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1993.VI.
REMARK S
UPON THE
BRITISH EXPEDITION TO DANBURY, CONNECTICUT,
IN 1777,
AS NARRATED IN CHAP. II. VOL. III. OF
MARSHALL’S LIFE OF WASHINGTON.
BY ELISHA D. WHITTLESEY.
[MSS. New York Historical Society. 1O3 The passages in Marshall’s Life of Washington, referred to by the
writer of the following article, will be found in vol. iii. pp. 74—79, quarto edi-
tion. It is not deemed necessary to reprint them here, as most readers are
familiar with the work, and the material points to which Mr. Whittlesey
alludes, are sufficiently indicated in his remarks.REMARKS.
The distance of Danbury from the nearest point on the
Sound, stated by Marshall at“ not more than twenty miles,”
is probably not less than twenty-two miles; and at the pe-
riod of this expedition, as the road ran, the distance must
have been greater. The object of the expedition, as stated,
was the destruction of the continental stores, which had
been collected at Danbury, and two thousand men under
the command of Governor Tryon, assisted by Generals Ag-
new and Sir William Erskine, were employed in it.
The city of New York was at this time in the possession
of the enemy. Here the expedition was fitted out by the
orders of Sir William Howe, who must have obtained very
correct and ample intelligence, not only of the nature of
the roads, and of the country to be traversed, and the strength
of the Americans to be opposed : but also of the party pol-
itics of individuals, who dwelt along the roads, whether in
humble fortune or possessing influence. For the result of
the expedition shows that buildings and private property
were carefully spared, or destroyed, according as the poli-
tics of the owners were friendly or hostile to the invaders.
On the 25th of April, a little before sunset, the troops
disembarked. The name of the place at which they landed,
instead of Campo, as stated by Marshall, is Compo, pro-
nounced in common usage Kumpo. It is a hill, beautilully
descending toward the Sound, lying upon the east side of
Saugatuek liver, and near its mouth, in the southwestern
corner of Green’s farms, a parish in the township and coun-
ty of Fairfield.
Dr. Dwight (3 Travels, 506) observes, that the troops
disembarked on the morning of the 26th of April. But this
is quite improbable, considering the time they reached Dan-
bury, which was between one and two o’clock of that day,
having marched in rainy weather over stony, hilly and mud-
dy roads, say a distance of twenty-four miles, and encum-
bered with artillery. I have heard from several ancient
persons, that they halted in Reading, and there refreshed230
REMARKS UPON THE
themselves with breakfast. This is only eight miles from
Danbury; and had they commenced their march at any
time after twTelve o’clock at night, which ended the 25th,
they coulcf not have reached this place thus early. Besides,
common report fixes, the time of the landing in the early
part of the evening.*
General Silliman, who was attached to the Connecticut
militia, lived in Fairfield, near the place where the British
troops landed; and upon the first approach of the enemy,
the surrounding country was alarmed. Upon the following
morning, he pursued them, with such militia as could be
collected, which amounted to about five hundred men, at
the time when he reached Reading. Here he was joined
by Generals Arnold and Wooster, with a small additional
number of militia.
They proceeded upon their pursuit to Bethel, a parish in
the township of Danbury, distant four miles (instead of
eight, as stated) from the village or town. This place they
reached at eleven o’clock at night, their progress having
been retarded by a heavy rain.
Here they halted, and determined to postpone an attack
until the British should be on their return to their shipping.
The news of the approach of the enemy did not reach Dan-
bury until they had actually arrived within eight miles of
the town. They took the road through Weston, by Reading
church, over Hoyt’s hill, through Bethel to Danbury, where
they arrived between one and two o’clock on the 26th, hav-
ing marched all of the preceding night. Upon receiving
the intelligence, confusion, fear and folly, prevailed among
the inhabitants. All of the revolutionary party seemed to
have a presentiment that to remain, would be to furnish
subjects for the exercise of exasperation and cruelty, or to
excite a jeering enemy to make them the sad spectators of
wanton waste and plunder. Women and children fled in
tears. Of the men, while some were intent upon removing
their effects, or their families, some remained to watch,
with anxious and pious care, the decrepid, and the sick.
Amidst this scene of fear and sympathy, of hurry and flight,
a Mrs. Clark, wife of Captain James Clark, a woman of
[*<( The enemy landed upwards of 2000 men, from four and twenty sail of
shipping, this day week, at Compo Hill, near Saugatuck river, and marched seven
miles that evening, where they rested till towards morning, then marched again,
and reached Danbury,‘about three or four o’clock on Saturday afternoon, with
little or no opposition.”—Letter from Major Hugh Hughes to Gen. Gates,
dated May 2, 1777.—MSS. N. Y. Hist. Sbc. Gates’ Papers.]BRITISH EXPEDITION TO DANBURY.
231
singular fortitude, remained after the inhabitants had re-
tired, to dispose of her family and secure her goods, and
was in fact the last whig female that left the town upon
the entrance of the enemy. The predatory character of
this incursion of the enemy, Was truly anticipated. All
who had teams had joined them to their carts, to secure
’ their property; but in many instances they were rightfully
deprived of them by Colonel Huntington, who pressed them
into the public service, to remove the military stores. A
small part of these were secured. But the whole amount
of public and private property saved was inconsiderable.
The general impulse was to seek safety in immediate flight.
To resist with any prospect of success, was impossible.
Colonel Huntington, in the continental service, who was
stationed there, retired with his troops, about one hundred
and fifty only, and without arms, to an eminence in the
northern part of the town; but afterwards joined General
Arnold, upon the retreat of the British.
Though no tragic scenes occurred upon the first approach
of the enemy, an incident is related by some of the suffering
inhabitants, which is not unworthy of notice. Captain Joseph
Hamilton had gone to a clothing shop situated at the lower
end of the main street, to bring home a roll of domestic cloth.
As the British approached that part of the town, he, ever
steady to his purpose, was tying the roll of cloth upon his
horse. He had succeeded in tying one of the mail straps,
when the hurried approach of light horse warned him of
his dagger. In this critical situation, he sprang into the
saddle of his unsuspecting old horse and fled; a British
trooper closely pursuing and hailing him to surrender,
threatening him with the dread alternative of death. The
half-fastened roll, though it did not exhibit itself very grace-
fully in its diversified motions, yet served a friendly and hu-
mane purpose to the sturdy yeoman. While one end of it
remained fast in the faithful strap, the other exercised it-
self in gambols upon the flanks and rear of the horse, oc-
casioning such a fright to the poor animal as to put his
speed beyond all .former example. The light-horseman
kept within a few yards of his prey, with his broad sword
drawn ; but found as he occasionally approached him that
the vision of the roll of cloth produced a contrary effect
upon the progress of his own beast. The fright indeed
was mutual, but with a contrary effect. Often the pursuer
drew so near the old man, that he did not doubt he was in
his power, and that a single blow with his sword, would232
REMARKS UPON THE
rid America of one vile rebel. He struck and struck again;
but the bouncing cloth was the shield of Achilles, to our
hero in his flight; nay, more, it interposed itself at every
stroke, to save its owner, by administering a wholesome
fright to the horse of his adversary. In the course of the
chase, an interesting conversation ensued. * You are gone,
Old Daddy? shouted the trooper, whenever he drew near
to the captain. “ Not yet! not yet /”■—as often replied the
wary captain, steadily flapping and flying along the way.
Thus they rode on. seasoning their rapid journey with a
little rough con vernation/until they arrived at the northern
extremity Of the main street, when the British horseman
suddenly left his adversary, not a little chagrined at having
made himself the Sancho to such a furious Don.
The British having gained undisputed possession of the vil-
lage, discovered Colonel Huntington retiring before thejn.
They thereupon placed cannon on a little hill near one
Dobbs’s house, on the western side of the main street, to an-
noy the retreating party, but which were discharged with-
out effect.
The enemy now very soon began to commit those cruel--
ties and excesses, which are common to plundering parties.
The sick and the aged were insulted and abused, without
cause. Many persons were killed, and of these some were
murdered in a barbarous manner. One circumstance in
particular occurred, soon after the arrival of the enemy,
which heightens the melancholy recollections of the scene.
Four persons, inflamed with a momentary madness of en-
thusiasm, had placed themselves in a large and valuable
house of one Major Starr, to fire upon and resist a British
army! As the troops proceeded up the street, they were
fired upon from the windows by these rash adventurers,
who seemed here to have placed themselves in reality upon
the last threshold of liberty. They repeated their firing
a few times, it is said, with effect. But a dreadful retalia-
tion followed. An exasperated enemy thrusted them into
the cellar of the house, barricaded the doors, and set the
house on fire, which, was burnt to ashes, together with these
unhappy men. These persons were Joshua Porter, Eleazer
Starr, one Adams, and a negro*
At the time of this affair, the firing of the village had
not occurred. The enemy were excessively fatigued With
their march, and made a free use of the liquor which the
stores plentifully afforded. They remained here during the
night, which is represented as having been exceedinglyBRITISH EXPEDITION TO DANBURY.	23J
ingly dark. A few straggling American soldiers kept up a
random fire, and annoyed their guards considerably.
When it is recollected that a part of them were over-
come with intoxication, and all had been deprived of sleep
the previous night, it would seem that a handful of spirited
and skilfull men might so effectually have disturbed the
whole British detachment, by depriving them of rest, and
increasing their fatigue, as to have put them in the power
of the provincials, upon the succeeding day.
Early on the following morning, Sunday, 27th April, be-
fore sunrise, the darkness of the night was suddenly dis-
pelled by the conflagration of the village. The destruction
of the military stores was the ostensible object of the ex-
pedition. But as if the destruction of this considerable
amount of property was not sufficient to satisfy the rapa-
city of the invaders, private dwellings, store houses, barns,
and moveables, all shared the same fate, excepting such as
belonged to the tories. Soon after the burning had com-
menced, they hastily left the town. Well knowing, prob-
ably, of the force that was collecting in Bethel, and fearful
of being cut off from their retreat, instead of returning by
their former route, they took the road to Ridgefield. This
was by no means the road now travelled, which has been
made since that period. They first proceeded westwardly
to Ridgebury, a parish in the township of Ridgefield, thence
southerly to Ridgefield, upon the two sides of a right angled
triangle, of which the present road is the hypothenuse*.
Their motive in taking this course, was, probably, to de-
ceive the Americans, by marching toward the highlands
with a pretended view of re-embarking there, and then
suddenly to alter their course and take the least opposed
road to their shipping.
Information having been received by the American Gen-
erals of the movement of the enemy, they divided their
force into two parts. The largest under the command of
Silliman and Arnold, were destined to take post in front
of the enemy, and the other under Wooster, to attack their
rear. For this purpose, they separated, and took different
roads. About nine o’clock in the morning, General Woos-
ter was informed that the enemy had taken the road south-
erly from Ridgebury, to the shipping. After hastening for-
ward, he came up with them, and after a little skirmishing
took forty prisoners. He continued to harass them and
to check their progress, until they had arrived within two
miles of the village of Ridgefield. Here a very sever©
SECOND SERIES, VOL. II.	162S4
REMARKS UPON tfHfi
skirmish took place. The enemy had passed a small hill
in the road, which obstructed them temporarily from the
view of the militia. General Wooster, ever ardent, took
this opportunity to encourage forward his inexperienced
troops, and to repeat their charge. While he was thus en-
gaged in impelling forward his men, and using every effort
to animate them, the British rear guard were discharging
their artillery and musquetry upon them. It was here that
he received his fatal wound. Amidst the repeated dis-
charges of artillery, while in the van of his troops, he ex-
claimed but a moment before he fell from his horse, “ Come
on, my boys! Never mind such random shot.” Entirely
regardless of his personal safety, he was leading on his
men, exposed to a fire which intimidated his troops, when
he received a grape shot in his side that instantly disa-
bled him, and in a few days terminated his existence. His
troops, which were militia, were then compelled to give
way.
General Arnold, who, by forced marches, had crossed the
country to Ridgefield, arrived there about eleven o’clock
A. M. Here he erected a barricade of carts, logs, and
earth, at the northern extremity of the main street, and
awaited the arrival of the British. This was a well chosen
piece of ground ; the road was narrow, his right flank was
covered by a house and barn, and his left by a ledge of
rocks. The enemy upon discovering [him there prepared,
drew up and advanced in a heavy column, but afterwards
extended themselves, in order to outflank and surround
him.
They marched up and received several fires, which they
briskly returned. For ten minutes the action was very
warm. But they succeeded in gaining the rocks, after
which the Americans retreated.
After they had gained this eminence, a whole platoon of
the British soldiery levelled and fired at General Arnold,
who was not more than thirty yards distant from them.
But he remained unhurt by this discharge. His horse was
killed and fell. Upon perceiving a soldier advancing with
his bayonet to run him through, the General kept upon his
saddle, deliberately drew his pistol from his holster, shot his
adversary, and then retired.
Such an instance of cool courage would have added ad-
ditional laurels to the fame of Marius the Great, or Mar-
shal Ney, in the most flattering periods of their lives.
Every enterprise of General Arnold in his country’s serviceBRITISH EXPEDITION TO DANBURY*
235
proved him to be a most brave, skilful and useful officer.
Had he died here, his country would have owed his memory
many returns of gratitude. But his life and activity were
prolonged, that he might bless that country with other hon-
orable services, and lastly stain his own name with eternal
infamy, by an act of the blackest treason in the most event-
ful period of the struggle for independence.
Some valuable lives were lost during this conflict.
Among them was General Gould, a militia officer of Fair-
field, Connecticut.
After being thus repulsed by a superiority of force, Ar-
nold retreated before the enemy. The British halted all
night at Ridgefield. A few Americans kept up a scattering
fire during the night, and attempted to burn the church, in
which was a considerable quantity of pork and wheat, but
the fire was extinguished without any material damage.
Four private houses were consumed here ; and some other
private property was destroyed. The next morning about
daylight, Monday, April 2$th, they resumed their march.
They proceeded through Wilton, and finding that General
Arnold was on the road which branches to Saugatuck, five
miles north of Norwalk, instead of following the direct road
to Saugatuck, they filed off to the east, and pursued that
' course until they reached Saugatuck creek, which they
forded considerably above the bridge. The Americans
overtook them, but they kept on the west side of the creek
near a half mile from them—each cannonading the other,
at times very warmly. About three o’clock, P. M. Colonel
Deming and a party of continentals forded the river to their
middle, undiscovered by the enemy, and falling on their
rear, galled them exceedingly: and returned without loss.
The Americans marched on till five o’clock, when they ar-
rived at Saugatuck bridge, (not Paugatuck, which is the
name of a river in the eastern part of the state,) about two
miles from Compo, and four east of Norwalk.
Both parties being now upon high ground, on opposite
sides of the river, a furious cannonading ensued for about
fifteen minutes, without much effect. The bridge which
the enemy possessed themselves of soon after landing, they
now relinquished, and pushed on with a view to reach their
shipping. Arnold with a division pursued closely on, and
by a quick march gained an eminence on the right flank of
the enemy’s rear. An incessant fire of field-pieces and
small arms followed, for a short time, with little or no exe-
cution. But the British were excessively fatigued, and286
REMARKS UPON THE
were hard pressed by the Americans. Some think they
“Would not have escaped from complete destruction, had it
not been for the adoption of the following expedient, said
to have been proposed by Sir William Erskine. They land-
ed a body of marines* and moving them into the van of the
army, charged the Americans with so much vigor, that they
were driven from the ground. The British then embarked
in their boats with the utmost expedition, and reached
their ships in safety, but so fatigued with the march, that
it is said many of the soldiers fell upon the decks of the
vessels and there lay for a considerable time, worn out with
fatigue. The Americans also were many of them exceed-
ingly weary. The marines being fresh, took the place of
their exhausted countrymen, and were an over-match for
the fatigued Americans. But while our field-pieces were
plying on their boats, Colonel Lamb of New York advan-
ced with two hundred men, within one hundred yards of
the enemy, on the Compo hill, and galled them from behind
a intone wall. The marines in about ten minutes sent a
party from their right to flank the Americans, and advanced
another party from their front, who came running down the
hill with great fury. Notwithstanding the spirited exertions
of Colonel (afterwards General) Lamb, his party instantly
retreated in great disorder, and were pursued to the foot of
the hill, where, finding themselves unsupported, they were
compelled to discontinue the conflict. And the marines
spon embarked without further molestation.
A great number of Connecticut militia had assembled to
witness the battle at Compo, and a few to participate in its
dangerSi Many of them were without arms, or without
ammunition, and could render no assistance. Many who
were supplied, refused to submit to any order or discipline,
and of such as did, too many behaved in a cowardly man-
ner.
After General McDougalfs arrival in the northern part
of Bedford, and thence into South Salem, (or, as it was then
called, Lower Salem,) upon the 28th, it would, no doubt,
have been unwise to have pursued the enemy further, upon
receiving intelligence that they had gone from Ridgefield
early upon the morning of that day. For small could have
been the hope of overtaking them before they would have
arrived at their shipping. But why he commenced his
march at so late an hour from Peekskill, (improperly writ-
ten Peckskill,) remains to be explained. The distance from
Danbury to that place, is not more than twenty-six miles,BRITISH EXPEDITION TO DANBURY.
221
and the alarm might have been easily conveyed there earfy
upon the evening of the day, that the enemy arrived in Dan-
bury. It cannot be supposed that such officers as Arnold
and Wooster, would for an half hour have neglected this
most important part of their duty, of despatching a mes-
senger speedily, after the destination of the enemy Was
known, especially when it is recollected that Arnold was at
that time attached to the army at Peekskill, arid then hap-
pened to be in the vicinity of Danbury superintending the
recruiting service. We cannot well suppose that General
McDougall did not receive the intelligence before the morn-
ing of the 27th; and if he had set out at that time, he
might easily have intercepted the enemy at Ridgefield.
With the other assistance which he would have received,
the situation of the enemy would not have been merely
* critical;” they certainly would have been destroyed, or
captured.
The killed, wounded and missing of the enemy, (says
Marshall,) amounted to about one hundred and seventy
men.” Perhaps no other account of this affair, deemed re-
spectable, places their loss in such small numbers as the a-
bove. Dr. Dwight says, that the loss of the enemy was es-
timated by themselves at one hundred and seventy. But ft
is believed that in this respect, the Doctor was mistaken;
for General Washington, states, in his letters, that they only
acknowledged forty men lost. Dr. Ramsay observes, that
they had two or three hundred men killed, wounded, or ta*
ken. Gordon remarks, that there is little reason to doubt
that they had four hundred men killed, wounded and taken.
The probability is, that the account of Gordon, as hdre star-
ted, is nearest the truth.
We do know that the accounts which were published fey
the British in New York, were full of misrepresentations
and gross falsehoods. When we consider the general skir-
mishes, in which they were engaged; how often they were
annoyed along the roads by the musquetry of the scattered
militia; and the feeble resistance which was many times
made in consequence of their fatigue, the statement by Gor-
don probably does not exceed the truth. Governor Try oft
himself was among the wounded.
The loss of the Americans, in killed, wounded and mis-
sing, was probably about one hundred men. At the battle
of Compo, Dr. Atwater, a volunteer, a man of considerable
influence, was among the slain. Colonel Lamb received a
violent contusion from a grape shot, while attempting to239
REMARKS UPON THE
tally his men. General Arnold was exposed at the same
time; and had his horse wounded in the neck.
The loss of Major General David Wooster, who, we
may remember, received his mortal wound a little above
Ridgefield, recalls to mind the most grateful recollections
of his character. He was conveyed to Danbury immedi-
ately after he was wounded, and there died, on the 2d of
May, aged about seventy years. He was buried in Dan-
bury, with the respect due to his rank, and services. But
the enquiring traveller will be surprised to find that the
grave of Wooster cannot at this time be found or designa-
ted with absolute certainty. Most of the inhabitants are
indifferent about it, and have never troubled themselves to
enquire out, and mark the spot. Aged people who have
spent their lives in the neighborhood disagree about it. Nay,
even those who attended the funeral, describe the place dif-
ferently. Mr. Joseph F. White, late of this town, a man of
accurate observation and retentive memory, who was pres-
ent at the funeral, is probably very correct in his recollec-
tion.
He showed me the spot where he supposed the remains
of the General were deposited. This was in the middle
burial ground,, about equidistant from the north and south
boundaries of it, in the eastern half. The foot of the grave
is about six feet in a north easterly direction from the head
stone of the Rev. Robert Sandeman’s grave. It will readi-
lv be perceived, that there is a grave here, by a cavity in
the earth, extending in an easterly and westerly direction.
So now the remains of this active patriot, lie in the middle
burial ground in Danbury, mixed with his kindred earth,
without the humblest stone or symbol being placed to tell
the spot where he lies. We read with mingled sentiments
of pity, Satisfaction, and respect, that the brave General
Fraser lies in the country of his enemies, where he fell,,
without any monument to be seen over his grave, unless
we except a lonesome briar which rural nature has pre-
sented to his memory. But the memories of our conscript
fathers, and patriots, Washington, Herkimer, Wayne and
Wooster, are entitled to be perpetuated upon enduring pub-
lic monuments; and thereby we shall deeply impress upon
the minds of the rising youth of our country sentiments of
the noblest virtue, and stimulate men of mature years to
constant and meritorious exertions. For it is the remem-
brance of such worthy men, that keeps alive the sparks ofBRITISH EXPEDITION TO DANBURY.	239
virtue in a nation, which human passions tend perpetually
to extinguish.
Soon after the battle at Ridgefield, in 1777, Congress did
generously resolve that a monument should be erected to
the memory of Wooster, and appropriated a sum of five
hundred dollars for the purpose. It has been a general sen-
timent prevailing throughout the western part of Connecti-
cut, that the charge was committed to his son, Thomas
Wooster, who received the money from the public treasury,
and misapplied it. This common error, which reflected the
most odious ingratitude upon the character of the son, it is
in my power to contradict. It is an undoubted fact, that
the money was never received in pursuance of this resolu-
tion, and in support of the truth of this, the Secretary of
the Treasury has furnished a certificate. In the session of
1822, this subject was brought before Congress, with the
view of obtaining a new appropriation; but a committee
appointed to examine into the merits of the application,
reported unfavorably, in consequence of the number of ap-
plications which the granting of this would encourage, and
there the matter ended.
Whether Congress will ever again resolve in favor of a
monument to W'ooster, at the public expense, is doubtful.
Rut how generous, and noble, and just, would it be, for that
sister state which gave him birth, in whose service* he died,
and which now embosoms his remains, to grant this trifling
boon. Wooster added to the honor and to the strength of
his native state. But in the profession of arms, he added
to the splendor and usefulness of a long military life, by
courting the kindly blessings of Christianity. He was a
professor of religion. And oh! how would the sentimental
passenger glow with enthusiasm as he read and wept over
the tomb of the military and Christian hero ?—
" Purpureos spargam flores, animamque
“ His saltern accumulem donis.”
In the general destruction at Danbury, nineteen houses,
their furniture, linen, &c. the Presbyterian Church, and
twenty-two stores and barns, with all their contents, were
consumed; three thousand barrels of pork; more than one
* General Wooster was not in the service of the United States at the time of
his death. He had been a Brigadier General in the continental forces, and con-
ceiving himself to have been neglected, he resigned, and was appointed at the
commencement of the war the first Major General of militia in his native state,
which grade he held at the time of his death.240
REMARKS, ETC.
thousand barrels of flour; several hundred barrels of beef %
seventeen hundred and ninety tents; two thousand bushels
of grain; clothing for a whole regiment, besides many other
valuable articles, such as rum, wine, rice, army carriages,
&c. The quantity of continental stores which were con-
sumed, cannot now be accurately ascertained. Accounts
vary considerably. The private losses were estimated by
a committee appointed for the purpose, at £16,184 17s lOd*
The village library, and the town records, which contained
the evidences of titles, were likewise burnt. Dr. Ramsay’s
account of the losses at Danbury, therefore, the above be-
ing correct, is far short of the truth. To this list, must be
added about one hundred barrels of flour, and one hundred
hogsheads of rum, which met with the same fate upon the
road, as the British were returning.
It is confidently believed that amidst all this waste of
property, the tories suffered nothing. In Danbury, there
were several tories, who staid at home during the visit of
the British, and were respected in their persons and prop-
erty. Indeed it is said every house which the enemy wish-
ed to save, was marked by a conspicuous cross upon the
door the evening previous to the fire. Certain it is, that
throughout their whole route, not a single tory suffered any
thing. The same care was observable in Ridgefield, and
if any article was obtained of a tory, it was paid for. The
object was evident. But how was it so easily accomplish-
ed ? How was the information so correctly ascertained ?
The answer is, that tories living along the route, had been
obtained by Sir William Howe previous to the sailing of
the expedition, and were sent with the detachment. Of
these there were a great number, but I have obtained
the names of but two with absolute certainty—Eli Bene-
dict of Danbury, and Benjamin Stebbins of Ridgefield.
There is no doubt that these men were of the number, who
had the satisfaction of afterwards reflecting that they had
been the means of destroying their native town and ruining
their nearest kinsmen. But these persons, I have under-
stood, became vagabonds afterwards. Deity made the
same impress upon all their efforts, as he did upon the figure
of the unrighteous son of our first parent.