evils
became strong enough to take the form of a law for their suppression,
but it was not until the 4th of June, 1785, when an act, entitled "An
act for the suppression of public fairs and marts in the counties of New
Castle and" Kent," was passed. f In the preamble to this act it is
declared that the liberty granted by charters, letters-patent, and subsist
ing laws to hold fairs had been abused by setting up booths for the
sale of strong liquors and other superfluities, by which many imprudent
persons, especially young people and servants, have been tempted to
purchase those liquors and use thera to excess, and to lay out large
sums in the purchase of articles of no real use or benefit ; and quarrels
* There are, moreover, two pithy maxims which I extract for the benefit of
my readers : " Compute the pence of but one clay's expense,
So many pounds, angels, groats, and pence
Are spent in a whole year's circumference."
" One week's expense in farthings makes appear
The shillings and pence expended in a year."
f Laws of Delaware, vol. ii. p. 819.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 317
•
have been excited, and almost every species of vice and immorality
practised, to the scandal of religion and the grief and annoyance of the
virtuous part of the community. It is added that the numerous stores
throughout the State, and ready markets for the sale of produce, made
these fairs unnecessary, and that a respectable number of citizens had
petitioned for their suppression. Why Sussex County was not included
in this act I do not know, unless fairs had never been held there ;
that no places in that county are mentioned in the tables of fairs in the
ancient almanacs I have cited gives some plausibility to this conjecture.
To complete the history of fairs in Delaware, I add, that February 3d,
1 802. an act was passed authorizing them to be held at Georgetown
and Broad Creek in Sussex, Dover in Kent, and Middletown in New
Castle County, for the sale of live stock, country produce, and manufac
tures, except spirituous liquors. But January 20th, 1802, an act of
Assembly was passed repealing this act, which will be thought a
model act by those who have been perplexed and worried by the pro
lixity of statutes ; it is of marvellous brevity : " Whereas, the act afore
said (of 3d February, 1802, for the holding of fairs in the several
counties of this State) hath not been found to answer the purposes
therein contemplated, be it enacted that the before-recited act, and every
part thereof, be and is hereby repealed, made null and void."*

LIST OF ABLE-BODIED ASSOCIATORS IN THB COMPANY UNDER MY COMMAND.
ANSWERS.
Slaytor Clay,  Will not march.
Richard Janvier,  Will not march.
John Powell,  Ready and willing to march.
David Morton,  Sarae.
George Read,  Ready and willing to march.
Thomas Cooch, Jr.,  Ready and willing to march.
Robert Wiley,  I'm damn'd if I march.
Edward Sweeney,  Faraily in distress.
Jaraes Wilson,  Hired one in his place.
Stephen Enos,  Absent.
James Limerick,  Ready and willing to march.
John Booth, Jr.,  Substitute in Continental army.
Samuel Janvier,  Ready and willing.
Joseph Tatlow,  Will not march.
Joseph Booth,  Substitute Continental army.
Sarapson Smith,  Will not march.
Daniel Sraith,  Son in his place, — drummer.
* Laws of Delaware, vol. iii. p. 281. See the last paragraph of Appendix C.

318 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE

•

William Clarke,  Ready and willing.
James Faith, .  Will not march.
James Boyd,  Family in distress.
Samuel Hanah,  Ready and willing.
Francis Janvier,  Will not march.
Robert McElcherin,  Same.
Thomas Clay  Substitute in Continental army.
William Scott  Willing to march,— made wag'r.
William Farren,  Will not march.
John Enos,  Absent.
William Hazlett,  I never will march.
Jos. M. Strand,  Absent.
Alexander Montgomery, . . . Sick.
George Booth,  Ready and willing to march.
William Kirk,  Ready and willing to march.
Adam Dyet,  Same.
Robert McGinnis,  Absent.
Daniel Lewis,  Willing to march.
William Aiken,  Same.
James McDonald,  Same.
Adam Sankey,  Will not march.
Patrick McCormack, .... Same.
James Morton  Same.
Thomas Booth,  Substitute in Continental army.
James Riddle,  Sick.
John Price,  Absent. .
Andrew Morton,  Neglected.
Samuel Harris,  Will not march.
James Carter,  Family in distress.
John Vanleuveneigh, .... Willing to march.
Benjamin Merritt,  Sarae.
Hugh McCann,  Sarae.
Alexander Langton, .... Same, — fifer.
James Farnsworth,  Family in distress.
Niel MeCann,  One in his place.
Robert Watson  Readj^ to march.
James Wiley,  Absent.
Joriel Vanleuveneigb; .... Ready to march.
William Owens,  Sick.
Christian Smith,  Excused by colonel.
Thomas Nodes,  I'm damn'd if I march.
Thomas Miller,  Ready to march.
Samuel Fisher,  Will not march.
Daniel Deveney,  Absent.
Hugh Martin,  Ready to march.
Insloe Anderson  Will not march.
Philip Belveale,  Son in his place.
"To Samuel Patterson, Colonel, D. B. M.
" I do hereby certify that the above list of ' Associators ' is as they
stand enrolled; that, on the refusal of so many of the first quota, I
caused the whole company to be summoned, and those [whose] answers

OF GEORGE READ. 319
[are] 'ready and willing to march,' are now at head-quarters, Wilming
ton. " So answers " John Clark, Captain.
"June 24th, 1777."
From the original, in possession of Mr. Joseph Henry Rogers, which
he found araong the papers of his grandfather, Jaraes Booth, who
brought it, with other papers belonging to the State of Delaware, from
New York, where they had been carried by the British, who captured
them soon after the battle of Brandywine.
W. T. R.

O-
I found among my father's papers. No. 366, vol. iv. (Friday, July
22d, 1825), of the American Watchman, a newspaper published in
Wilmington, Delaware, which contains the following account of occur
rences in that town immediately after the battle of Brandywine :
" We were frequently alarmed in the borough with reports that the
British were coming in to take us, and one night, in particular, the
alarm was so great that my neighbors bundled up such articles of
clothing and household linen as they could carry on their backs or
arms. Two young females were asked where they were going at that
time of night : they answered they did not know where ; but the morn
ing, as I was told at the time, found some of the inhabitants in the
marsh about the Swedes' Church.
" When they [the British] actually came into the borough, on 7th
day (Saturday) morning, after the battle of the llth of the 9th month
(September, 1777), they caught us napping, for I did not get up that
morning until after the sun was up ; and looking out of the window,
saw three red-coats, and supposed them prisoners, but I soon found the
scene was the reverse, and greatly alarmed were we all ; and I with
difiiculty ventured to my father's, for I and my brother had lodged that
night at Dr. Way's as company for his mother, he having gone, the day
after the battle, to assist in dressing the wounded, and I think he did
not return while the British were with us, which was about six weeks,
or until the last ofthe 10th month, October. After I got home, I found
Joseph Summerl in my bed, much alarmed, and did not know what to
do. I told him to put a good face on it, — there was an old coat of
mine and to put it on, which he did, and passed safely to his father's in
the Jerseys, though he had been with his company at the action.
Others of his companions were not as fortunate, for sorae unkind per
sons had directed a party or parties of the British to their residences,
and they were prisoners before daylight ; among them I recollect Caleb
Way, a lieutenant of one of the companies, John Thelwell, James Brob-
son, and many others who I do not recollect at this distance of time.
They were all placed under the horse-shed at Lawson's tavern, now
belonging to Jaraes Canby, where they reraained about sixty hours, and
then were removed across the street to the Presbyterian meeting-house.

320 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
John Ferris proposed to two others to go up and see our townmen and
furnish them with some eatables, or inquire of them [of their condition],
for it was said they had been hardly dealt with. As we approached
the town, we saw them marched across the street and through the
northwest gate, and they placed themselves on the southeast side of
the interior, which prevented our speaking to any of them. The ofiScer
in command, on the street side of the board fence, was on the left of
the gate, and we three were on the other side of the gate, on the street
side also, the open gate between us, which was soon shut. The senti
nel had rested his gun, with fixed bayonet, against the wall of the
house ; the officer imperiously directed him to take his gun and walk
clear of the wall and fence, so as to use it freely, ' for these,' said he,
using harsh language, 'might attempt to escape.' J. F  observed
they were all respectable persons and would not attempt it. This irri
tated the ofiicer, and he then turned his harsh language on us, and con
cluded in saying ' they had no friends in the country but the Quakers'
(in which idea he was far wrong), ' and he doubted not but we deserved
to be there imprisoned as those.' The word ' Quaker' I took up, and
observed to him, mildly, 'that we were Quakers.' He excused himself,
and invited us to his room in the tavern to take a glass of wine, which
we did, and saved ourselves from further insult. On the afternoon of
the day of the action I was permitted to go as near Chad's Ford as
possible, for the purpose of obtaining information, for we were all
anxious to know how our array was getting on. Well knowing the
ground leading to the ford, I left the Concord road, at Smith's cross
roads, to the left, and was making my way on a by-road to the scene
of action, and had nearly gained the eastern ridge of the valley or
bottom, as it is called, where I could see the operations, but was inter
rupted by one of our light-horsemen, who said he was stationed there
to prevent people from going farther. A heavy piece of woodland pre
vented us from seeing anything in the direction of the contending
armies. Here I was obliged to reraain without seeing anything ; but
all the hills in view were covered with inhabitants who were as anxious
as myself to know how the thing would terminate, for the musketry-
firing was treraendous, and our army retreating from Birmingham
Meeting-house through Dilworth Town. They were approaching us,
and of course the report of the discharges became more distinct. Here
I remained till the sun was setting, and then regained the Concord road
at where I had diverged from it, and found it literally full of people,
flying before the contending armies, on foot, on horseback, and in carts.
Among the crowd I found a family of particular acquaintances, — George
Evans, one of our commissaries, his wife, eldest son (Peter), and
several younger children; the youngest I took up before me and
brought to my father, and the rest of the family followed, except
George, who the British wanted to make a prisoner of, being an active
revolutionist. This family were with us when the British took posses
sion of the borough, and gave us much anxiety for fear they would be
discovered and made hostages of, with a view to get hold of the com
missary ; but my father got thera all out of the way by sending them
into the country by different outlets [and at different] times.
" Attached to this part of the British army was an old acquaintance
of my father, — a Scotchman, formerly a merchant of Philadelphia, — who

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 321
had joined that side of the question, and was a commissary of prisoners.
He marked our house for his quarters, but occupied the next door until
the fleet came up, when there would be many gentlemen that would
want quarters, and he would introduce such as would give us no
trouble; and we had two or three, one of them unmilitary, who came
to possess himself of some of the confiscated farms when the rebels
[should be] subjected to royal authority, which soon [he said] would
be the case, and he used to tell my mother, in my presence, which
of the farms he would have. His name was Humphries ; he was very
timid and feared the rebels much ; he landed from on shipboard about
Grubb's Landing, and on his way to the borough met a man near Tus-
sey's or Shelpot Hill, and inquired his name. The man replied, ' Israel
Israel.' From the narae, Humphries was sure he was a rebel, but [he]
did not disturb him, and [he] came safe to town. I discovered much
meanness with some of the British officers of rank, among them a Major
Molliston. My father had a new, light one-horse cart to convey things
to and from a piece of ground outside of the borough ; this major
stopped me one day as I passed his quarters, the house now occupied
by 0. Horsey, Esquire, and inquired whose that cart was. I told him ;
no more passed. I told my father what had occurred ; he told me to go
to the major and say he should have it for such a sum, in gold, — about
half its value, — 'for,' he said, 'they will take it when they go away,
without pay.' T did so, and he agreed to give me so much gold. The
cart was sent to him, and I went for payment, but instead of gold, he
paid rae in loan-office paper money of this State, that they had obtained
by surprise at New Castle or Wilmington.
"I was very intimate with this coramissary of prisoners, and used to
be often with him when he was writing. One afternoon three ofiicers
of the line carae to see him, and were conversing freely on different
subjects, — one was General Washington. Two of thera, in particular,
were commending Washington much ; the other, who had said little on
the subject, closed by saying, ' I like my George the best,' meaning
George III., his king. I loved Washington, and I thought he ought to
love him also, as his companion had spoken so freely in his favor.
'¦' An account of the number of British troops that occupied the town
was sent by an inhabitant to General Washington, and he had planned
an attack on the British, but they evacuated the place sooner than he
expected, as I was since informed ; and I understood Captain (now
Major) C. P. Bennett was to have been one of the officers in that expe
dition, as Wilmington was his birthplace, and he knew every avenue
leading into the borough. Their fate was reserved for their attack on
our fort at Red Bank, on the Jersey shore, where they were severely
beaten, and Count de Nap [Donop], one of the Hessian commanders,
fell. The 71st Regiment of Highlanders was one morning drawn up in
open line, facing the southeast, in Pasture Street, on the northwest
side of the rope-walk, and extended from Kennet road toward the fur
nace. As a person passed them in front, and he turned up the Kennet
road, and but a few paces distant, he heard a considerable clatter he
did not understand, turned his head to see what was doing, and was
much surprised to see all the rails of the fence, that had been in perfect
order a few seconds before, formed and forming conical tents for these
soldiers ; it was the most rapid and instantaneous destruction of a fence

322 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
ever seen before. The blowing up of the Augusta 64, that was en
gaged in the reduction of Mud Fort, was felt distinctly in the borough ;
the reports ofthe cannon were heard when the wind was favorable, but
on that day the wind was very strong from the northwest, and nothing
was heard till the afternoon (I think). While I was sitting in Dr. Way's
parlor, with himself and some other person, we were surprised to hear
the bottles and other glassware in his shop rattling together. We could
not tell the cause until information came of the event and of the time
that it took place, and we were satisfied it was the concussion of that
blow-up that shook the doctor's glass furniture of his medical shop, as
such places were then styled, but since we have grown more refined we
call them offices of such-and-such doctors.
"I shall close this paper by noting some of the changes that have
taken place with our agricultural neighbors up the Brandywine, fifteen
or twenty railes, since the year 1765. At that time, and for many years
after, the country was supplied with spring and fall goods by attend
ing fairs, held at this period in all the towns and villages ; these
fairs were well attended by both sexes, old and young, sorae to buy and
others for fun and frolic. My youthful disposition led me more to
observe the dress and behavior of the young men and women than to par
take of their amusements. The young men, if the day was fine, came
to the fair by hundreds (with a fine, buxom lassie alongside) in their
shirt-sleeves, nicely plaited and cramped as high as the elbows, above
which it was tied with a string of different colored tape or ribbon, called
sleeve-strings. Their coats were tied behind the saddle ; they had thin-
soled shoes for dancing; they wore two pair of stockings, the inner
pair generally white, the outer pair generally blue yarn, the top rolled
neatly below the breeches knee-band, so as to show the inner white, and
guard it from the dirt frora the horses' feet, — for boots were not known.
I never recollect seeing a solitary pair of boots worn, and I have seen
sorae thousands of young raen going to, at, and coming from these fairs,
in six or seven years. I have sat in the same place for the last few
years, and observed the same class of persons pass me ; now boots are
generally worn, and umbrellas carried by persons on horseback. At that
day a man, booted, on horseback, with an umbrella over him, would
have produced raore curiosity and conversation on his pride and folly
than a sraall army would at this time. , When we visited our then
wealthy relatives and farmers in the country, they gave us of their best
according to the season. Then the fare was mush and milk, apple
and peach pie and milk, cheese-curds and new milk, sometimes cream,
with home-made wine and sugar (which is a delicacy even now), bread
and cheese and custards, — no tea or coffee did I see. I have visited
some of the same tables a few years past, where I found tea, coffee or
chocolate, with preserves of many kinds ; the dinner-table groaning
under its weight of ham, poultry, beef, mutton, etc., with a second
course consisting of puddings, pies, tarts, custards, etc.; milk, and other
dishes of old times, being now too vulgar, except particularly inquired
after. "Seventy-Six."

OF GEORGE BEAD. 323

X).
The following copy is taken from the original letter of a British spy,
in possession of Mr. Joseph Henry Rogers, who found it araong the
papers of liis grandfather, James Booth, by whom it was brought from
New York, with papers belonging to the State of Delaware, captured
by the British and carried there, after President McKinley was made
prisoner, in 1777. On the original letter is written " Found among my
papers brought from New York, — supposed to be written by John
Malcolm." " Sir, — Morton, at the Ferry, was yesterday with the rebel chiefs,
viz.: Patterson, Bryan, Grantham. Bedford, I hear, is at Philadelphia.
There are under these, John Clark, late sheriff, William Clark, his sub-
sheriff, a Mr. Booth, a Philip January. I apprehend that the chiefs stay
at nights either at Grantham's or Captain Porter's, a small distance
below New Castle. Morton, when he returned last night, reported
that Major Bryan had sworn, in his hearing, that he would burn the
town of New Castle and all the damned Tories in it. I know of no per
son to be trusted so fit for a guide as old Joseph, and I have persuaded
him to act as such. There is a certain William Haslett, near to Dr.
Finney's house, in New Castle, who promised me to point out some
inveterate rebels if an officer would call at his house ; he is afraid to
appear, as they have threatened him. At Newport is the habitation
and the effects of one of McKinley's privy council, a vile rebel, well
known by the name George Latimer, — his father a Judge of Common
Pleas. " Saturday morning."

The hatred of the ultra Whigs in Delaware, during the Revolutionary
war, for the Tories, and the violent and occasionally cruel manifesta
tions of it, are strikingly displayed by the " History of Cheny Clow,"
which I have abridged from the "Delaware Register,"* vol. i. pp.
220-226. In a letter of 5th May, 1770, f Mr. Read mentions Clow as foreman
of a grand jury in Sussex County, and calls him the " Wilkes of Sus
sex." He was a leader of the Tories in Kent and Sussex, and especially
* A magazine published in Dover, Delaware, in 1838 and 1839, by William
Huffington, Esquire, to preserve facts relating to the early history of Delaware,
advance agriculture, and diffuse Information and amusement by articles on va
rious subjects. It expired, on the completion of its second volume, for want of
sufficient patronage. It is desirable that there should be always such a reposi
tory, and persons enough alive to the duty of arresting facts, historically valuable,
passing to oblivion, to avail themselves of this means for their preservation.
f Life of George Eead, chap. i.

324 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
the object of the hatred of the Whigs. He was accused of treason in
1782, and a warrant directed to John Clayton, Sheriff' of Kent County,
issued for his arrest. Clow resided in the forest, about twelve railes
from Dover ; Clayton, with a strong posse, well armed, proceeded to
his house, the door of which he found closed and secured. The war
rant was read, and Clow sumraoned to surrender, and he replied by
firing several times upon the posse, but without effect; the fire was re
turned, and the door assailed with axes and the butts of muskets.
During the fight a man of the posse, named Moore, was shot through
the body and died at once, and another wounded by a ball which, strik
ing the brass plate on his bayonet-belt, glanced to his neck, slightly
injuring him. The door was at last forced open, and the sheriff with
his party, thrusting aside or clambering over a barricade of furniture
and other materials, seized Clow. They were astonished to find none
within the house but Clow and his wife, who, it was believed, had been
moulding bullets, as there wag lead melting over a fire in the house,
and from the steady and quick fire maintained upon their assailants, it
was concluded that she loaded muskets while her husband discharged
them, till bullets failed ; she was wounded severely in the breast, but
made no complaint. Clow requested leave to dress, which being
granted, he arrayed himself in the full uniform of a British captain.
He was then put on a horse, and the sheriff and his party set out for
Dover with their prisoner. On the way to Dover a new peril threat
ened the unfortunate Clow, in the shape of a militia troop of horse,
headed by their captain, who demanded his surrender to them that
they might hang him on the next tree. The sheriff and his party, un-
intimidated by threats of violence, greatly to their honor, asserted the
supremacy of the civil authority over military power, and succeeded in
conducting Clow uninjured to the prison in Dover. On the 10th day
of December, 1782, at a Court of Oyer and Terminer called for his trial,
consisting of Judges Killen and Finney, an indictment for high treason
was found against him, upon which he was tried, and to which he
pleaded not guilty, exhibiting his commission as captain in the British
army, and claiming to be entitled to be treated as a prisoner of war.
He was acquitted, but, as appears by the entry on the record of the
court that tried him, immediately after that of his acquittal, he was
ordered to enter into a recognizance in the sum of ten thousand pounds,
with two sureties, in the sura of five thousand pounds each, for his good
behavior till the end of the war with Great Britain, pay the cost
of his trial for treason, and be committed till this judgment should be
complied with. Being poor, as were his friends, and they but few,
compliance was irapossible, and the judgment was, in eff'ect, a sentence
to imprisonment for an indefinite time. The implacable enemies of this
unhappy man soon charged him with the murder of Moore. He was
indicted, and at a Court of Oyer and Terminer, held by Judges Killen
and John Jones, Gunning Bedford, Atto.rney-General, prosecuting, con
victed ofthe murder of Moore, on an indictment found 5th May, 1783 :
he was sentenced to be hanged by the neck till dead. The justice of
the verdict in this case raay well be questioned. Sheriff Clayton testi
fied that he believed Moore was shot, not from Clow's house, but by
one of his posse who was firing in the rear of it ; his reason was, that
the hole in Moore's back (the bullet having passed through his body)

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 325
was small and smooth, while that in front was much larger, ragged, and
torn, so that the ball must have entered his back, and could not have
been fired from the house, his face having been towards it when he fell.
The sheriff's evidence was corroborated by such of his party as were
examined. The only testimony of any weight against Clow was that of
John Bullen, — that in jail he said to him, " If I killed Moore, it was by
accident." Clow defended himself, urging it was not proved he killed
Moore, and even if he did, the killing was accidental and without mal
ice, and even if designed could not be murder, as he was a British
officer, rightfully defending himself from capture by the citizens or
soldiers of a hostile people. A troop of horse was paraded in front of
the court-house during Clow's trials, it was, at the time, believed to
intimidate the jury, while the people without clamored for his convic
tion ; therefore, confidence in this verdict, as unbiased, is reasonably
shaken, if not destroyed. The governor of Delaware was very much
disposed to pardon Clow, for it has been stated he did not believe him
guilty ; he therefore respited hira from time to time, but was too much
influenced by the popular cry for his blood to do more. In honorable
contrast to the course of the governor was that of Sheriff Clayton, who,
being apprehensive that the infuriated people would atterapt to take
Clow forcibly from the prison and hang him, slept for many months in
his apartment, armed, to prevent his abduction. A few persons peti
tioned for his pardon, but, as has seldom happened, petitions were signed
by many for his execution. The Whigs had suft'ered much from the
protraction of the war, which they, with reason, attributed to the Tories,
by whom their property had been plundered, and their nearest and
dearest relations and friends murdered or made prisoners ; hence the fe
rocity with which they pursued this hapless prisoner. Clow, in hourly
fear of death at the hands of an infuriated mob, could endure no longer
his dreadful state of suspense, and therefore petitioned the governor to
at once either pardon hira or issue the w^arrant for his execution. Un
happily for the memory of this chief magistrate, the pleadings of mercy
were silenced by the popular clamor for the blood of Clow, and he signed
his death-warrant. Clow heard it read with calmness, and from that
tirae uttered no complaints or reproaches ; he walked to the gallows
singing, with unfaltering voice, a hymn he had committed to memory
while imprisoned. His wife, who so heroically aided in defending his
house, never forsook him, — her efforts for his pardon were unceasing till
his execution, and she continued in Dover till he was cut down, when
she received his body and departed with it to consign it to the grave,
but where was never known. The patriotic Csesar liodney, on the day
of Clow's execution, publicly wished he were governor only that he
might pardon him. The revulsion of public feeling was immediate;
even while around the gallows of their victim, the conviction of Clow's
innocence forced itself upon those who had been foremost in clamoring
for his death. The house, the scene of his brave defence, was never
afterward occupied, and has disappeared. In Kent County, in Little
Creek Hundred, in a dense and dark forest, far from the abodes of men,
there is still shown a heap of logs, all that remains of Cheney Clow's
fort, where, with his Tory bands, he defied the Whigs. This execution
of Clow was a foul and cruel murder.

326 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
VISIT TO YALLEY FORGE.
About sixteen miles up the Schuylkill from Philadelphia, a small
stream leaves the rich and beautiful valley and winds its way through
a deep ravine, between two mountains, and empties its clear water into
the river. The mountains are filled with iron ore ; and as the stream
afforded water-power, the old inhabitants of the colony erected at its
mouth a mill and forge, and around them a few houses : and the place
was known as the " Valley Forge."
It was after the disastrous result of the battles of Brandywine and
Germantown, in which the Americans lost two thousand soldiers, whom,
in their already reduced state, they could so poorly spare, that Washing
ton was forced to give up Philadelphia to the enemy, lead his drooping
and discouraged army to this secluded spot, which the sufferings of .that
little band, while it lay and shivered there during the memorable winter
of '77, has made immortal.
We approached the old encampment by a road leading down a
narrow defile which forms the bed of the stream, and ascended to the
summit, where the army lay, by a rugged pathway, which is still to be
traced among the rocks ; and were shown by our guide, as we passed,
the different spots where the cannon had been planted to guard the
entrance. When we reached the summit, we found it partially cov
ered with trees and underwood : yet eighty years had not been able to
destroy the eff'orts that feeble band had put forth for self-protection.
There was still to be seen a ditch and embankment, which at present is
about three feet high, extending more than two miles around the top
of the mountain.
At the more open and unprotected points are still to be seen five dif
ferent forts of different forms, more or less perfect. They were probably
built principally of logs, but they have long since decayed, and their
forms at present are to be traced only by piles of dirt, which had been
thrown up to strengthen them. The most perfect one at present is still
about ten feet high, and probably one hundred feet square, with a
dividing ridge running diagonally from one corner to the other, forraing
two apartments of equal size, with but one narrow entrance. It all
remains quite perfect, and the walls or banks are covered with trees.
The tents of the soldiers were raade of poles, which seem to have been
twelve or fifteen feet long, built in the forra of a pen, with dirt thrown up
on the outside to keep out the storm. Their reraains are still to be seen
situated in little groups here and there over the inclosure. While down
near the old Forge, we were shown an old stone house, about twenty
by thirty feet, which served as head-quarters, in which Washington
lived, surrounded by his staff, during the winter.
We entered the venerable building with feelings of the deepest emo
tion, and examined the room which served the illustrious chief as bed
chamber and audience-chamber. It is very plain, and the furniture
much as he had left it. A small rough box, in a deep window-sill, was

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 327
pointed out as having contained his papers and writing materials. The
house is occupied by a family who take pleasure in showing to visitors
the dift'erent items of interest. The old cedar-shingled roof, which pro
tected the " Father of our Country" eighty years ago, had still shel
tered the old head-quarters until a year or two ago, when it was re
moved, and its place occupied by tin.
The graves of the soldiers are still to be seen in distinct clusters over
tbe ground, but are most numerous in the northwest division, where
the regiments from the South were quartered, death having rioted most
fearfully among them, they being less able to endure the severities of a
Northern winter.
It was during their encampment here that the tracks of the soldiers
could be traced by their blood, as they gathered wood to warm their
miserable huts. And it is here that Washington is said to have shed
tears like a father while beholding their sufferings, when they gathered
around him and pleaded for bread and clothing, and he had not the
means to furnish them. Yet, although everything seemed so discourag
ing, it was near here that the " Friend" went horae surprised, exclaim
ing, " The Americans will conquer yet ! the Americans will conquer
yet 1 for I heard a whisper in the woods, and I looked and saw their
chief upon his knees, and he was asking God to help them."
It may be great to lead a powerful army on to victory, but surely it
was greater to preserve the shattered remnants of a discouraged band
together, when the enemy were trampling over them, when their Con
gress could do nothing for them, when starving families at home were
weeping for their return, and when there seemed no prospect before
them but miserable defeat.
Numerous graves have recently been opened, and the bodies of many
of the officers have been removed by their friends to other burying-
grounds in their native States; but the poor and obscure soldiers, who
still remain, have monuments more beautiful than art can form erected
over them, for nature has planted hundreds of cedars as a silent tribute
to their memory, which have been watered by the pure and generous
tears of night, and they are now forming living wreaths of evergreen
above their graves. — Ohio State Journal.

328 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE

Or
COLONEL HASLET.
John Haslet was born in Ireland. He was educated for the minis
try of the Dissenters, and preached, but subsequently studied medicine
with much success, and practised it in Kent County, Delaware, for many
years, with profit and reputation ; and was frequently elected to the
General Assembly of this State, for his abl'e and faithful services there
deserving and receiving the applause of his fellow-citizens. — Delaware
Gazette, No. 216, August Sth, 1789.
He was a man of generous and ardent feelings — tall and athletic. A
leading Whig, he was appointed colonel of the justly celebrated Dela
ware regiment. He took an active part in raising it, and when assem
bled on the day appointed for its march, eight hundred strong, was ad
dressed by hira with stirring eloquence. Though imperfectly clothed,
armed, and provisioned, these gallant raen, with loud cheers, coramenced
their raareh from their homes, which, save a handful, they were to see
nevermore. He was regarded as the father of his regiment, which he
commanded till his glorious death, and led in the battles of White
Plains, Trenton, and Princeton, where, in a gallant charge against the
British, he fell by a wound in his head from a rifle-bullet, about sun
rise, January 3d, 1777.
The State of Delaware has not been insensible to the services and
merits of Colonel Haslet. In 1783 the Legislature of Delaware caused
a marble slab to be placed over his grave, in the burying-ground of the
First Presbyterian Church, in Philadelphia, where his reraains were
deposited, in 1777, and where they reposed undisturbed until 1841, when
this grave-yard was sold and its tenants removed. The Legislature of
Delaware appointed a committee, 22d February, 1841, to superintend
the removal of Colonel Haslet's body to a vault, to be built by the cora
mittee, in the cemetery of the Presbyterian Church, Dover, Delaware,
and authorized them to have a suitable monument, with appropriate
inscriptions and devices, prepared and placed over this, it may be ex
pected, his final resting-place. On the 1st of July, 1841, this committee*
placed the disinterred remains of Colonel Haslet in the First Presby
terian Church, on Washington Square, Philadelphia. On the next day,
at an early hour, the remains were conveyed to the stearaer Kent, in
charge of the comraittee, escorted by volunteer companies of the city of
Philadelphia and the Hibernia Society, with a great body of citizens,
several judges and other civil functionaries, and officers of the United
States army and navy. There was solemn music, tolling of bells, firing
of guns, and addresses from the president of the Hibernia Society and
the chairman of the committee. The reraains (the skeleton entire, or
almost so)f arrived in Dover, Saturday night, July 2d, escorted by a
*One of this committee said to me, "When we arrived at Colonel Haslet's
grave we found his remains disinterred, and with them bones from an adjoining
grave or graves, — and we took all."
f So says a friend, who saw it.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 329
great cavalcade of citizens of Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Maryland,
and were deposited, under a guard of honor, in the State-House. On
the succeeding morning of July 3d, after impressive religious services
and an eloquent address from John M. Clayton, followed by a great
assemblage of citizens, they were conveyed to the vault prepared for
them. The monument over this vault is of marble, seven feet high, and
its base of Brandywine granite. The slab placed over Haslet's grave
in Philadelphia, in 1783, is preserved by having been made one of the
sides of this tomb, and bears this inscription :
In Memory of
JOHN HASLET, Esquire,
Colonel of the Delaware Begiment,
Who fell gloriously at the battle of Princeton,
In the cause of American Independence,
January 3d, 1777.
The General Assembly ofthe State of Delaware,
Bemembering
His virtues as a man.
His merits as a citizen,
and
His services as a soldier.
Have caused this monumental stone.
In testimony of their respect,
To be placed over his grave.
MDCCLXXXIIL*
His son, distinguished as no other citizen of Delaware has ever been,
by his election twice to the office of her governor, owed this honor
mainly, I believe, to the public gratitude for Colonel Haslet's services,
invested with lustre, which lapse of time has not dimmed, and with
mournful interest by his death on the battle-field of Princeton, as victory
was about to perch upon our banner.
A friend (who does not permit me to mention his name) informs me
(August 26th, 1858) "that he had often seen the Bible (quarto) from
which Colonel Haslet, according to tradition in his family, preached, at
the house of his son Governor Haslet;" and about twenty-one years ago,
travelling in a stage from Milford to New Castle, he met a gentleman
whose name he could not recall, resident in Illinois, and husband of
Jemima, a daughter of Colonel Haslet, who had in his hands Governor
Haslet's certificate of membership of the Society of the Cincinnati,
which my informant, having often seen before, recognized, and on his
lap the Bible above mentioned, with a bundle, he said, of Colonel
Haslet's sermons. He was returning from "Cedar Creek," Sussex
County, Delaware, where Governor Haslet resided, having gone there
to collect relics of Colonel Haslet. These relics had been bought by a
raan named Shockley, a friend and neighbor of Governor Haslet, at the
* Journal of the Senate of Delaware, a.d. 1848, pp. 153-160; Delaware Journal,
July 6th and 9th, a.d. 1841. 22

330

LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE

sale of his effects, to preserve them for his family, none of whom were
present at it.
There was during the Araerican Revolution a classical school, kept by
the Reverend Mr. or Dr. Huston, in Kent or Sussex County, Delaware.
The boys of this seminary were one day engaged in their plays on the
lawn in front of his house, when a man hastily rode up and announced
"that the British had been defeated at Trenton and Princeton," and
added that General Mercer and Colonel Haslet were killed. One of
these boys was Governor Haslet ! He was stunned by this intelligence ;
his companions cheered.
Colonel Haslet at the time of his death had in his pocket an order to
return to Delaware, to recruit for his regiment. When he received it,
expecting that a battle was nigh, he asked and obtained leave to defer
his departure from the army.
The half-sister of my informant was the wife of Governor Haslet,
with whom and his family he enjoyed intimate, affectionate, and long
intercourse. "The Governor," he said, "was a well-looking man, of
pleasing manners, generous, hospitable, and popular. His abilities
were good, his education classical, and his occupation that of miller and
farmer." OFFICERS OF THE DELAWARE REGIMENT.

GRADE.
Anderson, Thomas  Lieutenant.
Bennett, Caleb P  do.
Cox, Daniel Powell  Captain.
Campbell, James  Lieutenant.
Cutting, John B  Apothecary.
Driskell, Joseph  Lieutenant.
Gilder, Eeuben  Surgeon.
Hall, David  Colonel.
Hosman, Joseph  Lieutenant.
Hyatt, John Vance  do.
Jacque tt, Peter  Captain.
Kirkwood, Robert  do.
Kidd, Charles  Lieutenant.
Learmoutb , John  Captain.
Latimer, Henry  Surgeon.

GI1.4DE.
Mitchell, Nathaniel  Major.
McLane, Allen  Captain.
McKennan, William  do.
Moore, James  do.
Mc Williara, Stephen  Lieutenant.
Patten, John  Major.
Purvis, George  Captain.
Popham, William  do.
Platt, John  Lieutenant.
Roche, Edward  do.
Skillington, Elijah  do.
Tilton, James  Hos. Surg'n.
Vaughn, Joseph  Lieutenant.
Wilson, John  Captain.
Vaughn, Joseph  Lieut.-Col.

C3-2.
EXTRACT FROM THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF
C^SAR RODNEY.

The last will of Csesar Rodney is in the office ofthe Register of Wills,
Kent County, Delaware. It comraences thus:
"Cajsar Rodney, of the County of Kent, in the Delaware State,
Esquire, Delegate in the Congress held in New York to solicit the re
peal of the raeraorable Stamp- Act ; Last Speaker of the General As
sembly held under the old Government ; Delegate in the Revolutionary

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 331
Congress held at Philadelphia ; Signer of the Declaration of Independ
ence ; late President and Governor of the Delaware State aforesaid,
and eldest son of Caesar Rodney, deceased, who was youngest son of
William Rodney, deceased, who came from the City of Bristol, in Great
Britain, and was first of our name in these parts ; and Speaker of the
first General Assembly of Delaware, held under the old Government,
after its separation from Pennsylvania, do make this, my Last Will and
Testament, for the disposal of all my real and personal estate in manner
and form following, that is to say."
Among other bequests are the following :
1st, to Csesar Augustus Rodney, his gold watch ; 2d, to the Wardens
of Christ Church, Dover, Delaware, one hundred pounds to inclose with
a brick wall the burying-ground of Christ Church therein ; 3d, of a tract
of land in Jones's Neck, Kent County, Delaware, commonly called "By-
field," to his nephew, Ceesar Augustus Rodney, for his natural life,
without impeachment of waste, and after his death to his first son, and
the heirs male of the body of such son ; and he failing, to the third,
fourth, fifth son, and all and every his sons, lawfully begotten, succes
sively in remainder.
He directs his brother Thomas " To have his son, Caesar A. Rodney,
brought up in the form of religion commonly called the Church of
England, and educated liberally in classical learning. Natural and Moral
Philosophy, and every other branch of literature that has a tendency
to improve the understanding and polish the manners, as may reason
ably be in America."
Should Thomas die in the minority of Caesar A. Rodney, this direction
is to be performed by his brother, William Rodney, and if he also
should so die, tbe testator earnestly requests his respectable friend,
George Read, of New Castle, to see that this part of his will be judi
ciously executed.
He nominates Thomas Rodney his executor.
His will was executed 20th January, 1784, in presence of Charles
Ridgely, William Wol]eston,.and Edward Tilghman.
A codicil devising fifty acres of after-purchased land was executed 27th
March, 1784.
This will and codicil were proved before Thoraas Collins, Esq., 3d
July, 1784, by virtue of a coraraission frora Governor Van Dyke, to him
directed, to take proof of said will and codicil ; and they were proved
in this unusual manner because, I conjecture, Thoraas Rodney was the
Register of Wills and Judge of Probate in and for Kent County, Dela
ware. " DovEK, July 4th, 1778.
"Dear Sir, — Mr. Read, one ofthe counsel for the State in the claim
against the schooner ' Fortune,' says it will be absolutely necessary
you should attend the Court of Admiralty, in order to declare your
knowledge concerning said vessel, cargo, etc., and that a sumraons has
issued for that purpose. This being the case, I make no doubt you
will cheerfully attend, if able, though the ride may be ever so disagree
able. I am extremely sorry to put you to this trouble, as I well know
you are generally in a bad state of health ; but as your not coming will
occasion a delay in the determination, to the great disadvantage of those

332 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
to whom the prize raay be hereafter adjudged, I hope I shall stand ex
cused in earnestly requesting your attendance.
"I am, sir, with my compliments to Mrs. Dagworthy, your most
obedient, humble servant, " C^SAR Rodney.
" General Dagworthy.
"P.S. — I have inclosed you an evening paper ia which is a letter
from General Washington, giving an account of a general engagement.*
You see we have gained the field; I had it also by express. It seems
we have killed and taken raore than three hundred of the enemy ; our
loss is considerable. Besides this, the last accounts are about three
thousand of the eneray have deserted."
The foregoing letter was kindly comraunicated to the author by the
Honorable George B. Rodney, who (July, 1859) copied it from the
original in the possession of Mrs. Waples, a- granddaughter of General
Dagworthy, of Georgetown, Sussex County, Delaware.
John Adams thus graphically describes the exterior of Crosar Rodney :
" Caesar Rodney is the oddest-looking man in the world ; he is tall,
thin, and slender as a reed, [and] pale ; his face is not bigger than a
large apple, yet there is sense, and fire, spirit, wit, and humor in his
countenance. He made himself very merry with Ruggles and his pre
tended timidities and scruples at the [Stamp-]act Congress. "f

NOTICE OF THOMAS MoKEAN.
The parents of this eminent statesman and jurist, William McKean
and Letitia Finney, were Irish, and resided in Chester County, Penn
sylvania, where he was born March 19th, 1734. He was educated by
Dr. Allison, as were other of his distinguished contemporaries. After
he had been competently instructed in the Latin an'd Greek languages,
practical mathematics, moral philosophy, logic and rhetoric, he studied
law with his kinsman, David. Finney, at Nevv^ Castle, Delaware, and
learned its practice and theory together by his employment as clerk to
the Prothonotary ofthe Court of Common Pleas, having his office there.
At the end of two years after his removal to New Castle, the diligence,
ability, and probity he displayed were rewarded by his appointment to
be deputy-prothonotary and register for the probate of wills. During
the period of two years he held these offices, as his principal dwelt in
Sussex County, nearly one hundred miles from New Castle, he executed
them, — a youth not aged twenty years. Before he was of age he was
admitted to all the courts of the three lower counties on Delaware, and
his practice in a few months was considerable. In 1756 he was ad-
* Battle of Monmouth, June 28th, 1778.
f Writings of John Adams (Diary), vol. ii. p. 860.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 333
mitted to practice in Chester County and Philadelphia, and in 1757 in the
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. If his rapid advance in professional
knowledge and practice awakened envy in unworthy contemporaries, it
stimulated his ardor and his diligence. Appointed in 1758 clerk to the
House of Assembly of Pennsylvania, he was re-elected till he declined this
office. In 1762, in conjunction with Caesar Rodney, by legislative appoint
ment, he revised and printed the laws enacted during the next preceding
ten years, in a manner satisfactory to the public ;* and in this year made
his debut in political life, having been elected a member of the Assem
bly of Delaware for New Castle County.f The parties of this period
were called the Court and Country, and their names show their charac
ters. He belonged to the Country party, and was soon one of its lead
ers. He was appointed a trustee of the' Loan Office for New Castle
County, — in 1764 for four years, and again in 1768 and 1772. In 1765
he entered on the wider field on which he was to play so prominent a
part, being elected one of the delegates from the "three lower counties
on Delawiire" to the Stamp-act Congress. He took a leading part in
the memorable proceedings of that illustrious body, having been one of
the committees appointed to examine and revise its minutes for publica
tion, and to prepare an "Address" to the House of Commons of Eng
land. Besides a declaration of rights and grievances and address to the
king, the Stamp-act Congress prepared petitions to both houses of Parlia
ment, but several of its timid members, among them its president, re
fused to sign them. With these recusants McKean expostulated with
his characteristic ability and warmth, but in vain One of them, Robert
Ogden, of New Jersey, was burnt in effigy, while McKean and his col
league, Cassar Rodney, were thanked for their faithful and able discharge
of their duties by the Assembly of Delaware, upon reporting the pro
ceedings ofthe Stamp-act Congress to that body. He was appointed in
1765 sole notary-public for New Castle County, and a justice of the
peace and clerk of the Court of Common Pleas and Quarter Sessions
and Orphans' Court. He concurred with his brethren of those courts
in the order to their officers to use in their proceedings unstamped paper,
being the first of the courts in the colonies to do so. He was licensed
to practice, in 1766, in all the New Jersey courts. In 1769 he vvas
appointed to procure in New York copies of all papers concerning real
property in Delaware, and these copies were declared of authority equal
to their originals. In 1771 he was appointed Collector of New Castle
and Speaker ofthe House of Representatives.!
The stamp-act was repealed, but the right at the same time asserted
that Parliament could in all cases pass laws binding the colonies. It
was soon followed by the act imposing duties upon tea, paper, glass,
etc. ; and the evident intent to test the right thus claimed to tax the
colonists without their consent arraj^ed them in opposition to this tyran
nous attempt. Mr. McKean was chosen a member of the Congress
which met at Philadelphia, September 5th, 1774, having taken a decided
and active part in the measures preliminary to the election of that body.

* Biography of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, vol. iv. pp. 1-8.
f "And re-eleoted for seventeen years, till he declined serving longer." — Biog
raphy, vol. iv. p. 3.
% Biography of the Signers ofthe Declaration of Independence, vol. iv. pp. 3-10.

334 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
As was true of no other who belonged to the Continental Congress, he
was a member of that august assembly, without intermission, until the
preliminary treaty was signed acknowledging the independence of the
United States. He re.moved to Philadelphia in 1774, and resided there
till his death. Versed not only in the theory of politics, but in the de
tails of public business, his services in Congress were most valuable,
for he was ready and able in debate, and diligent in the business of
coramittees, on raany of the most important of which he served, par
ticularly that committee appointed to report articles of confederation
between the colonies, which he ratified on behalf of the State of Dela
ware, February 22d, 1779. When the vote of Congress in coramittee
ofthe whole was taken on the Declaration of Independence, Mr. McKean
voted for and Mr. Read against it ; not that the latter was opposed to
this great raeasure, but thought it premature, the people, and especially
many of his own constituents, not being ripe for it. Mr. McKean, by
despatching an express at his own expense to Caesar Rodney, secured
his attendance on the 4th of July, 1776, when the Declaration was re
ported frora the comraittee of the whole, and so decided the vote of
Delaware in favor of it. The omission of his name in the printed jour
nals of Congress from among the signers to the Declaration of Inde
pendence, though there is no evidence extant that it was by designed
injustice to him, but accidental, he with characteristic warmth took
rauch to heart, as defrauding him of a well-deserved honor. He signed
the Declara,tion, as did Mr. Read, who gave it as sincere and earnest
support as his colleagues. He had previously been a member of a con
vention of Pennsylvania which (June, 1776) declared willingness to
concur with Congress in declaring independence, and with Dr. Franklin
made known to Congress their resolution to this effect. He was chosen,
July 5th, 1776, Chairman ofthe Committee of Safety of Pennsylvania.
At this time he was also colonel of a regiment of militia (called Associ
ators) of Philadelphia, at the head of which he marched into New
Jersey, to join the "flying camp" often thousand men in New Jersey.
During his service, though not in battle, — for none occurred, — he was
exposed to peril, particularly in an affair at Perth Amboy, July 25th,
1776, in which he showed commendable courage. He served a short
time with the " flying camp," and returned to his more appropriate
place in Congress. In the autumn of 1776 he was a member of the
convention that framed the first constitution of Delaware, and of the
committee which reported the draft of it, — adopted with some amend
ments. In 1777 Mr. McKean was appointed Chief Justice of Pennsyl
vania ; and upon the capture of President McKinley, after the battle of
Brandywine, being Speaker of the House of Delegates of Delaware, he
assumed the vice-presidency of that State, while 'Mr. Read (the vice-
president) was journeying thither, circuitously, frora Philadelphia, the
direct road from thence being occupied by the British. Mr. McKean
had his full share of the anxieties, troubles, and sacrifices of the public
men of his day. "I was hunted," wrote he to John Adams, "like a
fox, and envied by those who ought to have been my friends. Five
times in a few months I was compelled to remove my family, and at
last fixed them in a little log-house on the Susquehanna ; but safety was
not to be found there, and incursions of the Indians soon obliged them
again to remove." He was comraissioned (July 28th, 1777) Chief

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 335
Justice of Pennsylvania, being at the same time member ofthe House
of Assembly of Delaware and its Speaker, and one of its delegates in
the Continental Congress. In a letter to the Legislature of Delaware,
December 25th, 1780, he complained of the impairment of his health
and fortune by his necessarily great and unremitted attention to public
affairs, and begged they would appoint as his colleagues in Congress
men who would attend there during his absence on his circuits, and
relieve him occasionally at other tiraes. A resignation of sorae one or
more of offices manifestly, in some degree at least, incompatible, was his
obvious remedy ; but if he saw no impropriety in his tenure of such
offices, neither did most of the distinguished of his contemporaries, nor
the people generally, then, nor till long after. While delegate in Con
gress, he did not in any year of his service receive the amount of his
expenses, and in some years nothing; love of lucre was not therefore
his motive for retaining his membership of Congress.*
He was elevated (July 10th, 1781) to the presidency of Congress,
and held that station till his resignation of it, which took effect in No
vember of that year, with the thanks of that body for his able and faith
ful discharge of his duties.
No man of marked character, ability, and zeal, as was Mr. McKean,
could embark in public affairs, fill high offices, and discharge their duties,
without taking the wind out of the sails of competitors, crossing their
paths, and jostling thera aside, — deciding clairas to the dissatisfaction
generally of one of the contestants and exposing delinquents. Such
men were his enemies, with others, deceived by misrepresentations, or
mislead by party violence. His acceptance ofthe office of President of
Congress, while Chief Justice of Pennsylvania, afforded plausible ground
to assail him, which was seized eagerly. He was attacked and defended
in the newspapers. It was truly alleged that the constitutional pro
vision of Pennsylvania, inhibiting the holding of these offices by one
person at the same time, was of no force in Delaware, — the delegate of
which State he was ; and many precedents of members of Congress who
had been and were then judges were triumphantly cited. He was cer
tainly justified by the opinion and practice then alraost universal. These
offices, however, were clearly incompatible. The holding of incora-
patible office is now, I believe, prohibited by the constitutions of all the
States, and, in the absence of constitutional prohibition, the latitude our
forefathers indulged in this matter would not be tolerated. t
He was well qualified for the office of chief justice by his power to
reason, discriminate, and combine, his great learning and ready use of
it, his courage, firmness, and inflexibility — but little accessible to plead
ings for mercy ; and so much the slave of party (as appears by the
authority cited in the sequel of this sketch) as to lend more than once
his juridical power to punish its enemies, and, still worse, his own. He
would, I believe, in the darkest periods of our Revolution have fearlessly
charged a jury against a prisoner indicted for treason, defying the power
of the British monarch, and was never frightened frora his duty by
popular clamor. These positions are sustained by his charge in Car
lisle's and Roberts's cases (Biography of the Signers, vol. iv. p. 25), and
* Biography ofthe Signers ofthe Declaration of Independence, vol. iv. pp. 10-22.
t Ibid., vol. iv. p. 22-29.

336 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
by the Habeas Corpus case (ibid., vol. iv. pp. 26, 27) and Chapman's
case (1st. Dallas, p. ). And he did not shrink from asserting the
supremacy of the civil over the military power (Hooper's case, ibid.,
vol. iv. pp. 28, 29). The necessity for hanging Carlisle and Roberts
is, I think, doubtful. It is true the issue of our contest with Britain
was still uncertain. Philadelphia, where their treason had been com
mitted, while occupied by General Howe, was recently recovered, and
communications frora spies there would be invited and rewarded, and
they were especially dangerous in a city the seat of the national govern
ment ; but, on the other hand, it was true that the Americans were in
peaceable possession of the town, and the disaffected had either fled
with the British when they evacuated it, or were scared into submission
and silence, and therefore there was little probability that they would
venture to plot treason or give information. to the enemy. With plausi
bility, then, at least, it may be urged that the poor carpenter, Carlisle,
and the equally obscure Roberts, might have been treated with clem
ency by the Chief Justice and President of Pennsylvania, without im
periling the public. A judge of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
said, " Chief Justice McKean was a great man, and his merit as a
lawyer and judge has not been sufficiently appreciated. His legal learn
ing was profound and accurate, the lucidity of his explications and per
spicuity of his language were perfect, and his dignified manner in
charging a jury or delivering an opinion on a law argument unequalled.
His comprehension of raind in taking notes erabracing substance, with
out oraitting anything material, was inimitable."*
Oswald, editor of the "Independent Gazetteer," having a case depend
ing in Pennsylvania wherein he was defendant, printed in this paper an
address to the people, appearing to be intended to defeat the just de
cision of this suit, by exciting public prejudice against the party who
had instituted and the court that must try it. McKean fired up at this
assault, and fined and imprisoned Oswald to the amount of ten pounds
and for the period of one month, from the 15th day of July to the 15th
day of August, — these explanatory words having not been entered in the
record of the case. At the end of the legal month (twenty-eight days)
Oswald claimed his discharge, which the sheriff, having heard the sen
tence as pronounced, denied, as did McKean when the matter was first
brought before him, but/ as soon as he saw the record, granted. Oswald
(September 5th, 1785) alleged, by petition to the House of Assembly
of Pennsylvania, that his iraprisonment had been unlawfully extended,
and that he had been illegally sentenced, and prayed for the impeach-
raent of McKean and his colleagues. Earnest aud protracted debates
ensued, Pitzsiramons, Clymer, and the eminent lawyer Lewis defending
the assailed judges, and Findley, with others, vehemently maintaining
that their sentence of Oswald for a constructive and implied contempt,
not committed in the presence of the court, or against its officers or
order, but for writing and publishing an iraproper and indecent article
concerning thera and a case in their court, was a violation of the consti
tution and a dangerous precedent. The result was a resolution that,
after full investigation of the charges and evidence brought to sustain
them, there was no just ground to impeach the accused judges. A
* Biography of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, vol. iv. pp. 29, 30.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 337
resolution also was defeated asking the next Legislature to define con
tempts and prescribe their punishment, on the ground that this legis
lation would be nugatory, because the Supreme Court derived its power
to declare what was contempt and to punish it from an authority para
mount to the Legislature — the Constitution. Thus was sanctioned the
sound doctrine that courts can punish for contempt, — " essential, truly,"
said McKean, " to the very existence of courts, and without which they
would be conteraptible, and so ancient that there is no period when it
was not held."*
McKean was elected to the convention of the State of Pennsylvania
which met November 20th, 1787, to consider the constitution proposed
for the United States, and took a prominent part in advocating the rati
fication it received by this body, emphatically declaring it "the best the
world has yet seen." He had carefully noted the proceedings of the
illustrious assembly who framed the Constitution of the United States,
and was ever hopeful that success would crown their labors ; and, though
then a citizen of Pennsylvania, advocated the equal vote clairaed by the
smaller States to protect them from their powerful sisters, as he had
done, with much ability, in the congresses of 1765 and 1774. f
The framers ofthe Constitution of Pennsylvania, adopted in 1776, if
judged by their work, were mere tyros in politics. It provided a single
legislature, a plural executive, a judiciary with a seven years' tenure of
office, and the puerile device of a council of censors, to take cognizance
of breaches of the Constitution by the Legislature, and with no more
power than to recommend the repeal of unconstitutional laws. Reflect
ing men could not be blind to such blemishes as these, nor insensible to
the duty of removing them. Unhappily party spirit, which had been
in Pennsylvania, from the earliest period of her history, more violent
than elsewhere in the North American colonies, J was unabated, and
was soon manifested with increased virulence in the party who defended
the Constitution and called themselves Constitutionalists, and their
opponents, who assumed a more attractive name, — that of Republicans.
Fierce was the strife between these parties, and Chief Justice McKean
could not descend (as unhappily for his fame he did) from his judicial
seat to lead in the onslaughts of one of them Avithout spots on his
ermine. The Constitution, it was urged, wanted checks and balances
and a due distribution of power, and it was replied that none but aristo
crats and federalists would see this imaginary defect in such a perfect
exemplar of polity. To the council of censors, soon to meet, belonged,
it was contended, the power to call a convention ; but it was replied
that the representation therein was unequal, the counties with different
populations having each two members in this body, and a two-thirds
vote necessary unlikely to be given, and its members (a puerile ob
jection) under oath to maintain the government existing. The Legis
lature enacted that a convention should be called and an election held
for its members, of whom the most prominent were McKean, Mifflin,

* Biography of the Signers ofthe Declaration of Independence, vol. iv. pp. 31-34.
tibid., pp. 35-37.
j Probably from the difficulties in administering government, caused by the
peculiar Quaker tenets and the selfish attempts ofthe proprietaries to exempt their
lands from a fair show of taxation.

338 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
and Wilson, Constitutionalists, and Snyder, Findley, and Smiley, Re
publicans, — the former having a sraall majority. A new constitution
was the result (a.d. 1790), better than the one it superseded, because it
provided a senate, the life-tenure of judges in the superior courts, and dis
carded the executive council, a clog to an efficient executive, or a cloak to
an incompetent or faithless chief magistrate, while it gave the governor
a qualified veto.* McKean was chairman of "the coramittee of the
whole" of the convention which considered the amendments proposed
to the constitution, and therefore excluded from the prominent share
he would otherwise have taken in the discussions they called forth. It
should be remembered to his honor that he was author of the provision
in the new constitution for the gratuitous education of the poor.f
The enthusiasm of the American people for France, at the com
mencement of her revolution, was natural, but it soon became so ex
travagant as to disturb the tranquillity of the United States and
endanger the peace happily subsisting between them and other nations.
In imitation of French Jacobins, societies, named democratic, were or
ganized throughout the States, and hence the French party derived the
name of " Democrats," who, defeated in their insane purpose of so com
mitting their government to the support of the Jacobins as to involve
it in war with England, by the wise policy of Washington were now
fast arraying themselves in opposition to his adrainistration. McKean
saw they would be the dorainant party in Pennsylvania, and with Gov
ernor Mifflin, they having more popularity and influence'than any beside
them, he deterrained, like the vicar of Bray, to be always with the win
ning side, declared himself a Deraocrat, and thus Mifflin's re-election as
governor was gained.^
McKean and Ross were appointed by Pennsylvama commissioners
to attempt, in conjunction with those appointed by the United States,
to pacify the counties disturbed by the whiskey insurrectionists, but
they were unsuccessful. At Carlisle, as they returned, they required
persons guilty of acts of sedition to enter recognizance to be of good be
havior, and scarcely had turned their backs on this village, as it then
was, when they were burned in effigy. Perhaps the Chief Justice was
consoled under this outrage by the hope that it might be his province
to try and sentence the perpetrators of this insult to his dignity, — if so,
I am sure full justice would have been meted to them, perhaps untem-
pered by mercy. §
I cannot better narrate McKean's history in the closing period of his
chief-justiceship, and through some of the nine years he filled the office
of governor, than by grouping from the volumes of a recent historian
the following paragraphs :
"While the newly- appointed Araerican envoys [to France, a.d.
1797] were preparing to depart, Monroe, the recalled rainister [with
iraplied censure], arrived in Philadelphia. The opposition received him
with open arms, and he was entertained at a public dinner, at which

* Hildreth's History of the United States (2d Series), vol. i. pp. 231-237.
f Biography of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, vol. iv. p. 40.
X Hildreth's History of the United States, vol. i. pp. 231-237. Ibid., p. 425.
I Ibid., pp. 505, 511.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 339
McKean presided, and Jefferson, the Vice-President, with a large num
ber of both Houses of Congress, including Dayton, Speaker of the House
of Representatives, were present. In the warmth of applause and ap
proval McKean's speech of welcome to Monroe fell little short of the
eulogies of Merlin and Barras, models he seemed desirous to imitate.*
" Yrujo, the Spanish minister, following in the wake of France, had
warmly remonstrated against Jay's treaty, as unfair towards Spain and
inconsistent with the treaty of the United States with her. Cobbett,
in his gazette, inveighed against the subserviency of Spain to France, — ¦
to her king to the infidel despots of Paris, to his minister to French agents
in the United States. Yrujo [he described as] half don, half sans-cu-
lotte. Talleyrand complained of the newspaper attacks on France, and
Yrujo, of those on Spain, and the Attorney-General of the United States
was directed to lay the raatter before the Grand Jury of the Federal
Court, and Cobbett was bound over by Judge Peters to appear at the
next terra [of this court]. Yrujo, however., preferred bringing this
matter before the Pennsylvania courts, not only as a more speedy pro
cess, but because he relied more on the justice or favor of the State-
bench. McKean, whose daughter Yrujo shortly after married, had not
escaped Cobbett's shafts. Not willing to ri.sk a civil suit for damages, or
even an indictment, McKean resorted to a contrivance founded on sorae
old English precedents, of doubtful legality, sustained by a decision of
the Court of Appeals four years after, but nowhere else recognized by
any court of law, and tacitly set aside by Chief Justice Tilghraan five
or six years afterwards. This was the contrivance : he issued his war
rant, in which Cobbett was charged generally with libelling McKean,
Mifflin, Dallas, Jefferson, Monroe, Gallatin, and others, on which Cobbett
was not only bound over to appear at the next criminal court, but re
quired to give security to keep the peace and be of good behavior in
the mean time. He then commenced collecting everything published in
Cobbett's gazette liable to be charged as libellous, with a view, because
of the same, to have his recognizance declared forfeited, — which was
done. He then took up Yrujo's case warmly, and issued a second
warrant, charging Cobbett with having published infamous libels
against the Spanish king, his rainister, and the Spanish nation, tending
to alienate their regard from the United States, to inspire hatred of her,
and to excite to war. To the grand jury, soon after assembled, he gave
a remarkable charge, alraost exclusively devoted to the subject of libels ;
like all his judicial perforraances, — for as a lawyer he had few equals, —
very able. Strange to say, to the licentiousness of the press he then so
truly described and eloquently denounced till now he was insensible,
although it had been voraiting forth libels for several years against
Washington, Hamilton, and other eminent leaders, and the British na
tion and government; but then, when a paper had been established to
retort these libels on the Democrats by publishing disagreeable and
scandalous truths against their leaders, the Democratic chief justice,
by an illegal stretch of power, was straining every nerve to induce
the grand jury to indict Cobbett for libels, — not against McKean hiraself,
charged with being engaged in constant brawls with his wife, to such
extent that blows were given and returned, and with being so ha-
* Hildreth's History of the United States (2d Series), vol. ii. p. 97.

340 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
bitual a drunkard* that, according to a memorial signed by most ofthe
members of the Philadelphia bar, person and property were not safe in
Pennsylvania after dinner, — not for a libel against Mifflin, charged with
being an insolvent debtor and debauchee, nor for a libel against Dallas,
Monroe, Barney, and other Democrats held up, in various ways, to con
tempt and ridicule, but for a libel against the Spanish king and his
rainister, Yrujo ; but all these charges against McKean, Mifflin, and
the other Democrats [mentioned] had too much foundation in fact,
easily proved, to make prosecution expedient. It was remarkable that
McKean should manifest such tenderness for the characters of Barras,
Merlin, the Spanish king, and Yrujo, when he had been unmoved hf
the lavish abuse of Washington, Hamilton, and other eminent Feder
alists, f
" Mifflin's administration was chiefly controlled by Dallas, his secre
tary, and Chief Justice McKean ; and to continue their power, McKean
was brought forward [a.d., 1799] as Republican candidate, and defeated
Ross, who was nominated by the Federalists.!
"Knowing how conservative McKean was in most of his opinions,
the Federalists hoped that, being elected, he would abate somewhat of
the vehemence he manifested as a candidate ; but in his replies to the con
gratulatory addresses of his partisans he stigmatized all who had op
posed him as enemies to the principles of the American Revolution,
foreign eraissaries, or Federal expectants of office, and as soon as he
was inducted into office made a vigorous use of his power of removal
and appointment. Mifflin had appointed chiefly officers his companions
in the Revolutionary war : these were generally Federalists, and sup
ported Ross, and were removed by McKean, who filled their places with
his own partisans. "§
While I lament, I ought not to conceal or attempt to palliate the blot
on McKean's fame that he inaugurated in Pennsylvania the mean, mer
cenary, and corrupting principle, " that to the victors belong the spoils,"
which has since too much governed in our party contests. His pro
scription of Federal office-holders was wide, ruthless, and unrelenting.
Writing to Jefferson, 10th January, 1801, he regrets "only that he did
not remove ten or eleven more, because it is imprudent to foster spies
and put daggers in the hands of assassins." Not content with this pro
scription, which had spread .dismay and ruin through the ranks of the
vanquished Federalists, he used, with apparent alacrity, his great in
fluence with President Jefferson to extend it to Delaware. In a letter to
him, 20th July, 1801, avowedly as the agent of Democrats in this
State, he writes, " The anti-Republicans, even those in office, are as
hostile as ever, though not so insolent. 'To overcorae them they must
be shaven, for in their offices (like Samson's hair locks) their great
strength lieth: their disposition for mischief will remain, but the power
of doing it will be gone." He wrote to John Dickinson, June 23d,
1800, "I have never had greater employment for body and mind than
* It is improbable that a habitual drunkard could have lived, as McKean did,
to over hia eighty-third year.
t Hildreth's History ofthe United States (2d series), vol. ii. pp. 162-173.
X Hildreth's History ofthe United States, vol, ii. pp. 313, 314, 360, 361.
I Biography ofthe Signers, vol. iv. p. 45. Ibid., p. 42.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 341
for the last six months. I have waded through a sea of troubles, and
have surmounted my principal difficulties ; I have been obliged, though
no Hercules, to cleanse the Augean stable [such he deemed Pennsyl
vania as long as there were Federal office-holders within her bounda
ries] with little or no aid, for I have been my own minister and aman
uensis. A governor of Pennsylvania has more duty to perform than
the President of the United States, or any [other] governor in the
Union." During his long public career he never turned his back to an
enemy or shrunk from' any labor. The writer of " McKean's Life," in
volume iv. of the Biographies of the Signers of the Declaration, having
(p. 42) well asserted his duty to expose the defects of his subject with
out being turned aside by respect for national or family feeling, further
most truly remarks : " Patriotism could have had no part in loading
with reproach and detruding from office upright and (according to their
views) honest politicians of a particular party, as unworthy to share
the honors or eat the bread of their country. When parties conquer,
are the possessions of the vanquished power, however honestly ac
quired and honorably maintained, to be parcelled out, in the true spirit
of the feudal system, among the champions of their leaders ? No soph
istry can justify acts by which helpless farailies are reduced to indi
gence and expelled frora their homes, not because of the infidelity of
their heads to their official trusts, but because they held not the political
principles ofthe new party in power." — -Ibid., p. 43.*
In January, 1800, Governor McKean delivered his inaugural address
to the Pennsylvania Legislature, to which this body responded, ap
proving its opinions, but coupling with it what he considered a repri
mand of the proscriptive style of his replies to congratulatory addresses
upon his election and upon his system of removals from office. " Never
patient of reproof, he made a long and caustic reply, marked by the
usual ability of his writings, denying their right to intermeddle in the
form of an address with these matters."f This occurrence, to those
who knew the man, foreshadowed a stormy term of office as before him,
and that he would be raore disturbed by the disgust and disloyalty of
the Democrats, provoked by his intractables, than by the hatred of the
Federalists. In 1803 Thomas McKean was re-elected Governor of Pennsylvania.
The ascendency of the Democrats was soon endangered by the schemes
of ambitious and restless men, who pushed the theories of their party
to extremes, destructive of good government, which he was too wise to
approve, and, disapproving, too honest to further. Dictation was tried,
to which he never submitted. Lawyers were especially obnoxious to
* It was plausibly urged, in defence of his proscription of his political enemies,
that to have retained in office, at the commencement of his administration, men
who, during the preceding contest, had been violent and intemperate in their
opposition to him and his friends and their principles, would have made the
easy and efficient working of the State government difficult to be accomplished,
and have manifested disregard and contempt for the will of the people, clearly
indicated that these incumbents should give place to persons who would co-oper
ate in maintaining the true doctrines of the Democratic party. Further, it is
stated that upon the subsidence of intense political excitement, he conferred
offices, especially high judicial ones, without respect to party.
t Hildreth's History of the United States (2d Series), vol. ii. pp. 361, 362.

342 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
these ultra Democrats, " who thought if they could get rid of trials by
jury they would also be rid of lawyers, and therefore passed an act
substituting referees for jury trials, and prohibiting the employment of
counsel in reference cases. This act McKean vetoed, and another, ex
tending the jurisdiction of justices of the peace, which they passed over
hira. The quarrel soon rose to a great height, and he was violently
assailed by his late ally, Duane, aided by Leib."* The breach between
these quondam friends went on widening. "The fury of the 'Aurora'
and ultra Democrats on the acquittal of several of the Pennsylvania
judges, who had been impeached in 1805, knew no bounds. They
started immediately the project of remodelling the Constitution. This
was opposed by the more moderate Democrats, including the approvers
of McKean's vetoes and tho enemies of Daane and Leib. The mod
erate Democrats took the name of ' Constitutionalists,' and organized a
' Constitutional Society,' and the other section of the Democrats a club,
called the ' Friends of the People.' The Federalists looked on and en
joyed the strife. The ultra Democrats nominated Snyder for governor,
and the friends of the Constitution, McKean. He was stigmatized as a
demagogue, ready to make display to obtain preferment, of the raost
Republican zeal, being all the while, by education, sentiment, and habit,.
an overbearing aristocrat, who, having obtained office first and re-elec
tion to it, had always treated the Democratic Legislature with sullen-
ness and virulence and disrespect, and had finally attempted, with Fed
eral aid, to set up a third party. He and his friends now felt the biting
lash ofthe 'Aurora.' The Federalists generally supported McKean,
and he was elected [for the third tirae] governor by five thousand ma-
jority,f and turned out of office the raore veheraent Democrats, as he
had turned out the Federalists, and commenced a number of libel suits.
The ultra Democrats, at the fall election in 1806, recovered their as
cendency, and proposed to impeach McKean, but referred decisive action
to the next Assembly."
Early in 1807 petitions from the city and county of Philadelphia
were sent to the Legislature, praying an inquiry into the conduct of
Governor McKean. They were referred to a committee, who reported
that he had avoided a late electionof sheriff in Philadelphia; had usurped
judicial authority by issuing a warrant for the arrest of one Joseph
Cabrera, and interfered illegally and unconstitutionally in favor of a
convicted forger ; that illegally he appointed Dr. Buchanan physician
to the Lazaretto, and superseded Reynolds, a member of the Board of
Health, and unconstitutionally suffered his name to be stamped on
blank patents ; and did offer and authorize to be made overtures to dis
continue two actions of the State against William Duane, for the for
feiture of two recognizances of one thousand dollars each, on condition
that he would discontinue civil suits against his son, Joseph B. McKean,
and others, for a homicidal assault by them upon Duane. After dilating
upon these accusations, as showing tyranny and corruption dangerous
to the people, in terras so embittered as to point to disappointed poli
ticians as having prompted them, this committee recommend that
?Hildreth's History ofthe United States, vol. ii. pp. 514, 515.
t Ibid., pp. 564, 666.

OF GEORGE BEAD. 343
Thoraas McKean, Governor of the Commonwealth, be impeached of
high crimes and misderaeanors. The friends of McKean pressed the
consideration of this resolution, and on the 27th of January, 1808, it
was taken up and indefinitely postponed, though only by three votes.
On the 28th of this month he sent, by his secretary, his reply to the
charges made against him, which he was obliged to do, inasmuch as
the House having with justice and independence, cf which he was sen
sible, refused to impeach him, he could not defend himself before a
corapetent tribunal. " He reviewed the charges with his usual ability,
admitting the sixth, but denying the inference of any corrupt partiality
or any misbehavior under any of the proposed articles of impeachment.
He began with the solemn declaration that no act of his public or pri
vate life had been prompted by malice, love of power, or desire of wealth,
whatever might have been his errors of judgment ; and no doubt he was
honest in this assertion, such is the power of self-deception with men
of his temperaraent."* This replication contains a masterly disquisition
upon raany of the powers and duties of the executive, which has borne
scrutiny, and is a useful guide on the questions and others sirailar to
those of which it treats.f
In 1808 Thomas McKean corapleted'the third terra of his service in
the office of Governor of Pennsylvania, and retired frora public life.
Three years after he wrote to John Adams : " I have shaken hands
with the world, and we have said farewell to each other. The toys
and rattles of childhood would, in a few years more, be as suitable to
me as offices, honors, or wealth; but (thank God) my faculties of mind
are yet little, if any, irapaired, and ray affections and friendships reraain
unshaken. Since my exemption from official and professional duties I
have enjoyed a tranquillity never (during a long-protracted life) hereto
fore experienced, and my health and comforts are sufficient for a mod
erate man." But he left the retirement, his happiness in vvhich was
the well-deserved reward of his services to his country, to give his last
manifestation of his undying love for her. The menaced attack upon
Washington, in 1814, aroused the people of Philadelphia to a proper
sense of the necessity of defence against the enemy, who might soon
assail her. There was a great assemblage of the citizens of Philadel
phia, August 26th, in the State-House square, to determine upon the
measures necessary for the protection of their altars and their hearths.
McKean was requested to be present, and when he entered that square,
where the Declaration of Independence he had so eloquently and boldly
advocated and sustained with such unwavering zeal was proclaimed, he
was received not with acclamation, but with respect and reverence too
heartfelt for such expression of them. He was called unanimously to
the chair, and in a brief speech, with all the dignity, and somewhat, at
least, of the eloquence with which he stirred the hearts of the men of
Seventy-six, the venerable man set forth the peril which was so irarai-
nent, and urged the prorapt adoption of measures to meet it. In the
report ofthe proceedings of this meeting there is this graphic account
of them : " 'There was no parade of devotion to the country, and no
long speeches, for Governor McKean said 'this was not a time for
* Hildreth's History ofthe United States, vol. iii. pp. 676, 678.
f Biography of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, vol. iv. p. 53.

344 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
speaking but acting ;' no declarations of oblivion of the past, for Gov
ernor McKean said ' we have nothing to do with the past, we must
only think of the present ;' and there was no recommendation to sup
press party contentions, for Governor McKean said ' there were but
two^iarties — our country and its invaders.' "*
On the 17th day of June, 1817, he died in the eighty-fourth year of his
age. His grave is fti the cemetery of the First Presbyterian Church of
Philadelphia, to which he belonged. He was tall, erect, and dignified, and
his face expressive of ability, courage, and fortitude, which were his cha
racteristics. His first wife was a daughter of Joseph Borden, of New
Jersey, and his second Miss Armitage, of New Castle, in the State of
Delaware. By the first wife he had six, and by the second eleven,
children.

* Biography of the Signers ofthe Declaration of Independence, vol. iv. pp. 56-58.

OF GEOBGE READ. 345

CHAPTER V.
Gloomy state of affairs (1779) — British make the Southern Sfates'the seat of war
— Report of committee of Delaware General Assembly on the Articles of Con
federation — Mr. Read author of it and of aet authorizing Delaware delegates to
ratify these articles — Resigns his seat in the General Assembly of Delaware —
Letter of James Read — Policy of Prance and Spain — Mr. Read member of
Delaware Legislative Council, 1780 — Summary of events, 1780-81 — Letters of
Messrs. Read, Dickinson, and Bassett — Gift of State constitutions from J.
Dickinson to Mr. Read — Letters of Mr. S.Wharton and Mrs. Thomas Read to
Mr. Read — Letter of Mr. Dickinson — Mr. Read appointed Judge of Court of
Appeals in admiralty cases — Letter of Mr. Boudinot, and his reply on this occa
sion — Subserviency to Pennsylvania in the appointment of Delaware delegates
to Congress falsely charged in 1782 — State of .public afi'airs — Letter of Gunning
Bedford announcing treaty of peace — Letters of Mr. Read and Mr. Dickinson
¦ — "Letter of credit" to JSTathan Thomas — Act of Delaware Legislature for
"calling in, paying, and destroying certain bills of credit," and protest of
Messrs. Bassett and Read against a provision thereof — Death of the Rev. Wil-
liana Thomson — Inconvenience from the "letter of credit" to N. Thomas;
which continued — Mr. Read re-elected to the Legislative Council of Delaware
— Sends his youn.gest son to Princeton College — His letter to President Wither
spoon — Oppressed with busines.5 — Letter to J. Dickinson — State of public
affairs (1786) — Letters of C. Thomson and Mr. Read — His letter to President
Van Dyke, and his reply and comments on it — Letter of Mr. Read to 0. Thom
son, and of J. Dickinson to Mr. Read — Remarks on state of public affairs —
Mr. Read elected Commissioner to Commercial Convention proposed to meet
at Annapolis — Resolves of Gongress as to Court of Appeals, and letter of C.
Thomson in relation to them — Letter of J. Dickinson as to journey to Annapo
lis ; remarks thereon — Letters of Cyrus Griffin and James Read — Commission
ers meet at Annapolis; result — Mr. Read's letter to C. Thomson as to conflict
of his duties to attend " Court of Appeals" and General Assembly of Delaware,
both meeting in November, 1786 — Letters of Messrs. Read and Dickinson —
Appendix "A," authority to Delaware delegates to ratify the Articles of Con
federation — Appendix "B," account of " Court of Appeals in admiralty cases"
— Appendix "C," state of polls at election in New Castle County, 1786 — Ap
pendix " D," commission of Delaware delegates to convention at Annapolis —
Appendix ''E," notice of Thonias Collins — Appendix " P" — notice of Dr.
Witherspoon. Early in 1779 General Washington wrote to one of his
friends, "I have seen without despondency, even for a mo
ment, the hours which America has styled her gloomy ones,
but I have beheld no day since the commencement of hos
tilities when I have thought her liberties in such imminent
danger as at present." For this apprehension there was too
rauch ground. The treaty of alliance with France, received
with exultation, as securing independence, it now seemed,
was to make all past toils and sacrifices for this great end
unavailing by one of its results, — the general persuasion
that it rendered further exertions of America in the war
23

346 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
with Great Britain unnecessary. In consequence of this
mistaken opinion, universal apathy prevailed. In vain in
dividuals and States were urged to the sacrifices and efforts
essential to success, — the empty treasury of the Confederacy
was not replenished, and, when the season of active
operations in the field had almost commenced, the States,
called upon months before by Congress for their quotas of
troops, had yet to adopt measures for raising them. Thirst
for office and greed of gain, impelling men to reckless and
ruinous speculation, prevailed to a great extent, and Con
gress, torn by dissensions originated by mutual criminations
of some of her diplomatic agents, had ceased to command
universal reverence and confidence, as in happier antece
dent periods, and it did not deserve them, the ablest and
most patriotic of its members having withdrawn from its
halls to the service of the State or to private life. The de
preciated bills of the States and of Congress were hourly
becoming more depreciated, and this was a mighty evil.
That the enemy, lately ready to abandon the contest as
hopeless, should,- under the circumstances, be emboldened
to persevere in it, was to be expected. It was determined
by the British ministry to make the Southern States the
seat of war; disaflfection prevailed in parts of them to such
an extent as to awaken the hope that they could be subju
gated, and, if conquered, should Britain be compelled to ac
knowledge the independence of the middle and northern
colonies, she might still retain the richer southern ones, or
at any rate obtain better terms by surrendering them for
equivalents. Retaining the city of New York and the ad
jacent isles, with Rhode Island, — his troops being in number
sixteen or seventeen thousand, — Sir Henry Clinton sent
forth detachments from his army to ravage vulnerable parts
of Virginia and Connecticut, while General Washington,
with ari inferior force, could only protect the country east
and west of the Hudson from spoliation, and especially the
passes of the Highlands from being seized by the British,
wi.sely preserving his army, in positions impregnable, for
co-operation with the troops of his Most Christian Majesty,
soon to be welcomed to their shores.
Mr. Read was among the able and patriotic men whose
absence from the Continental Congress Washington de
plored, but still he was a member of the Council of Del
aware.

OF GEORGE READ. ' 347
On the 2d of February, 1779, Thomas McKean laid before
Congress sundry resolutions relative to the Articles of Con
federation and Perpetual Union adopted by the Council of
Delaware, in the preceding month of January, and con
curred in by the House of Assembly previously to the pas
sage of a law empowering their delegates in Congress to
sign and ratify them.==' Mr. Read, one of the committee
appointed to take these articles into consideration, wrote
these resolutions and the report of this committee, which I
offer to my readers as a specimen of his style, and the able
opinion of a sound lawyer upon a subject of great interest.
" The committee to whom were referred the Articles of
Confederation proposed by Congress for a Union of the
States of America, do report thereupon as follows :
" That, having duly considered the said articles, they
generally approve of the same, but that there are particular
parts of the eighth and ninth articles liable to just and
strong objections, and, should they continue unaltered,
will, in the opinion of your coramittee, prove prejudicial in
their eflfects, not only to this State, but to the general con
federacy. " That part of the eighth article objected to, and disap
proved by your comraittee, is tlie manner prescribed for the
supply of a coraraon treasury by the several States, to wit :
'in proportion to the value of land within each State
granted to or surveyed for any person, as such land and the
buildings and iraproveraents thereon shall be estiraated, ac
cording to such raode as the United States, in congress
assembled, shall from time to time direct and appoint.'
Such valuation, in any mode we can suppose to produce
equality, appears to your comraittee an impracticable
thing; but if not, it will be attended with so great expense
of money and time, and that to be frequently repeated,
from the sudden alterations in the value of such property,
that your coramittee think the establishing the proportion
of each State by the number of its inhabitants, of every
age, sex, and quality, would prove a more equal and less
expensive mode of ascertaining such proportion.
* Congress (February 23d, 1779) ordered tliese resolutions to be
filed, with the protest that they should not by so ordering be under
stood as admitting the claims therein set up. — Journal of Congress,
vol. V. pp. 49, 50.

348 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
" Your committee also consider the confining such valua
tion to the granted or surveyed lands as inequitable, as they
conceive the lands not yet granted have a value, and, if so,
they ought to contribute pro rata towards the discharge of
the great debt created by the States, under their past united
efforts in the protection of that species of property, in com
mon with others, unless all the ungranted land shall be
considered as jointly belonging to the United States, as con
quered at the common expense of blood and treasure, and
which your coramittee consider they ought to be, on every
principle of justice and sound policy, and that joint right
expressed in the articles in as clear and precise terms as
that 'the bills of credit emitted, money borrowed, and
debts contracted, by or under the authority of Congress,
shall be deemed and considered as a charge against the.
United States.' But this joint right, your committee ap
prehend, raay hereafter be said to be resigned to each State
wherein such lands lie, by certain parts of and expressions
in the ninth article, disapproved of by your coramittee, to
wit : by the words ' provided, also, that no State shall be
deprived of territory for the benefit of the United States,'
at the latter end of the second section ; and those words in
the fourth section, which prescribe the powers of Congress,
viz.: 'regulating the trade and managing all the affairs
with the Indians not members of any of the States, pro
vided that the legislative right of any State, loithin its own
limits, shall not be infringed or violated.'
"From the vague and extravagant descriptions of some
of the States, in the first grants or charters for governraent,
their clairas for western liraits have been to the Southern
Ocean, including countries partially possessed by the kings
of France and Spain. The provisional expressions in the
article above raentioned, your committee apprehend, may
and will be insisted to mean an admission of the extent of
their respective limits westward to the said sea, and that
all the ungranted land within those liraits is State territory,
and solely in the disposition of the States clairaing those
liraits, though heretofore considered as belonging to the
crown of Great Britain, and occasionally granted, with
reservation of rents, to a great araount. Such admission,
your coramittee apprehend, ought not to be, for that it will
appropriate that to individual States which hath been or

OF GEORGE READ. 349
V
may be acquired by the arras of the States general, and
will furnish such individual State with a fund of wealth
and strength which may prompt them to subdue their
neighbors, and eventually destroy the fabric we are now
raising. To prevent which consequences, your committee
are of opinion that not only the joint right in the ungranted
land should be expressed, as before raentioned, but that a
moderate extent of liraits beyond the present settlements
in each of these States should be provided for in the said
articles. "Your committee also object to and disapprove of the
whole of the second section of the ninth article aforesaid,
as destroying and taking away the legal jurisdiction of the
courts of law established within this State for determining
controversies concerning private rights to lands within the
sarae, without fixing, with precision, another jurisdiction
for the purpose."
Mr. Read also drafted the act of Assembly which au
thorized the delegates of Delaware to ratify the Articles of
Confederation.* C. Clay, a merchant, writes to Mr. Read as follows from
"Philadelphia, March 24th, 1779.
" Sir, — Agreeable to your request, I have inquired the rate
of exchange between this city and London, which I believe
is from fourteen to fifteen hundred per cent., though I am
not suflficiently informed to fix it precisely. Bills on France
can be had at nine hundred ; indeed, exchange is generally
governed by the price of specie, which, I am told, has been
sold at eleven or twelve for one.
" Your very obedient servant, " C. Clay."
In a letter from Philadelphia (26th May, 1779) to Mr.
Read from his brother James, he states : " We have been
in a great bustle here yesterday at what they call a Town
Meeting, for the declared purpose of lowering the prices of
goods. It was exceedingly disorderly; many people were
taken to jail and remain there. How this will end I can
not say." And June 19th, 1779, he informs Mr. Read
* See Appendix A.

350 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
"that the town meetings and committees, who told us they
would lower the price of goods and raise the credit of money,
have made bad worse, and are ashamed of having exposed
their weakness ; and that, by a newspaper publication, the
wise men of Wilmington have undertaken the same busi-
HGSS James Read (23d March, 1779) informs Mr. Read that
"Vattel's Law of Nations" would readily bring four hundred
dollars, and one volume of " Gibbon" forty dollars. July
13th, 1779, acknowledges the receipt of one thousand dol
lars for a mare ; and 21st of October of that year informs
him that at a prize sale he bid as high as fifty-five pounds
for a ream of indifferent writing paper, but did not get it,
because it went up to seventy-five pounds. Mr. Read
(llth March, 1780) sends his brother James twelve hun
dred dollars, to make ordinary purchases for his family, and
is informed, that cassimere is three hundred, and jean and
habit cloth sixty, dollars per yard. How could this be?
The dollars were paper dollars, and depreciation of cur
rency, one of the greatest of national calamities, had fallen
like a blight upon our forefathers, — part of the price they
paid for independence.
Mr. Read no doubt read with sorrow the letter below
from his brother James, of the 7th of August, 1779. It
shows that at this time Philadelphia was brought to a state
bordering upon anarchy by the parties who disturbed and
disgraced it by their insane violence :
" Dear Brother, — I had your favor of the 5th inst., by
Mr. Tatlow, for which I thank you, and have only to ob
serve that though I may be considered as raoving in the
very centre of politics, yet I ara quite ignorant of the pres
ent system. I cannot help remarking that we have no
government, and, I was [almost] going to say, no laws, for
every man who takes a club in his hand to town meetings
(which, by-the-by, have been very frequent of late) under
takes to be governor : and our executive powers submit
very patiently to their new masters. Where it will end I
know not, but must say that, great as my dislike to the
Constitution* may be, it is much greater to the present mob
* Of Pennsylvania, th(ju recently established.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 351
government. I am led to these reflections by the late trans
actions in this city, where everything has been riot for
sorae tirae past ; but these are our little p>olitics, which I quit
to congratulate you on the important news frora the West
Indies, which has doubtless reached you, and I think may
be relied on, that the British fleet are totally disabled, and
that the French ride triumphant in the West Indian seas,
which I think must have great consequences in our favor;
and as peace is our great object, I flatter myself we shall
have it shortly, upon such terms as will insure liberty and
independence to our country. I must refer you to our
brother Thomas for the news of the day. All send love to
you and family and all friends.
"I remain your affectionate brother, "James Read."
On the 18th of August, 1779, Mr. Read was compelled
by ill health to decline serving longer in the Legislature of
Delaware. In his address on this occasion to the freehold
ers of New Castle County, he observed " that he had served
them in their General Asserably for the twelve preceding
years without any solicitation on his part," and that "he
was in earnest in declining, and did not wish to be courted
to continue in their service, having no sinister ends to
answer by this step, which had been suspected to have been
the case of some who had given notice of the like kind
heretofore." Spain, jealous of the maritime superiority of England,
anxious to recover territories she had been forced to yield
to her, to avenge what, not without reason, she deemed
piratical attacks upon her colonies and comraerce, neither
forgotten nor forgiven, tliough long submitted to, and es
pecially to expel heretic foreigners frora that celebrated
fortress on her own soil which they had so long held, to
her shame and humiliation, — rejoiced at the disputes be
tween her hated rival and her North American colonies,
and was ready to foment them, but not without misgivings
and fears of eflfects that might endanger her dominion over
her own dependencies. Hence her first effort was to effect
by her mediation between the belligerents, which she
oflfered, the independence of the North American colonies,
without a formal acknowledgment of it, restricted to the

352 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
Alleghany as their western limit, and excluded from the
fisheries,* and thus dwarfed not formidable. She proposed
to England (France having accepted her oflfered mediation)
a truce of three years and a congress of ambassadors of the
belligerents (those of the United States, as an independent
nation, included) at Madrid, to agree upon the conditions
of a treaty of peace between them ; but her attempts to per
suade the American Congress to yield to the hard terms she
proposed, as the condition of her aid, and instruct their
ministers to this proposed congress accordingly, failed.
There were protracted negotiations upon this proposition,
England evading an explicit reply to it, and covertly en
deavoring, as Spain complained, to treat separately with
France and the United States. The cabinet of St. James
was at last compelled to an explicit answer : the oflfered
mediation was rejected, and it was declared the United
States would under no circumstances be acknowledged by
England as independent. Spain at once ended this diplo
matic farce (as this negotiation became before its close) by
a declaration that she would seek redress of her wrongs by
arms, and England issued letters of marque against Spanish
ships and subjects. The people and government of Spain,
I believe, never Sympathized with the Americans, nor did
his Most Christian Majesty nor his cabinet, while their cause
was heartily espoused by all classes of men in Paris and the
chief towns of France, by many of the nobility, and the
oflficers of her navy and army, especially the younger of
them, eager, as was to be expected from the chivalric spirit
of their nation, to draw their swords for a noble people
perilling all they held valuable to defend their liberty. If
a prophet had whispered to the cabinets of Versailles and
Madrid, "With your aid the Anglo-Americans will triumph,
but in no long time after they take place among the nations,
stimulated by their success. Frenchmen, rising in might
irresistible, will bury in one coraraon ruin their monarchy,
their aristocracy, and their church, and the South American
subjects of Spain throw oflf her iron yoke," not a livre nor a
real would have been loaned or given, a ship equipped, nor
* We cannot but smile at the fatuity of their statesmen, who hoped
to avert evils to France and Spain they saw to be probable, but not in
their magnitude, by a few strokes of the pens of their diplomatists.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 353
a soldier embarked to aid the " thirteen colonies ;" and if,
this aid withheld, their subjugation had followed, still their
independence and the revolutions of France and the colo
nies of Spain would have only been delayed : misgovernment
would have continued to sow, as it had done for centuries,
the seeds of revolution in France, and each year, as it
passed over decrepit Spain, would have left her more imbe
cile than before, while commerce would more and raore
break through the restrictions she imposed upon trade and
intercourse with foreigners, which, by occluding knowledge
and improvement, maintained her despotic rule over regions
the fairest and most fertile of the earth ; and the " thirteen
colonies" would have retained their knowledge, their cour
age, their energy, their enterprise, and their unconquerable
love of liberty, with a vast field for expansion.
Notable events in 1779 were the unsuccessful attack
of D'Estaing and Lincoln upon Savannah, Sullivan's success
ful inroad upon the territory of the Six Nations of Indians,
and the brilliant surprises of Stony Point and Powles
Hook.* At the close of this year Washington withdrew
his army from the field, establishing their winter quarters
near Morristown, in New Jersey, disheartened indeed by
the gloomy prospects in the Southern States, but still con
fident that success would at last reward the toils and sacri
fices of his countrymen for independence.
No part of Mr. Read's correspondence and papers of the
years 1780 and 1781 has come into my hands of impor
tance, except a writ summoning him to attend the Legisla
ture of Delaware, in 1780 (from which it appears he was a
member of this body in that year), and the following let
ter of General Dickinson : "Philadelphia, 27th April, 1781.
" Dear Sir, — I am much obliged to you for your friendly
information. " Will not the recommendation of Congress be coraplied
with by your Legislature ? Unless it is there will be an end
to all confidence between raan and man, and justice totally
excluded from this western world. Why did your wise
Legislature discriminate between former .contracts made in
* Diary of the American Revolution, vol. ii. p. 209.

354 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
specie and those made in their current money of equal value?
I detest your retrospective laws, — they are full of injustice
and oppression.
"Pray endeavor, at your next sessions, to rectify your
past errors, — compel debtors, at least, to pay their interest
annually in specie, or the value thereof, and secure debts,
according to their real value, when contracted. This you
may do since the late recommendation of Congress, and it
is 3'our duty.
" Mr. Morris, I raake no doubt, will accept the Superin
tendence of Finance, as Congress have made advances.
"It is believed the, enemy intend a movement in your
bay. If a French fleet is actually expected, which the know
ing ones say is the case, I think they will not venture ;
General Washington is of opinion they will. Accounts
from Europe [are] favorable : England cannot form alli
ances, Russia continues firm, and Holland is acting with
spirit. " The town, at present, is totally engaged with Mr.
M  's trial, — when it will end God knows.
" My corapliraents to Mrs. Read. And believe me, dear
sir, " Yours, very sincerely, " Philemon Dickinson.
"George Read, Esquire."
The winter of 1780 was intensely cold, and the American
army was subjected to the greatest privations, which were
borne with admirable patience : they were half clothed, ill fed,
and, at times, on the verge of famine, the commissaries being
without money and credit. With his army in this condition,
Washington could not avail himself of the favorable oppor
tunity afforded, by the rivers and inlets of the ocean being
bridged with ice, to attack New York. Charleston surren
dered to Sir Henry Clinton, 12th May, 1780. The defence of
this city was ill judged, and the consequence of its loss the
apparent submission of South Carolina to the royal au
thority ; but it was only apparent. The British com
mander-in-chief soon by proclamation required her inhab
itants to take the oath of allegiance to their king, and
render all service, military and civil, of good subjects.
Then the South Carolinians, who had Blattered themselves

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 355
with the hope that neutrality would have been perraitted
to them, learned that they must array themselves under
the flag of their country or the banner of England ; and it
was soon evident which would be their choice. In March
the Maryland and Delaware lines were ordered to South
Carolina, under the comraand of De Kalb, and two hundred
South Carolinians, who had retired to North Carolina and
Virginia, were emboldened by the prospect of this succor,
and of aid from Virginia, to return, under Colonel Sumpter,
and carry on a guerilla warfare, and their example was fol
lowed in other parts ofthe State. De Kalb was encamped,
12th July, with about thirteen hundred soldiers, at Buffalo
Ford, on Deep River, North Carolina, where he was joined
by General Gates, appointed to command the Southern
army, with the belief that " the conqueror of Burgoyne
would be the savior of the Southern States." From this
point, by a road through a barren country, injudiciously
preferred to one through a region that would have afforded
supplies, though longer, he marched his troops, who suf
fered much, to Clermont, in South Carolina, having been
joined by the North Carolina troops, under Caswell, and
the Virginia militia, under Stevens. Lord Cornwallis was
posted at Caraden, his effective force being about two thou
sand raen ; Gates determined to advance to a favorable po
sition, about seven miles from that town, and on his march,
soon after two a.m., was encountered by Cornwallis, who, by
a strange coincidence, at the hour Gates moved frora Cler-
raont had raarched to attack hira there. The battle which
ensued terrainated disastrously to the Americans, who were
totally defeated, with great loss. Among the wounded and
prisoners was the gallant De Kalb, who, though kindly
treated, died soon after his capture, — having received eleven
wounds, — expressing, with his dying breath, his gratitude
to his Continental soldiers for keeping their ground, even
when deserted by the railitia, and his admiration of their
courage, particularly that ofthe Delaware regiment. Gloom
again enveloped the Southern States, where all seemed lost.
General Washington still remained with the American
array at Morristown, struggling against difficulties to Avhich
ordinary patriotism would have succumbed. The suflfer-
ings of the soldiers were now so great there was reason for

356 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
fear they no longer could bear them.* The radical defect
in the administration of affairs was the substitution of the
State for the national system. Before soldiers could be
raised for a campaign, or provisions provided to feed, or
money to pay them, requisition must be raade upon thirteen
legislatures, independent of each other, and they pass the
necessary laws to meet them, and it was vain to expect from
thirteen heads the unity, promptitude, and vigor of one.
Congress should have been clothed with power to raise an
adequate army for the war, and funds necessary for its prose
cution, in gold and silver, by taxation. This body met the
evils, which menaced ruin, by resolves that the array should
no longer be supplied by purchases of commissaries, but the
States should furnish provisions, forage, and spirituous
liquors, upon requisitions of Congress, specifying the ar
ticles to be supplied at places convenient; accounts to be
opened with the several States and kept ; the articles fur
nished to be estiraated in specie, and final settlements and
payments of balances due, in Spanish dollars, promised. As
soon as this new scheme was broached, Washington saw
and forcibly presented its defects. Of the States, part might
comply, others partially, and others not at all ; and there
was the further provision that the States consenting to fur
nish their quotas might prohibit all purchases by Conti
nental oflficers, of provisions and forage, within their juris
dictions, — it followed, if they did so, and failed to send
forward their promised quotas, the array might be starving
and Congress without power to relieve it. In 1779 Con
gress resolved that the issue of Continental bills should not
exceed two hundred millions of dollars. This amount was
reached, and some new financial measure must be devised;
it was this : the States were required to raise fifteen mil
lions of dollars by taxation, and, in payment of this tax,
Continental bills were made receivable at the rate of forty
paper dollars for one of silver, and in lieu of these bills,
which were to be destroyed, and new ones were to be is
sued at the rate of one for every twenty of them.
* Not long before officers had applied to Washington for the coarse
clothing of the common soldiers to replace their worn-out garments,
and he could not furnish it ; and the pay of a major-general — so much
were Continental bills depreciated — was less than the wages of an ex
press rider, and the subaltern's pay would not buy him his shoes.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 357
While these measures, which were experiments, were
debated by thirteen legislatures, and their laws to give thera
effect were , tardily passed, months elapsed, the military
chest reraained erapty, and the commander-in-chief looked
in vain for the promised recruits. The discontent of the
army attained a fearful height, and at last broke out, in
two regiments of the Connecticut line, in open mutiny,
which was, by strenuous efforts of their oflficers, quelled.
Previously the rations, never more than six days in ad
vance, failed entirely, and the commissaries reported that
they had neither money nor credit. Nothing remained to
Washington, unless he left his soldiers to starve, or disperse
in quest of food, but to procure it himself by impressment.
Before this last resort, he called upon the magistrates of
New Jersey to furnish him the needed supplies, and, to the
honor of this State, exhausted by having been so often the
seat of war, his appeal to her patriotism was not in vain.
Supplies were promptly furnished by her citizens. British
emissaries had reported to General Knyphausen disaffection
in the American army and discontent in New Jersey so
extensive that he flattered hiraself if he marched his array
there promptly, her citizens would promptly acknowledge the
royal government and the soldiers of Washington desert
their country's banner ; and accordingly, June 6th, he landed
at Elizabethtown Point with five thousand men, and raoved
towards Springfield. Never was man more deceived than
the German commander. The New Jersey militia turned
out, upon the order of their governor, without delay, and,
with parties of Continental troops, advanced for that pur
pose, annoyed the British, behaving with great courage.
General Washington had posted his army advantageously
in the rear of Springfield, and there awaited the enemy's
attack ; who, disappointed in their expectations, after tar
nishing the honor of their country by laying waste the
beautiful and highly-cultivated Connecticut farms, with
drew to Elizabethtown Point, and there awaited Sir Henry
Clinton, Avho reinforced thera, June 18th, with his troops
frora South Carolina, and took the coraraand. His object
was the destruction of the stores at Morristown, and of the
American array, which he hoped might risk a battle to
protect them. Having command of the water, he could
choose his point of attack and move with great celerity to

358 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
it, while Washington could meet his attack, wherever made,
by occupying such a position as to be able to advance in
time to the point assailed. His doubt whether Morristown
or West Point was Clinton's object was removed by his
marching, June 23d, upon the former. He was encountered,
with great gallantry, by advanced parties of the Conti
nentals, under Green, detached with two thousand men to
cover Springfield, the militia acting with them with alacrity
and courage, while Green occupied a strong position near
Springfield, to cover it. The British, by very great supe
riority of numbers, forced the American detachments, who
disputed the ground with them as they advanced, to fall
back upon Green, and he, being so numerically inferior,
could not quit the heights he held; they therefore took
possession of Springfield, and, adding another to their atro
cious acts in Jersey, burnt it, and then retreated and passed
to Staten Island, their comraander having received intelli
gence of the promised succors from France, and unwilling,
it was supposed, on that account, to risk the weakening of
his army by the losses probable upon further operations.
Lafayette, so deservedly admired and loved by every
American, had, in 1779, on leave of absence from Congress,
revisited France. There his reception was enthusiastic, for
our cause was warmly espoused by his countrymen of all
ranks, and the chivalrous character of his services in
America had awakened the adrairation of the generous,
martial, and high-spirited Frenchraen. He was indefatiga
ble in advocating our cause with the French government ;
and such was his success that he returned in the spring of
1780 to the United States with the assurance that he would
be speedily followed by a powerful French array and fleet.
The effect was electrical upon the drowsy, divided, and
hesitating Congress and State legislatures; it was felt that
the moment was come, and must be improved, to terminate
successfully the war for independence, and measures were
adopted by both suited to that end. In July, the French
fleet, commanded by De Ternay, with the first division of
the promised army, under Rochambeau, arrived at Newport,
Rhode Island. General Washington soon met the French
general and admiral at Hartford, Connecticut, to arrange a
joint attack of the French and American forces upon the
city of New York, which he had resolved on, upon the

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 359
arrival of the second division of the French fleet and array.
But while anxious eyes were strained to catch the first
glimpse of this second division, whose advent was to give that
naval superiority upon which future operations depended,
the nation was astonished by the announcement of the
treason of one of the bravest, most trusted, and popular of
their generals. Such were the occurrences which defeated
Arnold's dark plot, when alraost consummated, that they
were ascribed to Providence, even by men little disposed to
admit divine interposition in human affairs. With the
facts of this notable event all are ftimiliar. Indignation and
scorn are still our eraotions when the traitor's name meets
our eyes, with sorrow for the fate of the young, the brave,
the accomplished, and amiable Andr^, and we still entertain
with deep interest the question was he justly sentenced and
executed or not, because it involves the fame of Washington.
Impartial men, even in England, have long ago, I believe,
admitted, while they deplored, the justice of this sentence
and the necessity for its execution. Washington's equa
nimity was not disturbed by the bad logic and poor verses
of British writers, who denounced him as unjust in confirm
ing Andre's sentence, and as cruel in refusing him a soldier's
death. Could his contemporaries have viewed Andre's case
as dispassionately as men now view it, a monument would
not, I think, have been decreed hira in that august teraple
where the most illustrious men of England sleep the sleep
that knows no waking.
The expected French fleet and troops (the second division)
failed to arrive, and the contemplated attack upon New York
was in consequence abandoned, and the campaign in the
northern part ofthe United States terrainated without further
active operations. The armed neutrality and the declaration
of war by England against Holland were remarkable events
of 1780 abroad, which increased the hopes of the Americans
that their cau.se would triumph : while Congress at last
adopted two resolutions, long and vainly recomraended by
General Washington with overwhelraing force of arguraent
— the one for the enlistment of the army for the war, and
the other promising half pay to those oflficers who should
serve till its termination. Bitter experience had opened
the eyes of Congress to the evils of that system upon which
the war was hitherto conducted, and to which they clung
with marvellous obstinacy.

360 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
The British ministry and nation commenced the year
1781 with the expectation that it was to be a year of bril
liant triumphs of their armies in America, to be crowned
by the restoration of the royal government, — at least in the
Southern colonies. There had been ignorance of the true
state of affairs in America. Successes had been overmagni-
fied, and the results of defeats underrated; but from the
capture of Charleston and subraission of South Carolina the
conclusion was not rash nor unreasonable that the rebellion
was almost extinguished in that colony and the territories
adjacent to it. Hope, almost extinct, was revived in the
disheartened Whigs by the defeat of the Loyalists in Oc
tober, 1780, at King's Mountain, and was increased when
Gates, before the year closed, was superseded by Green in
the comraand of the Southern army. Manifesting at the
outset of our Revolutionary war great military talent and
fondness for the vocation of the soldier, under circumstances
that could not have produced or fostered them. Green, like
the great painter West, is one of many examples of natural
aptitude for one profession or pursuit above all others. The
subsequent campaign, in which he displayed so much genius,
was a winter one, in a country sparsely inhabited, devas
tated by civil war, intersected by numerous rivers and
streams, broad and deep, and sometimes rapid, over roads
always bad, and sometimes impassable, his supplies — never
abundant — obtained with diflficulty, his regulars a handful,
his militia brave, but with all the defects of that class of
troops, and opposed to him a general of ability, vigor, and
enterprise. The reader of the history of this campaign is
surprised at the smallness of the contending armies. The _
English army was small because the delusive expectation
was still entertained that the royalists were the majority,
and that America would be conquered by Americans. The
Whigs were elated by the brilliant success of Morgan at the
Cowpens over Tarleton, whose cruelty was, unhappily for
his fame, as conspicuous as his ability and bravery. Then
succeeded those marches and manoeuvres of the contending
generals, in which they showed theraselves worthy to com
mand. Green endeavored to cover the theatre of operations
as far as possible from the enemy, to rouse and encourage
his countryraen, and to avoid fighting at disadvantage. But
in March (the 15th day), eraboldened by the increase of his

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 361
force, and aware that the militia — the chief part of it —
could not be long retained, having been called out for short
periods, Green sought the enemy and gave him battle at
Guilford, and was defeated, the British, inferior in numbers,
having been indebted for their success to the superiority of
their disciplined over Green's undisciplined soldiers, the
major portion of his army. The British behaved with
great bravery, and the Continental soldiers emulated and
equalled them. Cornwallis kept the field, but his victory
was barren of advantage, while his loss of raen was great
and could not be repaired. So far from being able to follow
up his success, he was unable to maintain his position, and
forced to retreat to Wilmington, in North Carolina. Against
that post, where the British vessels of war and array could
co-operate. Green could not operate with any hope of suc
cess, and sagaciously and boldly he changed the seat of war
to South Carolina. If Cornwallis followed hira, he must
abandon North Carolina to the Whigs ; and if he did not.
South Carolina and Georgia would be recovered by the
American arms. Cornwallis determined to march into
Virginia and unite his troops with the British army, which
had landed in that State, under the traitor Arnold, and was
comraanded by General Phillips. Then succeeded the cam
paign in Virginia, in which, notwithstanding the skill and
enterprise of Cornwallis, the "boy" Lafayette outmanoeuvred
and eluded hira. Washington, convinced that he would
not be sufficiently reinforced in season to execute his long-
formed and cherished plan of attacking New York, deter
mined to close the war, as he hoped, by the combined
movement of the American and French armies against Lord
Cornwallis. Having succeeded in deceiving Clinton into
the belief that New York was his object, until it was too
late for him to reinforce Cornwallis, Washington invested
York by sea and land, in Septeraber, and it was surrendered,
19th day of October, 1781. General Green had in the raean
time been carrying on operations in South Carolina against
the British army, which was under the comraand of Lord
Rawdon, until he was compelled by ill health to relinquish
it to Lieutenant-Colonel Stewart. The extent of country
occupied by the British exposed them to attacks at raany
points, and Green kept them in alarm by his activity. He
lost the battle of Hobkirk Hill, was forced to raise the siege
24

362 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
of" Ninety-Six," and gained the victory of Eutaw; and very
soon afterwards the British confined themselves to the sea
coast, as if in despair of conquering the interior country.
General Green's conduct of the campaign in the Southern
States was above all praise, for the seat of war when he
entered it was a conquered territory, its inhabitants, as
Whigs and Tories, almost equally divided, and his Conti
nental troops, never over two thousand in number, were
many of them raw and undisciplined ; yet such was his
judgment, courage, and enterprise that he recovered the
Southern States.
With the surrender of the British army at Yorktown the
contest by arms was terminated, though the war nominally
continued. The year I am entering upon was one of ne
gotiation, but not without peril to America, from the selfish
intrigues of France and Spain to limit the concessions Eng
land was willing to make, both as to the boundaries and
fisheries. Mr. Read was again resident with his faraily in
New Castle, with a large and increasing practice as a law
yer, to which he did not, however, give his undivided atten
tion, for he was still a member of the General Assembly of
Delaware. He wrote to his friend Mr. Dickinson as follows frora
"New Castle, March 10th, 1782.
" Sir, — I was truly sorry to be informed of your late
indisposition, by your favor of the 1st inst. I did not see
Colonel Pope on his return from you, but shall use every
opportunity to press a collection of the taxes, to enable him
to comply with the contract for the armed vessel. What
may be expected I will not venture to conjecture. If a few
of the leading characters in our several counties were en
dued with but a moderate share of public spirit, they might
aid governraent rauch, but a listlessness of conduct prevails
too much among them.- Time and example may amend
the defect.
"You hint the want of a secretary, whom you ought and
must have constantly attendant upon you. The time has
now come when it is in your power to fix this appointraent
as you think fit. For my own part, I have it not in idea
but that a person filling an office merely ministerial should
so arrange that he may be ready at all seasonable times to

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 363
perform the duties thereof. President McKinley, when he
aippointed the present secretary, did add the collector's
oflfice to the appointment, the perquisites of which were not,
and are not, by any means suflficient alone to induce any
one fit or worthy of the trust to perform the duties of it.
The Legislature have never taken up this business as they
ought to have done, though heretofore privately complained
of by President Rodney; but it ought to be done the first
opportunity, and probably would upon your representation
and a vacancy of the appointment. Your secretary de
livered your ' address' to the members of Assembly of this
county, respecting the militia, to every of whom I trans
mitted a copy, and I have shown the original to such oflficers
as I have since seen.
" Mr. Sykes, the bearer of this, says he waits upon you
in expectation of a reappointment to the offices he has held
in Kent, and has more than once heretofore wished me to
further his pretensions. My answer has been that it was a
point of delicacy, and that each man's recommendation
ought to be his fitness and ability, and that with respect to
him, from your long knowledge you were a competent
judge of both ; and having said thus rauch as to a business
which at all times past I have carefully avoided interfering
in, I must beg your excuse. I suppose my early acquaint
ance with him, and sorae share of intiraacy in consequence
thereof, has induced hira to press this upon me. I believe
it is true that the offices for the past term have produced
little or no profit, from the circumstances of times.
" I shall have a pleasure in knowing that you are per
fectly restored to your health. I hope you will have it in
your power, with convenience to Mrs. Dickinson and Miss
Sally, to bring them on the intended tour to this place in
the course of this month : our supreme courts begin on the
second Tuesday in the next. Mrs. Read and our two
Misses present their compliments, and I ^m, with much
respect and esteem, "Your obedient servant, "George Read.
" His Excellency John Dickinson."
Mr. Dickinson thus wrote :

364 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
" May 15th, 1782.
" Dear Sir, — I should be glad to know on what day you
intend to set off from New Castle for the General Assembly.
I expect to be timely enough if I call upon you on the last
day of this month, or even the 2d of the next. Mrs. Dick
inson and Sally present their affectionate compliments to
you, Mrs. Read, and the family. Please to present mine
too. " I am, dear sir, your very affectionate "John Dickinson.
" George Read, Esquire."
The letter next inserted is unimportant, but brings Mr.
Read before the reader, as he was at this time in the exten
sive practice of the law, and exhibits fairness, frankness,
and comity, which no doubt Mr. Read reciprocated, and
which then characterized, and I am happy to believe still
characterize, gentlemen of the legal profession. Mr. Bas
sett, the writer of this letter, was a meraber of the United
States Senate, as were his son-in-law, James A. Bayard, and
two of the sons of that eminent statesman and lawyer, and
now (1870) his grandson, the Hon. T. F. Bayard. I am
not aware that any other family has furnished so many
members of this body.
" Sir, — I have had neither time nor opportunity since I
received yours of the 27th of April to give you an answer,
but hope the delay will occasion you no uneasiness or
trouble. With respect to the cause of Campbell and Ed
wards, in your court, I raust acknowledge your past indul
gence and favor. At the time I engaged in that cause I
then expected to have attended your court regularly, other
wise should not have been concerned ; but time and circum
stances have determined otherwise. My client still con
tends for the equitable circumstances heretofore mentioned
to you ; therefore, as it is out of my power to attend your
court at this term (being obliged to attend Caroline Court,
adjourned for the purpose of clearing their docket), should
be glad your client would agree to a reference of the cause.
I have no objection that Mr. George Ward, who is witness
in the cause on the part of the plaintiff, should be one of
the referees ; and if the circumstances turn out as mentioned

OF GEOBGE READ. 365
in your letter, no doubt the report must be in favor of your
client. It would seem to me your client, if he means fairly,
cannot object to this proposal. It is not my wish or desire
to delay this business, but if Mr. Campbell will not consent
to the above proposal, and you can consistently agree that
upon the general issue, with leave being entered on the
docket, I may inquire into the consideration of the bond,
please to have it so entered when you go over your docket,
and you may rely on it, if life and health permit, you shall
have a hearing at August, or judgment; otherwise, in order
to do my client justice, from his own story, I shall be under
the necessity of filing a bill in chancery, as heretofore ob
served, which L most sincerely wish to avoid. Having thus
said, I must leave the matter with you, to do or not do as
to you shall seera meet and right. We have had no court
of common pleas here to do business, on account of the
small-pox in Dover. My client, Mr. Pearce, was up yester
day. I informed him of your state[ment] ofthe case. He
says your client has raisinforraed you, which he is able to
make out by indubitable testimony. I proposed to him a
reference ; to which he answered he would be perfectly satis
fied to leave it to any gentlemen in or near the Cross-Roads
that were disinterested. Therefore, sir, if you please, if any
opportunity offers, give your client this inforraation shortly,
and if he is willing, let him so inform me, and I will get
Mr. Pearce to come up again and put an end to this busi
ness at once. I informed Mr. Tilghman, agreeably to your
letter, respecting the cause of Allix's Lessee vs. Haines and
Foreman, and should have removed it if the court had set
to do business. The court stands adjourned to the 22d of
July next, at which time, unless your orders are counter
manded, I shall not fail to remove it. My compliments to
Mrs. Read and family.
" I ara, sir, your humble servant,
"Richard Bassett.
"May 16th, 1782."
Mr. Read considered it expedient that his son George*
* An eminent member of the Delaware bar and first U. B. Attorney
of the District of Delaware, appointed by Washington, and which oflBce
he held till the Presidency of James Monroe, when he resigned it and
was succeeded by his son, distinguished as a lawyer and speaker.

366 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
should study the law in Philadelphia, and desired to place
him in the family and oflfice of James Wilson, a signer of
the Declaration of Independence and Judge of the Supreme
Court of the United States, and requested that he might be
so received. Mr. Wilson communicated his decision upon
Mr. Read's request as follows :
"Dear Sir, — I have been favored with your letter by
your son. Mrs. Wilson and I feel a strong inclination to
gratify you by receiving him as one of the family ; but we
have been so often obliged to refuse pressing instances of
this kind that we cannot, with any degree of propriety,
comply with your request. If your son can find it con
venient to lodge in any other place, I will with pleasure
receive him into my office, though I have lately declined
some applications of the same nature. The fee is one hun
dred guineas.
" Mrs. Wilson has been so much indisposed since your son
came to town that she has not had the pleasure of seeing
him. She begs her best compliments to Mrs. Read, Please
to add mine.
" I am, with much esteem, dear sir, your obedient, hum
ble servant, "James Wilson.
"Philadelphia, 7th May, 1782."
President Dickinson wrote again to Mr. Read as follows,
upon the subject, principally, of the meeting of the Legis
lature of Delaware, about which he was anxious :
"Dear Sir, — I have written to the Secretary to raake out
comraissions to Mr. Kollock for the two offices he now
holds. " I am informed that there is some apprehension that the
General Assembly will not meet, on account of the small
pox being in Dover. I shall be very sorry if this happens
to be the case, and therefore I send a letter by Mr. Kollock
to the Speaker of the House of Assembly, desiring them to
meet, if it is only to adjourn to some more convenient place,
as the present situation of public affairs absolutely requires
a session. I shall be obliged to you if you will please to
favor me with your opinion respecting my power to convene
the Legislature after the time to which they stand ad-

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 367
journed, and at a place different from that to which they
stood last adjourned, if there should be a failure of meeting
at such time and place. Please to inform me, too, if any
law of the State has touched upon this subject. I should
suppose, in the case stated, and the public welfare requiring
a meeting, it might be proper, at least on an application
from a majority of each House, to call the Legislature
together. " I am exceedingly happy to inform you that the news
by which we have been lately distressed, of the French
fleet being defeated by the British, is so directly and au
thentically contradicted that the first inteUigence is utterly
discredited here. I believe you may depend upon it that
our enemies were as much hurt as our friends, and that the
latter are proceeding in their enterprise against Jamaica,
which will probably fall into their hands.
" We have advices, which are thought credible, that the
island of Providence has submitted, — the fortifications and
houses destroyed, and all the inhabitants removed.
" There is some reason to think that a squadron of six
line-of-battle ships and some frigates of our good ally will
soon be on our coast.
"Mrs. Dickinson and Sally present their affectionate
compliments to your family. Be pleased to add mine.
" I am, sir, your sincere friend and very hurable servant,
"John Dickinson.
" May 24th, 1782.
" Captain Barry is arrived in the Alliance, at New Lon
don. The Marquis de Lafayette is coming in a vessel that
will protect hira from the whole force in our bay.
" George Read, Esquire."
The report of the defeat of De Grasse, mentioned by Mr.
Dickinson in his foregoing letter, was premature, and the
indecisive battle of which authentic intelligence had ar
rived, was that of April 9th. De Grasse, however, before
the date of Mr. Dickinson's letter, had been defeated totally
by Rodney, April 12th, and it seems, as has often happened,
the coming disaster cast its shadow before.
Mr. Dickinson again wrote to Mr. Read upon the chief
subject of his last letter :

368 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
"May 31st, 1782.
" Dear Sir, — I am much obliged to you for your letter
by Mr. Carman. I entreat you to use all your influence to
procure a meeting as soon as possible, at Dover, if the
members only come together for five minutes, for making an
adjournment to some other place. A session is more neces
sary than I can express.
" I am engaged here in business of importance to the
State, and shall wait till I receive intelligence, which I beg
you to assist in conveying to me, that the Houses are met
or Avill certainly meet at a particular day.
" I am, sir, your most affectionate, humble servant,
"John Dickinson.
" George Read, Esquire."
The delinquencies of the sheriffs of New Castle County,
mentioned in the following letter of Mr. Read, may have
been produced by the embarrassed condition of business,
from the depreciated currency and other causes :
"New Castle, 17th September, 1782.
" Sir, — I received yours, inclosing two bonds of Mr.
Norris's upon which execution had been issued, — that of
Duff's to John Thompson, than sheriff, to whom I delivered
a state[ment] of principal and interest, with a request of a
speedy settlement thereof, — this being at our last court, —
I got no answer since. The other, of See's, had issued to
John Clark, since dead, and for the settlement of this busi
ness there is none other than his administrators, a widow
and brother, very incapable thereof I applied to the under-
sheriff who was then in office, who, upon inquiry, since
says that See had sold his effects and was moving off; but,
meeting some of the purchasers who had not paid him, he
gave them notice of the late sheriff's claim on the goods ;
he knows not what it may produce. I have a number of
executions yet unsettled with Sheriffs Duff, who went out
of office in 1772; Thompson, in 1775; Clark, in 1779; and
the present Smith, whose time ends at the ensuing election ;
and I have found it hitherto irapracticable to get anything
done. I will do what I can on the part of Mr. Norris, but
I suspect it will not be speedily accomplished.
" I think you told me once that you could procure me a

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 369
' Collection of the Several Systems or Forms of Government
adopted by the American States ' I believe Congress had
thera printed and bound. (I take the liberty of reminding
you of this.)*
" Miss Jones and my daughter beg their compliments to
your lady and Miss Sally. Mrs. Read will present her own
in the course of this week, as she sets out frora hence this
day, with Parson Thompson, of Maryland, for Philadelphia.
And I am, with much esteem and respect, your most obe
dient servant, " George Read. '
" His Excellency John Dickinson,
" President of the Delaware State."
The cloud which rested, for a time, on the able vindica
tor of American rights in the celebrated " Farmers' Letters,"
was now lifted, to the surprise and mortification of his
eneraies, and the joy of his friends. Mr. Wharton, in com
municating, and Mr. Read, in receiving, by the following
letter, intelligence of John Dickinson's election to the su
preme magistracy of Pennsylvania, shared this joy, and
probably felt it more than others, because their friendship
for hira, and of each of them all for the others, through their
youth, manhood,- and old age was unusually strong and
warm, as is shown by their correspondence.
"Philadelphia, November 10th, 1782.
" Dear Sir, — By Mr. Grantham I send you a bundle of
newspapers, besides what is contained in this letter. By those
of the later date you will perceive the alarm sounded, through
these vehicles of abuse, against our old friend. But, to the
keen mortification of the opposing party, he was elected Presi
dent and General Ewing Vice-President, — a worthy and
intimate friend of Mr. Dickinson, — versus General Potter.

* I have in my possession a small volume of 226 pages, entitled
" The Constitutions of the Several Independent States of America, the
Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation between
the said States, and the Treaties between his Most Christian Majesty
and the United States of America. Published by order of Congress.
Philadelphia: printed by Francis Bailey, in Market Street. 1781."
On the title-page of this volume is written, "John Dickinson to his
friend George Read, Esquire."

370 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
I never have known so general a joy diffused among all ranks
ofthe people as was exhibited on this choice of our early asso
ciate. The procession frora the State [House] to the Court
house was very numerous and respectable, and there the
people manifested their felicity by affectionate and repeated
acclamations. The gentlemen who opposed Mr. Dickinson
are low-spirited, and are afraid something effectual will be
done to establish his reputation and that of the present As
sembly. Your forraer neighbor was deep in the politics
[of this opposition], but has a certain versatility about him
that accommodates [him] to the powers in being. He asked
your other old friend to accompany him, after the proces
sion was over, to Mr. D  's, for the purpose of congratu
lating him [on his election], etc. ; and crowds of other
^citizens are daily doing the same. What will be done by
the State of Delaware in respect of their President I am
ignorant of, but he tells rae we shall see in the next news
papers what he said to the Assembly here in relation to
this matter.*
" Congress has ordered Captain Asgill to be liberated.^
This was done in con.sequence of letters from General
Washington, by which it was obvious this was his wish,
and frora a letter he received from Count de Vergennes,
expressing an earnest desire frora the king and queen of
France, who had been prevailed upon to intercede in be
half of Captain Asgill.
" The raother of this gentleraan wrote to the Count de
Vergennes one of the most pathetic letters I ever read.
Although Congress has freed Asgill from his confinement, yet
they have instructed the commander-in-chief to inform Sir
Guy Carlton, in the most pointed terms, that they rely upon
his promise of making strict inquisition after the murderer
of Captain Huddy ; and, in order to prevent all further ap
plications to them from any persons, they have resolved
that, in case the enemy shall commit any actions contrary
to the law of nations, the commander-in-chief, or the gen
eral who may coraraand in the Southern department, after
retribution has been demanded by them or either of them,
* He was President of Delaware when elected to the Presidency of
Pennsylvania. t Writings ofWashington, vol. viii. pp. 303-305, 361, 362.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 371
and justice refused or delayed beyond the time limited in
their requisition, shall have authority to execute retali
ation. This will make the enemy very cautious in their
future proceedings, and there will not be reliance, as here
tofore, upon the various opinions of a large deliberative
body. " No news from Europe, since I wrote you last, except
what you will find in the within papers, under the New
York head, upon which we place no dependence. The
siege of Gibraltar, and the expected conflict between the
British and combined fleets, engrosses all our attention ; if
the event should be favoj:'able to the two branches of the
House of Bourbon, or the English should be much worsted in
the East Indies, a general pacification will most probably take
place next spring or summer. Count Rochambeau's army (I
mention this in confidence, — not to be repeated) will, we
have reason to think, embark for the West Indies. As to
South Carolina we can say nothing, as Congress has received
no late letters from thence ; but it is alleged that part of
the garrison of Charleston has embarked, etc. — see the last
newspaper. I have not yet received the law you wrote for;
President Boudinot has again written to the printer for it.
I wait for the index of 1779, which is not yet finished, other
wise I would sfend you a complete set of the Journals of
Congress. Will you wait for the index, or shall I despatch
the Journals without it? You can exchange the volume
of 1779 for one, when it is printed, with the index. Mrs.
Wharton is getting better; she and my children join me in
affectionate regards to Mrs. Read, yourself, and children.
Adieu. " Yours, very sincerely, " S. Wharton.
" Honorable George Read, New Castle, Delaware."
The writer of the graceful and sprightly letter which
follows next was the wife of Captain Thomas Read, and
widow of Mr. Field, of New Jersey ; her daughter by him
was the wife of the eminent lawyer and United States
Senator from New Jersey, Richard Stockton. When a
youth, at Princeton College, I received a good deal of notice
from her, confined as she was, by the infirmities of age, to

372 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
her chamber in Mr. Stockton's house, where she resided.
She was a lady of great intelligence, and an intimate friend
of President Samuel Stanhope Smith.
"My dear Sir, — After having been honored with your
several favors, and distinguished by your friendly polite
ness, I blush at the idea of having so long neglected
assuming my pen to acknowledge the receipt of them. I
am fearful I have subjected myself, in your opinion, to the
censure of insensibility and ingratitude, of which, I grant,
you had too much reason to suspect me, though I hope
they are both strangers to my heart. An habitual negli
gence, which I have indulged for lome time past, and which
has gained such an ascendency over me as to be almost
constitutional, is the poor excuse I have to offer for having
till this day deferred assuring my dear Mr. Read that I feel
myself impressed with sentiments of the highest respect
and esteem for him, and that, great as my disappointment
is in not seeing him and Mrs. Read in Philadelphia, I find
my concern increased by the cause — your attachment to
New Castle — as I am apprehensive this fondness will in
crease with your years, and destroy all hope of our seeing
you here ; but, be it as it may, you may depend my best
wishes, however inefficacious they may be, will ever attend
you. With my love to Mrs. Read, and your fireside,
believe me to be, dear sir, "Yours, with affection, "M. Read.
"Philadelphia, November 10th, 1782.
"George Read, Esquire."
Mr. Dickinson, resident in Philadelphia, though President
of Delaware, commends to Mr. Read's good offices the
French officer,. bearer of his letter written from that city.
"November 22d, 1782.
" Sir, — This letter will be delivered to you by a gentleman
who is called, I think, Mr. Colls. His post in the French
army resembles that of quartermaster-general in our ser
vice. His business in the Delaware State is to make proper
arrangements for the reception of the Duke de la Lauzune's
Legion at Wilmington, where they are to winter.

• OF GEOBGE BEAD. 373
"I beg leave to recommend the gentleman and the affair
to you, sir, in the strongest sense, and hope he will receive
from every person that assistance which, from every con
sideration, there must be pleasure in rendering.
"I am, with great esteem, sir, your most obedient and
humble servant, "John Dickin.son.
"Honorable George Read, Esquire."
The style of Mr. Dickinson's letters is felicitous, — always
easy, elegant, and unstudied, — it is often graceful and
sprightly. . Judging him by his letters, he was earnest, very
affectionate, and generous, but of nice sensibility, over
anxious, and sometiraes timid.
Mr. S. Wharton wrote to Mr. Read as follows, from
"Philadelphia, 17th November, 1782.
"Dear Sir, — I wrote you' a few days ago, but, as the Chief
Justice is going to New Castle, it affords me an opportunity
of conveying the latest public papers.
i'News we have little that can be relied upon, except a
person is come from General Green's carap, and says that
the 10th of Noveraber was publicly fixed for the total
evacuation of Charleston. Part of the stores, and sorae
part of the garrison, and some of the inhabitants are sailed
for St. Augustine. All the British, he asserts, are to go to
New York, and the Hessians to Nova Scotia.
"It is said a vessel, arrived after a short passage from
Jamaica, came to anchor at Sand}' Hook, and the captain
proceeded to New York. Immediately Sir Guy Carleton
and Admiral Digby called a council of war, which lasted
nine hours, and then the captain of the vessel returned to
it, and she immediately sailed. Sorae say that she went to
the British fleet cruising near Gardner's Island, with orders
for it to proceed iraraediately to Jamaica, as the governor
of that island was very apprehensive of an immediate
attack from a large force of French and Spaniards. This,
I apprehend, is all conjecture, for I think the French and
Spaniards would not diminish their European fleet until
the fate of Gibraltar was decided. Indeed, it is alleged,
but, I believe,, with out any the least probability, that it had
surrendered to the besiegers. It is also asserted, upon better

374 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
foundation, that Lord Howe had not departed from England,
the 27th of Septeraber; if so, it affords some grounds to
suppose that the garrison of Gibraltar could not long resist
the very powerful attack of the French and Spanish army
by sea and land.
" The settlers to the westward of the Alleghany Mount
ain have declared that the country within that space is
independent of Pennsylvania, and they are fast settling
the lands westward of the river Ohio. This important
circumstance was coramunicated to Congress and the Gov
ernment of Pennsylvania on Friday last, and the Council
and Assembly of this State, and [they will] have a con
ference upon this intelligence to-morrow. Many, of both
bodies, are of opinion that this State would be large enough
if it was confined to the Alleghany Mountain, and it would
be wisdom to acquiesce in the proposition of an independent
State, if it was founded upon the admission of the rights of
such as have just claim. Congress could now decide the
measures of the new government; but, if the affair is
neglected for any length of tirae, it will be as unmanageable
as that of Vermont, which has been and will be fruitful of
much vexation to the National Council.
"Our friend, the President of this State, is extremely de
sirous of having an interview with you, and therefore has
desired me to write to you and know whether you would
be so obliging as to give him a meeting at Chester, some
day, in about a fortnight or a few days later, as he wishes
much to talk to you upon_ some iraportant matters. He
proposes to stay only one night at Chester, and the next
day to return, in order that you may not be detained
longer than one night from your family. I must desire you
to do me the favor of giving me an answer, by Mr. McKean,
to this request, and that you would fix the day of meeting,
and place, if any should be more agreeable to you than
Chester, — somewhere not far from it, — in this State.
" My wife and children desire to be affectionately remem
bered to Mrs. Read, and your children.
" I am, most sincerely, your faithful friend,
" Samuel Wharton.
" Honorable George Read, Esquire."
In the midst of the engagements of his laborious profes
sion, Mr. Read was startled, by the communication to him

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 375
in the letter below, of the wish of his friends in the Conti
nental Congress to nominate him for a high judicial office,
then vacant, and to be immediately filled by that body.
" Philadelphia, 27th November, 1782.
"Dear Brother, — Mr. Thoraas Fitsimmons, who is in
Congress frora this State, informed me last evening that two
judges in the Court of Appeals in admiralty cases are shortly
to be appointed, and that, in conversations at which he had
been present, you were mentioned by several members as
one of the persons they would wish to have in that office ;
but as no gentleman could take the liberty of proposing
you publicly without knowing that it would have your ap
probation, he desired I would acquaint you of the matter,
and request that I might be authorized to deliver your
sentiments respecting it. He said it seemed to be generally
agreed that the Eastern States should furnish one of the
judges, and the Middle States the other; and he had every
reason to believe you would be adopted for the latter, if
agreeable to you. He also bid me assure you that your
narae would not be coramitted without a moral certainty of
being accepted. The salary is six hundred pounds per
annum, and he said it would not require above six or eight
weeks at most in the year to perform all the duties. There
are three stated sessions annually, — viz., one at Hartford,
Connecticut, and at this place, and one in Virginia ; but it is
very seldom there is business to occasion all these meetings.
He said many merabers had expressed a strong desire that
it might raeet your approbation. I must confess I wish it,
frora motives that regard your health, which I believe
would be much benefited by the exercise [holding this
office] would occasion.
" I know of no news here at present. Mrs. Read is very
anxious about our brother Thomas. We can have nothing
concerning him on which any dependence ought to be
placed since the account of his capture. My apprehensions
are that he was taken by a frigate, bound either to the
West Indies or Europe ; in either of which cases it may be
a considerable time before we hear from hira.
" I remain your truly affectionate brother, "James Read.
"To George Read, Esquire."

376 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
To this letter Mr. Read replied promptly, yet after the
careful consideration of the question it presented, which the
importance of its right decision to himself and his family
demanded, and with his characteristic caution.
"New Castle, 28th November, 1782.
" Dear James, — I received yours of yesterday, mention
ing Mr. T. Fitsimmons's conversation with you on the va
cancy in the Court of Appeals in admiralty cases, and his
wish to know whether I approved of the proposition of him
and some other members of Congress to put me in nomina
tion to fill a vacancy there. I consider myself much obliged
to that gentleman and those members of Congress for their
favorable opinion of my integrity and abilities, so far as to
suppose them equal to this discharge of such a trust, being
conscious myself of a want in that species of law knowledge,
presently, which might be immediately necessary to be ex
ercised in case the proposed nomination should succeed : I
have doubts whether I might not disgrace their choice.
However, previous to any assent on my part, it would be
necessary for me to know what changes in my situation and
present business must necessarily follow the appointment,
if made, as I take it for granted that Congress would expect
that their Judge of Appeals would not prosecute the busi
ness of an attorney in any one of the States, and perhaps
not that of a counsel in the common-law courts. If these
are both to be laid aside, I ara apprehensive that the salary
of six hundred pounds per annum would not do for me,
whose property has been amazingly diminished since the
commencement of the American troubles. The necessary
travelling expenses would sink a third of this sum annually,
for if fixed for the Middle Department, it would fall to my
lot to attend at each stated session in the Eastern, Middle,
and Southern Department; as, for instance, the Eastern
judge would readily find an excuse for not serving in Vir
ginia, and so the Southern judge in Connecticut; and their
attendance in the Middle district might be settled by them
in turns : this supposing their residence where Congress sits
is not required, which is also material for me to know. Was
my fojrtune such as would admit of my providing for my
family in a very moderate manner, without further addition
thereto, I should not make a question of this sort; but it is

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 2,'J'J
clearly otherwise ; and therefore, as I have sacrificed much
time and money for seven years past, my duty to my family
requires that I should give some attention to their interest;
and I am persuaded that those gentlemen who have been
pleased to think of me for one of the vacancies in the Court
of Appeals would not censure this attention. My views
and expectations are small and confined. I can with safety
say that neither avarice nor ambition have taken much root
in my breast, but those whora I have been the occasion of
[their] coraing into the world I must provide for. These
things I have thrown out rather suddenly, as a favorable
opportunity now offers to send this which might not happen
for many days to come. Therefore I must beg the favor of
you to make every inquiry relative to this office I suggest
herein, and, if practicable, send me an account thereof
before you give my final answer and resolution to Mr. Fit
simmons : [1st] Where my residence must or may be.
[2d] The present judge [in the Southern Department], his
name and public character, [3d] Who is thought of for
the Eastern Department, and his character as to integrity
and abilities — with such only would I wish to act. [4 th]
Out of what fund is the annual salary payable, and the
competency of this fund. [5th] If travelling charges are
allowed. [6th] Whether the office is considered as incom
patible with other offices or business except that of member
of Congress. [7th] Whether the establishment of this
court'does or not end with the war ; if it does, this will be
an unanswerable objection to acceptance.
" I am, affectionately yours,
"George Read."
To this letter he received the following reply :
" Philadelphia, 3d September, 1782.
" Dear Beothee, — I received your letter inclosing one for
Governor Dickinson, which I immediately delivered, and
waited ou him the next morning with that written to me.
I saw him this morning, when he told me that after con
sulting some friends on the subject of the letters, they had
determined you should be put in nomination, and that he
would see you on Saturday next. After I parted from the
governor I met Mr. S. Wharton, who told rne the noraina-
25

378 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
tion was made yesterday, in consequence of some conversa
tion had with Mr. Dickinson, who showed them your let
ters ; that your friends have no doubt but you will be chosen
(with himself it amounts to a certainty) ; and the choice is
to be made on Thursday. He intends to see you on Satur
day with the governor. These gentlemen will be able to
inform you of the event ; therefore I must refer you to them
for further particulars.
"I am told the judges are paid as part of the civil list;
all which, I am told, receive pretty regular quarterly pay
ments. You will have heard that our brother Thomas has
got home, having called at our mother's on his way. We
are all well at present, and send our love to you and yours.
" I remain, yours very affectionately, "James Read.
"To George Read, Esquire."
In accordance with the expectation of his friends, Mr.
Read was chosen by the Continental Congress one of the
judges ofthe Court of Appeals in admiralty cases, established
by Congress, under the ninth article of the Confederation, on
the 5th day of December. This appointment was announced
in the most gratifying manner by Mr. Boudinot, the then
President of the Continental Congress, in his letter dated
"Philadelphia, 6th December, 1782.
" SiE, — It gives me very particular satisfaction to have
the honor of presenting you the commission of the ITnited
States, in Congress assembled, whereby you are constituted
one of the Judges of the Court of Appeals in all cases of
capture on the water, etc.
"Your established character as a gentleman, a lawyer,
and man of integrity, leaves me no room to doubt but this
appointment will do honor to Congress, produce the happi
est consequences to the good citizens of these States, and,
I hope, real satisfaction to yourself, from the consciousness
of serving your country with fidelity.
" I have the honor to be, with every sentiment of esteem
and respect, sir,
"Your most obedient and humble servant,
"Elias Boudinot.
"The Honorable George Read, Esquire, New Castle, Dela
ware."

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 379
Mr. Read's acceptance of this appointment was commu
nicated to Mr. Boudinot in the following letter :
" New Castle, 10th December, 1782.
" Sir, — I had the honor to receive your Excellency's letter
of the 6th instant, inclosing, under its cover, a commission
to me from the United States of America, in Congress as
sembled, for a judge's place in their Court of Appeals. This
unlooked-for mark of confidence from that very honorable
body impresses me with the strongest sense of gratitude,
and I can only say that, under this impression, I accept of
this appointraent with the fullest intention to discharge the
duties thereof to the best of my poor abilities, and, I hope,
with an integrity that may become the station. I ara per
suaded that in doing so I shall make the best return in my
power for the honor conferred, and the trust reposed in me
by the Great Council of America.
" I beg leave to return your Excellency my particular
thanks for the very flattering and polite manner in which
you have been pleased to communicate to me this appoint
ment. "I have the honor to be, with great respect, your Excel
lency's raost obedient and very humble servant, "George Read.*
"His Excellency Elias Boudinot, Esquire, President of
Congress." The delegates from Delaware in 1782 were Thomas
McKean, Philemon Dickinson, Caesar Rodney, and Samuel
Wharton, and all, except Mr. Rodney, being citizens of
Pennsylvania, their appointment was stigmatized as sub
serviency to that State ; but as I find this charge in a fac
tious and libellous pamphlet, in which Mr. Read and the
party with which its writer identifies him, is acrimoniously
assailed, I reject it as up worthy of credence.f
* See Appendix B.
f Mr. Madison alleged another cause for this and like appointments.
" He reminded the Convention of another consequence of leaving
upon a small State the burden of maintaining a representation in Con
gress. During a considerable period of the war, one of the repre
sentatives of Delaware (in whom alone, before the signing of the Con
federation, was the entire vote of that State, and after that event one-
half of its vote frequently) was a citizen and resident of Pennsylvania

380 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
The vote in the British House of Commons against the
further prosecution of the war in America, and "Address"
to the crown in conformity with it, and the state of the
American army, from the financial embarrassment of the
country, relieved it from active military operations, but
not without fear that they might be renewed, as the repug
nance of the British sovereign to the dismemberment of his
empire was undiminished, and the great victory of Rodney
might embolden the ministry to renew the war. The pleni
potentiaries of the United States concluded, 30th Novem
ber, 1782, a treaty with England, which, with the recogni
tion of their independence, secured, as to the fisheries and
boundaries, — defeating the selfish intrigues of France and
Spain, — enough to satisfy their just and reasonable expec
tations. Though this treaty was not to take effect till
peace was declared between England, France, and Spain,
yet none could doubt, at the close of 1782, that independ
ence was achieved, — the noble object for which so much
blood, and money, and toil had been expended, and so
much wisdom, self-sacrifice, courage, and patience mani
fested, though it ought not to be denied that there were
dark periods when patriotism quailed under the drafts that
were made upon it; ambition, self-seeking, and faction were
rampant, and the wisest and best citizens were no longer
found within the hall of that once august body, — the Con
tinental Congress.
In 1783 Mr. Read not only recovered the clients he had
lost, by his attendance upon Congress, but added to them;
and he was still a member of the Delaware Legislature.
The following letter communicated the joyful news of the
general peace : "Philadelphia, March 24th, 1783.
"Deae Sir, — I do myself the honor to inclose you a
hand-bill, containing the most agreeable intelligence of the
signature of the general preliminaries of peace.
who held an office in his own State incompatible with an appointment
from it to Congress. During another period the same State was repre
sented by three delegates, t-wo of whom were citizens of Pennsylvania
and the third a citizen of New Jersey. These expedients must have
been intended to avoid the burden of supporting delegates from their
own State." — Debates in the Federal Convention. — Madison Papers,
vol. ii. p. 901.

OF GEORGE READ. 381
" We have to thank the Marquis Lafayette for the early
information, who obtained leave that the sloop of war
called the Tviumph should touch here, though but the sec
ondary purpo.se of her voyage.
" I most sincerely congratulate you upon the happy pros
pect of public liberty and independence.
" The Superintendent of Marine is directed to call in all
our cruisers, and despatches are sent to New York, inform
ing Sir Guy* and Digby of the news, that they may take
the necessary steps on their side.
" I am, with great regard, your obedient and very hum
ble servant, "Gunning Bedford, Junior."f
Mr. Read, unless for cogent reasons, could not, I think,
have resisted the kind urgency of his friend John Dickin
son's request, made in his next letter :
" Dear Sir, — Mr. McKean tells me this evening that you
intend to be in town to-morrow or Wednesday week. I beg
that you will bring up Mrs. Read with you, if she can stay
but a short time, and make my house your home. We
have a room at your service, and I ain authorized to say you
will make Mrs. Dickinson and me very happy [by coming
to us]. The journey will be of benefit to Mrs. Read, and I
beg that good lady to consider that there is real difference
between things impossible and things difficult. I know a
multitude of objections may be made, — the boys may grow
quite wild in the absence of both of you, or the servants
may turn the house out at the windows, or the garden be
corae a desert, or the cows be neglected, or a plurality of
inconveniences may be apprehended. But confide in your
fortune; engage the friendly assistance of your worthy
brother and neighbor, and give particular directions to my
good friend Juba, and I'll be bound affairs will run on very
cleverly. " Mrs. Dickinson and Sally present their most respectful
compliments to you, Mrs. Read, and the family, and I de
sire that mine also may be accepted.
* Carleton.
f The delegates in Congress, a.d. 1783, were Ctesar Rodney, James
Tilton, Eleazer McComb, and Gunning Bedford, Junior.

382 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
" I am, dear sir, ever affectionately your very humble
servant, "John Dickinson.
"April 5th, 1783.
"Geoege Read, Esquire."
Called to Dover by a session of the Legislature, Mr. Read
wrote to his wife from that place. "June llth, 1783.
" My dear G  , This public business of ours goes on
so slowly that I have my apprehensions of being detained
here part of the next week, unless much of what is under
consideration should be left unfinished. I could wish to
have a few weeks of entire relaxation from business, being
persuaded that I shall not recover that depression of the
spirits which has attended my habit since my sickness in
Philadelphia, for though I have been free from any pains,
yet I continue in a very relaxed state. Having the mind
perfectly freed from regular thinking, and some seasonable
exercise, I am persuaded would afford the relief I want,
but this cannot be for more than a fortnight .to come. The
Court of Oyer and Terminer is fixed for Monday week at
New Castle, said the Chief Justice last evening, and the
business thereof will take up that week. The elder David
Hall is dead, and his offices of prothonotary and clerk of
the peace are solicited for by his son, the doctor, and Harry
Neil. I have not heard of any other appliers as yet.
There will be no determination of the person till the Presi
dent's return, as his Privy Council have a voice therein. I
do not recollect anything else that hath occurred worth
mentioning. " Remember me to our children and friends, and believe
me yours most affectionately, " George' Read.
Mrs. G. Read, New Castle, per John Vining, Esquire."

li

Mr. Read, being in Philadelphia in the month of August,
had, for what reason does not appear, not gone to his friend
Mr. Dickinson's house to lodge, as was expected, and Mr.
Dickinson wrote, in consequence, the following letter of
affectionate expostulation :

OF GEORGE BEAD. 383
"Dear Sir, — I wrote to you some days ago, insisting
upon your lodging with me, having heard accidentally
that you were to be in town. I sent the letter by Mr.
Curtis Clay.
" I now hear with surprise that you are at Mrs. House's.
You must not treat me so unkindly. Remove to my house
to-morrow, with bag and baggage, or I will take it as most
unfriendly behavior. What can you mean ? I know that
I may always take leave to shun New Castle, which I will
religiously do, unless you treat me in the character I have
a pleasure in endeavoring to preserve, of being your friend.
"John Dickinson.
"Wednesday, August—, 1783."
In September Mr. Read was again called to Philadelphia,
to attend the Court of Appeals in admiralty cases, and
again urged by his friend Mr. Dickinson to be his guest:
"Deae Sie, — I understand that the Court of Appeals
sits this month. I therefore insist upon your taking your
former lodgings here. Please to give Mrs. Dickinson's
compliments to Mrs. Read, and tell her, if she really de
sires to oblige us, she will visit Philadelphia with you.
" I am, sir, your truly affectionate "John Dickinson.
"Philadelphia, September 1st, 1783.
" George Read, Esquire."
Between his public duties and professional engagements,
Mr. Read's life was one of incessant occupation. It appears
by the following letter that in November he was in Dover,
as. member of Council, the Legislature being in session :
" My deae G  , I sit down to write at eight o'clock this
Friday evening, after a tedious sitting to hear the long re
lation given by witnesses under examination as to the
irregularities complained of in the Sussex election. From
the slow progress in this work, which was begun yesterday,
I cannot give you any just information as to the time of my
return, but presently suppose it will not be till the latter
part of the next week. The Council have gone through
the examination of the Kent election, but no determination

384 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
is yet had thereon. I have just got a note from Mr. B.
Chew, mentioning his having seen you yesterday, at half-
past one o'clock, and all well. I have the pleasure of in
forming you that I am presently in the like situation, but
I know of nothing particular here worth mentioning. Dr.
Gilden, who is to carry this, has let me know that he in
tends setting out from hence early to-morrow morning;
therefore accept of this as an apology for a hasty scrawl.
My love to our friends, and believe me yours, most affec
tionately, "George Read.
"DovEE, 7th November, 1783.
" Mrs. G. Read, New Castle."
On the 17th November Mr. Dickinson wrote to Mr. Read,
" I shall be exceedingly obliged to you if you could, with
out too much trouble, send me a copy of your militia law.
We think here that we have very great reason to complain
of two of your young gentlemen who have been in town
and never called to see us, except one of them, in going up
to Bordentown."
Judge Killen facetiously announces his second marriage
in the following letter: "Dover, December 10th, 1783.
"Deae Sie, — Since I saw you last I have got married, —
God help me ! The mighty advantageous character- you
gave me of the woman I am now obliged to acknowledge
for a wife had no small influence in bringing about our
present union, which I am fearful will ruin me ; that is,
bring me into disgrace with all my friends and acquaint
ance, but raore especially with hers. Had I married a
termigant, I believe I should have made a tolerably peace
ful husband, and submitted quietly to a petticoat despotism;
but this good woman — my wife, I mean — pays such an ex
treme attention to me and my children, — shows such a
desire to please, — that I am afraid she will utterly spoil me,
and, instead of the henpecked husband, will transform me
into the legal tyrant. This you know would be a great
misfortune to me, as it would inevitably change the favor
able sentiments you and others of my friends inay have en
tertained of me heretofore into resentment and detestation,
as none of you who knew Mrs. Killen before her connection

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 385
with me, in case any discontent or uneasiness should arise
between her and me, will charge her with being the cause,
— all the blame will be attributed to me. From this state
of my case you will naturally conclude that, by entering
into the matrimonial contract, I entered into recognizance
for my future good behavior. If, therefore, I have any
regard to my own credit, it will be incurabent on rne not to
forfeit this recognizance ; for in that case, should you be
employed to bring an action thereon, I know you will prose
cute me with the utmost rigor. For this reason I will,
under all my infirmities, strive, by my peaceable behavior,
to avoid this danger. But, to be a little serious. Mrs.
Killen seems much pleased with her new place of residence,
and the kind and polite reception she has met with here
from raany of my friends and acquaintances, of both sexes,
but, perhaps, as much owing to the amiable character she
sustained before her marriage as to their friendship for me.
Be that as it may, you can, if you please, when you come
to attend the next meeting of the General Assembly at this
place, be better informed of things interesting to her than
I can relate. In the mean time she joins me in our respect
ful corapliraents to you and Mrs. Read.
"I am, dear sir, your most obedient, humble servant,
"William Killen.
"The Honorable George Read, Esquire."
In December, 1783, Mr. Livingston, Secretary of Foreign
Affairs, resigned. General Schuyler, Mr. Read, and Mr.
Clymer were nominated to succeed him, but unwillingness
was manifested by several States to vote for any of these
gentlemen ; and it having been hinted that Mr. Livingston
might be prevailed on to serve till the spring, a committee
was appointed (December 20th) to confer with him, who
reported (December 21st) that he had consented to do so ;
and this report was agreed to without opposition. — Elliott's
Debates, vol. v. pp. 9, 16.
The year 1783 closed upon Mr. Read in the bosom of his
family, sharing the joy of his countrymen at the successful
termination of their contest with Great Britain; and he
could not but share in the anxiety and gloom of 1784, and
several succeeding years, when the States (united little more
than in name), exhausted by eight years of war, without

386 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
credit, almost, at home and abroad, and without an efficient
national government, seemed to be drifting, helpless and
hopeless, to confusion and anarchy.
Of Mr. Read's correspondence in 1784 I have found but
two letters. Of these, the first is from Mr. Dickinson ; the
other from himself to merchants of Philadelphia.
" Dear Sir, — Last night I returned from Carlisle — a jaunt
that I hope will be of some service to my health. To-day
I met your son in the street, and he was so obliging as to
call this afternoon. He can spare but a few minutes, as he
proposes to leave town to-morrow morning. I cannot miss
the opportunity of returning you my thanks for making the
inquiries mentioned in a former letter, and have only further
to trouble you by requesting you to know of Mr. Duff to
whom he paid the money that was recovered by McCool.
Mrs. Dickinson and Sally join with me in presenting our
best compliments to you, Mrs. Read, and the young gentle
men. "I am, sir, your very affectionate and humble servant,
"John Dickinson.
"Philadelphia, April 14th, 1784.
"George Read, Esquire." " New Castle, 9th September, 1784.
" Gentlemen, — This will be presented to you by a Mr.
Nathan Thomas, of this county [New Castle], whose in
clination leads him to perfect his studies (begun here) in
the physical line at Edinburgh ; and to enable him to con
tinue there the necessary tirae for that purpose, he wishes
to have a letter of credit to your house, as connected in
commerce with that city, and has applied to me for such
letter, saying that you were pleased to inform him that
such a letter from me would be satisfactory to you, and that
you would honor his drafts to the amount thereof. Though
this young gentleman is but little known to me, I well knew
his father, who, at his death, left a valuable estate among
his children ; and I learn that this son inherits parts thereof,
to the value of one thousand pounds currency or more.
Therefore, willing to encourage him in his laudable pursuit
after knowledge, I do hereby engage myself to be answer
able to you for his occasional drafts for money from time to

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 387
time, so as the same shall not in the whole exceed the sum
of one hundred pounds sterling money of Great Britain, ex
pecting that you will give me a reasonable notice previous
to your expected times for payment of them, that I may be
punctual therein and you not disappointed. I am obliged
by your confidence, though not personally known [to you] ;
and I am, with much esteem, your most obedient servant,
" George Read.
" Messrs. Stewart & Barr, Merchants in Philadelphia."
By this generous act Mr. Read suffered some inconven
ience, as will appear.
In conformity with a resolution of Congress of 10th De
cember, 1784, the agents of New York and Massachusetts
(December 24th, 1784) appointed Mr. Read, with eight
others, commissioners to constitute a court to determine a
controversy as to territory claimed by both, by virtue of
article ninth of the Confederation. — Journals of Congress,
vol. xi. pp. 14, 24, 25.
The Legislature of Delaware enacted a law (February
5th, 1785) for calling in, paying, and destroying such of the
bills of credit, issued by the then existing or any preceding
government of this State, as were outstanding.* The fol
lowing " Protest" of Messrs. Bassett and Read shows in a
very luminous manner the reasons of their dissent from the
provision for the payment of these bills at the rate of one
pound for every seventy-five pounds thereby secured to be
paid :
" Richard Bassett, upon the yeas and nays being entered
on the question aforesaid [shall the section of the bill con
taining the above provision pass], demanded leave to enter
reasons of dissent thereto; which, being granted, he delivered
a paper, subscribed by him and George Read, containing as
follows. [They] dissent :
" Because by an act of the Assembly of this State, passed
the llth of February, 1781, for stating the accounts of the
several loan officers, etc. in the respective counties of this
State, commissioners were appointed for the express pur
pose of settling and stating all the accounts of the said loan
* Laws of Delaware, vol. ii. p. 801.

388 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
oflficers, from the 1st of June, 1774, to the 1st of June, 1781,
therein forming an accurate list of all mortgages outstand
ings — principal and interest due and to become due to the
1st of June last aforesaid, — with the sums of money in the
hands of any of the trustees in each year during the said
period, whether the same, or any or what part thereof was
gold, silver, government. State, or Continental money, and
when and how the same had been applied or disposed of,
and also giving in such statement all such other information
respecting the premises as might best enable the General Assem
bly to determine concerning the said funds and the transac
tions relating to the said office. That the said commission
ers have reported no more than two statements of the said
loan office transactions, — to wit, for the counties of Kent
and Sussex; and these are wanting in some part of the
information specially pointed out, and have not yet been
acted upon by the General Assembly. That the delays in
making these statements raust have been considered una
voidable, otherwise it is to be presuraed other commissioners
would have been appointed to that duty.
" That we who dissent to the first enacting clause of the
bill, so far as it fixes the redeeming value of these bills of
credit at the rate of seventy-five pounds of their nominal
sums as only equal to one pound of the present lawful
money of the State, are of opinion that the General Assem
bly, at this time, have not that information respecting the
said loan office funds as was directed to be furnished under
the act of Assembly before mentioned, and which we con
ceive to be indispensably necessary to fix the redeeming
value of these bills upon the principles of justice and pres
ervation of the public faith, pledged by the legislative au
thority of the State, at the tirae of emitting and sending forth
the said bills of credit as a teraporary currency for the benefit
and advantage of the State and its wanting inhabitants; and
that we may be understood in the assertion that the public
faith, as aforesaid, hath been pledged, we refer to the sev
eral acts of Assembly for emitting different sums, in bills
of credit, on loan, and providing funds for payment of
public debt; by which it appears that these paper bills were
devised to supply the place of a deficient quantity of gold
and silver, necessary for the common uses of money in the
society, and, at the same time, to furnish government with a

OF GEOBGE BEJ^D. 389
supply for the support thereof to be derived from the interest
reserved, and to be paid by those who had the loaned use
of the paper bills for a limited time ; that these borrowers,
to secure the return or repayment of those bills after that
limited time, mortgaged their real property to trustees ap
pointed for the purpose, and bound themselves, in their
mortgages, to pay the nominal suras of the bills of credit
loaned to them, either in like bills, or in other current
money of America, which might furnish the trustees with
other money to exchange for the remaining part of the bills
of credit that had issued from the said loan offices, and not re
paid in kind by the borrowers ; so that all the bills of credit
which were so sent forth for teraporary circulation, in lieu
of gold and silver, might gain a credit or opinion, among
the holders thereof, equal to that of gold and silver, from
the nature and value of the property pledged to the public,
by the borrowers or mortgagers, for the repayment or re
demption of such bills of credit. That this security, and it
alone, could and did support the value of those bills as equal
to gold and silver, — it being of that nature as best to insure
the return of those bills to the public's trustees or agents,
who, by those laws of emission, were directed to receive, ex
change for, and afterwards burn and destroy all those bills,
after a circulation, for the purposes above mentioned, for
the periods of twelve or, at most, sixteen years, — the long
est tirae proposed, in any of those laws, for their existence.
In this manner, we say, the public faith of the State hath
been pledged by the legislative authority thereof. Now
the question arises shall that be wantonly or unnecessarily
broken by directing that the principal moneys due on the
outstanding mortgages, when paid in, shall be applied but
in part to the calling in and redeeming the paper bills of
credit emitted, under the circumstances aforesaid, at one-
fourth of the value at which government first parted with
them? and that the residue of those principal moneys
should be taken for the use of the State, as well as the in
terest moneys, which properly belonged to it, as reserved
and so declared in the original laws to be the sole benefit
that was to accrue to government therefrom, for, that prin
cipal being paper in its emission, a return of that paper was
to be procured, and then [it was to be] burned at limited
periods, so that if the faith or promise made in those acts

390 LIFE AND COBBE SPONDENG-E
of Assembly was kept and observed as it ought [to be], as
well on principles of policy as of justice, all those paper
bills ought to be called in at the value they issued [at], if
the funds provided for so doing were equal thereto ; but if
lessened by unavoidable accidents or measures, then so
much ofthe funds as remained unhurt, that is so much of
the principal moneys yet due, and which can be received
on the outstanding mortgages, should be applied for this
purpose, and for this only; and each present holder of
these paper bills should receive only the sum per pound
which the fund of principal moneys, when collected in,
would enable the trustees to give in lieu of the whole sums
of paper bills emitted as aforesaid. Therefore, until it can
be known how much of principal moneys the outstanding
mortgages will produce or bring into the loan office chest,
the General Assembly cannot, in justice, and consistent[ly]
with the public faith, pledged as before mentioned, fix the
value of those bills of credit, demanded by the clause of the
bill herein objected to, at perhaps one-third or two-thirds
less value than the productive funds, arising from the mort
gages aforesaid, may or shall produce. This will be a lay
ing hold of moneys they have not the least color or shadow
of right to, or pretence for, — to wit, the principal moneys
outstanding and due on all the loan office mortgages. As
to the interest due, we do not apprehend any just or legal
claim can be made thereon by the holders of those paper
bills to be called in, because that was declared, in the first
instance, to be for use of government. The funds for se
curing the principal were all that was declared or offered for
securing the redemption of those paper bills, so the holders
were to run the risk of their being reduced by unavoidable
accidents or measures that might happen. Therefore we,
the dissentients, say that fixing the payment of the certifi
cates, directed to be be given up by the respective trustees
appointed in the bill, to seventy-five for one,* is improper
and unnecessary, because premature, and now is apparently
unjust and u.n warrantable from anything appearing to this
House. "Richard Bassett.
"George Read."
* Delaware Laws, vol. ii. p. 803.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 391
Mr. Read received, in August, the distressing intelligence
of the death of his brother-in-law, the Reverend William
Thompson, Rector of St. Stephen's Church, Cecil County,
Maryland. "Deae Sir, — It is with feelings of the most tender
nature that I sit down to inform you of the death of your
esteemed friend, the Reverend William Thompson, who
took his flight to a better world about half-past three this
afternoon. He unfortunately got a small scratch upon his
leg, last week, and on Friday evening the indications of a
mortification showed themselves. . It presently pervaded
the whole system, and would not give the least way to
any means used by Doctors Clayton, Matthews, and
Veazey. " Poor Mrs. Thompson,* who, as you may imagine, is in
consolable, cannot be prevailed upon to have the corpse in
terred before the service can be performed, and the putrid
state of it will not permit it to be kept longer than till to
morrow afternoon, if so long. A messenger is therefore
hurried off to you under a hope that you, and any other of
his friends who can, will attend, and with a request that you
will prevail on the Reverend Mr. Wharton to accompany
you and preach his funeral sermon. I can on this melan
choly occasion only lament with you the loss that both the
community at large and his near connections must sustain
by his death.
" I am so agitated, I hardly know what I write you.
" Dear sir, your most obedient, humble servant,
"Michael Earl.
"Cecil, half-past four o'clock p.m., Tuesday, August
16th, 1785."
Mr. Read was now inconvenienced and annoyed by a
draft on him, without the reasonable, stipulated notice, of
the young man, Nathan Thomas, to whora he had given
a credit with a mercantile firm in Philadelphia, to enable
him to pursue the study of medicine in Edinburgh, where
was the most celebrated school of physic of that day.
* Daughter of the Reverend George Ross.

392 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
"New Castle, 23d September, 1785.
"Gentlemen, — A bill drawn by Nathan Thomas, at Edin
burgh, in favor of Alexander Mowbray, for thirty pounds
sterling, payable at five days' sight, directed to me, hath
been exhibited on your behalf, as indorsers of that bill, for
acceptance and payment, — this being the first notice I have
had of such an intended draft, and which was most in
cautiously made, by this Nathan Thomas, at so short a
sight. I have been obliged to inform your friend, Mr.
Thompson, that I could not accept it for payment within
the time limited therein, having paid, and being under
obligations to pay, in the course of the next week, so much
of the moneys that I had on hand, that I could not advance
even this sum within the limit of this bill. When you
resort to my letter of the 9th of September, 1784, giving
Nathan Thoraas a credit with you for occasional drafts, not
exceeding one hundred pounds sterling, it was [you will
see] on the terms of a reasonable notice previous to the ex
pected time of payment, and I can submit to you whether
this five days can be considered as such. To be in this
situation of postponing payment of what I may be called
upon for, is very unpleasing and rather uncommon with me,
and you may be assured that if I could so immediately pay
this sum, as demanded, I would do so, rather than give my
self the trouble of writing this, or you that of reading it.
Nathan Thomas has not acted prudently in this business,
nor agreeably to his engagements with me, which were
that his brother, his agent here, should collect his out
standing moneys and place them, or so much of them as he
should want, in your hands, previous to his drawing, and
that no draft should ever be made till one or more letters
of advice were sent previously, giving notice thereof. I
have never received a line from him, nor seen the brother
but once, to my knowledge, since I wrote to you, and I
think he then called to tell me that Nathan had arrived in
Great Britain ; and, in truth, the idea of being drawn upon
had slipped my memory, so that I have not from tirae to
time made the necessary prudent inquiries as to the steps
taken to get moneys to answer Nathan's wants, — for, you
may be assured, I neither have nor ever had a shilling of
his in my possession. However, agreeably to my engage
ment to you, I will pay you, or your order, at New Castle,

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 393
the amount of this bill, in thirty days (the most common
usance in exchange) from this date, and, should I be en
abled sooner so to do, will give you or Mr. Thompson notice
thereof I shall take it as a favor that you write to your
correspondent to decline taking any drafts of this youngster,
made at less usances than sixty days, so that no unneces
sary disappointments may arise as to the receiver or payer,
and I am your most obedient servant, "George Read.
"To Messrs. Stewart & Bare, Merchants, Philadelphia.
"After writing the above. Captain Robinson gave me an
order on Mr. Hu : Thompson, Wilmington, for the sum of
fifty-three pounds, nine shillings, and eight pence, currency,
the amount of the before-mentioned bill, which Mr. Thomp
son accepted and gave me a receipt for on the bill, for that
sum, and I gave Captain Robinson my note therefor, pay
able in twenty days, and I requested immediate payment
from James Thomas."
Mr. Read added to this memorandum, "Paid this note,
25th October, 1785, and received the whole amount from
James Thomas."
Mr. Read did not, as a less benevolent man might have
done, withdraw the credit he had given young Thomas, as
appears from a copy (on the back of the above letter) of his
draft on him for seventy pounds, from Greenock, 27th of
May, 1786, presented for acceptance, 5th of August, 1786,
towards payment of which he notes, on the same letter, the
receipt of forty pounds from James Thomas.
Mr. Read was re-elected to the " Council," at the general
election held in October, 1785, for three years.. The whole
number of votes cast was 1503, of which he received 1062.*
Mr. Read introduced, in the following letter, two youths,
seeking admission into Nassau Hall, to the distinguished
president of that college, who found, it may be hoped, in
the discharge of the duties of that office, occupation more
desirable and pleasing to him, as it certainly was more akin
to his sacred profession, than the deliberations and debates
of the Continental Congress, of which he was a prorainent
meraber. Who could have even conjectured the career in
* See Appendix C.
26

394 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
America of this minister of the kirk of Scotland ? When
he turned his back upon the weavers of Paisley, his friends
anticipated that he would win high repute as a governor
and teacher of young men, and probably be the rival, as an
author, of Edwards, the subtle defender of the dark and
cruel fatalism of Calvin, — but not that he would be the bold
and active and able advocate, as he was, of colonial rights,
in the hall of Congress and without it, and have the high
honor of setting his name to that immortal instrument, the
Declaration of independence.* "New Castle, 17th October, 1785.
" Reverend Sir, — This will be handed to you by two
young men, — one my son, the other a youth, son of a de
ceased friend, — who wish to pursue a particular line of
study at your college for the ensuing twelve months, if the
same may be consistent with your rules and regulations.
They have gone through all the common classical Latin
authors, except Cicero's Orations, at the grammar school
in this town, but have read only some small parts of the
Greek Testament, as nothing more of that language was
intended for them. I had expected ere this that they would
have gone through Cicero's Orations ; however, I have been
disappointed. Both of the young men express the desire
to begin the study of the law, after employing twelve
months in sorae branches of learning that may be useful
and necessary, — viz., logic, moral philosophy, and the most
useful parts of mathematics. They wait of you to be in
formed if they can have a chance of pursuing such a line of
education in the college of Princeton. I have the satis
faction to say that their raorals and conduct here have been
as unexceptionable as those of any youth within my knowl
edge ; and I have reason to hope a continuance of the like,
more especially if they shall be placed in the college, under
your direction. They now attend you to be informed if
they can be thus instructed, and if so, will engage their
lodgings, and return again to Princeton by the beginning
or middle of next month. " I am, etc., " Geoege Read.
"To De. Witherspoon, at Princeton, New Jersey."
* See Appendix G.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 395
The year 1785 closed upon Mr. Read with his business
so increased as to reduce him to what he calls, in the follow
ing letter to his friend John Dickinson, now removed to
Wilmington, a state of slavery. "New Castle, 20th December, 1785.
" Dear Sir, — I should have done rayself the pleasure of
waiting upon you yesterday, with ray daughter, that she
might have paid her respects to your lady and Miss Sall}^,
but I was unexpectedly prevented by an accidental inter
ference of business, and through which I am reduced to a
greater state of slavery than my raan Juba. The day was
fine and terapting, and such another may not happen
shortly. The air of this morning is raw and disagreeable,
— rather too much so to pass the 'Ferry;' however, on the
first favorable change I shall embrace it and see you. Mrs.
Read has been much distressed with a severe cold for more
than ten days past, and must probably confine herself for
the winter. This morning she complains of much pain in
the breast, and the cough has been violent. My brother.
Captain Read, has been waiting for eight days to have about
twelve hours of my tirae devoted to sorae business of his,
and this is the first day I could give him an expectation of
appropriating to his service. I had yours by Mr. Lake,
delivered after a messenger came from the court requiring
my attendance there, and while I was putting on my shoes,
so that I had no opportunity of even treating him with a
show of civility, which I would have done by reason of your
introduction of hira. The old lady, Alraond, perforraed the
business you sent her in for. Mrs. Read and Miss Polly
desire compliments to Mrs. Dickinson, Miss Sally, and Miss
Maria, to whom you will present mine; and I ara, with
much esteem, "Your most obedient, humble servant, "George Read.
" Honorable John Dickinson, Wilraington, Delaware."
Mr. Read's anxiety for his son John, lately adraitted into
the junior class, Nassau Hall, and having recently, for the
first time, left his paternal wing, to trust in his own judg
ment and prudence to guide him in a new scene with novel
companionship, was relieved by satisfactory intelligence, as
appears by the following letter :

396 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
"New Castle, December 10th, 1785.
" My dear Son, — In yours of the 29th ulto., brought by
your uncle, John Read, you mention a letter from you to
me as sent per post. It never came to hand, which is the
reason you have had no answer thereto ; and I am not in
formed by your last what might have been theiein requiring
a special answer. Your uncle tells me you received one
frora me by that conveyance, which is all I have yet wrote.
One of yours of the 12th of November, directed within to
your mamma, with a superscription to me, wherein you
mention being examined, and your then seeming intention
not to enter the junior class but only as a resident student,
and to diet at Dr. Smith's until you heard from me. My
letter, sent per post, left you at liberty to act for yourself,
relying on your prudence for the choice of measures and
conduct. But I understand from your uncle that you have
entered the junior class, which, upon the whole, I am best
satisfied with ; and as to the place of your board, you are
at liberty to choose for yourself, as you have the means in
your own power to pay for it by drawing upon your Uncle
James in Philadelphia, or writing to him to send you occa
sionally what you want by some safe hand, which he can
readily meet with, you taking care to notify him of your
wants in time.
" I am informed that young Mr. Read, of South Carolina,
is in the same room with you. He is a little known to me;
I met with him as a fellow-lodger at Mrs. House's, in Phila
delphia. Make my compliments to him. I think you will
have reason to be pleased with him. His father was a
native of New Castle, born in the house T. Pusey now lives
in, next to us.
" When you come to be better acquainted with the cus
toms of the college, and the families about you, you will
find all things raore agreeable; and if any matters are
wanting in the provision way, you have the means of pur
chase in your power, which, I doubt not, you would use
prudently. Your uncle tells me that Cantwell and you
express your entire satisfaction of the diet at Dr. Smith's ;
if so, by all means, continue there. I do expect that you
will write me with the utmost freedom on every occasion
when time shall admit of your doing so. I am anxiously
desirous of having your mind at ease, for the sake of its

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 397
improvement in knowledge, and I hope that you will not
permit those occurrences which necessarily happen in the
attainment of knowledge to disturb you What I particu
larly allude to is early rising, which is indispensably neces
sary, though it was shamefully dispensed with at New
Castle. When you see Captain Little, inform him that I
have his letter per your uncle, and will comply with the
directions therein as time and opportunity offer. We have
an adjourned court, to begin on Monday and continue each
day through the week. I am concerned in thirty-two of
the causes set down for trial, so that I can attend to nothing
else during that time.
" When you went to Princeton I did not recollect that
Colonel George Morgan lived there, or I should have given
you an introductory letter to him. He has been long known
to me, and is a very worthy man, and I wish you to be
known to him and his family. My first leisure will furnish
you with such a letter. I have not yet answered Dr.
Witherspoon's letter, waiting to hear particularly from you.
I gave you the purport of his to me. Look over it, and if
you would wish me to mention anything relative to your
situation, inforra rae in your next.
" Be attentive to your health, taking prudent exercise
when the weather admits. I have written to your brother
Will on the subject, and desired him to transcribe what I
mentioned to him to attend to ; if he should delay coraply-
ing with my request, remind hira of it. By accustoming
yourself to letter-writing, it will becorae farailiar and easy.
Be attentive to your spelling, as mistakes of that sort are
rather culpable in a classical scholar of rank, and it only
requires a little attention to the words when forraing thera
with the pen. Remember the family to Cantwell Jones.
George will probably pay you a visit ere long, but the tirae
cannot be fixed yet.
" I am, with affectionate regard, yours,
" George Read.
" In your superscription of letters you are not to put Mr.
and Esqr. at .the same time, — one of them only is proper.
Your last, I discover, had the Mr. erased.
" Master John Read, Princeton."

398 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
In 1786 the mortifying fact was ascertained that the
financial plan proposed by Congress in 1783 had failed.
This scheme vested in Congress power to lay and collect
imposts on certain enumerated articles of merchandise
during the period of twenty-five years, and so provided, in
part, a fund for the expenses of the Confederacy ; but it
coiild not take effect without the consent of all the States,
and New York refused her assent. The state of affairs was
gloomy, — the war-debt of the Revolution, of forty-two mil
lions of dollars, must be paid or secured, and its annual
interest provided for, and the country was exhausted by
that war. Congress had but the shadow of power, its requi
sitions being disobeyed and its recommendations unnoticed.
It availed nothing that this body could contract debts and
make treaties, since it could not raise money to- pay the one,
nor could it enforce the other. There was a mischievous
party that fomented in the States jealousy of the general
governraent, and defeated, too often, endeavors to make it
efficient. Enterprise drooped, patriotism seemed dead, and
the future was dark and unpromising. The people were
looking on, inert, helpless, and stupid, while the opportu
nity offered to reap the fruit of their late success was
passing from them. They were like the sick man at the
critical point of his malady, when he either dies or
recovers. Secretary Thomson's letter, the first in my possession of
Mr. Read's correspondence in the year 1786, exhibits the
official delinquencies in Delaware, — a sample of those in
other States :
" Office of Secretary of Congress, March 1st, 1786.
" Sir, — Having occasion to write to you for the purpose
of forwarding a resolution of Congress expressing their sense
of the ability, fidelity, and attention of the judges of the
Court of Appeals, I cannot omit the opportunity of request
ing your assistance in a matter that concerns the honor of
your State and the welfare of the Union. Since the begin
ning of November last your State has been unrepresented
in Congress. I have frequently written to the President
[of Delaware] ; but whether my letters have failed to reach
hira, or from his living out of the way of the post his an
swers have miscarried, or from sorae other cause I know
not, I have never received an answer to any of my letters.

OF GEORGE READ. 399
"The present situation of public affairs requires a full
representation in Congress of all the States ; I must there
fore request that you would exert your influence in urging
the attendance of your delegates as speedily as possible.
" I have further to observe that Congress, by an act of
27th May last, required ' the Legislatures of the several
States to cause the services of the agents appointed for the
purpose of receiving and distributing the certificates of the
Paymaster-General, in a final settlement of the balances
due the officers and soldiers of their respective lines, to be
examined, and make thera such allowance as they may
think them entitled to, and charge the same to the United
States.' "On the 7th of June, 1785, they passed an act recom
mending to the several States to raake provision for officers,
soldiers, or seamen who have been disabled in the service
of the United States, in a manner pointed out in the act.
And by an act of the 27th July, 1785, they directed the
Secretary of Congress to apply to ' the executives of the
several States for thirteen copies of the legislative acts
thereof since the 1st September, 1784, one copy of which to
be retained, for the use of Congress, and one set to be de
livered to the delegates of each State (except the State
whose acts are delivered), for the use of the Legislature
thereof;' and at the sarae time they directed the Secretary
to procure and distribute, in the same way, the acts which
might thereafter be passed, to the end that every State,
being thus informed, may have the fullest confidence in the
other States, and derive the advantages which may result
frora the joint wisdom of the whole.
"On the 27th November, 1785, they made a requisition
on the States for the payment of the interest of the foreign
and domestic debt and for the services of that year. On the
30th September they passed an act regulating the office of
the Commissioners of the Continental Loan Offices in the
several States, making it part of their duty to receive the
moneys arising from Continental taxes in their respective
States, and to pay the interest due from the United States
in the said States respectively; and in the said act recom
mended to the Legislatures of the several States to direct
their treasurers to transmit to the Board of Treasury a
monthly abstract of all moneys paid on account of the re-

400 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
spective States to the Coramissioners of the Continental
Loan Offices, distinguishing the dates and the amounts of
payments, and the sums paid in actual money from these in
interest certificates.
"And on the 12th October, 1785, they passed a resolution
earnestly calling on the States to complete, without delay,
the whole of their quotas ofthe requisitions of 4 th Septem
ber, 1782, and 27th and 28th of August, 1784, and requiring
such ofthe States as were deficient in paying their respective
quotas of the interest of the domestic debt, pursuant to the
said requisitions, to collect and pay into the public treasury
the amount of such deficiencies, either in certificates, to be
issued pursuant to the requisition of the 27th of September,
for payment of the said interest, or in specie, to be applied
to the redemption of such certificates ; providing, neverthe
less, that the sura to be paid into the treasury in interest
certificates, as part of the requisition of April, 1784, shall
not at any time exceed the proportion of facilities to be paid,
agreeably to that requisition.
"These several acts I transmitted to the President, but
have received no answer; I have therefore to request the
favor of you to use your endeavors that I may have an
answer to the several transmissions. The best answer will
be the acts of the Legislature complying with the recom
mendations, acts, and requisitions.
" It is my earnest wish therefore that you would exert
your interest and abilities — both which I know are great —
in prevailing with the Legislature to pass laws as speedily
as possible, in compliance and conformity with those several
acts, if they have not already done it, and then to use your
interest in having them forwarded, that I may make report
thereof to Congress.
" I shall be still further obliged if, with these laws, you
can have the thirteen copies sent on which are mentioned
in the act of the 27th July, 1785.
" I should not be thus troublesome were I not convinced
of your zeal in the cause of liberty, and your ardent desire
to preserve the honor and promote the happiness of this
infant Commonwealth. This, I hope, will be my apology.
."I am, with sincere respect, sir, your most obedient
and most humble servant,
"Charles Thomson.
"Honorable George Read."

OF GEORGE READ. 401
That the confidence of the Secretary of Congress in Mr.
Read's patriotism was not misplaced appears by his letter
to President Van Dyke, as follows :
"New Castle, 25th March, 1786.
" Sir, — The Secretary of Congress having occasion to
transmit to me a resolution of that body relative to the
judges of the Court of Appeals, addressed me also on the
total want of a representation from this State in the Con
gress of the United States, from the beginning of last No
vember, stating that the public affairs presently required a
full representation there of all the States. The Secretary's
letter to me is dated the 1st inst. I received it on the
evening of the 7th, and the person who brought it from the
post-office in Wilmington to me told me he had letters
directed to your Excellency from the same place, which he
should immediately deliver to Mr. Secretary Booth. As I
apprehended one of them was from the Secretary of Con
gress, I have delayed writing to you on the subject of our
delegates' attendance, supposing that ere this your Excel
lency would have prevailed on some two of the five mem
bers of that delegation to have gone forward to New York ;
but, on inquiring, I am told it is not so. As I am clearly
of opinion that your Excellency, as the head of the Execu
tive Department in the State, hath a superintendency over
all the subordinate departments therein, I would submit to
your Excellency's consideration whether an authoritative
call upon those presently in the delegation of this State to
perform that duty or resign their appointment ought not to
be made by you, with an intimation that if your requisition
should not be attended to, that you raust officially state
their delay or refusal to the General Assembly at their next
sitting. All this done might have a proper effect, and if
not, your duty therein would be performed.
"The complaint of the last year, as contained in your
.Excellency's message of the 23d of May, does not seem to
be remedied by an increase of members in the delegation to
Congress, for near five months of the twelve have passed
.over without any attendance there, and it will not be bet
tered till local politics in such nomination shall be laid
aside, and a ^tate policy adopted in stead thereof.
" Secretary Thomson's letter also mentions some acts of

402 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
Congress as transmitted to your Excellency, but as he has
received no answer, he doubts a miscarriage of either yours
or his letters. The first is an act of Congress of the 27th of
May last, requesting a legislative provision to be made in
favor of the agent for receiving and distributing final settle
ment certificates pf balances due to the officers and soldiers ;
the second, an act of the 7th June, 1785, to make provision
for disabled officers, soldiers, arid seamen. The first seems
to have been provided for and finally acted upon the 19th
January, 1785, as per votes of Assembly then, pp. 27, 28.
The second, I suppose, was considered as fully provided for
in the act of the 5th February, 1785, printed by Adaras,
p. 17. A third act of Congress, of the 27th July last, pro
vides for thirteen copies of the legislative acts of this State
since the 1st of Septeraber, 1774, being transmitted thereto;
this, I apprehend, cannot be fully complied with until a new
edition of our laws shall be printed, which may be in the
course of the year. A fourth Congress act of requisition [is
that] of the 27th of Septeraber last, to enable that body to
make payment of interest on the foreign debt. This busi
ness lies before the Legislative Council, in a bill, fraraed for
the purpose by the House of Assembly at their last sitting,
and postponed for want of necessary information as to the
quantum of the sum sufficient for that requisition ; and the
one of the 4th of September, 1782, the accounts in the au
ditor's office of the State being so imperfect and incomplete
that it could not be known if any surplus there was of
former taxes, to be applied to the last, which it is hoped
may be known at the proposed session in May. This post
ponement could not affect the raising of moneys to comply
with the last requisition, of the 27th September, 1785, as
the House had in their bill fixed the payment of the first
quota of the taxes to be levied thereby to the month of
October next. A fifth act of Congress, of 12th October last,
earnestly calls on the States to coraplete, without delay, the
whole of their quotas of the requisitions of the 4 th of Sep
tember, 1782, and 27th and 28th April, 1784. As to the
first of these, I know of no provision made therefor, but I
believe it to have been the intention of the Council to have.
added it to the last tax bill before them, mentioned in the
preceding page of this [letter], when they could obtain the
information there alluded to. As to that act of Congress

OF GEORGE READ. 403
of April, 1784, it was completely provided for by a draft of
the General Assembly for two thousand pounds, or thirty-
two thousand dollars, so long since as January or February,
1783, as appears by the printed votes of the House of As
sembly then ; and, secondly, by the act of Asserably of the
26th of June, 1784, pages 4 and 10, in which last page it is
declared that the State Treasurer shall not, on any pretence
whatsoever, apply any part of the moneys directed by that
act to be paid into his hands until the remaining sum of
that quota — viz., twenty-four thousand and forty-two dol
lars and five-tenths — should be paid to the use of the United
States. Now it appears that considerably more than this
last sum has been paid into the Delaware State Treasury
by the county collectors of New Castle and Kent only. By
the Delaware tax act of the 21st of June, 1783, provision
therein was also made for the twenty-eight thousand dollars
requested by Congress in the requisition of 16th October,
1782; so that it appears eighty-four thousand dollars and
upwards thus has long since been provided for by this State.
It appeared by the United States Treasury account, laid
before the Assembly at their last sitting by your Excellency,
that this State's credit thereon, on the 30th October last,
was less than twenty-three thousand dollars, but where the
delinquency was could not be certainly known, from the
imperfect state of the accounts in the auditor's office about
the end of the session of January last.
"Thus I have gone through the general matters in Secre
tary Thomson's letter, with observations thereon, as I stand
inforraed, and I hope I shall be excused by your Excellency
for troubling you on this occasion. The business has been
pressed upon me, and few raen have less tirae to devote to
matters of this kind [than I have], and very few less in
clination. But I consider Congress in a most delicate situ
ation at present. Much of it appears frora their commit
tee's address in the House of Assembly in New Jersey. En
ergy i,s, apparently, wanting through most departments in
all the States, but the want of it is more conspicuous in
some than others. The money business of our own State
is much deranged, and it really appears as if it must be so.
All the provisions and resolutions respecting it seem to be
of little use. Few mind or obey them; and unless the Ex-

404 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
ecutive exerts itself towards their execution, it will be need
less to raake any more.
" I have the honor to be, with great respect, yours,
"George Read.
" President Van Dyke."
To this letter President Van Dyke replied as follows :
" Sir, — Your letter of the 25th of last month was deliv
ered to me on yesterday, and I am extremely obliged to you
for the trouble you have taken in furnishing me with the
communications therein contained, [and] also for the pam
phlet which accompanied the letter.
" I feel myself happy in having an opportunity of raaking
you acquainted with the part I have acted in the business
of the representation of the State in Congress. You are not
ignorant that Congress some time past directed their Secre
tary to raake monthly returns to the States of the repre
sentation in Congress. I have regularly received such, and
as regularly furnished the same to the General Assembly
on the receipt thereof. In the recess of the two Houses I
have regularly raade the delegates acquainted with the call
of Congress, and urged their attendance by arguments which
appeared to me most likely to have effect ; and in so doing
I considered that I had performed my duty, and exercised
all the power of which I was possessed in this business.
Had I undertaken to call on them in the manner you men
tion, they do.ubtless would have considered me officious and
desirous of exercising a power to which I had no preten
sions. This must have been the case on consideration that
they receive their appointment from the General Assembly,
are removable by that body, and are consequently account
able to them only; and the information on this subject,
regularly laid before the General Assembly, removes every
color of necessity that the President "should table a com
plaint in the case.
"As to the other officers of government, they are (with
a very few exceptions) appointed in a similar manner, and
under the same control, holding their offices during good
behavior, or for a certain time, fixed, and removable only
on conviction of malconduct in office, which in most cases
must take place in a court of law. I consider them, for the

OF GEORGE READ. 405
reasons aforesaid, totally unaccountable to the Executive.
From this view of the subject, the President who might be
imprudent enough to interfere further, or so desirous of
exercising a power (which must be only a constructive or
implied power), very soon would find that no good could
result to the State, and that disgust and much trouble would
certainly be his reward.
" In the same manner I consider those persons handling
public money, and for similar reasons. The executive
branch in this State have naught to do with money mat
ters, unless expressly erapowered by the acts or resolutions
of the General Asserably. In these instances I have ever
paid an early attention to the business thus assigned me.
" Previous to the late sessions of Assembly, and since, I
have received sundry letters and acts of Congress from
their Secretary, and I ara inclined to think they have been
all regularly received which were forwarded by the Secre
tary. The first are now with the Legislature, and the
others will be presented at their next meeting. The reason
I did not write that gentleman before the last sessions was
the desire to procure copies of sundry acts, in order to
transmit them, and to have it in my power to forward some
information on the business ofthe requisition for '85. My
sickness at and after my return home frora Dover has been
the cause of delay until sorae time in the last month. An
expectation of being enabled to write more fully frora New
Castle, in the course of next week, has caused delay.
" Thirteen copies of the laws of the State cannot be pro
cured until the new edition comes out. Great complaints
are daily raade of the delay in this business.
" I fully agree with you that a State policy in appoint
ments would be very beneficial ; but, sir, you must consider
that the effecting this, as also the proposed regular conduct
ing money matters, is a work of time. Young States may
be compared to young men, who generally are ignorant in
the business of managing their property advantageously, at
least for some years after they becorae masters of it. As
no individual becomes wise at once, neither did any State
or government ever arrive to a considerable degree of
perfection in jurisprudence or internal policy in a short
time. " The hands of Congress are too weak, and their situation

406 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
is and frequently has been very difficult. Time and expe
rience will remedy these Federal embarrassments. It is not
to be admired at that these States proceed with cautious
steps in delegating power. This has been carried to an
extreme by some States, but this will be got over; and the
sooner Congress, by their conduct, give evidence of economy
and wisdora, the sooner will they be intrusted with all
necessary power, and be better furnished with raoney,
ways, and means to support the credit of the Federal gov
ernment. " I am, sir, with esteem, your very obedient servant,
" Nicholas Van Dyke.*
" 7th April, 1786.
" Honorable George Read."
It seeras to me Mr. Read recommended to President Van
Dyke no assumption of power proper to another departraent
of governraent ; but only that he should exert more vigor
ously the undoubted executive duty of superintendency,
which he had, according to his own letter, already exercised
in a less degree and in vain over these delinquent public
servants. I am free, howevel, to admit that Mr. Read was of the
class of statesmen forraed in the school of the Revolution,
accustomed to brave, without waiting to calculate the effect
upon self, the responsibility of exercising with promptitude
and energy even a povv^er which might be questioned, when
necessary to save the Comraonwealth from danger or dis
credit, while statesmen less daring and unselfish would
pause upon the confines of different departments of govern-
* "Died at his farm, in St. George's Hundred, on the 19th instant,
after a short illness, in the lifty-first year of his age, Nicholas Van
Dyke, Esquire, late President of theyDelaware State, leaving a wife and
numerous family to lament their irreparable loss. The virtues of can
dor, prudence, and benevolence were highly conspicuous in his character,
in the public and honorable ofiices with which he was invested by his
fellow-citizens as well as in the duties of domestic retirement. In his
conduct he showed such a regard to civil and religious society as in a
high degree attracted general respect and esteem. In him the State
has lost a steady patriot, his acquaintance a faithful friend, his family
a most indulgent husband, a fond father, and a humane master. To
the friends of virtue and religion who knew him his memory will be
long precious." — Delaware Gazette, published at Wilmington, Delaware,
Saturday, February 28th, 1789, No. 194.

OF GEORGE READ. 407
ment, which, in the most nicely adjusted systems of polity,
like the colors of the rainbow, so run into each other as to
make it difficult to determine where one ends and the other
begins. Mr. Read, deeply sensible of the manifold evils of the
imbecile Federal government, could not have been much
consoled by the barren generalities, and a parallel partaking
more of fancy than of fact, of the President's letter. Tirae,
from which he hoped so rauch, can do nothing for us, though
in it we raust do all we have to do and in it must happen
all that is to befall us. The President had a vague and
dreamy expectation of something, he could not tell what,
that was to turn up, he could not tell when, and set all
right in a community in which he could not deny there
was much that was wrong.*
Mr. Read replied to Secretary Thomson's letter of March
1st, 1786, as follows : "New Castle, 8th April, 1786.
"Sir, — From the length of time since I received your ad
dress of the first of March last, you may very reasonably
suspect that inattention and neglect pervade all the citizens
of this State ; however, certain circumstances, which might
be too trifling, or at least too unentertaining to set down
here, were the cause of this delay of answer; with your
own declaration, ' that the acts of the Legislature, comply
ing with the several recommendations, acts, and requisi
tions of Congress, would be the best answer.'
"Iraraediately on receiving your address, above [men
tioned], I wrote to President Van Dyke, affording hira every
inforraation in ray power, to enable hinl to give you sorae
satisfactory account of what had been done by the Legis
lature of the State on the several acts of Congress, men
tioned in yours to have been transmitted to him ; and as I
* " The continent was divided into two great political parties, the
one of which contemplated America as a nation and labored incessantly
to invest the Federal head with powers competent to the preservation
of the Union ; the other attached itself to the State authorities, viewed
all the powers of Congress with jealousy, and assented reluctantly to
measures which would enable the head to act in any respect independ
ently of its members." — Marshall's Life of Washington, vol. v. p. 33.
To the last mentioned of these parties, I conclude, from President Yan
Dyke's letter, he belonged.

408 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
had his answer, some time after, I am to presume that you
have heard fully from him long ere now. But as it may
have happened, as heretofore, that the acts of our Legislature,
relative to the immediate demands of Congress, may not
have been transmitted to you before, I send you the in
closed printed copy. The first act of Assembly, making
provision for this State's quota of the eight millions of dol
lars of 1781, and of two millions of dollars of 1782, hath a
provision therein, to wit : in its twenty-first section, which
I think requisite to explain, for a reason that will appear
hereafter. You may recollect that Congress in their requi
sition ofthe 28th of April, 1784, for a moiety of the eight
millions aforesaid, said that the several States might so
model the collection, of the sums called for that the three-
fourths being paid in actual money, the other fourth might
be discharged by procuring discounts of interest with the
domestic creditors of the United States ; and for that end
the loan officer of the State should issue certificates for the
amount of interest due, as well on loan office certificates as
on certificates of other liquidated debts of the United States,
to the end of the year 1782, and that the same should be
receivable, first from the bearer within the State, and after,
frora the State into the public treasury, in the proportion
aforesaid. In pursuance of this requisition the Legislature
of this State, in their act of Asserably of the 26th June,
1784, raaking provision by taxation for a corapliance there
with, enacted : ' That for the ease and convenience of
paying the aforesaid tax, such citizens of the State as had
obtained certificates frora the Continental loan office
thereof, for moneys- lent to Congress, and every citizen of
the State who had any liquidated debts against the United
States, raight produce their certificates to the Continental
loan officer of the State, and obtain from him a certificate
ofthe interest due to the last of the year 1782, which cer
tificates the loan officer was thereby required to give, con
formable to such instructions as he should receive from the
Superintendent [of Finance], the which last-mentioned cer
tificates should be receivable by the collectors of each
county of the State, on account of the sums of money to be
raised by the said act, and that the collectors should pay
the same, in lieu of so much lawful money,' as per the
seventeenth section of the printed act, which the treasury

OF GEORGE READ, 409
office hath by my transmission to the superintendent soon
after the passing, if not in your office presently. After the
passage of this act the then Continental loan officer. Gen
eral Patterson, declined, for a time, to perform this duty,
on pretext that the State had made hira no special allow
ance therefor, and no such interest-certificates were issued
by him until the latter end of Noveraber, 1784, following;
however, being then pressed on the business, he proceeded
therein, rather backwardly, at tiraes. After a tedious ill
ness General Patterson died, in or about the month of May,
1785, leaving part of this business of issuing interest-certifi
cates undone, — with this that divers of the taxables of the
State, particularly of New Castle County, had not got their
claims finally ascertained by Colonel Winder, the Conti
nental coramissioner, or his certificates therefor until after
Patterson's death, upon divers of which one, two, or per
haps more, years of interest were due at the end of the
year 1782. Some time intervened until the Congress ap
pointment of Dr. Jaraes Tilton as their loan officer of the
State, and he uniformly refusing to issue any such interest-
certificates in favor of those taxables who had not obtained
theirs in Patterson's tirae, alleging that he was not in
structed, or instructed not so to do, by the Board of Treas
ury ; complaints of such refusal, therefore, gave rise to the
said twenty-first section in our act of the 24th of June,
1786, aforesaid. And as I have an application, lately made
to me, from the collector of New Castle County, alleging
that Dr. Tilton yet refuses to issue interest^certificates to
the end of the year 1782 in favor of those taxables, — many,
if not all of them, the original creditors of the United
States ; and that he, the collector, cannot, in justice to such
taxables, compel a total payment by them in cash, — he
wished me to make some representation where this might
finally be determined upon ; and not thinking myself war
ranted to address the Board of Treasury hereon, I have taken
the liberty of stating the matter to you, as you seemed to
afford me an opening by your address on the public business
ofthe State. The question, therefore, is shortly this: 'Are
the taxables of this State holders either of loan office cer
tificates, or of liquidated debts of the United States, whereof
any interest was due on the last day of the year 1782, or
are they not entitled to demand and have certificates for
27

410 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
such their interest due at that time, as well under the faith
of the aforesaid act of Congress of the 28th of April, 1 784, as
under the State act of Assembly, made in conformity thereto
in the June following, from the present loan officer. Dr. Til
ton, as they might from the late loan officer. General Patter
son, was he living?' This is simply the question, and I appre
hend it a necessary one to be solved by the Board of Treasury,
as I ara informed by the New Castle County collector afore
said that there are near two thousand dollars due for such
interest to his wanting taxables, under the act of 1784, and
that the present commissioner of the loan office yet refuses
to issue other certificates than those directed under the
Congress act of September, 1785, which are only receivable
in taxes agreeably to that particular requisition, and so
will not answer the end of paying their parts of the tax
under the requisition of 1784, which the taxables aforesaid
conceive in good faith they are entitled unto ; and I do ap
prehend this act of refusal may produce difficulties when
the Legislature of this State shall take up the business of
providing for the Congress requisition of 1786. This State's
proportion of facilities, under the act of 1784, was fourteen
thousand dollars; no more than ten thousand and eleven
dollars — sixty-nine-ninetieths — have been received, so that
there are near four thousand dollars short of the admissible
sura, of which there raay be about two thousand dollars
due to persons circumstanced as before stated; so that the
State or its taxables will not have the amount of facilities
allowed thera to offer, and of course pay the rest in actual
money. I have heard the reason from the loan officer, Dr.
Tilton, — that he thought he ought not to issue any [in
terest-certificates aforesaid], for that the money already paid
into the Continental treasury did not equal the proportion
of indents or facilities received, — to which this answer was
given: That although this was a reason why he, as the
Continental receiver of the State, might refuse to accept of
any more facilities from the treasurer of the State until
there should be an excess of money payments, yet it was
not a reason for him, as the loan officer of the State, to refuse
the issuing such certificates for interest, as that issuing
could not increase the proportion allowed by Congress, as
he was neither obliged nor bound in duty to receive beyond
that proportion; whereas a refusal to issue was a breach of

OF GEORGE READ. 411
the faith of Congress, held up in their requisition, and in
defiance of the act of the State, founded on that requisition.
Moreover, that those wanting taxables were thus hardly
treated by the neglect of right application of the moneys
actually received by the commissioner of the loan office,
and who then happened to be the treasurer of the State,
to other purposes than the one expressly declared in that
law of 1 784, in the twelfth section thereof, to wit : that of
paying to Congress their proportion of the moneys directed
to be levied thereby, in the first instance, in preference to
all other drafts or orders whatsoever.
"This business, and question thereon, I recommend to
your notice, that it may be discussed and acted upon before
the next session of Assembly, in the latter end of October,
that no unnecessary obstacles may be thrown in the way
of obtaining a provision for the Congress requisition of
1786. "As to the delegation from this State, truly my feelings
are much hurt. I have no personal interest with those in
the appointment, which I have been made fully satisfied of,
for, although I have both publicly and privately remon
strated with such of them as I have had an opportunity of
seeing since March last, and pressed it warmly on the
President to give thera an official call to that service, with
a threat to state their refusal to the General Asserably in a
forraal way, by special message for the purpose, no more
than a three weeks' attendance hath been procured, and I
cannot say you are to expect raore in this year.
"You will receive with this my acknowledgment of yours
of the 9th of February; it was actually wrote at its date,
and was kept to have been sent with the answer intended
then to be shortly made to yours of the first of March afore
said ; but the more I thought upon its contents and ray
situation, to wit, merely that of a private man within the
State, other than having a seat in one of the branches of
its Legislature, thus, as it were, necessarily addressed upon
the delinquency of public men, the more I doubted of the
manner of my answer. Our wants, sir, are many, and
among others, that of efficient men, and that of free and
truly public .sentiment, detached from local and personal
prejudices, to exist among the popular leaders in the
society, and more energy in all the parts and persons of

412 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
governraent; but, as the Deity may at some time supply
these, contentus sum, I ought now to beg your excuse for
this long and tedious address, and which I sincerely do,
and am, with much esteem and respect, yours, "George Read.
"Honorable Charles Thomson."
The "plan of education" mentioned in the letter of John
Dickinson, which follows, has not been preserved, and I
regret that I can give no account of it. The letter is in
teresting, because it contains the opinion of this eminent
man upon the question, "Ought governments to provide or
not for the instruction of their citizens or subjects in the
doctrines and duties of the Christian religion?" and his solu
tion of the problera, "How the right can be exercised, and
the duty performed, without infringing liberty of conscience.'
"Deae Sie, — I am much obliged to you for your favor by
Mr. Shultz, and for the pieces inclosed. The 'plan of edu
cation' is, I believe, very well digested, though I should
rather approve of a greater number of Latin authors being
read by the classes. The letter to Mr. Mason pleases me
much, but does not appear to be sufficiently explicit or
guarded on a point of such immense iraportance. It carries
with it the idea of levying contributions for the maintenance
of ministers of the gospel upon all persons but such as shall
disclaim the general religion of the country. But there
are great numbers of Christians who regard the levying of
such contributions as utterly unjust and oppressive. Let
not that question be hastily, perhaps erroneously, decided.
On the other hand, it is the duty of government, with the
utmost attention and caution, to proraote and enforce the
sublime and beneficial raorality, "as well as theology, of
Christianity; and, considering them as connected with gov
ernment, how can this be done better than by employing
men of wisdom, piety, and learning to teach it, — and how
can they be so employed unless they are properly sup
ported, — and how can they be supported but by the gov
ernment that employs them ? Let impositions be laid for
this purpose. If any man conscientiously scruples their
lawfulness, let him be permitted to appropriate his share to
the use of the poor, or any other public service. Thus

OF GEORGE READ. 413
government would strenuously carry on the grand work of
teaching virtue and religion, without offering the least
violence to the conscience of any individual, — a neglect and
contempt of which last sacred right has been the disgrace
and curse, and will infallibly be the destruction, of every
human institution, however cunningly devised, on this mo
mentous subject.
" Mrs. Dickinson and Sallie present their compliments to
you, Mrs., and Miss Read. They will be very happy to see
you next week. You do not mention your daughter's
coming, but I hope she will, as Mrs. Dickinson says she
will have a roora for her. I am sorry I cannot have the
pleasure of seeing you, being under an indispensable neces
sity of setting off for Kent on Monday.
"I ara, ray dear sir, your ever affectionate "John Dickinson.
"Wilmington, April 28th, 1786."
The state of public affairs was such as to excite great
alarra in all refiecting and patriotic men, — worse for being
indefinite. Calamity seeraed ready to overwhelra the country,
but its precise forra none could predict. If there be a con
dition perilous to the honor of coramunities and of individ
uals, it is that of debt. The close of the war of the Revolu
tion left all in this unhappy situation, — the Confederac}',
the States, their citizens, — with a currency so depreciated
as to be alraost worthless, and their resources exhausted by
seven years of hostilities. Foreign raerchants, on the open
ing of the Araerican ports after the peace of 1 783, eagerly
sought the market they offered to them. Goods, in great
quantities, adapted to the tastes and wants of the day, were
imported and sold, not for cash, but on credit, and so there
was an increase of debt. Land became almost upsalable,
personal property sold for a song, and the embarrassed be
came desperate and reckless, and at last regarded creditors
as coraraon enemies, enforcing claims which only iron-
hearted and merciless men would enforce, under the circum
stances of the tiraes. Indulgence, the debtors might have
fairly claimed, but too raany of them improved the occasion
to defraud their honest creditors. The embarrassed raen,
being in the raajority, shielded theraselves, in many of the
States, by legislation, from the forced payment of their

414 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
debts. The miserable shifts of an issue of paper money, or
a suspension of all taxes, were in sorae States resorted to ;
personal property, at an appraised value, might be ten
dered, in others, in payment of debts, or the recovery of
them was prevented by closing the courts. Two great
parties divided the Araerican people; the one held the in
violability of contracts to be the dictate no less of policy
than of justice, and that by their stern enforcement men
would be taught to look for relief from distress, not to
empirical legislation, but to labor and economy, and be
restrained from imprudent engagements which would be
recklessly entered into if there might be escape from their
obligations. Men of this party paid their debts, and
thought others should pay theirs, and the courts be always
open to compel them, if they neglected or refused to do so.
They thought also that States should be as true to their
plighted faith as their citizens, and should be provided with
means to promptly pay all demands upon their treasuries,
by annual taxation, justly apportioned and punctually col
lected. The other party had no pity but for debtors, in
their eyes the most oppressed of raen. As the collection of
debts was, in their opinion, cruel, in the then condition of
the country, they looked with favor upon stay-laws, the
closing of courts, and suspension of taxation, and, being so
indulgent to others, it may be reasonably concluded were
equally so to themselves, and their standard of morality be
insensibly lowered. The first party desired a national gov
ernment, so wisely framed and so strong as to protect all
classes and interests, and confer the inestimable boon of
general and abiding harmony, while it compelled justice
and respect from foreign governments. They thought Con
gress a safe depository of power, because its members were
elected, for short terras, by the people, and raust suffer
equally, from bad legislation, with themselves, and because
they had the strongest motives to desire and to cultivate
popular favor. The other party were unreasonably jealous
of Congress, and opposed obstinately all attempts to vest
this body with the power it wanted and which experience
had shown to be indispensable to an efficient national gov
ernraent, preferring to it (and such delusion we can scarcely
believe) the attempt to govern the whole people by thirteen
independent Legislatures, who had so often brought their

OF GEORGE READ. 415
country to the brink of ruin by failing to adopt measures
the most necessary, in season, or at all. Foreign govern
ments declined negotiating coraraercial treaties with a Con
federacy which could raake corapacts but not enforce them,
and restraints and burdens and exclusions were laid upon
our commerce with impunity, for Congress wanted power
to defeat them by countervailing measures. Massachusetts
was in open rebellion. Everywhere, though squalid poverty
was rare, thousands were suffering the slowly-wasting
misery of straitened circurastances ; dishonesty, with brazen
front, was abroad, and fear of the future paled the cheek.
But there were still men* who believed that the state of
their country was not hopeless, for they were convinced
that God, who holds the helm of universal rule, would
never have led their countrymen to independence by events
so remarkable as to appear to some persons miraculous,
only to demonstrate the impracticability of democratic gov
ernment. It was a noble confidence, and was soon rewarded.
From a measure promising no important and extended
result, for it was local and in itself insignificant, came the
relief so anxiously desired, and generally so faintly expected.
This was a coraraission of citizens of Virginia and Maryland
to regulate the navigation of the Potomac and Pokomoke
Rivers, and part of the Chesapeake Bay, the trade regula
tions of these States having been inconvenient and injurious
to the citizens of both. From it resulted the appointraent
by the Legislature of Virginia of commissioners " to meet
such as might be appointed by other States, at a time and
place to be agreed upon, to consider the trade of the United
States, to examine the relative situation of the trade of the
said States, to consider how far a uniform system in their
commercial relations may be necessary to their common
interest and perraanent harraony, and to report to the
several States such an act, relative to this great object, as,
when unanimously ratified by thera, will enable the United
States, in Congress assembled, to provide for the same."
From this proposition grew the convention that framed the
Constitution of the United States.
Mr. Reiid, together with Jacob Broom, John Dickinson,
Richard Bassett, and Gunning Bedford, was appointed by
* One of them was John Jay.

416 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
the Legislature of Delaware, in June, 1786, to meet with
the commissioners that had been or should be appointed to
consider the commercial relations of the several States and
devise and report to Congress a system for the regulation of
their trade.*
Congress resolved, in February, 1786, that, as the war
with Great Britain had ceased, and there was little business
in the Court of Appeals in admiralty cases, the salaries of
its judges should cease, expressing their sense of the ability,
faithfulness, and care with which these officers had discharged
their trust. Mr. Griffin, one of Mr. Read's colleagues in
this court, in his letter on this subject, intimated that " a
little party business predominated in the passing of this
resolution." Congress retained this court, admitted there
was some business remaining before it, and yet raade no
provision for paying the judges for disposing of it, which
they must have expected thera to do. Secretary Thomson
makes known to Mr. Read a subsequent resolve of Congress
in this matter in the letter which follows :
"Office op Secretary op Congress, June 29th, 1786.
" Sir, — In my letter of the 5th July last I informed you
that the committee to whom was referred the letter of 23d
Deceraber, 1784, from Messrs. Griffin and Lowell, two of
the judges of the Court of Appeals, reported as their opinion
' that the present judges of the Court of Appeals were still
in commission, and that it would be necessary that the
Court of Appeals should remain upon its establishment,
except with respect to the salaries of its judges, which
should cease from a day to be fixed by Congress, and that
in lieu thereof they should be allowed a certain number of
dollars per day during the time they should attend the sit
tings of the courts, and including the time necessarily em
ployed in travelling to and from the court ;' that Congress
not coming to a determination at that time, the report was
recommitted, and the resolution of the 1st of July was
passed, of which I transmitted you a copy, whereby the
salaries of the judges were stopped, their commissions still
remaining in force.
" I have now the honor to inform you that in consequence
* See Appendix D.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 417
of sundry memorials and petitions from persons claiming
vessels in the Courts of Adrairalty in some of the States
praying for hearings and rehearings before the Court of
Appeals, the United States in Congress assembled have been
pleased to pass the resolution herewith inclosed, authorizing
and directing the Judges of the Court of Appeals to sustain
appeals, and grant rehearings or new trials wherever justice
and right may in their opinion require it, establishing the
allowance to be made to the judges, and directing the court
to assemble at the city of New York on the first ^Monday of
Noveraber next.
"It being given me in charge to take order for the pub
lishing of these resolutions for the information of all persons
concerned, I have ordered copies of them to be inserted in
the newspapers of this city, with a request to the printers
of the several States to republish them in their papers ; but
lest any of them should fail, I have transraitted copies of
them to the Supreme Executive of the several States, and
have requested that they would be pleased to cadse them
to be published for the inforraation of their respective citi
zens. I shall esteem it as a favor if you will take such
further steps as you shall judge necessary, that all persons
concerned may have due information.
" With great respect, I have the honor to be your most
obedient and most humble servant,
"Charles Thomson.
" The Honorable George Read, Judge of the Court of
Appeals." The Secretary of Congress again wrote to Mr. Read :
"August 25th, 1786.
" Sir, — I received by the last post, and had the honor of
communicating to the United States, in Congress [assem
bled], your two letters of April 9th and August 19th. The
latter is referred to the Board of Treasury to report, so that
I am in hopes the grounds of complaint mentioned will
speedily be removed.
" With great respect, I am your most obedient, hurable
servant,
" Charles Thomson."

418 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
The rough drafts of these letters of Mr. Read have not
been preserved.*
The journey which it appears from the following letter
Mr. Read and his friend John Dickinson were at this time
about to raake was, I have no doubt, to Annapolis, to meet
the comraissioners, who were to assemble there to frame a
commercial system for the States.
" Dear Sir, — Upon reconsidering the plan of our journey
to Maryland, I am convinced that it will be impracticable,
or at least inconvenient and disagreeable, to travel from
New Castle to Chestertown in one day. It seems to be
much more advisable that on the evening ofthe 3d of next
month we should lodge at Cantwell's Bridge or Middletown.
The next day we may reach Chestertown — perhaps Rock-
hall. Notice can be given to Mr. Bassett of this alteration,
and our baggage may go by stage, as before proposed. A
line to Mr. Kitchen will secure good beds. Please to
favor me with an early answer. "Your friend, "John Dickinson.
"Wilmington, August 27th, 1786.
"George Read, Esquire."
The reader will, I suppose, be amused, in these days of
fast travelling, at Mr. Dickinson's notion of the impractica
bility, or inconvenience and disagreeableness, at least, of
making the journey from New Castle to Chestertown in
one day. The distance between these towns is about fifty
miles, and I have more than once travelled it in one day,
without distressing my horse or inconveniencing myself
Mr. Griffin, one of Mr. Read's colleagues in the Court of
Appeals, wrote to him as follows from
"Richmond, August 29th, 1786.
" My dear Sir, — I do myself the pleasure to ask if you
intend to [be] at New York, in November, upon the busi
ness of appeals ?
* Unless the letter of April 9th be that of April 8th, which is prob
able ; Secretary Thomson writing by mistake 9th instead of Sth of this
month. The reference of one of Mr. Read's letters to the Treasury
Board strengthens, I think, this conjecture.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 419
" I am afraid no money will be had to defray our ex
penses. It would be proper to make some inquiries.
" How inconsistently Congress have acted in ordering the
salary of the judges to cease, and are now again obliged to
call them together! Have you not heard that a little party
business predominated in that affair?
" It is very extraordinary that Congress never received
the joint letter we wrote them upon the subject of the Court
when they sat at Annapolis. Mr. Lowell and myself were
compelled to repeat it at Trenton, without even having an
opportunity to consult you.
"An answer, directed immediately to me, or through the
Virginia delegates, will be received with much satisfaction.
" I hope Mrs. Read and yourself are in the best health.
" I am, my dear sir, with great esteem and regard, your
obedient friend and humble servant, "C. Griffin.*
" Honorable George Read, New Castle, Delaware."
The next letter in order of dates, received as he was about
setting off for Annapolis, was no doubt disheartening.
"Philadelphia, 3d September, 1786.
" Dear Brother, — Yours of the 1st inst. carae to hand
about eight o'clock last evening, and I iraraediately set out to
procure the information you desired ; but, unluckily, every
one of the gentleraen [you raentioned] were out of town,
and not expected home till late.
* Cyrus Griffin was born in England, but anterior to the American
Revolution was a member of the bar in Virginia and of her Legisla
ture, and twice, if not oftener, chosen one of her representatives in the
Continental Congress. While a member of that body (February 28th,
1780) he was .appointed a judge ofthe " Court of Appeals in admiralty
cases." Mr. Madison, in a letter to Edmund Randolph (New York,
January 17, 1788), thus announces the election of Mr. Griffin to the
presidency of the Continental Congress :
"Dear Sir, — A Congress was made for the first time on Monday
last, and our friend C. Griffin placed in the chair. There was no com
petition in the case, which you will wonder at, as Virginia has so lately
supplied a president. New Jersey did not like it, I believe, very well,
but acquiesced." Mr. Griffin died at Yorktown, in 1810, aged sixty-two
years, holding the office of Judge of the United States District Court
of Virginia, and having been the first judge appointed to that court —
Appleton's Cyclopaedia of Biography, p. 345; Madison Papers, vol. ii.
p. 667.

420 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
"All that I have been able to learn respecting their
movements was frora Mrs. Fitsimmons, who told me that
neither her husband nor Mr. Morris were going to Annapo
lis; [but] that she understood Mr. Clymer, Mr. Cox, and
General Armstrong (Secretary of the Commonwealth) were
to go on that business, but did not know when they were
to set out.
" I heard a person say in the coffee-house that there were
two gentlemen in town from Jersey, on their way to meet
the convention at Annapolis. I inquired if he knew their
names, but was answered ' he did not,' nor did he know if
there were any coming from farther eastward.
"I shall write to you at Annapolis if I can learn any
thing worth communicating. My family enjoy tolerable
good health at present, and join in love to yours and all
our other friends. Wishing you an agreeable jaunt and a
happy issue to the deliberations you are going to engage in,
" I remain, your ever affectionate "James Read.
" Sunday morning, six o'clock.
"George Read, Esquire."
Delegates from Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New
Jersey, and New York met at Annapolis, and organized by
choosing John Dickinson for their president; but the num
ber of the States represented being thus small, and it be
coming evident upon the discussions which ensued that the
whole system of the Federal government required revision
and amendment, and the commissions of the delegates not
empowering them to undertake a work so grave and so ex
tensive as this, they determined, instead of adopting a com
mercial system for the States, to recommend that they
should choose delegates, to meet in Philadelphia on the
second Monday in May, 1787, to revise the "Articles of
Confederation," and recommend such alterations therein as
would fit them for the exigencies of governraent and the
preservation of union.
Mr. Read, being the only one of the delegates frora his
State to the late convention at Annapolis who had a seat
in the Legislature of Delaware, was anxious to be present
at the session of that body, about to be held, that he might
report the result of the convention, give all necessary in-

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 421
formation in regard to it, and especially that he might exert
his influence in support of its recommendation; but, un
fortunately, the time appointed for holding the Court of
Appeals would fall within the period of this session of the
Delaware Legislature. In this case of conflicting duties,
which must yield? The letter which follows will show
Mr. Read proposed to reconcile them.
"New Castle, October 7th, 1786.
"Sir, — I had your letter of the 29th of June last, with
its inclosure, the resolves of the United States in Congress
assembled, authorizing and directing the judges of the Court
of Appeals to sustain appeals and grant rehearings or new
trials in the cases which have been or may be brought
before them, where justice and right might require it, and
for the assembling of the said court on the first Monday
in November next, in a reasonable time after it was trans
mitted from your office ;[^but the Legislature of this State,
previous thereto, having adopted the proposition, originally
made by the Legislature of Virginia, for a convention of
comraissioners, of the noraination of the respective States of
Araerica, to raeet at Annapolis, for the purpose of forming
a system of coramercial regulations, calculated for the union,
and having named me as one of their comraissioners for that
meeting, I apprehended any answer I could make to your
address and information would much depend upon the result
of such convention of commissioners ; for although true it is
that the honorable Congress had a right to a preference of
attendance, yet I did conceive the great importance of the
business held out for the proposed convention might, in the
opinion of that honorable body, be a proper subject of excuse
for the non-attendance' of an individual member of their
Court of Appeals, in case the proceedings to be had at the
convention should render his attendance necessary else
where than at New York at the tirae prefixed. And as that
meeting of commissioners was but a partial one, and they
recommended to their respective States a further appoint
ment, with enlarged powers, I have thought that it might
be useful and necessary for me, as the sole attending com
missioner that had a seat in the Legislative Council of this
State, to be [present] at the next session of the General As
sembly thereof, in the latter end of this month, as well for

422 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
laying the result of the meeting at Annapolis before them,
as personally to state and urge the reasons that induced
that unanimous opinion, expressed in their report, in favor
of a future appointment of commissioners, with enlarged
powers, and now more especially as a majority of the re
turned raembers in the several counties of the State for the
House of Assembly are new ones ; and therefore it is that
now, through you, I have to request of the honorable the
United States, in Congress [assembled], an indulgence of
tirae for ray attendance in the Court of Appeals, at New
York, until the latter end of the raonth of November, or
beginning of December, by which time I do expect that the
ensuing session, of the General Assembly of this State will
certainly end.^^ I should have made this application sooner
after my return from Annapolis, but that I have been daily
expecting to hear from my colleague, Mr. C. Griffin, to
whora I had written, informing hira of my situation as to
attendance at the proposed Court of Appeals, and wishing
to know if he could be there at the time fixed therefor. I
have not yet been favored with an answer, but on my
return from Annapolis I met Mr. Griffin's brother in Balti
raore, who told me Mr. C. Griffin had said he should go to
New York after the rising of the Virginia Assembly, that
would sit in November, of which he (Mr. C. Griffin) was a
member. Therefore, under such circumstances of other
public duty to be performed by the judges of appeals, I must
beg it of you to have it submitted to the honorable the States
in Congress [assembled], whether a postponement of the
meeting of the Court of Appeals to the first Monday in De
cember would be attended with any improper consequences
as to the expected business in that court, as by that day, if
no unforeseen accident should happen, I could, without inter
ference with other public duty, attend at New York ; and
from what I have mentioned above, it is highly probable
Mr. C. Griffin will be there then, and Mr. Lowell, being so
informed, may not be disappointed by coming forward at
too early a day. My situation, as herein stated, must, sir,
be my apology for giving you this trouble of application.*

* It does not appear that this application was made, nor, if made,
with what result.

OF GEOBGE READ. 423
" With much respect, I am your most obedient, hurable
servant, "George Read.
"Charles Thomson, Esquire."
The next letters are the last of Mr. Read's correspond
ence for 1786 which I find among his papers. They con
tain some information worth preserving, and show further
how intimate was the friendship between him and John
Dickinson. "Dear Sir, — This day Mr. Delaplain, the collector for
this county, called upon me, and surprised me by saying
my rate for Christiana Hundred, in which I reside, is, for
the present year, fifty pounds. As I am taxed for the
several parts of my estate in the places in which they lie,
my taxes in Kent County alone for this year amounting to
two hundred and seven pounds ten shillings, and as I have
no property whatever in this hundred but my household
goods, — a coach, a sulky, three horses, and a cow, — I
cannot but consider the rate I have mentioned as unequal
and unjust. Gentlemen of very considerable estate — to
mention only Mr. James and Mr. John Lea — are rated, each,
only at thirty pounds. It cannot be with the least reason
pretended that my property in this hundred is equal to the
tenth part of either of theirs. Mr. Delaplain says it is a
shameful inequality, and says that at the utmost I ought
not to be rated above ten pounds; but he adds that it is too
late now to appeal for redress this year. He informs me —
and it is the first information of any kind I have received
respecting any of my taxes in this county — that the day
after Christmas is the day of appeal for the next year. I
beg leave therefore to rely upon your friendship to excuse
me for giving you a little trouble on this subject. My re
quest is that you be so good as to deliver the inclosed letter
to the gentlemen of the Court of Appeals when they meet,
and say to them what in your judgment may be thought
proper on this occasion.
" I have left this letter unsealed, that you may read it.
" I am, dear sir, your sincere friend,
"John Dickinson."

424 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
To this letter Mr. Read at once replied, as follows :
" New Castle, 17th December, 1786.
"Dear Sir, — I have yours of yesterday's date, inclosing
an address to the Court of Appeals, which I shall deliver,
but it is a place I seldora grace with my presence, as it may
properly be styled a court at Dover, in England, I suppose,
where they are all talkers and no hearers.
" I am told my son George, who came of age in August
last, and whose profits by his practice have not enabled
hira to pay for his clothing, and without a shilling of other
ostensible property, is rated at forty pounds. What will
be the fate of either rate is difficult to say.
" There is a bill pending in the General Asserably of the
State, proposing a list and valuation of taxable property
and new modelling the Court of Appeals. Whether such
a provision will take place the eijsuing session I cannot say.
Some alteration in the present form of rating hath long been
thought necessary.
"The corapliraents of my family await yours, and I ara,
with much respect and esteem,
"Yours, most sincerely, "George Read.
" The Honorable John Dickinson."
The year 1786 closed upon Mr. Read preparing to attend
the approaching session of the General Assembly of Dela
ware, and hoping by the exertion of his influence to induce
the election by this body of delegates to the convention
proposed to meet at Philadelphia in May, 1787.

APPENDICES TO CHAPTER Y.

Tuesday, February 16th, 1779, Mr. McKean laid before Congress
the following instrument, empowering the delegates from the State of
Delaware to ratify and sign the Articles of Confederation:
"His Excellency Csesar Rodney, President, Captain-General, and
Commander-in-Chief of the Delaware State, to all to whom these
presents shall come, greeting:'
" Know yc. That among the records remaining in the rolls-office of
the Delaware State there is a certain instrument of waiting purporting
to be an Act of the General Assembly of the said State, which said
Act is contained' in the words and tenor here following, to wit:
"Anno milesimo septingentesimo septuagesimo nono.
"An Act to authorize and empower the Delegates of the Delaware
State to subscribe and ratify the Articles of Confederation and Per
petual Union between -the several States.
" Whereas, the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union between
the States of New Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode Island and
Providence Plantation, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsyl
vania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina,
and Georgia, signed, iu the General Congress of the said States, by
Honorable Henry Laurens, their then President, have been laid before
the General Assembly of Delaware, to be ratified by the same, if ap
proved ; And Whereas, notwithstanding the terms of tho Articles of
Confederation and Perpetual Union are considered, in divers respects,
as unequal and disadvantageous to this State, and the objections stated
by this State are viewed as just and reasonable, and of great moment
to the welfare and happiness of the good people thereof, yet, under the
full conviction of the present necessity of acceding to the confederac}'
proposed, and that the interest of particular States ought to be post
poned to the general good of union, and moreover, in full reliance that
the candor and justice of several States will in due time remove, as far
as possible, the objectionable parts thereof,
" Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Delaware, and it is
hereby enacted by the authority of the same, That John Dickinson,
Nicholas Van Dyke, and Thomas McKean, Delegates elected to repre
sent this State in Congress, or any one or more of them, be and they
are hereby authorized, empowered, and directed, on behalf of this State,
to subscribe and ratify the said Articles of Confederation and Perpetual
Union between the several States aforesaid. And be it further enacted
by the authority aforesaid, [That] the said Articles of Confederation
28 ( 426 )

426 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
and Perpetual Union, so as aforesaid subscribed and ratified, shall
thenceforth become obligatory upon this State.
" Nicholas Yan Dyke,
"Speaker [of Council^.
" Thomas Collins,*
"Speaker [of House^.
" Signed by order of the Council.
"Passed at Dover, February 1st, 1779.
"All which, by the tenor of these presents, I have caused to be ex
emplified. In testimony whereof, the great seal of the Delaware State
is hereto affixed, at Dover, the 6th day of February, 1779, and in the
third year of the independence of the United States. "C^SAR Rodney.
"By his Excellency's command,
[seal.] "James Booth, Secretary."

' COURT OF APPEALS IN ADMIRALTY CASES.
Congress established, by resolution, 15th January, 1780, a court for
the trial of all appeals from the Courts of Admiralty in the United
States, in case of capture, to consist of three judges, appointed and
commissioned by Congress, either two of whom, in the absence of the
other, to hold a court for the dispatch of business, — the said court to
appoint their own registrar. The trial in this court to be according to
the usage of nations, and not by jury. The first session ofthe court to
be as soon as might be, at Philadelphia, and its future sessions at such
times and places as the judges shall consider most conducive to the
public good, but never farther eastward than Hartford, Connecticut, or
southward than Williamsburg, Virginia. The salaries of these judges
were fixed, but not till September 15th, 1780, at twenty -two hundred and
fifty dollars each per annum. On the 22c^of January, 1780, Congress
elected,by ballot, Messrs. Wythe, Paca, and Hosmer, judges of this court.
On the Sth of February Mr. Paea accepted, and Mr. Hosmer, April 12th,
and Mr. Wythe declined the appointment thus conferred, and on the
28th of April Mr. Cyrus Griffin, of Virginia, was elected, in his room,
who accepted, provided his constituents (he being a delegate to Con
gress) should approve of his so doing. On the 17th November, 1782,
Mr. Paca, " having been promoted to the government of Maryland,"
resigned his Admiralty judgeship, and in the same month Congress
was informed of the death of Mr. Hosmer, and on the 5th of December,
according to their previous order, elected John Lowell and George
Read, in their room, the former having been nominated by Mr. Osgood
and the latter by Mr. Fitsinmions. — Journals of Congress, published
at Philadelphia, by authority of Congress, ad. 1800, vol. vi. pp. 10,
12, 18; ibid., vol. viii. p. 21. Congress, 9th February, 1786, "fully im-
* See Appendix E.

OF GEORGE READ.

427

pressed with a sense of the ability, fidelity, and attention of the judges
of the Court of Appeals, in the discharge of the duties of their office,
resolved that, as the war was at an end, and the business of the
court in a great measure done away, their salaries should cease." 
Journal of Congress, vol. xi. p. 25. But claimants of vessels, in the
Court of Admiralty, having petitioned Congress for hearings and re
hearings, or new trials, this body, 27th June, 1786, resolved "that the
Court of Appeals should grant rehearings or new trials in all cases
where justice should require it, provided the order for the same shall
not suspend the execution of the first sentence in such case, unless the
party in whose favor it is gives security for payment of such costs and
damages as the court, on a rehearing, may award." It was further re
solved "that the judges of said court should be entitled to ten dollars
for every day of their attendance on the same, and while travelling to
and from the place of its session, and should raeet for dispatch of
business at New York, the first Monday of November, 1786." — Journal
of Congress, vol. xi. pp. 87, 88. This court must have expired with
the Confederacy, as there was no repeal of the resolution which estab
lished it, I believe, having failed to discover any resolve, repealing it,
in the Journal of the Continental Congress.

Ol.
STATE OF THE POLLS FOR NEW CASTLE COUNTY,
GENERAL ELECTION, 1st OCTOBER, 1785.

* George Read . .
John Clark . .
Alexander Porter .
Thomas May . .
Peter Hyatt . .

councillor.
1062 299 72
50 12

Joshua Clayton  4
Isaac Grantham  1
David Finney  1
John Crawford  1
Joseph Stedham  1

* Gunning Bedford
*Jacob Broom .
*Thomas Duff .
*John Garrett .
*Peter Hyatt .
*Joshua Clayton
*William Clark
Alexander Porter
John Crawford
John James
Thomas May .
Isaac Grantham
James Gibbons
Henry Latimer

ASSEMBLYMEN.

1282111810671013
1004 793735
734684636
516
303 217198

John Lea  76
Alexander Reynolds ... 27
William McClay  24
Daniel Charles Heath ... 15
John Hyatt  13
John Vining  10
Isaac Alexander  6
Isaac Lewis  6
John Clark *.  4
James Black  4
Moses McKnight .... 2
Christian Van Degrift ... 2
William Robeson .... 2
Thomas Watson  1

* Elected.

428

LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE

sheriff.

*Thomas Kean (Commiss'd) 579
Samuel Smith  521

William MeKennan . . . 518
James Dunn  129

*John Stockton {Commiss'd) 681
John Enos  435
Samuel P. Moore . . . .427
Thomas Glenn  198
Isaac Devou  166

CORONER. Robert Montgomery
John Fitsimmons .
William Bracken .
Williara Elliott . .
John Herdman . .

152
135 5546 4

O 2-
NOTICE OF JOHN READ.
John Read, fourth son of George Read, a signer of the Declaration
of Independence, was born in New Castle, in the State of Delaware,
July 7th, 1769. He graduated at Nassau Hall, New Jersey, in 1787,
— the celebrated Dr. Witherspoon being president. He was, after the
usual time of study of law, admitted to the bar, and removing to the
city of Philadelphia, practised there for many years, winning universal
confidence and respect by unwavering integrity in all the relations of
life, by his devotion to business, and urbane manners.
He married, in 1796, Martha, oldest daughter of Samuel Meredith,
brother-in-law of George Cl^'mer, a signer of the Declaration of Inde
pendence. These gentlemen were prominent merchants for many
years in Philadelphia, and ardent and_ active Whigs during the Revo
lutionary war. Clymer was also a member of the convention that
framed the Constitution of the United States, and Meredith first treas
urer of the Federal government. Mrs. Read's mother was a daughter
of Colonel Thomas Cadwallader, and sister of General John Cadwalla
der ; and her brother-in-law. General Philemon Dickinson, commanded
the militia of New Jersey at the battle of Monmouth, and John Dickin
son was her cousin.
In 1797 President Adams conferred on Mr. Read the office of Agent-
General of the United States for British Debts, which he filled ably and
faithfully through Jefferson's administration (John Dickinson having
urged his being retained in this post), and until it terminated.
Mr. Read served for some time in the Councils of Philadelphia. In
1815 and 1816 he was elected a member of the Pennsylvania House of
Representatives, and appointed a member of the Committee on Roads
and Inland Navigation, and during the session of that body, in 1816,
was attacked by an illness almost fatal. His wife hastened to his bed
side, and, while assiduously nursing him, fell also sick, and soon after
died. He did not again marry. He was elected to the Senate of Penn
sylvania in 1816, — while serving in the House of Representatives, soon
after he recovered -from the sickness which so blighted his domestic

* Elected.

OF GEORGE READ. 429"
happiness, — to fill the vacancy caused by Nicholas Riddle's resigna
tion, and soon after appointed a State director in Philadelphia Bank.
In 1817 Mr. Read received the appointment of Solicitor of the city
of Philadelphia, and in 1819 that of President of the Philadelphia
Bank, which he held, with characteristic ability and fidelity, till he re
signed it in 1841.
Mr. Read removed in 1841 to Trenton, New Jersey, where he re
sided in retirement from secular business, but (in connection with St.
Michael's Parish), as before, an active, wise, and liberal churchman,
adorning by a consistent life bis Christian profession. In July, 1854
(13th), he departed this life, having attained the patriarchal age of
eighty-five years.
His only surviving daughter died 13th March, 1854, and, beside the
decease of several of his children in their infancy, he was bereaved by
death of his second son, Henry Meredith, who, having graduated in the
University of Pennsylvania and studied medicine, died, after a short
illness, soon after he began to practice, with very flattering prospects of
success. Mr. Read, at an early period of his life a communicant of the Prot
estant Episcopal Church, was, for many years, a vestryman and warden
of Christ, and then of St. James's, Church, Philadelphia, having taken
an active part in building it, and generally in the affairs of the church.
He was of middle size and well made, and his features regular ; he
was modest, and remarkably discreet and prudent, singularly temperate
in eating and drinking, and seldom failed daily to take much exercise
in the open air.
The writer of this "sketch,'' returning from the General Convention
ofthe Protestant Episcopal Church, held at Cincinnati in 1850, was in
troduced to the Bishop of Western New York, who asked, "Are you
related to Mr. John Pvead, of Philadelphia?" Upon replying "yes,"
the bishop added, " Give me your hand, sir: Mr. Read was one of my
dearest friends." Dr. Delaney, previously to his elevation to the epis
copate, was assistant minister of Christ, St. Peter's, and St. James's
Churches, Philadelphia, and rector, after the union of these churches
was dissolved, of St. Peter's.
The only surviving child of Mr. Read is the Honorable John IMere-
dith Read, for many years one of the eminent members of the Phila
delphia bar, and elected, by the great majority of twenty-six thousand
nine hundred and eighty-five votes, one of the judges of the Supreme
Court of Pennsylvania, and his son. General John M. Read, Jr., is
United States Consul-General at Paris.

430 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE ID-
STATE OF DELAWARE.
In the House of Assembly, June 15, 1786.
Whereas, Official information has been received that the States of
Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia have passed
resolutions appointing certain persons therein named as commissioners
on the part of those States to meet such commissioners as may be ap
pointed by the other States in the Union for the purpose of taking into
consideration the trade of the United States, and to report such an act
relative thereto as will best promote the interest of the United States ;
and this State being willing to co-operate with them in so laudable and
useful a measure.
Resolved, That the Honorable George Read, Esqr., Jacob Broom,
Esqr., John Dickinson, Esqr., Richard Bassett, Esqr., and the Honorable
Gunning Bedford, Esqr. be, and they are hereby, appointed commis
sioners on the part of this State, who or any three of them may act, to
meet such other commissioners as may have been or shall be appointed
by the other States, at Annapolis, on the first Monday in September next,
for the purpose of considering the trade of the United States, to examine
the relative situations and trade of the said States, to consider how far
an uniform system in their commercial regulations may be necessary to
their common interest and permanent harmony, and to report to the
United States in Congress assembled such an act relative to this great
object as, when agreed to by them and confirmed by the Lej^-islature of
every State, will enable the United States in Congress assembled effect
ually to provide for the same.
Resolved, That his Excellency the President be requested to give
notice to the Supreme Executives of the several States in the Union
of the concurrence of this State in the measures proposed by the States
of Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia for the pur
poses aforesaid.
Resolved, That each of the commissioners aforesaid shall receive the
same allowances for their tim'e and services in the discharge of the
duties aforesaid as are made by this State to their delegates in Congress
by the resolution ofthe fifth day of November last, and the same shall
be drawn for and paid in like manner.
Sent for concurrence. In the Council, June 23d, 1796. Read, con
sidered, and agreed to. Tho. McDonough, Speaker.
Extract from the Minutes.
James Booth, Clerk of Assembly.

OF GEORGE READ. 431

THOMAS COLLINS.
"On Sunday, March 29th, 1789, at his seat at Belmont, near the vil
lage of Duck Creek Cross-Roads, in the county of Kent, departed this life
Thomas Collins, Esquire, President, Captain-General, Governor, and
Commander-in-Chief of the State of Delaware, aged fifty-seven years ;
and on Tuesday, the 31st, his remains were respectfully inhumed in
an ancient place of sepulture belonging to his family, the pall being
borne by our Representative in Congress, the Privy Council, and the
Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, followed by a very numerous
concourse of his afflicted and sympathizing fellow-citizens, where a
discourse highly adapted to this melancholy occasion was delivered by
the Rev. Mr. Roe, pastor of the united parishes of Christ Church and
St. Peter's.
"Mr. Collins descended from English ancestors, who settled early in
this country, and bestowed upon him all the learning that was to be
acquired in those times ; and though he never enjoyed the benefits of a
liberal or collegiate education, yeta thirst after knowledge, joined to a
strong natural and masculine understanding, assisted by an intense appli
cation to business, sufficiently atoned for that want, and counterbalanced
that fortuitous desideratum. The easy affability of his temper, added to a
benevolence of soul, soon endeared him to his countrymen, and secured
the affections of the majority of his fellow-citizens, by whose suffrages
he was elected to the office of High Sheriflf of Kent County, a post at
that early period of considerable honor and advantage, in the execution
of which, for the term of nearly four years, he acquitted himself with
zeal, reputation, and integrity, to the entire satisfaction of his constitu
ents. After the expiration of that term, he was successively delegated
to the important trust of a legislator until the late memorable Revo
lution. "Upon the general dissolution ofthe old government in 1776, he was
appointed one of the Council of Safety for the Delaware State, the only
executive power then in being, and afterwards was chosen a member of
the convention for the purpose of framing a new constitution, under the
authority and auspices of Congress. His next appointments were to the
chief command of one ofthe first regiments of militia and military treas
urer for the State. On the promotion of the late Governor Rodney to
the rank of a major-general, Mr. Collins succeeded to the command of the
county brigade. In the beginningof the year 1777 General Collins headed
his native militia to the camp and head-quarters at Morristown, New
Jersey, and endured, in common with his fellow-soldiers, all the fatigue
and hardship of that memorable campaign. During the same year,
when the troops under the conduct of General Sir William Howe passed
through the upper part of New Castle County, he commanded a small
army of observation and picket on the lines of the Maryland and Dela
ware States, and was opposed as a covering corps against the Germans,
under Lieuteuant-General the Baron Knyphausen, and so hung upon

432 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
their flank and rear that he effectually secured the country below from
the ravages of these mercenary marauders ; all these military services
being performed at his own private cost, without any charge oi- expense
to the government.
" He was successively elected to the House of General Assembly and
the Legislative Council, of which last he was chosen Speaker, and con
tinued as such until removed to the office of Chief Justice of the Court
of Common Pleas ; and from thence, as a full and complete remuneration
for his many past faithful services, he was finally, and by the unanimous
voice of both Houses of Assembly, exalted to the presidency and supreme
command of the State of Delaware. In this last eminent situation on
this pinnacle of civil preferment he lived without pride, governed with
ability, abstracted from oppression, and died with composure and resig
nation, beloved, regretted, and lamented by all honest men. The ur
banity of his soul was manifested in the whole tenor of his actions, —
not only benevolent in theory, but abundantly benefibent in practice, —
his private bounties keeping pace with his public donations. As a mem
ber of the Protestant Episcopal Church, he evidenced the sincerity of
his attachment to that denomination of Christians in [the] building St.
Peter's Church, at Duck Creek, towards which he was the chief and
principal contributor. Yet notwithstanding his predilection to the
Church of England and its professors, the Catholicism of his sentiments
embraced all mankind in the affectionate circle of charity and fraternal
regard. Though his salary as commander-in-chief was not considerable,
yet he resigned the emoluments arising from marriage and tavern
licenses (being part of that salary), equal to the yearly interest of nine
or ten thousand pounds, to the use of the State, to be applied to such
public and benevolent purposes as the Legislature should think proper.
This generous abdication of lucre is unprecedented among our American
governors, and was never surpassed but in the conduct of our late
worthy general and commander-in-chief — the most illustrious President
of the United States.
" Rest, then, in the bosom of everlasting peace, thou npright governor,
disinterested patriot and statesman, — thou kind husband, thou most
affectionate, indulgent father and gentle master ; and while thy loss is
lamented, in all the bitterness of human anguish, by a youthful son and
three amiable daughters, let them wipe off the tqar of filial regard and
dry the torrent of unutterable sorrow, and in consolation remember that
the beloved parent, who now sleeps in the dust, and whose kind indul
gences they shall never again experience, has by a series of industrious
pursuits, governed by the strictest rules of honor and probity, left them
in possession of a patrimony superior to theif'-wants and beyond the
reach of adversity."— From the Delaware Gazette, a paper published at
Wilmington, Delaware, vol. iv. No. 202, Saturday, May 2d, 1789.

OF GEORGE READ. 433
IF.
NOTICE OF DR. WITHERSPOON.
Dr. Alexander Carlisle, minister of Inveresk, in his interesting
Autobiography, pp. 25, 26, 55, thus notices him :
"I was sent to the college of Edinburgh, November 1st, 1735. I
was in a boarding-house where was very good company. John Wither
spoon, the celebrated doctor, was also in the jiouse. His future life and
public character are well known. At the time I speak of he was a good
scholar, far advanced for his age, very sensible and shrewd, but of a
disagreeable temper, which was irritated by a flat voice and awkward
manner, which prevented his making the impression on his companions,
of either sex, which was at all adequate to his abilities. This defect
when he was a lad stuck to him when he grew up to manhood, and so
much roused his envy and jealousy as made him take a road to distinc
tion very different from that of his more successful companions."
Carlisle further writes that he used to accompany Witherspoon in
visits to his father, a clergyman residing at Gifford Hall, when they
were wont to pass the day in fishing, to be out of the way of the father,
who was very sulky and tyrannical, but much given to gluttony, and in
bed always at nine, and fat as a porpoise : was not to be awakened, so that
they had three or four hours every night to amuse themselves with the
daughters of the house and their cousins. This John loved of all things,
and far more when he returned Carlisle's visits, and had more com
panions of the fair sex and no restraint from an austere father ; so that
Carlisle always considered the austerity of manner and aversion to
society which he assumed afterwards as the arts of hypocrisy and am
bition, for he had a strong and enlightened understanding, far above
enthusiasm, and a temper that did not seem liable to it.
It was believed by some persons that Dr. Nesbit, President of Dick
inson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, was the son (Alius nothus) of
Witherspoon, to whom he bore a striking resemblance in features, but
was unlike him in person and temper. Any likeness between their
sentiraents and public appearances might be accounted for by the great
admiration for Witherspoon of Nesbit, who was bred up in his parish,
under his eye. Nesbit was a man of some learning and abilitv, which
he displayed with little judgment in the Assembly. He was in point of
learning well qualified for the presidency of Dickinson College, but
became miserable, because he could not return to Scotland, — a striking
case of nostalgia.
A lady, to whom Dr. Witherspoon was showing his garden, said,
"You have an excellent garden, but no flowers." "No, madam," said
he, "neither in my garden nor in my discourse." — Biography of the
Signers ofthe Declaration of Independence, vol. ii. p. 257.

434 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE

CHAPTER VI.
State of public affairs, feelings, and opinions at the beginning of 1787, as to
powers proper to be delegated the general government; how it could be
amended ; ungranted lands ; and votes of the States in the National Legisla
ture — Madison's letters from New York — Western posts, and navigation of
the Mississippi — Monarchy advocated — Mr. Bead's letters to Mr Dickinson ;
approaching session of Delaware Legislature ; his opinion that the Delaware
delegates should be inhibited from giving up her equal vote — Delegates ap-
pointed, Mr. Read one of them, with the advised restriction; wisdom of it
afterwards apparent— Compromise of the claims of the States as to their votes
in the National Legislature — Anecdotes of Gouverneur Morris — Letter of Jacob
Broom — ^Slow arrival of delegates to the Convention at Philadelphia — Want
of facilities of travel — Letter from Mr. Head, in Philadelphia, to Mr Diokin.
son — His account of a proposed plan of a national government — Suspicions of
intentions of large States towards the smaller ones dangerous to. them — Con
vention organizes ; Washington elected President, and Jackson secretary — Pro
ceeds at once to business — Eandolph's plan of a new Constitution ; debates in
Committee of the Whole on this plan — -Great warmth on the question, " What
should be the rule of suffi-age in the Federal Legislature?" — Decisions against
the smaller States in the Committee of the Whole — The Jersey plan ; its infe
riority to the Virginia one ; why preferred by the smaller States — Hamilton
opposes both plans, and prefers monarchy, but that being impracticable, ad
vocates a strong central government — Virginia plan reported to the House,
considered there, and proportional representation of the State retained — Dissat
isfaction and danger of dissolution — -Committee of Conference ; result — Com
promise of proportional vote in the House and equal in the Senate — Questions
as to rule of apportionment of representatives, whether slaves were property
or not, etc. , rai.^ed and settled; proposition agreed to in Committee of the
Whole, referred to Committee of Detail ; their report — Warm debates as to
proposed power to pass navigation laws, prohibit taxes on exports and the
slave-trade : questions thus raised, settled by compromise — Mr. Eead's speeches
in the Convention — Hamilton's plan — Madison's testimony to the purity of
the Convention and devotion to their duty — Signature of the Constitution —
Note of Mr. Dickinson — Constitution laid before Congress and submitted to
the States ; violent opposition to it — Constitution first ratified by Delaware —
Death of Colonel Cantwell ; Mr Read's opinion as to the removal of his
remains, interring families together, and on private cemeteries, and comment
on it — State of public affairs and opinions at the beginning of 1788 — In
mo.^t of the States proposed Constitution of the United States under considera
tion ; objections to it fallacious — Character of the Constitutional and anti-
Constitutional parties — Constitution ratified — Vining elected to House of
Representatives from Delaware, and Bedford, Mitchell, and Banning electors
of President and Vice-President, who vote for Washington and Adams —
Messrs. Read and Bassett chosen United States Senators for Delaware — letter
of Mr. Dickinson — Question as to location of the seat of the Federal gov
ernment ; attendance of Delaware delegates in Congress important on account
of it — L3ttep of Major .Jackson to Mr. Read — Candidates for secretaryship of
the Sfnate— C. Griffin's letter in favor of J. Livingston — .\ssau1t bn Mr. Eead
by " Timoleon ;" its character ; failed in its object — Letter of Mr Dickinson;
recommends Colonel Pierce for coUectorship of Savannah — Letter of Edmund
Randolph recommending Colonel Heth for office — Letter of Samuel Wharton
— Organization of United States goverment delayed by want of quorums in both
Houses of Congress — Letter of J. Langdon and others, urging Mr. Eead's pres
ence at New York — Wm. Bingham recommends Major Jackson for secretary-

OF GEORGE READ. 435
ship of United States Senate— Letter of 0. Thomson urging Mr. Eead's at
tendance in United States Senate — Letter of John Vining — Death of Gover
nor Collins— Competitors for governorship of Delaware — Notice of James
Booth, and his letter to Mr. Bead— Quorum of both Houses of Congress ob
tained—Election of President and Vice-President declared — Washington's
election announced to him; sets out for Now York ; his reception there and
on his journey ; his inauguration— Notice of J. MoHenry ; his letter in favor
of Commodore Barney — Mr. Eead's allotment to class of senators whose seats
would be vacated in two years — Mr Read asks opinions of Messrs. Dickinson
and Vining on the bill to' establish United States courts — Their letters— Com
mon law ; how much of it adopted with the United States Constitution— Letter
of John Penn; confides his affairs in Delaware to Mr. Eead — Notice of John
Penn — Competition for United States oflSces— District Judgeship of Pennsyl
vania, candidates for — Notices of Edward Shippen— Letters of Moses Levy
and Edward Tilghman recommending him — Peters appointed — Letter of
Mr. Dickinson, pressed for a debt assumed for Delaware — Mr. Read's service
on Senate coramittees — Senate adjourns — A day of thanksgiving recommended
— Principal bills passed by Congress — Interval between adjournment and
next session devoted by Mr. Read to his family and profession — Appendix
A, act of Assembly appointing Mr. Read and others delegates to the Conven
tion that framed the Constitution of the United States — Appendix B, notice
of Nicholas Van Dyke — Appendix C, notice of Edmund Eandolph — Appendix
C 2, notice of C. Thomson — Appendix D, notice of John Vining — Appendix
E, notice of Commodore Barney — Appendix F. classification of United States
Senate— Appendix G. notice of Gunning Bedford — Appendix H, notice of
Richard Peters and Edward Tilghman.
None of my countrymen, unless utterly thoughtless, ex
changed greetings on New Year's Day, 1787, without
anxiety. Evils of most grave character were upon them,
and fears for the future predominated over their hopes of
more prosperous times. The disease under which the body
politic was suffering had reached its crisis. Mr. Madison's
letters* in the winter and spring of 1787 enable me, in
some degree at least, to feel as that patriot felt and to think
as he thought, as he noted fluctuations of opinion and events
as they occurred, favorable or unfavorable to the success of
the contemplated convention of that year. His position,
that of member of Congress, sitting in New York, was at a
point where streams of intelligence converged from all the
States. Diverse were the opinions upon the great measure
everywhere the subject of thought and discussion. Some
believed that unless recommended by Congress it must fail,
while others were persuaded that this sanction would defeat
it, so rampant was State jealousy of Federal power. Some
were for amending the Articles of Confederation ; others
for substituting a new system of government. The wisest
citizens, profiting by bitter experience of the want of a
central power to regulate matters of general concernment,
* Madison Papers, vol. ii. pp. 615, 682, passim.

436 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
foreign relations, commerce, internal and foreign revenue,
and posts, for example, had even struck out the great feat
ures of the Constitution of the United States. To whom
belongs the merit of the first conception of the outlines of
this Constitution is doubtful.* Wherever there has been a
great want the remedy for it has often suggested itself, with
more ot less clearness, simultaneously to several men, dis
tant from each other, and without interchange of thoughts
on the subject. Hence controversies have not been infre
quent in regard to claims to the merit of originating inno
vations in government or improvements in arts that have
augmented the comfort and wealth and with them the
intelligence and virtue of nations. The States were reluc
tant to relinquish power, and distrustful of the depositories
of it should it be delegated. The small States felt that
their existence would be endangered if they yielded the
equality of vote in the national government, which they
claimed, and which the larger States denounced as so unjust
and unreasonable that they could never admit it. Opinions
were various as to the powers which ought to be delegated
to the general government. Some favored consolidation ;
others such a retention of power by the States as was
incompatible with a vigorous or indeed any national gov
ernment. The States that were importers for contiguous
States selfishly wished to retain the advantage they enjoyed
of raising revenue on merchandise, which their neighbors,
wanting ports, were compelled to receive through their
merchants. New Jersey, between Pennsylvania and New
York, and North Carolina, between Virs-inia and South
Carolina, were felicitously compared to " a hogshead tapped
at both ends," or " a patient bleeding at both arms." There
was another source of strife in the question to whom be
longed the ungranted or crown lands, claimed by the States
within whose boundaries they were situated, and for this
reason and as pertinaciously by other States as the common
property, because wrested from the British sovereign by the
blood, and money, and sacrifices of all. No one looked
with the least respect to Congress, or faintest hope of relief
from its measures. Its requisitions were treated with silent
* Curtis's History of the Constitution of the United States, vol, i.;
Madison Papers, vol. ii. pp. 632, 633.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 437
contempt. No provision could be made for the sacred debt
of the war just gloriously terminated, while honest and
generous raen hung their heads in shame when they wit
nessed the penury, with all its woes, of the victims of such
flagrant ingratitude. The Western posts were retained by
the British, and treaty stipulations for the payment of debts
due English merchants were disregarded. Our commerce
was in peril of annihilation by foreign governments, and
there was no power in Congress to counteract their encroach
ments. The South and the Western settlers were disgusted
and alarmed, and the latter threatened separation because
of the selfish designs of the Eastern States to purchase
advantages for their trade by ceding to. Spain, for a term of
years at least, the right claimed by their countrymen to
navigate the Mississippi. Some men, at least in the East
ern States, advocated openly and boldly monarchical gov
ernment as the only remedy for existing evils, and, to pave
the way for it, favored the establishment of two or more
confederacies. Lawyers argued that the "Articles of Con
federation" could only be amended in the mode they pro
vided, but it was well replied that it was absurd to interpose
these articles, powerless for good, as a barrier to the proposed
attempt to relieve the people from the evils under which
they were suffering, which, however irregular, was the only
practicable one, and must be tried then or not at all. The
hope of reconciling these conflicting opinions was almost
gone, when the Shay insurrection, overruled by Providence
for this great good, forced upon those who opposed or hesi
tated to approve the proposed convention the conviction
that this measure could alone avert civil war, which was at
the door of every State, and State after State elected depu
ties to revise their Federal Constitution, and so to amend
as to make it adequate to the exigencies of government and
the preservation of the union of the States, until, before
the sj)ring of 1787, all had chosen them except Rhode
Island. The session of the Delaware Legislature was about to
commence. The question of the election of deputies to the
proposed convention was to be decided at this session.
Mr. Read, at this conjuncture, asked, in the following letter
to his friend John Dickinson, his consideration of the views
therein submitted to him upon a point of the utmost in-

438 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
terest, because of vital importance to the srnall States of the
American Confederacy. "New Castle, January 17th, 1787.
" Dear Sir, — Finding that Virginia hath again taken the
lead in the proposed convention at Philadelphia in May, as
recommended in our report when at Annapolis, as by an act
of their Assembly, passed the 22d of November last, and
inserted in Dunlap's paper of the 15th of last month [ap
pears], it occurred to me, as a prudent measure on the part
of our State, that its Legislature should, in the act of
appointment, so far restrain the powers of the commission
ers, whom they shall name on this service, as that they may
not extend to any alteration in that part of the fifth article
of the present Confederation, which gives each State erne vote
in determining questions in Congress, and the latter part of
the thirteenth article, as to future alterations, — that is, that
such clause shall be preserved or inserted, for the like pur
pose, in any revision that shall be made and agreed to in the
proposed convention. I conceive our existence as a State
will depend upon our preserving such rights, for I consider
the acts of Congress hitherto, as to the ungranted lands in
most of the larger States, as sacrificing the just claims of
the smaller and bounded States to a proportional share
therein, for the purpose of discharging the national debt
incurred during the war ; and such is my jealousy of most
of the larger States, that I would trust nothing to their
candor, generosity, or ideas of public justice in behalf of this
State, from what has heretofore happened, and which, I
presume, hath not escaped your notice. But as I am gen
erally distrustful of my own judgment, and particularly in
public matters of consequence, I wish your consideration of
the prudence or propriety of the Legislature's adopting such
a measure, and more particularly for that I do suppose you
will be one of its commissioners. Persuaded I am, from
what I have seen occasionally in the public prints and heard
in private conversations, that the voice of the States will
be one of the subjects of revision, and in a meeting where
there will be so great an interested majority, I suspect the
argument or oratory of the smaller State commissioners will
avail little. In such circumstances I conceive it will relieve
the coinmissioners of the State from disagreeable argu
mentation, as well as prevent the downfall of the State,

OF GEOBGE READ. 439
which [without an equal vote] would at once become a
cypher in the union, and have no chance of an accession of
district, or even citizens; for, as we presently stand, our
quota is increased upon us, in the requisition of this year,
more than thirteen-eightieth s since 1775, without any other
reason that I can suggest than a promptness in the Legis
lature of this State to comply with all the Congress requi
sitions from time to time. This increase alone, without
addition, would in the course of a few years banish many of
its citizens and impoverish the remainder; therefore, clear
I am that every guard that can be devised for this State's
protection against future encroachment should be preserved
or made. I wish your opinion on the subject as soon as
convenient. " I am pressed from divers quarters to give an early
attendance at the ensuing session of Assembly, and did say
to two gentlemen, the other evening, that I would set [out]
with them early on next Monday, if they would procure a
stage-wagon for the taking us down.
" My many absences from home, and the variety of busi
nesses I have to attend to, give me little opportunity to
digest my thoughts well on any of them. My condition is
that of a common hack, for the use of every one that thinks
fit to call for it, subjected to much hard treatment and ill
fed. " I had yours by Mr. Lake, who did not think fit to
adopt a proposition I suggested to him for the speedy de
termination of the dispute between him and James Huston,
aa mentioned by you, which was the submitting the ques
tion of law upon the words of the will of a testator, whom
he admitted they both claimed under, to some gentleman
of the law, as from what I knew of the respective claims it
ought and could be the only legal question. As to submit
ting equitable circumstances to those sort of judges [he pro
posed], I could not consistently with my own opinion and
duty advise the measure. I suspect you were only applied
to on [account of] the supposed influence you might have
over me. Respect either to you or me influences no further
than immediate interest leads to — certura est.
" In answer to your questions as to the intestate acts of
1742 and 1750, there was no intermediate act altering the
succession to lands of intestates ; and by a manuscript ab-

440 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
stract I have of the act of 1742 (16th George IL), (ray
printed one being loaned in Kent), where there were no
children, or legal representatives of such, the moiety of the
lands were to the widow, for life, and the residue to be
equally divided to every the next of kin of the intestate, in
equal degree, and to those who legally represented thera.
No representatives among collaterals, after brothers and
sisters' children. This clause is preceded by the following,
which is properly a part of the one directing the lineal dis
tribution, — viz., ' and if any of the children happen to die
before age, or before marringe, then their portion to be
divided araong the brothers and sisters, or their representa
tives.' "If you should happen [to have] the -Pennsylvania acts
of the 21st March and 20th September, 1783, respecting
the payment of interest on unalienated certificates, but par
ticularly the first, I shall be obliged to you to send them.
If no opportunity offers here, send them to Mr. Broom, to
bring them to Duver to me.
"I am, with much esteem, yours most sincerely,
" George Read.
"The Honorable John Dickinson."
The General Assembly of Delaware appointed, by an act
passed 3d February, 1787, George Rend, Gunning Bedford,
John Dickinson, Richard Bassett, and Jacob Broom deputies
of Delaware to the convention proposed to be held at Phila
delphia to revise the Federal Constitution, with the restric
tion upon the power conferred on thein suggested by Mr.
Read in his foregoing letter to John Dickinson.*
The wisdom of this restraint was afterwards apparent.
On the 30th May, 1787, the question, "What ought to be
the right of suffrage in the national government?" came up
in convention, Mr. Madison having moved "that the rule
of suffrage established by the Articles of Confederation ought
not to be the rule in the national legislature. Mr. Read
moved " that the whole clause relating to the point of rep
resentation be postponed, reminding tlie coramittee that the
deputies from Delaware were restrained by their commission
from assenting to any change in the rule of suffrage, and
* Appendix A.

OF GEORGE READ. 441
in case of such change it might become their duty to retire
from the convention." Mr. Gouverneur Morris* replied
"that the valuable assistance of these merabers could not
be lost without real concern, and that so early a proof of
discord in the convention as the secession of a State would
add much tothe regret; that the change proposed, however,
was so fundamental an article in the national government
that it could not be dispensed with." It was finally agreed
that the subject should be postponed, with the understand
ing that the proposed change would certainly be agreed to;
which was not the case, the opposing claims of the States,
equally divided upon this question, having been settled by
a compromise establishing in the Constitution of the United
States the principles of proportional representation of the
people in the House of Representatives and of equal repre
sentation in the Senate of the States, the just rule in a
* " The self-possession of Gouverneur Morris was so complete that he
is said to have declared he never knew the sensation of fear, inferiority,
or embarrassment in his intercourse with man." — Curtis's History of
the Constitution of the United States, vol. i. p. 145.
But it appears by the following anecdote, communicated to me by
Mrs. Susan Eckard, of Philadelphia, daughter of Colonel James Read,
that Mr. Morris was once frightened, embarrassed, and sensible of
inferiority in the prefeence of a fellow-mortal :
" Gouverneur Morris, a very handsome, bold, and — I have heard the
ladies say — very impudent man. His talents and services are part of
American history. He wore a wooden leg. He was not related to the
great financier, who was said to be a natural child. The office of Mr.
[Robert] Morris was only divided from papa's by a small entry, and
was constantly visited by Mr. Gouverneur Morris, and papa's also. One
day the latter entered, and papa was so struck by his crest-fallen ap
pearance that he asked, 'Are you not well ?' He replied, 'I am not, —
the devil got possession of me last night.' ' I have often cautioned you
against him,' said papa, playfully: 'but what has happened to disturb
you ?' ' 1 was at the President's last night ; several members ofthe Cabi
net were there. The then absorbing question' ('I forget,' Mrs. E. writes,
'what it was') ' was brought up. The President was standing with his
arras behind him, — his usual position, — his back to the fire, listening.
Hamilton made a speech I did not like. I started up and sjioke, stamp
ing, as I walked up and down, with my wooden leg ; and, as 1 was
certain I had the best of the argument, as I finished 1 stalked up to the
President, slapped him on the back, and said, "Ain't I right, general ?''
The President did not speak, but the majesty of the American people
was before me. Oh, his look 1 How I wished the floor would open
and I could descend to the cellar ! You know me,' continued Mr
Morris, ' and you know my eye would never quail before any other
mortal. ' " 29

442 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
government national and federal. The restriction upon the
powers of the Delaware members had some influence in
producing this happy result, and the reference to it by Mr.
Read was the first indication on the floor ofthe convention
that extreme pretensions could not prevail.*
It appears by the following letter from one of Mr. Read's
colleagues, that, before the day appointed for the meeting
of the convention, he had taken lodgings in Philadelphia,
and was there.
Saturday evening, eight o'clock, Chester, May 12th, 1787.
Sir, — I just now alighted at Mrs. Withy's, and sit down
to inform you that, previous to my leaving Philadelphia, I
understood that my youngest child (who I left under in
oculation) was very ill, — perhaps it is no more so than is
to be expected in such cases. If there should be no appear
ance of danger, I intend seeing you on Monday; otlierwise,
perhaps not until Tuesday, when the worst of the disorder
will in all probability be over. A sailor is now here from
Reedy Island, who says that Captain Strong is arrived
thither, and that Governor Rutledge, together with several
other gentlemen, is passenger with him, — perhaps some of
our gentlemen. By the middle of the week, and not be
fore, I expect a sufficient number to proceed to business
will be assembled. I am, sir, with the greatest respect and
esteem, your most obedient, humble servant,
"Jacob Broom.
"P.S. — General Washington lodges this night at Wil
mington. "The Honorable George Read, Esquire, at Mrs. House's,
Market Street, Philadelphia."
The delegates arrived slowly at Philadelphia. Journeying
was tedious, — by packet-boats and stage-wagons; there were
no turnpikes, and few bridges, and little competition on the
lines of travel to accelerate it. Let us not, however, forget
the price for fast travelling, — hecatombs, who annually
perish by appalling disasters on steamboats and railroads.
Mr. Read wrote the following letter to his friend, John
Dickinson, from
* Madison Papers, vol. ii. pp. 751, 752, 753, 1107, 1113.

OF GEORGE READ. 443
"Philadelphia, May 21st, 1787.
"Dear Sir, — I have just seen Master Hicks, who says
he is to return in about an hour. It was rather unlucky
that you had not given rae a hint of your wish to be in a
lodging-house at an earlier day. Mrs. House's, where I am,
is very crowded, and the room I am presently in so small
as not to admit of a second bed. That which I had here
tofore, on my return from New York, was asked for Gov
ernor Randolph, it being then expected he would have
brought his lady with hira, which he did not, but she is
expected to follow sorae time hence.
"I have not seen Mr. Bassett, being from my lodgings
when he called last evening. He stopt at the Indian
Queen, where Mr. Mason, of Virginia, stays, the last of
their seven deputies who came in. We have now a
quorum frora six States, to wit : South and North Carolina,
Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New York, and
single deputies frora three others, — Georgia, New Jersey,
and Massachusetts, — whose additional ones are hourly ex
pected, and also the Connecticut deputies, who have been
appointed, within the last ten days, by the Legislature
there. We have no particular accounts from New Hamp
shire, other than that the delegates to Congress were ap
pointed deputies to this convention. Maryland you may
probably have heard more certain accounts of than we who
are here. Rhode Island hath made no appointment as yet.
"The gentlemen who carae here early, particularly [those
frora] Virginia, that had a quorum on the first day, express
much uneasiness at the backwardness of individuals in
giving attendance. It is meant to organize the body as
soon as seven States' quoruras attend. I wish you were
here. " I am in possession of a copied draft of a Federal system
intended to be proposed, if something nearly sirailar shall
not precede it. Some of its principal features are taken
from the New York system of government. A house of
delegates and senate for a general legislature, as to the
great business of the Union. The first of them to be
chosen by the Legislature of each State, in proportion to
its number of white inhabitants, and three-fifths of all
others, fixing a number for sending each representative.
The second, to wit, the senate, to be elected by the dele-

444 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
gates so returned, either from themselves or the people at
large, in four great districts, into which the United States
are to be divided for the purpose of forming this senate
from, which, when so formed, is to be divided into four
classes for the purpose of an annual rotation of a fourth of
the merabers. A president having only executive powers
for seven years. By this plan our State may have a repre
sentation in the House of Delegates of one member in
eighty. I suspect it to be of iraportance to the small States
that their deputies should keep a strict watch upon the
moveraents and propositions from the larger States, who
will probably corabine to swallow up the smaller ones by
addition, division, or irapoverishraent; and, if you have
any wish to assist in guarding against such attempts, you
will be speedy in your attendance.*
"Master Hicks is waiting while I write, and I cannot
proceed to further particulars.
"I beg my compliments may be presented to Mrs. Dick
inson, Miss Sallie, and Mrs. Thompson, who, I am told, is
with you, and 1 am, with much esteem,
"Yours sincerely,
» "George Read.
" Honorable John Dickinson."
On the 25th day of May, 1787, a quorum of States being
present by their deputies, the convention was organized by
the unanimous choice of George Washington for president,
* There were three parties in the convention. The first desired the
abolishment of the State governments, aud to establish a general gov
ernment, monarchical in its nature, but restricted. The second was
opposed to the annihilation of the State governments, and to a mon
archical general government, but favored such a one as would give, as
they maintained, their rightful power to the large States. But, as the
smaller held undue weight, the third party held that the delegates were
restrained by their elections and commissions from recommending any
thing beyond such alterations and additions as would make the "Articles
of Confederation" adequate to the emergencies of government and the
preservation of the federal union between the States. The first party
joined the second. Sic scripsit Luther Martin. — Taylor's New Views
of the Constitution of the United States, p. 42.
Delegates of the small States, though preferring a national to a fed
eral government, sometimes acted and voted with this third party to
defeat the second in their scheme of representation according to popu
lation, in the proposed national legislature.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 445
and the election of Major Jackson as secretary. The dele
gates to the convention were erainent for ability, virtue,
and experience in public affairs Many of them had been
members of the Stamp-act, or Continental, Congress, and
some of thera of both, and had filled the highest State
offices.* They proceeded at once to business. Mr. Ran
dolph opened the great business of the convention. After
stating the difficulties and dangers of the crisis, the defects
of the "Articles of Confederation," and the provisions of a
new constitution, which would reraedy thera, he subraitted,
as its basis, fifteen propositions, which for a fortnight were
debated in comraittee of the whole, and araended and re
ported to the house, and provided for a house of delegates
to be chosen by the people for three years, and a senate to
be elected by the State Legislatures for seven years, the
merabers of both to be apportioned according to the whole
number of free citizens and three-fifths of all other persons;
to be invested with all the powers of the Congress of the
Confederacy, and additionally to legislate in all cases where
the States were incompetent or their legislation would im
pair the harraony of the Union, — each to have power to
originate acts, with a negative on all State laws contrary to
its own, and treaties of the general government; the mem
bers of the Legislature of the Union to be paid out of its
treasury, and incapable of holding offices created during
their membership and a year after it ceased ; the national
executive to be a single person, chosen by the national
legislature, for seven years, ineligible a second time, to ap
point to all offices not otherwise provided for, and to have
a veto on all laws of Congress he returned to it with his
objections, unless again passed by a three-fourths vote of
both houses; the national judiciary to consist of a supreme
court (the judges of which to be appointed by the senate
and hold office during good behavior) and of such inferior
tribunals as from tirae to tirae might be constituted by the
Legislature, and their jurisdiction to extend to all cases
respecting the collection of the national revenue, impeach
ment of national officers, and the national harmony; pro
vision to be raade for the adraission of new States into the

* Mr. Dickinson attended May 29th. — Madison Papers, vol. ii. p. 727.

446 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
Union, and for the araendment of the national constitution,
and republican government guaranteed to each State by
the United States. The right of suffrage, in both houses
of the national legislature, not according to the rule estab
lished in the Articles of Confederation, but in proportion
to the whole number of white and other free citizens and
inhabitants, including those bound to servitude for a term
of years, and three-fifths of all other persons not compre
hended in the foregoing description, except Indians not
paying taxes. In the debates in the coramittee of the
whole upon Mr. Randolph's plan, or the Virginia plan,
there had been great difference of opinion in regard to the
mode of constituting the supreme legislative judiciary and
executive departments of the proposed new governraent,
the weight of the States in them, and the powers to be con
fided to them. The debates upon the.se important subjects
elicited great ability and political knowledge, and were
marked by singular moderation, until the question what
should be the rule of suffrage in both houses ofthe national
legislature came up. The greater States clairaed a pro
portionate, and the smaller ones an equal, vote in both.
With the former it was a contest for power, but with the
latter for existence. The decision in the comraittee of the
whole was against the sraaller States, but the votes nearly
equal. On the 14th of June Mr. Patterson offered the
Jersey plan, as it was called. It was, as stated by Mr.
Madison (Madison Papers, vol. ii. pp. 862-3, note), "con
cocted by the deputies of New York, New Jersey, Delaware,
and, perhaps, Mr. Martin, of Maryland, who raade with
them coramim cause, though on different principles. Con
necticut and New York were against a departure from the
principle of the confederation, wishing rather to add a few
new powers to Congress than to substitute a national gov
ernment. New Jersey and Delaware were opposed to a
national government, because its patrons considered a pro
portionate representation of the States to be the basis
of it."
The New Jersey plan proposed the amendment of the
Articles of Confederation by conferring on the Federal
Legislature new powers, — to regulate commerce with the
States and foreign nations, to raise revenue by imposts, and
collect by its own authority requisitions of Congress when

OF GEOBGE BEAD 447
not met by the States. This plan proposed a Federal
Executive, to be plural, and a Federal Judiciary; that acts
of Congress and treaties raade and ratified by the United
States should be the suprerae law, and that if infracted by
any State or body of men in a State, the Federal Executive
may employ the power of the Confederated States to compel
obedience to them. On the 15th of June the New Jersey
plan was referred to the committee of the whole, and the
Virginia plan was committed, that they might be considered
together; and thus the question whether a national gov
ernment should be established or not was opened anew.
Mr. Randolph's plan was opposed because it destroyed the
sovereignty of the States; but chiefly because the conven
tion, it was asserted, had not power to consider and propose
it. The two plans were ably contrasted. In the first, two
Houses of Congress, — in the second, one ; representation of
the people at large the basis of one, the other resting on
the State Legislatures ; the Executive single in one, plural
in the other; in the one, a majority of the people of the
United States must prevail, — in the other a minority might;
in the one, the national legislature were to make all
necessary laws, — in the other, a few additional powers were
given to Congress ; in the one, there was a negative on
unconstitutional State laws, — in the other, coercion ; the
National Executive could be removed in one by impeach-
raent, if convicted, — by the other, by a raajority of State
Executives ; revision of laws and inferior tribunals in one,
not in other; jurisdiction in one plan extended to all cases
affecting the national harmony, in the other to a few cases;
and the Virginia plan was to be ratified by the people, the
Jersey by the State Legislatures.* It was truly urged that
as the convention concluded nothing, it might propose any
thing, and that any defect of power in the convention
would be cured by the ratification by the people. The
superiority of the Virginia plan over the New Jersey project
is so evident that I have no doubt it was true, as tauntingly
charged, that the smaller States supported it merely ber
cause of the equality of vote it secured them. New York
was, it is very probable, antifederal. Harailton opposed
both plans, and preferred monarchy. Admitting the im-
* Madison Papers, vol. ii. p. 872.

448 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
practicability of raaking the British forra of governn:ient
our model, on account of the manners, laws, and way of
thinking of his countrymen, equality of property, absence
of entails, primogeniture, and a nobility, he thought a na
tional government could be forraed strong enough to reduce
the State governments within the limits necessary to its
answering its ends and its perraanency. On the 15th of
June it was resolved in the committee of the whole that
the Virginia plan was the preferable one, and should be
reported to the House, — in other words, the Jersey plan was
rejected (Madison Papers, vol. ii. p. 904). Each article was
reconsidered, many alterations proposed, and some of thera
adopted ; but, after an aniraated debate, the proportional
representation in the House of Representatives was re
tained. The States Rights Party then exerted all their
ability to secure an equal vote in the Senate ; a motion to
this effect was lost, and they were so disgusted and so
hopeless that they were on the verge of withdrawing frora
the convention. To prevent this disastrous step a commit
tee of conference of one from each State was appointed, to
meet in three days. In this committee Franklin success
fully offered the amendment that in the lower House there
should be representation in proportion to population, and
that money bills should there originate, and the States have
in the Senate an equal vote. This committee reported July
5th. The smaller States hailed this report as a triumph,
but the larger ones assailed it, because fatal to the predom
inancy they could only secure by carrying their darling
measure of proportionate vote in both Houses of the National
Legislature; but the report was adopted July 7th.* To
* "Mr. Dickinson said to Mr. Madison: 'See the result of pushing
things too far. Some ofthe members from the smaller States wish for
two branches of the National Legislature, and are friends to a good
.National government; but we would sooner subniit to a foreign power
than submit to be deprived of an equal vote in both branches and
thereby brought under the dominion of the larger States.'" — Madison
Papers, vol. ii. p. 863.
" Franklin's suggestion, it has been said [I think truly], prevented
the dissolution of the convention without framing a constitution, and to
it we owe the wonderful fact that no ill feeling has ever existed in a
Stale growing out of the fact of its superiority or inferiority Of popu
lation and importance. Rhode Island and Delaware, Pennsylvania and
New York, were thus made equal members of the same confederacy.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 449
this question, so wisely and happily settled by compromise,
iraraediately succeeded others, as iraportant, exciting, and
difficult of settleraent to the satisfaction of all the States.
What should be the number of representatives in the lower
House, and should it be invariable ? Should new States be
admitted into the Union on the same footing as the old?
Should wealth be represented or people ? The rule of ap
portionment — wealth and numbers — was questioned as
vague. Negroes, it was asserted, were merely property,
and so treated at the South, where citizens had no addi
tional votes for their slaves; and if not represented in the
slave States, why should they be in the National Legisla
ture ? Wealth, it was answered, was increased by the labor
of slaves, who ought to be represented in a government
established chiefly to protect property. Upon what ground,
it was asked, were three-fifths of the slaves to be repre
sented ? If as citizens, why not all? if as property, why
not other property? It was urged the commercial States
could not justly expect the advantages they anticipated
from the Union, unless they gave the South equivalents.
When a strong disposition was raanifested to allow no
representation for slaves, Mr. Davie declared the Southern
States would not confederate unless at least three-fifths of
thera should be represented. Then the proposition was
made to count the blacks equally with the whites and lost,
and then the three-fifths ratio finally adopted. The in
terests not only of slaveholders and non-slaveholders came
in conflict, but those of the Western and Atlantic States,
and of planters and merchants. The qualification of the
age of Congressmen and their term of service were fixed,
and the proposed veto of Congress on unconstitutional
State laws wisely rejected, because impracticable. The
propositions as to the ineligibility of the Executive for a
second term, period of service, and mode of choosing him
were much discussed and elicited differing opinions, and
were at last brought to the provisions of the Constitution
on these points.*
without peril to the smaller and without injustice to the larger. Of all
political expedients this vvas perhaps the happiest ever devised. Its
success has been perfect,— so much so that scarcely any one has re
marked it, unconscious of its working, as a healthy man is of digestion."
— Parton's Life of Franklin, vol. ii. pp. 575, 576.
* Madison's Papers, ii. p. 1187.

450 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
The report of the coramittee of the whole, thus amended
by the House and adopted, was referred to a committee of
detail, to prepare and report a constitution in conformity
thereto, July 24th. This comraittee in ten days raade a
report, so nearly approxiraating the Constitution of the
United States that I need not note the points of their dis
crepancy. But there were some new provisions reported,
which, when debated, had deeply stirred the convention.
These were that Congress should not pass navigation laws,*
without the assent of two-thirds of the merabers present in
each session, or laws for the prohibition of taxes on exports
and the abolishraent of the slave-trade. But happily ex
treme views were harmonized by compromise. No restric
tion was imposed on the power to regulate coramerce, and
taxes on exports were prohibited, as requjred by the
Southern and Middle States, while it was conceded to the
South that the slave-trade should not be abolished for
twenty years ; and to reconcile the anti-slaveholding party
to this concession, it was provided that a tax might be laid
on each slave imported, not, however, to exceed ten dollars.
The three coraproraises, to which we owe the Constitution
of the United States, — were, first, the equal representation
of the States in the Senate, — a concession to the smaller
States; second, the counting three-fifths of the slaves in
determining the ratio of representation-]- (the consideration
for which was the relinquishment of the restriction of the
power to pass navigation laws) ; and, third, the continuing,
for twenty years, the slave-trade : and the wisdom and
patriotism which prompted them deserve the full amount
of praise they have received. By the 10th of September
all the provisions reported to the convention were debated
and passed upon, and the Constitution of the United States
adopted. Referred to a committee to settle its arrangement
and style, it carae from their hands to be the just object of
admiration as a model in both these particulars; and the

* The slave States were hostile to navigation laws, because they
feared New England, excluding, by large tonnage duties, foreign vessels
from their ports, would secure the monopoly of their carrying trade.
f For which concession to the South the provision that direct taxes
should be apportioned according to representation was the considera
tion, but more apparent than real, because the national revenue would
generally be derived from imposts.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. , 451
convention, having completed the great work confided to
them, adjourned, finally, September 17th, 1787.
To the foregoing summary of the proceedings of the con
vention, which Mr. Read's membership of this body, it ap
peared to me, made necessary, I think it proper to add his
speeches, as preserved in Mr. Madison's Report of the De
bates of the Convention, my object being to present to my
readers his opinions expressed in that assembly. " But
views," says Mr. Madison, "were often presented with a
latent reference to compromise on some middle ground"
(Madison Papers, ii. p. 717) ; and says Hamilton (Letter to
Colonel Pickering, Pitkin's History of the United States, vol.
ii. p. 259, note), " Neither propositions thrown out for debate,
nor even those voted in the earlier stages of the proceedings
of the convention, were considered evidence of a definitive
opinion in the proposer or voter."
" Mr. Read. Too much attachment is discovered to the
State governments. We must look beyond their continu
ance. A national government must soon, of necessity,
swallow them up. They will soon be reduced to the mere
office of electing the national senate. He was against
patching up the old Federal system. It would be like put
ting new cloth upon an old garment. The Confederation
was founded on temporary principles. It cannot last —
it cannot be amended. If we do not establish a new govern
raent on good principles, we raust either go to ruin, or have
the work to do over again. The p^^ople at large are wrong
fully suspected of being averse to a general government.
The aversion lies among interested men who possess their
confidence." — Madison Papers, vol. ii. p. 807.
"On the question of extending the negative ofthe national
Legislature to all laws of the States they should judge im
proper, Mr. Read and Mr. Dickinson aye, Messrs. Bassett
and Bedford no."— Ibid., p. 828.
" Mr. Read favors Mr. Gerry's proposition to restrain the
Senate from issuing money-bills, but would not extend the
restraint to amendments." — Ibid., p. 857.
" Mr. Read moves that the senators should hold their
seats during good behavior. Mr. R. Morris seconds him." —
Ibid., p. 960.
" Mr. Read moves that the terra of senators be nine years.
This would admit of a very convenient rotation, one-third

452 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
going out triennially. He would still prefer 'good be
havior,' but being little supported in this idea, he was
willing to take the longest term that could be obtained." —
Ibid., p. 962.
" Mr. Read wished it to be considered by the small States
that it was our interest to become one people as rauch as
possible ; that State attachments should be extinguished as
rauch as possible; that the Senate should be so constituted
as to have the feelings of citizens of whole." — Ibid., p 965.
" Mr. Madison. The true policy of the small States,
therefore, lies in promoting those principles and that forra
of government which will most approximate the States to
the condition of counties." — Ibid., vol. ii. p. 982.
" Mr. Read was in favor of the m.otion [to double the
number] of representatives proposed fiir each State in the
House of Representatives. Two of the States, Delaware
and Rhode Island, would have but a single member if the
aggregate number should remain sixty-five, and in case of
an accident either of these States would have no represen
tative present to give explanations or information of its
interest or wishes. The people would not place confidence
in so small a number. He hoped the objects of the gen
eral government would be much more nuraerous than
seeraed to be expected by sorae gentleraen, and that they
would becorae more and more so. As to the new States,
the highest number in the whole might be limited, and all
danger of excess thereby prevented." — Ibid., p. 1062.
" Mr. Read would have no objection to the system if it
was truly national, but it has too rauch of a Federal mix
ture in it. The little States, he thought, had not much to
fear. He suspected the larger States felt their want of
energy, and wished for a general government to supply the
defect. Massachusetts was evidently laboring under her
weakness, and he believed Delaware would not be in much
danger in her neighborhood. Delaware had enjoyed tran
quillity, and he flattered himself would continue to do so.*
He was not, however, so selfish as not to wish for a good
* Mr. Gorham, of Massachusetts, said : " What would be the situa
tion of Delaware — (for these things I find must be spoken out, and it
might as well be done first as last) — what would be the situation of
Delaware in case of a separation ofthe States? would she not be at
the mercy of Pennsylvania?" — Madison Papers, vol. ii. p. 988.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 453
general government; in order to obtain one, the whole
States must be incorporated. If the States remain, the
representatives of the larger ones will stick together and
carry everything before them. The executive also will be
chosen under the influence of this partiality, and will be
tray it in his administration. These jealousies were insep
arable from leaving the States in existence ; they must be
done away. The ungranted lands which have been as
sumed by particular States raust be given up. He repeated
his approbation of the plan of Mr. Hamilton,* and wished
* Colonel Hamilton's plan, from a copy of it in Mr. Read's hand
writing :
"1. The supreme legislative power to be in an Assembly and Sen
ate, — laws passed by them subject to the after-mentioned negative.
" 2. Senate, — to serve during good behavior, — to be chosen by elec
tors elected by the people in election districts, into which the States
will be divided. In case of death of a senator, the vacancy to be filled
out of the district whence he came.
" 3. The supreme executive to be a governor elected, during good
behavior, by electors chosen by the people in the election districts; his
functions, — to have a negative on all laws about to be passed, and the
execution of all passed; the direction of war, when declared ; to make,
with the advice and approbation of the Senate, all treaties ; to have the
sole appointments of the heads of the departments of finance and foreign
affairs, and the nomination of all other officers (ambassadors included),
subject to the approbation or rejection by-the Senate; and the sole
power of pardon, except in case of treason, in which he shall exercise
it, subject to the approval of the Senate.. In case of the death, re
moval, or resignation of the governor, his authority to be exercised by
the President of the Senate till his successor is appointed.
" 4. The Senate shall have the sole power to declare war ; the power
of advising and approving treaties, and the power of approving or re
jecting all appointments of officers except the chiefs of the departments
of finance and' foreign afi'airs.
" 5. The supreme judicial authority to be in judges, to hold office
during good behavior, with adequate and permanent salaries ; to have
original jurisdiction in all cases of capture, and appellate jurisdiction in
all cases concerning the revenues of the general government, or the
citizens of foreign nations.
" 6. The United States Legislature to have power to institute courts
in each State for the determination of all matters of general concern.
" 7. All officers ofthe United States to be liable to impeachment for
malconduct, and, on conviction, to removal from office, and to be dis
qualified for holding any place of trust or profit. Impeachments to be
tried by a court to consist of the chief or judges of the superior
court of law of each State, provided he hold his place, during good
behavior, aud have an adequate salary.
" 8. All laws of particular States, contrary to the Constitution and

454 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
it to be substituted for Mr. Randolph's." — Ibid., vol. ii. pp.
989, 990.
" Mr. Read could not approve of the raotion [of Mr.
Gerry, that from and after the first meeting of Congress,
till a census should be taken, taxes should be assessed upon
the States respectively, according to the number of their
representatives in the first branch]. He had observed a
backwardness in the committee of sorae members from the
large States to take their full proportion of representation.
He did not then see their motive ; he now suspects it was
to avoid their due share of taxation. He had no objection
to a just and accurate adjustment of representation and
taxation to each other." — Ibid., vol. ii. p. 1088.
" Mr. Read moved to insert after the word ' senate,' the
words 'subject to the negative to be hereafter provided.'
His object was to give an absolute negative to the execu
tive. He considered this so essential to the Constitution
[for] the preservation of liberty and the public welfare,
that his duty compelled hira to make this motion." — Ibid.,
vol. iii. pp. 1248, 1249.
" Mr. Read did not consider the section as to money-bills
[i.e. originating them] of any advantage to the larger
States, and had voted for striking it out. If it was consid
ered by them of any value, and as a condition of the equality
of votes in the senate, he had no objection to its being re
instated." — Ibid., vol. iii. p. 1270.
^ " Mr. Read reminded hira [Mr. Rutledge] that we were
now forraing a national governraent, and such a regulation
[requiring seven years' residence in a State where a mem
ber should be elected] would correspond little with the
idea that we were one people." — Ihid., vol. iii. p. 1258.
\ "Mr. Read thought the words ['and to emit bills on
the credit of the United States'], if not struck out, would

•
laws of the United States, to be utterly void ; and the better to pre
vent the passing of such laws the governor or president of each State
shall be appointed by the general government, and shall have a nega
tive upon the laws about to be passed in the State, of which he is gov
ernor or president.
" 9. No State to have any land or naval force ; and the militia of all
the States to be under the sole and exclusive direction of the United
States, who shall appoint and commission all the officers thereof."

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 455
be as alarming as the mark of the beast in Revelation." —
Ibid., vol. iii. p. 1346.
"Mr. Read moved to strike out the clause [to appoint a
treasurer by ballot], leaving the appointment of the treas
urer, as of other officers, to the executive. The Legislature
was an improper body for appointments; those of the State
Legislatures were proofs of it. The executive being respon
sible would make a good choice." — Ihid , p. 1347.
" Mr. Read doubted the propriety of leaving the appoint
ment of the militia officers to the States. In some States
they are elected by the Legislatures, — in others, appointed
by the people themselves. He thought at least an ap
pointraent by the State Executive ought to be insisted on."
— Ibid., vol. iii. p. 1364.
" General Pinckney raoved to commit the clause [that
slaves might be made liable to an equal tax with other
imports]. Mr. Read was for the commitraent, provided the
clause concerning taxes on imports should be also commit
ted."— /6icZ., p. 1396.
" Mr. Read raoved that in case the numbers for the two
highest in vote for President in the United States Legisla
ture (by which body, as the third clause of the tenth article
of the proposed constitution as it then stood, he was to be
elected) should be equal, then the president of the Senate
should have an additional casting vote. This motion was
disagreed to by a general negative." — Ihid., p. 1490.
Article eleventh being taken up. Dr. Johnson suggested
" that the judicial power ought to extend to equity as well
as law, and moved to insert the words ' both in law and
equity' in the first line of the first section. Mr. Read ob
jected to vesting both these powers in the same court, and
Dr. Johnson's motion was agreed to. Ayes 6, noes 2, —
Delaware and Maryland; three absent." — Ibid., p. 1345.
Mr. Gerry raoved " that in the election of President by
the House of Representatives no State shall vote by less
than three members, and when that number shall not be
allotted to a State it shall be made up by its senators." Mr.
Read observed " that the States having but one member in
the House of Representatives would be in danger of having
no vote at all in the election ; the sickness or absence of the
representative, or either of the senators, would have that
effect." Mr. Madison replied, " If one member of the House

456 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
of Representatives be left capable of voting for a State, it
would still be subject to that danger." — Ibid., p. 1515.
Article first, section nine, " No capitation tax .shall be
laid, unless in proportion to the census or enuraeration
hereinbefore directed to be taken," being under considera
tion, " Mr. Read raoved to insert after 'capitation the words
'or other direct tax.' He was afraid that sorae liberty might
otherwise be taken to saddle the States with a readjustment,
by this rule, of past requisitions of Congress, and that his
araendment, by giving another cast to the raeaning, would
take away this pretext. Agreed to." — Ibid., vol. iii. p.
1579. Mr. Madison bears this emphatic testimony to the purity
of the merabers of the convention and their devotion to the
great task of framing a new constitution for their country
men, which they patriotically assumed, when convinced
that the " Articles of Confederation" could not be so amended
as to cure the evils of which they were the source and which
could no longer be endured, and to prevent their recurrence.
" I feel it my duty to express my profound and solemn con
viction, derived from my intimate opportunity of observing
and appreciating the views of the convention, collectively
and individually, that there never was an assemblage of
men, charged with a great and arduous trust, who were
more pure in their motives, or more exclusively and anx
iously devoted to the object coraraitted to them, than were
the members of the Federal Convention of 1787." — Ibid.,
vol. ii. p. 719.
The Constitution was signed by thirty-five of the fifty-five
members who were in attendance in the convention. Three
only of them — Randolph, Mason, and Gerry — refused to
sign,* and of the residue, some who approved it were com
pelled to leave Philadelphia before it was prepared for sig-
nature.f Of this number was John Dickinson, who, in the
following note, empowered his friend Mr. Read to sign it
for him :
"Mr. Dickinson presents his compliments to Mr. Read,
and requests that if the cohstitution, forraed by the con-
'*¦ Hildreth's History ofthe United States, vol. iii. p. 526.
f Pitkin's History of the United States, vol. ii. p. 262.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 457
vention, is to be signed by the members of that body, Mr.
Read will be so good as to subscribe Mr. Dickinson's name
— his indisposition and some particular circumstances re
quiring him to return home.
" September 15th, 1787."
The Constitution was submitted by the convention to
Congress, and under a resolution of that body, passed 28th
Septeraber, 1787, transraitted to the Legislatures of the
several States, to be laid before conventions to be elected
by the people ; and it was recommended that as soon as nine
States should ratify, and so (as provided by the convention)
establish it between these States, Congress should provide
by the necessary law for organizing the new governraent.
The Constitution encountered immediately violent oppo
sition, being discussed by all everywhere and in every mode.
It was alleged by its opponents that it created a great con
solidated governraent, which must swallow up the States
and endanger the liberties of their citizens, not secured by
sufficient provisions in the Constitution itself, or in a bill of
rights prefixed to it. This anti-constitutional party con
sisted of men in debt, advocates of stay and tender laws
and paper money, puny politicians, who feared their irapor
tance would be lessened or lost by the surrender of State
powers ; but with them were men who honestly doubted
whether the Constitution proposed would form a perfect
union, establish justice, insure tranquillity, provide for the
common defence and welfare, and secure to a great people
and their posterity the blessings of liberty : and these men
gave this party weight. But the Constitution had advo
cates, and most able ones, who believed it would secure the
inestimable benefits which were its declared objects ; and
they were merchants, creditors, the owners of property, the
educated, the moral and religious, throughout the Union,
who constitute the conservative portion of communities at
all tiraes. They could not be gainsayed when they pointed
out provisions of the Constitution which showed that it
established neither a raerely consolidated nor federal govern
ment, but in truth a compound of both, and that the fear
of its swallowing up the States was a chimera, because the
powers granted the general government were few and de
fined, while those reserved were many and undefined;
30

458 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
because the general governraent depended upon the agency
of the States for its existence, while they would exist inde
pendently of it ; because the United States officers were few,
coraparatively, and those of the States raany; because the
States would have the first place in the affections of their
citizens, legislating for all their rights and relations, with
few exceptions, the general governraent only having to do
with things external to them, and the States having execu
tives, legislatures, and militia to oppose encroachments upon
their rights.
The Constitution was ratified by the State of Delaware,
7th December, 1787, she having the honor of being the
first of the ratifying States. I am not aware that there
was serious opposition to the Constitution in Delaware.
Her deputies were entitled to gratitude and applause for
the ability, zeal, and fearlessness with which they advo
cated her claim to an equal rank with the larger States in
the general government, and their wisdora in yielding
soraewhat of her pretensions, on this and other points,
under the influence of the generous disposition to mutual
deference and concession which characterized this illustrious
assembly, and without which its wisdom, its knowledge, its
ability, and its purity would have availed nothing for the
attainment of the great object it was elected to accomplish.
It appears by a subsequent letter of Mr. Read that he was
present at the session of the Delaware Legislature, in Oc
tober, 1787, when the law was passed which called the
convention of her citizens that ratified the proposed Consti
tution of the United States.
The gentleman whose death was announced by the fol
lowing letter was not only the friend but connection of Mr.
Read, Colonel Cantwell's father and the Reverend George
Ross having married daughters of Mr. Williams, of Rhode
Island. "Princeton, September 27th, 1787.
" Dear Sir, — I take the liberty of writing to you on the
melancholy occasion of the death of Colonel Cantwell,
which happened this evening. It was sudden and unex
pected. He sent for rae yesterday, and I have attended him
to-day, but had no apprehension of danger till an hour or two
before his death. I refer you to your son's letter for par
ticulars, and shall only mention that I wish you to take

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 459
the raost prudent manner to communicate this melancholy
event to his family. I shall take the direction of his fu
neral, which will be attended to-morrow at four o'clock in
the evening. I shall endeavor to have it conducted with
proper decency and respect, by the advice of your son and
his nephew. I have sent off this express, and leave the
further proceedings with respect to informing his friends
entirely to you. I am, dear sir, with great respect,
"Your humble servant, "John Bayard.*
"Honorable George Read, New Castle, Del., per express."
The following letter of Dr. Witherspoon was, no doubt,
very gratifying to Mr. Read :
" Princeton, October 2d, 1787.
" Sir, — As your sonf leaves us to-morrow, I take the
opportunity of signifying to you that he and his companion,
Mr. Jones, have given great satisfaction to us by their be
havior, and I hope will be an honor to us by their improve
ment. Indeed, we are happy in the students that have
come to us from your State. If you have any opportunity
of seeing Mr. Van Dyke, please assure hira that his sonj
is, I think, without doubt, the first in his class. I have
conversed a little with your son as to his future studies,
and, if he cannot return here, shall willingly write him
my opinion upon that subject. It requires a very extensive
knowledge of books to make a learned man, but careful
reading of books, well chosen, will do much to make a truly
intelligent man.
" I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient, humble
servant,
"John Witherspoon."
Mr. Read wrote to the widow of Colonel Cantwell as
follows : "New Castle, December 18th, 1787.
" Dear Madam, — I am told that a Captain Litle, a gen
tleman resident at Princeton, known to Colonel Cantwell,
* Colonel Cantwell went to Princeton to attend the commencement
of the college.
t John, who, with Cantwell Jones, had just graduated.
I Nicholas. See Appendix B.

460 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
is now at Philadelphia, and has expressed a desire to be in
forraed whether it is your intention to reraove the corpse of
Colonel Cantwell from its present burying-place or not, that
if not he may direct the covering up of the grave in a neces
sary and proper manner before any severe frost raay corae
on. With respect to this removal, I can only repeat the
opinion I entertain of it, and expressed to you when I saw
you last, to wit, that if it was [the case of] my dearest
connection I should not make the removal unless such had
been the request of the dying person. I consider the
present place of Colonel Cantwell's burial a respectable one,
and far preferable to any private burial-place on a farm,
which passeth too suddenly out of the family whose re
raains have been placed there. Two striking instances of
this occur presently to my memory, to wit, that of B. Chew,
whose family burying-place is on a farm, where his family
lived, near Dover, which has been sold some years to a
person in no ways connected with this family, though true
it is that the burial-place is well inclosed with a brick wall;
but this must decay, and when the present generation is
passed away there raay be no trace of this inclosure. The
other instance is that of the gentleraan I studied the law
with. He had his faraily burying-place in his garden, on a
farra he owned, within three railes of Philadelphia, and
where he, after his death, was interred; and in the course
of twenty-five years since the owners of this farm have
been changed two or three ^tiraes ; so that I most certainly
approve of church-yards in preference to any private burial-
place ; and as to families lying together, it hath received a
sanction from early custora, but, when seriously reflected
upon, it cannot be considered as raoraentous. There can be
no difficulty, I apprehend, in meeting with or discovering
one another in the other world, and as to the decaying
raatter of which our bodies are formed, it soon mixes with
the earth. So that I ara clearly of opinion the decaying
reraains of my friend should be permitted to rest where
they are presently. It was the will of Providence that he
should part with life at Princeton, and there they should
lie undisturbed. You must pardon the freedom I have
taken in expressing my opinion on this subject, as it is not
binding or conclusive upon you. I am still confined to my
chamber, and cannot say when I can be with you. This

OF GEORGE READ. 461
cold weather, with its increase, which must shortly be ex
pected, will confine me to the house for a time, supposing
I was rid of my disorder, which is not the case with rae,
though I hope I shall shortly, as I find rayself rather better
each day, and acquire sorae raore strength. My son Jacky
has an interraittent [fever], principally owing to his affec
tionate attendance on me for some nights following each
other, which prevents him from visiting you as he intended
at this time. All ray faraily join in their compliments to
you. Miss Sally, and Cantwell, and I am yours, very sin
cerely, "George Read.
"Colonel Bedford waits upon you for the purpose of
granting letters of administration on Colonel Cantwell's
estate. "Mrs. Sarah Cantwell."
None but a cursory reader of Mr. Read's letter to Mrs.
Cantwell can conclude that he thought and felt with those
who have considered it a matter of indifference whether
our lifeless bodies should be buried or burned, cast forth a
feast to carrion birds or left to fester in corruption on the
surface of the earth. That any one should so conclude I
would much regret, because those thus thinking and feeling
have been alraost without exception of that raiserable
school, foes of men as well as of God, who have held death
to be an eternal sleep, or at least of the thoughtless if not
vicious throng who have lived and died without testing the
claims of Divine revelation to be believed, or even enter
taining the question of its truth or falsehood. But it is
evident that Mr. Read considered as proper and desirable
both the decent burial of the dead and the preservation of
their remains inviolate, from his rendering cordial thanks
to Colonel Bayard for the very proper interment of his
friend, and his preference of the public to the private bury
ing-ground, which otherwise would have been to him matters
of no moraent.
Wherever man has dwelt on our globe he has left evi
dence not to be mistaken of his reverential regard to the
reraains of the dead, in the pyraraid, the raummy, the cata
comb, the mound, and the carefully-inclosed cemetery,
which are expressions of a universal belief in the immor-

462 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
tality of the soul and the resurrection of the body. For if
the body be not raised and reunited to the spirit, why such
care to preserve it ? This evidence of these doctrines was
of great value to those who had not our clear revelation of
these truths.*
I cannot concur in the opinion of Mr. Read that the
interring of families together is a matter of no moment ;
for to me, and I believe to men generally, in the view of
separation from dear friends, the hope is consoling that,
united in life by the closest ties, even in death the mortal
parts shall not be divided. The dying comraand of Jacob
was not only " bury me in Canaan," but " with ray fathers."
Though it could be alraost demonstrated that particles of
the bodies grouped in the faraily burying-place have, by
raysterious processes of nature, escaped from their cold, and
dark, and narrow prison-houses, we should still cling to the
belief that the graves of our friends, faithful to their trusts,
ever hold the precious deposit of their remains, — at least
till science should show that they do not retain the germs
of the incorruptible and immortal bodies in which the de
parted shall stand on the earth with their Redeemer, in the
latter day, glorious.
Mr. Read replied to the foregoing letter of Colonel
Bayard : "December 18th, 1787.
"Dear Sir, — I had yours of the 27th of September last,
respecting the death of Colonel Cantwell, at Princeton, and
your intended care and direction of his funeral ; and on the
evening following the day I received it I prevailed on Mrs.
Read to wait on Mrs. Cantwell and Miss Jones, her niece,
in order to disclose to them the unhappy tidings in a proper
manner. I happened, luckily, to have a client with me of
Colonel Cantwell's neighborhood at the receipt of your let
ter, who undertook to deliver a letter from me to Mrs.
Cantwell, mentioning his being dangerously ill at Prince
ton, and that it might be necessary, perhaps, that some of
* " The great care of funerals, and decently interring the dead, Cicero
induces as a consequence of the belief in the soul's immortality." — In
Laelion: Cicero, De Republica. — Quoted in Barrow's Sermons, vol. v.
p. 197.

OF GEORGE READ. 463
his family should prepare themselves to attend him ; but
that I should have a more satisfactory account to transmit
of his situation, perhaps, by the evening of the next day.
This was delivered by my messenger, according to his en
gagement, and the bare appearance of Mrs. Read in the
afternoon confirmed the supposition of Colonel C's death.
Mrs. Cantwell was then confined to her room, and her niece
very unwell by a close attendance on her aunt, so that if
the funeral could have been delayed a day or two, neither
could have attended. ^ Upon Cantwell Jones coming down,
he exhibited to rae the respective bills and receipts for
raoneys you had been kind enough to pay out of the raoney
Colonel Cantwell happened to have with hira. I had not
an opportunity to see Mrs. Cantwell until the 22d of Octo
ber, on my way to Dover to attend a session of our General
Asserably. I came from thence very unwell, and was soon
after confined to my room, where I still am, with a remit
ting fever which has proved obstinate and tedious, and this
is my apology for the delay of answer to your kind and
friendly letter. Wishing, in the first instance, to inform
you of the sense Mrs. Cantwell had of your friendly and
humane conduct in the illness of her husband, and after
wards in the very decent interment of his remains, when I
had this in my power by her personal acknowledgment,
my subsequent sickness has delayed my transmitting to
you the very grateful sense Mrs. Cantwell, her niece, and
nephew have of your conduct and management of this
business. I now offer to you their and my most cordial
thanks for your trouble and attention to the funeral of
Colonel Cantwell and during his illness. Whether the
corpse is to be reraoved to the family burying-place on his
farm or not I believe is undetermined. When I saw Mrs.
Cantwell she then expressed such intention, and asked my
opinion ; in her then situation I avoided being very ex
plicit, though I then expressed my opinion against the
removal ; however, I have this day wrote her my senti
ments freely and fully on the subject of removal, disap
proving the measure. My son John, whom you saw at
Princeton, wishes me, through you, to present his corapli
raents to your son Sarauel; and, as I have heard of your
late matrimonial connection, I sincerely wish you and your
good lady to experience all the happiness which attends

464 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
that state. And I am, with much esteem and respect, your
most obedient servant, "George Read.
" Colonel John Bayard, Philadelphia."
The year 1787 closed and 1788 opened upon the people
of thirteen States greatly excited and agitated. The pro
posed Constitution was before them, to be tried by its merits,
and they were soon arrayed in tvro great parties, — the Fed
eralists, who approved, and the Anti-Federalists, who re
jected it ; designations so infelicitously applied as each to
be expressive of opinions the opposite of those of the party
it distinguished. The pen, the tongue, and the press were,
through the length and breadth of the land, unceasingly,
for raonths, employed in discussing the new system of gov
ernment. It would have been little honorable to the people
had their interest in the great question submitted to them
been less ; and if we regret the intemperance, and even vio
lence, which sometiraes occurred, we wonder they were so
infrequent, when we consider the raoraentous interests in
volved, and the araount of ignorance, prejudice, and selfish
ness the advocates of the Constitution encountered. Dela
ware, having the honor of first ratifying the Constitution
ofthe United States (and it was unanimously and without
amendment), December 7th, 1787, was followed by nine of
her sister States — two of them, Pennsylvania and New
Jersey, ratifying it in that month, and the last, Virginia,
in June, 1789. The opposition in some of the State con
ventions had been so strong, and the majorities for ratifying
the new plan of government so small, as to raake it doubt
ful whether or not a majority of the whole people of the
United States had approved and adopted it, and sorae un
certainty, therefore, darkened the future ofthe Constitution.
The opposition was led in Virginia and New York by men
of great ability and long prominent, having filled the high
est offices of these States and rendered great services. In
Virginia, Henry, one of their leaders, if he electrified his con
vention by displays of the wonderful oratorical power of his
early career, discovered little of the sagacity and foresight
of the statesman. His forebodings were most gloomy.
" Should this system," exclaimed he, " go into operation,
nothing will be left to the States but to take care of the

OF GEORGE READ. 465
poor, repair and make highways and bridges, and so on and
so on." But it soon appeared that these dark forebodings
were merely the offspring of a distempered fancy. So far
from being reduced to insignificance, Virginia could point
with honorable pride to four of her citizens elevated to the
chief magistracy of the Union, who administered its affairs
for more than the fourth of a century with signal ability,
wisdom, and patriotism during the most difficult and criti
cal periods of its history ; and through them and others of
her citizens, eminent in the halls of Congress, in statesman
ship, in diplomacy, and jurisprudence, exercised a great if
not controlling influence in national affairs. The opposition
of New York was, I regret to believe, deeply tinctured by
the sordid desire to retain the power she enjoyed of filling
her treasury by imposts on commodities her neighbors must
receive through her city, already an important town, and
soon to be one of the great marts of the world, from her
location on the magnificent estuary of the Hudson, whose
waters, flowing from sources far inland, mingled at a short
distance from her safe and capacious harbor with the
ocean.* " The little States," said Mr. Grayson in the Vir
ginia convention, " have carried their point" — he meant the
equal vote secured them in the United States Senate. If
they carried this point, it was by the ability, zeal, and de
termination they raanifested in contending for it, and, want
ing it, they would have been without safeguard against the
ambition or the avarice of the larger States, and to have
believed that they would always rise above these passions
must have manifested not magnanimity but folly. The
great objection to the Constitution — to wit, that it created
a consolidated government — was fallacious ; and its defect,
it appears to me. was principally the want of provisions
such as are embraced in bills of rights, declaring the invio
lability of the liberty of the press, the trial by jury, freedom
of conscience, and the like, which defect was supplied by
subsequent amendraents.
The Constitution having been ratified by the nuraber of
States necessary to its going into operation, the States that
had ratified it took the steps prelirainary to the election of
the officers who raust adrainister it. The State of Delaware,
* Hildreth's History ofthe United States, vol. i. p. 38.

466 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
by an act of Assembly passed in 1788,* directed the tirae,
place, and raanner of holding an election for representative
in Congress and electors of President and Vice-President;
and the Governor of Delaware, by his proclamation of the
24th of Januarj, 1789,f declared that at an election held
on the first Wednesday of that month, John Vining was
elected representative to Congress, and Gunning Bedford
(the elder), John Banning, and George Mitchell, electors of
President and Vice-President of the United States. These
electors met at Dover, February 4th, 1789, and cast three
votes for George Washington as President and John Jay
as Vice-President.l George Read and Richard Bassett were
previously chosen by the. Legislature of Delaware United
States Senators.
Of Mr. Read's correspondence in the year' 1788 only
three letters have been preserved.
The cities of New York and Philadelphia were com
petitors for the honor and advantage of being the place
where the new government should be inaugurated ; and as
this question would be decided by the Continental Congress,
and other important business would be before it, Mr. Dick
inson urged Mr. Read to exert his influence to induce a
full representation of the State of Delaware in that body,
in the following letter : " Wilmington, July 5th, 1788.
" My dear Friend, — Yesterday and to-day I have re
ceived letters, — one frora Tench Coxe, the other from
Charles Thomson, — by which I learn that Congress is very
soon to fix upon a place for commencing the operations of
the Federal governraent, and that Philadelphia will un
questionably be chosen, if Delaware shall be represented.
" There are, besides, m'any important determinations to
be made, that render it in the highest degree necessary that
this State should be irainediately represented. The absence
of one man has frequently confused our public affairs. I
expect it will be so agaiu, but I ara discharging what I
esteem a duty, and earnestly request that every measure

"= Laws of Delaware, vol. ii. p. 931.
+ Delaware Gazette, Januarv 31st, 1789.
J Ibid., No. 192, 14lh February, 1789.

OF GEORGE BEAD. iQJ
which shall appear proper may be taken to give this State
a vote in the business that is coming on.
" I am thy sincere friend,
"John Dickinson.
" George Read, Esquire."
The writer of the graceful letter which is next presented
to the reader had filled the office of secretary to the con
vention which framed the Constitution of the United States,
and was now a candidate (but unsuccessfully) for the sec
retaryship of the United States Senate.
"Philadelphia, December 10th, 1788.
" Dear Sir, — I will not wrong my belief of your good
ness by offering an apology for the freedom I am about to
use, nor will I presume to bespeak your regard by making
any pretensions to public favor. The one and the other
will be more properly referred to the graciousness of your
disposition towards me, and the knowledge which observa
tion may have afforded you of my character and conduct.
A predilection for public life has determined rae to wish for
such a situation under the Federal government as may lead
to the acquirement of political knowledge, in an honorable
walk, and the advice of particular friends has pointed to
the secretaryship of the Senate as the most eligible station
on which I may presume to place a hope of success. Per
suaded of the weight your recommendation will carry with
it to the gentlemen who raay be appointed Senators, I beg
leave to commit my wishes to your patronage, should you
regard my request as consistent with your governing prin
ciple, — the public good. I am aware of the competition
which will arise in the pursuit of this object, but my hopes
are greatly strengthened when I flatter myself that a friend
as influential and generously inclined as Mr. Read may find
hiraself at liberty to countenance my wish.
" With the most respectful attachraent, I am, dear sir,
your obliged and obedient servant, "W. Jackson.*
" Honorable George Read, New Castle, Delaware."
* Samuel Allyne Otis was the first Secretary of the United States
Senate, an.d held this office for five-and-twenty years, and until his
death, in 1814.
" Mr. Otis was a most pleasant companion at home and abroad.

468 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Read's old friend and associate in the United States
Admiralt}' Court wrote, at this time, in favor of another
candidate for the secretaryship of the United States
Senate, from " New York, December, 1788.
" My dear Sir, — I am solicited by Mr. John Livingston
and his friends to ask your interest for hira as clerk of the
Senate, under the new constitution. He has acted as my
secretary, while President of Congress, is sensible, and
writes a good hand. I flatter myself with the pleasure of
seeing you in New York, before I quit it, — I hope sorae
time in March.
" I have the honor to be, with real friendship and regard,
your affectionate, hurable servant, " C. Griffin.
'• The Honorable George Read, New Castle, Delaware."
In 1788 Mr. Read was assailed in a paraphlet,* by a
writer under the signature of " Timoleon." The writer was
"Dr. Tilton," who had filled the office of "surgeon-general"
of the American army, and had been a member of the Con
tinental Congress. He charged Mr. Read, under the cog
nomen of "Dionysius, the Tyrant of Delaware," with having
been, through the whole of the recent Revolutionary con
test, at heart a Tory, imputing interest and ambition as the
motives of his political course, but bringing not one proof
to support his charge, which therefore rests on his unsup
ported assertions. Dr. Tilton had been loan officer and
State treasurer at the same time, and Mr. Read, believing
these offices to be incompatible, after a long contest before
the Council of Delaware, carried an amendment to a tax-
When at Philadelphia, I lived in constant habits of intiraacy with the
family, and was witness of the cheerfulness and urbanity of his man
ners, which in public life secured him against the shafts of malice. He
was always moderate, and never imposed his own opinions upon those
who dissented from hira on political questions, — firm in his own, he left
others the same liberty. For twenty-five years he retained the love and
esteem of the Senate of the United States. He adorned the doctrines
of Christianity, which he professed, having been liberal, candid, and
charitable. His uniform temperance promised a longer life than was
his, but few of the infirmities of old age were discoverable in him." —
Letters of Mrs. Adams, Wife of John Adams, pp. 417, 418.
* The dedication of this pamphlet bears date August 20th, 1788.

OF GEORGE READ. 469
bill of the Asserably of Delaware, declaring them to be so,
which caused Dr. Tilton's resignation of the office of treas
urer; and another amendment to the same bill, censuring
him for having illegally declined to issue certificates of in
terest on certain debts of the United States, which certifi
cates, by an act of the United States Congress, were re
ceivable for one-fourth of the requisition of that body, a.d.
1782,* on the States; and further, Mr. Read moved resolu
tions, which were adopted, setting forth the raisstatements
of facts in the protest of Dr. Tilton against these proceed
ings. All of which is prominently stated in his pamphlet,
with evident bias and bad temper. I will not assert that
malice prompted this pamphlet, but I state these facts,
from which vindictive feeling in its writer toAvards the man
he attacked raay (with probability) be inferred. Mr. Read
never deigned a reply to this assault. Had he felt the
necessity of defending himself against it, he might have
appealed to his public services and the uninterrupted con
fidence of his fellow-citizens in his integrity, manifested
undeniably by his election to office through a long period,
and to a long life of honorable labor in his profession, upon
which the lynx-eye of his enemy could find no stain ; and
I may appeal to the letters, in the preceding chapters of
this biography, of the most prominent Whigs in Delaware,
as evidence that they esteemed and respected him as de
voted, not less sincerely than themselves, to the cause of
their country. That this paraphlet in no degree diminished
the public confidence in Mr. Read's integrity, raay be truly
inferred from his election, immediately after it appeared, to
the United States Senate, and to his being solicited, while
holding that honorable office, by Governor Clayton, to ac
cept the chief justiceship of Delaware. It is with some
hesitation that I have disinterred this long-forgotten pam
phlet, but, professing to write the life of my grandfather, it
seemed to me disingenuous to pass it without notice. In
the "Delaware Gazette," at the close of 1788 and beginning
of 1789, are several articles in defence ofthe party assailed
with "Dionysius" as Tories by " Timoleon," but no allusions
to the imputations against him. Timoleon was evidently
an ultra and rabid Whig, and as to the animus of his
* See Chapter V.

470 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
pamphlet, whatever can be fairly ascribed to the narrow
ness, injustice, prejudice, and distorted and jaundiced views
of a political partisan, may be deducted from the malice
which, the candid reader may conclude, incited its author
to defame his fellow-citizens. "Of Mr. Read," wrote Ti
moleon, page 96 of his pamphlet, "it was predicted by an
Adaras, with great sagacity, long ago, that, 'if ever he got
his foot upon the threshold, he would raake his way into
the cabinet of any government.' "
The year 1789 is raemorable in the annals of the
United States for the inauguration of the Constitution,
under which, in general wisely administered, but not with
out grave errors, they have enjoyed extraordinary pros
perity. There were already aspirants to office under the new
government, and Mr. Read was beset with solicitations for
his influence and good offices for sorae of them. None in
the wide circle of his friends and acquaintance would be
more regarded than John Dickinson, who wrote to him in
favor of Major Jackson, from "Wilmington, January 27th, 1789.
"My dear Friend, — Major Jackson has requested me to
use ray influence to assist hira in attaining the secretary
ship of the Senate. His merit is so considerable and well
known that I cannot believe that anything I can say can
be of use. If the present Secretary of Congress does not
desire the place, I shall wish the major to succeed, and I
beg thee to speak to thy colleague on the subject. Colonel
Pierce of Savannah, who sat with us in the convention,
applies to rae for my assistance in procuring him the ap
pointment to the coUectorship of that port. I shall be very
glad if he shall be approved by the Senators of this State.
" I am thy sincere friend, "John Dickinson."
Colonel Heth deserved, no doubt, the high character
given hira in the following letter :
"Richmond, February 12th, 1789.
" Dear Sir, — Araong the arrangeraents of office which
will raost likely take place in the United States, some will

OF GEORGE READ. 471
probably be peculiar to the different States. As I ara con
fident that a knowledge of characters here would assist
those in whose hands this bu.siness rests, I shall not scruple
to request your particular attention to my friend Colonel
William Heth. He was an officer of distinguished raerit
in the Virginia line, and is now a member of our Executive
Council, where I can testify to his services having been,
during my connection with that board, independent and
judicious. In the department of accounts, I can pledge
myself for his accuracy and assiduity, and I am persuaded
that I might risk my reputation on whatsoever he shall
undertake. I should add an apology for troubling you on
this occasion, were it not that I have the happiness to
believe that my recoramendation will not be unacceptable
to you, and I feel an assurance that I am presenting to the
acceptance of the United States a gentleman in whom you
cannot be deceived.
" I am, dear sir, with great respect and esteem, your most
obedient servant, " Edmund Randolph.*
"Honorable George Read, Esquire."
The importunity of the letter next inserted ought to find
excuse in the frank confession by the writer, of the unhappy
circurastances to which — once a prosperous merchant — he
was reduced. "Philadelphia, March 4th, 1789.
" Dear Sir, — I promised myself the pleasure of seeing
you before you went to New York, agreeably to my earn
est request contained in my letter of the 23d ultimo, sent
you by post; but as I ara disappointed, I will tell you what
1 particularly wanted to see you for. I have applied to
Mr. Morris, before he set off for New York, and requested
his assistance to procure rae some office under Congress, —
which he kindly assured me he would willingly do. The
Senate, I think, has the power of recommending to the
President for appointments to offices belonging to the col
lection of duties and excise. I would be glad to be ap
pointed, either by myself or with a colleague, to the excise,
etc., or to the office which Dr. Greene formerly held, and
* See Appendix C.

472 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
[which] is now held by Mr. Phyle, or to a commissionership
of bankrupts (Mr. Shippen was formerly in that office), or
even — if Congress should remove hither — to some judi
ciary station. In short, I must, my dear old friend, tell
you plainly that I shall starve unless some appointment is
gotten for me. My brothers, Isaac and Charles, will give
any security that may be necessary for me. I have plainly
told you my case, and I hope you will speak to Mr. Morris
about it, as soon as you receive this letter, and do what you
can for me, and you will greatly oblige
" Your affectionate friend,
" Samuel Wharton.
" Pray present ray kind regards to Mr. Morris. I shall
write to Mr. Clymer and Mr. Fitsimmons. Please speak
to Colonel Grayson about me. He, I am persuaded, will
cheerfully do what he can for me.
" Honorable George Read, Esquire."
On the 4th of March, the day for the inauguration ofthe
new constitution, there was not a quorum of either house
of Congress in New York. In part it may have been from
the little facility enjoyed for quick travelling, but chiefly,
I am afraid, from the procrastination and indifference to
public duty, into which official persons had too generally
fallen during the decrepitude of the Confederacy. The
Senators in New York, impatient at the laches of their col
leagues, addressed thera the following circular :
"New York, March llth, 1789.
" Sir, — Agreeably to the Constitution of the United
States, eight merabers of the Senate and eighteen of the
House of Representatives have attended here since the 4th
of March. It being of the utmost importance that a quorum
sufficient to proceed to business should assemble as soon as
possible, it is the opinion of the gentlemen of both houses
that information of their situation be immediately com
municated to the absent merabers. We apprehend that no
arguraents are necessary to evince to you the indispensable
necessity of putting the government into iraraediate opera
tion, and therefore request that you will be so obliging as
to attend as soon as possible.

OF GEORGE READ. 473
"We have the honor to be, sir, your obedient, humble
servants, "John Langdon, Paine Wingate, Caleb Strong, Wil
liam Maclay, William Samuel Jackson, Oliver Ells
worth, Robert Morris, W. Few.
"The Honorable George Read, Esquire, New Castle,
Delaware State."
The writer of the following letter was an eminent
merchant of Philadelphia and a millionaire, and afterwards
a member of the United States Senate.
"Philadelphia, March 15th, 1789.
"Dear Sir, — I will make no apology for soliciting your
suffrage in favor of Major Jackson, who is 'a candidate for
the secretaryship of the Senate, who, by a discharge of such
duties [as of this post] when in a similar situation under
the convention, must have made a due impression on you,
with respect to his qualifications. From a personal inti
macy I know him [to be] possessed of every quality that
can insure your esteem and support. I shall regard myself
as under an obligation to you for every effort made by you
in his favor.
" I am, with respect, sir, your obedient, humble servant,
"William Bingham.
" George Read, Esquire."
Nearly three weeks had elapsed since the 4th of March,
and still there was no quorum of the houses of Congress in
New York. Mr. Read did not, I believe, from his general
character as a public man, deserve the reproach of neglect
of duty, to which his protracted absence frora his seat in the
United States Senate exposed hira. Unfortunately I have
no letter of his accounting for it, but as he states in his
letter (p. 481) to Mr. Dickinson that he came sick to New
York, it is highly probable that sickness prevented his early
attendance in Congress.* The plain language and earnest
* Monday, April 13th, 1789.— Honorable Ealph Izard, of South Caro
lina, Charles Carroll, fjom Maryland, and the Honorable George Head,
from Delaware, severally produced their credentials and took their
seats in the Senate. — Journal ofthe Senate of the United States, vol. i.
pp. 10, 11. 31

474 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
expostulation of Charles Thomson in the. following letter
evinced his patriotism and friendship for Mr. Read :
"Philadelphia, March 21st, 1789.
" Dear Sir, — I have received the favor of your letter of
the 14th by Mr. Bassett, and shall be very happy to show
hira all the civilities in my power ; but I am extremely
mortified that you did not come with hira. Those who feel
for the honor and are solicitous for the happiness of this
country are pained to the heart at the dilatory attendance
of the raerabers appointed to forra the two houses, while
those who are averse to the new constitution, and those
who are unfriendly to the liberty, and, consequently, to the
happiness and prosperity of this country, exult at our lan
guor and inattention to the public concerns, and flatter
theraselves that we shall continue, as we have been for
some time past, the scoff of our eneraies. It is now alraost
three weeks since the day appointed for the meeting of the
two houses and for commencing the operations under the
new constitution, and there are not enough arrived to form
either house and to count the ballots, to see who is elected
President or Vice-President. What must the world think
of us ? But what in particular mortifies me in respect to
you is that there is every reason to believe your absence
will alone, on Monday next, prevent the Senators from
forraing a house, and at the same time there is reason to
believe there will be a sufficient number, to form the House
of Representatives, so that the eyes of the continent will
be turned on you, and all the great and important business
of the Union be at a stand because you are not here. I
raust therefore, as a friend, intreat you to lay aside all lesser
concerns and private business, and come on immediately.
When the house is full, as your distance from home will
not be great, and as the conveyance by the stage is easy,
safe, and rapid when the roads are good, you may, I doubt
not, obtain leave to return and settle any business you may
leave unfinished. Be pleased to present my compliments
to your lady. I write in the confidence of friendship, being,
with sincere regard, your old friend and hurable servant,
"Charles Thomson.*
" Honorable George Read, New Castle, Delaware."
* See Appendix C 2.

OF GEORGE BEAD. 475
It seems from the letter of the representative in Congress
from Delaware, John Vining, which follows, that State
attachment and interest so rauch predorainated at this
period as to interfere with the discharge of higher duties to
the Union : "April 1st, 1789.
" Dear Sir, — You have doubtless before this heard ofthe
death of our late worthy president, Mr. Collins, which
melancholy circumstance took place, somewhat unexpect
edly, on Sunday last. In consequence of this event, we are
inforraed that the Asserably will be convened on the 20th
of the present month for the purpose of filling the vacancy.
Our politicians seera a good deal perplexed in their ideas
about a successor. Messrs. McKinley, Clayton, Bassett and
McDonough have all their partisans in this part of the
State.* I had forgot to mention his Honor Mr. Sykes, who,
if I may judge from his appearance, would very much like
the office. You will very much oblige me by communi
cating the latest information which you may have received
frora New York, as my movements must, circumstanced as
I am, very much depend upon the necessity of the case. If
it could possibly be reconciled to anything like propriety,
both ray private convenience and public wishes would unite
in keeping me here until the Assembly rise, which, I pre
sume, will be very shortly after they meet. Your ideas
upon this subject, as well as on any other in which you
may think proper to advise me, will ever be in friendly
acceptance to your very respectful and obedient, humble
servant, " John ViNiNG.f
" The bearer of this has promised to call on you as he
returns from Wilmington.
" Honorable George Read."
This letter is indorsed, " Received 3d April, and an
swered same day."
James Booth, the writer of the letter next laid before the
* The President of Delaware (article seven. Constitution of 1 776) was
eligible by joint ballot of both the houses of the Legislature, and Joshua
Clayton was chosen (30th May, 1789) to fill the vacancy by the death
of Mr. Collins.
f See Appendix D.

476 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
reader, had been for several years Clerk of the General
Asserably of Delaware, was secretary to the convention
which fraraed the Constitution of 1776, held several offices
in New Castle County connected with the courts, and finally
that of Chief Justice of the Court of 'Common Pleas, being
the iraraediate successor of Richard Bassett for raore than
thirty years. He was a man of sound judgraent, unspotted
integrity, and, though not trained t-o the bar, of sufficient
legal knowledge. His stature, features, and figure were
good, and his dress and address those of an old-school gen
tleman. He was an influential Federalist, and was indebted
for his high social position, not to his birth or faraily, wealth
or influence, but to his exertion, perseverance, tact, and
good conduct. He died 3d February, 1828, in the seventy-
fifth year of his age,* laraented by his family, his friends,
and the comraunity in which he had lived frora his child
hood. "New Castle, April 24th, 1789.
" Sir, — As I suppose a systera of coraraercial regulation
and impost will be soon adopted by the United States, and
that the State appointments in that department will of
course cease, I beg leave to solicit you for a continuance in
the Naval Office of this county, which I now hold. I was
appointed to that office early in 1777, have been continued
by subsequent appointments, and I flatter myself that during
the tirae I have exercised the duties of it neither want of
attention nor want of fidelity will be iraputed to me. Under
these circumstances I should feel great regret at being de
prived of this office by that government which I so anxiously
wish to see permanently established. I hope, too, that no
objections will arise to ray appointraent from ray holding
other offices, — they may diminish. The clerkship of the
Assembly I shall be obliged to resign, from the inadequacy
of the late allowance [for this office]. But if I am fortunate
enough to succeed in ray application, perrait me to assure
you that ray conduct shall be marked by an unremitted
attendance to the duties of the office, and that I shall retain
the most grateful impression of the favor. Many applica
tions have, I understand, been made by persons residing in
Wilraington, grounding their pretensions principally upon
* Born 6th February, 1753.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 477
the position that the officer should reside in the place where
the business is to be transacted. The inhabitants of Wil
mington never have, to my knowledge, complained of in
convenience heretofore ; it has been prevented by the
business having been transacted there under my direction,
and raany of the trading-people have expressed to rae their
entire satisfaction. It raust be confessed that almost all
the foreign comraerce carried on by the citizens of this
State is frora the borough [of Wilmington] ; but I can
allege, with as great truth, that as great and perhaps a
greater number of vessels enter, during the summer and
fall seasons, at New Castle, — generally those in the Irish
trade and those bound to Philadelphia, where parts of
their cargoes belong to Baltiraore, stop at New Castle ; these,
taken together, are at least equal to the number of vessels
trading frora Wilraington. The reasoning upon which
these applications are grounded would not, I conceive, avail
thera in exclusion of others ; it would only go, if proper, to
show that there ought to be an officer in every part of a
district where iraportations can be made. When I speak
of the applications frora Wilraington, it is frora inforraation
only. I ara unable to ascertain whether they are for the
Naval Office or others that are expected to be instituted
under the revenue systera of the United States.
"I have no news to coraraunicate worthy your attention.
Our Supreme Court is over in this county, — two trials only
were had during its sittings.
" Mrs. Read and your family are very well.
" I ara, with every sentiraent of respectful regard, sir,
your most obedient, humble servant,
"James Booth.
"Honorable George Read, Esquire."
A quorum of the House of Representatives having been
obtained on the 1st, and of the Senate on the 6th, of April,
the votes for President and Vice-President were counted by
the Senate, and the election of Washington and Adams as
certained and declared. Charles Thomson bore to General
Washington the official announcement that his fellow-
citizens had unanimously called him to the chief magistracy
ofthe general government just established. He obeyed the
call with diffidence unaffected, and the purpose to tread

478 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
the difficult path of duty it opened before hira without de
flecting to the right or left frora favor to any man, or fear
of any, and with the resolve to devote to the service of his
country all the ability God had endowed him with, and all
the fruit of his long experience in public affairs. An enter
tainment and address from his immediate neighbors, es
pecially gratifying to hira, awaited him at Alexandria, on
the commencement of his journey to New York. He was
escorted by troops of cavalry, and attended by committees,
and addressed by municipal authorities, and greeted by
thousands of his ¦ fellow-citizens with shouts of welcome,
and ringing of bells, and salutes of artillery, and brilliant
illuminations, as he passed, from Virginia, through Mary
land, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Jersey. His receptions
were raost remarkable. At the Schuylkill, where, as he
passed beneath a triumphal arch, a civic crown of laurel
descended upon his head; and at Trenton, where, on the
bridge crossing the little stream running through it (the
Assanpink), was a triumphal arch (embleraatical, I suppose,
. of the Union) , supported by thirteen pillars, representing
the thirteen States, wreathed with evergreens and flowers.
As the Father of his Country passed beneath it, he was
saluted by a band of ladies, each leading her daughter by
the hand, clad in white, bearing a basket of beautiful and
fragrant flowers, which they scattered before him, chanting
an ode in his praise, which has been preserved, not for its
merit, but the occasion for which it was written. There
was not a spectator of this beautiful pageant who did not
revert to the night of January, 1777, when the watch-fires
of Washington's army mingled their gleams with those of
the British, only separated from it by the Assanpink, the
wailing night-winds, as they swept by, chilling the half-
clothed American soldiers, who, by the brilliant generalship
of their commander, — not slain, or prisoners, or fugitives,
as Cornwallis expected, — when the sun of the next morn
rose brightly upon them, entered Princeton to hold it as
conquerors. At Elizabethtown-point, in Jersey, the Pres-
ident>elect was received by a committee of Congress, and
conveyed, in a splendid barge, rowed by thirteen pilots in
white dresses, and escorted by many boats and barges filled
with rejoicing citizens. Landing under salutes from the
Battery in New York and the vessels in her harbor, he was

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 479
escorted to the house of Governor Clinton, where he was
sumptuously entertained, and, as soon as night shrouded
the city, it was lighted up by brilliant fireworks. On the
30th of April, 1789, General Washington, on a balcony
fronting the Senate-chamber, took his oath of office, in
presence of thousands of his countrymen, who responded
with loud and joyous shouts to the Chancellor of the State
of New York, who, as the lips of the beloved and revered
chief magistrate touched the sacred volume, splendidly
bound in crimson and gold, exclairaed, "Long live George
Washington, President of the United States I" The Presi
dent then returned to the Senate-chamber, and delivered
his inaugural speech, and then, with both houses of Con
gress, repaired to St. Paul's Church, where divine service
was perforraed by Bishop Provost of the Protestant Epis
copal Church in the United States. These patriots thus
crowned this day, worthy to be held in perpetual reraem-
brance, with a solemn religious service, for they held the
great truth, declared in most eloquent words by Franklin,
in the convention that framed the constitution they had
just inaugurated, "That God governs in the affairs of men,
and, if a sparrow cannot fall without his notice, an empire
cannot rise without his aid and blessing."
James McHenry, the writer of the following letter, was
appoiiited Secretary of War, by Washington, January 20th,
1796. He was born in Maryland, educated as a physician,
inherited a fortune, and had served, in the war just ter
minated, as an aid to Lafayette. The principal defence of
Baltimore, a fort on the Patapsco, still bears his name.*
"Baltimore, 12th May, 1789.
"Sir, — The bearer. Captain Barney,f of this place, whose
distinguished conduct in the naval line is well known,
wishes to devote his whole life to the service of his country,
for which purjDose he is desirous to obtain sorae appoint
ment, under the United States, congenial with his profes
sion, where he may reraain till he can be raore usefully
eraployed. As it is likely cruisers will be put in corarais
sion to protect the trade, and to prevent frauds in the
* Hildreth's History of the United States, vol. i. p. 571.
f For a notice of Commodore Barney, see Appendix E.

480 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
revenue, perrait me to recommend him to your good offices,
as a person in every respect qualified for a comniander of
one of them. He is brave and prudent, an old Continental
sea-captain, a skilful sailor, and of the strictest honor.
Suffer me to request you to introduce him to your colleague,
and to assure you of my raost profound respect and esteera.
I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient servant,
"James McHenry.
" Honorable George Read."
While the House of Representatives was engaged upon
the bill providing revenue by duties upon imports, the
Senate was considering the bill to establish the courts of
the United States.* A copy of this bill was communicated
by Messrs. Read and Bassett to John Dickinson and Gun
ning Bedford, requesting them to examine, and return it to
thera with such suggestions, in regard to its provisions, as
they might think proper to make. "New York, June I6th, 1789.
" Dear Sir, — As the bill to establish the judicial courts
of the United States is for the consideration of the Senate,
Mr. Bassett and myself have thought it our duty to trans
mit the inclosed copy of the same to you for your perusal
and coraraents upon its respective provisions, hoping that
we may obtain thera in time before the Senate shall have
entered upon the third reading — the second reading being
appointed for Monday next, as in a committee of the whole ;
after which it is to be gone over on such its second reading
in the Senate, as a house. Mr. Bassett and myself hope
that we shall be favored in time with a return of the copy,
with your observations thereon in its margin. And we
must beg the favor of you to give the attorney-general, Mr.
Bedford, an opportunity to peruse and consider this copy,
expecting his observations also. We are so restricted in
* The Senate, on the 15th May, 1789, carried into effect the pro
vision in the second clause, third section, article first of the Constitution
of the United States, and Mr. Read was allotted to the class No. 1, whose
seats would be vacated at the expiration of the second year from the
time of their election, but was re-elected, and presented his credentials
at the session of the Senate specially convened for the transaction of
executive business, March 4th, 1791. — Journal of the Senate of the
United States, pp. 25, 26, 324. See Appendix F.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 481
our nuraber of copies that we could not afford one to each
of them.
"The establishment intended by this bill is so important
and general in its concern that the representation of the
Delaware State in Congress wish to have the aid of all that
information you, sir, and other law characters can or may
please to afford them on this occasion.
"The sarae committee who reported this bill are pre
paring another, for prescribing and regulating the process
of those respective courts. Another committee are era-
ployed on a bill declaring crimes and offences against the
United States and their punishments.
"The impost bill has taken up much tirae in both houses.
It is now on its return to the Senate, with a disagreeraent
to many of the amendraents made there, which will proba
bly produce a conference. The bill for regulating the col
lection of the impost is yet in the House of Representatives,
in an incomplete State.
"The minutes of the Senate, which are ordered to be
printed monthly for publication, are now at the press, and
the public papers will disperse them shortly.
" I carae to this place in ill health, and continued so for
sorae tirae. I am now tolerably well recovered, and shall be
glad to hear of you and your faraily's good health, to all of
whora please to give ray raost respectful compliments ; and
I am, with much esteem, your most obedient and affection
ate, humble servant, "George Read.
"The Honorable John Dickinson."
Mr. Dickinson replied to this letter from
"Wilmington, June 24th, 1789.
"My dear Friend, — Thy favor of the 16th inst. I re
ceived on the 22d, in the evening, and am much obliged for
that and the inclosure.
" I have given the bill such imperfect attention as the
shortness of tirae, weakness of health, frequency of inter
ruptions, and the novelty of- its provisions would permit,
and have made some notes in the raargin, as you requested.
I then sent it to the attorney-general, inforraing hira that
his observations were expected. It is now returned.

482 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
"There can be no doubt but that all the parts are very
intelligible to gentlemen who have been present at their
frequent discussion, know the intricacies of their mutual
dependence and of their relation to the Constitution, but to
me it appears the most difficult to be understood of any
legislative bill I have ever read..
" Is it possible or agreeable to the Constitution to estab
lish an appeal from the decisions of the Supreme Court in
cases where that court has original, exclusive jurisdiction ?
or is it right and best that the single determination of that
court in such instances should be irreversible ?
" I sincerely rejoice to hear of the re-establishraent of thy
health. Polly and Sally desire to be raost respectfully pre
sented, and I am, as ever, thy truly affectionate friend,
"John Dickinson.
"George Read, Esquire, Senator, New York."
The Attorney-General of Delaware, it appears from his fol
lowing letter to Mr. Read, entertained an opinion more favor
able to the proposed bill for establishing the courts of the
United States than that expressed of it by Mr. Dickinson :
"Wilmington, June 24th, 1789.
"Dear Sir, — Your letter of the 16th only came to my
hands this raorning, and Mr. Dickinson last evening sent
me a copy of the proposed lawj with a request that .1 would
make my observations on it and return it to him this morn
ing, to be sent back to New York by this day's post.
" I should ill requite the honor done me by the com
munication, and but abuse the confidence reposed in me,
were I to atterapt any. remarks on a subject of so much
importance, so entirely new to me, with so little time for
reading or reflection. To those who have thoroughly di
gested the whole systera, and who have considered this as
the foundation upon which the most grand and elegant
superstructure of jurisprudence is to be built, crude and
hasty thoughts can give no inforraation. The objects are
too extensive and complicated for ine so immediately to
understand that I might raake a just criticisra on this pro
posed bill. It appears to me a noble work, and must do
the fraraers of it, as well as our government, great credit.
I flatter myself our State governraents will have wisdom
enough to follow the exaraple in new modelling their legal
systems.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 4g3
^ "It will be very difficult accurately to define the juris
diction of the Federal courts, so as to prevent controversies
with the State courts. Indefinite expressions, unavoidably
made use of, will create difficulties. Common law and
statute law are referred to in the act. Have the States the
same accurate and fixed idea of both or either as applied to
theraselves individually or to the States generally ? Do we
refer to the coraraon law and statute law of England ? This
is derogatory. What, then, is the coraraon and statute law
of the United States ? It is difficult to answer. Yet the
dignity of America requires that it be ascertained, and that
where we refer to laws they should be laws of our own
country. If the principles of the law's of any country are
good and worthy of adoption, incorporate thera into your
own. I think we ought not to refer, at this day, to the law
of any nation as the rule of our conduct. This is the mo
ment for legal emancipation ; as the foundation is laid so
must the superstructure be built. Pardon these observa
tions, sir, I am transgressing my own bounds. Your
good sense would rather censure than approve (under my
circurastances) any further remarks.
" You will be pleased to present ray respects to Mr. Bas
sett, and my acquaintance in Congress.
" I ara, with much respect and consideration, your most
obedient hurable servant, " Gunning Bedford, Junior.*
"George Read, Esquire."
The "coraraon and statute law" referred to in the pro
posed act for establishing the courts of the United States
were those of England, which were, more or less, those of
her North American colonists, who brought with them to
their new abodes all the rights and privileges of EngUsh
men and their laws potentially, but actually when there
were subjects for them to act upon; but these laws were
variously modified and altered in the several colonies. The
coraraon law, araended and araeliorated by statutes, is the
general basis of the jurisprudence of all the States, Lou
isiana excepted, where the civil law is that basis ; and such
parts of it are now in force as were adapted to the colonies,
* For a notice of Gunning Bedford, see Appendix G.

484 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
and have been, since their settlement, recognized, used, and
retained. Soon after the Constitution of the United States
went into operation, the question was raised whether or not
the common law of England was adopted in the United
States by its establishment, or is the law of these States in
their national capacity. It was, with reason, contended
" that the framers of the Constitution, upon which so much
labor was expended to enumerate and define the powers
therein granted, could never have intended to introduce in
mass, indirectly and by forced construction of a few
phrases, the vast and multifarious jurisdiction of the com
mon law, and thus sap its foundation as a system of speci
fied and limited powers," giving to the Federal courts
unlimited jurisdiction, and to the other departments of the
United States government unlimited powers. The true
doctrine seems to be this : " The maxims and rules of pro
ceeding of the coraraon law are to be adhered to wherever
the written law is silent in cases the cognizance whereof is
vested in the United States courts, or of a sirailar or anal
ogous nature, so that it raay govern and direct the course
of proceeding in such cases, but cannot give jurisdiction in
any case where it is not expressly given by the Constitu
tion ;" and so it raay regulate (the United States statute
law being silent) the exercise of the powers conferred by
the Constitution upon the other departments of the govern
ment, but can confer none upon them.*
" In the debate in the United States Senate, July 15th,
1789, upon the President's constitutional power of remov
ing from office, Mr. Read said :
" ' The President is to take care that the laws be faith
fully executed ; he is responsible. How can he do his duty,
or be responsible, if he cannot remove his instruments?
It is not an unequal sharing of the power of appointment
between the President and the Senate : the Senate is only
a check to prevent impositions on the President. The
minister, a deputy or agent of the Executive. Difficult to
bring a great character to trial and punishment.'
" The yeas and nays were : yeas, — Bassett, Carroll, Dal
ton, Elmer, Henry, Morris, Patterson, Read, Strong — 9 ;

* Tucker's Blackstone, Part i. Appendix, note E; Encyclopaedia
Americana, vol. iii. p. 394.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 485
nays, — Few, Grayson, Green, Johnson, Izard, Langdon,
Lee, Maclay, Wingate — 9.
" The Vice-President gave his vote for the power of re
moval being in the President, and so decided the question,
and the country acquiesced in his decision ; and this power
has been exercised ever since, though this question has
subsequently been agitated at intervals, and is liable to be
so whenever a majority of the Senate raay be in opposition
to a new President coming in upon a revolution in public
opinion." — Writings of John Adams, vol. ii. pp. 407-409 ;
Benton's Abridgment of the Debates in Congress, pp. 86-92
and 102-109.
John Penn in the following letter confides to Mr. Read
the management of the affiiirs of his faraily in Delaware :
"London, Upper Wimpole Street, July 22d, 1789.
" Dear Sir, — I take the liberty of troubling you with a
letter to beg your friendly assistance in the raanagement of
our affairs in the State of Delaware, as we are desirous of
bringing all our business in Araerica to a settleraent, and
should be extremely obliged to you if you will be kind
enoifgh to advise any of our friends, whom we shall desire
to apply to you, what will be the proper method of pro
ceeding. We are in expectation of receiving sorae compen
sation from government, but I am afraid, from the great
deductions that will be made upon it, it will not be very
considerable. " I hope you go on prosperously in the establishment of
your new government, and that you may soon get clear of
the clouds that were hanging over you when I left Araerica;
and though my own interest would naturally lead me to
this wish, I assure you I should be happy to hear of this
event for the sake of Araerica in general, and particularly
for the few friends I have left there.
" I hope you will excuse the trouble I give you, which
proceeds from the confidence I have in your judgment, and
from our long acquaintance I presume upon your friendly
disposition towards rae.
" I am, dear sir, your sincere friend and obedient servant,
"John Penn."*
* The eldest son of Thomas Penn, son of William Penn and Hannah
Callowhill, and who was proprietor of two-thirds of Pennsylvania. He

486 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
There was much competition for the offices to be estab
lished under the new general governraent. Applications
for offices had even been made to General Washington be
fore his inauguration and while yet at Mount Vernon.
With that nice sense of propriety which he manifested in
every situation, he declined the promise of appointment to
all the applicants, having "determined to go into office
free from all engagements, of every nature whatsoever." —
Marshall's Life of Washington, vol. v. pp. 151, 152.
Edward Shippen, so strongly recommended for the office
of District Judge in Pennsylvania in the letters which fol
low, was born in Philadelphia, February 6th, 1729. His
great-grandfather, Edward Shippen, came to Boston, from
England, in 1675, and was the first mayor of Philadelphia.
The son of this gentleman, Joseph, was the father of Ed
ward Shippen, originally a merchant, but elevated to the
bench before and after our Revolution, in which he took an
active part. His son, Edward Shippen, completed his edu
cation for the bar at the Middle Temple, London, and was
admitted to practice in the Pennsylvania courts in Septera
ber, 1750. His legal knowledge was extensive. He, was
appointed a judge of the Suprerae Court of Pennsylvania in
1791, and Chief Justice in 1799, at the age of seventy, and
was a safe and excellent judge. "He was an agreeable,
prepossessing gentleman, of dignified personal appearance,
and beloved and venerated by all who knew hira." In De
ceraber, 1805, feeling the infirmities of age, he resigned, to
secure a brief space to prepare for death, which he raet, April,
1806, with the faith and submission of a Christian, full of
years, honored and lamented.*
was in Philadelphia after the Revolution. He had a particular nervous
affection about him, such as was sometimes distressing to himself and
others, and was, besides, near-sighted. He built the place called " Soli
tude," over Schuylkill. He was still alive in 1830, and wrote occasionally
to Watson, author of "Annals of Philadelphia," on subjects relating to
that city, and had then in his possession a great collection of his grand
father's papers, in fine preservation and regularly filed and endorsed,
which it was expected would some day be published to elucidate
family and civil history, John Penn was the wealthy proprietor and
resident of Stoke Poges Park, in the country, and of the mansion-
house of Spring Garden, in London. — Watson's Annals of Philadel
phia, p. 115.
* Hall's Journal of Jurisprudence, vol. i. p. 67 ; The Forum, by
David Paul Brown, vol. i. pp. 324-326.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 487
PmLADELPHiA, September 22d, 1789.
Dear Sir, — Although I have not had the pleasure of
corresponding with you since you have taken your seat at
New York, yet I cannot deny myself the satisfaction of
coraraunicating ray sentiments to you on a subject in which
I feel myself interested. That department of governraent
in which you take your station as a Senator will, I hope,
in your opinion, render the matter not altogether foreign to
your consideration; if it should [be so], I raust rely on the
acquaintance I have heretofore enjoyed with you as my
apology. " For some time past, sir, the appointment of a district
judge for Pennsylvania has excited the attention and in
quiries ofthe greater part ofthe lawyers here. They have
observed that its complicated duties require an acquaintance
with the common law as well as the civil and maritime.
As they wish, for their own ease, happiness, and interest,
that the seat may be filled with dignity, they have been
apprehensive lest the office should be given to the gentle
man who formerly held the appointraent of Judge of the
Admiralty here, upon the principle of not taking away office
from the former possessor. Their apprehensions arise not
from any personal dislike to Mr. Hopkinson, but frora a
conviction that Mr. Edward Shippen possesses far superior
knowledge and capacity for the station. They are induced
to believe the appointraent would not be rejected by him,
though he has too much modesty and raerit to push hiraself
forward in order to obtain it. Upon these grounds, Mr.
Lewis, Mr. Tilghraan, the Attorney-General, Mr. Rawl, and
raany other of the gentleraen [of the bar] have formed
strong wishes that the office should be. conferred on Mr.
Shippen. I very cheerfully confess myself one of this num
ber, from the knowledge and experience I have had of both
the gentlemen [thought of for this office], I raention these
circurastances in confidence, though I ara not unwilling
openly to avow thera, if it should be necessary.
" You will pay, sir, such attention to this coramunication
as you raay think most proper. I ara prevented from say
ing more by the necessity I am under of going out with
Mr. Matthew Pearce and Mr. John Read, your son, who
are now waiting.

488 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
" I hope you will believe me to be, with all due considera
tion, sir, your most obedient servant, "Mose's Levy.*
" George Read, Esquire." "Philadelphia, September 21st, 1789.
" Dear Sir, — I cannot refrain from again mentioning to
you Mr. Shippen as a gentleman in every respect qualified
for the seat of district judge of this State. It is generally
supposed that another gentleman stands for this appoint
ment. There is no sort of comparison between the two.
This is not ray opinion alone, but that of every lawyer I
have conversed with on the subject. Mr. Shippen has not
applied for the office, but will accept it with pleasure, and
is beyond all doubt much better qualified for it than any
other man in this State who will accept it. To you I may
in confidence say that the other (F. H.) is not corapetent.
I say this not frora my own experience, but from the voice
of the bar, without exception, that I know of, unless Mr.
Wilson raay be of another opinion, which I rather suspect
to be the case, from their intimacy and friendship. I
assure you most solemnly I have no other motive than a
desire that so iraportant a station should be properly filled,
and raost sincerely pity the family of Mr. H  , nor have
I entertained any the least disgust against hira on any score
whatever. " If you see no irapropriety in coraraunicating ray senti
raents to the President, be pleased to raake them known to
him. "This raatter did not originate with Mr. Shippen ; it pro
ceeds from sorae gentlemen of this bar.
" I ara not upon such a footing with any of the delegates
frora Pennsylvania as to justify an application to. them.
This you will consider as also raade to Mr. Bassett.
" I am, dear sir, your very affectionate friend,
" Edward TiLGHMAN.f
" Honorable George Read, Esquire."

* An eminent lawyer of Philadelphia. See Appendix H.
f Mr. Tilghman adds to what he urged, as above, in a letter to Mr.
Read, written 23d September, "that if the sense of the bar should be

OF GEORGE BEAD. 489
Richard Peters received the appointment of United States
District Judge for Pennsylvania.
It appears by the following letter of Mr. Dickinson — the
last of Mr.' Read's correspondence for 1789 which has been
preserved — that he was suffering inconvenience, though in
no peril of eventual loss, from his having lent his credit to
sustain that of Delaware, in 1782. This letter has a char
acteristic of Mr. Dickinson's letters whenever the subject
was of interest or importance — earnestness :
"Wilmington, October 31st, 1789.
" My dear Friend, — The bond which I gave in June,
1782, to Robert Morris, Esquire, to satisfy him for one
thousand pounds borrowed for the use of this State, has
been lately assigned by him to Edward Tilghman, and
there remains a balance of two hundred and eighty-three
pounds and three pence, principal, still due, with interest on
that frora the 19th of July, 1787.
"The forraer treasurers, Drs. Tilton and Clayton, have,
by payraents, in pursuance of the resolution of the Legis
lature on the 21st of June, 1783, so far reduced the debt.
" The assignee positively insists upon ray iraraediate pay
ment of the residue, and threatens to sue if his demand is
not directly complied with.
" Thus I find myself unexpectedly distressed and embar
rassed. " I have written to the present treasurer, and he has
assured me, by the auditor-general, that this debt shall be
the first paid out of the taxes now collecting, after paying
one hundred and fifty pounds to the Chief Justice. But
the affair is of so much consequence to me that I wish to
strengthen, by all possible means, the treasurer in his
declaration of speedily doing me justice.
" I therefore desire to be favored with a letter to the
president and another to the treasurer, expressing thy
sentiraents and those of the Legislature on this subject,
since it was first laid before them, and urging the most
early measures for extricating me from my very disagree-
requested, it would certainly be warmly in favor of Mr. Shippen, and
would have been sent to the President, but for doubts of the propriety
of so doing." 32

490 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
able situation. The late presidents, Van Dyke and Collins,
were solicitous that this debt should have been long since
paid. " I shall be exceedingly obliged if this affaii- can be so
represented that I may be soon relieved from an uneasiness,
caused by the purest zeal for the welfare of the State.
" I propose to set off next Wednesday morning for Kent,
I can then call for an answer, or the bearer may now wait.
I should prefer the first way of receiving it.
" I am thy ever affectionate friend,
"John Dickinson.
"George Read, Esquire, New Castle."
Mr. Read enjoyed a brief interval between the termina
tion of the first session of the first Congress of the United
States, September 29th, 1789, and the commenceraent of
the second session of that body, which was devoted to his
family and his professional and private business, cheered
by the general approval of the late proceedings of the
national legislature, the principal of which were the acts
providing revenue, constituting the Federal judiciary,
organizing the executive departments, and defining crimes
cognizable under the authority of the United States, and
their punishment, and the adopting araendraents to the
Constitution, which were submitted to the States. These
labors having been most fitly terminated by their recom
mendation of the observance of a day of thanksgiving to
Almighty God for his many signal and unmerited favors,
and especially for the opportunity vouchsafed to establish,
in peace, a government which would, with his blessing,
insure safety, liberty, strength, and happiness to their
countrymen, and while it won their love, receive, as it
deserved, the admiration of the nations araong which the
United States had taken their place.*
* Mr. Read participated considerably in the business of the commit
tees of the Senate in 1789, as appears by the following entries on one
page of the Journal of that body in that year :
"Monday, September 28th, 1789. — Mr. Read, on behalf of the com
mittee appointed on the bill entitled ' An act to explain and amend an
act for registering and clearing of vessels, regulating the coasting trade,
and other purposes,' reported an amendment.
" Mr. Read, on behalf of the committee appointed on the bill entitled
'An act amending part of an act to regulate the collection of duties on

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 491
tonnage and on goods, wares, and merchandise imported into the United
States,' reported non-concurrence, and .the bill did not pass.
" Mr. Read, on behalf of the committee appointed upon the bill entitled
'An act to recognize and adapt to the Constitution ofthe United States
the establishment of the troops raised under the United States in Con
gress assembled, and for other purposes,' reported amendments [which
were adopted].
" Mr. Read, on behalf of the committee appointed on the bill entitled
'An act for the payment of invalid pensioners,' reported concurrence."
— Journal of the First Session of the United States Senate, vol. i.
pp. 58, 91.
The labors of committees, not having been performed under the eyes
of the public, have seldom been appreciated as they deserved, though to
their unseen and inglorious toils belonged often the whole merit of the
best legislative acts. Men look admiringly upon the grand or graceful
fa5ade of a stately building, with its swelling dome or tapering spire,
without a thought of its invisible foundation, constructed perhaps with
much architectural skill, or laid at least with great cost of time, labor,
and money, and essential to its existence.
Mr. Read was upon other committees on important subjects, — for
example, on the one appointed to report the bill " defining crimes cog
nizable under the authority pf the United States, aud their punishment,"
— Journal of the Senate ofthe United States, vol. i. p. 25.

492 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE

APPENDICES TO CHAPTER YI.

1787. — An act appointing deputies from this State [Delaware] tothe
convention proposed to be held in the city of Philadelphia for the pur
pose of revising the Federal Constitution.
Preamble. Whereas, The General Assembly of this State are fully
convinced of the necessity of revising the Federal Constitution, and
adding thereto such further provisions as may render the same more
adequate to the exigencies of the Union ; and whereas, the Legislature
of Virginia have already passed an act of that Commonwealth appoint
ing and authorizing certain commissioners to meet at the city of Phila
delphia in May next, — a convention of commissioners or deputies from
the different States, — and this State being willing and desirous of co
operating, with the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the other States in
the Confederation, in so useful a design ;
Section 1. Be it therefore enacted by the General Assembly of
Delaware, That George Read, Gunning Bedford, John Dickinson,
Richard Bassett, and Jacob Broom, Esquires, are hereby appointed
deputies from this State to meet in the convention of the deputies of
other States to be held at the city of Philadelphia on the 2d day of May
next. And the said George Read, Gunning Bedford, John Dickinson,
Richard Bassett, and Jacob Broom, or any three of them, are hereby
constituted and appointed deputies from this State to meet such depu
ties as may be appointed and authorized by the other States to as
semble in the said convention at the city aforesaid, and to join with
them in deliberating and discussing such alterations and further pro
visions as may be necessary to render the Federal Constitution adequate
to the exigencies of the Union, and in reporting such act or acts for that
purpose to the United States in Congress assembled, as, when agreed
to by them and duly confirmed by the several States, may effectually
provide for the same; so always, and provided that such alterations
or further provisions, or any of them, do not extend to that part of the
fifth article of the Confederation of the said States, finally ratified on
the 1st day of March, in the year 1781, which declares that in deter
mining questions in the United States in Congress assembled, each
State shall have one vote.
Section 2. And be it enacted. That in case any of the deputies hereby
nominated shall happen to die, or to resign his or their appointment, the
President or Commander-in-Chief, with the advice ofthe Privy Council,
in the recess of the General Assembly, is hereby authorized to supply
such vacancies.
Passed February 3d, 1787. — Laws of Delaware, vol. ii. chap, cxlviii.
B., pp. 892, 893.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 493

NOTICE OF NICHOLAS VAN DYKE.
Nicholas Van Dyke, a distinguished lawyer of Delaware, was born
at New Castle, Delaware, 8th December, 1770, and died May 21st,
1826, in the fifty-sixth year of his age. In the catalogue of the gradu
ates of Nassau Hall, I find his name in the class which . graduated in
1788, in which appears that of Smith Thomson, Secretary of the Navy,
and Judge of the Supreme Court of the United States.
Mr. Van Dyke studied law in the office of his brother-in-law. Chief
Justice Johns, was admitted to the bar in 1791, and soon obtained a
large practice.
If surpassed by some of his contemporaries (inferiors to few, if any,
members of the bar throughout the Union) in profound knowledge of
the law, and in dialectical power, he was a sound lawyer, and superior
to them all as a fluent, graceful, and successful advocate, and in the
skilful management of his cases.
He never lost his predilection for general literature, and always found
time for miscellaneous reading. He was remarkable for the ease and
elegance of his manners and conversational powers, and for his taste in
architecture, and fondness for indulging it, having erected two large
and fine houses in New Castle, and two in its vicinity, — his ample for
tune enabling him to gratify this taste, at once elegant and useful,
without inconvenience.
In the latter period of his life he was a ruling elder of the Presby
terian Church and took an active part in its affairs, thus superadding
to his pure moral character the crowning ornament of piety.
He was elected to the Legislature of Delaware in 1799; to the
United States House of Representatives in 1809 ; to the Senate of
Delaware in 1815, and to the United States Senate in 1817 ; and, hav
ing been re-elected, was, when he died, a member of that body, — in
which he not only maintained but increased the high reputation of the
representatives of Delaware for statesmanship and ability as debaters
in the national legislature. He was of the Federal party.

Ol.
NOTICE OF EDMUND RANDOLPH.
Edmund Randolph, eminent as a lawyer and a statesman, filled
offices of the highest responsibility. At the head of his profession, he
was for several years Attorney-General of Virginia and then Governor
of that State, and, still in this office, was elected a member of the con
vention which formed the Constitution of the United States, and opened

494 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
the business confided to that assembly by submitting the project of a
new constitution, known as the Virginia plan, and took a prominent part
in its proceedings. Upon the expiration of his term "of service as chief
magistrate of Virginia he was elected a member of her Legislature,
and from thence appointed by Washington Attorney-General of the
United States. In 1793 he was transferred to the higlter post of Sec
retary of State, upon the resignation of Mr. Jefferson. In 1795 Mr.
Randolph was so far misled by party feeling and his predilection for
France as to make communications to the French minister which the
President considered so reprehensible that they called forth his strong
disapprobation, on which Mr. Randolph resigned, and attempted to
justify this abuse of his official position by representing himself as
sacrificed to England and the aristocrats who espoused her cause, for
his devotion to liberty and the French republic. He may not have
made the overtures to Fauchet from which it was inferred that he
was willing, with some of his friends, to be in the pay of France;
but his needy circumstances, and his retiring from office a defaulter,
gave countenance to the suspicion the intercepted despatch of the French
envoy excited, and at all events he cannot be acquitted of tortuous
conduct, and even intrigue with the Democratic leaders and French
minister, inconsistent with his official position and consequent relations
to the administration.
John, the fathecof Edmund Randolph, held the office of Attorney-
General of Virginia, and at the commencement of the American Revo
lution sided with the royalists and withdrew with his family to Eng
land. His brother, Peyton, declared for the Whigs, succeeded him as
Attorney-General, and was eminent for his ability, zeal, and success in
offices. State and national, to which his fellow-citizens elected him.
Being childless, he adopted Edmund as his son.
Edmund entered the college of Williamsburg soon after Jefferson
graduated there;. and that eminent man being, with several of his
fellow-students afterwards distinguished, infected with the infidelity
imported from France, they unhappily left the taint of this poison behind
them. Edmund was for a time led astray by the sophistries and arts
of the infidels of his college ; but, escaping from their toils, turned his
back upon their theories, unfounded in truth as barren of utility, and
upon their dreary prospects, and took honorable position among the
champions of religion and the church.
He was one ofthe eminent lawyers who ably maintained, but unsuc
cessfully, that the law by which the churches in Virginia w^re robbed
of their glebes was unconstitutional.
Towards the close of his life his residence was with his son-in-law,
Bennett Taylor, in Frederick County. Bishop Meade, during this
residence, had conversation with him, and states that he was deeply
interested in religious subjects.
He died at Carter Hall, the seat of Colonel Nathaniel Burwell, and
was interred in the ancient grave-yard of Frederick parish. — Marshall's
Life of Washington, vol. v. note 17, p. 30, pp. 214, 630 ; Hildreth's
History of the United States, vol. i. pp. 516, 556, 561; Old Churches
and Families in Virginia, vol. ii. pp. 292, 293.
William Wirt, who practised with Edmund Randolph in courts of
Virginia, and had ample opportunity for studying his character, intel-

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 495
lectual and moral, draws a portrait of this eminent citizen (of the out
ward and inner man) in his " Letters of a British Spy" (a.d. 1803),
Letter 7, a work so popular that ten editions of it, perhaps more, have
been published :
" Mr. Edmund Randolph has great personal advantages. A figure
large and portly ; his features uncommonly fine ; his dark eyes and his
whole countenance lighted up with an expression of the most concili
ating sensibility ; his attitudes dignified and commanding; his gesture
easy and graceful ; his voice perfect harmony; and his whole manner
that of an accomplished and engaging gentleman. I have reason to
believe that the expression of his countenance does no more than justice
to his heart. If I am correctly informed, his feelings are exquisite, and
the proofs of his benevolence are various and clear, beyond the possi
bility of doubt. He has long maintained a most respectable rank in
his profession, and is esteemed by the people a great lawyer and an
eloquent speaker.
" To me it seems his mind is turned rather for ornament than for
severe use. His speeches deserve, I think, the censure which Lord
Verulam pronounces on the writers posterior to the reformation of the
church. ' Luther,' says he, ' standing alone against the Church of
Rome, found it necessary to awake all antiquity in his behalf; this in
troduced the study ofthe dead languages and a taste for the Ciceronian
manner, and hence the prevailing error of hunting^more after words
than matter, and more after the choiceness of the phrase and the round
and clean composition of the sentence, and the sweet falling of the
clauses, and the varying and illustration of their works with tropes aud
figures, than after the weight of matter, worth of subject, soundness of
argument, life of invention, or depth of judgment.' Mr. Randolph's
temper and habits lead him to the stately and swelling manner of Bol
ingbroke ; but, either from want of promptitude and richness of concep
tion or too sedulous hunting after words, he does not maintain that
manner smoothly and happily; on the contrary, the spirits of his
hearers, after having been awakened and put in pleasant motion, have
their tide checked by the hesitation and perplexity of the speaker.
" All the arguments I have ever heard from him are defective in the
important and most material character, — the lucidus ordo. I suspect
that in the preparatory arrangement of his subject he gains his ground
by slow and laborious gradations, and that his difficulties are numerous
and embarrassing. Hence it is, perhaps, that his points are generally
too multifarious, and although among the rest he exhibits the strong
point, its appearance is too often like that of Issaehar, bowed down
between two burdens. I incline to believe that if there be a blemish in
his mind, it is the want of a strong and masculine judgment, manifested
in his selection of cases seized by his adversaries and turned against him.
He is certainly a man of close and elaborate research."

496 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE 02.
NOTICE OP CHARLES THOMSON.
Charles Thomson was born in Ireland, November, 1729, of respect
able parents. About 1740, his father, with himself and three older
brothers, embarked for America. His father, having been sick during
the voyage, died, off the capes of Delaware. " I stood by my expiring
father," said Charles Thomson to John F. Watson, years after, "closed
his eyes, and performed other duties of filial piety to hira." Dying so
fiearland, his corpse might have been kept for interment on shore, but
the captain of the ship cast it into the sea to save expense, which would
diminish the property the parent left behind him and which he designed
in part to appropriate, and did embezzle, as Charles and his orphan
brothers believed. They were landed at New Castle, Delaware, with
little property, which the unprincipled captain said was all their father
had, thus despoiling children who, orphans, friendless, and strangers in
a strange land, could not assert their rights. Charles was placed, when
he landed at New Castle, in the family of a blacksmith, who was so
much pleased with his intelligence, courtesy, and energy that he de
signed to have him bound to him as an apprentice. Hearing him, in
conversation with his wife at night, say he should carry this intention
into effect the next day, Charles, whose antecedent state had been far
superior to that which was designed for him, left the blacksmith's house
at the dawn of that day. He took the road to Wilmington, a boy, ten
years old, trudging manfully along, with his bundle of scanty clothes.
An inquisitive lady, as the sun arose, overtook him, and, interested by
his manly bearing, asked his name, where he was travelling, and why.
Even the fear of being taken back to the blacksmith did not overbear
his love and habit of truthfulness. He recounted his brief history, and
his aspiration for a liberal education which might fit him for some occu
pation more congenial to his feelings than the trade from which he was
escaping. This kind woman was at once interested for the young trav
eller, and obtained his admission into the school taught by the Reverend
Doctor Allison, at Thunder-Hill, in the province of Maryland, and of
high repute. Charles's eldest brother generously provided him, as far as
he could, with money; and his gratitude was manifested, at a later
period of his life, by the gift of a farm in Delaware to this benefactor.
One of Mr. Thomson's fellow-students at this seminary was George
Read. They soon became warm friends, and so continued through the
trying scenes of the Revolution, in which they were prominent actors,
and until the death of Mr. Read, in 1798. Classical books, as neces
sary to learners as tools to mechanics, were so scarce that Dr. Allison's
pupils had but one lexicon among them. Charles Thomson told Watson
"that, having accidentally got hold of some loose leaves of the 'Spec
tator,' by which he learned its name and style, he so longed to possess
the whole work that he walked all night to Philadelphia to buy it, did
so, and walked back in time not to miss his lessons in his class; and
that, after he was initiated in Greek, he walked to Amboy, and to his

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 497
home again, to visit a British officer there, a stranger to him, because he
was reported to be a fine Greek scholar." His first passion for Greek litera
ture, he told Watson, was the result of an apparently accidental occur
rence. Passing an auction store in Philadelphia, he heard the offer of an
"outlandish book" for sale, which he bought for a trifle. It was part of
the Greek Septuagint. When he mastered it enough to understand it,
he was very anxious to obtain the whole, but could get no copy of the
coveted book until, strange to tell, in the interval of two years, passing
the same store and looking in, he actually saw the remainder selling,
which he joyfully bought for a few pence.* From these anecdotes may
be inferred his ardent desire for knowledge, his energy and perseve
rance. He completed his course of study at Thunder-Hill, and set
tled in Philadelphia, with such knowledge of Latin, Greek, mathematics,
and whatever else as was taught at Thunder-Hill. He was appointed
assistant teacher in the first Philadelphia academy, being solicited by
Dr. Franklin to accept this office, because esteemed among the best
scholars of his day. He taught in this seminary until he married. f He
was also, for several years before the Revolution, actively engaged in
iron-works at Egg Harbor, New Jersey. From the beginning of the
contest of the North American colonies with England, he sided with
the Whigs. The very night the British Parliament passed the stamp-
act, Franklin wrote to Charles Thomson, " The sun of liberty is set, —
we must light the lamps of industry and economy." To which he an
swered, "Be assured, we shall light torches of another sort."J They
did, — the torches of war; and they lighted them to liberty, glory, and
independence. It has been asserted, but not, to my knowledge, proved,
that he originated the opposition to the stamp-act. He was secretary
to the assembly of colonial delegates, who met in New York, in 1765,
commonly called the Stamp-act Congress. He was qualified for this
office, not only by probity, ability, and education, but by his skill, then
rare, in short-hand writing, and discharged his duties so satisfactorily
that when the first Congress, held in Philadelphia, a.d. 1774, met, all
eyes were fixed on him as the fittest person for the secretaryship of
that august body. He was unanimously elected thereto, and the cir
cumstances of the notification of this honor, and his acceptance of it,
were remarkable. I write them in the words of his friend Watson:
" He had then lately married Miss Harrison (the heiress to the estate
of Harriton, near the city) [of Philadelphia], and arriving there in his
carriage, with his wife, had just alighted, when a message came to him
from the President of Congress that he must see him Immediately. He
went, not conceiving what it could be for, and was told they wished him
to take their minutes. He set to it as a temporary affair, but in fact
the service so commenced continued throughout the whole war. As no
compensation was received for the first service. Congress presented him
with a silver urn as their gift, and as a compliment to his lady for
having so unexpectedly deprived her of the attentions of her husband,
the morning after their marriage, on their way to pay their respects to
his aunt and her family. She was asked what the present should be,
* Collections of the Pennsylvania Historical Society, vol. i. pp. 88, 89.
t Encyclopsedia Americana, vol. xii! p. 238.
X Niles's Register, vol. ix. (New Series) pp. 16-101.

498 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
and chose an urn. As secretary of Congress, at that eventful period,
he possessed very much of that confidence and general intelligence
respecting the secret machinery of government which now more
properly pertains to the secretary of state. Never changing his office,
nor losing his opportunities for information and service, as did the
members who depended, for their places, on their elections, he became,
in time, their common friend and common depositary of State-secrets
and measures. Hence, John Jay, when minister to Spain, wrote, April,
1781, to him, 'I wish you were, also, secretary of foreign affairs; I
should then have better sources of information ;' and from Passy, 19th
July, 1788, 'When I consider that no person in the world is so perfectly
acquainted with the rise, conduct, and conclusion of the American
Revolution as yourself, I cannot but wish you would bestow but one
hour a day to give posterity a true account of it' After 1789, when he
retired to ' Harriton,' he gathered valuable and curious papers for such
history, but, after writing many pages of it, destroyed them, alleging
as his reason his unwillingness to blur the reputation of many families,
then rising in credit and esteem, whose progenitors must have had a
bad reputation in his contemplated book. During the Revolution many
reports were in circulation [questionable and questioned], but when
they came in a congressional paper, sanctioned by his name [doubt and
speculation ceased], and men said, here comes truth. Such was the
trust in his veracity."*
He discharged the duties of the secretaryship, so long confided to him,
with far more than common ability and faithfulness, and to the general
satisfaction of Congress and his countrymen. But when there are par
ties in a country and its legislature, as there were in ours, even in the
very infancy of our government, suspicion assails, and prejudice mis
judges and misrepresents her officers, however faithful and competent.
This fate Charles Thomson did not escape. John Adams in his Diaryf
intimates bias in the secretary of Congress on account of his connec
tion with John Dickinson, and thence with those he calls the cold party
in that body, which led him to omit all motions in coramittee of the
whole, which did not prevail and were not reported to Congress, by
which was evaded the' appearance of subjects they disliked on the
journals. Mr. Thomson thus conclusively, I think, repelled this
charge: "I was unexpectedly called into Cong'ress, and the President
informed me that they had chosen me to take their minutes. I bowed
and said I awaited their pleasure. After a short silence a personj
dressed in, gray arose and spoke (I supposed he was a Presbyterian
clergyman). He said : ' We are here upon an occasion of great diffi
culty and distress, — like the friends of a man in deep embarrassment
assembled to suggest measures for his relief. He would suggest one
thing, a second [speaker], something else better, and a third, some
thing still better, which he would embrace and think no more of rejected
schemes.' I thought tbis a very good instruction to me as to taking
the minutes. What Congress adopted I committed to writing; with
what they rejected I had nothing further to do ; and even this method
* Collections of the- Pennsylvania Historical Society, vol. i. pp. 90, 91.
f Writings of John Adams, vol. ii. pp. 29, 30, note.
X Patrick Henry.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 499
led to some squabbles with members who were desirous of having their
speeches and motions — however put to rest by the majority — still
preserved upon the minutes."* Mr. Thomson's good sense led "him to
adopt the parliamentary rule,f — that abortive motions are not entered
on the journals of legislatures, except when the yeas, nays by the con
stitutions of the United States, or the States of this Confederacy, are
called : " a rule founded in great prudence and good sense, as there
may be many questions proposed which it would be improper to pub
lish in the form in which they were made. "J
This charge of John Adams is without foundation. Able, honest,
and patriotic, he was irascible, indiscreet, and very liable to party bias,
as appears by his Diary.
As soon as the first Congress of the United States was organized,
Mr. Thomson was appointed to inform General Washington of his elec
tion to the Presidency of the United States : and he discharged this
duty. He declined office, though asked to accept it under the new
government, " Believing" — I use his own words — " that the suitable
hour for his retirement was corae." Being sensible of some decadence
of body and mind, " he wisely withdrew from the throng of competitors
for the glittering but empty prizes of ambition, mingling with whom
hoary-headed men are unseemly spectacles." He held with Hesiod :
" Let enterprise the young engage ;
Counsel the mature, —
Prayer is the proper business of old age," —
prayer, with the study of the sacred Scriptures, and meditation on their
precious contents, — inseparable from it when sincere. He had an ad
ditional motive to the one above mentioned for retirement from public
life, — his desire and purpose to devote his days and nights to a great
work which he contemplated, — a translation of the Old Testament from
the " Septuagint," and of the New from the Greek. Withdrawn from
public employment, he was not idle, but was diligently occupied at
" Harriton" with these translations for raany years. "This translation
(of the Septuagint) is executed with great fidelity, though — being the
version of a version — it can hardly afford much assistance to the bib
lical student. The translation of the New Testament is much improved
in the punctuation, and also in the arrangement of the objections and
replies that occasion such frequent transitions in St. Paul's Epistles.
The notes which accompany the work are very brief, but satisfactory
as far as they go."§ These translations he modestly, but I think in
judiciously, published without preface or introduction, and not being
heralded by any notice of their merits, they brought him neither praise
* American Quarterly Eeview, vol i., article "American Biography."
t Hatsel, vol. ii. p. 85, and Jefferson's Manual, p. 158.
X But it must be admitted that the entry of abortive motions on the journals
of legislatures would shed much light upon the history of their proceedings, and
aid the right construction of their laws. The strongest arguments of the strict
constructionists of the Constitution of the United States are furnished by abortive
motions of members of the convention that framed it.
I Home's Introduction to the Critical Study of the Holy Scriptures, vol. ii.
p. 760.

500 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
nor reimbursement of the cost of printing them, though they have, for
some years, become known to scholars and commmended. Dr. Adam
Clarke declared "that none could understand adequately the New Tes
tament without diligent study of the Septuagint." Charles Thomson,
therefore, deserves the gratitude of unlearned men for putting it within
their reach.*
"Mr. Thomson used jocularly to say he was at least half an Indian.
This he said in allusion to his having been adopted into the Delaware tribe
after the treaty at Easton, Pennsylvania, in 1756-7. At that time he
was invited by the Society of Friends then and thereto be present and
take minutes for thera in short-hand. It was the proper business of the
Reverend Mr. Peters, the secretary of the Governor, to do this, and he
did so ; but his minutes were so often disputed (in the reading of them)
by the Indian chief Tadyuscund that Mr. Thomson's unofficial minutes
were called for, and were, in the opinion of the Indians, so true, that
they solemnly adopted him, and gave him the name Wegh-wu-law-no-
end — the man who tells the truth. "f
Charles Thomson was affable and dignified, without arrogance or
hauteur, and accessible ; amiable, and cheerful, and religious, without
superstition or fanaticism. His education inclined him to the Presby
terians, but his affection, Watson thought, to the Quakers ; but he allied
hiraself with none of the sects, and, I regret to write, not with the
church, "loving to say he was attached to no systera nor peculiar
tenets of any sect or party, and therefore better qualified to be a faith
ful translator of the Septuagint." In politics he was an old-school
Republican. So accurate was his observation and sound his judgment
that his estimates of character were seldom erroneous. J
" He was tall, becomingly slender, erect to the close of his life as a
column, never wore spectacles nor lost his teeth, and looked younger
than he was, though there was no ruddiness in his cheeks to enliven
his features." He was regular and temperate, and long survived his
contemporaries ; but, while vigorous and healthful in body, his mind
fell into decay, as is touchingly described by his friend Watson in the
following account of his visit to " Harriton," in the spring of 1824, "when
Charles Thomson was in his ninety-fifth year, and his mind a ruin:"
" His figure and countenance were very little changed. He could not
recognize me, though he made several brief inquiries, as if to learn who
I was. He was very courteous and cheerful, and returned thanks, with
many smiles, to my kind inquiries in regard to him. He was in full
dress on his sofa, where he reclined much of his time, slumbering often
throughout the day. His appetite and general health were good. He
had lost all idea of books and former things, and passed his time in
silence, unless when spoken to. A circumstance occurred at the dinner-
table, he being placed at the head of it, which showed the decadence of
his mind. While grace was saying by the Reverend Mr. Jones, he
began, in an elevated and audible voice, to repeat the Lord's Prayer,
nor did he desist or regard the voice of Mr. Jones, who did not pause
* Collections of the Pennsylvania Historical Society, vol. i. pp. 89, 90.
+ Ibid., p. 90.
J Ibid., p. 92 I American Quarterly Review, vol. i., article "American Biog
raphy."

OF GEOBGE READ. 501
till the grace was ended. This prayer was all said in the words of his
own translation, and correctly throughout, thus proving, as I think, that
the moral faculties are much more enduring than the intellectual ones,
and that, though bereft of reason, his heart still glowed with veneration
and love for God. He made no remark at the table, and did not heed
the conversation of those around it. He ate with discrimination what
was offered him, but asked for nothing. For some time it had been
remarked that his mental faculties were most impaired at the time of
the equinoxes. In the rooms I observed a silver urn- of large dimen
sions (a present from the Congress of 1774), a full-sized bust of John
Paul Jones, the celebrated naval officer, engraved likenesses of Charles
James Fox and the Count de Vergennes, and a large print of William
Tell, with surrounding spectators and scenery. These were generally
presents, and showed his former, but then lost, predilections and
opinion.s."* Charles Thomson died the 16th of August, 1824.
"When a youth," he said, "deer crossed his path, and he saw the
beavers at work."
He was twice married. His first wife was a daughter of Charles
Mather, of Chester County, Pennsylvania. By her he had two children,
who died in Infancy. His second wife was a daughter of Richard
Harrison, of Merion, near Philadelphia. By this marriage he acquired
the estate called " Harriton," in the vicinity of Philadelphia, where he
resided for many years.
His second wife, firm and undismayed, sustained and encouraged him
through the trials of the American Revolution, and aided him with her
pen in his labors while secretary of Congress ; much of whose business
was so confidential that he could not intrust it to any other deputy, and
so extensive and multifarious that he could not have done it unless
aided, or at least without delay and impairraent of his health.
"His translation of the Bible," he said, "however received by the
world, had been a blessing to him."f

ID.
NOTICE OF JOHN VINING.
The ancestor of the Vining family. Captain Benjamin Vining, mi
grated from New England to Philadelphia, and was resident there
about 1722. He removed to Salem, New Jersey; was highly respect
able and influential, and a warden of the Episcopal church in that town,
in one of the aisles of which he was interred, his grave being covered
by a marble slab having the following inscription: "In Memory of
Benjamin Vining, Esquire, late Collector of Salem and Marblehead, in
* Collections of Pennsylvania Historical Society, vol. 1. pp. 92-94.
f American Quarterly Keview, vol. i., article "American Biography."

502 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
New England, and son of William Vining, in Portsmouth, New Hamp
shire, who died September 5th, 1735, aged 52 years, 1 month, and 22
days." He married Mary, daughter of Hugh Middleton, a judge of Salem
County, New Jersey, — an early settler there and large landholder.
Their son John married Rachel Ridgley, and, on her decease, Phebe,
daughter of Abraham and Esther Wynkoop. He owned a large tract
of land in Salem County, and reraoved from thence to the State of Dela
ware, having settled at or near Dover in that State : and such was the
exalted character he sustained that he was elevated to the highest offices
there. On one of his visits to Salem he was taken sick and died, and
was buried in an aisle of its Episcopal church (St. John's). Upon the
stone covering his sepulchre is this epitaph : " In Memory of the Honor
able John Vining, Esquire, Speaker* of the Three Lower Counties of
Delaware, who departed this life November 13th, 1770, aged forty-six
years." He had two sons by his first wife, — namely, Benjamin and
Nicholas, who died before his father, — and by his second, Abraham
(who died aged two years), John, and one daughter, Mary.f
John Vining was born at Dover, Delaware, 23d December, a.d. 1758,
where he was educated, but what was the education he received I am
not informed. He studied law with George Read, of New Castle,
Delaware, was adraitted to the bar, practiced in Dover, his residence,
and soon distinguished himself, as may be inferred from the fact of his
election to the United States House of Representatives, having not more
than attained to the age constitutionally required to qualify for mdmber-
ship_ of that body, and at that tirae it was not usual to advance young
men to high offices. So strongly was the partiality of his fellow-citizens
manifested for him that he wals called " the pet of Delaware."! Poverty,
because it would have compelled to industry and self-denial, would have
been to hira a boon, but an ample fortune was his by inheritance.§ In
1793 he was elected to the Senate of the United States. How faith
fully and with what distinction he served in Congress the reader can
judge from the following notices of John Vining, which I have collected
from a recent historian :
" In a department of foreign affairs, — a mere continuation of the old
department of that name, — after an ineffectual effort of Vining, of Dela
ware (20th May, 1789), to establish a separate one for home business,
these two departments were combined. "||
* Journal of the General Assembly of the "three lower counties on Dela
ware," A.D. 1769, p. 161. It appears by the same journal that John Vining,
Esquire (I suppose the same person), was prothonotary and clerk ofthe peace for
Kent County.
f I am indebted for the above facts to the family record and to a letter (ad
dressed to the Beverend S. K. Wynkoop, Wilmington, Delaware) by Colonel
Bobert G. Johnson, a gentleman of very high standing in Salem, New Jersey,
who died since -its date, April 5th, 1850, when he was within a few months of
entering upon his eiglitieth year. In a paragraph introductory to his account of
the Vining family, he mentions that he has a book in which he has recorded the
history of the most respectable families (among them the Vinipgs) from their
settlement in Salem Counfiy. , My thanks are due to Miss ElizalJeth Montgomery,
writer of an interesting volume (" Eeminiscences of Wilmington, Delaware"),
for the letter of Colonel Johnson and permission to use it.
J Eeminiscences of Wilmington, p. 152. • ? Ibid.
II Hildreth's History ofthe United States (2a Series), vol. i. p. 102.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 503
" The debt of Delaware was trifling, but Vining, the able representa
tive of that State, supported the assuraption [of Revolutionary State
debts] as a Federal measure."*
" Tucker (March 16th, 1789) moved to strike out the whole report of
a house comraittee, on a memorial of a Pennsylvania society, praying
the abolition of slavery, substituting a resolution to refuse considering
it as unconstitutional. Jackson seconded the motion, in a speech as
warm as Tucker's, to which Vining replied, "f
" The arguments in favor of assumption were recapitulated by Law
rence, Goodhue, and others, and by Vining. "J '
"Vining (January 28th, 1789) spoke in favor of chartering a national
bank."§ "Among the new merabers [ofthe Senate], Liverraore, of New Hamp
shire, Jackson, of Georgia, and Vining, of Delaware, had already dis
tinguished themselves as former merabers ofthe House."||
Nature was liberal to hira, for, besides a good face and person, he
was one of the wittiest men of his day, his powers of conversation
great, and these endowments set off by very fascinating manners. As
a specimen of his wit I recall the following, anecdote, which I heard
from my father, and which maybe found in the " Reminiscences of Wil
mington," p. 152 He married Miss Seaton, daughter of James Seaton,
Collector of New York.^ Her father, when he was addressing her,
reasonably anxious for some knowledge of his circumstances, asked :
" Mr. Vining, what are your prospects ?" Spreading his arms abroad,
he promptly answered, "Prospects, sir; my prospects are unbounded."
" Mr. Vining," writes Robert G. Johnson, " was considered a very acute
advocate at the bar, a very able debater in Congress, and a highly
creditable representative of his native State." Whether nature was as
liberal in endowing him with the solid as with the brilliant intellectual
faculties, I doubt. He attained no great eminence as a lawyer,** which
may have resulted from his indolence, but when he addressed juries was
fluent, graceful, acute, and even eloquent, and always listened to with
attention and pleasure. He wanted that virtue, without which all other
endowments, however prodigally bestowed, are vain — prudence. He
was indolent, fond of pleasure, and generous, and, having broken his
constitution and wasted his estate, died prematurely, ff One of ray uncles
told me that when quite a boy he was among the spectators at an
assembly in New Castle graced by the presence of the brilliant officers
of Lauzun's legion, then lying at Wilmington. Vining suddenly entered
the room where it was held, and, thrusting into my uncle's hand a bag of
* Hildreth's History of the United States (2a Series), vol. i. p. 172.
t Ibid., p. 184. X Ibid., p. 207. J Ibid., p. 448. || Ibid., p. 262.
i[" Who," says Eobert G. Johnson, "came to her death by taking medicine by
mistake." "And was," writes Miss Montgomery, " a child of sorrow consigned to
an early grave."
** So said Judge Thomas Clayton, but when he knew Vining he was in his
decaaence. tf Eeminiscences of Wilmington, pp. 152, 153.
In a docket of my father, George Eeaa, Esquire, of his suits in the Supreme
Court of Delaware, beginning October term, 1793, is the entry (p. 46) of a suit
for libel, entitled "John Vining, Esquire, vs. Peter Brynberg and Samuel An
drews," which, after setting forth the proceedings in the case, closes with these
words : " Abated by plaintiff's death, in the winter of 1802, at Dover."

504 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
gold, the proceeds of the sale of a farm, with which he had just returned
from Jersey, selected a partner and led her to the dance, in which he par
ticipated for hours after, thoughtless of his gold, in the charge of a mere
lad, in a crowd of very miscellaneous character. For the following
story I give my authority, the late Caesar A. Rodney : " Mr. Vining
once invited a large company to dinner. His wife, to whom he had
given no notice of this invitation, when aware of the arrival of the
guests, called him out, in much disquietude, to say there was nothing
to set before them. ' Nothing !' exclaimed he. ' Nothing,' replied
she, sarcastically, 'nothing — but the black bull' 'Well,' answered
Vining, 'kill the bull.'" "His sister, Mary Vining," writes R. G.
Johnson, "was considered the most accomplished and beautiful of all
women in her day — was courted by raany gentlemen, but rejected
them all, preferring a single life ;" and she has been thus described to
me by my father and others : her conversational powers, they said, were
even superior to those of her brother. Daring the latter period of our
Revolution and that iraraediately succeeding it she reigned a belle in
the fashionable circles of New York and Philadelphia. Among her
adorers was General Wayne, to whom his soldiers, from his headlong
courage, gave the sobriquet of " Mad Anthony." C. A. Rodney told
me he was one evening in company with him and Miss Vining, when
mention being made of a man who had been guilty of some act of
great moral obliquity, Wayne started from his chair, exclaiming, with
an oath, "Madam, had I been present I would have suicided him!"
She found herself upon the decease of her brother, with narrow pecuniary
resources, in charge of his children, — four boys, — to the care and train
ing of whom she devoted herself, retiring to a small house in Wilming
ton. They well repaid her sacrifices for them, giving promise of useful
ness, and one of them of distinction ; but they were all prematurely cut
down by consumption.* Miss Vining died on Good Friday, 1821, and
was buried in the cemetery of Trinity Church on Easter Sunday, —
having purposed to receive the sacrament ofthe Lord's Supper from the
rector of this church on that day. No stone marks her grave.f She
was born August 28th, 1756. {
In the course of conversation. May 24th, 1859, with James Rogers,
Esquire, § an eminent member of the Delaware bar, and Attorney-General
of this State for twenty years, upon my asking " whether he knew John
Vining or not," he replied that "he had well known him, and related
the following anecdotes of him.
*The eldest of these youths was admitted to the bar in New York, and the
second in age was in the Unitea States Navy. — Reminiscences of Wilmington,
pp. 154, 1.55.
f One of her peculiarities was to partially conceal always her beautiful face by
a veil or fan, ana in the latter part of her life by a cap, ana another never to be
seen abroaa unless riaing. Among her guests were the Duke de Liancourt and
Duke of Orleans, afterwards King Louis Philippe. General Miranaa, passing
through Wilmington in the mail at night, left his card for her in the post-office.
Not a gray hair was mingled when she died with her soft, glossy, brown tresses,
nor a wrinkle marred the beauty of her fine forehead. — Reminiscences of Wil
mington, pp. 160, 151, 165, 156.
X Farailj' reeora.
g Mr. Eogers aied 15th Septeraber, 1868, in the eighty-ninth year of his ago.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 505
Mr. Rogers (my informant) was a student of law, for three years, in
Dover, Delaware, and for fifteen raonths of this period in the office of
Nicholas Ridgley, then Attorney-General, and afterwards for many
years Chancellor of this State, leaving his office when he was appointed
Chancellor, and during this period, in 1799, 1800, and 1801, was very
intimate with John Vining.
Vining was about or rather below middle size, very handsome, of most
engaging and winning manners, eloquent, and very popular as an advo
cate, "with a voice which was perfect music;" but he was not a well-read
lawyer, in corroboration of which assertion, Mr. Rogers -said, "I and
my fellow-student, H. M. Ridgley were employed by Mr. Vining to
draw his declarations, which we did with willingness, for our improve
ment in this part of the practice of the law. On one occasion he gave
us a list of cases in which we were to draw his nars., and araong thera
was this case. A had shot or struck with some weapon the animal of
B, and it had died by reason of the wounding, and Vining had brought
an action on the case for the damage sustained by B. Young students
as we were, we soon perceived that trespass, not case, should have
been brought, and so intimated to Vining; but he would not admit that
he had raistaken the forra of action, arguing that A had fired the gun
or given the blow, and the injury was consequential thereto. His con
versation was a succession of flashes of wit, so bright was his imagina
tion." Mr. R. was invited to a supper Vining gave, he thinks, while
the Legislature was in session. Card-tables were laid in the front, and
the supper in the back, parlor of Vining's house in Dover. About 11
o'clock P.M. his kitchen-chimney took fire, and his house was at once
filled with his neighbors, and there was danger of his entertainment
being broken up. But Vining prevented this catastrophe by a specimen
of his wonderful address, for, with perfect self-possession, and in the
blandest manner, he thanked the crowd, of all classes and colors, for
their kindness, which, he rejoiced, was unnecessary, as his guests were
numerous enough to render all the aid required, — all the while ad
vancing upon them, with graceful bows, they insensibly retreating, till
they were in the street. While Mr. R. was a student of law, occurred
a case of homicide, in Sussex County, Delaware, which excited deep
interest. "A man named Wild shot another named Wilson, in a Ma
sonic lodge. It is remarkable that the brother of the slain man, James
P. Wilson, subsequently an eminent divine in the Presbyterian Church,
assisted in the prosecution, as did 0. Horsey, who made his debut, and
in the outset of his speech urged against the prisoner, as an aggravating
circumstance, the place where the crime was committed, which indicated
a breach of solemn Masonic obligations. As this was uttered. Asso
ciate Judge John Clayton, striking violently the desk before him, ex
claimed, ' How do you know this, or what do you know of Masonic
obligations V This rough interruption so embarrassed H. that he could
not go on." Vining's speech was very eloquent, and was listened to
with delight. His wife, tall and rather spare, was very accomplished
and pleasing, but not beautiful. She was skilled in music, and Her
voice so powerful that Mr. R. often heard her singing, at her piano, on
summer evenings, while sitting at his lodgings, a considerable distance
from her house. Upon her death, and the sale of the remnant of his
33

506 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
property for his debts, the decadence of Vining became complete, for
he submitted to live at Furby's hotel, where Mr. R. boarded, with the
run of its table and bar, without cost. His intemperance was so con-
^rmed that he was always under the influence, more or less, of liquor.
His chamber adjoined that of Mr. R., to which he resorted often, de
lighting him with his anecdotes and witty conversation. Often he
would come in, late at night, in his shirt (taking, he said, his cold bath),
and sit reciting, and soraetimes declaiming, poetry, especially passages
from Shakspeare, as long as Mr. R. would listen. " He was athletic
and brave," said Mr. R., "even in his decline;" in proof of which
assertion, he added, "there was, while I lived in Dover, a meeting, the
occasion of which I cannot recall, at which Vining was present, and
one Millis, a noted bully, six feet high, square-built, and strong. A po
litical quarrel was raised, and he threatened to beat Vining, and struck
at him, while Vining's friends (among them Judge Clayton) held him
back. Vining remonstrated, exclaiming, ' Why do you hold rae ? I can
whip hira in two or three minutes !' They released hira, and in two or
three minutes he did whip him. Vining, I suppose, owed his victory
to his self-possession, and his assailing his enemy so quickly that he
was conquered before he could put forth his greatly superior strength."
He died in the winter of 1802, at Dover."
Miss Vining bequeathed the house in Wilmington, Delaware, in
which she resided during the closing period of her life, with her furni
ture, to her housekeeper, Mrs. Motherall, who received with it two
family Bibles, one of which, after her decease, carae into the possession
of her nephew, Mr. Williara Motherall, who resides now (November,
1858) near Newark, Delaware. Mr. Motherall has, with great kind
ness, at ray request upon hearing that he possessed one of these Bibles,
brought it to me and permitted me to examine the faraily records therein,
and make extracts from them. It is a King James's Bible, printed a.d.
1707. These records are made with rauch care ; they show the solici
tude felt for the early baptism of infants and provision of sponsors,
which, with the accouchements and witnesses thereto, are noted with
much particularity,* as if to guard against the palming of suppositi
tious heirs upon Barriton Fields, the Vining estate, near Salem, New
Jersey. Funeral sermons are recorded as having been preached even at
children's burials. I add a genealogical table, as far as necessary,
from these records of the Vining family, —
William Vining.
Benjamin Vining — Mary Middleton.

* Of this particularity the following entry is a specimen :
"John Vining, third son of John Vining, and the second child by Phebe, his
wife, was born at Dover town, in Kvrxt County, Delaware, at their house, on the
23a aay of December, 1758, at forty-five minutes after six of the clock, in the
afternoon. Present, Elizabeth Thomas, midwife ; Mary Eidgley, granamother ;
saia John, ana Elizabeth Jackson, wiciow, and Mary Vining, his aunt. And
was christened by the Eeverend Hugh Neil, Missionary at Oxford, in Penn
sylvania, on the 14th day of May, 1759, and Mrs. Mary Eidgley and Mrs.
Elizabeth Chew, wife of Benjamin Chew, Esqr., and Mr. Cresar Eodney, stood
godmothers and godfather." — Family Record.

OF. GEOBGE BEAD. 507
John Vining — Rachel Ridgley, first wife ;
Phebe Wynkoop, second wife.
John Vining — Mary Seaton.
Issue: four sons, who died shortly before or after . attaining man's
estate.

NOTICE OF COMMODORE BARNEY.
Joshua Barney was born in Maryland, in 1759. He went early to
sea, in the mercantile service, and after several voyages, and when not
more than sixteen years of age, the captain and mate of the ship in
which he was employed being disabled by illness, he took charge of
and commanded her for eight months, encountering great difficulties
and perils, through which he brought her safely to Baltimore, manifest
ing nautical skill, courage, and decision extraordinary in one so young.
He then entered the service of the United States, and, with the rank of
lieutenant, was in several actions, and the vessels in which he served
very successful in making prizes, several of which he, as prize-master,
brought safely to the United States. He was three times captured by the
enemy, — twice exchanged and once escaped. In 1782 he received from
the State of Pennsj'lvania the command of the ship Hyder-Ally, of ten
guns, and while waiting in the Delaware Bay a favorable wind for
putting to sea, was attacked by the British ship General Monk, with
two consorts in sight, she carrying twenty guns. This ship, so superior
in force, he bravely engaged, and, gaining sorae advantage by a very
adroit stratagem, captured her in twenty-six minutes, — the British having
lost thirty killed and fifty-three wounded, be.sides fifteen out of si.xteen
officers, his own loss having been but four killed and fifteen wounded.
The command of the captured ship, bought by the United States, was
given to Barney, the State of Pennsylvania having voted him a sword for
his skill and courage in taking her. He sailed in the " Monk" with de
spatches for Franklin, and was received with distinction at the Court of
Versailles, and returned with "barrels of gold and chests of silver," a
loan from France, and the welcome news that the preliminary treaty
between England and the United States was signed. When the Con
stitution of the United States went into operation, a navy was to be
created; but it was not until 1794 that exen the first step towards it
was taken, not without strong opposition, and it was even provided that
the act then passed for building six frigates should be suspended if
peace could be purchased with Algiers. Employment not being obtain
able at home, Barney, active and ambitious, sought and received the
commission of captain in the French service and held the command of
one of their frigates for five years, when he resigned, because, I sup
pose, ofthe quasi war between her and the United States. The dispute
between the United States and France placed him, while he held his
commission in the French service, in a difficult and delicate position.

508 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
While loyal to the flag under which he sailed, he was bound to main
tain his allegiance to his country, and the unfriendly feelings between
the governments of France and the United States made this not an easy
matter. He was charged with having treated Americans brought into
ports of the French West India Islands, by privateers, with indiffer
ence, contempt, and neglect; to have hoisted, in scorn of his country,
the American ensign, union down; to have boasted that he had orders
in his pocket for the capture of American vessels, and that if Jefferson
should not be elected President, France would declare war against the
United States in three months; and yet when he arrived at Baltimore
with the two French frigates under his command, he was received with
the highest honors, feasted, addressed, and followed by throngs. In
1812, when war was declared by the United States against Great
Britain, he offered his services to the President, and in 1813 received
the command of the flotilla in the Chesapeake. In 1814 he was active
in annoying the enemy in that bay, but was compelled by a superior
force to abandon and burn his vessels. Retreating- with his crews
before the advancing army of General Ross, he made a gallant stand
near Bladensburg, which he maintained until almost surrounded, inflict
ing, by the quick and well-aimed fire of his few pieces of artillery, a
heavy loss upon the British. He was wounded, made prisoner, and
released on parole. He received a ball in his thigh, which the utmost
skill ofthe most eminent surgeons failed to find and extract. After the
peace of 1815 he retired to his farm ; but, as might have been expected
in a man so active and ambitious, soon tired of agricultural pursuits
and removed to Baltimore. He then went on a mission to Europe, and
on his return found himself crippled by his wound. His strength being
partially restored, impatient of inaction, he determined to remove to
Kentucky, and on his journey thither died at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania,
December 1st, 1818, aged sixty years. The corporation of Washington
voted him a sword for his services in defence of that city, and the
Legislature of Georgia their thanks. Commodore Barney was uncom
monly handsome, and his courage, enterprise, judgment, seamanship,
and knowledge of naval tactics entitled him to be ranked with the
most distinguished naval officers of the United States.*

* Enoyclopssdia Americana, vol. i., article " Barney ;" Goldsborough's United
States Naval Chronicle, pp. 30, 31 ; Hildretji's History ofthe United States, vol.
i. pp. 479, 480, 703, 704.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 509

CLASSIFICATION OP UNITED STATES SENATORS, 1789.
Monday, May llth, 1789, Messrs. Ellsworth, Carroll, and Few were
appointed a comraittee to report a mode of executing the second para
graph of the third section of the first article of the Constitution. May
14th, 1789, the committee appointed to report a mode of carrying into
effect the provision in the second clause of the third section of the first
article of the Constitution reported :
Whereupon, Besolved, That the Senators be divided into three
classes :
The first to consist of Messrs. Langdon, Johnson, Morris, Henry,
Izard, and Gunn ;
The second, of Messrs. Wingate, Strong, Patterson, Bassett, Lee,
Butler, and Few ;
And the third, of Messrs. Dalton, Ellsworth, Elmer, Maclay, Read,
Carroll, and Grayson.
That three papers of equal size, numbered one, two, and three, be
by the Secretary rolled up and put in a box and drawn by Messrs.
Langdon, Wingate, and Dalton in behalf of the respective classes in
which each of them is placed, and that the classes shall vacate their
seats in the Senate according to the order of numbers drawn for thera,
beginning with nuraber one ;
And that when Senators shall take their seats frora States that have
not yet appointed Senators, they shall be placed by lot in the foregoing
classes, but in such a manner as shall keep the classes as nearly equal
as may be in numbers.
Friday, May 15th, 1789, the Senate proceeded to determine the
classes, according to the resolve of yesterday, on the mode of carrying
into effect the provision ofthe second clause of the third section of the
first article of the Constitution, and, the nurabers being drawn, the
classes were determined as follows :
Lot No. 1, drawn by Mr. Dalton, contained Messrs. Dalton, Ells
worth, Elmer, Maclay, Read, Carroll, and Grayson, whose seats shall
accordingly be vacated in the Senate at the expiration of the second
year. Lot No. 2, drawn by Mr. Wingate, contained Messrs. Wingate,
Strong, Patterson, Bassett, Lee, Butler, and Few, whose seats shall
accordingly be vacated in the Senate at the expiration of the fourth
year. Lot No. 3, drawn by Mr. Langdon, contained Messrs. Langdon,
Johnson, Morris, Henry, Izard, and Gunn, whose seats shall accord
ingly be vacated in the Senate at the expiration of the sixth year.

510 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE

C3-.
NOTICE OP GUNNING BEDFORD.
' Gunning Bedford was born in the city of Philadelphia in the year
1747. He was first cousin of Governor Bedford, of Delaware, and they
were of English descent. Gunning Bedford graduated at Nassau
Hall, New Jersey, in 1771. James Madison and Hugh M. Bracken
ridge were his classmates.* Mr. Bedford, while a student at Prince
ton, married Miss Jane Ballaroux Parker, of New York, — a lady five
years older than himself, of great intelligence, and distinguished by
vivacity and grace, which she probably derived from her mother, a
native of France. He was one of the best scholars, and the first speaker
of his class, — which appears from the fact that he received a high
honor, — being selected to deliver the valedictory oration at his com
mencement : his wife travelled with her baby to Princeton, and heard
hira deliver it. He studied law with Joseph Reed, an eminent lawyer
of Philadelphia, and, having been admitted to the bar, removed to
Dover, Delaware, where he practised successfully until the unhealthi
ness of that town compelled him to remove with his family to Wil
mington in that State. He was a handsome man, and a very fluent
and agreeable speaker, and the high place he gained in the esteem and
confidence of his fellow-citizens was shown by the offices of trust
and importance he filled. He was a member of the Legislature of
Delaware, of Congress, and of the convention which forraed the Con
stitution of the United States, in the debates of which he partici
pated. In the deeply interesting and exciting discussion upon the
question "whether or not the States should be equally represented in
the Pederal Legislature," he expressed himself with warmth, f so near
to intemperance to some it seemed, as subjected him to animadversion ;
but when it is considered that this warmth was prompted by generous
zeal for his State, on a question of vital importance to her, we may
justly conclude that it did not deserve severe censure. Soon after, Mr.
Bedford was appointed Attorney-General of Delaware, and filled this
office with fidelity and distinction. Upon the organization of the gov
ernment of the United States he was commissioned the first judge of
the United States District Court of Delaware. This high office he
filled, honorably for himself and satisfactorily to the public, until he
was disabled by disease, which terminated his life in 1812, in the sixty-
fifth year of his age. J
* Catalogus CoUegii Neo Csesariensis, p. 24.
t Pitkin's Civil and Political History of the United States, vol. ii. pp.
239-241. X " Judge Bedford ana his laay were remarkably hanasome, ana- of noble
stature. Mrs. Beafora received a superior education. She spoke French fluently,
and when Wilmington was fiUea with Erenoh emigrants she was their friena
ana patron. Her entertainments excelled in tasteful arrangement, — so said for
eigners. Her father was an early friend and companion of Dr. Pranklin, who
encouragea him in giving her a clas.sical eaucation, ana she enjoyea his friena-
ship, ana was one of his correspondents. Mrs. Bedford, when her father edited a
paper in New York, aided him by writing and translating." — Reminiscences of
Wilmington, p. 288.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 511
I am indebted to a lady, daughter of Judge Bedford, and the only
survivor of his children, for most of the facts of the foregoing notice,
which she very kindly communicated to rae March 16th, 1858.
A monument is now (19th October, 1858) ready to be placed in the
cemetery of the First Presbyterian Church, Wilmington, Delaware,
over Judge Bedford's grave (by the pious regard to his memory of his
only surviving child. Miss Henrietta I. Bedford), which he requested
should be made as near as possible to the door of the small church still
standing on the upper corner of the burying-ground, and fronting on
the main street of that city. It is an oval marble column, about eight
feet high, standing on a base of the height of three feet ; it has a piece
of drapery sculptured, with a tassel at each end, as if thrown over it,
and the Bedford coat-of-arms, — three lions' claws and the Ballaroux,
two leopards, — with the following inscription :
In hope
of a joyful resurrection,
through faith in Jesus Christ,
here rests the mortal part
of
GUNNING BEDFORD.
Born in Philadelphia, A.D. liii.
Graduated at Nassau Hall, New Jersey, A.D. 1771,
with great distinction.
Having studied law in Philadelphia,
he practised in Delaware
with success ;
distinguished by his eloquence as an advocate ;
Attorney- General, member ofthe Legislature of Delaware
[and of Congress^,
and one of the delegates to the Convention that
framed the Constitution of the United States [by whose
efforts, with those of other delegates, two Senators were obtained
for the State of Delaware'].
He received from Washington the commission of first Judge ofthe
District Court of the United States for the District of Delaware,
which he held till his death in 1812.
He so behaved in these high offices as to deserve and receive
the approbation of his fellow-citizens.
His form loas goodly, his temper amiable,
his manners winning, and his discharge
of private duties exemplary.
Beader, may his example stimulate
you to improve the talents — -be they five, or
two, or one — with which God has entrusted you.*
* This epitaph was written by the author at the request of Miss Beafora.

/

512 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE

in..
NOTICES OF RICHARD PETERS AND EDWARD
TILGHMAN.
Richard Peters was born near Philadelphia, August 22d, 1744. He
was a graduate of Philadelphia College, and studied and practised law,
and was early successful, and especially because of his knowledge of the
land-laws of Pennsylvania, and the German language. In the Revolu
tionary war he was captain, for a short time, of a volunteer corps, and
then was appointed to the War Office, where he served till 1781, when he
resigned, and was thanked by Congress for his services. He shared, with
the great financier, Robert Morris, in the eftbrts and sacrifices which so
often saved the American cause from ruin, during the contest with
Great Britain. Mr. Peters was a member of the Continental Congress,
and, when the Constitution of the United States went into operation,
having refused the office of Comptroller of the United States Treasury,
accepted the United States District Judgeship for Pennsylvania, which
he held for thirty-six years. Equal to his duties, and diligent in dis
charging them, he deserved to be held, as he was, a faithful and useful
judge. He was an eminent agriculturist, president of the society insti
tuted in Pennsylvania to promote agriculture, and wrote valuable essays
on this science, the publication of which, as he. was an experimental
farmer, was extensively useful. He was the wittiest man of his day,
and adorned his profession of Christianity in all the relations of life.*
Edward Tilghman, an eminent member of the Philadelphia bar, was
born at Wye, on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, llth December, 1750.
His paternal ancestor, a native of Kent, England, settled in Maryland
in 1662, and his family was one of the oldest and most respectable in
that State. He was educated in Philadelphia, and studied law, for a
short time, there, and then, fpr several years, in the Middle Temple,
London, assiduously attending the courts, and taking full notes (still
extant) of the arguments of the great lawyers of that period, and the
decisions of the judges, especially Lord Mansfield. His method of study
cannot be too strongly recommended. He studied the whole system of
law, beginning with estates and tenures, and pursued the cognate
branches and collateral subjects, in due order, by which means he ac
quired a knowledge of the prjnciples which rule in all departments of
legal science. The advantage of this mode of study is apparent when
contrasted with the common one of getting an outline of the law by
reading commentaries, and filling it up by desultory perusal of treatises
and reports. The last can only make superficial lawyers ; the other
has made such as are the glory of their profession. Mr. Tilghman
surpassed his contemporaries in knowledge of contingent remainders
and executory devises, which have been called "the higher mathe
matics of the law," and "could untie," said an eminent judge, "the
* Encyclopasaia Americana, vol. x. pp. 56, 57.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 513
most complicated knots of a contingent remainder, or executory devise,
as easily as he could his garters." There can be no better evidence
than this that his intellect was clear, acute, discriminating, and compre
hensive. He was, too, an able advocate, fluent, graceful, and per
spicuous, and well understood how to manage a case. Qualified, as he
was, beyond his compeers, for the judicial station, such was his
modesty and repugnance to office that he refused the Chief Justiceship
of Pennsylvania, offered him by Governor McKean. He has left
nothing behind him but his legal opinions, which were numerous, and
which, if collected, would establish the rank claimed for him among
the most distinguished of his profession, and be a valuable legacy to
the bar. Mr. Tilghman was benevolent, generous, and honorable, de
lighting his friends by the amenity of his temper, and his wit, which
had no causticity, and by his courteous manners. He died Noveraber
1st, 1815. The article in volume xiv. pp. 581-583 of the Encyclopajdia
Americana, of which the foregoing notice is a summary, was written
by one who was an intimate friend of Mr. Tilghman, and shows his
ability to form a correct estimate of him.

514 ' LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE

CHAPTER VII.
Mr. Eead at Dover — Letter of John Dickinson — Commencement of the second
session of First Congress — Letter of Eichard Bassett ; his opinion as to the
assumption of State debts — Mr. Eeaa attenas Unitea States Senate, Sth March,
1790 — Success of the new government — Presiaent's message ; recommends en
couragement of agriculture, commerce, and manufactures, and provision for
maintaining public credit — Hamilton's report, recommending payment of
Unitea States aebt ana assumption of State debts by funding them — Mr.
Madison's motion to discriminate between original creditors aud present holders
— Eesolutions introduced into United States House of Eepresentatives in con
formity to Hamilton's report, and debates thereon ; arguments for and against
assumption ; resolution for assumption adoptea by the House, then Teconsiae;red
ana rejected — Bill making provision for Unitea States aebt passea the House —
The question where shouia be the permanent seat of the Unitea States govern
ment; bill passea in Unitea States Senate fixing it temporarily in Philaael-
phia ana permanently on the Potomac, ana bill for funaing Unitea States
aebt, with amenament assuming in part the State aebts ; Mr. Keaa's vote for
both; beneficial result of these measures^Congress aajourns — Letters of Colonel
Eead and Mrs. Thompson as to claim of General Thompson's heirs for a manor
from the Penns, for his services as their surveyor — Third session of Congress
commences; Mr. Eeed attends, Sth December, 1790, and through this session
— Acts imposing further duties on foreign spirits and ^ duty on domestic ; act
chartering United States Bank ; both bills pass, Mr. Eead voting for them ;
arguments for and agayist these measures — Mr. Monroe's motion for doors of
United States Senate to be open when in legislative session rejected, renewed,
and proposition flnally succeeds ; reasons for it — Congress adjourns — ^Letter of
Judge Anderson ; notice of him — First session of Second Congress commences ;
Mr. Eead present at its opening and till its close — Most important bills passed,
one for apportionment of representatives, the other for the increase of the
army; final shape and passage ofthe first-named bill, and Mr. Eead's vote for
it — -State of parties — St. Clair's defeat — Bill for increase of army debated in
both Houses, ana argument for ana against it ; aisagreement of Senate and
House on this bill ; committee of conference ; their report adopted and bill
passed ; Mr. Eeaa's vote for it — Congress adjourns — Mr. Reaa's letter on behalf
of his secona son, with a notice of him — Mr. Eeaa's letter to Mrs. House, ana
ill health — Second session of Secona Congress commences ; Mr. Eead present ;
one of a committee upon expediency of a law respecting fugitives from justice,
who report a bill ; history of its progress ana passage — Principal measures of
this session — Mr. Eeaa's opinion, in his letter to Colonel Beafora, of John
Aaams's suitability for ¦ Vice- Presiaent; he receives the electoral vote of ^
Delaware — Giles's resolutions censuring the Secretary of the Treasury — Con- '
gress aajourns — Mr. Eeaa appointea Chief Justice of Delaware, and letters
relating to this appointment — Eesigns his seat in Unitea States Senate — Letter
of John Dickinson — St. Domingo, history ana aescription of; negro insurrec
tion there; fugitives from St. Domingo in New Castle ; letter of one of them
to General Washington in their case, ana Mr. Eeaa's reply; Mr. Jefferson's
opinion on the question of the right of Congress to grant these fugitives re
lief, ana comment thereon — Letters of Oliver Ellsworth ana Eichard Bassett —
Opinion of Mr. Eead as to the right of the Governor of Delaware to fill the
vacancy in the United States Senate caused by his resignation, the Legislature
of Delaware meeting thereafter and adjourning without filling it — Governor
Clayton appoints Kensey Johns to succeed Mr. Eead ; Senate refuses him his
seat ; comments on this case — Mr. Eead's petition to the Delaware Legislature
for increase of his salary as Chief Justice — Mr. Read's character as a judge.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 515
and testimonies in regard to it— His aecease, ana character as a man— Place
of interment, ana epitaph— Mr. Dickinson's gift to Mrs. Eeaa ana her chiWren
—Notice of John Dickinson— Appendix A, notice of Kensey Johns— Appendix
B, portraits of George Eead ; Appendix C, Mr. Eeaa's mansion, means, aud
style of living.
In the - beginning of the year 1790 Mr. Read was in
Dover, and while there received the following letter from
John Dickinson, who, importuned for payment of the
balance still due on the bond he gave in 1782 for one
thousand pounds, borrowed for the use of the State of Dela
ware, requested him again to exert his influence for the
payment of this balance.
"Mt dear Feiend, — Sorae time ago I requested the
assistance of thy influence with the treasurer to relieve me
from the balance due on my bond to Robert Morris for the
use of the State, now amounting to about three hundred
and twenty-five pounds. He has made the most positive
promises that the first money of the public at his com
mand shall be applied to this purpose. But still the debt
remains and Tilghman distresses me beyond description. I
need say no more to my friend, except it be to repeat my
request, in the most earnest manner, to employ thy just
influence on this occasion in behalf of thy truly affectionate
friend, "John Dickinson.*
"Wilmington, January 9th, 1790.
"Geoege Read, Esquire, now at Dover."
The second session of the First Congress commenced in
New York, January 4th, 1790. Mr. Read was not present
then, nor for some time thereafter, but from his faithful
discharge of his duties, public and private, he is entitled to
the presumption that this absence was unavoidable. His
colleague, Richard Bassett, urged his attendance in the
letter that follows, which is interesting as showing the state
of parties and of a very important and exciting question at
its date. Mr. Bassett's opinion upon the subject of the
assumption of the State debts by the United States, ex
pressed in this letter, remained unchanged, for he voted

* Ante, Chapter VI. p. 489.

516 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
against it, while Mr. Read, taking, it seems to me, a more
enlarged and statesman-like view, voted for it :
"New YoKK, March 1st, 1790.
"Dear Sir, — Your very long absence from this place
occasions much inquiry, and is the subject of some animad
version. I have anxiously expected to see you every day
for these two weeks. I hope the delay is not occasioned by
bad health. One great and important question on the
funding business has been determined in the House of Rep
resentatives, in a committee of the whole, — to wit, that
there should be no discrimination between original creditors
and present holders. This determination took place against
the sentiments of our friend Madison, who no doubt must
be a little mortified thereat, as he labored the point in a
most masterly manner, and appeared to have it much at
heart, and I must own, in my poor opinion, had reason,
justice, and every sentiment on his side, which ought to
have acted as a stimulus to have induced a different de
cision. Whether he will come forward with his proposition
for discrimination again before the House [I] cannot say,
but should suppose he would not, as the majority appeared
large against him. The present great questiota before them
is whether the State debts shall be assumed or not. Great
diversity of opinion prevails on this subject, and I fear an
improper determination will take place. The Eastern
people seem to be determined, unless they can carry the
assuraption of the State debts, that they will fund none,
and it appears to me that as long as we continue to sit at
this place we most assuredly shall have whatever they con
tend for imposed upon us, be it right or wrong. From what
I can learn and discover respecting the State -claims to the
East, if their now favorite measure is adopted, poor little
Delaware will have saddled upon her between two and three
hundred thousand dollars more than her former supposed
quota. This will never do ; but how to help it is the ques
tion. Do come forward and lend us your aid. I feel my
own weakness upon subjects of this kind in a very eminent
degree, and therefore want your aid. Eastern politics and
Eastern men will prevail in our government; they evidently
begin to feel their own weight and importance, and show it
in every step. North Carolina has come forward with a

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 517
curious cession of western territory, and annexed thereto
are a parcel of the most curious and extraordinary con
ditions I ever beheld. I inclose them for your perusal.
This cession I opposed with all my might in Senate, but to
little purpose, [and] have been making all the head I could
against it with the members of the other branch, but with
what success time must deterraine. I have too much reason
to fear the same interest will preponderate there that did
with us. Rhode Island, it is said, will not come in, [and]
that there is a majority of twelve against it. The Eastern
men here are exerting all possible influence to bring [her]
in, from this motive principally alone, I fear, to give [them]
a clearer decided majority. I inclose a paper or two, to
which I refer you for the news of the day. For God's sake,
come along ; I cannot stay here much longer without you.
My respects to Mrs. Read and family.
" I am, sir, with great respect, your friend and humble
servant, "Richard Bassett.*
" George Read, Esquire."
Mr. Read must have left his home for New York imme
diately after the receipt of the foregoing letter of his col
league, for it appears by the journal of the Senate (vol. i.
p. 118) that he attended on the Sth day of March, and, as
appears further by that journal, through the remaining part
of the session.
Debt ! How suggestive is this word at this day of im
prudence, folly, crime, ruin, misery! But if men could
never incur debt, enterprise must fold her wings, agricul
ture, commerce, and manufactures languish, and national
defence sometimes be impossible. The debt of our Revo
lution was the price of liberty and independence. It was
the anticipation of future resources when present means of
maintaining the war with Great Britain were exhausted.
* The first session ofthe Second Congress began 24th October, 1791,
and ended May 8th, 1792 ; and the second session of the Second Con
gress began 5th Noveraber, 1792, and terrainated 2d March, 1793. Mr.
Read was present at the commencement and during the whole of these
sessions. He resigned his senatorship Sept., 1793. — Journal of United
States Senate, vol. i. pp. 118, 216, 323, 444, 450, 501.

518 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
Peace was conquered and our independence was acknowl
edged, but this debt was unpaid because its payment was
impossible. The country, where it had been the theatre
of war, was wasted, its resources everywhere were ex
hausted, industry and enterprise were paralyzed, confidence
of men in each other was almost destroyed, and the blight
of a currency, so depreciated as to be worthless, was upon
the people. The power to fill the empty national treasury
was not possessed by the Continental Congress, for its means
of collecting revenue was by requisitions upon sovereign
States, which could only be enforced by war. This body
had fallen into universal contempt. A peaceful revolution
delivered the United States from the Confederacy, from
which no relief could be hoped, and gave them a consti
tution with the powers that system of government wanted.
The new government was inaugurated, its measures of re
cuperation were prompt and wise, and the revival of hope,
of confidence, enterprise, and industry in every pursuit was
immediate. The success of the new government being no
longer doubtful, its ability to discharge ' the debt of the
Revolution at no distant day was certain, and it was the
duty of the nation therefore to adopt the necessary measures
to pay this sacred debt. At the opening of the second ses
sion of the First Congress in January, 1790, Washington,
while he recommended the use of all proper means to ad
vance agriculture, commerce, and manufactures, urged,
above all, provision to maintain the public credit. The
celebrated report of Harailton was made January 15th, by
which it appeared that the foreign debt of the United States
amounted to eleven millions, their domestic debt to forty-
two, and that of the States to twenty-five. The Secretary
of the Treasury recomraended the payment of the debts of
the United States, and the assumption of the State debts,
both to be secured by funding them. As he doubted the
ability of the United States to pay the interest on these
debts, according to the terms on wbich they were con
tracted, he recommended either the lowering the interest
on the whole debt, or the postponement of payment of part
of it to a future time, with the consent of the creditors.
He also recommended the partial irredeemability of these
debts. This matter was called up in the House of Repre
sentatives January 28th, and postponed till 8th February,

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 519
when it was taken up and resolutions offered approbatory
of the principles of the report, upon which an animated and
protracted debate ensued. The opponents of the treasury
report urged the evils and impolicy of the funding system,
as exemplified in history, that the full amount of the cer
tificates ought not to be paid because the public had not
received it, and the holders by parting with them at a less
amount had fixed their value and declared their willing
ness to sacrifice the difference for the public benefit, and
that therefore there ought to be a settlement. It was re
plied that creditors had a right to repose trust in govern
ment for the discharge of their debts, as settled and fixed
by their certificates, and that without an enormous violation
of justice and sound policy these ascertained amounts could
not be diminished by the Legislature. Mr. Madison moved,
unsuccessfully, to discriminate, so as to pay to holders of
certificates their highest price in market at any time, and
the residue to the original creditors, and where they had
not assigned, they to receive the whole debt. This dis-
criraination would have saved nothing to the public. It
was opposed by assignees of certificates and by honest men,
in Congress and out of it, who believed that these certifi
cates, being assignable, were contracts with assignees as
much as with original holders, and that honor forbade the
violation of the contracts of government no less than those
of individuals, and sound policy, for the assignability of
public securities was essential to give them credit, and after
so flagrant an instance of bad faith, few or none would take
them as assignees thereafter.
But the proposition to assume the State debts encoun
tered the most determined opposition, and caused great
excitement within Congress, and throughout the Union,
and was debated with much ability and warmth.
The Revolutionary war had been waged by the States,
sometiijies separately, at others conjointly, sometimes with
the funds of the United States, and sometimes with their
own means. The war debt was therefore incurred partly
by the Confederacy and partly by the States, and when the
requisition system was adopted the war was chiefly main
tained by State agency. Thte making good to the army
the depreciation of their pay was assumed by the States,
some of whom had funded the amount assumed, and paid

520 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
the interest, while others had made no provision for it; but
all had somewhat reduced the principal sum. A settlement
of the accounts of the States with the Confederacy was
earnestly wished, but small progress had been made therein,
for it was beset with intricacies and obscurities. These
debts, thus unascertained, it was proposed the United States
should assume.
The assumption was opposed because it would give the
United States undue and dangerous influence, as it would
take to them almost the whole power of taxation, and leave
the States but the semblance of it ; because it was uncon
stitutional,* there being no grant of this power, and of
questionable policy, as it would lay on the Union a burden
of unascertained amount, which would require great and
imprudent taxation, and, as the impost and excise could
not produce the necessary sum, a land-tax would be un
avoidable, which could be far better levied by the States ;
because the States had not petitioned for this measure, and
when they did it would be time enough to entertain it, and
many of them were decidedly opposed to it ; because the
only assumption should be of balances ascei'tained ; because
the State debts by being assumed would be perpetuated,
whereas if left to the States they would be paid, as they
were in the course of being by many of them ; because the
proposed assumption would so increase the public debt as
to impair the public credit, for all stocks lessened in value
as they increased in quantity; because the funded debt
would flow to the cities, into the hands of a few rich mer
chants, or be bought by foreigners, and the interest of the
debt, raised by onerous taxation, go abroad in specie ; be-
* "We have had one assumption in our country, and that in a case which
was small in araount and free from the impediment of a constitutional
objection, for the debts proposed to be assumed were incurred for the
general good, — the general defence during the Revolution, — but which
was attended by such evils as should deter posterity from imitating the
example. It was in the first year of the Federal government, and, al
though the assumed debts were only twenty millions, and were alleged
to have been contracted for general purposes, yet the assumption was
attended by circumstances of intrigue and corruption which led to the
most violent dissensions in Congress, suspended its business for a
season, drove some of the States to the verge of secession, and men
aced the Union with instant dissolution."- — Benton's Thirty Tears in
the United States Senate, vol. ii. pp. 113, 174.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 521
cause it would be unjust, for thereby the States that had
taxed themselves most to pay their debts would be taxed
to pay the debts of States that had not; biscause the
settlement of the accounts of the States and United States
would be delayed, if not prevented, by assumption, and in
superable difficulties arise; because all the creditors would
not change the security of their debts, nor could it be as
certained whether they had been incurred for general or
local purposes. These were the principal objections.
In support of assumption it was urged that these so-called
State debts were in truth debts of the United States, having
been contracted for the common cause, as appeared by ex
amination of public records, as well *as by a review of the
origin of the several classes of these debts. True, they
were contracted by the States, but the complex nature of
the American political system made it necessary to levy
money to carry on the war, by their agency, since they
had all the resources of the country, and the distribution
of the debt among the States for payment was necessary
from the distribution of political power under the Confeder
ation; that as power over the resources of the country was
transferred by the Constitution from the States to the gen
eral government, the so-called State debts ought to be as
sumed with it; that the assumption was not the creation
of a new debt, but only the reacknowledging of an old one;
that if this debt (as was true) had only been transferred to
facilitate its payment, being in its origin Continental, there
was no constitutional objection to restoring its original
character; that assumption was constitutional, because
Congress possessed the power to levy taxes or borrow
money to pay the debts, and provide for the common de
fence and welfare of the Union, and these debts were debts
of the United States, incurred for their defence, and the
payment of them would be for their welfare ; that if Con
gress could not borrow money to pay the debts of a past
war, they could not do so to pay the debt of a future one ;
that if the Federal government should pay debts admitted
to be those of the Union, and the States be left to pay those
contracted by their agency, there might be dangerous or at
least inconvenient jealousy, competition, and clashing of
jurisdiction in regard to subjects over which their power to
34

522 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
tax was concurrent, and between the different classes of
public creditors ; that the excise would be more profitable
if levied by the general government than by thirteen gov
ernments ; that if the debt should be paid by the States
there would be no uniform system of taxation for its pay
ment, which would make the burden u^iequal, and, as the
agents would be more numerous, the expense would be
greater; that some States might make no provision for
their debts, and could the Union leave those of defaulting
States unsatisfied, being in truth the debtor ? that the as
sumption would not delay, but facilitate, the settlement of
the accounts of the States, for its advocates desired this
settlement, and had prepared a plan for it; that the burden
of the war had been unequally borne by the States, — jus
tice therefore demanded that it should be equalized by an
apportionment, of the debt thereby incurred, among them
all, in order to which there must be a settlement of accounts
between them ; but, with such settlement or without it, as
sumption was indispensable, for debtor States could not be
compelled to pay the balances found against them ; that
assumption would quiet the anxious public debtors and put
an end to speculation, so rife, and so rauch denounced by
its opponents ; that if the influence of the general govern
ment should come in competition with that of the States,
the latter would triumph, because the ties of the citizens to
their States were more nuraerous and stronger than those
to the Federal government, and, at any rate, if assumption
would dangerously increase the influence of the Union, too
much was proved, and the power of the purse and the
sword ought to have been left by the Constitution to the
States ; that if the expenses of the Revolutionary war must
be borne by the States, the expense of future ones should
be borne by them ; that if assumption might lead to con
solidation, non-assumption might to disunion ; that if the
amount of the debts proposed to be assumed was unascer
tained, they were justly due, and ought to be paid, and, if
never exactly ascertained, such an approximation might be
reached as would be sufficient ; and, if the public resources
were not equal to pay all, they ought to be equitably ap
portioned; that assumption would not perpetuate these
debts, because the general government, with more ability
to pay, might be presumed more willing to do so ; that the

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 523
question was not whether or not a public debt was a
blessing, but how to dispose of one existing, — should it be
left to discredit the nation by non-payment, or delay of it
to distress the unhappy holders of it by hope deferred, and
be the subject of ruinous and demoralizing speculation, or
to remove these evils by funding it, and so making it a cir
culating medium equal in value to gold and silver, and an
increase of business capital much needed, and so, admitting
public debt to be an evil, turning it, partially at least, into
a blessing ; that if the funded debt would flow into cities,
and into the hands of merchants, so much the better, for it
would increase their capital used for the public benefit;
that if foreigners should buy the funded debt, they would
do so from confidence in the ability and willingness of the
United States to pay it, and nothing could more advance
the public credit (so essential to the public welfare) as such
a manifestation of it, and they would pay for the debt gold
and silver; that, to the argument that it would be unjust to
burden States who had exerted themselves to the uttermost
to pay their debts with the debts of States who had made
no such exertion, it could be truly replied it must be pre
sumed each State exerted itself to its utmost power, and,
if it could not or would not make provision for creditors to
whom the Union was equitably bound, the argument for
assumption was stronger ; that the irredeemability of the
debt, except as was proposed, was necessary to give it value,
and as to the objection that it was unwise for government
to tie up its hands from paying it whenever able to do so,
it was replied that it would probably not be able to redeem
sooner than the bill provided, nor even pay six per cent.
interest upon the whole debt, nor even, if it could, would it
be wise to pledge all its means for these purposes, for con
tingent expenses were unavoidable ; that there was no per
manent provision for the payment of interest on the public
debt and for its gradual extinguishment, and therefore the
provisions of this bill were preferable to the bare obligation
to do both, which was all the creditors had to trust to, — and
where was the injustice of proposing an arrangement, vol
untary on their part, by which they and the governraent
would both be benefited, the one with time, the other with
certain though delayed payment of principal, and partial
present and eventual full payment of interest ? that if the

524 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
irredeemability of the debt were taken away, there was no
probability that it would be sooner paid, and it would re
main fluctuating in value and the subject of demoralizing
speculation, instead of a safe mode of investing money, —
making it equal to gold and silver, and so an increase of
capital, which was so much needed, — and, until the funded
debt rose above par, the United States, though restricted
by the resolution, could profitably go into market and pur
chase the stock, so that the evil of debt would not probably
be prolonged by .this proposed measure, as there was no
probability of an excess in the treasury more than enough
to buy stock at and below par. And in reply to the ques
tion, what, then, was the use of irredeemability? the answer
was that it was necessary to give value to the stock pro
posed to be created.
The arguments for these resolutions, it appears to me,
preponderate over those against them. They were adopted
in the House of Representatives by a majority of two votes,
the State debts being assumed to the amount of twenty-five
millions of dollars. Soon after, the members frora North
Carolina took their seats, which changed the majority to
two against the resolution for assumption, which was
reconsidered and rejected ; and several efforts to reconsider
this vote having failed, the bill " making provision for the
debt of the United States" was passed without the provision
for the assumption of the State debts, and sent to the Senate.
The assumption was, apparently, defeated irretrievably,
when its friends availed themselves of the unsettled ques
tion, " Where should be the permanent seat of the Federal
government," to effect an understanding, which secured
its adoption. This question had long agitated and divided
the Continental Congress, and excited no little feeling
throughout the States. The Eastern States would gladly
have retained the seat of government of the Union in New
York, but it was so far from the centre that this could not
be accomplished. The Middle States desired Philadelphia,
or some other point between the Delaware and the Po
tomac; while the South preferred the location ofthe Federal
city permanently on the banks of the Potomac. The under
standing was that the capital of the Union should be for ten
years at Philadelphia and permanently upon the Potomac,
and the State debts should be assumed by the United

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 525
States.* The bill fixing the temporary and permanent loca
tion ofthe United States government then passed the Senate,
Mr. Read voting for it (Journals of the Senate, vol. i. p. 1 72) ,f
and the bill providing for the United States debt, pending
in the Senate, with an amendment that the State debts
should be assumed to the amount of twenty-one millions
five hundred thousand dollars, apportioned in specified sums
to the States, so that each would receive what it would have
to pay, and thus amended passed the House by a majority of
six votes. Thus by the almost simultaneous passage of the
bills the differing sections of the Union obtained measures
they desired, and were reconciled to the adoption of those they
disliked.J The beneficial results of this bill providing for
* This compromise was devised by Hamilton, and effected by his
influence and that of Robert Morris, exerted over merabers of Congress
of the Eastern and Middle States, and that of Mr. Jefferson, brought to
bear upon Southern raembers of that body, on Harailton's suggestion. 
Jefferson's Works, vol. ix. p. 93.
Jefferson, who looked (knowing his monarchical predilection) upon
Hamilton's financial raeasures with a jaundiced eye, soon repented of
the aid he had thus lent, and stigmatized this comproraise " as a fiscal
manoeuvre, to aid which he had been entrapped by a finesse of Hamil
ton" (Irving's Life ofWashington, pp. 66, 6*7); but surely it was the
happy thought of this great statesman to accomplish a just measure,
the defeat of which might have dissevered the States, held together,
in the infancy of the central governraent just inaugurated, by feeble
ties. Hamilton disavowed the design imputed to him by his rival " of intro
ducing aristocracy or raonarchy by the influence of a government con
tinually changing hands ;" urging, I think truly, " that more than a life
time would be insufiBcient thus to accomplish this end, and therefore
neither ambition, interest, nor other selfish motive could prompt him to
attempt it," Besides, the jjeople were so little disposed to such change
that no sane raan could think it feasible.
f The Senate proceeded to the third reading of this bill, July 21st,
lt90, when it passed as araended.
Yeas — Butler, Carroll, Dalton, Ellsworth, Elmer, Johnson, Izard,
King, Langdon, Morris, Patterson, Read, Schuyler, and Strong — 14.
Nays — Bassett, Few, Foster, Gunn, Hawkins, Henry, Johnston,
Lee, Maclay, Stanton, Walker, and Wingate — 12. — Journals of United
States Senate, vol. i. p. 18'7.
The States of New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey,
and South Carolina were in favor of assumption ; and Maryland, Dela
ware, and Pennsylvania divided ; while Virginia, Rhode Island, North
Carolina, and Georgia were opposed to it. Massachusetts, Connecticut,
and South Carolina owed more than lialf the total ofthe State debts.
X Writings of Thomas Jefferson, vol. iii. pp. 152-154.

526 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
the United States debt were so sudden and so great as to
demonstrate its wisdom and to restore in no long time
public harmony.
Congress adjourned on the 12th day of August, 1790.
It had been the practice when a manor was surveyed
for the proprietaries of Pennsylvania to permit the sur
veyor, as a compensation for his services, to lay off a par
ticular tract for himself, for which he paid a much less price
than that required for the reraaining ones. General Thomp
son had surveyed a manor in Westmoreland County, Penn
sylvania, for the Penns, and, as was customary, laid off a
tract for himself, which he understood he was to receive
without payment; but his attention having been, to his
great loss in this and in other cases, diverted from his pri
vate business by his devotion to the public service, he died
without having obtained a title to this tract. His widow
was now about applying for it. All which appears by the
following letters : "Philadelphia, 23d September, 1Y90.
" Dear Brother, — I was with Mrs. Thompson yesterday
when she saw Mr. Physick, who, on reading your letter,
assured her he was disposed to render her any services that
might be in his power relative to the business mentioned in
it. He said his correspondence now was with the younger
Mr. John Penn, to whora he would write concerning it, and
transmit a copy of Mrs. Thompson's letter, with a copy of
yours to him.
" He advised her to see Mr. Anthony Butler, who is now
the agent of the older Mr. Penn here. We accordingly saw
Mr. Butler, to whom I made known the nature of Mrs.
Thompson's claim and expectations. He said he had
become acquainted with the circumstances relative to that
business. He said it had always been the practice when a
manor was surveyed for the person who did it to mark a
particular tract, which he generally got for a price consider
ably less than the remaining tracts were valued at, and he
could have no doubt but the one in question would be
granted to Mrs. Thompson on very moderate terms. With
respect to the expectation of its being given as a gratuity,
he could only observe that Mr. Penn, having been stripped
of so much of his property in this country, had it not now

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 527
in his power to do those acts of generosity which his dispo
sition would incite him to ; but if she desired it, he would
write to Mr. Penn, and inclose a duplicate of her letter, with
any other paper that might be deemed necessary or proper,
and do her any other service respecting it which would
consist with his situation, as he knew Mr. Penn had enter
tained a favorable opinion of General Thompson's services
and attachment to him and his family. You will therefore
let me know if you think it proper Mrs. Thompson should
accept Mr. Butler's offer of services in this business, and if
so, whether a copy of your letter to Mr. Physick may be
given him to inclose with his own and Mrs. Thompson's
letter to Mr. Penn. I have made a duplicate of her letter,
which she has signed, and a copy of yours to Mr. Physick,
to be given to Mr. Butler in case you should think the
measure a right one. I have only to add that frora my
knowledge of Mr. Butler I entertain a favorable opinion of
his .candor and integrity. Both Mr. Physick and Mr.
Butler proposed writing by the next packet, which will sail
in about eight or ten days.
" My family desire to be affectionately remembered to
yours and our other friends in your neighborhood.
"Yours very affectionately, "James Read.
"George Read, Esquire."
Mrs. Thompson had addressed the letter next inserted to
John Penn from "Pittsburg, September 6th, 1T90.
" Sir, — In the year 1780 my late husband. General
Thompson, obtained of you a grant of five hundred acres
of land, situate in the manor of Denmark, in Westmoreland
County [Pennsylvania], which I understood from him was
intended as a present, though the terms set down in the
grant were that he should have the preference in pur
chasing. " I am informed that Mr. Woods, your agent, has laid off
that manor into different tracts (a copy of which [plot],
with the lines of this tract, is inclosed), and has fixed on
them prices, and, among others, has set a sum per acre on
the tract I have mentioned ; but of this I have not had any

528 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
notice from him. I am anxious to know your intentions
upon this subject, and whether I am to be charged or not,
and have therefore taken the liberty of addressing you. I
would consider it as a particular favor to hear from you.
If the land was intended as a present, I wish the deed to
be made to my son, William Allen Thompson ; if it was
not, I' would be glad to know as soon as convenient, that I
might prepare for the payment of the purchase-money. An
answer to this [letter], directed to the care of Mr. James
Biddle, Philadelphia, or Mr. George Read, New Castle, will
be gratefully accepted by your obedient servant,
"Catharine Thompson.
"Honorable John Penn."
The foregoing letter was inclosed in one written by Mrs.
Thompson to Mr. Read.
"Dear Sir, — The inclosed letter to Mr. Penn is on a
subject of importance to me. Mr. Thompson had obtained
from Mr. Penn a tract of land in one of his manors in Penn
sylvania, which I understood to be a present, but had not
got a conveyance. Since Mr. Thompson's death, Mr. Penn's
agents have laid off this manor into different surveys and
fixed prices on them, and on this one among others. I wish
Mr. Penn to be informed of this, and prefer applying to
him rather than to his agents. I must request the favor
of you to deliver the inclosed [letter] to Mr. Chew, or any
other of Mr. Penn's friends who will take the trouble of
transmitting it to him, if he is yet in England, which I sup
pose he is. When he is acquainted with the circumstances,
I flatter myself he will give a deed without requiring pay
ment of the sum at which the land is valued.
" I am yours affectionately, " Catharine Thompson.*
" The Honorable George Read."
The third session of Congress commenced in Philadel
phia, December 6th, 1790.f

* Of the result of Mrs. Thompson's application I am ignorant.
f See Appendix D.

OF GEOBGE READ. 529
Mr. Read attended in the United States Senate, Decem
ber Sth, and through the rest ofthe session.
The President, in his message, congratulated Congress
on the prosperous state of public affairs, but not without
the expression of some degree of anxiety for the future.
The clouds of war were gathering over Europe, and, if hos
tilities should become general there, they must operate un
favorably upon the revived agriculture and commerce, and
the restored credit of the United States.* The western
frontier was desolated by the cruel warfare of the Indian
tribes, — an expedition against them had been only partially
successful, and the general government was invoked to pro
tect its frontier citizens from the savage foe.
The prominent measures of this session were the act of
Congress imposing a further duty on foreign spirits, and a
duty on spirits distilled within the United States, and the
act chartering the United States Bank.
The State debts had been (a small part excepted) as
sumed at the last session, but Congress had adjourned with
out providing means for payment of interest upon them. The
Secretary of the Treasury was directed to report the further
measures needed to establish public credit. He now recom
mended a further duty on foreign spirits, and a duty on
spirits distilled within the United States, and a bill con
forming was reported; it encountered violent opposition.
Its opponents alleged that it did not appear that existing
taxes were insuflficient to pay this interest ; that it was the
odious excise in truth, exposing the houses of citizens, their
castles, to the inquisitorial visits of tax-gatherers; that
the assumption being unpopular in the South and West,
this tax to pay its interest would be there equally so ; that
it would be unequal, falling mainly on the western section
of the Union, and that popular insurrection against it would
be certain.
It was replied that the insuflSciency of the existing taxes
for the additional burden, proposed to be provided for, was
shown by the estimates of the treasury oflScers, carefully
prepared, and if there should be excess in the product of

* "Raised," writes Mr. Jefferson, 20th June, 1790, "to be the first
on the exchange at Amsterdam, where our paper is above par." — Writ
ings of Thomas Jefferson, vol. iii. p. 152.

530 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
this duty over the interest it was to pay (which was
highly improbable), this excess could be advantageously
applied to the redemption of the public debt; that it
would be highly impolitic to increase the impost, for com
merce was already burdened as much as it could bear,
and an increase of duties upon it would not increase rev
enue, for it would diminish imports and increase smuggling;
that it was wise to increase the subjects of taxation ; that
the proposed duty was preferable to a direct tax, because
less burdensome, being more diffused; that a direct tax
would be diflScult to raise, for no census had been taken,
and, the country being sparsely settled, its collection would
be most expensive and tedious, and it would be more un
popular than the duty on domestic spirits; that direct
taxation was the chief resource of the nation in emergen
cies, and ought to be reserved for them intact ; that indi
rect taxation was always preferable to direct, because paid
generally without consciousness of it, and so without reluc
tance and ill feeling to governraent, being, like the insensible
perspiration or exhalations from the earth, of such tenuity
as to be invisible ; that a like duty had already been levied
in several States without dissatisfaction ; that the substi
tutes suggested for this duty, taxes on salaries, or pensions,
or lawyers, or legal instruments, or by a stamp-act, were
more objectionable than it was ; and finally, that it was not
excise, for it would be levied not on spirits in the hands of
the retailer or consumer, but in the manufactory.
The bill imposing duties on foreign and domestic spirits,
having passed the House of Representatives, where it ori
ginated, was passed by the Senate, amended, 12th Feb
ruary, by the vote of twenty yeas to five nays, Mr. Read
voting for it. — [Journals ofthe Senate, vol. i. p. 263.)
The bill to incorporate the subscribers to the Bank of the
United States was reported 3d January, 1791, by a com
mittee of the United States Senate, apppinted to consider
and report upon the Treasury plan of a national bank, and
was the subject of earnest and able debate, in that body,
until the twentieth of that month.
It was urged by the opponents of this bill that the gen
eral utility of the banking system was questionable, and
features of this bill* objectionable : but it was chiefly as
sailed on the ground of unconstitutionality. The power to

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 531
charter a bank was not conferred by the Constitution of the
United States, nor could it be fairly iraplied from any of
the powers therein granted, certainly not from the power
to pass all laws necessary and proper to execute the granted
powers, for those only were intended without which the
granted powers could not be executed at all, which was not
pretended as to a bank. It was further alleged that a pro
position to give Congress power to charter banks was befoKe
the convention that framed the Constitution of the United
States, and not adopted.
The advocates of the bank replied that the advantages
of the banking system had beey, shown by the experience
ofthe greatest coramercial nations, and, though by a briefer
experience, in the United States. The power to charter a
bank was not, it must be adraitted, expressly granted in
the Constitution of the United States ; but implied as well
as expressed powers must be vested in every government,
for without the forraer its administration would be imper
fect or irapracticable. That when a power was conferred
to accomplish an object, incident to it must be the right to
use all proper means comraonly employed to effect it, and all
doubt was removed from the subject by the power expressly
given to Congress to pass all laws " necessary and proper to
execute the granted powers." A bank was shown to be
necessary to enable Congress, in the best manner, and sorae
times in any manner, to execute the high trusts of regulating
comraerce and raising revenue to pay the debts and provide
for the defence and general welfare of the republic. If the
provision conferring the power to incorporate a bank was
proposed and not adopted, as asserted, by the convention
which framed the Constitution of the United States, it was
because this body thought it superfluous, inasmuch as
whenever necessary to the exercise of any granted power,
it passed, as incident to it.
The bill incorporating the subscribers to the Bank of the
United States was passed January 24th. by 18 yeas to 5
nays, Mr. Read voting for the bill, and sent to the House
of Representatives for concurrence.*
In conformity with the usage of the Continental Congress
and of the convention which framed the Constitution of the

* Journals of the United States Senate, vol. i. p. 234.

532 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
United States, the Senate sat with closed doors, not only
when occupied with executive business, but when acting in
their legislative capacity. On the 24th of February, 1791,
Mr. Monroe moved that when the Senate should be sitting
in their legislative capacity, their doors should be open,
except when secrecy might be required. His motion was
considered on the 25th and rejected, — 17 nays to 9 yeas
(Journals of the United States Senate, vol. i. pp. 280, 281,
286, 287),* Mr. Read voting in the negative.
Congress adjourned on the 3d day of March, 1791 ; but
Mr. Read was detained for some days after by an executive
business session of the Senate, called chiefly to pass upon
nominations to the army oflSces, made necessary by the
increase of the regular rnilitary force.
Independently of its connection with the subject of this
* On the 26th of March, 1792, at the next session of the Senate, a
similar resolution was moved and rejected, Mr. Read voting against it ;
and again, 3d February, 1793, Mr. Read being in the negative, — ayes
1, nays ,18 (Senate Journal, vol. i. pp. 415, 478). But the perseverance
of the friends of this resolution at last carried it, 16th January, 1794,
by the vote of 18 yeas to 9 nays (Ibid., vol. ii. p. 34). It was urged
by the advocates of this resolution that Senators were responsible to
their constituents for their conduct ; and the inforraation necessary to
truly estimate it could not justly be withheld; and the journals did not
and could not afford it ; that the journals were in the power of the
Senate ; that the publicity of their proceedings is the best mode of
diffusing information as to the principles, motives, and conduct of. Sen
ators ; and by withholding the inforraation, responsibility is in truth
removed and the influence of the people over one branch of the legisla
ture annihilated, and the very best security experience had devised
against neglect of duty or maladministration of power abandoned (Sen
ate Journals, vol. ii. p. 478). These reasons seera to me so conclusive
against the usage of sitting with closed doors when engaged in legis
lative business, that I wonder the Senate clung to it so long, and it raay
be well regretted that they did, because this obstinate adherence to an ill
practice has deprived us of their debates at a period when they were
especially valuable ; and their value was increased by the very circum
stance which has deprived us of them, for the occlusion of the public
from their sittings occluded the temptation " to speak for effect merely,"
with its concomitants, — appeals to popular prejudice, sophistry, and the
tinsel and embroidery of a meretricious rhetoric*

* But, writes a recent historian, " So little interest was evinced in senatorial
proceedings, and so seldom were they enlivened by elaborate discussions, that for
many years the galleries of the Senata-ohamber, when opened to the public,
were little resorted to, and no reports exist of senatorial debates, except upon
two or three special occasions." — Hildreth's History of the United States, vol i.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 533
biography, the following letter seems to be worthy of
preservation from its notice, brief though it is, of the infant
population in the territory south of the river Ohio, the
healthy germ of the great communities into which it has
since expanded, and as giving the outlines of a judgeship in
a frontier region, which the imagination readily and as truly
fills up into a picture strangely in contrast to the circum
stances of the judicial station in densely peopled countries:
" Territory op the United States south or the Ohio,
"Washington District, 20th September, 1791.
"Sir, — ^Your candor and friendship to me will always
claim my grateful acknowledgments ; and, considering my
self under obligations to you, I hold myself bound to make
such communications respecting my standing in this country
as are founded in candor and warranted by fact. I arrived
in this country some time previous to any court being held
in this district, after I received my appointment. Our
court was held at Jonesborough, the 10th day of August,
and continued for ten days, during which period I had the
good fortune to impress the bar and people with favorable
sentiments, of which, for particular reasons and your satis
faction, I, though very reluctantly, think proper to make
you acquainted. This, however, is for your own eye, [for]
it is a species of vanity. I dare not venture beyond the
limits of your candor and benevolence.
" This district or territory is divided into two districts,
the upper called Washington, the lower Cumberland. There
are two courts a year held in each. The places of holding
the courts in the respective districts are about three hun
dred miles apart, with a vast wilderness between, much
infested with hostile Indians, which renders the passing it
very dangerous. The judges, however, are necessitated to
pass it four times a year. One hundred and forty miles of
it is entirely without inhabitants. The people of this
country appear well disposed ; they do not, as in most new
countries, seem inclined to drink, [but], with very few
exceptions, sober and orderly, and so far as I have been
able to make observations, a regard for the government and
respect for the law seem to pervade the whole territory.
"If aught in this letter should seem exceptionable, I
must crave your forgiveness.

534 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
" I am, sir, with sentiments of great respect, your very
obedient servant, "Joseph Anderson.
" Honorable George Read, Esquire, Senator in the U. S.
Congress, corner of Fifth and Market Streets, Philadelphia.
Honored by Mr. Sevier."
¦ Judge Anderson served with credit, during the war of
our Revolution, in the Jersey line, I believe ; was a member,
and a leading one, of the United States Senate, from the
Statle of Tennessee, for a long period, — seventeen winters,
as I think he informed me; and afterwards for many years
first comptroller of the United States Treasury. He was a
man bf great worth, very polished manners, and of con
siderable address, as I have heard, and as was apparent,
when, on his request, in 1832, I was introduced to him, at
an age protracted beyond the ordinary terminus of human
existence. Neither age nor the lapse of near half a cen
tury had chilled his gratitude to Mr. Read for his influence,
exerted in the" United States Senate, in favor of his nomina
tion to his judgeship, which, I inferred, met some opposi
tion. It would be cynical to ascribe his certainly self-com
placent mention of his debut as a judge to anything but a
commendable anxiety to satisfy Mr. Read that he had not
proved unworthy of his support and vote. He was a com
municant in one of the religious societies in Washington,
and, I believe, a truly pious man.
Congress met in Philadelphia, 24th October, 1791, and
Mr. Read attended on that day, and throughout this, the
first session of the Second Congress.
The most important acts of this session were two : one
for apportioning representatives among the States, the other
for the increase of the army.
The Constitution of the United States provided that rep
resentation and taxation should be apportioned among the
States according to their respective numbers, and that the
number of representatives should not exceed one for every
thirty thousand, but each State should have at least one
representative. A bill was introduced into the House, which
gave to each State one member for every thirty thousand
persons, and was passed, and was sent to the Senate, No
vember 24th, where it was passed with the amendment

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 535
giving to each State one representative for every thirty-
three thousand persons, Mr. Read voting for it (Journals
of the Senate, vol. i. pp. 354, 408). The ground of this
amendment was the great amount and inequality of unrep
resented fractions which resulted from the ratio proposed
by the House, operating hardly upon the small States,
where these fractions could not be distributed among
several members. This amendraent was non-concurred in .
by the House, and the bill failed. A bill substantially the
same as this, without the amendment, then passed the
House, was sent to the Senate, and amended by that body,
thus : applying thirty thousand, as a divisor, to the total
of population of the United States, and taking the quotient
(one hundred and twenty) as the number given by the ratio
adopted by the House, they apportioned this number, by
this ratio, among the States (according to their population)
until as many representatives as it would give were allotted
to each. The residuary members were then distributed
among the States having the highest fractions, thus giving
a more equitable apportionment of representation to popu
lation than the original bill, and making it more accord
with the prevalent wish in Congress, and outside of.it, that
the House should consist of as many members as the Con
stitution would permit. The House concurred in this
amendment, but the President vetoed this bill, because the
Constitution required that representatives should be appor
tioned among the States according to their respective num-
bers, and there was no proportion or divisor which, applied
to the respective numbers of the States, would yield the
nuraber of representatives provided by this bill ; and, sec
ondly, because the Constitution provided that the represen
tatives should not exceed one for every thirty thousand
persons, which restriction applied to the separate and
respective numbers of the States, and the bill allotted to
eight States more than one representative for thirty thou
sand (Journal United States Senate, vol. i. p. 422) . A bill
then passed both houses of Congress, apportioning the rep
resentatives to the several States in the ratio of one for
every thirty thousand in each State, which received the
assent of the President. It was received from the House in
the Senate, 10th of April, and by unanimous consent read
the first, second, and third times, and passed (Journals of
Senate, vol. i. p. 428).

536 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
The people of the United States were now divided into
two great parties. Federalists and Democrats. The atten
tive reader of American history cannot fail to discern the
germs of these parties anterior to the adoption of the Con
stitution. The jealousy of Congress manifested by the
States, in the course of the war of the Revolution, at the
most critical periods, threatening ruin to the common
cause, in no long time after the recognition of our independ
ence by Great Britain reduced the general government to
utter insignificance. The conflict of opinions upon the mo
mentous question of the ratification of the Constitution
widened the separation between the adherents of Congress,
who endeavored to maintain the legitimate authority of
that assembly, and the friends to the preponderance of the
States in our complicated political system. The recent
measures — the funding of the public debt, and the assump
tion, and chartering of a national bank — had so inflamed
the States Rights party that at this session they for the
first time appeared in open and organized opposition to the
administration. They held, no doubt sincerely, that the
only source of danger to the rights of the people was the
tendency of the central power to swallow up the States,
which, unless met by prompt and strenuous resistance,
must result in the establishment of a consolidated govern
ment with a king, if not in name, in truth, at its head.
The Federalists, on the contrary, and as truly, believed
the political system, happily established by the Constitu
tion, to be endangered by the tendency of the States to fly
off from the central authority, and successfully, when in
terest or passion (often active and violent) prompted, which
would bring them, if not wisely counteracted, to disunion,
followed by civil war, and terminating in despotism. The
Federalists were the majority in the Congress which termi
nated 3d March, 1791. They might well appeal to the
measures of that Congress in proof of their wisdom and
patriotism. They had organized the general government,
relieved the nation from the reproach of the design to re
pudiate debts of a sacred character, or of indifference to the
payment of them, restored its lost public credit, provided a
suflficient and permanent revenue, and wisely legislated to
protect our commerce from foreign rivalry. They could
truly and proudly appeal to the prosperity which gladdened

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 537
every heart and stimulated enterprise and industry in every
walk of business, as the effects of their policy. But the
Democrats saw in their measures reraote dangers to liberty
raore than counterbalancing their immediate good effects.
"The debt," said its leaders, "was funded, at the expense
of the people, for the benefit of capitalists, — mean specu
lators upon the necessities of their brethren, — to rally to
the support of the administration a band of corrupt ad
herents, and to render it omnipotent. The assumption was
an iniquity, the bank charter unconstitutional, and the tax
on domestic spirits the odious excise which justified rebel
lion." These- parties had their representatives and ex
ponents in the cabinet even of the President, in the great
statesmen filling the secretaryships of state and the treas
ury, both sincere lovers of liberty, but each believing the
other its deadliest enemy. The efforts of the President to
reconcile these eminent men (now in open hostility) were
strenuous, judicious, and kind, but unavailing.*
Such was the state of parties when the disastrous defeat
of General St. Clair made it necessary for the President to
recomraend the immediate augmentation of the array of the
United States. A bill was reported in the House of Rep
resentatives for raising three additional infantry regiments
and a squadron of cavalry, to serve for three years, unless
sooner discharged. This bill was warmly opposed. The
justice of the war with the Indians was questioned, for it
was provoked, there was ground to suspect, by the aggres
sion of the whites, and its necessity, for it would be wiser
and cheaper to withdraw our citizens from the disputed
territory, than to burden the people, already heavily
taxed, with the expense of such a war; but conceding
the justice and necessity of this war, the existing army
was suflficient for it; and if not, the militia was a better
force to wage it, serving for short periods, as only would
be required, and eager to revenge the murders of their
brethren and devastation of their settlements. Always
superior to regulars in intelligence, they would surpass
them in promptitude and in vigor, and at least equal
* Marshall's Life of Washington, vol. v. pp. 346-859; Writings of
Thomas Jefferson, vol. iii. pp. 359-368. 35

538 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
them in courage, and, from their habits as frontiersmen,
be far better suited for Indian warfare. It was replied
that no doubt three thousand American citizens had been
cruelly killed or hurried into captivity, and a large ex
tent of country laid waste ; and a war to punish these
atrocities and prevent their repetition was surely neces
sary, and was just, especially as every effort for peace had
been made by the President in vain ; that in the state
of exasperated feelings between the whites and Indians
peace would be impossible until the latter should be chas
tised and the frontier secured by driving them farther west.
But if the United States declined further hostilities, would
they cease ? On the contrary, it was certain that the
Indians, eraboldened by what they would believe the pusil
lanimity of the pale faces, would visit the unhappy frontier,
on a wider and widening area, with all the horrors of their
infernal warfare. Fifteen hundred Indian warriors hung
like a dark cloud upon the western frontier, ready to spread
ruin and death along and within it, and gentlemen should be
ashamed to object to the expense of protecting their brethren,
the hardy pioneers of civilization, with all its blessings. If
governraent should be left to prosecute this war with inade
quate means, its expense would in the end only be en
hanced, for another unsuccessful campaign would embolden
the enemy and make their subjugation more tedious ; and
while the courage of the militia was admitted, it was urged
that experience had shown it to be far raore expensive than
regular soldiers, insubordinate, and, except for temporary
service, not to be relied upon.
This bill, entitled " An act for making further and more
effectual provision for protecting the frontier of the United
States," was passed by the House, and sent to the Senate
for concurrence, February 2d, 1792. It was debated till
the 23d of that month, when it passed the Senate by the
vote of 16 yeas to 11 nays, Mr. Read voting for it, and
against several preceding motions to strike out sections of
it. (Journals of the Senate of the United States, vol. i.
p. 395.) After disagreement as to amendments of this bill
with the House, the final report of their joint committee of
conference was accepted by both, and the bill was passed,
and, March 5th, was approved by the President. — Jour
nals ofthe Senate ofthe United States, vol. i. pp. 402-404.

OF GEORGE READ. 539
On the Sth of May this session of Congress was closed by
adjournment to the 5th day of November, 1792.
Mr. Read's second surviving son, in behalf of whora the
letter next presented to the reader was written, had been
regularly trained as a merchant in one of the first houses
of Philadelphia, and realized by his subsequent character
the expectations awakened by his exemplary deportment
in his youth. He raade several voyages as supercargo to
India, which I have no doubt agreeably interrupted the
monotony of Mr. Read's faraily life, the hope of his son's
safe return, as is usual in such cases, predominating over
fears for his safety. "New Castle, 20th August, 1792.
" Dear Sir, — From our long acquaintance I have taken
the liberty of introducing the bearer of this, my son Wil
liam Read, to your acquaintance as a young mercantile
man, who has served a four years' apprenticeship with Mr.
Mordecai Lewis, where I got him placed originally, with
the assistance of Messrs. Samuel and Isaac Wharton, your
friends, in the year 1789. Mr. Lewis was pleased to in
trust hira and Mr. George Plumsted with the agency of the
ship 'Union,' Captain Ashmead, belonging to Mordecai
Lewis & Co., sent to Canton in China, and, as I have always
understood, his conduct on that occasion was satisfactory to
Mr. Lewis and all concerned. He has now a desire to
become the supercargo of Mr. S. Howell's ship ' Samson'
in her next voyage to Canton, and has made his application
to him for that purpose ; and ray son understands you will
be a considerable shipper, and if such, wishes to be raade
known to you and have your approbation of him. I have
the happiness as a parent who has attended to his conduct
hitherto carefully to say that he is of the best disposition,
strict integrity and probity, and apparently active and dili
gent.* It would give me pleasure if you, upon further

* Mr. William Read, after several successful voyages to India as
supercargo, established himself, with his brother-in-law, Matthew
Pearce, in Philadelphia, as raerchants in the East India trade, but by
failure of a firm for whora they had indorsed, and capture of one of their
ships on her return voyage from Canton by a French privateer, oflf the
capes of Delaware, after several years of prosperous business they were
obliged to suspend, and ray uncle, to retrieve his fortunes, to sail again
to India, where he remained for several years trading to several ports.

540 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
inquiry into the character and capacity of my son, could
give him your countenance and aid in obtaining the place
of supercargo on board of Mr. Howell's ship in her intended
voyage to Canton. Excuse the freedom I have taken on
this occasion, and believe me yours, very sincerely,
"George Read.
" Mr. John Wharton, Philadelphia."
Mr. Read, while attending Congress, had resided with
Mrs. House, whose boarding-house was the best in Phila
delphia. He was now obliged to inform her that he could
not be one of her family during the approaching session of
Congress : "New Castle, October, 13th 1792.
" Mt dear Madam, — In July last I was seized with an
intermittent fever, which continued with little alteration
for raore than six weeks, — since which I have been con
sidered by my physician in a state of recovery, he only
recommending exercise and a dose or two of bark in the
twenty-four hours as the means to effect it; but I have
progressed so slowly in that recovery that I am apprehen
sive I shall be very much of an invalid through the winter,
and as such would be rather a disagreeable lodger. It
would distress me greatly daily to exhibit a countenance
expressive of bodily infirmity among so large a body of
gentlemen as your house has been and will be filled with,
and in such a condition I raust be an unpleasant object to
others in full health and spirits ; therefore it is, madam,
that I must think of living with raore privacy than I can
with you. And to this end I have it in view to go to the
sraall house occupied by ray two sons, in Dock Street, in
which Mrs. Read, who has lately been on a visit to them,
says I may be comfortably lodged and have all that retire-

He was widely known and respected in Philadelphia, where he died in
1846, in his seventy-ninth year. An uncle of the celebrated traveller,
Edward Daniel Clarke, from his extraordinary amiability of temper was
called Mild William. This epithet might as truly have been applied to
my uncle, who was so gentle and amiable that nothing could disturb his
equanimity. His wife, losing her own temper at his imperturbableness,
once exclaimed, "Mr. Read, why will you not be angry?" He was
much devoted to books, but too modest to display the extensive knowl
edge he had acquired.

OF GEORGE READ. 541
ment I would wish for in my present state of health. You,
raadara, from the want of health in the two last years, can
well judge of what must be the feelings of an invalid among
your numerous lodgers, and I presume will consider my
proposal of secluding myself from a situation in your house,
always pleasing to me on every account, as prudent and
necessary. So that the room I have generally had, and
you were so good as to say I should have on ray return this
fall, may be disposed of for the ensuing winter, to your best
liking. Could I suppose my declining to occupy it would
prevent your having another occupant for it, I should im
mediately tell you that no disappointment of that sort
should affect you ; but I take it for granted that as soon as
the vacancy shall be known it will be instantly applied for.
I should have given this intimation sooner, but I flattered
myself that from regular exercise on horseback and good
management of myself I might be reinstated in time for
the meeting of Congress ; however, at present it seems far
otherwise, and I must submit. I wish you to present my
best wishes to Mrs. Triest and corapliraents to all of your
present family. And I am, with much esteem, yours,
sincerely, "George Read.
" To Mrs. House, Philadelphia."
The second session of the Second Congress commenced
at Philadelphia, 5th November, 1792, when Mr. Read
attended in the Senate, and was present till it closed. This
was the last session of his service in Congress.
On the 22d of November Messrs. Johnston, Cabot, and
Read were appointed a comraittee to consider the expe
diency of a law respecting fugitives from justice and persons
escaping from the service of their masters, and, should they
think proper, to report a bill. They reported a bill, 20th
December, which on the 28th was recommitted, Messrs.
Taylor and Sherman being added to the comraittee, who
reported a bill which was passed 18th January and sent to
the House for concurrence, was passed by the House Feb
ruary 5th, and approved by the President February 14th.
— United States Senate Journals, vol. i. pp. 465-468, 470,
472, 479, 482, 483, 486.
Besides this act respecting fugitives from justice, etc., the

542 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
principal ones passed this session were, " acts supplementary
to the acts establishing a mint," and " providing means of
intercourse with foreign nations," and acts "regulating
foreign coins," " for enrolling and licensing vessels in the
coasting trac^e," to " proraote the progress of useful arts,"
to " regulate trade and intercourse with the Indian tribes,"
and an act in addition to the act " to establish the United
States Courts." — United States Senate Journals, vol. i. p. 506,
Appendix. Colonel Bedford had been again chosen an elector of
President and Vice-President of the United States. Mr.
Read, feeling it to be his duty to bear testiraony against the
raisrepresentations of the conduct of John Adaras in the
chair of the Senate, widely circulated to defeat his re-elec
tion to the Vice-Presidency, wrote the following letter, ex
pressing his high opinion of the abilities and integrity of
that patriot : "Philadelphia, 30th November, 1792.
"Dear Sir, — Recollecting that on Wednesday next you
meet your two colleagues as electors of President and Vice-
President of the United States, I have supposed that you
would expect some inforraation from me respecting Mr.
Adaras, the present Vice-President, as to his conduct in the
chair of the Senate of the United States, since so much
pains has been taken in the public prints of the present
year to raise a general prejudice against him, in expectation
of preventing his re-election.
"It is but a piece of justice, due to Mr. Adaras, for me
to say that as chairman of the House of Congress of which
I am a member from the Delaware State, his conduct, at
all times since his being placed there, hath appeared to me
attentive, upright, fair, and unexceptionable, and his attend
ance at the daily meetings of the Senate uncommonly exact.
As to his having abilities equal to that station, none of his
detractors insinuate a want thereof, and anything on that
head from rae must be unnecessary, — his various political
publications suflficiently evidence such ability.
"With respect to the objections to him which I have
heard or seen on paper, they principally existed previously
to his former election, at which you well know his popu
larity was such as to induce a portion of electors in each
State to throw away their votes (but not to be done row

OF GEORGE READ. 543
by those who wish his re-election), by applying them to
names, not with a view to their return, but in order to secure
the Presidency to General Washington. The present change
of sentiment, therefore, with respect to Mr. Adams is not
easy to be accounted for at a distance from the central
scene. I have supposed the clamor raised against Mr.
Adams to have proceeded from a 'personal dislike of an in
dividual, contracted, perhaps, before the adoption of the
present Federal system, as well as from the general jealousy
that such of the Southern States as are most interested in
the future seat of the Federal government entertain of the
possibility or probability of its being changed through the
influence of an Eastern character in high station.
" Sorae pretend an opinion that a rotation in oflfice is a
salutary thing in republican governments ; but this has
always appeared to me an insincere reason urged by those
who use it ; but this, perhaps, because my sentiments have
been, at all times, uniformly otherwise : to wit, that when
a fit character hath been selected for oflfice, either by the
people or by their executive authority, and he discovers
such fitness by an able discharge of duty for a time, such
person hath a reasonable claim to an after-continuance in
oflfice, and I consider it as conducing to the interest of the
community for whom such oflficer acts, by means of the im
proved knowledge of the duties of oflfice which he acquires.
" You may be assured that what I have before said as to
Mr. Adams hath not proceeded frora any intimacy subsist
ing between us, for in the three past years I have not been
so many times in his residence, exclusive of the compli
mentary visit at the commenceraent of each session.
" I ara, etc., " George Read.
" Gunning Bedford, Esquire, New Castle, Delaware."
On the 13th of February, 1792, the votes for President
and Vice-President were opened by the President of the
Senate, in presence of both Houses, and counted, when it
was ascertained and declared that George Washington was
unanimously elected President, and John Adams (by a
plurality of v6tes) Vice-President of the United States.
The three votes of Delaware were cast for both.
This session is memorable for an assault in the House of

544 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
Representatives, acrimonious and violent, upon the Secre
tary of the Treasury. At the last session of Congress acts
were passed authorizing the borrowing of twelve millions
abroad, to be applied in payment of the foreign debt of the
United States, and two millions to be applied to pay their
domestic debt. The French government was desired to
settle a rule by which moneys paid them by the United
States should be received and credited, and the French
minister to the United States expressed the wish that part
of their debt to France should be paid in provisions, to be
sent to St. Domingo, where the slaves were in a state of
insurrection, and a decree of the National Assembly was
necessary to authorize this payment. The disordered state
of public affairs in France delayed this rule and decree,
and therefore the payment of her debt, for which Mr.
Hamilton was unjustly blamed. The money abroad ap
plicable to it, lying idle, he drew it home and applied it to
the purchase of the domestic debt, to great advantage, as
it bore then a low price in market, while foreign capital
was pouring into the United States to purchase it. By
this operation a double benefit resulted, — the extinguish
ment, on favorable terms, of a large amount of domestic
debt, and an increase of its price by the United States
coming into market to buy it, which enabled the holders
to sell it at a better rate, and to foreigners, than they
otherwise could have done. The Secretary of the Treasury
also comjjlied with the repeated and urgent request of the
French rainister to pay the French debt, in part, by pro
visions exported frora the United States to St. Doraingo,
— to the raanifest advantage of our producers, and honor
able to the people, being evidence of their gratitude for the
French alliance, — a decree of the National Convention,
which took the place of the National Assembly, having
authorized it. These operations were so manifestly for the
public benefit that the resolutions of Mr. Giles, censuring
them, were rejected by a large majority, it being also plain
that the Secretary of the Treasury, though he had tran
scended these acts of Congress, had acted in the exercise of
a sound discretion, believing it for the national advantage,
under circumstances unforeseen by Congress when it passed
these acts, and therefore unprovided for. Some weight
ought to be conceded to the objection that it was danger-

OF GEORGE READ. 545
ous to sanction the assumption by an executive oflficer of
legislative power ; but we can hardly censure him for hav
ing forgotten for a moment the respect and courtesy it is
always convenient and decent for the departments of gov-
ernmentto maintain in their intercourse with each other,
because it was in the excitement of honest indignation at
the false and untenable charge of not having accounted for
a large sum of public money.
Congress adjourned on the second day of March, 1793.
Mr. Dickinson having received some choice wine, and
wishing his old friend to partake, sent him a portion of it.
They both probably received as a truth the aphorism that
"wine, poison to the young, is the milk of old men." His
gift was accompanied with this letter :
" Mt dear Friend, — I have lately received a gross of
the best claret I have had these fifteen years, and as I
think such a wine very good for such constitutions as ours,
I beg thy acceptance of a part.
" I am thy truly affectionate friend,
"John Dickinson.
"Wilmington, March 19th, 1793.
/'George Read, Esquire, New Castle."
In the year 1792 the people of Delaware, by a convention*
they had duly elected, adopted a constitution to supersede
that of 1776. It is only necessary for me, in connection
with an important event in the life of Mr. Read, to notice,
in part, the article of this instrument relating to the judicial
power thereby established, which was vested in a court of
chancery, orphans' and registers' courts, supreme court, and
court of common pleas, of concurrent jurisdiction through
out the State in civil cases, each to consist of a chief justice
and two or three associates, the former to be justices of
oyer and terminer, and the latter to constitute the court of
quarter sessions. One defect of this systera was its cum-
brousness nnd useless expense, two courts of concurrent
civil jurisdiction being unnecessary in so sraall a State as
Delaware : the reason alleged for which was that otherwise
* The most prominent members of this convention were John Dick
inson, Kensey Johns, Richard Bassett, and Nicholas Ridgley. This
constitution was superseded in 1832 by the existing one.

546 LIFE AlfD CORRESPONDENCE
a court of appeals (which was provided for) could not be
constituted. Another defect was that these judges were
not required to be lawyers,* and therefore it might happen
(and did happen) that the associates would either exercise
the high functions of judges without being qualified, or be
mere ciphers.
The office of governor of Delaware was then filled by a
gentleman who was a physician by profession. He was
the father of the eminent lawyer, Thoraas Clayton, lately
deceased, who served in the House of Representatives 'and
Senate of the United States, and had been Attorney-Gen
eral and Chief Justice of Delaware. Governor Clayton ap
pears by the following letter to have been laudably anxious
to appoint proper persons to the judgeships it was now his
duty to fill. He had solicited Mr. Read's acceptance of
either of the chief justiceships of the suprerae court or
common pleas, or of the chancellorship, and repeats this
solicitation in this letter written from
'Back Creek, July 21st, 1793.
" Dear Sir, — I take the liberty again to solicit your ac
ceptance of the chief justiceship of either of the courts, or
of the chancellorship of this State. I am persuaded, sir, no
man among us can give such general satisfaction, or render
such essential services to the public, as you can in any of
these stations ; these considerations make me very anxious
for your acceptance. If, on consideration of the subject, you
should think it will be convenient to you to take any of
these appointments, you will please name the one that will
be most agreeable to you ; but if you decide otherwise
(which I hope you may not) , I shall also thank you to in
form me, that early application may be made to others.
" I am, sir, with every sentiraent of respect, your most
obedient servant,
" J. Clayton.
" The Honorable George Read."
* But it was always understood that the convention intended and
expected the chief justices should be lawyers, and such was the belief
of the Legislature which established their salaries, — shown by the dif
ference in regard to the amounts of them. Yet the successor of Judge
Bassett, the first chief justice of the court of common pleas, was not
a lawyer. The present constitution substituting for the two courts
above mentioned, one, consisting of a chief justice and three associ
ates, requires them all to be lawyers.

OF GEORGE rSaD. 547
To this letter Mr. Read replied : " August 20th, 1793.
" Sir, — The especial raanner in which you were pleased,
in your letter to me of the 21st ult., to press upon me the
reconsideration of your former offer ofthe chief justiceship
of either of the two law courts, or of the chancellorship of
this State, with your opinion of a capacity on mj^ part to
render useful services to the public in any of those stations,
was not only very flattering to me, but I assure you hath
been a strong inducement with me to give up a resolution
I had taken to avoid as much as I reasonably might all
public duties that would require great attention and much
exercise of the mental faculties. The station in which the
Legislature of the State had been pleased to place me for
the four years past, and continuing for near four years to
come, of their representative in the Senate of the United
States, was and is more eligible in my view, as well on ac
count of a less continued exertion of the mind, as in point
of importance in society; but, sir, after much conflict of
opinion and solicitations frora a variety of respectable per
sons, who somehow were informed or got to know that I was
in your contemplation as one of the persons intended to fill
a seat in one of the courts established by the present consti
tution of the State, I have at length determined to accept
ofthe chief justiceship of the supreme court, under the idea
that it may be the one of the three judgeships that, consist
ently with my ability of body at rather an advanced period
of life, I may probaJDly be most useful in ; though I assure
you that I doubt its business will accumulate in a short
time, so as to make the attention to its determination a very
burdensome duty, most likely beyond my ability to go
through with : and when it shall so happen, I hope I may
without censure retire.
"The annual compensation which the Legislature of the
State made at their last session I consider as inadequate to
the service to be performed by a first judge in either of
those two law courts ; therefore, as well in duty to myself
as any that may succeed therein, I make the declaration
now, that I may not be thought concluded from asking for
an increase of allowance futurely. Certainly if a person
possessing professional knowledge, acquired by much appli-

548 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
cation of time and considerable expense, doth employ that
solely to the use of the public, that public should at least
allow him therefor his usual annual expenditures, which
the one thousand dollars will not be equal to, for my an
nual average expenses of the thirty past years of my life
hath exceeded that sum; and I have not heretofore con
sidered myself as unnecessarily expensive, but rather other
wise, — however true it is that from several other circum
stances, among which was my having engaged in too much
public State duty, and of course sacrificing much of my time
therein, that the property I now possess will not admit of
my dependence thereon, with the addition of the one thou
sand dollars per annum, for a sole future support for me and
those dependent upon me ; and on ray acceptance of the
proposed oflfice I am restrained from the means of other
acquisition, in the only way in which I could have a chance
of so doing. And while I am on this part of the subject,
perrait rae to suggest to you the opinion that was had at
the first planning of the draft of that part of the present
State constitution prescribing the number of judges in the
two law courts, — to wit, that three would be suflficient at all
times, and more within the ability of the State to provide
for than a greater number ; but it being evident from former
habit and experience that one judge of each court must
always reside in each county, thence, in case of a vacancy
ofthe chief justiceship, the Executive would be confined in
his choice to a person who either then was, or would on
appointment to such vacancy become, a resident of such
county; and therefore it was that the expressions, as finally
adopted in the third and fourth sections of the sixth article
of that constitution, were introduced, — to wit, that the
judges of those courts ' be not fewer than three nor more than
four,' with an expectation that the fourth place would only
be filled from such an existing necessity as before men
tioned. I am well satisfied that the convention at framing
those sections had it only in expectation that the first seat
in those two law courts should be filled by real professional
characters in the first instance ; and such evidently was the
idea entertained by the State Legislature since, from the
difference they made in the annual salaries, and such will
probably be the case ; and if so, a fourth judge, without pro
fessional knowledge, may be considered like unto a fifth
wheel to a coach.

OF GEORGE READ. 549
"Among other things that suggested themselves to my
mind as to my acceptance of the seat in the supreme court
was that of its being presently filled by Mr. Killen, a pro
fessional man, for a long tirae, in whose original appointment
I had concurred ; as one of the three electors under the old
constitution of this State, I felt a compunction in con
tributing perhaps to his removal therefrom. You, sir, may,
in some future communication with him, represent this in
such a manner as to secure me from plausible censure by
him, which I leave to your own better opinion.
" I shall make out my resignation of ray seat in the
United States Senate in due time, previous to the 1st of
October, with its duplicate, the original to be delivered to
you, and the other I shall transmit to the secretary of the
Senate, at Philadelphia, to do away with the disqualifi
cation created by the present constitution of this State.
" I am, with great respect, your obedient servant,
"George Read.
"Governor Clayton."
To the foregoing letter Governor Clayton immediately
replied, expressing his satisfaction with Mr. Read's decision
upon his offer :
" Dear Sir, — It was with great pleasure I was informed
by Mr. George Read, Jr., upon his visit to me with Judge
Paca, that you had consented to accept the chief justiceship
of the supreme court.
" I have wished to have a communication with you with
respect to your associates, as I assure you ray intention is
to make you as comfortable as possible, and not to vex you
with any troublesome colleague. My present illness pre
vents me from waiting on you at New Castle, although I
hope to have that pleasure before it becomes necessary to
make the appointments. I will mention those characters
who have been thought of for those appointments, and I
wish to be guided by you (who must be a better judge than
myself) which of tliem should be the men. In Kent County
there seems to be only three men to choose from, — viz., Mr.
Thomas White, Mr. James Bellach, and my brother John
Clayton ; in Sussex County, there are three or four, — viz.,
Mr. Peter Robinson, Mr. Daniel Rodney, Mr. Wells, and
Judge Jones.

550 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
"' I am also at some loss with respect to the clerks of that
court. The man now in oflfice in Kent is a drunken, low
fellow, and must be removed, and I do not know any
other person who has capacity and suflficient knowledge of
the business. There are some young men who could learn
the duties, but in the mean time I fear their want of
knowledge would give you trouble. In Sussex County,
Colonel Hall, who is now the clerk, I believe does not want
abilities ; but he is very inattentive, and it seems to be the
wish of that county he should be removed and that a Mr.
Hazard should be appointed. Mr. Hazard seems a gentle
manly, sensible young man, and has for sorae time past
acted as a deputy-sheriff, and some gentleraen with whora I
have conversed seemed to think he would do very well. I
also wished to have advised with you on the propriety of
filling the courts, or only appointing three to each of thern.
Bassett yet hesitates ; I do not know what to make of him,
or whether I raay depend on his acceptance or not. Per
haps he may speak decisively to you. I shall thank you to
mention the matter to him, and inform me of the result, if
your leisure will permit you to write me a line in answer.
There are many other things I want your advice about, but
I must reserve them until I can have a personal interview
with you.
" I am, with sentiments of the most perfect respect and
esteem, your most obedient and humble servant, "J. Clayton.
"August 22d, 1793.
" P.S. — If there are any other gentlemen in the counties
within your knowledge better fitted for associate judges
than those named, please to raention them. J. C.
"The Honorable George Read, Esquire."
On the 18th day of September, 1793, Mr. Read resigned his
United States senatorship, and thereby qualified himself to
accept the high and responsible office to which he had been
appointed in a way very honorable and flattering to him.
On the same day Mr. Dickinson wrote him upon some of
his private business, in regard to which it was his habit to
consult Mr. Read, and concludes, "My hand is mending, as
the doctor thinks, but is very distressing. Let this still
severe affliction be admitted as an excuse for this scrawl

OF GEORGE BEAD. 551
from thy always affectionate friend, John Dickinson. Wil
mington, September 18th, 1793."
The beautiful island bearing the names of " Hayti," " St.
Domingo," and " Hispaniola," was discovered by Columbus.
The French buccaneers, about the middle of the seven
teenth century, visiting this island, at first to waste in wild
revelry the fruits of their accursed piracies, remained, and
they, or other Frenchmen attracted to them, at length de
voted themselves to agriculture. By the treaty of Ryswick
the western moiety of this island was ceded to the French.
Its commerce, unfettered by the exclusive privileges of com
mercial companies, soon flourished. Its face was picturesque
and romantic in a high degree. The extensive savannas
near the ocean, so gentle and unruffled that the Spaniards
called it "the ladies' sea," as they receded from the coast,
swelled into hills, and, in the interior, to the altitude of
mountains, one range of them, the "Cibas," crossing the
island from east to west. Between these mountains are
cool and shaded valleys, delighting the eye by the affluence
and beauty of vegetable production, in which nature de
lights in tropical regions. The oak, the lignum-vitge, the
satin-wood, and the mahogany were conspicuous, which,
while they astonished by their giant size, were eagerly
sought for as dye-woods, for furniture, and ship-building,
and therefore were valuable in commerce. The little rills,
ordinarily like silver threads, along the precipitous sides of
the mountains, when the tropical rains descended like a
deluge, rushed to the vales wild and magnificent torrents,
or thundered down the steeps grand water-falls. The
mountain-sides, the valleys, and groves were resplendent
with flowers of gorgeous hues and overpowering fragrance;
and birds of the most beautiful plumage, rivalling the
flowers in hue, and vieing with the topaz, the ruby, and
the emerald in tint and lustre. The productions of its soil,
of inexhaustible fertility, were those most valued and
sought by merchants, — indigo, cotton, cocoa, vanilla, the
sugar-cane, and coffee-tree. The fruits, various and delicious,
furnished the most magnificent desserts in the world ; while
the climate of the interior mountain-region was in delight
ful contrast to the fierce heat of the plains. The planters,
raised to opulence by the high prices of their crops, soon
superadded to comforts luxuries and the embellishments of

552 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
refinement, and their intercourse had there, as everywhere,
the characteristics which charm in French society. I hojje,
from their national temperaraent, they were humane mas
ters, but cannot forget that the high prices of their produce
were dangerous temptations to overwork the negroes in the
coffee-fields and " ingenios." If the term can be applied to
any part of this globe blighted since the fall of man by the
awful malediction of God, the French portion of St. Do
mingo was a paradise. But, alas ! the wild theories of the
mad revolutionists of France, after desolating that fair
monarchy, diffused their poison. The Jacobin propagand
ists found their way to Hispaniola. With them it was
enough that equality was the right of all; they never
paused to ask whether there was that fitness for it without
which it was no boon. The rights of man, proclaimed by
Jacobin eraissaries, the mulattoes were not backward to
demand, and the whites would not yield, and civil war was
the consequence. The negroes rose against both, and the
plantations, embellished by wealth, guided by taste, — the
abodes of families virtuous, intelligent, and polished, — were
desolated by murder, fire, and atrocities so horrible that we
cannot tolerate even the thought of them. The survivors
of these unhappy families escaped to the ports of the island,
but the emancipation of the slaves having been proclaimed
by the insane comraissioners of the " National Assembly,"
whose advent was more fraught with calamity than the
hurricane or the plague, flight from the island could alone
save them from destruction. Many escaped to the United
States. There they found sympathy and charity; and some,
with the mercurial temperament and facility of adaptation
to circumstances characteristic of their race, rising from
their crushing calamity, turned to account the accomplish
ments which had embellished their prosperity, and earned
their bread as teachers of drawing, music, and dancing.
Some of these unhappy fugitives found their way to New
Castle ; and they seem to have been without resource, and
therefore cast upon the charity of this town. Two of the
ladies petitioned General Washington for aid. Discharging
ever the high duties of his public stations, he never neglected
those pertaining to him as a man. While his heart and
hand were open to the appeals of suffering humanity always,
he never forgot that he was God's almoner, bound not to

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 553
waste upon impostors his bounty, which he held in trust
for his poor. He therefore wrote as follows to Mr. Read :
"Philadelphia, 26th December, 1793.
" Dear Sir, — Two of the unhappy female fugitives from
St. Domingo have (as you will see by the inclosed letter)
laid their distresses before me, which, if true in the degree
they have stated, merit much commiseration. But I have
received so many applications of a similar nature, and some
of them from impostors, that I find it necessary to guard
what little relief I am able to afford against imposition.
For this reason,' and because I am not well acquainted with
any other gentleman in New Castle from whence the letters
come, I have taken the liberty of putting ray answer to
them under cover to you, open, that if on inquiry the
authors are found to merit relief, it may be sealed and
handed to thera. If, on the other hand, their statement
should prove a fictitious tale, the inclosure may be returned
to rae.
" I will make no apology for giving you this trouble,
because to be employed in acts of humanity cannot, I am
sure, be disagreeable to such a character as yours.
" With very great esteem and regard I ara, dear sir, your
most obedient servant, "George Washington.
"The Honorable Mr. Read."
To this letter Mr. Read replied from
"New Castle, 4th January, 1794.
" Sir, — As the two fugitive ladies from St. Domingo who
had addressed [to you] the two letters, which I now return
in this inclosure, lived very retired from their coraing into
this place, I heard nothing more of their situation than the
report of three of the inhabitants, acting as a committee to
inquire into the situation and wants of the French strangers
that had taken temporary residence among us, by which it
appeared they were well-bred women, who spoke of possess
ing real property in the district of Jeremie, and that they
had for some time expected the arrival of a considerable
quantity of coffee, part of its produce, and which was ready
for shipping when they left the island ; and that they ex-
36

554 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
pressed a desire to obtain a loan or advance of moneys on
the credit of their property, but declined to make known
their particular wants, or to accept any part of the provision
that had been directed to be made for distressed French
fugitives who might come among us. As I do not speak
their language, I had not paid them any personal visit until
after I received your favor of the 26th ult., when making
every inquiry within my power as to their character, situ
ation, and circumstances, the result is that I am induced to
believe they are such persons as they represent themselves
in their inclosed letters, and further that their family con
nections have been among the raost respectable of St. Do
mingo. Under this impression I delivered your letter ad
dressed to them, with its particular contents, and they
expressed rauch satisfaction at the receiving of it. I have
hopes that the Legislature of this State, to be in session in
the next week, will provide further relief than what can be
obtained from the contributions of a few. There are several
other wanting fugitives in our town, and the burden of
supplying them is borne by a few.
" It will afford me pleasure at all tiraes to carry into exe
cution your wishes, more especially on occasions similar to
the present one.
"With the utmost esteem and respect I am, sir, your
most obedient and very humble servant, "George Read.
"To the President ofthe United States."
The names of these unfortunate ladies were Laurent de
Saxy and Laurent de Verneuil. One, perhaps both, were
in New Castle in the following year. I find among Mr.
Read's papefs a letter from Madame de Saxy, written 26th
August, 1794, in a style which shows her to have been well
educated and refined, addressed to him, imploring relief,
and describing in raoving terms the " affreuse situation" of
herself and family; having in charge four children, sick
with fever, without money or food, and if compelled to pass
the winter in New Castle, as she feared (return to St. Do
mingo being impossible), with the prospect of wanting, in
that " saison rigoureuse," clothes and fuel, as well as bread.
It is by a single case of a great calamity, distinctly pre
sented, that we gain a true and lively idea of it. Of this

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 555
lady Mr. Read's papers furnish no further information. I
hope the prayer which ends her letter, that heaven would
yet put it into her power to testify her gratitude for his
kindness, was answered.
Mr. Jefferson wrote thus to one of his correspondents,
July 14th, 1793: "The situation of the St. Domingo fugi
tives (aristocrats as they are) calls aloud for pity and
charity. Never was so deep a tragedy presented to the feel
ings of man. I deny the power of the general government
to apply money to such a purpose, but I deny it with a
bleeding heart." — Jeffersoris Writings, vol. iv. p. 20.
Three thousand of the fugitives from St. Domingo were
landed in Baltimore; many of them women without their
husbands, and children without their parents. The citizens
of Baltimore immediately contributed largely for their re
lief, and so did the State of Maryland for a limited time. The
French minister. Genet, gave, frora his private purse, two
thousand dollars to these sufferers, but excluded aristocrats,
if any such should be among them, from this bounty. The
committee of the Maryland Legislature appointed io dis
tribute their gift among tliese fugitives, petitioned Congress
to appropriate money for their relief. The question of the
constitutionality of this appropriation was debated in the
United States House of Representatives on the 10th and
28th days of January, 1794, — the strict constructionists
denying the power to so appropriate because there w as no
provision authorizing it in the Constitution of the United
States, while the advocates for this power being in the
Federal Legislature urged that it was granted under the
power " to provide for the general welfare," and was justi
fied by precedents, and especially was proper in the case of
citizens of France, our former ally and benefactor. Mr.
Madison suggested that if the appropriation should be raade
the President of the United States be requested to obtain,
if possible, credit for it in the accounts of the United States
with France, and the Speaker — as I suppose a compromise,
after the debates — proposed this suggestion by way of amend
ment, which was adopted, and a bill passed accordingly ap
propriating the sum of ten thousand dollars for the support
of such inhabitants of St. Domingo, within the United States,
as might need it. The Senate was less embarrassed by
constitutional scruples, which, if always yielded to, would

556 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
nave made the administration of the government diflficult.
They passed the bill, but amended by increasing the appro
priation to fifteen thousand dollars, and by striking out the
paltry provision that credit for it should be sought against
the debt of the United States to the French Republic*
A State may, by its fundamental law, inhibit itself from
all acts of benevolence to foreigners forced by calamity to
seek for refuge within her territory, but must deserve, and
probably experience the like inhumanity, and in so far ex
cludes itself from the brotherhood of nations. An inhibi
tion like this, it seems to me, is not to be admitted unless
positive enactment be shown for it, or it can be deduced
from such enactment. The strict constructionist in this
case, it appears to me, can do neither ; but, on the contrary,
the power of Congress to bestow charity in this case, though
not expressly granted, may be inferred from provisions of
the Constitution.
Mr. Read's friends regretted his withdrawal from the
Senate, where his services, always valuable, were at this
tirae, in their opinion, especially so. Oiie of these friends
wrote to him from "Philadelphia, January 2d, 1794.
" My dear Sir, — With many others, I do most sincerely
regret the vacation of your seat in the Senate. Pray send
us in your room, and as soon as possible, a man of an
honest heart and a sound head, — such have at no time, you
may be assured, beeti more necessary than at the present
most critical moraent. The man you send us may decide our
fate. " Pray make us a visit in the course of the session. And
believe me to be, with the most cordial friendship and good
wishes, your obedient and humble servant,
" Oliver Ellsworth.
" Honorable Mr. Read."
* Madison contended that the authority of the United States gov
ernment was conflned to specific objects, of which charity was not one.
So Nicholson, and Giles, and Dexter saw weight in this argument; but
Murray and Boudinot argued that as the States had surrendered to the
general governraent the power to regulate intercourse with foreign
nations, it belonged to Congress to provide for cases like this. — Hil
dreth's History of the United States, vol. i. p. 479 ; Benton's Abridg
ment of the Debates of the Congress of the United States, vol. i. pp.
447, 462, 474.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 557
This letter was inclosed in the one which follows from
Richard Bassett, who had also left the United States Sen
ate, having been appointed Chief Justice of the Court of
Common Pleas in Delaware, and accepted this appointment.
" Red Lion,* January 3d, 1794.
"Dear Sir,— Inclosed is a letter from our old friend
Ellsworth. I have been up with my children to the city,
and am now on ray return. Sorae of our friends in the
Senate feel sensibly the want of your aid. Poor Izard is, I
assure you, truly a distressed raan, and though I feel much
for his situation, yet a degree of levity, in spite of every
thing, arose in my mind while he painted his and our other
friends' present difficulties : you know the man. They wish
much your place to be filled as speedily as possible with
the best man we can get, and indeed I am, from the short
interview I have had with many of the well disposed, of
opinion it is necessary we should exert ourselves a little to
send forward speedily our man, if possible. Pray have some
communication with Grantham, and others who you can
converse with upon the subject.
"My respects to Mrs. Read. I am, sir, with great re
spect, yours affectionately, " Richard Bassett.
" Excuse hurry, bad ink, pen, and paper.
" Honorable George Read, New Castle."
The Legislature of Delaware at their session in January,
1794, neglected to supply the vacancy in the United States
Senate caused by the resignation of Mr. Read, wherefore I
am uninformed. The question was raised whether or not
the Governor of Delaware could — there having been a ses
sion of the Legislature since this resignation — make a tem
porary appointment to fill this vacancy. He asked Mr.
Read's opinion upon this question in his letter addressed
to him
" 10th March, 1794.
" Dear Sir, — The Legislature at their last sitting having
neglected to appoint a senator to suppl_^the vacancy in the
Senate of the United States occasioned by your resignation,
* A tavern on the State road, seven railes below New Castle.

558 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
and it having been represented to me that it would be
much to the interest of the United States that a represen
tation should be had from this State, I some time ago wrote
to Mr. Booth requesting him to consult you on this sub
ject, and to request that you would give your opinion in
writing, — 'whether the Executive of the State can now
make a temporary appointment, the Legislature having
been in session since the vacancy happened.' It raay now
perhaps be said that the session of Congress is so near over
that the appointment is unnecessary, but I am informed that
the most of the material business is yet to do, and that
there is a great probability Congress will continue sitting a
considerable time ; and if your opinion should be that I
have the power, I shall be disposed to make the experiment
whether the Senate would accept a member so appointed.
" It would seem to me the intention of the Legislature
should be the pole-star for interpreting the law. The ob
vious meaning of the Constitution* certainly is that no
vacancy should continue in the Senate of the United States,
and in order that this should always be avoided the Execu
tive is vested with authority to fill such vacancy when the
common mode of election cannot conveniently be had. This
construction is to be favored because it supports the Resign
of the Constitution. On the contrary, if the Legislatures
should refuse or neglect to appoint the senators, the whole
system of government might be overthrown. However, I
wish to be directed in this business by your advice and di
rection, and should thank you to favor rae with your
opinion as speedily as possible.
" I ara, with sentiments of great respect, your most
obedient servant, "J. Clayton.
" The Honorable George Read, Esquire."
To this letter Mr. Read replied : "llth March, 1794.
" Sir, — Your letter of yesterday came to me this morn
ing by the under-sheriff Aiken, upon the subject whereof I
 % 
* " If vacancies happen by resignation, or otherwise (in the United
States Senate), during the recess of the Legislature of any State, the
executive thereof may make temporary appointments until the next
meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such vacancies." —
Constitution of the United States, art. i. sec. 3.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 559
had a written application addressed to me, in my official
character as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, by Mr.
Secretary Booth, on the 1st inst., wherein he mentions your
desire that he should obtain my opinion thereon in writing.
The following day I called upon Mr. Booth to know if he
considered the application [to be] to rae, in ray official
capacity, according to the address of his letter, and he
answered in the affirmative, for that he so understood your
directions to him. I then informed him of my doubts of
the propriety of my giving a legal opinion on a subject of
any sort, and particularly on the one then proposed, for
that it was possible, though I admitted not very probable,
the question might corae before rae judicially hereafter; and
that if the application to me was grounded on the tenth
section in the third article in the Constitution of this State,
the provision in that section would not warrant my so doing,
for that the expressions there confine the power of calling
for inforraation to the officers of the executive department.
Now the Constitution contemplates three distinct bodies or
powers to execute the system, in most cases totally inde
pendent of each other, — to wit, the legislative power, cora-
posed of two branches of the representatives of the people ;
suprerae executive power, to be vested in a governor, also
to be chosen by the people ; and a judiciary power, vested
in certain courts, to be filled with a chancellor and six other
judges, to be commissioned by the executive aforesaid during
good behavior — that when so organized they were, for all
the principal purposes of their constitution, separate and
distinct, and severally answerable. Under this impression
of the construction of the general system, and that in the
expressions ' the oflficers in the executive department' in the
said section the judiciary was not included, it was that I
doubted of the propriety of my complying with the Secre
tary's application.
"That the English history affords two striking instances
of the severe censure upon those of the judiciary of that
nation (which is very similar in its institution to that of
the judiciary of this State) for extra-judicial opinions ob
tained from and given by the judges of that country in two
distant periods, — viz., in the reign of Richard II., A D. 1389,
and Charles I., AD. 1636 and 1640; and unless the system
of our government was different in these respects from that

560 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
of England, then these instances serve as beacons for the
judiciary here. That although this was the opinion I then
entertained of my official duty, I considered myself at lib
erty in great cases of public concern, equally affecting every
free citizen, to converse thereon and express my sentiments ;
and that such an occasion had occurred since the rising of
the State Legislature with Mr. Grantham, one of its mem
bers, when I did say to him on the question put that was I
vested with the executive power of the State upon the
present occasion, I would not hesitate to exercise the power
of appointing to the vacancy in the Senate of the United
States from this State until the next meeting of the State
Legislature, and should rely upon the political necessity
of the case as a safe shield of defence for the exercise of
the power, which appeared suflficient, independent of the
support of the spirit of the Federal system. And I further
informed Mr. Booth that I had that morning, from a friendly
intention towards you, and as much as might be to relieve
you from present doubts, stated the case generally, and in
closed it to Mr. Vining,* in whose power it might be to
obtain the best opinions of the efficacy of such an appoint
ment and to speedily communicate his information thereon.
My letter went by Mr. Matthew Pearce, but Mr. Vining
having left Philadelphia before Pearce got there, had not
returned when he left it on Sunday last. My letter to
Vining was left for hira, and I have not heard from him
since. After such conversation with Mr. Booth, he asked
rae if he raight communicate the same to you, and he had
my assent thereto ; and he told Mr. Aiken this morning if
you had received a letter he had addressed to you, you would
not have been at the trouble of writing those letters by him.
" I am fully impressed with the idea that at no time since
the organization of the Federal government of the United
States hath this State [more] required an able, active, and
attentive representative in Congress than at the present
period, and particularly so on account of its own special
interest — and from the present state of the business before
them the present session cannot end speedily.
" Since I began this I received a letter from Dr. Latimer,

* John Vining had been elected by the Legislature of Delaware
United States Senator in place of Richard Bassett, resigned.

OF GEOBGE BEAD. 561
dated Newport, 7th inst. It appeared therein that he had
left Philadelphia the 5th, and Cantwell Jones, the bearer,
raet with hira on his return the 10th. He tells [me] the
absence of the Delaware representation was publicly spoken
of before he left Philadelphia.
" I yesterday received a notification from the attorney-
general that a person ofthe name of Baynard, being charged
by the coroner's inquisition of the wilful murder of a negro
in Kent County, would require the holding of a court of
oyer and terminer and general [jail] delivery there at a
short, convenient time, — that the indisposition of Judge
Clayton did not admit of his taking order therein, and the
business was referred to rae ; and I am at present so much
engaged with preparations to attend the spring circuit that
I am much restricted in time for that purpose, being obliged
under the late regulation to commence that duty at George
town in the first instance, at the distance of eighty-five
miles, rather than in New Castle, at a very unfavorable
time for a four days' travel at my age, and raore especially
so as I have been laboring under rheuraatic or gouty affec
tions in all my limbs for six or eight days past.
" I suspect, sir, you were mistaken when you were pleased
to say, as an argument that I ought to accept a seat in the
courts of this State, that it would .receive the approbation
of the many, for that those who it was then supposed would
raost approve thereof by report were perhaps most active to
occasion the regulation, recently made, as the most incon
venient to me personally. My hurry therefore presently
must be my apology for the evident haste in which I write
this : and I am, with much respect and esteera, yours,
"George Read.
"Governor Clayton."
Governor Clayton carae to the conclusion that he was
empowered to fill the th^n existing vacancy in the United
States Senate, and exercised it. On the 24th of March,
1794, Kensey Johns appeared in that body and produced
credentials of his appointment. Whereupon it was moved
that these credentials be referred to the Committee of Elec
tions before said Kensey Johns should be permitted to
qualify, and that committee should report thereon ; which
motion was carried,— yeas 13, nays 12. This committee

562 LIFE AND COBBESPONDENCE
reported 26th March, and their report ordered to lie for
consideration. It was taken up 27th March, a motion to
recommit it lost, and postponed till the 28th of that month,
when it was further considered, being as follows :
"The Committee of Elections report that George Read, a
senator from Delaware, resigned 18th September, 1793; and
during the recess of the Legislature of that State, which
met in January and adjourned in February, 1794 [without
having appointed a successor to said George Read], upon the
19th day of March, and subsequent to the adjournment of
the said Legislature, Kensey Johns was appointed by the
Governor of Delaware to fill the vacancy occasioned by the
resignation aforesaid ; and thereupon this committee submit
the following resolution: 'Resolved, That Kensey Johns,
appointed by the Governor of Delaware a senator of the
United States for the said State, is not entitled to a seat in
the Senate of the United States, a session of the Legislature
of the said State having intervened between the resignation
of the said George Read and the appointment of the said
Kensey Johns.' "
On the question being put to agree to this report, it
passed in the affirmative, — yeas : Bradford, Bradley, Brown,
Burr, Butler, Cabot, Edwards, Ellsworth, Frelinghuysen,
Gunn, Hawkins, Jackson, King, Langdon, Liverraore, Mar
tin, Mitchell, Monroe, Robinson, Taylor, — 20. Nays : Foster,
Izard, Morris, Potts, Rutherford, Strong, Vining, — 7.*- —

* "In no case except this has the attempt been made by any executive
to appoint, after the Legislature had been in session, and declined or
neglected to fill a vacancy.
" Three interpretations have been given to the clause of the Consti
tution, article i. section 3. The first is that which confines the power
of appointment, and also the tenure of the executive appointee, until
the next session of the Legislature, that is, until it is organized, and
this seems most in accordance with the rational import of the language
used. The second is, that the language of the Constitution merely
limits the power of appointment in the executive until the next meeting
of the Legislature, permitting the duration of the office, under that ap
pointment, to be indefinite and dependent only upon the action of the
Legislature, and the official communication of that action to the Senate.
[This construction was given by the raajority of the committee in the
case of Phelps, in 1854.] The third limits the power of executive ap
pointment to the ne.xt meeting of the Legislature, and also limits the
duration of the office, under the executive appointment, to the close of
the legislative session, unless previously terminated by the action of

OF GEOBGE READ. 563
(Journals of the Senate of the United States, vol. ii. pp.
53-55, 56, 57.)
Mr. Read's successor was not appointed by the Legisla
ture of Delaware till 1795. On the 28th of February of
that year "The Honorable Henry Latimer appeared in the
Senate and took his seat, in place of the Honorable George
Read, resigned." — (Journals of U. S. Senate, vol. ii. p. 177.)
The Legislature of Delaware, in determining, in 1793, as
they did, the amount of judicial salaries, erred by making
thera too small, but do not stand alone in this mistake,
which has been made by many of her sister States. This
mistaken legislation may be ascribed to several causes,
having more or less influence, — the despicable demagog-
ism of men who sought popularity by paring down the ex
penses of government to the lowest possible amounts; selfish
forgetfulness of the golden rule of giving to every man his
due, in the case of high judicial oflficers, by legislators who
would have blushed to have kept back partof the just wages of
their ploughman, their hedger, or their ditcher; and chiefly,
I am willing to believe, from a false estimate of the value
of judicial qualifications and services which may affect the
life, liberty, reputation, and property of every citizen, and
inattention to the alraost universal experience that the
lucrative practice of the law has not been exchanged for
the seat on the bench, with inadequate salary, and in such
cases vacancies have been filled by second-rate lawyers
instead, as they ought to have been by those most distin
guished for ability and knowledge.
Mr. Read accepted the appointment of chief justice, be
lieving, and declaring his belief, that the salary of this oflfice
was insufficient, and with the hope that it would be in
creased, and reserving the right to ask from the Legislature

the Legislature, and the official comraunication of that action to the
Senate. This is based upon a well-known legal fiction (that of treating
the whole session of the Legislature as one day), and has the support
of one precedent, and of continued practice under it." — Speech of the
Honorable James A. Bayard on the Vermont Senatorship, February 1,
1853, pp.- 3, 4, 5, 10. Debates of the first session of the Thirty-third
Congress, a.d. 1853.
Mr. Bayard, in his able speech, above quoted from, manifests, per
haps, an undue fear of the executive power, and underrates the evil of
vacancies in State representations in the United States Senate.
See Appendix for a notice of Kensey Johns.

564 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE ,
its augmentation. After devoting his abilities and legal
knowledge, with exemplary diligence to the discharge of his
judicial duty for two years, Mr. Read petitioned the Dela
ware Legislature, in 1796, for such an increase of his salary
(in accordance with the intention of the framers of the
Constitution) as would make it equal to the annual ex
penses of himself and family, of which it had fallen short,
and which expenses had not much, if at all, exceeded those
of the thirty preceding years. It is proper to add, Mr.
Read states that he had been told that a reason weighing
much with the Legislature, when fixing the araount of ju
dicial salaries, in 1793, was that the value of the judicial
system, just adopted, had not been tested by experience,
and, that it might be so tested, he had delayed his petition
for two years. The great amount of business in the Su
preme Court during these two years, and the diligence of
its j udges in disposing of it, appear from the facts Mr. Read
states, that actions brought to the next preceding terms
had been tried and disposed of without prejudice to, or in
terfering with, any of the older actions, and that there were
ninety original writs returnable to its last term. Though
the committee to whom this petition was referred reported
favorably upon it, no increase of salary was made by the
Legislature, and Mr. Read, in 1797, again petitioned for it,
but with the same result.
It was especially as a judge that Mr. Read was distin
guished ; his dispassionate habits of reasoning, his patience
in hearing, his deliberation, and the essential requisites of
profound legal knowledge and deep experience, which he
possessed, enabled hira to discharge the duties of his oflfice
with honor to hiraself and advantage to the community.
When he assumed the oflfice of Chief Justice of the State
of Delaware, in 1793, there was a peculiar necessity for a
judge of firmness and ability. The period of the Revolu
tion, and that which followed its close, were marked with
perplexity and confusion. The courts of justice were, in
some degree, closed, and the master-spirits of the age were
to be found in the cabinet or the camp. Laws were silent
amid the din of arms. It is unnecessary to enumerate the
effects of such confusion upon contracts and upon rights ;
but the duty of the judge was little less than the reor
ganization of a legal system out of chaos. This arduous

OF GEORGE READ. 565
duty was perforraed by Mr. Read with his usual ability,
and his decisions are still reverenced in the State of Dela
ware as the great land-marks of the judiciary and of the
profession. That this character of Mr. Read, as a judge, is
not the mere fancy-sketch of his descendant, biased by his
partiality for his venerated ancestor, appears by the fol
lowing statements.
Daniel Rodney, formerly associate judge of the Court of
Common Pleas, Governor of the State of Delaware, and a
member of the Senate of the United States, in 1844, being
then in his eightieth year, said to me :
"James P. Wilson, an eminent lawyer in Delaware, and
afterwards a distinguished Presbyterian rainister, having
studied law with a gentleman of the same political party
as Dr. James Tilton, who was hostile to Mr. Read, came to
the bar much prejudiced against him, but, when he had
practiced two years, he declared to me, ' I consider George
Read not only the best judge in this State (Delaware), but
in the United States, for talents, knowledge of law, and
integrity.' "*
This remarkable testimony of Daniel Rodney is confirmed
by another witness, who received frora Dr. Wilson the
statement of his violent prejudice against Mr. Read, and
the total change of his opinion from observation of his ad
ministration of his judicial office. This other witness is
Mrs. Susan Eckard, daughter of Colonel James Read, of
Philadelphia, deceased, from whose letter, recently written
to me, I raake the extract on the next page. There is a third
witness to Dr. Wilson's exalted opinion of Mr. Read as a
judge, to whom he comraunicated it, the friend Mrs. Eckard
mentions, and, though I have not his evidence from himself,
there is no ground to distrust it. I remark, in fine, that
these three testimonies have one characteristic of verity, —
substantial agreement, icith some circumstantial variety,
* I will not suppress what Daniel Rodney added to this statement,
viz., that James A. Bayard said "Judge Read could not decide cases
out of his little office." His earnest desire to decide rightly may have
occasionally delayed unduly his decisions, and subjected him to sneering
remarks like this ; but the fact (stated in his petition to the Legislature
for increase of salary) of the great amount of business disposed of in
his court, in the first years of his service as chief justice, dissipates
the suspicion it may excite that there may have been in hira con
siderable defect of the proper and due promptitude of decision.

566 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
"My late venerated pastor. Dr. Wilson, told me that
'when George Read was placed on the bench (Dr. Wilson
was a lawyer, and a violent Democrat) he lost several
causes, and said to a man he was sure would repeat, "that,
now George Read was upon the bench, he should never
gain a cause." I was completely disarmed by this mild an
swer of Mr. Read to my violent remark: "Let Mr. Wilson
be careful to bring just cases before the court, and he will
always obtain justice.' " In after-years Dr. Wilson told my
friend, the late General Winder, 'If I could be certain of
having such men on the bench as George Read, I would
dispense with a jury.' When that pious and humble Chris
tian, Dr. Wilson, called, on hearing my father was sick, as
he seated himself by his bedside, he said, ' I come here to
be instructed, not to teach.' "
Dr. Wilson was as distinguished as a divine as he had
been in the profession of the law. Acute and metaphysical,
he was well suited to teach Christianity in the phase in
which it was held by the Presbyterians. His unfeigned,
humble, and ardent piety, and most faithful discharge of
his pastoral duties, won for him the warm regard and the
veneration of his people, — the large, wealthy, and most
respectable first Presbyterian congregation of Philadelphia.
When more than half a century has elapsed since Mr.
Read's decease, still another testimony is offered to his char
acter as a judge and a man. The writer of the following
letter, the Honorable Willard Hall, long eminent at the
Delaware bar, has for many years filled the oflfice of judge
of the District Court of the United States for the District of
Delaware with the ability and integrity becoming that high
station. Judge Hall migrated from New England to Dela
ware so soon after Mr. Read's death that he received the
verdict of his contemporaries upon his character while their
recollection of him was ^resh and unfaded :
" Wilmington, December 26th, 1857.
" Dear Sir, — When I settled in this State in 1803, com
mencing ray professional life, the name most frequently
mentioned in my hearing as of highest authority in law
was that of your grandfather. In the estimation of the bar,
then having araong its members Bayard, Rodney, and
others, his decisions established the law ; of this character

OF GEORGE READ. 567
they were cited and received. It would give me great
pleasure if I could communicate any matter for his life
which you are writing. Mr. Killen kept no diary of men
or events, and his papers contain nothing that would be of
use to you. Having searched thera in past years for im
portant vouchers, I have no recollection of seeing anything
connected with your grandfather, although in speaking of
him his voice concurred in the universal attestation of the
high standing of your grandfather as a man and as a judge;
indeed, his station among men was as elevated for exalted
moral worth as araong lawyers for legal capacity and defer
ence. "Very respectfully yours,
"Willard Hall.
" William T. Read, Esquire."
On the 21st day of September Mr. Read's long life of
public usefulness was terminated by a sudden and short
illness.* We have seen this eminent man distinguishing himself
at the bar as a lawyer, animating his fellow-citizens against
oppression as a patriot, taking his seat in the national
council as a sage, and presiding on the bench as one of the
judges of the land. In all these lofty stations, exposed to
the strict scrutiny of the public, that invaluable safeguard
against abuses of power, no blemish was discovered in his
conduct. Applause at the bar did not in him generate
vanity, success in political life ambition, nor the dignity of
the bench dogmatism. As a lawyer, a patriot, a statesman,
* He was interred near the eastern wall of Immanuel Church, New
¦ Castle, Delaware, where his family have worshipped, and in the vicinity
of which they have been buried for raore than a century. His monu
ment bears this inscription :
GEORGE READ,
Born September 18th, 1734,
Died September 21st, 1798.
Member vf the Congress ofthe Revolution,
the Convention that framed the Constitution of the United States,
and of the first Senate under it;
Judge of Admiralty,
President and Chief Justice of Delaware,
and
a Signer ofthe Declaration of Independence.

568 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
and a judge, he was alike unpretending, consistent, dig
nified, and impartial. His other peculiar characteristics
were an inflexible integrity of motive, a slow ahd calm
deliberation of his subject, a cool determination of purpose,
and an invincible perseverance in the conclusions of his
judgment. Similar traits were prominent in the course of his private
life, softened, however, by those social amenities which so
delightfully relieve the sterner features of the patriot and
show us the statesman in the husband and the father. His
manners were dignified, and his dignity may have occasion
ally bordered upon austerity. He avoided trifling occu
pations, disliked familiarity, and could not tolerate the
smallest violation of good manners, for which he was him
self distinguished. A strict and consistent moralist, he
granted no indulgence to laxity of principle in others, and
he was reraarkably averse to that qualified dependence
which an obligation necessarily produces. Notwithstanding
an exact attention to his expenditure, which he never per
mitted to exceed his income, his pecuniary liberality was
extensive, his style of living simple, but becoming his sta
tion, and his hospitality generous, while it was not indis
criminate. The friendships which he enjoyed — and they
were many — were reraarkable for warmth and endurance,
and the love of his relatives for him elevated by reverence.
In person Mr. Read was above the middle size, erect and
dignified in his demeanor, and remarkable for his attention
to personal arrangements.
in fine, he was an excellent husband, a good father, son,
and brother, an indulgent master, an upright judge, a fear
less patriot, and a just man.
Mr. Read, as he informed Governor Clayton (p. 547) upon
his acceptance of the oflfice of Chief Justice, from his having
sacrificed his tirae too much to the public service (he meant
for his own interest) and other circumstances, found him
self at a very advanced period of life in possession of a small
estate, which had not been augmented prior to his decease.
Soon after it occurred, John Dickinson gave a valuable farm
to the widow and children of his departed friend, and with
the deed by which it was conveyed, sent the following
letter :

OF GEORGE READ. 569
"My dear Friend, — I desire thee to accept the inclosed
[deed] as some testimony, though an imperfect one, of high
esteem for thyself and of affectionate reverence for the
memory of our beloved friend.
" I have had an exact survey made of the plantation by
two surveyors, frora which it appears that there are upon
it upwards of one hundred and eighty acres of woodland.
" The value of this part is already considerable and in
creasing, as the landing at Christiana Bridge is only two
miles distant, and for the preservation of the wood 1 have
rejected every offer that has been made to me for renting
this place.
" From accurate calculations, made with judicious per
sons, I am persuaded that, under prudent management, at
least one thousand pounds might be made by the sale of the
wood, and still enough be left for the use of the farm.
" The mansion-house is of brick, strongly built, and two
stories high, with four rooms on a floor. A small sum would
put that, the kitchen adjoining, — which is also of brick, —
and the barn and stable, into suflficient repair. Some trees
planted around would give the whole a handsome appear
ance. "The soil is favorable for grain; or if grazing should
be preferred, every field might be next year turned into
meadow. " I mention these particulars, as they have been ascer
tained to me by attention and conversation with experi
enced men.
"With the warmest wishes for the happiness of thyself
and family, I am thy respectfully affectionate friend,
"John Dickinson.
"Wilmington, sixth month 25th, 1799.
" Mrs. Gertrude Read, New Castle, Delaware."
Mr. Dickinson further manifested his undying respect for
Mr. Read's memory and his affection for his family.
Having been informed that the oflfice of John Read, Es
quire, respecting British debts, was about expiring, he
waited on the President of the United States, and recom
mended his continuance in this place.
Mr. John Read thanked Mr. Dickinson (April 8th, 1802)
for this act of kindness, " it having been the happiness of
37

570 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
his father, through his long and useful life, to enjoy his
friendship, and a great consolation to his family that it had
survived him."
Mr. Dickinson thus replied :
" My dear Friend, — On my retum from Kent thy letter
of the 8th was received.
"The information mentioned in it was true, and I was
compelled to make the application by reverence for the
memory of thy beloved father, and by affection for his relict
and children, who will always be precious to my heart as
long as it shall continue sensible of anything relating to
this world. " I am, with sincerity, thy friend,
"John Dickinson.*
"Wilmington, the 12th of the fourth month, 1802.
" John Read, Jr., Esquire, Philadelphia."
* When I was a raere boy, Mr. Dickinson was ray father's guest for
a few days, during the trial of a suit in which I think he was defendant,
my father being his counseh I have a vivid impression of the man, —
tall and spare, his hair white as snow, his garb uniting with the severe
simplicity of his sect a neatness and elegance peculiarly in keeping with
it ; and his manners, beautiful emanations of the great Christian prin
ciple of love, with the gentleness and affectionateness which, whatever
be the cause, the Friends, or at least individuals of them, exhibit more
than others, combining the politeness of a raan of the world, familiar
with society in its most polished forms and with conventional canons
of behavior. Truly he lives in my meraory as the realization of my
beau ideal of a gentleraan.

OF GEORGE READ. 571

APPENDICES TO CHAPTER VII.

NOTICE OF KENSEY JOHNS.
Kensey Johns was born at "West River, Anne Arundel County,
Maryland, on the 14th day of June, a.d, 1759. His ancestor migrated
from Wales to that province soon after its settlement, and was the
founder of one of those farailies who, transraitting their estates for many
generations from father to son, gave to the gentry of Maryland an envi
able superiority in intelligence and refinement, and an element of stability
to her political institutions.
Mr. Johns was adraitted to the bar of Delaware, and after a practice
of twelve years appointed an associate judge of the Supreme Court,
which place he filled until, upon the decease of Chief Justice Read, in
1798, he succeeded him. Judge Johns presided for thirty-ei;.;-ht years
in the Supreme Court, to the satisfaction of the public, deciding, with
his colleagues, questions difBcult and important, and term after term
disposing of business great in amount, frora the peculiar circumstances
of the period immediately succeeding the Revolution, and such as
would appall the lawyer in these days of diminished practice On the
death of Chancellor Ridgley, Mr. Johns succeeded him, and held the
chancellorship until the change of constitution in 1832. During this
long period the bar of Delaware was distinguished by ability, knowl
edge, and eloquence. If asked what characterized Mr. Johns as a
judge, I should answer, unbending impartiality, and as a man, sagacity
and discretion, which led him to right conclusions in his own affairs,
and made him an adrairable adviser for others. He was a member of
the Protestant Episcopal Church, and rendered her service in her ves
tries and in her diocesan and general conventions.
With faculties unimpaired almost to the last, in his ninetieth year
this venerable man, surrounded by his family, was gathered to his
fathers, in the confidence of a certain faith and in the comfort of a
reasonable religious and holy hope.
Judge Johns said to me (27th August, 1844), " I was, as I have often
told you, a student in your grandfather's office, having entered it in
1780. His 'Coke-Littleton' was in the old black-letter. When'I had
read it once, I asked, ' What shall I read next ?' ' Read it,' said he,
'again,' I read it the second time and asked, ' What next ?' ' Read it
the third time,' said he ; and, perceiving some manifestations of repug
nance upon my part, he added, 'for this is the well whence you must
draw your knowledge of the law.' Having omitted from a very long
deed on parchment, which I had drawn by Mr. Read's direction, for

572 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
one of his clients, a few words, which might have been easily supplied
by insertion, and which did not affect the instrument, he handed it to
me, merely saying, 'Write it over again,' which I was obliged to do, at
the cost of at least two days of hard labor. But," added Judge Johns,
" be made a lawyer and a man of me."
A fellow-student with Judge Johns was Ross Thompson, a youth
wild and heedless. My father told me that Ross, whenever in the
course of his studies he encountered a difficulty, walked iiito the oflBce
(adjoining the one occupied by the students of Mr. Read) where he
usually sat, and obtained the solution he ought first to have tried to
work out for himself. Mr. Read, after bearing for a long time, with his
accustomed equanimity, this annoyance, one day when Ross came,
book in hand, to put a question, took him by the arm, led him to the
oflfice of the students and to each of the cases of books around it, which
he opened, and having pointed to their contents, bowed with great
politeness to him and left the roora. Ross, added ray father, felt the
rebuke, took the hint so significantly given him, and ventured no more
such questions.

PORTRAITS OF GEORGE READ.
There are two portraits extant of George Read. One of these is
in possession of his grandson, Williara T. Read, and all that is known
of its history appears by the following letter, the writer of which, now
deceased, was a son of George Ross, a signer of the Declaration of
Independence. This picture seems to have been taken when Mr. Read had attained
middle age. The attitude is graceful, the features fine and very intel
lectual, the eyes hazel, and the expression one of mingled benevolence
and melancholy. Good judges have pronounced it a fine picture, in the
style of Gilbert Stewart, and his sons and surviving friends considered
it a good likeness. "Lanoastek (Penna.), January 18th, 1828.
"Dear SiR.^Your letter of the 22d Deceraber last was delivered to
me by Mr. Barr, to whom you intrusted it. Mr. McCrone raisappre-
hended nie. I did not inform him that I had in ray possession the
portrait, but told him such a picture had been in one of the public inns
of this place, and to inforra some one of George Read's family, if they
desired, I could procure it. I discovered that a Mr. Armstrong, of this
city, possessed the picture. He, at my instance, called on me with the
portrait and agreed to sell it for ten dollars, which sum, after receiving
your letter, without chaffering about the price, I paid him, and he sent
to me the picture, and I have since received your letter covering ten
dollars. " Mr. Leonard Eicholtz, at whose house the picture was found, re
membered seeing it about ten years ago, when he was [first] in pos-

OF GEORGE READ. 573
session of the house he now lives in, which belonged to his late father.
It was found in a garret, among sorae old and useless furniture. He
thought it of so little consequence to him that he raade use of it to
hang over a hole cut in one of his chiraneys for the introduction of a
stovepipe, to conceal it. Some time after it was discovered by his
brother, a limner and portrait-painter, and kept by him in his study, he
beheves, to improve him in his profession, and which he pronounced to
be a fine painting. He likewise discovered, after he had brushed up
the picture, the name 'George Read' and the word 'Baltimore.'* (By
a close inspection you may see them on the left side, near the lower
part of the picture.) Mr. Eicholtz, not knowing who the picture repre
sented, or where the person represented was to be found, [after his
brother left Lancaster] placed it where first discovered. About eighteen
raonths after, Mr. Armstrong happened to see and was much pleased
with it as a fine painting, and regretting that it should occupy so de
grading a situation, requested Mr. Eicholtz to let him have the picture,
to which Mr. E., he being an acquaintance for whom he had a particular
regard, consented, parting with it gratuitously. Hearing accidentally
that this portrait was in Mr. A.'s possession, last summer I requested
him, by my son, to call on rae with it, as I thought it the picture of a
near faraily connection of mine. He came as requested, and I observed
the words ' George Read,' ' Baltimore,' and he sold rae the picture as I
have stated. Mr. Eicholtz regrets that he had not the pleasure of
restoring this picture to the family of George Read, though he is grati
fied in having been instruraental in preserving it, and that it is now
where it should be. With respect to your further queries, ' by whora,'
and 'when and where,' and 'for whom painted,' I cannot give any
account. " I hope you will excuse any inaccuracies in this letter, and attribute
them to my age and forgetfulness, being now in my seventy-sixth year.
"I am, devotedly, yours and the family's obedient servant,
"George Ross.
" To William T. Read, Esquire, Centre Hal], near New Castle,
Delaware." The other portrait, in the possession of the daughter of the late Mr.
William Read, of Philadelphia, was painted by Robert Edge Pine. It
was considered by Mr. Read's family to have an expression of stern
ness not his. His daughter, Mrs. Pearce, when she first saw this
picture, exclaimed, "Take away that Saracen's head 1" The following
letter contains a sufBcient account of this portrait :
" New Castlb, May SOth, 1792.
" Madam,  My son will wait upon you and advise as to the finishing
of my portrait, if necessary, and then receive it. I have transmitted
Mr. Pine's receipt for the fifty dollars paid in 1785, and have given
directions for the payment of the remaining six, equal to twenty-seven
shillings sterling. I was guilty of great omission in not seeing you
before I left Philadelphia, in the beginning of this month, as I had seen

* On a letter he is represented as holding.

574 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE
the young ladies, your daughters, on an evening visit to Mrs. Trist, who
reminded rae of the portrait being still with you, and of your intention
to go to Europe ; and I then said I would wait on you ere I departed,
but a scene of hurry in the conclusion of the public business soon ensued,
and this proraise escaped ray memory. I wish you and your family a
safe and pleasing voyage, and I ara, with esteem,
"Your very humble servant, " George Read.
" Mrs. M. Pine, Philadelphia."
I am indebted to "Putnam's New Monthly Magazine," of October,
1855, vol. vi., for the following account of Pine :
"A few octogenarians in Philadelphia used to speak of a diminutive
family, the head of which raanifested the sensitive temperament, if not
the highest capabilities, of artistic genius. This was Robert Edge Pine
[a native of England]. He was considered a superior colorist, and was
favorably introduced into society there, by his acknowledged sympathy
for the American cause, and by a grand project, such as was afterwards
executed by Trumbull, — that of a series of paintings, illustrative of the
American Revolution, to embrace original portraits of the leaders, both
civil and military, in that achievement, including the statesmen who were
chiefly instruraental in framing the Constitution and organizing the
government under it. He brought letters of introduction to the father of
the late Judge Hopkinson, whose portrait he executed, the vivid tints
and resemblance to the original of which still attest to his descendants
the ability of the painter. In the intervals of his business as a teacher
of drawing and portrait-painter, he collected from tirae to time a large
number of heads of distinguished persons. Of these the heads of Gen
eral Gates, Charles Carroll, Baron Steuben, and Washington are the best
known and most highly prized. Pine remained three weeks at Mount
Vernon, and his portrait bequeaths some features of Washington with
great accuracy. Artists find in it certain merits not discernible in those
of later date. It has the permanent interest of a representation from
life by a painter of established reputation, yet its tone is cold and its
effect unimpressive beside the more bold and glowing creation of
Stewart's pencil. It has repose and dignity. In his letter to Washing
ton, asking his co-operation in the design he meditated. Pine says, ' I
have been some time at Annapolis, painting the portraits of patriot
legislators, patriot heroes, and beauties, in order to adorn my large
pictures ;' and he seems to have commenced his enterprise with sanguine
hopes of one day accomplishing his object, which it was, however,
reserved for a native artist to complete. That his appeal to Washing
ton was not neglected is, however, evident from an encouraging allusion
to Pine and his scherae in the correspondence of the former. ' Mr. Pine,'
he says, ' has met a favorable reception in this country, and may, I con
ceive, command as much business as he pleases. He is now preparing
materials for the historical representation of the most important events
of the war.' Pine's picture ofWashington is in the possession of the
Hopkinson family of Philadelphia. The fac simile of Washington's
letter proves that it was taken in 1785. A duplicate was purchased in
Montreal, in 1817, by the late Henry Brevoort, of New York."

OF GEORGE READ. 575
O-
MANSION, MEANS, AND STYLE OF LIVING.
The mansion of Mr. Read comraanded an extensive view of the
river Delaware (of the width of two and a half miles or more), since
obstructed by the houses erected along the river-front of New Castle.
So near was his house to the Delaware that when the tide was high
one wheel of a carriage passing the street in front of it was in the
water, and in violent storms its waves were dashed against the build
ing. This mansion was an old-fashioned brick structure, looking very
comfortable, but with no pretensions to elegance. It contained a
spacious hall, on one side of which was a large parlor or drawing-room,
on the other Mr. Read's office, behind it the dining-room of suflficient
size, and in its rear a large kitchen. The extensive garden ran back to
the grounds, where were the stables and other out-buildings. The
garden was kept with great care, for Mrs. Read had both fondness and
taste for horticulture, and was proud of her profusion of flowers, es
pecially her tulips, of great variety and beauty. This mansion was
burned in the fire which, in 1824, laid in ashes almost half of New
Castle. Its ruins were subsequently reraoved, and there is not now a
trace of it visible. Here Mr. Read resided for many years in the style
of the colonial gentry, who, even when having no more than the mod
erate income of Mr. Read, maintained a state and etiquette which have
long disappeared. The furniture, though plain, was in the style of its
day, and there was the necessary plate — both dinner and tea services —
and the hospitality becoming Mr. Read's station maintained. How
could this be, Mr. Read not being aflfiuent ? His income would buy far
more then than now, and he had a sraall farm, which furnished fuel and
other necessary articles for housekeeping, and there were two lots near
New Castle, which afforded pasture for horses and cows, and sorae hay;
besides, he generally owned his servants. The out-door affairs were
managed by a brother of Mr. Read, an old bachelor, rough in his man
ners (for he had followed the sea), but of very kind heart.

YALE UNIVERSITY

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